Hypoxic expression of NLRP3 and VEGF in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells: contribution of P2Y₂ receptor signaling.

ABSTRACT: Retinal hypoxia is a major condition of the chronic inflammatory disease age-related macular degeneration. Extracellular ATP is a danger signal which is known to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in various cell systems. We investigated in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells whether hypoxia alters the expression of inflammasome-associated genes and whether purinergic receptor signaling contributes to the hypoxic expression of key inflammatory (NLRP3) and angiogenic factor (VEGF) genes. Hypoxia and chemical hypoxia were induced by a 0.2%-O₂ atmosphere and addition of CoCl₂, respectively. Gene expression was determined with real-time RT-PCR. Cytosolic NLRP3 and (pro-) IL-1β levels, and the extracellular VEGF level, were evaluated with Western blot and EL

SUBMITTER: Doktor F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6298930 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature