Proline mediates metabolic communication between retinal pigment epithelial cells and the retina.

ABSTRACT: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of pigmented cells between the choroid and the retina. RPE dysfunction underlies many retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness. To perform its various functions in nutrient transport, phagocytosis of the outer segment, and cytokine secretion, the RPE relies on an active energy metabolism. We previously reported that human RPE cells prefer proline as a nutrient and transport proline-derived metabolites to the apical, or retinal, side. In this study, we investigated how RPE utilizes proline in vivo and why proline is a preferred substrate. By using [¹³C]proline labeling both ex vivo and in vivo, we found that the retina rarely uses p

SUBMITTER: Yam M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6664195 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature