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Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Upregulate Expression of Complement Factors after Co-culture with Activated T Cells

ABSTRACT: In this study we examined the effect of T cell-derived cytokines on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with respect to expression of complement components. We used an in vitro co-culture system in which CD3/CD28-activated human T cells were separated from the human RPE cell line (ARPE-19) by a membrane. Differential gene expression in the RPE cells of complement factor genes was identified using gene arrays, and selected gene transcripts were validated by q-RT-PCR. Protein expression was determined by ELISA and immunoblotting. Co-culture with activated T cells increased RPE mRNA and/or protein expression of complement components C3, factors B, H, H-like 1, CD46, CD55, CD59, and clusterin, in a dose-dependent manner. Soluble factors derived from activated T cells are capable of increasing expression of complement components in RPE cells. This is important for the further understanding of inflammatory ocular diseases such as uveitis and age-related macular degeneration.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE17938 | GEO | 2011/02/02

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA119877

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by the degeneration of the macular photoreceptors. This is preceded by development of subretinal protein aggregates (drusen) and degeneration of the macular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The underlying pathogenesis remains unknown, but the immune system is suspected to play a key role in it. Aging of the immune system, immunosenescence, includes changes in T cell sub-populations and results in low-level chronic inflammation. Because AMD exclusively occurs in patients over 55 years of age, we hypothesize that aging of the T cell compartment may be implicated in AMD pathogenesis. Methodology and principal findings: Using an in vitro co-culture system, we investigated the effects of activated T cells on a human RPE cell line (ARPE-19). Differential gene expression in the RPE cells of complement factor genes was identified using microarrays, and selected gene transcripts from the alternative complement pathway were validated by q-RT-PCR. Protein expression was determined by ELISA and immunoblotting. Co-culture with activated T cells increased RPE mRNA and protein expression of complement component C3, factors B, H, H-like 1, CD46, CD59, and clusterin, in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: RPE cells responded to inflammatory assault caused by exposure to T cell-derived cytokines by upregulating expression of many complement factors from the alternative pathway. This may have implications for RPE ability to deal with complement attack, and opsonization and removal of debris from the RPE-choroidal interface. We speculate that regulation of the complement system in response to inflammatory assault may play a vital role in RPE pathology and drusen biogenesis. Experiment Overall Design: 10 samples investigating variations of co-cultures of RPE cells and T-cells. Variable parameters include the cell type, the co-culturing of the counter-part cell type and the orientation of the system (apical vs basolateral).

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Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Upregulate Expression of Complement Factors after Co-culture with Activated T Cells

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