Project description: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.
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).
Project description:Retinal pigment epithelial cells are critical for eye function and loss of cell function is linked to age-related blindness. Relatively little is known about the transcriptional regulatory networks in these cells. The datasets presented here are ChIP-seq experiments for RNA polymerase II , transcription factors and histone modifications in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. ChIP-Seq for transcription factors, RNA polymerase, histone modifications and CTCF in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Project description:This project identifies and quantitates Hydroxyapatite binding proteins (HAP) in plasma genotyped for complement factor H (CFH) polymorphism in late stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients by sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH). This study provides insights into factors contributing to the formation of sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) deposits and explores the effect of AMD-associated CFH polymorphism on deposit composition.
Project description:Retinal pigment epithelial cells are critical for eye function and loss of cell function is linked to age-related blindness. Relatively little is known about the transcriptional regulatory networks in these cells. The datasets presented here are ChIP-seq experiments for RNA polymerase II , transcription factors and histone modifications in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Project description:This dataset represent supplemental data for publication submitted to Human Molecular Genetics in 2022. Briefly, Efemp1 R345W is a protein misfolding-prone mutation in humans causing Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy/Mallatia Leventinese (DHRD/ML), a disease sharing similar clinical pathology with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Efemp1R345W/R345W knock-in mice (Efemp1ki/ki mice) develop deposits on the basal side of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which is complement C3- dependent. We assessed alternative complement pathway component factor B (Cfb) in sub-RPE deposit formation in Efemp1ki/ki mice.
Project description:We inoculated ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cells with EBOV, and followed course of infection by immunocytochemistry and measurement of titer in culture supernatant. To interrogate transcriptional responses of infected cells, we combined RNA sequencing with in silico pathway, gene ontology, transcription factor binding site and network analyses. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were permissive to infection with EBOV, and supported viral replication and release of virus in high titer. Unexpectedly, 28% of 560 up-regulated transcripts in EBOV-infected cells were type I IFN responsive, indicating a robust type I IFN response.
Project description:Comparitive analysis of the retinal stem/progentior cells derived from the ciliary and iris pigment epithelial cells and the subsequent differentiated cells derived from the stem/progenitor cells. Gene expression profiling has shown great promise in analysing the reprogramming pattern of the cells under various culture conditions, in this context we analysed the various differential gene expression pattern of the neurospheres derived from the ciliary and iris pigment epithelial cells, and their differentiated cells. This provide an insite for the stem cell transplantation studies. We analysed 3 biological cultures derived from each catogory like the primary cells of both ciliary and iris pigment epithelial cells, the stem/progenitor cells (Neurospheres), neurosphere derived differentiated cells. No technical replicates were performed.