Aβ monomers protect lens epithelial cells against oxidative stress by upregulating CDC25B

To protect against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in lens epithelial cells is a potential strategy in preventing cataract formation. The present study aimed at studying the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) on hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced apoptosis in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells (SRA 01–04). Cells were pretreated with p-CA at a concentration of 3, 10, and 30 μM before the treatment of H2O2 (275 μM). Results showed that pretreatment with p-CA significantly protected against H2O2-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, as well as downregulating the expressions of both cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in HLE cells. Moreover, p-CA also greatly suppressed H2O2-induced intracellular ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential loss and elevated the activities of T-SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px of H2O2-treated cells. As well, in vitro study showed that p-CA also suppressed H2O2-induced phosphorylation of p-38, ERK, and JNK in HLE cells. These findings demonstrate that p-CA suppresses H2O2-induced HLE cell apoptosis through modulating MAPK signaling pathways and suggest that p-CA has a potential therapeutic role in the prevention of cataract.

Download Full-text

Thioredoxin Binding Protein-2 Regulates Autophagy of Human Lens Epithelial Cells under Oxidative Stress via Inhibition of Akt Phosphorylation

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2016/4856431 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jiaojie Zhou ◽

Ke Yao ◽

Yidong Zhang ◽

Guangdi Chen ◽

Kairan Lai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Negative Regulator ◽

Human Lens ◽

Lens Epithelial Cells ◽

Human Lens Epithelial Cells ◽

Age Related

Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the development of age-related cataract. Thioredoxin binding protein-2 (TBP-2) is a negative regulator of thioredoxin (Trx), which deteriorates cellular antioxidant system. Our study focused on the autophagy-regulating effect of TBP-2 under oxidative stress in human lens epithelial cells (LECs). Human lens epithelial cells were used for cell culture and treatment. Lentiviral-based transfection system was used for overexpression of TBP-2. Cytotoxicity assay, western blot analysis, GFP/mCherry-fused LC3 plasmid, immunofluorescence, and transmission electronic microscopy were performed. The results showed that autophagic response of LECs with increased LC3-II, p62, and GFP/mCherry-LC3 puncta (P<0.01) was induced by oxidative stress. Overexpression of TBP-2 further strengthens this response and worsens the cell viability (P<0.01). Knockdown of TBP-2 attenuates the autophagic response and cell viability loss induced by oxidative stress. TBP-2 mainly regulates autophagy in the initiation stage, which is mTOR-independent and probably caused by the dephosphorylation of Akt under oxidative stress. These findings suggest a novel role of TBP-2 in human LECs under oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause cell injury and autophagy in LECs, and TBP-2 regulates this response. Hence, this study provides evidence regarding the role of TBP-2 in lens and the possible mechanism of cataract development.

Download Full-text

Synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy of protein aggregation and lipids peroxidation changes in human cataractous lens epithelial cells

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-72413-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Martin Kreuzer ◽

Tanja Dučić ◽

Marko Hawlina ◽

Sofija Andjelic

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Protein Aggregation ◽

Photon Flux ◽

Lens Epithelial Cells ◽

Ftir Microspectroscopy ◽

Age Related ◽

Cataractous Lens ◽

Synchrotron Light ◽

Common Environmental Factor

Abstract Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide but the mechanisms involved in the process of cataractogenesis are not yet fully understood. Two most prevalent types of age-related cataracts are nuclear (N) and cortical (C) cataracts. A common environmental factor in most age-related cataracts is believed to be oxidative stress. The lens epithelium, the first physical and biological barrier in the lens, is build from lens epithelial cells (LECs). LECs are important for the maintenance of lens transparency as they control energy production, antioxidative mechanisms and biochemical transport for the whole lens. The purpose of this study is to characterize compounds in LECs originated from N and C cataracts, by using the synchrotron radiation-based Fourier Transform Infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy, in order to understand the functional importance of their different bio-macromolecules in cataractogenesis. We used the SR-FTIR microspectroscopy setup installed on the beamline MIRAS at the Spanish synchrotron light source ALBA, where measurements were set to achieve single cell resolution, with high spectral stability and high photon flux. The results showed that protein aggregation in form of fibrils was notably pronounced in LECs of N cataracts, while oxidative stress and the lipids peroxidation were more pronounced in LECs of C cataracts.

Download Full-text

Let-7c-3p Regulates Autophagy under Oxidative Stress by Targeting ATG3 in Lens Epithelial Cells

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/6069390 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ting Li ◽

Yanhong Huang ◽

Wenkai Zhou ◽

Qichang Yan

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Western Blot ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Human Lens ◽

Lens Epithelial Cells ◽

Age Related ◽

Spot Number ◽

Gene Assay

Background. Oxidative stress is an important factor during age-related cataract formation. Apoptosis and autophagy induced by oxidative stress have been reported as key factors in age-related cataract. In our research, we investigated the role of let-7c-3p in the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis during the formation of age-related cataract. Material and Methods. Real-time PCR and western blot were employed to detect the expression of let-7c-3p in the tissues of age-related cataract. Human lens epithelial cells (LECs) were treated with H2O2 as an age-related cataract model. The extent of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and western blot. To detect autophagy, immunofluorescence was used to analyze the spot number of LC3, and western blot was used to detect the expression of LC3-II/I and ATG3. The molecular mechanisms of let-7c-3p regulating autophagy via ATG3 under oxidative stress were performed by a luciferase report gene assay and rescue experiment. Results. Downregulation of let-7c-3p was found in the age-related cataract group aged >65 years relative to the age-related cataract group aged ≤65 years. Consistently, the expression of let-7c-3p was also lower under oxidative stress. The activities of LEC apoptosis and autophagy induced by oxidative stress were inhibited by let-7c-3p. By the bioinformatics database and the luciferase reporter assay, ATG3 was found to be a direct target of let-7c-3p. Let-7c-3p reduced the ATG3-mediated autophagy level, which was induced by oxidative stress in LECs. Conclusion. Let-7c-3p inhibits autophagy by targeting ATG3 in LECs in age-related cataract.

Download Full-text

Long Non-Coding RNA H19 Regulates Human Lens Epithelial Cells Function

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000494003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 246-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Xin Liu ◽

Chang Liu ◽

Kun Shan ◽

Shujie Zhang ◽

Yi Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Human Lens ◽

Lens Epithelial Cells ◽

Double Staining ◽

Human Lens Epithelial Cells ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Background/Aims: Age-related cataract (ARC) remains the leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly population. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as potential regulators in many ocular diseases. However, the role of lncRNAs in nuclear ARC, a subtype of ARC, requires further elucidation. Methods: LncRNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs between the capsules of transparent and nuclear ARC lenses. Expression validation was confirmed by qRT-PCR. MTT assay, Calcein-AM and propidium iodide double staining, Rhodamine 123 and Hoechst double staining, EdU and transwell assay were used to determine the role of H19 or miR-675 in the viability, apoptosis, proliferation and migration of primary cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLECs). Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays were used to identify the binding target of miR-675. Results: Sixty-three lncRNAs are differentially expressed between the capsules of transparent and nuclear ARC lenses. One top abundantly expressed lncRNA, H19, is significantly up-regulated in the nuclear ARC lens capsules and positively associated with nuclear ARC grade. H19 knockdown accelerates apoptosis development and reduces the proliferation and migration of HLECs upon oxidative stress. H19 is the precursor of miR-675, and a reduction of H19 inhibits miR-675 expression. miR-675 regulates CRYAA expression by targeting the binding site within the 3’UTR. Moreover, miR-675 increases the proliferation and migration while decreasing the apoptosis of HLECs upon oxidative stress. Conclusion: H19 regulates HLECs function through miR-675-mediated CRYAA expression. This finding would provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of nuclear ARC.

Download Full-text