The effect of rapamycin on autophagy in human corneal epithelial cells

Abstract

Purpose : Rapamycin has been shown to have anti-aging effects in cells and animals. We have previously reported that rapamycin prolongs the survival of corneal epithelial cells in culture and prevents their loss to replicative senescence. In this study, we investigated whether rapamycin, at similar doses, increases autophagy in human corneal epithelial cells.

Methods : Human primary corneal epithelial cells were cultured in serum-free media. The cells were treated with rapamycin or DMSO (control). The cell morphology and the expression of autophagy marker LC3 by immunostaining and Western blot were noted.

Results : Rapamycin treatment of corneal epithelial cells induced the formation of vacuoles (autophagosomes) which were visible by light microscopy. The vacuoles were found to express LC3. Rapamycin likewise increased the expression of LC3 by Western blot.

Conclusions : Rapamycin appears to increase autophagy in primary human corneal epithelial cells. This may in part explain the increased survival of corneal epithelial cells in culture.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.