Abstract
Purpose :
Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a complication after ocular trauma characterized by the formation of retinal membranes. PVR is thought to be mediated via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial cells. RUNX transcription factors play a key role in biological processes involving EMT in developmental and cancer biology. We hypothesize that RUNX1 mediates EMT in PVR
Methods :
Immunofluorescence staining (IF) was performed on patient-derived PVR membranes (n=3) for RUNX1. EMT was induced in ARPE-19 and primary cultures from patient-derived PVR membranes (C-PVR) by 10ng/ml TGF-β2, TNF-α, IL-6 and a combination treatment of all three growth factors. Expression of EMT markers Occludin and N-Cadherin were evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses 3 days post treatment in both cell types. RUNX1 expression was examined via qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. RUNX1 activity was inhibited by Ro5-3335 and expression of α-SMA was evaluated by IF. RUNX1 knockdown was performed using siRNA and levels of EMT markers were evaluated 2 days post treatment in both cell types. RUNX1 inhibition using Ro5-3335 was tested in an in vitro wound-healing assay using retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS-RPE).
Results :
RUNX1 was detected in a subpopulation of cells in PVR membranes. In ARPE-19 cells, TGF-β2, TNF-α and combination treated cells led to a decrease in mRNA levels of Occludin (2-fold) and an increase in mRNA (1.5-fold) and protein of N-Cadherin. In C-PVR cells, TGF-β2 and combination treated cells led to a reduction in mRNA levels of Occludin (2-fold) and an increase in mRNA levels (2-fold) and protein of N-Cadherin. An increase in RUNX1 expression (P < 0.05) was observed in both cell types. In ARPE-19 cells, EMT and fibrosis were inhibited by Ro5-3335 and confirmed by diminished α-SMA staining. RUNX1 knockdown partially inhibited EMT as assessed by a no significant change in E-Cadherin and N-Cadherin mRNA and protein levels. In iPS-derived RPE, Ro5-3335 (100uM) decreased vitreous treatment-induced α-SMA staining 14 days post treatment.
Conclusions :
Our results support our hypothesis of a critical role for RUNX1 as a mediator of EMT and fibrosis in PVR across multiple cell models: ARPE-19, C-PVR, and iPS-RPE cells. Modulation of RUNX1 can potentially be a method for partial or complete inhibition of EMT preventing the progression of PVR.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.