Impaired retinal iron homeostasis associated with defective phagocytosis in Royal College of Surgeons rats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether iron homeostasis disorder accompanies retinal degeneration in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.


METHODS
The presence of iron was revealed directly by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and indirectly by electron microscopy (EM). Ferritin, transferrin (Tf), and transferrin receptor (Tf-R) were localized by immunohistochemistry. Ferritin and Tf proteins were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Comparative study of Tf-R content was performed by slot-blot analysis and ferritin content was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ferritin and Tf-R expression was studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Tf expression by in situ hybridization (ISH). All studies were performed in RCS and control retinas from postnatal days (PN)20 to PN55.


RESULTS
PIXE analysis showed iron accumulation in outer retina of RCS rats in a time-dependent manner. EM studies revealed irregular iron inclusions on partially degenerated outer segments (OS) of photoreceptors and lamellar whorls at PN35 and very large iron deposits on membranes from a debris layer at PN55. No such deposits were found in the inner retina. Ferritin and Tf-R expression and protein levels seemed to be unaffected in the inner part of the retina. Iron accumulation was preceded by Tf degradation, as revealed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Tf mRNA was detected in RCS rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) at all stages studied.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents the first evidence for a correlation of iron homeostasis imbalance with the neurodegenerative state of the retina in RCS rats. The iron imbalance is not the underlying genetic defect but is the result of impaired RPE-photoreceptor interaction, which leads to debris accumulation and subsequent blockage of the outer retina's iron delivery pathway. The increase of iron in the photoreceptor area may enhance the vulnerability of cells to oxidative stress.
Yefimova
Marina G
MG
Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Jeanny
Jean-Claude
JC
Keller
Nicole
N
Sergeant
Claire
C
Guillonneau
Xavier
X
Beaumont
Carole
C
Courtois
Yves
Y
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005293:Ferritins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006706:Homeostasis; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019189:Iron Metabolism Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012374:Rod Cell Outer Segment / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron