Thrombin induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and collagen production by retinal pigment epithelial cells via autocrine PDGF-receptor signaling

Jeroen Bastiaans, Jan C. van Meurs, Conny van Holten-Neelen, Nicole M.A. Nagtzaam, P. Martin van Hagen, Rachel C. Chambers, Herbert Hooijkaas, Willem A. Dik*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

PURPOSE: De-differentiation of RPE cells into mesenchymal cells (epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EMT) and associated collagen production contributes to development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). In patients with PVR, intraocular coagulation cascade activation occurs and may play an important initiating role. Therefore, we examined the effect of the coagulation proteins factor Xa and thrombin on EMT and collagen production by RPE cells.

METHODS: Retinal pigment epithelial cells were stimulated with factor Xa or thrombin and the effect on zonula occludens (ZO)-1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B were determined by real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR), immunofluorescence microscopy, and HPLC and ELISA for collagen and PDGF-BB in culture supernatants, respectively. PDGF-receptor activation was determined by phosphorylation analysis and inhibition studies using the PDGF-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1296.

RESULTS: Thrombin reduced ZO-1 gene expression (P < 0.05) and enhanced expression of the genes encoding α-SMA and the pro-alpha1 chain of collagen type-1 (P < 0.05), indicating EMT. Also, ZO-1 protein expression declined on thrombin stimulation, whereas production of α-SMA and collagen increased. In contrast to thrombin, factor Xa hardly stimulated EMT by RPE. Thrombin clearly induced PDGF-BB production and PDGF-Rβ chain phosphorylation in RPE. Moreover, AG1296 significantly blocked the effect of thrombin on EMT and collagen production.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that thrombin is a potent inducer of EMT by RPE via autocrine activation of PDGF-receptor signaling. Coagulation cascade-induced EMT of RPE may thus contribute to the formation of fibrotic retinal membranes in PVR and should be considered as treatment target in PVR.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8306-8314
Number of pages9
JournalInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science
Volume54
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2013

Bibliographical note

Copyright 2013 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thrombin induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and collagen production by retinal pigment epithelial cells via autocrine PDGF-receptor signaling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this