Effects of cytokine activation and oxidative stress on the function of the human embryonic stem cell–derived retinal pigment epithelial cells

PURPOSE. In several retinal complications, such as age-dependent macular degeneration (AMD), oxidative stress is increased and cytokine level is elevated. These are shown to alter the activation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) both in human primary and immortalized retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. However, the effects on human embryonic stem cell (hESC)–derived RPE cells remain to be elucidated. METHODS. The mature hESC-RPE cells were exposed to inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ or TNF-α) for 24 hours or oxidative stress (H₂O₂) for 1 hour. Effects on barrier properties were analyzed with transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, collagen I, and collagen IV genes with quantitative RT-PCR, and the expression of MMP- 1 and MMP-3 proteins with Western blot or ELISA, respectively. Also, activation and secretion of MMP-2 and -9 proteins were analyzed with zymography. RESULTS. In normal state, mature hESC-RPE cells expressed MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 genes in low levels, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-α increased MMP-1 and -2 gene expression, and H₂O₂ increased MMP-3 and -9 gene expression. Zymography revealed IFN-γ– and TNF-α– induced secretion of MMP-2 and high-molecular-weight species of MMP (HMW MMP), but H₂O₂ decreased their secretion. Furthermore, TNF-α and H₂O₂ significantly decreased barrier properties. CONCLUSIONS. Here, cytokines induced the MMP-1 and -2 gene and protein expression. Also, H₂O₂ induced MMP-3 and -9 gene expression, but not their protein secretion. These data propose that under oxidative stress and cytokine stimuli, mature hESC-RPE cells resemble their native counterpart in the human eye in regard to MMP secretion and expression and could be used to model retinal disorders involving alterations in MMP activity such as AMD, diabetic retinopathy, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy in vitro.