Particulate matter 2.5 exposure induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 617; no. Pt 2; pp. 11 - 17
• Main Authors: Lin, Hui-Wen, Shen, Ting-Jing, Chen, Peng-Yu, Chen, Tzu-Chun, Yeh, Jui-Hsuan, Tsou, Shang-Chun, Lai, Chane-Yu, Chen, Chang-Han, Chang, Yuan-Yen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 30.08.2022
• Subjects: cell culture; cell viability; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; epithelium; humans; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; migratory behavior; Ocular surface diseases; particulates; pathogenesis; PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling; PM2.5; retina; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; Ocular surface diseases; ECM; PM2.5; PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.05.072

Exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) has been linked to ocular surface diseases, yet knowledge of the molecular mechanism impacted on retina pathogenesis is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effects and involved factors of PM2.5 exposure in human retinal pigment epithelial APRE-19 cells. Our data revealed a decreased cell viability and an increased migratory ability in APRE-19 cells after PM2.5 stimulation. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein levels were markedly increased while the MMPs regulators TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were significantly reduced in PM2.5-exposed APRE-19 cells. PM2.5 also increased pro-MMP-2 expression in the cell culture supernatants. Additionally, PM2.5 promoted the EMT markers through the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Moreover, the ICAM-1 production was also remarkably increased by PM2.5 but reduced by PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 in APRE-19 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that PM2.5 promotes EMT in a PI3K/AKT/mTOR-dependent manner in the retinal pigment epithelium. •PM2.5 enhances cell migration of human retinal pigment epithelia ARPE-19 cell.•PM2.5 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human retinal pigment epithelia ARPE-19 cell.•PM2.5 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in ocular epithelium.