Involvement of Egr-1 in lens epithelial cell death induced by selenite

T. Nakajima, P. B. Belusko, R. D. Walkup, M. Azuma, T. R. Shearer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selenite-overdose cataract in young rats may be caused by an initial insult to the lens epithelial cells. Our previous DNA array analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression of mRNA for early growth response protein-1 (Egr-1) in lens epithelial cells after injection of selenite. This suggested that up-regulation of Egr-1 mRNA may be involved in lens epithelial cell death. The purpose of the present experiment was to further clarify the involvement of Egr-1 in lens epithelial cell death induced by selenite. Rat lens epithelial explants were cultured with sodium selenite. Selenite caused epithelial explants to leak LDH into the medium. During LDH leakage, increased expression of mRNA for Egr-1 was observed by RT-PCR. To further test the involvement of Egr-1 in selenite-induced cell death, mouse lens epithelial cell line (α-TN4 cells) was treated with antisense oligonucleotide for Egr-1. Antisense oligonucleotide for Egr-1 significantly diminished expression of Egr-1 protein and leakage of LDH. These results suggested that increased activity of Egr-1 may be a factor in lens epithelial cell death induced by selenite.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)874-878
Number of pages5
JournalExperimental Eye Research
Volume82
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2006

Keywords

  • Antisense oligonucleotide
  • Cell death
  • Egr-1
  • Lens epithelial cell
  • Selenite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Involvement of Egr-1 in lens epithelial cell death induced by selenite'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this