Expression of the iron-regulatory protein haemojuvelin in retina and its regulation during cytomegalovirus infection.

Abstract

Haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder of iron overload resulting from loss-of-function mutations in genes coding for the iron-regulatory proteins HFE [HLA-like protein involved in iron (Fe) homoeostasis], transferrin receptor 2, ferroportin, hepcidin and HJV (haemojuvelin). Expression of the first four genes coding for these proteins in retina has been established. Here we report on the expression of HJV. Since infection of retina with CMV (cytomegalovirus) causes blindness, we also investigated the expression of HJV and other iron-regulatory proteins in retina during CMV infection. HJV (HJV gene) mRNA was expressed in RPE (retinal pigment epithelium)/eyecup and neural retina in mouse. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of HJV mRNA and protein in RPE, outer and inner nuclear layers, and ganglion cell layer. Immunocytochemistry with cell lines and primary cell cultures showed HJV expression in RPE and Müller cells. In RPE, the expression was restricted to apical membrane. Infection of primary cultures of mouse RPE with CMV increased HJV mRNA and protein levels. Under similar conditions, HFE (HFE gene) mRNA levels were not altered, but HFE protein was decreased. Hepcidin expression was, however, not altered. These findings were demonstrable in vivo with CMV-infected mouse retina. The CMV-induced up-regulation of HJV in RPE was independent of changes in HFE because the phenomenon was also seen in HFE-null RPE cells. CMV-infected primary RPE cells showed evidence of iron accumulation and oxidative stress, as indicated by increased levels of ferritin and hydroxynonenal. The observed changes in HJV expression and iron status during CMV infection in retina may have significance in the pathophysiology of CMV retinitis.

• Authors: Jaya P Gnana-Prakasam, Ming Zhang, Pamela M Martin, Sally S Atherton, Sylvia B Smith, Vadivel Ganapathy
• Journal: The Biochemical journal (Biochem J) Vol. 419 Issue 3 Pg. 533-43 (May 01 2009) ISSN: 1470-8728 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19191760 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
• GPI-Linked Proteins
• HJV protein, mouse
• Hamp protein, mouse
• Hemochromatosis Protein
• Hepcidins
• Hfe protein, mouse
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
• Iron-Regulatory Proteins
• Membrane Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• Iron

Topics

• Animals
• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides (metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytomegalovirus Infections (metabolism)
• GPI-Linked Proteins
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Hemochromatosis Protein
• Hepcidins
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I (metabolism)
• Iron (metabolism)
• Iron-Regulatory Proteins (metabolism)
• Membrane Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Mice
• Muromegalovirus (physiology)
• Protein Transport
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Retina (metabolism, pathology, virology)
• Retinal Pigment Epithelium (metabolism, pathology, virology)