Deep RNA-sequencing of the RPE Reveals a Suppressed Innate Immune Response and Activation of Dedifferentiation Pathway in Response to Chronic Smoking
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ABSTRACT: Cigarette smoking is the strongest environmental risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness among the elderly in western societies. Despite intensive study, the full impact of smoking on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a central cell type involved in AMD pathobiology, remains unknown. The relative contribution of the known dysfunctional pathways to AMD, at what stage they are most pathogenic, or whether other processes are relevant, is poorly understood, and furthermore, whether they are activated by smoking, is unknown. We performed global RNA-sequencing of the RPE from C57BL/6J mice exposed to chronic cigarette smoke or air for 6 months to identify potential pathogenic and cytoprotective pathways. The RPE transcriptome induced by chronic cigarette smoking exhibited a mixed response of marked suppression of the innate immune response that included the antiviral response with type I and II interferons concurrent with upregulation of cell differentiation and morphogenic gene clusters, suggesting an attempt by the RPE to maintain its differentiated state despite smoke-induced injury. Given that mice exposed to chronic smoke develop early features of AMD, these novel findings are potentially relevant to the transition from aging to AMD.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE149386 | GEO | 2020/08/26
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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