Cyanidin-3-glucoside improves the barrier function of retinal pigment epithelium cells by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, Wenting; Wu, Yalin; Peng, Zhenzhen; Qi, Wentao; Liu, Tingting; Yang, Bo; He, Danxue; Liu, Yixiang; Wang, Yong
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 157(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Cyanidin-3-glucoside -- Endoplasmic reticulum stress -- Retinal pigment epithelial cells -- Blood–retinal barrier function -- Nrf2 pathway -- Visual health; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111313
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: C3G increased the viability and inhibited the apoptosis of RPE cells. C3G improved the barrier function of RPE cells. C3G suppressed the ER stress and maintained normal ER morphology in RPE cells. C3G activated the Nrf2 pathway to promote RPE survival. Abstract: Excessive exposure to blue light from smartphones, computers, and other video equipment causes retinal degeneration. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) exerts protective effects on retinal cells. However, the mechanism by which C3G enhances the barrier function of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of C3G on blue light-irradiated A2E-containing RPE cells and explored whether or not the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and downstream nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathways are involved in the mechanism. Results showed that C3G (10 and 25 μM) observably increased the viability and inhibited the apoptosis of RPE cells. Furthermore, C3G enhanced the barrier function of RPE cells and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins. Blue light irradiation triggered ER stress, but C3G significantly suppressed the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway and maintained normal ER morphology in RPE cells. C3G also activated the Nrf2 pathway to promote RPE survival, which was independent of ER stress modulating Nrf2 activity. This study suggests that C3G promotes the barrier function of RPE cells by regulating ER stress-induced apoptosis, thereby offering a new approach to preventing retinal diseases. Thus, C3G is a potential functional food ingredient to improve visual health.