Down-regulation of CRTAC1 attenuates UVB-induced pyroptosis in HLECs through inhibiting ROS production

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2020 Oct 29;532(1):159-165. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.07.028. Epub 2020 Aug 22.

Abstract

Pyroptosis has been found to be related to diverse ocular diseases, including cataract. Abnormal CRTAC1 expression has been reported to involve in cataract formation by affecting cell apoptosis. Whether CRTAC1 regulates pyroptosis in the formation progress of cataract is completely unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of CRTAC1 on pyroptosis and the potential mechanism in the UVB-induced cell damage model. The results showed that the levels of the established pyroptosis markers (NLRP3, active Caspase-1, pro Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18) were significantly increased in cataract patients. The above pyroptosis markers could be obviously induced by UVB-irradiation in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs), while down-regulation of CRTAC1 significantly reversed the UVB-induced pyroptosis. Up-regulation of CRTAC1 promoted HLECs pyroptosis, while the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-l-cysteine blocked the effects of CRTAC1 overexpression. In conclusion, our findings further suggested that the prominent role of CRTAC1 in cataract formation.

Keywords: CRTAC1; Cataract; Pyroptosis; Reactive oxygen species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cataract / etiology
  • Cataract / metabolism
  • Cataract / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lens Capsule, Crystalline / cytology*
  • Lens Capsule, Crystalline / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Pyroptosis / radiation effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects

Substances

  • CRTAC1 protein, human
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species