Mitochondria impairment correlates with increased sensitivity of aging RPE cells to oxidative stress

Yuan He, Jian Ge, Janice M. Burke, Roland L. Myers, Zhi Z. Dong, Joyce Tombran-Tink

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    43 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Impairment of mitochondria function and cellular antioxidant systems are linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. In the eye, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is exposed to a highly oxidative environment that contributes to age-related visual dysfunction. Here, we examined changes in mitochondrial function in human RPE cells and sensitivity to oxidative stress with increased chronological age. Primary RPE cells from young (9-20)-, mid-age (48-60)-, and g̃;60 (62-76)-year-old donors were grown to confluency and examined by electron microscopy and flow cytometry using several mitochondrial functional assessment tools. Susceptibility of RPE cells to H2O2 toxicity was determined by lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c release, as well as propidium iodide staining. Reactive oxygen species, cytoplasmic Ca 2+ [Ca2+]c, and mitochondrial Ca2+ [Ca2+]m levels were measured using

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)92-108
    Number of pages17
    JournalJournal of Ocular Biology, Diseases, and Informatics
    Volume3
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Sep 2010

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Ophthalmology
    • Genetics

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Mitochondria impairment correlates with increased sensitivity of aging RPE cells to oxidative stress'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this