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
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
May 2009
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkEditorial Board
Research Article|
April 14 2009
Expression of the iron-regulatory protein haemojuvelin in retina and its regulation during cytomegalovirus infection
Jaya P. Gnana-Prakasam;
Jaya P. Gnana-Prakasam
*Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Ming Zhang;
Ming Zhang
‡Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Pamela M. Martin;
Pamela M. Martin
*Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Sally S. Atherton;
Sally S. Atherton
‡Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Sylvia B. Smith;
Sylvia B. Smith
‡Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Vadivel Ganapathy
Vadivel Ganapathy
1
*Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email vganapat@mcg.edu).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 17 2008
Revision Received:
January 23 2009
Accepted:
February 04 2009
Accepted Manuscript online:
February 04 2009
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Biochem J (2009) 419 (3): 533–543.
Article history
Received:
November 17 2008
Revision Received:
January 23 2009
Accepted:
February 04 2009
Accepted Manuscript online:
February 04 2009
Citation
Jaya P. Gnana-Prakasam, Ming Zhang, Pamela M. Martin, Sally S. Atherton, Sylvia B. Smith, Vadivel Ganapathy; Expression of the iron-regulatory protein haemojuvelin in retina and its regulation during cytomegalovirus infection. Biochem J 1 May 2009; 419 (3): 533–543. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20082240
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.