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Analysis of TIM2 deficiency in the mouse retina

Publication . Valença, Andreia Barbosa; Ruberte París, Jesús; Jorge, Maria Luísa Mendes

Careful control of iron availability in the retina is central to maintenance of iron homeostasis, as its imbalance is associated with oxidative stress and progress of several retinopathies, such as diabetic retinopathy. Ferritin, known for its role in iron storage and detoxification, has also been proposed as an iron-transporter and can be regarded as a potential deliverer of a considerable large amount of iron to the retina compared to transferrin, the classical ironcarrier protein. Ferritin can bind to scavenger receptor class A member 5 (Scara5) and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain 2 (TIM2) receptors and is likely endocytosed. In this study, the presence of TIM2, which remained unknown in the retina, was investigated. Although no human ortholog for mouse TIM2 has been identified, human TIM1 and mouse TIM2 have similar functions. Our results revealed for the first time the presence of TIM2 receptors in the mouse retina, mainly expressed in Müller cells, unveiling new aspects of retinal iron metabolism regarding the putative role of TIM2 in this tissue. A knockout mouse for this membrane receptor was generated in order to better understand TIM2 functions in the retina. TIM2 deficiency affected retinal iron metabolism. Iron-loaded ferritin accumulation, probably due to increased ferritin uptake mediated by Scara5, and increased iron uptake by transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1)- transferrin binding led to retinal iron overload. Consequently, increased vascular permeability and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown were observed, inducing edema of the central retina. Paracellular and transcellular transports were impaired with tight junction integrity loss and increased caveolae number. Two mechanisms seem to be involved in this process: association of iron and ferritin overload with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression and oxidative stress triggered by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction generated by retinal iron overload. Altogether, these results point to TIM2 as a new key player in iron homeostasis in the mouse retina, possibly modulating cellular iron levels, and a potential target for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

2019-05-28Doctoral thesis

Open access