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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Nanoceria and thioredoxin regulate a common antioxidative gene network in tubby mice
Xue Cai1, Junji Yodoi, Sudipta Seal
1Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 608 Stanton L. Young Blvd, 73104, Oklahoma City, OK, USA, xue-cai@ouhsc.edu.
Abstract:
Oxidative stress is a node common to the causes and effects of various ocular diseases. We have shown that thioredoxin has neuroprotective effects on tubby photoreceptors. We also demonstrated that nanoceria (cerium oxide nanoparticles), which are direct antioxidants, have long-term effects on prevention of retinal degeneration in tubby mice. Here, using commercially available PCR array plates, we surveyed the regulation in expression of 89 oxidative stress-associated genes in the eyes of P12 tubby mice which are either intravitreally injected with nanoceria or in which the Trx gene is overexpressed. Our data demonstrate that nanoceria and Trx regulate the same group of genes associated with antioxidative stress and antioxidant defense.
Insights
Nanoceria and thioredoxin (Trx) protect against retinal degeneration by regulating the same antioxidant defense genes in mice. This finding offers new insights into treating oxidative stress-related ocular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Oxidative stress contributes to various ocular diseases.
- Thioredoxin (Trx) exhibits neuroprotective properties for photoreceptors.
- Nanoceria (cerium oxide nanoparticles) demonstrate antioxidant capabilities and prevent retinal degeneration in tubby mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gene expression changes in response to nanoceria treatment and Trx overexpression in the context of oxidative stress in ocular diseases.
- To identify common regulatory pathways influenced by both nanoceria and Trx.
Main Methods:
- Utilized commercially available PCR array plates to analyze the expression of 89 oxidative stress-associated genes.
- Studied P12 tubby mice, comparing those intravitreally injected with nanoceria to those with Trx gene overexpression.
Main Results:
- Both nanoceria and Trx overexpression modulated the expression of a shared set of genes.
- These commonly regulated genes are involved in antioxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Nanoceria and Trx converge on similar genetic pathways to combat oxidative stress in the retina.
- These findings support the therapeutic potential of nanoceria and Trx in managing oxidative stress-related retinal degeneration.
