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Retinal pH and Acid Regulation During Metabolic Acidosis.
Alyssa Dreffs1, Desmond Henderson2, Andrey V Dmitriev2
1a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.
Current Eye Research
|April 12, 2018
Summary
The retina alters gene expression to regulate acid-base balance during systemic metabolic acidosis. This response involves increased production of key proteins like carbonic anhydrase and ion exchangers.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Retinal pH changes are implicated in various eye diseases.
- Understanding the retina's intrinsic acid-base regulatory mechanisms is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the retinal response to systemic metabolic acidosis.
- To identify changes in gene expression related to acid-base regulation in the retina.
Main Methods:
- Systemic metabolic acidosis induced in rats using ammonium chloride (NH4Cl).
- Quantification of retinal mRNA and protein expression (carbonic anhydrase, ion exchangers, ASICs).
- In vivo measurement of extracellular retinal pH.
Main Results:
- Metabolic acidosis increased retinal expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA-II, CA-XIV), acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC1, ASIC4), anion exchange protein 3 (AEP-3), and Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE)-1.
- Protein levels of AEP-3 doubled, and NHE-1 expression increased significantly.
- Acidosis effectively acidified the retina, which was further enhanced by a Na+/H+ exchange blocker.
Conclusions:
- The retina actively responds to systemic acidosis by upregulating genes involved in pH regulation.
- These findings suggest intrinsic retinal mechanisms for managing acid-base balance.
- The retina's response differs from typical renal regulatory responses to acidosis.
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