Integrated Stress Response Regulation of Corneal Epithelial Cell Motility and Cytokine Production

To investigate the effect of an active integrated stress response (ISR) on human corneal epithelial cell motility and cytokine production.

ISR agonists tunicamycin (TUN) and SAL003 (SAL) were used to stimulate the ISR in immortalized corneal epithelial cell lines, primary human limbal epithelial stem cells, and ex vivo human corneas. Reporter lines for ISR-associated transcription factors activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and XBP1 activity were generated to visualize pathway activity in response to kinase-specific agonists. Scratch assays and multiplex magnetic bead arrays were used to investigate the effects of an active ISR on scratch wounds and cytokine production. A C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) knockout cell line was generated to investigate the effects of ISR ablation. Finally, an ISR antagonist was assayed for its ability to rescue negative phenotypic changes associated with an active ISR.

ISR stimulation, mediated through CHOP, inhibited cell motility in both immortalized and primary human limbal epithelial cells. Scratch wounding of ex vivo corneas elicited an increase in the ISR mediators phosphorylated-eIF2α and ATF4. ISR stimulation also increased the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory cytokines. ISR ablation, through CHOP knockout or inhibition with integrated stress response inhibitor (ISRIB) rescued epithelia migration ability and reduced VEGF secretion.

We demonstrate that the ISR has dramatic effects on the ability of corneal epithelial cells to respond to wounding models and increases the production of proinflammatory and angiogenic factors. Inhibition of the ISR may provide a new therapeutic option for corneal diseases in which the ISR is implicated.