Alteration of the intracellular pH and apoptosis induction in a retinal cell line by the AGE-inducing agent glyoxal

Abstract

The ability of glyoxal to induce apoptosis was confirmed by our findings demonstrating the time- and dose-dependent acidification of retinal cells. The onset of acidification is a hallmark because acidification is a measurable cytosolic event that follows the mitochondrial change but precedes caspase activation. Therefore, monitoring of pHi can allow one to assess cell stresses such as hypoxia, and metabolic stress (AGEs), and to test whether these stresses have a cumulative effect on apoptosis induction. Our study showed that intracellular pH and mitochondrial potential in living retinal cells are useful parameters for monitoring metabolic status in retinal tissue. These findings may be relevant in the study of retinal cell death mechanisms associated with age-related diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Flow cytometry for the assessment of animal sperm integrity and functionality: state of the art

“…As mentioned above, the intactness of the sperm plasma membrane is of utmost importance for cell integrity and function. 40 Membrane stability and permeability are two closely interlinked functionalities; thus, evaluation of membrane permeability elucidates its organization, 41 and its capability to undergo biophysical changes such water and the movement of cryoprotectant agents during cryopreservation. 18,42 Cryopreservation causes irreversible damage to the plasma membrane, leading to cell death in a large number of spermatozoa.…”

Autoimmunity against carbonic anhydrase II affects retinal cell functions in autoimmune retinopathy

“…2). The lowering of [pH] i to 6.8 corresponds to the threshold for activation of acid endonuclease and caspase 3 and correlates with the induction of apoptosis{Gottlieb, 1996#1195;Reber, 2002#1733}. Normal IgG did not alter the [pH] i in retinal cells with the same amount of IgG added and time of incubation with cells.…”

Detecting the effects of neuroprotection in living cells

“…2 A dye that is frequently used to indicate the mitochondrial transmembrane potential is 5,5 0 ,6,6 0 -tetrachloro-…”

“…2 AGEs form via nonenzymatic condensation reactions between reducing sugars and e-amino groups or N-terminal groups, under conditions of relatively high blood glucose levels. This is also a normal process in every individual over the ages of 50 years.…”