The Effects of Glucocorticoids on Migration and Tight Junction Proteins in Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells

Besch, Taylor

The Effects of Glucocorticoids on Migration and Tight Junction Proteins in Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells

Persistent URL

https://dspace.allegheny.edu/handle/10456/54911

Author(s)

Besch, Taylor

Date Issued

April 14, 2022

Abstract

Retinal detachment affects roughly 1 to 10,000 people per year affecting the retinal pigmented epithelium within the retina. The retinal pigmented epithelium is known for maintaining a strong and protective barrier; however, retinal detachment causes this barrier to be weak which can lead to tearing of the retinal pigmented epithelium. Glucocorticoids are natural steroid hormones within the human body that respond to stress in a circadian rhythm and are known to regulate nearly every system throughout the body. Synthetic glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, are used to treat numerous auto-immune diseases and inflammatory diseases, including ocular diseases. This study investigates the effects of the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on migration and tight junctions in retinal pigmented epithelial cells. To investigate glucocorticoid actions in retinal pigmented epithelial cells, a wound healing assay was used to analyze the migration of cells under the presence of dexamethasone and immunocytochemistry along with immunoblotting was used to analyze tight junctions under the presence of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone significantly decreased migration in the retinal pigmented epithelial cells while dexamethasone treatment did not show any effect on tight junction distribution at the cell membrane. The results demonstrate that dexamethasone delays wound healing probably by impacting the migration of retinal pigmented epithelial cells. Together, this study provides insights on the functions of synthetic glucocorticoids on retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

Major

Biology

Honors

Biology, 2022

First Reader(s)

Kadmiel, Mahita