Mechanism of Nucleic Acid Sensing in Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE): RIG-I Mediates Type I Interferon Response in Human RPE

Figure 1

RPE cells respond to nucleic acids to secrete IFNs and also respond to secreted IFNs to generate ISGs. (a–c) Nucleic acid challenge-induced production of IFN-β and IFN-λ in RPE. Total nucleic acids (NA) were isolated from ARPE-19 cells and transfected into indicated cell types at 0.25 μg/mL. Secreted IFN proteins were measured using ELISA 24 h after stimulation; only IFN-β and IFN-λ were predominantly produced in RPE cells. Examples of dose-response curves in ARPE-19 (b) and iPS-RPE (c) cells. (d–f) RPE cells respond to IFN-α and IFN-β to initiate downstream signaling and generate ISGs. Several key types of IFNs (100 ng/mL each) were added to RPE cells, with RPE cells primarily responding to IFN-α and IFN-β by inducing intracellular ISG15 measured by ELISA 24 h after stimulation. Examples of dose-response curves in ARPE-19 (e) and iPS-RPE (f) cells. Each data point represents biological replicates (), and is indicated as . compared with relative vehicle control groups.

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