Activator protein-1 contributes to the NaCl-induced expression of VEGF and PlGF in RPE cells.

Purpose: Systemic hypertension is a risk factor of neovascular age-related macular degeneration; consumption of dietary salt resulting in extracellular hyperosmolarity is a main cause of hypertension. Extracellular hyperosmolarity was shown to induce expression of angiogenic growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF), in RPE cells. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the hyperosmotic expression of growth factor genes in RPE cells is mediated by activator protein-1 (AP-1), and whether c-Fos and c-Jun genes are regulated by extracellular osmolarity.

Methods: Hyperosmotic media were made up with the addition of NaCl or sucrose. Gene expression was quantified with real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, and protein secretion was investigated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nuclear factor of activated T cell 5 (NFAT5) was depleted with siRNA. DNA binding of AP-1 protein was evaluated with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

Results: High NaCl and the addition of sucrose triggered expression of the c-Fos gene, but not of the c-Jun gene. High NaCl also increased the levels of c-Fos and phosphorylated c-Jun proteins and the level of DNA binding of AP-1. Hypoosmolarity decreased the expression of the c-Fos and c-Jun genes. NaCl-induced expression of the c-Fos gene was in part mediated by NFAT5. Autocrine/paracrine activation of fibroblast growth factor and adenosine A1 receptors is involved in mediating NaCl-induced expression of the c-Fos gene. Pharmacological inhibition of the AP-1 activity decreased the NaCl-induced expression of the HIF-1α, NFAT5, VEGF, PlGF, and TGF-β2 genes, and prevented the NaCl-induced secretion of PlGF but not of VEGF.

Conclusions: The data indicate that AP-1 is activated in RPE cells in response to extracellular hyperosmolarity and mediates in part via the NaCl-induced expression of VEGF and PlGF, and secretion of PlGF. It is suggested that high consumption of dietary salt may exacerbate the angiogenic response of RPE cells in part via activation of AP-1.