The role of epigenetic alterations in the pathogenesis of retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has been pending so far. Our study investigated the effect of oxidative stress and inflammation on DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) functions, as well as on long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) methylation, in human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. Therefore, we evaluated whether treatment with resveratrol may modulate DNMT and SIRT1 functions and restore changes in LINE-1 methylation. Cells were treated with 25 mU/mL glucose oxidase (GOx) or 10 µg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic oxidative or inflammatory conditions, respectively. Oxidative stress decreased DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, and SIRT1 expression (p-values < 0.05), as well as total DNMTs (-28.5%; p < 0.0001) and SIRT1 (-29.0%; p < 0.0001) activities. Similarly, inflammatory condition decreased DNMT1 and SIRT1 expression (p-values < 0.05), as well as total DNMTs (-14.9%; p = 0.007) and SIRT1 (-20.1%; p < 0.002) activities. Interestingly, GOx- and LPS-treated cells exhibited lower LINE-1 methylation compared to controls (p-values < 0.001). We also demonstrated that treatment with 10 μM resveratrol for 24 h counteracted the detrimental effect on DNMT and SIRT1 functions, and LINE-1 methylation, in cells under oxidative and inflammatory conditions. However, further studies should explore the perspectives of resveratrol as a suitable strategy for the prevention and/or treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Keywords: DNA methylation; epigenetics; inflammation; oxidative stress; retinal degeneration.