Photopic light-mediated down-regulation of local α1A-adrenergic signaling protects blood-retina barrier in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 20;9(1):2353. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-38895-y.

Abstract

We have reported the gateway reflex, which describes specific neural activations that regulate immune cell gateways at specific blood vessels in the central nervous system (CNS). Four types of gateway reflexes exist, all of which induce alterations in endothelial cells at specific vessels of the blood-brain barrier followed by inflammation in the CNS in the presence of CNS-autoreactive T cells. Here we report a new gateway reflex that suppresses the development of retinal inflammation by using an autoreactive T cell-mediated ocular inflammation model. Exposure to photopic light down-regulated the adrenoceptor pathway to attenuate ocular inflammation by suppressing breaching of the blood-retina barrier. Mechanistic analysis showed that exposure to photopic light down-regulates the expression of α1A-adrenoceptor (α1AAR) due to high levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, subsequently suppressing inflammation. Surgical ablation of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) did not negate the protective effect of photopic light, suggesting the involvement of retinal noradrenergic neurons rather than sympathetic neurons from the SCG. Blockade of α1AAR signaling under mesopic light recapitulated the protective effect of photopic light. Thus, targeting regional adrenoceptor signaling might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases including those that affect organs separated by barriers such as the CNS and eyes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Agents / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / genetics
  • Autoimmunity / physiology
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Blood-Retinal Barrier / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Color Vision / physiology*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epinephrine / metabolism
  • Female
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Light
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Adrenergic / metabolism
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / metabolism*
  • Retinitis / physiopathology*
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenergic Agents
  • Receptors, Adrenergic
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine