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Characterization of Chloride Channels in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium

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EMBEC & NBC 2017 (EMBEC 2017, NBC 2017)

Part of the book series: IFMBE Proceedings ((IFMBE,volume 65))

Abstract

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is vital for vision. Its ion channels play important roles in the various functions of RPE that are critical for retinal welfare. These functions are often disrupted in degenerative eye diseases leading to visual impairment and even blindness. New treatments are currently being developed and transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE is showing great promise. For the success of these therapies, functionality of the transplantable cells needs to be verified. Presence of ion channels in hESC-derived RPE remains poorly known, particularly regarding the various chloride (Cl-) channels. We addressed this issue by investigating the Cl- conductivity of hESC-derived RPE by whole-cell patch clamp recordings followed by immunolabeling of the Cl- channels typical to RPE. Our recordings showed a diverse pattern of slowly inactivating currents characteristic to voltage-dependent Cl- channels (ClC) previously reported for RPE. Some of the identified currents were modulated by changes in intracellular calcium concentration. This data, together with the immunolabeling, demonstrated the presence of bestrophin-1, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) and ClC-2 channels in hESC-derived RPE thus indicating their capability to mimic native Cl- physiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BioMediTech Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland

    Iina Korkka, Julia K. Johansson, Jari Hyttinen & Soile Nymark

  2. BioMediTech Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland

    Heli Skottman

Authors
  1. Iina Korkka
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  2. Julia K. Johansson
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  3. Heli Skottman
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  4. Jari Hyttinen
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  5. Soile Nymark
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soile Nymark .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Tampere, Finland

    Hannu Eskola

  2. Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Tampere, Etelä-Suomi, Finland

    Outi Väisänen

  3. Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Tampere, Etelä-Suomi, Finland

    Jari Viik

  4. Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Tampere, Etelä-Suomi, Finland

    Jari Hyttinen

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Korkka, I., Johansson, J.K., Skottman, H., Hyttinen, J., Nymark, S. (2018). Characterization of Chloride Channels in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium. In: Eskola, H., Väisänen, O., Viik, J., Hyttinen, J. (eds) EMBEC & NBC 2017. EMBEC NBC 2017 2017. IFMBE Proceedings, vol 65. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5122-7_114

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5122-7_114

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-5121-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-5122-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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