| Purpose: To survey the changes of promoter CpG methylation status and mRNA expression of IL17RC
(interleukin 17 receptor C) gene in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells under chemical hypoxia condition for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) modeling in vitro.
Materials and Methods: RPE cells were cultured in both untreated as a control group and treated by cobalt
chloride media as a hypoxia group for various concentrations (100–150μM) and times (24–36 hrs.) To
confirm chemical hypoxia condition, mRNA expression of HIF (Hypoxia Inducible Factor) -1α, -2α, and
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) was compared between two groups by Real-time PCR. Also, in
normoxia and hypoxia conditions, IL17RC expression changes and promoter CpG methylation status were
evaluated by Real-time PCR and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) techniques, respectively.
Results: Overexpression of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and VEGF was significant in hypoxia versus normoxia conditions.
Our data showed overexpression of IL17RC (2.1- to 6.3-fold) and decreasing of its promoter methylation in
comparison with hypoxia and normoxia conditions. It was found that there are significant association
between promoter methylation status and expression of IL17RC in chemical hypoxia condition.
Conclusion: Therefore, methylation of IL17RC could play as a marker in CNV and degeneration of RPE cells
in vitro. Additionally, HIF-α and methylation phenomena may be considered as critical targets for blocking
in angiogenesis of age-related degeneration in future studies. |