Purpose: The iron carrier transferrin is expressed at remarkably high levels in normal retinas and is upregulated during retinal degeneration. The authors characterized the consequences of genetically reduced retinal transferrin production on retinal structure and function.
Methods: Hypotransferrinemic (HPX⁻/⁻) mice treated with weekly intraperitoneal salvage transferrin injections were examined at 1 and 2 months of age. HPX⁻/⁻, HPX⁺/⁻, and wild-type (WT) mice were evaluated by electroretinography, ophthalmoscopy, and histology. Retinal iron content and transferrin levels were measured. RNA levels of genes involved in iron homeostasis and antioxidative response were determined by quantitative PCR. Oxidative injury was assessed by immunostaining for 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE).
Results: At 2 months, dark-adapted, mixed rod-cone response b-wave amplitudes were significantly lower in HPX⁻/⁻ mice than in WT mice (340 ± 112 μV vs. 624 ± 134 μV [mean ± SEM]; P = 0.002). Oscillatory potentials were significantly suppressed in HPX mice, and ophthalmoscopy demonstrated marked retinal pallor. Quantitative immunostaining revealed a 39% reduction of transferrin content in HPX⁻/⁻ compared with WT retinas (P = 0.01). mRNA levels of Tf, Tf receptor, and ceruloplasmin were decreased, whereas mRNA for antioxidant genes were elevated in HPX⁻/⁻ retinas. HNE staining was reduced in mice carrying the mutant HPX allele. Histologic examination demonstrated preserved retinal structure, and retinal iron content was similar across the strains.
Conclusions: Despite the lack of wild-type retinal transferrin production and low levels of retinal transferrin protein, the retinal morphology and retinal iron content in HPX⁻/⁻ mice treated by systemic salvage transferrin injections are normal until age 2 months. However, retinal function and gene expression of some of the iron-associated genes are significantly altered.