Vitamin A deficiency compromises the barrier function of the retinal pigment epithelium

A major cause for childhood blindness worldwide is attributed to nutritional vitamin A deficiency. Surprisingly, the molecular basis of the ensuing retinal degeneration has not been well defined. Abundant expression of the retinoid transporter STRA6 in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and homeostatic blood levels of retinol-binding protein delay vitamin A deprivation of the mouse eyes. Hence, genetic dissection of STRA6 makes mice susceptible to nutritional manipulation of ocular retinoid status. We performed RNA-seq analyses and complemented the data with tests of visual physiology, ocular morphology, and retinoid biochemistry to compare eyes with different vitamin A status. Mild ocular vitamin A deficiency decreased transcripts of photoreceptor transduction pathway-related genes and increased transcripts of oxidative stress pathways. The response was associated with impaired visual sensitivity and an accumulation of fluorescent debris in the retina. Severe vitamin A deficiency did not only impair visual perception but also decreased transcripts of genes encoding cell adhesion and cellular junction proteins. This response altered cell morphology, resulted in significant changes in transport pathways of small molecules, and compromised the barrier function of the RPE. Together, our analyses characterize the molecular events underlying nutritional blindness in a novel mouse model and indicate that breakdown of the outer blood-retinal barrier contributes to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death in severe vitamin A deficiency.

Automated summary

A major cause of childhood blindness is malnutrition and lack of vitamin A, but the molecular mechanisms behind retinal degeneration have not been well studied. In this research, the retinoid transporter STRA6 was found to play a crucial role in delaying the development of vitamin A deficiency in mouse eyes. Through RNA-seq analysis and physiological tests, it was revealed that mild vitamin A deficiency decreased the expression of genes related to photoreceptor function and increased oxidative stress pathways, leading to impaired visual sensitivity and accumulation of debris in the retina. Severe vitamin A deficiency not only affected visual perception but also altered cell morphology and disrupted the barrier function of the retinal pigment epithelium. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular events underlying nutritional blindness and highlights the importance of the outer blood-retinal barrier in retinal degeneration.