TAK1 is involved in the autophagy process in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for degrading long-lived or malfunctioning proteins and organelles, such as those resulting from oxidative stress. Several publications have demonstrated the importance of the autophagy process in the pathophysiology of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Still, the mechanism underlying this process and its involvement in dry AMD are not fully characterized.

TGF-β1 induced transdifferentiation of rpe cells is mediated by TAK1.

Background And Aim: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is an active process that develops as a complication upon retinal detachment (RD), accompanied by formation of fibrotic tissue. The main cells involved in the development of fibrotic tissue during PVR are the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The RPE cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which leads to complex retinal detachment and loss of vision.

TAK1 inhibition accelerates cellular senescence of retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: Oxidative stress and cellular senescence are known to contribute to the development of AMD; however, the mechanism is not fully understood. This study investigated the role of TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in the senescence of RPE cells as a model for the development of dry AMD.

Methods: Cultured human RPE cells were treated with the TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol for 1 hour, and then treated with 200 μM hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour.