Investigation of relative expression level of SLC4 bicarbonate transporter family in mouse and Human corneal endothelial cells

Abstract

Introduction: The SLC4 family of membrane proteins mediates transportation of solutes and ions, crucial for the maintenance of corneal transparency. Several members (SLC4A11, SLC4A4) have been implicated in corneal diseases in human.

Aim: To characterize relative expression levels of SLC4 members in mouse and human corneal endothelium, using qRT-PCR, to identify further important members besides SLC4A11 and SLC4A4, and to explore how close to the base line levels the gene expression levels remain after cells have been subject to expansion and culture.

Results: All SLC4 members were expressed in both MCECs and HCECs and SLC4A11 showed the highest expression. Interestingly, its expression in cultured cells was significantly reduced by approximately 40%(0.59?0.04[p=0.0026]) in early passage and by approximately 70%(0.31?0.01[p=0.00007]) in late passage cells.

Conclusion: SLC4A2 and SLC4A7 are worthy of being considered next as potential candidate genes for analysis. The drastically altered gene expression levels in late cultures is co-incident with altered cellular morphology and calls for further study to explore the possible link between SLC4 gene expression and possible endothelial mesenchymal transition.