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Journal of Biochemistry 2007 142(5):597-603; doi:10.1093/jb/mvm168
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© 2007 The Japanese Biochemical Society

Involvement of Interleukin 18 in Cataract Development in Hereditary Cataract UPL Rats

Noriaki Nagai1, Yoshimasa Ito1,2,* and Haruki Okamura3

1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; 2Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kinki University, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka; and 3Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 6 6721 2332, Fax: +81 6 6730 1394, E-mail: itoyoshi{at}phar.kindai.ac.jp

Received July 26, 2007; Accepted August 14, 2007


  Abstract

Our previous studies have demonstrated that lens epithelial damage by excessive nitric oxide causes an elevation in lens opacification in UPL rats, and it has been reported that interferon-{gamma} production in lens epithelial cells is involved in cataract development. In this study, we investigated the involvement of interleukin (IL)-18, which leads to interferon-{gamma}, in UPL rat lenses. The opacification of UPL rat lenses starts at 39 days of age. The gene expression levels causing IL-18 activation (IL-18, IL-18 receptor and caspase-1) are increased at 32 days of age, and the expression of mature IL-18 protein in the UPL rat lenses also increases with ageing. On the other hand, the interferon-{gamma} levels in UPL rat lenses are increased, and the increase in interferon-{gamma} levels in UPL rat lenses reaches a maximum at 39 days of age. Mature IL-18 expression and interferon-{gamma} production are achieved prior to the onset of lens opacification. In conclusion, the expression levels of IL-18 in the lenses of UPL rats are increased with aging. In addition, interferon-{gamma} levels in the lenses of UPL rats are also increased. It is possible that interferon-{gamma} generated by the activated IL-18 may induce cataract development in UPL rats.

Key Words: cataract, interferon-{gamma}, interleukin 18, interleukin 18 binding protein, UPL rat

Abbreviations: GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosophate dehydrogenase; IFN-{gamma}, interferon-{gamma}; IL-18, interleukin 18; IL-18BP, interleukin 18 binding protein; IL-18R, interleukin 18 receptor; NO, nitric oxide; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; NF{kappa}B, nuclear factor kappa B; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate


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