Lactate treatment causes NF-κB activation and CD44 shedding in cultured trabecular meshwork cells

PURPOSE. To challenge human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells using lactate to mimic cell stress and observe the effects on cell viability. NF-kappa B, and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) expression and the ectodomain shedding of soluble (s)CD44. METHODS. Human TM cells grown in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) were incubated in 0.1% FCS with 1, 10, or 40 mM lactate or PBS for 5 and 30 minutesand 1, 3, and 6 hours. Cell viability was determined with trypan blue staining. NF-kappa B and MT1-MMP expression was evaluated through Western blot analysis of medium and the cytoplasmic- and nuclear fractions. Media sCD44 concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. RESULTS. The TM cell. viability was significantly decreased after incubation for 3 hours with 40 mM lactate (P < 0.01) and 6 hours with 10 and 40 mM lactate (P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed an increased NF-kappa B p50 and MT1-MMP expression and activity by 5 minutes in lactate-treated TM cells compared with that of control cells. At 6 hours, NF-kappa B p65 was increased in nuclear fraction of lactate-treated compared with control cells. Treatment with 1 mM lactate caused an increase in the media concentration of both the 32 and 55 kDa sCD44 at 3 (P < 0.05) and 6 hours (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. Lactate treatment resulted in dose- and time-dependent effects on human TM cell viability, translocation of NF-kappa B, and activation of MT1-MMP. Increased shedding of sCD44 occurred with the 1 mM dose of lactate. Lactate treatment of human TM cells in culture offers a useful cell model to examine the stress responses that occur in glaucoma.