l-Serine Protects Murine Retinal Ganglion Cells from Oxidative Stress via Modulation of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effects of l-serine on mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal ganglion cells after exposure to H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress.

Methods

Retinal ganglion cells obtained from C57BL6 mice (postnatal days 1–4) were purified and cultured. A cell viability assay was performed following exposure to H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress to assess the cytoprotective effects of l-serine on retinal ganglion cells. Flow cytometry with CellROX Deep Red and MitoSOX dyes was performed to analyze the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels, respectively. Staining with the fluorescent probe JC-1 was used to detect changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential. The oxygen consumption rate and Bioenergetic Health Index were used to evaluate mitochondrial respiration.

Results

H₂O₂ treatment was found to induce mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal ganglion cells. Pretreatment with l-serine prevented cytotoxicity and significantly increased the viability of retinal ganglion cells following exposure to H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress (p < .05). l-Serine alleviated reactive oxygen species production in retinal ganglion cells following exposure to H₂O₂-induced oxidative (p < .05). Further, it successfully mitigated H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial depolarization in retinal ganglion cells (p < .05) and significantly increased the oxygen consumption rate and Bioenergetic Health Index in retinal ganglion cells following exposure to H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress (p < .05).

Conclusion

Pretreatment with l-serine protected retinal ganglion cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by improving mitochondrial function. The findings of the present study suggest that l-serine is a potential candidate for treatment of reactive oxygen species-related ocular diseases such as mitochondrial optic neuropathies.

Keywords:

• l-Serine
• mitochondrial dysfunction
• reactive oxygen species
• retinal ganglion cells

Author contributions

S.K. (conceptualization, investigation, software, formal analysis, writing original draft); S.K.H. (conceptualization, investigation, software, formal analysis, writing-review and editing); M.S.K. (data curation, methodology, validation); B.Y.C. (conceptualization, supervision, writing-review and editing).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (2021R1F1A1064593).