Long-acting genipin derivative protects retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress models in vitro and in vivo through the Nrf2/antioxidant response element signaling pathway.

Previously, we reported that genipin, a herbal iridoid, had neuritogenic and neuroprotective actions on PC12 cells. Although nitric oxide (NO)-activated signalings were proposed to be neuritogenic, the neuroprotective action of genipin remains to be elucidated. From the standpoint of NO activation, we tested a possible protective mechanism through the nitrosative Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1)/NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element pathway in rat retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5 cells) in culture, and in vivo, against hydrogen peroxide and optic nerve injury (ONI), respectively, using a long-acting (1R)-isoPropyloxygenipin (IPRG001). IPRG001 induced NO generation and the expressions of antioxidative enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), in RGC-5 cells. The protective action of IPRG001 depended on HO-1 and NO induction. We found that S-nitrosylation of Keap1 by IPRG001 may contribute to translocation of Nrf2 to the nucleus and triggered transcriptional activation of antioxidative enzymes. Furthermore, apoptotic cells were increased and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal was accumulated in rat retina following ONI. Pre-treatment with IPRG001 almost completely suppressed apoptosis and accumulation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in RGCs following ONI accompanied by HO-1 induction. These data demonstrate for the first time that IPRG001 exerts neuroprotective action in RGCs in vitro and in vivo, through the Nrf2/antioxidant response element pathway by S-nitrosylation against oxidative stress.