The Effect of Aluminium on the Morphologic Appearance, Viability and Phagocytic Activity of ARPE-19 Cells

Abstract

Purpose: Aluminium is known to have toxic effects on the central nervous system. We wanted to explore the effects of aluminium on cultured ARPE-19 cells, in particular, changes in the morphologic appearance, viability and in the phagocytic activity of these cells. Methods: After addition of different concentrations of aluminium to the cell cultures, cellular morphology was evaluated by photomicrographs; viability was determined by mitochondrial activity measurement and phagocytosis by uptake of europium-labeled FluoSpheres. Results: Pretreatment of the cells with aluminium led to the formation of clots in the cell culture and there was a relative weak dose-dependent decrease in viability. However, phagocytic activity was severely impaired at each concentration with a peak decrease of 92.45% (± 8.21) at 1000 μmol. Conclusions: Exposure to aluminium occurs mainly through contaminated food and beverages. Given that sufficient concentrations accumulate in the RPE, inhibition of the phagocytic activity of RPE cells might represent a novel important side effect of this metal. Although no conclusions can be drawn from in vitro results on the effect in vivo, it seems that caution is recommended with consumption of food with high concentrations of aluminium. The reduced viability of RPE cells, however, is clinically less relevant since the effect was relative weak in vitro.