RUBCN/rubicon and EGFR regulate lysosomal degradative processes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the eye
Open accessAbstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is an intracellular stress survival and recycling system whereas phagocytosis internalizes material from the extracellular milieu; yet, both pathways utilize lysosomes for cargo degradation. Whereas autophagy occurs in all cells, phagocytosis is performed by cell types such as macrophages and the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of the eye where it is supported by the noncanonical autophagy process termed LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP). Autophagy and LAP are distinct pathways that use many of the same mediators and must compete for cellular resources, suggesting that cells may regulate both processes under homeostatic and stress conditions. Our data reveal that RPE cells promote LAP through the expression of RUBCN/Rubicon (RUN domain and cysteine-rich domain containing Beclin 1-interacting protein) and suppress autophagy through the activation of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). In the morning when photoreceptor outer segments (POS) phagocytosis and LAP are highest, RUBCN expression is increased. At the same time, outer segment phagocytosis activates the EGFR resulting in MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin [serine/threonine kinase]) stimulation, the accumulation of SQSTM1/p62, and the phosphorylation of BECN1 (Beclin 1, autophagy related) on an inhibitory residue thereby suppressing autophagy. Silencing Rubcn, preventing EGFR activity or directly inducing autophagy in RPE cells by starvation inhibits phagocytic degradation of POS. Thus, RPE cells regulate lysosomal pathways during the critical period of POS phagocytosis to support retinal homeostasis.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
In RPE cells, RUBCN promotes LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) and is required for degradation of phagocytosed photoreceptor outer segments, while EGFR activation during POS phagocytosis suppresses canonical autophagy. Starvation-induced autophagy prevents RUBCN association with POS phagosomes and impairs POS degradation, suggesting RPE cells balance LAP and autophagy.
Key findings
- RUBCN is required for LAP and POS degradation: *Rubcn* knockdown prevented GFP-LC3 recruitment to POS phagosomes but not rapamycin-induced GFP-LC3 puncta; *Rubcn* silencing delayed POS degradation similarly to E64d/pepstatin A. Silencing LAP mediators *Atg5*, *Becn1*, or *Atg4b* also inhibited POS degradation, whereas silencing *Rb1cc1* or *Atg14* had no effect.
- In C57BL/6J mouse RPE flat mounts, 75–80% of RHO-positive phagosomes were RUBCN-positive at 7 AM, with a significant reduction at 7 PM; RUBCN protein was higher at 7 AM than 7 PM. At 7 AM, SQSTM1 accumulated and RPS6KB1 and BECN1 Ser234 were phosphorylated, indicating suppressed autophagy.
- Starvation/fasting for 24 h increased GFP-LC3 puncta and decreased SQSTM1 in RPE, reduced RUBCN-positive phagosomes, and increased RHO-positive phagosomes per RPE cell. In RPE-J cells, starvation reduced POS degradation at 16 h and 24 h without affecting POS binding or internalization, and reduced LAMP1/LAMP2 colocalization with engulfed POS.
- POS phagocytosis induced EGFR phosphorylation at Tyr1068. Erlotinib blocked p-EGFR and impaired POS degradation, reduced RUBCN levels during POS phagocytosis, decreased SQSTM1, RPS6KB1 activation, and p-BECN1 Ser234; cetuximab blocked EGFR ligand binding and delayed POS degradation without altering POS binding or uptake.
Methods
- Differentiated rat RPE-J cells were used with siRNA knockdown, GFP-LC3 transfection, labeled or unlabeled POS feeding, POS pulse-chase RHO western blotting, and confocal microscopy; starvation was induced with 0.1% FBS medium.
- Male C57BL/6J and GFP-LC3 transgenic mice, including 16-week-old mice, were housed on a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle; RPE flat mounts and isolated RPE were analyzed at 7 AM and 7 PM, and fasting was 24 h food withdrawal.
- Main analyses included western blotting, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and quantification of colocalization; statistics used two-tailed unpaired Student t tests with p<0.05, and error bars represent standard error.
Limitations
- Stated in the paper: the possible link between stress-induced autophagy, impaired POS degradation, and AMD disease progression “will require further study”; whether EGFR engagement maintains appropriate RUBCN levels is “currently under study”; and RUBCN displacement to endosomes during starvation is presented as one possibility.
- Evident from the text: the work relies on the rat RPE-J cell line and mouse models, with no human RPE data; some experiments are described as representative from only 2 independent experiments (e.g., Fig. 4B, Fig. 5A, Fig. 8A).
- Evident from the text: autophagy suppression is inferred from SQSTM1 accumulation, RPS6KB1 phosphorylation, and BECN1 Ser234 phosphorylation rather than direct autophagic flux measurements.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 39 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
RUBCN is required for LAP in RPE cells.
“RUBCN is required for LAP in RPE”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [20] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Findingown data
Rubcn knockdown does not affect expression of other known mediators of LAP (ATG5, BECN1, ATG4B) or canonical autophagy (ATG14, RB1CC1).
“Rubcn knockdown did not affect the expression of the other known mediators of LAP (ATG5, BECN1, ATG4B) or those of the canonical autophagy pathway (ATG14, RB1CC1) (Fig. 1A).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Findingnone given
In the morning, when POS phagocytosis and LAP are highest, RUBCN expression is increased.
“In the morning when photoreceptor outer segments (POS) phagocytosis and LAP are highest, RUBCN expression is increased.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Gene silencing had no effect on the number of bound or internalized POS by RPE-J cells.
“Gene silencing (confirmed by western blotting, Fig. S3A-E) had no effect on the number of bound or internalized POS by the RPE-J cells (Fig. S3F-G).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Mouse RPE cells showed phosphorylation of BECN1 at Ser234 at 7 AM.
“as well as phosphorylation of BECN1 (p-BECN1) at its Ser234 residue (Fig. 3D).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Findingown data
Serum withdrawal reduced colocalization of LAMP1 and LAMP2 with engulfed POS upon starvation compared to complete medium control.
“In addition, serum withdrawal reduced colocalization of LAMP1 and LAMP2 with engulfed POS upon starvation (Fig. 5E, bottom panels, arrowheads, inset), compared to the complete medium control (Fig. 5E, top panels, arrows, inset).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
RUBCN expression in freshly isolated mouse RPE cells was higher at 7 AM compared to 7 PM.
“We also found that RUBCN expression (as detected by western blotting) in freshly isolated mouse RPE cells was higher at 7 AM compared to 7 PM (Fig. 3B).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Erlotinib blocked p-EGFR in POS-fed RPE-J cells at 3 h and 6 h.
“Incubation of RPE-J cells with erlotinib, a specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor 38,39 blocked p-EGFR in POS-fed RPE-J cells at 3 h and 6 h (Fig. 6B, bottom images).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Findingown data
Mouse RPE cells showed enhanced phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 at 7 AM, a downstream substrate representing activated MTOR.
“In addition, we found that mouse RPE cells showed enhanced phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 (ribosomal protein S6 kinase, polypeptide 1) at 7 AM, a downstream substrate representing activated MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin [serine/threonine kinase]) (Fig. 3C)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Silencing Rubcn significantly delays POS degradation, similar to lysosomal protease inhibitors E64d and pepstatin A.
“As shown in Fig. 2A, there was robust degradation of POS in control cells (Scr siRNA); however, silencing of Rubcn significantly delayed the POS degradation, similar to incubation with the lysosomal protease inhibitors E64d and pepstatin A (E/P).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [11] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Findingown data
POS phagocytosis induced activation of EGFR (p-EGFR) at tyrosine residue 1068 (Tyr1068).
“First, we observed that POS phagocytosis induced activation of EGFR (p-EGFR), as indicated by phosphorylation of its tyrosine residue 1068 (Tyr1068) (Fig. 6A), a major autophosphorylation site of the receptor.36”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [36] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Findingown data
At 7 PM, the percentage of RUBCN+ phagosomes was significantly reduced compared to 7 AM.
“At 7 PM, the percentage of RUBCN C phagosomes were significantly reduced (Fig. 3A, lower panels, arrowheads).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Freshly isolated mouse RPE cells accumulated SQSTM1 at 7 AM compared to 7 PM, suggesting reduced autophagy during the morning burst of POS phagocytosis.
“The western blot in Fig. 3B revealed that freshly isolated mouse RPE cells had accumulated SQSTM1 at 7 AM compared to 7 PM suggesting reduced autophagy 11 during the morning burst of POS phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [11] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Findingown data
In freshly prepared RPE flat mounts from C57BL/6J mouse eyes, 75-80% of RHO+ phagosomes were positive for RUBCN at 7 AM, coinciding with the peak time of POS phagocytosis and LAP.
“In freshly prepared RPE flat mounts obtained from C57BL/6J mouse eyes we observed that 75-80% of the RHO C phagosomes were positive for RUBCN at 7 AM (Fig. 3A, upper panels, arrows) coinciding with the peak time of POS phagocytosis [8][9][10] and LAP. 13”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [8][9][10]
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [13] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Findingown data
Induction of autophagy significantly compromises POS degradation both in the intact eye and in culture.
“Although the induction of autophagy does not affect LAP in vitro (LAP defined as GFP-LC3 recruitment to the phagosome), 13,20 it significantly compromises POS degradation both in the intact eye and in culture.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Findingown data
EGFR engagement is not involved in POS uptake by the RPE, as inhibition of EGFR by blocking p-EGFR or surface receptor engagement does not compromise phagocytosis.
“It is notable that EGFR engagement is not involved in POS uptake by the RPE as inhibition of the EGFR by blocking p-EGFR or surface receptor engagement does not compromise phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
In the presence of POS and EGFR inhibition, there was a reduction in the level of RUBCN in the RPE.
“Whereas inhibiting EGFR activation does not affect RUBCN in the absence of POS, we observed that in the presence of POS and EGFR inhibition there was a reduction in the level of RUBCN in the RPE (Fig. 8B).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Phagosomes accumulate in the RPE during in vivo starvation.
“RUBCN does not associate with RHO C phagosomes, and phagosomes accumulate in the RPE during in vivo starvation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
EGFR activation (p-EGFR Tyr1068) is induced during POS phagocytosis in RPE-J cells.
“EGFR activation is induced during POS phagocytosis and is involved in degradation of outer segments by the RPE.”
- Also stated in: § Statistical analysis · plain
“The p-EGFR blot was overexposed, as shown by EGF treatment, in order to detect p-EGFR induced by POS compared to medium alone.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § Statistical analysis · plain
- Findingown data
RUBCN is highly expressed in the morning (7 AM) during active POS phagocytosis in the RPE of 16-week-old C57BL/6J mice.
“RUBCN is highly expressed, while autophagy is suppressed in the morning during active POS phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
During in vivo starvation, RUBCN does not associate with RHO+ phagosomes in the RPE.
“RUBCN does not associate with RHO C phagosomes, and phagosomes accumulate in the RPE during in vivo starvation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Autophagy is suppressed in the morning (7 AM) during active POS phagocytosis in the RPE of 16-week-old C57BL/6J mice.
“RUBCN is highly expressed, while autophagy is suppressed in the morning during active POS phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Blockade of the EGFR ligand binding domain does not affect phagocytosis.
“Blockade of EGFR ligand binding domain prevents optimal POS degradation without affecting phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
RPE cells regulate lysosomal pathways during the critical period of POS phagocytosis to support retinal homeostasis.
“Thus, RPE cells regulate lysosomal pathways during the critical period of POS phagocytosis to support retinal homeostasis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
LAP is necessary for optimal degradation of phagocytosed cargo in macrophages and RPE cells.
“The noncanonical autophagy pathway LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) is necessary for optimal degradation of phagocytosed cargo in macrophages 12 and RPE cells.13”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Premisecitation
Erlotinib is a specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
“Incubation of RPE-J cells with erlotinib, a specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor 38,39”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Interpretationreasoning
Suppression of autophagy by EGFR is independent of the receptor-mediated phagocytic process.
“Thus, suppression of autophagy by EGFR is independent of the receptor-mediated phagocytic process.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The studies point to novel interactions between the lysosomal pathways of phagocytosis and autophagy that promote critical functions of the RPE.
“Regardless, our studies point to novel interactions between the lysosomal pathways of phagocytosis and autophagy that promotes these critical functions of the RPE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
RPE cells regulate autophagy and phagocytic degradation through the function of RUBCN and the activation of EGFR.
“Together, our findings show that RPE cells regulate autophagy and phagocytic degradation through the function of RUBCN and the activation of the EGFR.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
Disruption of LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) impairs photoreceptor outer segment (POS) degradation by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
“Disruption of LAP impairs POS degradation by the RPE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
RUBCN is required for LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
“RUBCN is required for LAP in the RPE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Study design and conductcitation
The RPE-J cell line is a reliable cell culture system for studying RPE LAP and phagocytosis.
“we utilized a reliable cell culture system 13,28”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Interpretationown data
EGFR is involved in autophagy inhibition during POS phagocytosis.
“EGFR is involved in autophagy inhibition and the maintenance of RUBCN protein levels during POS phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
In vitro starvation prevents optimal POS degradation by the RPE.
“In vitro starvation prevents optimal POS degradation by the RPE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
EGFR is involved in degradation of outer segments by the RPE.
“EGFR activation is induced during POS phagocytosis and is involved in degradation of outer segments by the RPE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
Blockade of the EGFR ligand binding domain prevents optimal POS degradation.
“Blockade of EGFR ligand binding domain prevents optimal POS degradation without affecting phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
EGFR is involved in the maintenance of RUBCN protein levels during POS phagocytosis.
“EGFR is involved in autophagy inhibition and the maintenance of RUBCN protein levels during POS phagocytosis.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- May combine two claims. 30
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 6
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataSQSTM1 was significantly decreased at 7 PM compared to 7 AM in mouse RPE, suggesting POS phagocytosis might affect the autophagy pathway.
“However, we noted a significant decrease in SQSTM1 at 7 PM compared to 7 AM suggesting that POS phagocytosis might affect the autophagy pathway.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataKnockdown of Rubcn prevents POS-induced LAP but does not affect GFP-LC3 puncta formation during canonical autophagy induced by rapamycin.
“Knockdown of Rubcn prevented POS-induced LAP (Fig. 1B, arrowheads, inset) but did not affect GFP-LC3 C puncta formation during canonical autophagy induced by rapamycin (Fig. 1B, bottom panels).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataErlotinib did not affect RUBCN expression under basal conditions but reduced RUBCN levels during POS phagocytosis.
“Interestingly, whereas erlotinib did not affect the expression levels of RUBCN under basal conditions (RPE-J cells incubated without POS), it did reduce the levels of the protein during POS phagocytosis (Fig. 7A; 1, 3, and 6 h).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataStarvation-induced autophagy prevented association of RUBCN with the phagosome and impaired POS degradation.
“Thus, while it was previously shown that the induction of autophagy with rapamycin did not affect the formation of GFP-LC3 C phagosomes 12,13 ; these new data reveal that starvation-induced autophagy prevented association of RUBCN with the phagosome and impaired POS degradation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataKnockdown of Rubcn does not affect the number of lysosomes but significantly reduces the percentage of LAMP1- and LAMP2-positive phagosomes.
“However, whereas knockdown of Rubcn did not affect the number of lysosomes (as detected in Fig. 2G-H; or by expression of LAMP1 or LAMP2 protein, see Fig. S2A-B), it significantly reduced the percentage of LAMP1-and LAMP2-positive phagosomes (Fig. 2G-H, arrowheads, bar graphs), confirming the importance of RUBCN for POS degradation via the lysosomal pathway.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataUnder serum withdrawal, RUBCN did not associate with POS-containing phagosomes, whereas in complete medium the majority of POS colocalized with RUBCN.
“Interestingly, while the majority of POS (red) in complete medium colocalized with RUBCN (green) (Fig. 5D, left micrograph, arrows, inset), RUBCN did not associate with the POS-containing phagosomes under serum withdrawal (Fig. 5D, right panel, arrowheads, inset).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataIn RPE-J cells fed unlabeled POS, starvation significantly reduced degradation as indicated by accumulation of RHO at 16 h and 24 h, without affecting the number of bound or internalized outer segments at 6 h.
“When RPE-J cells were fed unlabeled POS, starvation significantly reduced degradation as indicated by the accumulation of RHO measured at 16 h and 24 h (Fig. 5B), without affecting the number of bound or internalized outer segments at 6 h after initial POS feeding (Fig. 5C).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataFasting for 24 h significantly enhanced GFP-LC3 puncta and decreased SQSTM1 in RPE, suggesting fasting induced autophagy in the RPE.
“Under fed conditions, GFP-LC3 was diffuse throughout the cytoplasm (Fig. 4A, Left panel); however, following 24 h of fasting GFP-LC3 puncta were significantly enhanced (Fig. 4A, right panel, arrows) and we simultaneously observed decreased SQSTM1 (Fig. 4B) further suggesting that fasting mice induced autophagy in the RPE.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [33] source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataSilencing Rubcn, preventing EGFR activity, or directly inducing autophagy in RPE cells by starvation inhibits phagocytic degradation of POS.
“Silencing Rubcn, preventing EGFR activity or directly inducing autophagy in RPE cells by starvation inhibits phagocytic degradation of POS.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataErlotinib treatment had no effect on the number of bound or internalized POS but impaired the ability of RPE-J cells to degrade POS.
“Erlotinib treatment had no effect on the number of bound or internalized POS by the RPE-J cells (Fig. 6C), but importantly, erlotinib treatment impaired the ability of RPE-J cells to degrade POS (Fig. 6D).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataFasting did not affect RUBCN expression but reduced the number of RUBCN+ phagosomes in freshly prepared mouse RPE flat mounts compared to fed mice.
“When we examined the effect of fasting on RUBCN, we observed that while fasting did not affect RUBCN expression (Fig. 4B) it reduced the number of RUBCN C phagosomes in freshly prepared mouse RPE flat mounts (Fig. 4C, right panel, arrowheads) compared to RPE cells from fed mice (Fig. 4C, left panel, arrows).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataSilencing Atg5, Becn1, or Atg4b inhibits POS degradation, while inhibiting Rb1cc1 or Atg14 has no effect.
“Silencing the expression of known mediators of LAP (Atg5, Becn1, Atg4b) (Fig. 2B-D) also inhibited POS degradation while inhibiting Rb1cc1 of the autophagy preinitiation complex (ATG13-ULK1-RB1CC1-ATG101) or the essential autophagy gene Atg14 had no effect (Fig. 2E-F).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataFasting increased the number of RHO+ phagosomes per mouse RPE cell, suggesting degradation of POS was impaired.
“In addition, fasting increased the number of RHO C phagosomes per mouse RPE cell (Fig. 4D) suggesting that degradation of the POS was impaired.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataRUBCN is constitutively expressed in RPE cells both in vivo and in vitro and is recruited to the POS-containing phagosome.
“We found that RUBCN was constitutively expressed in RPE cells both in vivo and in vitro and was similarly recruited to the POScontaining phagosome.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataInhibition of EGFR signaling with erlotinib suppressed POS degradation and activated autophagy.
“Importantly, inhibition of EGFR signaling with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib suppressed POS degradation and activated autophagy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataRUBCN recruitment is necessary for delivery of LAMP1- and LAMP2-positive lysosomes and for POS degradation.
“RUBCN recruitment was necessary for delivery of the LAMP1-and LAMP2-positive lysosomes (Fig. 2), in a manner similar to macrophages, 20 and was necessary for POS degradation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [20] source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataPOS phagocytosis did not induce RUBCN protein, suggesting that simply modulating RUBCN levels cannot account for the findings.
“However, POS phagocytosis did not induce RUBCN protein (Fig. 7B) suggesting that simply modulating RUBCN levels cannot account for our findings.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataCetuximab prevented EGFR activation by EGF and delayed degradation of POS in RPE-J cells, while not altering binding or uptake of POS.
“Cetuximab prevented EGFR activation by EGF (Fig. 8A) and also delayed degradation of POS in RPE-J cells (Fig. 8B), while not altering binding or uptake of POS by RPE-J (Fig. 8C).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [40] source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataErlotinib treatment decreased SQSTM1 levels, RPS6KB1 activation, and p-BECN1 at Ser234 in RPE-J cells fed POS, indicating upregulation of autophagy when p-EGFR was inhibited.
“Furthermore, erlotinib treatment decreased SQSTM1 levels, RPS6KB1 activation, and p-BECN1 at Ser234 in RPE-J cells fed POS (Fig. 7A) indicating the upregulation of autophagy when p-EGFR was inhibited.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataInhibition of EGFR with erlotinib prevented RUBCN association with the POS-containing phagosome, thereby compromising POS degradation.
“Inhibition of EGFR with this compound also prevented RUBCN association with the POS-containing phagosome thereby compromising POS degradation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataStarvation did not affect RUBCN protein levels but prevented association of RUBCN with RHO+ phagosomes, a necessary step for degradation of outer segments.
“Whereas starvation did not affect the levels of the RUBCN protein, it prevented association of RUBCN with the RHO C phagosomes, a necessary step for the degradation of the outer segments.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataOuter segment phagocytosis activates EGFR, resulting in MTOR stimulation, accumulation of SQSTM1/p62, and phosphorylation of BECN1 on an inhibitory residue, thereby suppressing autophagy.
“At the same time, outer segment phagocytosis activates the EGFR resulting in MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin [serine/threonine kinase]) stimulation, the accumulation of SQSTM1/p62, and the phosphorylation of BECN1 (Beclin 1, autophagy related) on an inhibitory residue thereby suppressing autophagy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataRPE cells promote LAP through the expression of RUBCN and suppress autophagy through the activation of EGFR.
“Our data reveal that RPE cells promote LAP through the expression of RUBCN/Rubicon (RUN domain and cysteinerich domain containing Beclin 1-interacting protein) and suppress autophagy through the activation of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataWhile RPE suppress autophagy during phagocytosis, during periods of cellular stress they refocus their resources on cell survival at the expense of POS degradation.
“These results support the idea that while RPE suppress autophagy during phagocytosis, during periods of cellular stress they refocus their resources on cell survival at the expense of POS degradation.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataHallmarks of suppressed autophagy indicate that LAP and autophagy may be competing for resources and might not easily co-exist in RPE cells.
“These hallmarks of suppressed autophagy 11,31,32 indicate that LAP and autophagy may be competing for resources and might not easily co-exist in RPE cells.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationMTOR activation is an indicator of suppressed autophagy, as is p-BECN1 at Ser234 where it is targeted by AKT1 during MTOR activation.
“MTOR activation is an indicator of suppressed autophagy 31 as is p-BECN1 at this Ser234 residue where it is targeted by the serine/threonine kinase AKT1 during MTOR activation.32”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationRUBCN is an inhibitor of autophagy, localizing to late endosomes/lysosomes to inhibit autophagosome maturation.
“Interestingly, while RUBCN is a LAP-specific mediator, it is also an inhibitor of autophagy, localizing to late endosomes/lysosomes to inhibit autophagosome maturation.21,22”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationPhotoreceptor tip shedding is maximal in the morning just after onset of the light cycle, linking the process to circadian rhythms.
“Photoreceptor tip shedding occurs throughout the day, but it is maximal in the morning just after the onset of the light cycle, [8][9][10] linking the process to circadian rhythms.41,51”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationCetuximab specifically blocks the EGFR ligand-binding domain.
“Cetuximab, a blocker of EGFR ligand-binding.40”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [40] source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataAll mice are free of the rd8 mutation as confirmed by PCR analysis.
“All mice are free of the rd8 mutation 65 as confirmed by PCR analysis.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [65] source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenAll experiments contained at least 3 mice per group and were repeated a minimum of 3 times.
“All experiments contained at least 3 mice per group and were repeated a minimum of 3 times.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductnone givenAll animal experiments were approved by IACUC and carried out in accordance with the ARVO Resolution on the Use of Animals for Ophthalmologic Research.
“All animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Washington University School of Medicine, and were carried out in strict accordance with the ARVO Resolution on the Use of Animals for Ophthalmologic Research.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitationp-EGFR at Tyr1068 is a major autophosphorylation site of the receptor.
“a major autophosphorylation site of the receptor.36”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [36] source
Not checked in the free run.
The paper relies on this without support.
The siRNA oligonucleotides used to silence Rubcn, Atg5, Becn1, Atg4b, Atg14, and Rb1cc1 are specific and do not produce off-target effects that affect the measured pathways.
“Following successful knockdown of Rubcn in RPE-J cells by siRNA oligonucleotides (Fig. 1A)”
“Gene silencing (confirmed by western blotting, Fig. S3A-E) had no effect on the number of bound or internalized POS by the RPE-J cells (Fig. S3F-G).”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The kinetics of OS uptake and OS phagosome degradation are sensitive to the state of RPE differentiation.
“Although some studies on LAP in the RPE have been performed with undifferentiated RPE-J cells (Kim et al., 2013; Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017), it is well-established that the kinetics of OS uptake and OS phagosome degradation are sensitive to the state of RPE differentiation.”
From The cell biology of the retinal pigment epithelium (2020) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
Loss of Rubicon decreased OS degradation in RPE-J cells.
“Loss of Rubicon decreased OS degradation; however, these RPE-J cells also showed a dramatic loss of LAMP1-labeled lysosomes (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017), suggesting that knocking out Rubicon could delay OS clearance by interfering with multiple pathways including endosome maturation.”
From The cell biology of the retinal pigment epithelium (2020) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
Rubicon levels in the RPE are elevated at light onset.
“The observation that Rubicon levels in the RPE are elevated at light onset (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017) suggests that synchronized OS phagocytosis is required for Rubicon activation.”
From The cell biology of the retinal pigment epithelium (2020) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
The elevation of Rubicon levels in the RPE at light onset suggests that synchronized OS phagocytosis is required for Rubicon activation.
“The observation that Rubicon levels in the RPE are elevated at light onset (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017) suggests that synchronized OS phagocytosis is required for Rubicon activation.”
From The cell biology of the retinal pigment epithelium (2020) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
RPE-J cells with loss of Rubicon also showed a dramatic loss of LAMP1-labeled lysosomes.
“Loss of Rubicon decreased OS degradation; however, these RPE-J cells also showed a dramatic loss of LAMP1-labeled lysosomes (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017), suggesting that knocking out Rubicon could delay OS clearance by interfering with multiple pathways including endosome maturation.”
From The cell biology of the retinal pigment epithelium (2020) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
Knocking out Rubicon could delay OS clearance by interfering with multiple pathways including endosome maturation.
“Loss of Rubicon decreased OS degradation; however, these RPE-J cells also showed a dramatic loss of LAMP1-labeled lysosomes (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017), suggesting that knocking out Rubicon could delay OS clearance by interfering with multiple pathways including endosome maturation.”
From The cell biology of the retinal pigment epithelium (2020) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
LAP plays a critical role in visual pigment regeneration and phagosome degradation.
“LAP plays a critical role in visual pigment regeneration and phagosome degradation (Kim et al., 2013; Frost et al., 2015; Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017)”
From Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, (LC3B) is necessary to maintain lipid-mediated homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (2018) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
Components of LAP, specifically RUN and RUBCN, inhibit starvation-induced autophagy in RPE.
“Recent studies in the RPE suggest that like, macrophages and dendritic cells, components of LAP specifically, RUN (RPIP8/UNC-14/NESCA) and cysteine rich domain containing beclin1 interacting protein (RUBCN), inhibit starvation induced autophagy (Martinez et al., 2015; Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017).”
From Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, (LC3B) is necessary to maintain lipid-mediated homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (2018) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
LAP-mediated increases in RUBCN inhibit starvation-induced autophagy in the RPE.
“recent studies have also shown that LAP-mediated increases in RUBCN inhibit starvation induced autophagy in the RPE (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017).”
From Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, (LC3B) is necessary to maintain lipid-mediated homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (2018) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
The circadian fluctuation of LC3 levels is likely correlated with RPE and PR physiological function.
“This fluctuation is likely correlated with RPE and PR physiological function”
From Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, (LC3B) is necessary to maintain lipid-mediated homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (2018) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
OS phagocytosis triggers a downregulation of starvation-induced autophagy so that LC3B-associated phagocytosis may proceed.
“recent studies suggest that OS phagocytosis triggers a downregulation of starvation induced autophagy so that LC3B-associated phagocytosis may proceed (Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017).”
From Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, (LC3B) is necessary to maintain lipid-mediated homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (2018) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
During OS phagocytosis, LC3B associates with ingested phagosomes, targeting them for degradation in LAP.
“During OS phagocytosis, LC3B associates with ingested phagosomes targeting them for degradation in a process known as LAP (Kim et al., 2013; Frost et al., 2014, 2015, 2017; Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017).”
From Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B, (LC3B) is necessary to maintain lipid-mediated homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (2018) · cites this paper as Muniz-Feliciano et al., 2017
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Figure 4D is described using different outcome measures
MinorThe results describe Figure 4D as showing the number of phagosomes per RPE cell, whereas its caption says the quantified outcome was the percentage of RPE cells with phagosomes. These are different measures.
“fasting increased the number of RHO C phagosomes per mouse RPE cell (Fig. 4D)”
“The percentage (%) of RPE cells with RHO C phagosomes was quantified by confocal microscopy and averaged from 3 independent experiments”
The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet
References 68 · Cited by 73
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Naash MI, 1997, Invest Ophthal Vis Sci, 38, 2344
- Authors
- Muniz-Feliciano, L., Doggett, T. A., Zhou, Z., & Ferguson, T. A.
- Affiliations
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ferguson, Thomas A.
- Venue
- Autophagy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-12-02
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 2072-2085
- ISSN
- 1554-8627 (ISSN-L)
- 1554-8635
- PMC
- PMC5788552
- OpenAlex
- W2757416005
- Semantic Scholar
- 13a25f8d91c269833ca04910d9091a38b7700c46
- Cited by
- 73
- References
- 68
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7
- FWCI
- 4.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Autophagy (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Research to Prevent Blindness (EY02687)
- National Eye Institute (P30EY002687, T32EY013360)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular transport and secretion
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Keywords
- Rubicon, EGFR, retinal pigment epithelium, LC3-associated phagocytosis, photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis, lysosomal degradation, mTOR signaling, p62, Beclin-1, retinal homeostasis
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Autophagy, Ligands, Lysosomes, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, Microtubule-Associated Proteins, Phagocytosis, Phagosomes, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Retinal Pigment Epithelium, Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment, ErbB Receptors
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review