Enhanced synthesis of prostaglandins and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in retina from a canine model of Batten's disease.

The metabolism of [1-14C]arachidonic acid (20:4, n-6) was studied in intact retina and retinal pigment epithelial cells from normal English setters and English setters affected with hereditary canine ceroid lipofuscinosis. Acylation of arachidonic acid into membrane glycerolipids and oxygenation by lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase to eicosanoids were measured by radiochromatographic techniques. In addition, the histopathology of accumulated ceroid particles in retinal ganglion cells and pigment epithelial cells was studied by electron microscopy. Synthesis of prostaglandins and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids was increased in canine ceroid lipofuscinosis retina, but not in retinal pigment epithelium. Prostaglandin D2, the putative neuronal eicosanoid, was increased nearly eightfold, whereas other eicosanoids increased two- to threefold. Ultrastructural studies revealed accumulation of ceroid and deterioration of neuronal and pigment epithelial cell architecture. These experiments demonstrate that, although lipopigment accumulates in both tissues, alterations of eicosanoid synthesis are specific for the retina, a neuronal tissue. The specific increase in prostaglandin D2 and the specificity of changes for the retina indicate that enhanced eicosanoid synthesis may be a result of an impairment of the control of oxygenation of arachidonic acid in neurons.