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Wu S, Zheng F, Sui A, Wu D, Chen Z. Sodium-iodate injection can replicate retinal and choroid degeneration in pigmented mice: Using multimodal imaging and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis. Exp Eye Res 2024; 247:110050. [PMID: 39151777 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the elderly population. Sodium iodate (NaIO3), a stable oxidizing agent, has been injected to establish a reproducible model of oxidative stress-induced RPE and photoreceptor death. The aim of our study was to evaluate the morphological and molecular changes of retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid in NaIO3-treated mouse using multimodal fundus imaging and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis. Here, we found that following NaIO3 injection, retinal degeneration was evident. Fundus photographs showed numerous scattered yellow-white speckled deposits. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images indicated disruption of the retinal layers, damage of the RPE layer and accumulation of hyper-reflective matter in multiple layers of the outer retina. Widespread foci of a high fundus autofluorescence (FAF) signal were noticed. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) revealed diffuse intense transmitted fluorescence mixed with scattered spot-like blocked fluorescence. Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) presented punctate hyperfluorescence. Due to the atrophy of the RPE and Bruch's membrane and choroidal capillary complex, the larger choroidal vessels become more prominent in ICGA and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) illustrated abnormal material accumulation and damaged mitochondria. Bioinformatics analysis of proteomics revealed that the differentially expressed proteins participated in diverse biological processes, encompassing phototransduction, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, phagosome, necroptosis, and cell adhesion molecules. In conclusion, by multimodal imaging, we described the phenotype of NaIO3-treated mouse model mimicking oxidative stress-induced RPE and photoreceptor death in detail. In addition, proteomics analysis identified differentially expressed proteins and significant enrichment pathways, providing insights for future research, although the exact mechanism of oxidative stress-induced RPE and photoreceptor death remains incompletely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijing Wu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fang Zheng
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ailing Sui
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Wu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhiqing Chen
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
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Yang X, Qi X, Zuo K, Huang Y, Bian X, Wang J, Yu H, Feng Q, Lei X, Chen T. Vitamin D alleviation of oxidative stress in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:314. [PMID: 38965086 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03240-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell damage is a major factor in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vitamin D3 (VD3) is a powerful antioxidant and it has been suggested to have anti-aging properties and potential for treating AMD. This study aimed to investigate the effect of VD3 on RPE cell oxidative apoptosis of RPE cells in order to provide experimental evidence for the treatment of AMD. METHODS Human retinal pigment epithelial cell 19 (ARPE-19) cells were divided into four groups: blank group (untreated), model group (incubated in medium with 400 μmol/L H2O2 for 1 h), VD3 group (incubated in medium with 100 μmol/L VD3 for 24 h), and treatment group (incubated in medium with 400 μmol/L H2O2 for 1 h and 100 μmol/L VD3 for 24 h). Cell viability, cell senescence, ROS content, expression levels of vitamin D specific receptors, Akt, Sirt1, NAMPT, and JNK mRNA expression levels, SOD activity, and MDA, GSH, and GPX levels were measured. RESULTS We first established an ARPE-19 cell stress model with H2O2. Our control experiment showed that VD3 treatment had no significant effect on ARPE-19 cell viability within 6-48 h. Treating the stressed ARPE-19 cells with VD3 showed mixed results; caspase-3 expression was decreased, Bcl-2 expression was increased, MDA level of ARPE-19 cells was decreased, GSH-PX, GPX and SOD levels were increased, the relative mRNA expression levels of Akt, Sirt1, NAMPT were increased (P < 0.05), and the relative mRNA expression level of JNK was decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION VD3 can potentially slow the development of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Xing Qi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Kun Zuo
- College of Pharmacy, Jia Mu Si University, Jiamusi, 154100, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Xiyun Bian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Hao Yu
- College of Pharmacy, Jia Mu Si University, Jiamusi, 154100, China
| | - Qinbei Feng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China
| | - Xia Lei
- Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, 214071, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Tingli Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Huadong Sanatorium, Wuxi, 214000, China.
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Zhang CJ, Mou H, Yuan J, Wang YH, Sun SN, Wang W, Xu ZH, Yu SJ, Jin K, Jin ZB. Effects of fluorescent protein tdTomato on mouse retina. Exp Eye Res 2024; 243:109910. [PMID: 38663720 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have been widely used to investigate cellular and molecular interactions and trace biological events in many applications. Some of the FPs have been demonstrated to cause undesirable cellular damage by light-induced ROS production in vivo or in vitro. However, it remains unknown if one of the most popular FPs, tdTomato, has similar effects in neuronal cells. In this study, we discovered that tdTomato expression led to unexpected retinal dysfunction and ultrastructural defects in the transgenic mouse retina. The retinal dysfunction mainly manifested in the reduced photopic electroretinogram (ERG) responses and decreased contrast sensitivity in visual acuity, caused by mitochondrial damages characterized with cellular redistribution, morphological modifications and molecular profiling alterations. Taken together, our findings for the first time demonstrated the retinal dysfunction and ultrastructural defects in the retinas of tdTomato-transgenic mice, calling for a more careful design and interpretation of experiments involved in FPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Jun Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hao Mou
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ya-Han Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shu-Ning Sun
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ze-Hua Xu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Si-Jian Yu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Kangxin Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Huang H, Zeng J, Yu X, Du H, Wen C, Mao Y, Tang H, Kuang X, Liu W, Yu H, Liu H, Li B, Long C, Yan J, Shen H. Establishing chronic models of age-related macular degeneration via long-term iron ion overload. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1367-C1383. [PMID: 38406826 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00532.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by the degenerative senescence in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors, which is accompanied by the accumulation of iron ions in the aging retina. However, current models of acute oxidative stress are still insufficient to simulate the gradual progression of AMD. To address this, we established chronic injury models by exposing the aRPE-19 cells, 661W cells, and mouse retina to iron ion overload over time. Investigations at the levels of cell biology and molecular biology were performed. It was demonstrated that long-term treatment of excessive iron ions induced senescence-like morphological changes, decreased cell proliferation, and impaired mitochondrial function, contributing to apoptosis. Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the downstream molecules were confirmed both in the aRPE-19 and 661W cells. Furthermore, iron ion overload resulted in dry AMD-like lesions and decreased visual function in the mouse retina. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to overloading iron ions plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of retinopathy and provide a potential model for future studies on AMD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To explore the possibility of constructing reliable research carriers on age-related macular degeneration (AMD), iron ion overload was applied to establish models in vitro and in vivo. Subsequent investigations into cellular physiology and molecular biology confirmed the presence of senescence in these models. Through this study, we hope to provide a better option of feasible methods for future researches into AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingshu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Du
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaojuan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xielan Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Biobank of Eye, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huijun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Eye Fundus Department, Affiliated Aier Eye Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Li
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongde Long
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huangxuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Biobank of Eye, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Iezzi R, Scruggs BA, Gandhi J, Zenti FN, Shafi N, Berger A, Marmorstein AD. Early Choriocapillaris Loss in a Porcine Model of RPE Cell Debridement Precedes Pathology That Simulates Advanced Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:8. [PMID: 38568620 PMCID: PMC10996981 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose No large-mammal surgical models exist for geographic atrophy (GA), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and pachychoroidal vascular remodeling. Our goal was to develop a porcine RPE debridement model of advanced macular degeneration to study photoreceptor cell loss and choroidal remodeling. Methods Seven 2-month-old female domestic pigs were used for this study. After 25G vitrectomy, the area centralis was detached via subretinal bleb. A nitinol wire (Finesse Flex Loop) was used to debride RPE cells across a 3- to 5-mm diameter region. Fluid-air exchange was performed, and 20% SF6 gas injected. Animals underwent fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT-angiography (OCTA) at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Retinal histology was obtained at euthanasia, 2 months (n = 3), 3 months (n = 2), or 6 months (n = 2) after surgery. Results RPE debridement resulted in GA with rapid loss of choriocapillaris, progressive loss of photoreceptors, and pachychoroidal changes in Sattler's and Haller's layers in all seven eyes undergoing debridement within 2 months. OCT and histological findings included subretinal disciform scar with overlying outer retinal atrophy; outer retinal tubulations and subretinal hyper-reflective material. OCTA revealed type 2 CNV (n = 4) at the edges of the debridement zone by 2 months, but there was no significant exudation noted at any time point. Conclusions Surgical debridement of the RPE results in GA, CNV, and pachychoroid and reproduced all forms of advanced macular degeneration. This surgical model may be useful in examining the role of RPE and other cell replacement in treating advanced macular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Iezzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Brittni A. Scruggs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Jarel Gandhi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Francesca N. Zenti
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Noah Shafi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Aubrey Berger
- Regenerative Sciences, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Alan D. Marmorstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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6
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Huang JM, Zhao N, Hao XN, Li SY, Wei D, Pu N, Peng GH, Tao Y. CX3CL1/CX3CR1 Signaling Mediated Neuroglia Activation Is Implicated in the Retinal Degeneration: A Potential Therapeutic Target to Prevent Photoreceptor Death. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:29. [PMID: 38231527 PMCID: PMC10795588 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal degeneration (RD) is a large cluster of retinopathies that is characterized by the progressive photoreceptor death and visual impairments. CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling has been documented to mediate the microglia activation and gliosis reaction during neurodegeneration. We intend to verify whether the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling is involved in the RD pathology. Methods A pharmacologically induced RD mice model was established. AZD8797, a CX3CR1 antagonist, was injected into the vitreous cavity of an RD model to modulate the neuroglia activation. Then, the experimental animals were subjected to functional, morphological, and behavioral analysis. Results The CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling mediated neuroglia activation was implicated in the photoreceptor demise of an RD model. Intravitreal injection of AZD8797 preserved the retinal structure and enhanced the photoreceptor survival through inhibiting the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 expressions. Fundus photography showed that the distribution of retinal vessel was clear, and the severity of lesions was alleviated by AZD8797. In particular, these morphological benefits could be translated into remarkable functional improvements, as evidenced by the behavioral test and electroretinogram (mf-ERG) examination. A mechanism study showed that AZD8797 mitigated the microglia activation and migration in the degenerative retinas. The Müller cell hyper-reaction and secondary gliosis response were also suppressed by AZD8797. Conclusions The neuroinflammation is implicated in the photoreceptor loss of RD pathology. Targeting the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy. Future refinements of these findings may cast light into the discovery of new medications for RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Min Huang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Na Hao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Si-Yu Li
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dong Wei
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Pu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hua Peng
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Occelli LM, Jones BW, Cervantes TJ, Petersen-Jones SM. Metabolic changes and retinal remodeling in Heterozygous CRX mutant cats (CRX RDY/+). Exp Eye Res 2023; 235:109630. [PMID: 37625575 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
CRX is a transcription factor essential for normal photoreceptor development and survival. The CRXRdy cat has a naturally occurring truncating mutation in CRX and is a large animal model for dominant Leber congenital amaurosis. This study investigated retinal remodeling that occurs as photoreceptors degenerate. CRXRdy/+ cats from 6 weeks to 10 years of age were investigated. In vivo structural changes of retinas were analyzed by fundus examination, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Histologic analyses included immunohistochemistry for computational molecular phenotyping with macromolecules and small molecules. Affected cats had a cone-led photoreceptor degeneration starting in the area centralis. Initially there was preservation of inner retinal cells such as bipolar, amacrine and horizontal cells but with time migration of the deafferented neurons occurred. Early in the process of degeneration glial activation occurs ultimately resulting in formation of a glial seal. With progression the macula-equivalent area centralis developed severe atrophy including loss of retinal pigmentary epithelium. Microneuroma formation occured in advanced stages as more marked retinal remodeling occurred. This study indicates that retinal degeneration in the CrxRdy/+ cat retina follows the progressive, phased revision of retina that have been previously described for retinal remodeling. These findings suggest that therapy dependent on targeting inner retinal cells may be useful in young adults with preserved inner retinas prior to advanced stages of retinal remodeling and neuronal cell loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence M Occelli
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Bryan W Jones
- Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Taylor J Cervantes
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Simon M Petersen-Jones
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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8
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Chakrabarty K, Nayak D, Debnath J, Das D, Shetty R, Ghosh A. Retinal organoids in disease modeling and drug discovery: Opportunities and challenges. Surv Ophthalmol 2023:S0039-6257(23)00127-3. [PMID: 37778668 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Diseases leading to retinal cell loss can cause severe visual impairment and blindness. The lack of effective therapies to address retinal cell loss and the absence of intrinsic regeneration in the human retina leads to an irreversible pathological condition. Progress in recent years in the generation of human three-dimensional retinal organoids from pluripotent stem cells makes it possible to recreate the cytoarchitecture and associated cell-cell interactions of the human retina in remarkable detail. These human three-dimensional retinal organoid systems made of distinct retinal cell types and possessing contextual physiological responses allow the study of human retina development and retinal disease pathology in a way animal model and two-dimensional cell cultures were unable to achieve. We describe the derivation of retinal organoids from human pluripotent stem cells and their application for modeling retinal disease pathologies, while outlining the opportunities and challenges for its application in academia and industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Chakrabarty
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
| | - Divyani Nayak
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayasree Debnath
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Debashish Das
- Stem Cell Research Lab, GROW Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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9
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Kong K, Wang P, Xie Z, Wang L, Jiang J, Liu Y, Du S, Jiang J, Song Y, Lin F, Wang W, Fang X, Shi Z, Zhang X, Chen S. Integrated Transcriptome Analysis of Long Noncoding RNA and mRNA in Developing and Aging Mouse Retina. Sci Data 2023; 10:653. [PMID: 37741836 PMCID: PMC10518015 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02562-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice have emerged as a widely employed model for investigating various retinal diseases. However, the availability of comprehensive datasets capturing the entire developmental and aging stages of the mouse retina, particularly during the elderly period, encompassing integrated lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles, is limited. In this study, we assembled a total of 18 retina samples from mice across 6 distinct stages of development and aging (5 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 15 months) to conduct integrated lncRNA and mRNA sequencing analysis. This invaluable dataset offers a comprehensive transcriptomic resource of mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles during the natural progression of retinal development and aging. The discoveries stemming from this investigation will significantly contribute to the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with various retinal diseases, such as congenital retinal dysplasia and retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangjie Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zihong Xie
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University and Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lu Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jiaxuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yaoming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Shaolin Du
- Dongguan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yunhe Song
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Fengbin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xiuli Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhuoxing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Xiulan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Shida Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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10
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Liu D, Zhang C, Zhang J, Xu GT, Zhang J. Molecular pathogenesis of subretinal fibrosis in neovascular AMD focusing on epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of retinal pigment epithelium. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106250. [PMID: 37536385 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among elderly people in developed countries. Neovascular AMD (nAMD) accounts for more than 90% of AMD-related vision loss. At present, intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) is widely used as the first-line therapy to decrease the choroidal and retinal neovascularizations, and thus to improve or maintain the visual acuity of the patients with nAMD. However, about 1/3 patients still progress to irreversible visual impairment due to subretinal fibrosis even with adequate anti-VEGF treatment. Extensive literatures support the critical role of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the pathogenesis of subretinal fibrosis in nAMD, but the underlying mechanisms still remain largely unknown. This review summarized the molecular pathogenesis of subretinal fibrosis in nAMD, especially focusing on the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced EMT pathways. It was also discussed how these pathways crosstalk and respond to signals from the microenvironment to mediate EMT and contribute to the progression of nAMD-related subretinal fibrosis. Targeting EMT signaling pathways might provide a promising and effective therapeutic strategy to treat subretinal fibrosis secondary to nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingting Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Han L, Zhang L. CCL21/CCR7 axis as a therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110431. [PMID: 37331295 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is a G protein-coupled receptor containing 7 transmembrane domains that is expressed on various cells, such as naive T/B cells, central memory T cells, regulatory T cells, immature/mature dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells, and a minority of tumor cells. Chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) is the known high-affinity ligand that binds to CCR7 and drives cell migration in tissues. CCL21 is mainly produced by stromal cells and lymphatic endothelial cells, and its expression is significantly increased under inflammatory conditions. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a strong association between CCL21/CCR7 axis and disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, and asthma. Disrupting CCL21/CCR7 interaction with antibodies or inhibitors prevents the migration of CCR7-expressing immune and non-immune cells at the site of inflammation and reduces disease severity. This review emphasizes the importance of the CCL21 /CCR7 axis in autoimmune diseases and evaluates its potential as a novel therapeutic target for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Han
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin 214400, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Center of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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12
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Swinkels D, Baes M. The essential role of docosahexaenoic acid and its derivatives for retinal integrity. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 247:108440. [PMID: 37201739 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The fatty acid composition of photoreceptor outer segment (POS) phospholipids diverges from other membranes, being highly enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The most abundant PUFA is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3), an omega-3 PUFA that amounts to over 50% of the POS phospholipid fatty acid side chains. Interestingly, DHA is the precursor of other bioactive lipids such as elongated PUFAs and oxygenated derivatives. In this review, we present the current view on metabolism, trafficking and function of DHA and very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) in the retina. New insights on pathological features generated from PUFA deficient mouse models with enzyme or transporter defects and corresponding patients are discussed. Not only the neural retina, but also abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium are considered. Furthermore, the potential involvement of PUFAs in more common retinal degeneration diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration are evaluated. Supplementation treatment strategies and their outcome are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Swinkels
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Myriam Baes
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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13
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Hammadi S, Tzoumas N, Ferrara M, Meschede IP, Lo K, Harris C, Lako M, Steel DH. Bruch's Membrane: A Key Consideration with Complement-Based Therapies for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. J Clin Med 2023; 12:2870. [PMID: 37109207 PMCID: PMC10145879 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The complement system is crucial for immune surveillance, providing the body's first line of defence against pathogens. However, an imbalance in its regulators can lead to inappropriate overactivation, resulting in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally affecting around 200 million people. Complement activation in AMD is believed to begin in the choriocapillaris, but it also plays a critical role in the subretinal and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) spaces. Bruch's membrane (BrM) acts as a barrier between the retina/RPE and choroid, hindering complement protein diffusion. This impediment increases with age and AMD, leading to compartmentalisation of complement activation. In this review, we comprehensively examine the structure and function of BrM, including its age-related changes visible through in vivo imaging, and the consequences of complement dysfunction on AMD pathogenesis. We also explore the potential and limitations of various delivery routes (systemic, intravitreal, subretinal, and suprachoroidal) for safe and effective delivery of conventional and gene therapy-based complement inhibitors to treat AMD. Further research is needed to understand the diffusion of complement proteins across BrM and optimise therapeutic delivery to the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hammadi
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Nikolaos Tzoumas
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Queen Alexandra Rd., Sunderland SR2 9H, UK
| | | | - Ingrid Porpino Meschede
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 6th Floor, 188 York Way, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - Katharina Lo
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 6th Floor, 188 York Way, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - Claire Harris
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 6th Floor, 188 York Way, London N7 9AS, UK
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - David H. Steel
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Queen Alexandra Rd., Sunderland SR2 9H, UK
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14
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Su N, Hansen U, Plagemann T, Gäher K, Leclaire MD, König J, Höhn A, Grune T, Uhlig CE, Eter N, Heiduschka P. Sub-Retinal Injection of Human Lipofuscin in the Mouse - A Model of "Dry" Age-Related Macular Degeneration? Aging Dis 2023; 14:184-203. [PMID: 36818570 PMCID: PMC9937713 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipofuscin (LF) accumulates during lifetime in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and is thought to play a crucial role in intermediate and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In an attemt to simulate aged retina and to study response of retinal microglia and RPE cells to LF, we injected a suspension of LF into the subretinal space of adult mice. LF suspension was obtained from human donor eyes. Subretinal injection of PBS or sham injection served as a control. Eyes were inspected by autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography, by electroretinography and on histological and ultrastructural levels. Levels of cytokine mRNA were determined by quantitative PCR separately in the RPE/choroid complex and in the retina. After injection of LF, microglial cells migrated quickly into the subretinal space to close proximity to RPE cells and phagocytosed LF particles. Retinal function was affected only slightly by LF within the first two weeks. After longer time, RPE cells showed clear signs of melanin loss and degradation. Levels of mRNA of inflammatory cytokines increased sharply after injection of both PBS and LF and were higher in the RPE/choroid complex than in the retina and were slightly higher after LF injection. In conclusion, subretinal injection of LF causes an activation of microglial cells and their migration into subretinal space, enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines and a gradual degradation of RPE cells. These features are found also in an aging retina, and subretinal injection of LF could be a model for intermediate and late AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Su
- Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University
Medical Center, Münster, Germany.
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of
Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Uwe Hansen
- Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Medical Faculty,
University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Tanja Plagemann
- Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University
Medical Center, Münster, Germany.
| | - Karin Gäher
- Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Medical Faculty,
University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - M. Dominik Leclaire
- Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University
Medical Center, Münster, Germany.
| | - Jeannette König
- German Institute of Human Nutrition,
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany.
| | - Annika Höhn
- German Institute of Human Nutrition,
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany.
| | - Tilman Grune
- German Institute of Human Nutrition,
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany.
| | - Constantin E. Uhlig
- Cornea Bank Münster, Department of Ophthalmology,
University Medical Center, Münster, Germany.
| | - Nicole Eter
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center,
Münster, Germany.
| | - Peter Heiduschka
- Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University
Medical Center, Münster, Germany.
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15
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Xu K, Liu XN, Zhang HB, Zhu XP, Zhang XJ. Tear film instability is associated with weakened colocalization between occludin and MUC5AC in scopolamine-induced dry eye disease (DED) rats. Int Ophthalmol 2023; 43:463-473. [PMID: 35908134 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dry eye disease (DED) is a disease with tear film instability because of multiple factors. This study was conducted to explore roles of occludin and MUC5AC in tear film instability in DED rat model. METHODS A total of 20 SD rats were divided into DED group (n = 10) and normal control (NC) group (n = 10). DED rat model was established by subcutaneously injecting with scopolamine hydrobromide. Clinical examinations, including tear breakup time (tBUT), Schirmer's test and corneal fluorescein staining, were conducted to determine corneal functions. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the ultrastructures of corneal epithelial cells. Western blotting assay was used to identify occludin expression in corneal tissues of DED rats. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to verify gene transcription of occludin and MUC5AC. Colocalization between occludin and MUC5AC was identified with confocal fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Tear breakup time was significantly shorter, and corneal fluorescein staining score was predominantly higher in DED rats compared to those in normal rats (P < 0.05). Normal rats showed a steady tear secretion throughout the whole experiments, while DED rats showed a dramatic reduction on day 14. DED rats demonstrated ultrastructural damage of Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum in corneal epithelial cells. Occludin and MUC5AC expressions were significantly downregulated in corneal tissue of DED rats compared with those of normal rats (P < 0.05). Percentage of occludin-MUC5AC-colocalized corneal epithelial cells in DED rats was significantly less compared with those in normal rats (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Tear film stability was damaged in scopolamine-induced DED rats because of the weakened colocalization between occludin and MUC5AC molecule. This study would provide a potential clue for the pathogenesis and a promising theoretical basis for clinical work of DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Xu
- Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 599, Xiying Road, Xi'an, 710054, China. .,Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xian-Ning Liu
- Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong-Bing Zhang
- Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Zhu
- Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xian-Jiao Zhang
- Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology Diseases of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, China
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16
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Gibson BG, Cox TE, Marchbank KJ. Contribution of animal models to the mechanistic understanding of Alternative Pathway and Amplification Loop (AP/AL)-driven Complement-mediated Diseases. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:194-216. [PMID: 36203396 PMCID: PMC10092198 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
This review aimed to capture the key findings that animal models have provided around the role of the alternative pathway and amplification loop (AP/AL) in disease. Animal models, particularly mouse models, have been incredibly useful to define the role of complement and the alternative pathway in health and disease; for instance, the use of cobra venom factor and depletion of C3 provided the initial insight that complement was essential to generate an appropriate adaptive immune response. The development of knockout mice have further underlined the importance of the AP/AL in disease, with the FH knockout mouse paving the way for the first anti-complement drugs. The impact from the development of FB, properdin, and C3 knockout mice closely follows this in terms of mechanistic understanding in disease. Indeed, our current understanding that complement plays a role in most conditions at one level or another is rooted in many of these in vivo studies. That C3, in particular, has roles beyond the obvious in innate and adaptive immunity, normal physiology, and cellular functions, with or without other recognized AP components, we would argue, only extends the reach of this arm of the complement system. Humanized mouse models also continue to play their part. Here, we argue that the animal models developed over the last few decades have truly helped define the role of the AP/AL in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth G. Gibson
- Complement Therapeutics Research Group and Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research InstituteFaculty of Medical ScienceNewcastle‐upon‐TyneUK
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics CentreaHUS ServiceNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Thomas E. Cox
- Complement Therapeutics Research Group and Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research InstituteFaculty of Medical ScienceNewcastle‐upon‐TyneUK
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics CentreaHUS ServiceNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Kevin J. Marchbank
- Complement Therapeutics Research Group and Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research InstituteFaculty of Medical ScienceNewcastle‐upon‐TyneUK
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics CentreaHUS ServiceNewcastle upon TyneUK
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17
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Keeling E, Lynn SA, Koh YM, Scott JA, Kendall A, Gatherer M, Page A, Cagampang FR, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. A High Fat "Western-style" Diet Induces AMD-Like Features in Wildtype Mice. Mol Nutr Food Res 2022; 66:e2100823. [PMID: 35306732 PMCID: PMC9287010 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202100823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Scope The intake of a “Western‐style” diet rich in fats is linked with developing retinopathies including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Wildtype mice are given a high fat diet (HFD) to determine how unhealthy foods can bring about retinal degeneration. Methods and results Following weaning, female C57BL/6 mice are maintained on standard chow (7% kcal fat, n = 29) or a HFD (45% kcal fat, n = 27) for 12 months. Animals were sacrificed following electroretinography (ERG) and their eyes analyzed by histology, confocal immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. HFD mice become obese, but showed normal retinal function compared to chow‐fed controls. However, diminished β3tubulin labeling of retinal cross‐sections indicated fewer/damaged neuronal processes in the inner plexiform layer. AMD‐linked proteins clusterin and TIMP3 accumulated in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane (BrM). Neutral lipids also deposited in the outer retinae of HFD mice. Ultrastructural analysis revealed disorganized photoreceptor outer segments, collapsed/misaligned RPE microvilli, vacuoles, convoluted basolateral RPE infolds and BrM changes. Basal laminar‐like deposits were also present alongside abnormal choroidal endothelial cells. Conclusions We show that prolonged exposure to an unhealthy “Western‐style” diet alone can recapitulate early‐intermediate AMD‐like features in wildtype mice, highlighting the importance of diet and nutrition in the etiology of sight‐loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Savannah A Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Yen Min Koh
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jenny A Scott
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Aaron Kendall
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Maureen Gatherer
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Felino R Cagampang
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.,Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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18
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Kim SY, Qian H. Comparison between sodium iodate and lipid peroxide murine models of age-related macular degeneration for drug evaluation-a narrative review. ANNALS OF EYE SCIENCE 2022; 7:8. [PMID: 37622161 PMCID: PMC10448775 DOI: 10.21037/aes-21-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective In this review, non-transgenic models of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are discussed, with focuses on murine retinal degeneration induced by sodium iodate and lipid peroxide (HpODE) as preclinical study platforms. Background AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in a world with an increasingly aging population. The major phenotypes of early and intermediate AMD are increased drusen and autofluorescence, Müller glia activation, infiltrated subretinal microglia and inward moving retinal pigment epithelium cells. Intermediate AMD may progress to advanced AMD, characterized by geography atrophy and/or choroidal neovascularization. Various transgenic and non-transgenic animal models related to retinal degeneration have been generated to investigate AMD pathogenesis and pathobiology, and have been widely used as potential therapeutic evaluation platforms. Methods Two retinal degeneration murine models induced by sodium iodate and HpODE are described. Distinct pathological features and procedures of these two models are compared. In addition, practical protocol and material preparation and assessment methods are elaborated. Conclusion Retina degeneration induced by sodium iodate and HpODE in mouse eye resembles many clinical aspects of human AMD and complimentary to the existent other animal models. However, standardization of procedure and assessment protocols is needed for preclinical studies. Further studies of HpODE on different routes, doses and species will be valuable for the future extensive use. Despite many merits of murine studies, differences between murine and human should be always considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Young Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Haohua Qian
- Visual Function Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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19
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Koster C, van den Hurk KT, ten Brink JB, Lewallen CF, Stanzel BV, Bharti K, Bergen AA. Sodium-Iodate Injection Can Replicate Retinal Degenerative Disease Stages in Pigmented Mice and Rats: Non-Invasive Follow-Up Using OCT and ERG. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062918. [PMID: 35328338 PMCID: PMC8953416 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The lack of suitable animal models for (dry) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has hampered therapeutic research into the disease, so far. In this study, pigmented rats and mice were systematically injected with various doses of sodium iodate (SI). After injection, the retinal structure and visual function were non-invasively characterized over time to obtain in-depth data on the suitability of these models for studying experimental therapies for retinal degenerative diseases, such as dry AMD. Methods: SI was injected into the tail vein (i.v.) using a series of doses (0–70 mg/kg) in adolescent C57BL/6J mice and Brown Norway rats. The retinal structure and function were assessed non-invasively at baseline (day 1) and at several time points (1–3, 5, and 10-weeks) post-injection by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and electroretinography (ERG). Results: After the SI injection, retinal degeneration in mice and rats yielded similar results. The lowest dose (10 mg/kg) resulted in non-detectable structural or functional effects. An injection with 20 mg/kg SI did not result in an evident retinal degeneration as judged from the OCT data. In contrast, the ERG responses were temporarily decreased but returned to baseline within two-weeks. Higher doses (30, 40, 50, and 70 mg/kg) resulted in moderate to severe structural RPE and retinal injury and decreased the ERG amplitudes, indicating visual impairment in both mice and rat strains. Conclusions: After the SI injections, we observed dose-dependent structural and functional pathological effects on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retina in the pigmented mouse and rat strains that were used in this study. Similar effects were observed in both species. In particular, a dose of 30 mg/kg seems to be suitable for future studies on developing experimental therapies. These relatively easily induced non-inherited models may serve as useful tools for evaluating novel therapies for RPE-related retinal degenerations, such as AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Koster
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Location AMC, Meibergdreef, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.K.); (K.T.v.d.H.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Koen T. van den Hurk
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Location AMC, Meibergdreef, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.K.); (K.T.v.d.H.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Jacoline B. ten Brink
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Location AMC, Meibergdreef, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.K.); (K.T.v.d.H.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Colby F. Lewallen
- Georgia Institute of Technology, G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Boris V. Stanzel
- Eye Clinic Sulzbach, Knappschaft Hospital Saar, 66280 Sulzbach/Saar, Germany;
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Ocular and Stem Cell Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Arthur A. Bergen
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (AUMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Location AMC, Meibergdreef, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.K.); (K.T.v.d.H.); (J.B.t.B.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, AUMC, UvA, Location AMC, Meibergdreef, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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20
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Cabrera AP, Stoddard J, Santiago Tierno I, Matisioudis N, Agarwal M, Renner L, Palegar N, Neuringer M, McGill T, Ghosh K. Increased cell stiffness contributes to complement-mediated injury of choroidal endothelial cells in a monkey model of early age-related macular degeneration. J Pathol 2022; 257:314-326. [PMID: 35239183 DOI: 10.1002/path.5892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the aging population. Yet, no therapies exist for approximately 85% of all AMD patients who have the dry form that is marked by degeneration of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and underlying choroidal vasculature. As the choroidal vessels are crucial for RPE development and maintenance, understanding how they degenerate may lead to effective therapies for dry AMD. One likely causative factor for choroidal vascular loss is the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of the complement pathway that is abundant on choroidal vessels of humans with early dry AMD. To examine this possibility, we studied the effect of complement activation on choroidal endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from a rhesus monkey model of early AMD that, we report, exhibits MAC deposition and choriocapillaris endothelial loss similar to that seen in human early AMD. Treatment of choroidal ECs from AMD eyes with complement-competent normal human serum caused extensive actin cytoskeletal injury that was significantly less pronounced in choroidal ECs from young normal monkey eyes. We further show that ECs from AMD eyes are significantly stiffer than their younger counterparts and exhibit peripheral actin organization that is distinct from the longitudinal stress fibers in young ECs. Finally, these differences in complement susceptibility and mechanostructural properties were found to be regulated by the differential activity of the small GTPases Rac and Rho, because Rac inhibition in AMD cells led to simultaneous reduction in stiffness and complement susceptibility while Rho inhibition in young cells exacerbated complement injury. Thus, by identifying cell stiffness and cytoskeletal regulators Rac and Rho as important determinants of complement susceptibility, the current findings offer a new mechanistic insight into choroidal vascular loss in early AMD that warrants further investigation for assessment of translational potential. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P Cabrera
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Stoddard
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Irene Santiago Tierno
- Department of Ophthalmology and Integrated Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Integrated Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Mahesh Agarwal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Integrated Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Renner
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Neha Palegar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Martha Neuringer
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, USA.,Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Trevor McGill
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, USA.,Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kaustabh Ghosh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Integrated Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, and Integrated Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
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21
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Pöstyéni E, Ganczer A, Kovács-Valasek A, Gabriel R. Relevance of Peptide Homeostasis in Metabolic Retinal Degenerative Disorders: Curative Potential in Genetically Modified Mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:808315. [PMID: 35095518 PMCID: PMC8793341 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.808315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina contains approximately 30 neuropeptides that are synthetized by different neuronal cell populations, glia, and the pigmented epithelium. The presence of these neuropeptides leaves a mark on normal retinal molecular processes and physiology, and they are also crucial in fighting various pathologies (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, ischemia, age-related pathologies, glaucoma) because of their protective abilities. Retinal pathologies of different origin (metabolic, genetic) are extensively investigated by genetically manipulated in vivo mouse models that help us gain a better understanding of the molecular background of these pathomechanisms. These models offer opportunities to manipulate gene expression in different cell types to help reveal their roles in the preservation of retinal health or identify malfunction during diseases. In order to assess the current status of transgenic technologies available, we have conducted a literature survey focused on retinal disorders of metabolic origin, zooming in on the role of retinal neuropeptides in diabetic retinopathy and ischemia. First, we identified those neuropeptides that are most relevant to retinal pathologies in humans and the two clinically most relevant models, mice and rats. Then we continued our analysis with metabolic disorders, examining neuropeptide-related pathways leading to systemic or cellular damage and rescue. Last but not least, we reviewed the available literature on genetically modified mouse strains to understand how the manipulation of a single element of any given pathway (e.g., signal molecules, receptors, intracellular signaling pathways) could lead either to the worsening of disease conditions or, more frequently, to substantial improvements in retinal health. Most attention was given to studies which reported successful intervention against specific disorders. For these experiments, a detailed evaluation will be given and the possible role of converging intracellular pathways will be discussed. Using these converging intracellular pathways, curative effects of peptides could potentially be utilized in fighting metabolic retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etelka Pöstyéni
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alma Ganczer
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Andrea Kovács-Valasek
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Robert Gabriel
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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22
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Chuang JZ, Yang N, Nakajima N, Otsu W, Fu C, Yang HH, Lee MP, Akbar AF, Badea TC, Guo Z, Nuruzzaman A, Hsu KS, Dunaief JL, Sung CH. Retinal pigment epithelium-specific CLIC4 mutant is a mouse model of dry age-related macular degeneration. Nat Commun 2022; 13:374. [PMID: 35042858 PMCID: PMC8766482 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27935-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Dry AMD has unclear etiology and no treatment. Lipid-rich drusen are the hallmark of dry AMD. An AMD mouse model and insights into drusenogenesis are keys to better understanding of this disease. Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) is a pleomorphic protein regulating diverse biological functions. Here we show that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-specific Clic4 knockout mice exhibit a full spectrum of functional and pathological hallmarks of dry AMD. Multidisciplinary longitudinal studies of disease progression in these mice support a mechanistic model that links RPE cell-autonomous aberrant lipid metabolism and transport to drusen formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Zen Chuang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Nan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nobuyuki Nakajima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Urology, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Wataru Otsu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Biomedical Research Laboratory, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Cheng Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Howard Hua Yang
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maxwell Ping Lee
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Tudor Constantin Badea
- National Eye Institute, National institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Research and Development Institute, Transilvania University of Brasov, School of Medicine, Brasov, Romania
| | - Ziqi Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Afnan Nuruzzaman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Kuo-Shun Hsu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ching-Hwa Sung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret M. Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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23
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Feng L, Nie K, Huang Q, Fan W. Complement factor H deficiency combined with smoking promotes retinal degeneration in a novel mouse model. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 247:77-86. [PMID: 34775843 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211052245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. The Y402H polymorphism in complement factor H promotes disease-like pathogenesis, and a Cfh+/- murine model can replicate this phenotype, but only after two years. We reasoned that by combining CFH deficiency with cigarette smoke exposure, we might be able to accelerate disease progression to facilitate preclinical research in this disease. Wild-type and Cfh+/- mice were exposed to nose-only cigarette smoke for three months. Retinal tissue morphology and visual function were evaluated by optical coherence tomography, fundus photography and autofluorescence, and electroretinogram. Retinal pigment epithelial cell phenotype and ultrastructure were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy. Cfh+/- smoking mice showed a dome-like protruding lesion at the ellipsoid zone (drusen-like deposition), many retinal hyper-autofluorescence spots, and a marked decrease in A- and B-wave amplitudes. Compared with non-smoking mice, wild-type and Cfh+/- smoking mice showed sub-retinal pigment epithelium complement protein 3 deposition, activation of microglia, metabolic waste accumulation, and impairment of tight junctions. Microglia cells migrated into the photoreceptor outer segment layer in Cfh+/- smoking mice showed increased activation. Our results suggest that exposing Cfh+/- mice to smoking leads to earlier onset of age-related macular degeneration than in other animal models, which may facilitate preclinical research into the pathophysiology and treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kailai Nie
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qing Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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24
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Xu J, Liu X, Zhang X, Marshall B, Dong Z, Smith SB, Espinosa-Heidmann DG, Zhang M. Retinal and Choroidal Pathologies in Aged BALB/c Mice Following Systemic Neonatal Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:1787-1804. [PMID: 34197777 PMCID: PMC8485058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although pathologies associated with acute virus infections have been extensively studied, the effects of long-term latent virus infections are less well understood. Human cytomegalovirus, which infects 50% to 80% of humans, is usually acquired during early life and persists in a latent state for the lifetime. The purpose of this study was to determine whether systemic murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection acquired early in life disseminates to and becomes latent in the eye and if ocular MCMV can trigger in situ inflammation and occurrence of ocular pathology. This study found that neonatal infection of BALB/c mice with MCMV resulted in dissemination of virus to the eye, where it localized principally to choroidal endothelia and pericytes and less frequently to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. MCMV underwent ocular latency, which was associated with expression of multiple virus genes and from which MCMV could be reactivated by immunosuppression. Latent ocular infection was associated with significant up-regulation of several inflammatory/angiogenic factors. Retinal and choroidal pathologies developed in a progressive manner, with deposits appearing at both basal and apical aspects of the RPE, RPE/choroidal atrophy, photoreceptor degeneration, and neovascularization. The pathologies induced by long-term ocular MCMV latency share features of previously described human ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxian Xu
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; James and Jean Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xinglou Liu
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; James and Jean Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; James and Jean Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Brendan Marshall
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Zheng Dong
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Sylvia B Smith
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; James and Jean Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Ophthamology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Diego G Espinosa-Heidmann
- James and Jean Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Ophthamology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; James and Jean Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia.
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25
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Zeng B, Zhang H, Peng Y, Yu H, Li W, Li Z, Xie Y, Qiu S, Wu P, Zhang W, Liu Y, Chen Y, Liu X, Huang B. Spontaneous fundus lesions in elderly monkeys: An ideal model for age-related macular degeneration and high myopia clinical research. Life Sci 2021; 282:119811. [PMID: 34256039 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and high myopia are frequent causes of progressive visual impairment, so it is critical to identify animal models with resembling human retinal physiology, AMD and high myopia pathological features for therapeutic studies. MAIN METHODS We screened elderly cynomolgus monkeys for fundus lesions by slit-lamp biomicroscope combined with fundus pre-set lens and further examined positive cases by color fundus photography (CFP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), streak retinoscopy, and A-scan ultrasonography. KEY FINDINGS Among the 156 animals examined, 10 males and 5 females (30 eyes) exhibited fundus abnormalities (9.6% prevalence). Multi-modal imaging revealed drusen in 20 eyes of 11 animals (prevalence rate of 7.1%), tessellated fundus in 22 eyes of 11 animals, and myopia choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 4 eyes of 3 animals. SIGNIFICANCE Aged cynomolgus monkeys exhibit spontaneous fundus lesions resembling human AMD and high myopia, which could be an ideal model for clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baozhu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hening Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuting Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaojue Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sujuan Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peixin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Chuangyao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhaoqing, China
| | - Yanming Chen
- Xiangguan Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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26
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Features of Retinal Neurogenesis as a Key Factor of Age-Related Neurodegeneration: Myth or Reality? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147373. [PMID: 34298993 PMCID: PMC8303671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that constitutes the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in the developed countries. Incomplete knowledge about its pathogenesis prevents the search for effective methods of prevention and treatment of AMD, primarily of its "dry" type which is by far the most common (90% of all AMD cases). In the recent years, AMD has become "younger": late stages of the disease are now detected in relatively young people. It is known that AMD pathogenesis-according to the age-related structural and functional changes in the retina-is linked with inflammation, hypoxia, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and an impairment of neurotrophic support, but the mechanisms that trigger the conversion of normal age-related changes to the pathological process as well as the reason for early AMD development remain unclear. In the adult mammalian retina, de novo neurogenesis is very limited. Therefore, the structural and functional features that arise during its maturation and formation can exert long-term effects on further ontogenesis of this tissue. The aim of this review was to discuss possible contributions of the changes/disturbances in retinal neurogenesis to the early development of AMD.
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27
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Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are an important cause of blindness worldwide. Over 270 genes have been associated with IRD. Genetic testing can determine the cause of the clinical disease in the majority of patients. However, at least 25-50% of patients with clinical diagnosis of IRD remain unsolved even after whole genome sequencing. Animal models of IRD can be useful for expanding the set of established IRD genes, to gain biological understanding of the function of these genes in the retina, and to test advanced therapeutics prior to human clinical trials. In this chapter some small and large animal models of IRD are discussed including some of the advantages and limitations of each for various forms of retinopathy.
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28
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Zhang Q, Presswalla F, Ali RR, Zacks DN, Thompson DA, Miller JML. Pharmacologic activation of autophagy without direct mTOR inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for treating dry macular degeneration. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:10866-10890. [PMID: 33872219 PMCID: PMC8109132 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is marked by the accumulation of extracellular and intracellular lipid-rich deposits within and around the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Inducing autophagy, a conserved, intracellular degradative pathway, is a potential treatment strategy to prevent disease by clearing these deposits. However, mTOR inhibition, the major mechanism for inducing autophagy, disrupts core RPE functions. Here, we screened autophagy inducers that do not directly inhibit mTOR for their potential as an AMD therapeutic in primary human RPE culture. Only two out of more than thirty autophagy inducers tested reliably increased autophagy flux in RPE, emphasizing that autophagy induction mechanistically differs across distinct tissues. In contrast to mTOR inhibitors, these compounds preserved RPE health, and one inducer, the FDA-approved compound flubendazole (FLBZ), reduced the secretion of apolipoprotein that contributes to extracellular deposits termed drusen. Simultaneously, FLBZ increased production of the lipid-degradation product β-hydroxybutyrate, which is used by photoreceptor cells as an energy source. FLBZ also reduced the accumulation of intracellular deposits, termed lipofuscin, and alleviated lipofuscin-induced cellular senescence and tight-junction disruption. FLBZ triggered compaction of lipofuscin-like granules into a potentially less toxic form. Thus, induction of RPE autophagy without direct mTOR inhibition is a promising therapeutic approach for dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qitao Zhang
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Feriel Presswalla
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Robin R. Ali
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- KCL Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, London, England WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - David N. Zacks
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Debra A. Thompson
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Jason ML. Miller
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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29
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Keeling E, Chatelet DS, Tan NYT, Khan F, Richards R, Thisainathan T, Goggin P, Page A, Tumbarello DA, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. 3D-Reconstructed Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Provide Insights into the Anatomy of the Outer Retina. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218408. [PMID: 33182490 PMCID: PMC7672636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is located between the neuroretina and the choroid, and plays a critical role in vision. RPE cells internalise outer segments (OS) from overlying photoreceptors in the daily photoreceptor renewal. Changes to RPE structure are linked with age and retinopathy, which has been described in the past by conventional 2D electron microscopy. We used serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) to reconstruct RPE cells from the central mouse retina. Three-dimensional-reconstructed OS revealed the RPE to support large numbers of photoreceptors (90–216 per RPE cell). Larger bi-nucleate RPE maintained more photoreceptors, although their cytoplasmic volume was comparable to smaller mono-nucleate RPE supporting fewer photoreceptors. Scrutiny of RPE microvilli and interdigitating OS revealed the angle and surface area of contact between RPE and photoreceptors. Bi-nucleate RPE contained more mitochondria compared to mono-nucleate RPE. Furthermore, bi-nucleate cells contained larger sub-RPE spaces, supporting a likely association with disease. Use of perfusion-fixed tissues ensured the highest possible standard of preservation, providing novel insights into the 3D RPE architecture and changes linked with retinopathy. This study serves as a benchmark for comparing retinal tissues from donor eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
| | - David S. Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.S.C.); (P.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Nicole Y. T. Tan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Farihah Khan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Rhys Richards
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Thibana Thisainathan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Patricia Goggin
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.S.C.); (P.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.S.C.); (P.G.); (A.P.)
| | - David A. Tumbarello
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
- Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - J. Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (E.K.); (N.Y.T.T.); (F.K.); (R.R.); (T.T.); (A.J.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-238120-8183
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Schnichels S, Paquet-Durand F, Löscher M, Tsai T, Hurst J, Joachim SC, Klettner A. Retina in a dish: Cell cultures, retinal explants and animal models for common diseases of the retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100880. [PMID: 32721458 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
For many retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (DR), the exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Moreover, the currently available therapeutic options are often unsatisfactory. Research designed to remedy this situation heavily relies on experimental animals. However, animal models often do not faithfully reproduce human disease and, currently, there is strong pressure from society to reduce animal research. Overall, this creates a need for improved disease models to understand pathologies and develop treatment options that, at the same time, require fewer or no experimental animals. Here, we review recent advances in the field of in vitro and ex vivo models for AMD, glaucoma, and DR. We highlight the difficulties associated with studies on complex diseases, in which both the initial trigger and the ensuing pathomechanisms are unclear, and then delineate which model systems are optimal for disease modelling. To this end, we present a variety of model systems, ranging from primary cell cultures, over organotypic cultures and whole eye cultures, to animal models. Specific advantages and disadvantages of such models are discussed, with a special focus on their relevance to putative in vivo disease mechanisms. In many cases, a replacement of in vivo research will mean that several different in vitro models are used in conjunction, for instance to analyze and validate causative molecular pathways. Finally, we argue that the analytical decomposition into appropriate cell and tissue model systems will allow making significant progress in our understanding of complex retinal diseases and may furthermore advance the treatment testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Schnichels
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Löscher
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Teresa Tsai
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - José Hurst
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Alexa Klettner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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31
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Augustin M, Harper DJ, Merkle CW, Glösmann M, Hitzenberger CK, Baumann B. Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in the Retinas of SOD1 Knockout Mice. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:15. [PMID: 32818102 PMCID: PMC7396182 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.4.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The retinal phenotype of popular mouse models mimicking ophthalmic diseases, such as the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) knockout (KO) mouse model, has mainly been assessed by ex vivo histology and in vivo fundus photography. We used multifunctional optical coherence tomography (OCT) to characterize the retinas of SOD1 KO mice in vivo. Methods The custom-made ophthalmoscope featured a combination of conventional OCT, polarization-sensitive OCT, and OCT angiography. Seven SOD1 KO mice and nine age-matched controls were imaged between 6 and 17 months of age. A postprocessing framework was used to analyze total and outer retinal thickness changes. Drusenlike lesions were segmented, and their sizes and the number of lesions were assessed quantitatively. Their appearance in the conventional reflectivity images, as well as in the corresponding polarization-sensitive images, was characterized qualitatively. Results Drusenlike lesions increased in size and number with age for SOD1 KO mice. Exploiting the multiple contrast channels, the appearance of the lesions was found to resemble pseudodrusen observed in eyes of patients suffering from dry age-related macular degeneration. The total and outer retinal thicknesses were lower on average after 11 months and 7 months in SOD1 KO mice compared with age-matched controls. Neovascularizations were found in one out of seven KO animals. Conclusions OCT imaging proved beneficial for a detailed in vivo characterization of the pathological changes in SOD1 KO mice. Translational Relevance Phenotyping of animal models using modern imaging concepts can be conducted with more precision and might also ease the translation of conclusions between clinical and preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Augustin
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Danielle J Harper
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Conrad W Merkle
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Glösmann
- VetCore Facility for Research, Imaging Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph K Hitzenberger
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Baumann
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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32
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Ratnayaka JA, Lotery AJ. Challenges in studying geographic atrophy (GA) age-related macular degeneration: the potential of a new mouse model with GA-like features. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:863-864. [PMID: 31719250 PMCID: PMC6990775 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.268972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton; Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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33
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Abstract
Inflammation of the blood vessels that serve the central nervous system has been increasingly identified as an early and possibly initiating event among neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. However, the causal relevance of vascular inflammation to major retinal degenerative diseases is unresolved. Here, we describe how genetics, aging-associated changes, and environmental factors contribute to vascular inflammation in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. We highlight the importance of mouse models in studying the underlying mechanisms and possible treatments for these diseases. We conclude that data support vascular inflammation playing a central if not primary role in retinal degenerative diseases, and this association should be a focus of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Soto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, USA;
| | - Mark P Krebs
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA;
| | | | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA; .,Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, USA
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34
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Young BM, Jones K, Massengill MT, Walsh E, Li H, Lewin AS, Ildefonso CJ. Expression of a CARD Slows the Retinal Degeneration of a Geographic Atrophy Mouse Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 14:113-125. [PMID: 31334304 PMCID: PMC6624323 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been linked to oxidative damage and para-inflammation, an activation of inflammasome signaling in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the underlying choriocapillaris. Herein, we tested the efficacy of a gene-delivered caspase-1 inhibitor in controlling the retinal degeneration observed in two models of RPE-choroid oxidative damage. In an acute model of oxidative stress (NaIO3 injection), eyes pre-treated with the sGFP-TatCARD (trans-activator of transcription; caspase activation and recruitment domain) vector demonstrated a recovery of retinal function and partial protection of RPE structure 1 month after damage, in contrast with control-treated eyes. In a model of chronic oxidative stress (RPE-specific deletion of Sod2), eyes treated with the sGFP-TatCARD vector after the onset of degeneration had a significantly slower decline in retinal function when compared to control-treated eyes. Earlier treatment of this model with the same adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector resulted in a greater protection of RPE function in eyes treated with the TatCARD when compared to control-treated eyes. Our results demonstrate that intravitreal delivery of sGFP-TatCARD reduces inflammation and can protect the retina from both acute and sustained oxidative damage within the RPE and choroid. Therefore, gene therapy with a cell-penetrating inflammasome inhibitor such as CARD may stem the progression of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M Young
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0284, USA
| | - Kyle Jones
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael T Massengill
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Erin Walsh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0284, USA
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alfred S Lewin
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cristhian J Ildefonso
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0284, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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35
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Ibbett P, Goverdhan SV, Pipi E, Chouhan JK, Keeling E, Angus EM, Scott JA, Gatherer M, Page A, Teeling JL, Lotery AJ, Arjuna Ratnayaka J. A lasered mouse model of retinal degeneration displays progressive outer retinal pathology providing insights into early geographic atrophy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7475. [PMID: 31097765 PMCID: PMC6522499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43906-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early stages of geographic atrophy (GA) age-related macular degeneration is characterised by the demise of photoreceptors, which precedes the loss of underlying retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Sight-loss due to GA has no effective treatment; reflecting both the complexity of the disease and the lack of suitable animal models for testing potential therapies. We report the development and characterisation of a laser-induced mouse model with early GA-like pathology. Retinas were lasered at adjacent sites using a 810 nm laser (1.9 J/spot), resulting in the development of confluent, hypopigmented central lesions with well-defined borders. Optical Coherence Tomography over 2-months showed progressive obliteration of photoreceptors with hyper-reflective outer plexiform and RPE/Bruch’s membrane (BrM) layers within lesions, but an unaffected inner retina. Light/electron microscopy after 3-months revealed lesions without photoreceptors, leaving the outer plexiform layer apposed to the RPE. We observed outer segment debris, hypo/hyperpigmented RPE, abnormal apical-basal RPE surfaces and BrM thickening. Lesions had wedge-shaped margins, extended zones of damage, activated Müller cells, microglial recruitment and functional retinal deficits. mRNA studies showed complement and inflammasome activation, microglial/macrophage phagocytosis and oxidative stress providing mechanistic insights into GA. We propose this mouse model as an attractive tool for early GA studies and drug-discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ibbett
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Srinivas V Goverdhan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.,Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Pipi
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Joe K Chouhan
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth M Angus
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny A Scott
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Maureen Gatherer
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica L Teeling
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom. .,Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
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36
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Huang J, Gu S, Chen M, Zhang SJ, Jiang Z, Chen X, Jiang C, Liu G, Radu RA, Sun X, Vollrath D, Du J, Yan B, Zhao C. Abnormal mTORC1 signaling leads to retinal pigment epithelium degeneration. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1170-1180. [PMID: 30867823 PMCID: PMC6401408 DOI: 10.7150/thno.26281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) degeneration is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of several retinal degenerative diseases. mTORC1 signaling is shown as a crucial regulator of many biological processes and disease progression. In this study, we aimed at investigating the role of mTORC1 signaling in RPE degeneration. Methods: Western blots were conducted to detect mTORC1 expression pattern during RPE degeneration. Cre-loxP system was used to generate RPE-specific mTORC1 activation mice. Fundus, immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy, and targeted metabolomic analysis were conducted to determine the effects of mTORC1 activation on RPE degeneration in vivo. Electroretinography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and histological experiments were conducted to determine the effects of mTORC1 activation on choroidal and retinal function in vivo. Results: RPE-specific activation of mTORC1 led to RPE degeneration as shown by the loss of RPE-specific marker, compromised cell junction integrity, and intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets. RPE degeneration further led to abnormal choroidal and retinal function. The inhibition of mTORC1 signaling with rapamycin could partially reverse RPE degeneration. Targeted metabolomics analysis further revealed that mTORC1 activation affected the metabolism of purine, carboxylic acid, and niacin in RPE. Conclusion: This study revealed that abnormal activation of mTORC1 signaling leads to RPE degeneration, which could provide a promising target for the treatment of RPE dysfunction-related diseases.
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37
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Liu YH, Mölzer C, Milne GC, Kuffová L, Forrester JV. Transmission Electron Microscopy Data on drusen-like deposits in the retinal degeneration sTg-IRBP: HEL mouse model. Data Brief 2018; 22:140-144. [PMID: 30581918 PMCID: PMC6299122 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histology (H&E) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data are provided showing age-related changes in the retinal structure of sTg-IRBP:HEL mice. These include substantial photoreceptor loss, atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch׳s membrane disruption and thickening, along with the presence of drusenoid deposits and changes in basal laminar infoldings. These features resemble some of those key characteristics found in the course of human dry (atrophic) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly with regard to drusen. Hence, we believe the sTg-IRBP:HEL mouse model represents a useful and promising archetype for future study of the mechanism of drusen formation in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsia Liu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Christine Mölzer
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gillian C Milne
- Microscopy and Histology Core Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Lucia Kuffová
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - John V Forrester
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.,University of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Australia
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38
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Jang KH, Do YJ, Koo TS, Choi JS, Song EJ, Hwang Y, Bae HJ, Lee JH, Kim E. Protective effect of RIPK1-inhibitory compound in in vivo models for retinal degenerative disease. Exp Eye Res 2018; 180:8-17. [PMID: 30500363 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) plays a key role in necroptosis, which is a type of programmed necrosis that is involved in ocular diseases, including glaucoma and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We previously introduced RIPK1-inhibitory compound (RIC), which has biochemical characteristics and a mode of action that are distinct from those of the prototype RIPK1 inhibitor necrostatin-1. The intraperitoneal administration of RIC exerts a protective effect on retinal ganglion cells against a glaucomatous insult. In this study, we examined the protective effect of RIC on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) against sodium iodate (SI) insult, which is associated with dry AMD pathogenesis. The eye drop administration of RIC that reached on the retina prevented RPE loss in SI-induced retinal degeneration. RIC consistently demonstrated retinal protection in the funduscopy and electroretinogram analyses in SI-injected rabbits and iodoacetic acid-treated mini-pigs. Moreover, the in vivo protective effects of RIC were superior to those of ACU-4429 and doxycycline, which are other medications investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of dry AMD, and RIC did not induce retinal toxicity following topical administration in rats. Collectively, RIC displayed excellent retinal penetration and prevented retinal degeneration in the pathogenesis of dry AMD with a high in vivo efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hong Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yun-Ju Do
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Tae-Sung Koo
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jun-Sub Choi
- Catholic Institute for Visual Science, The Catholic University of Korea, #505 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Ju Song
- Department of Drug Development, Technology Research Institute, Ensol Biosciences Inc., Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yeseong Hwang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Bae
- Kukjepharma R&D Center, Sanseong-ro 47, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Ju-Hee Lee
- Kukjepharma R&D Center, Sanseong-ro 47, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eunhee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
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39
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Lynn SA, Keeling E, Dewing JM, Johnston DA, Page A, Cree AJ, Tumbarello DA, Newman TA, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. A convenient protocol for establishing a human cell culture model of the outer retina. F1000Res 2018; 7:1107. [PMID: 30271583 PMCID: PMC6137423 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15409.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several blinding retinopathies. Alterations to RPE structure and function are reported in Age-related Macular Degeneration, Stargardt and Best disease as well as pattern dystrophies. However, the precise role of RPE cells in disease aetiology remains incompletely understood. Many studies into RPE pathobiology have utilised animal models, which only recapitulate limited disease features. Some studies are also difficult to carry out in animals as the ocular space remains largely inaccessible to powerful microscopes. In contrast, in-vitro models provide an attractive alternative to investigating pathogenic RPE changes associated with age and disease. In this article we describe the step-by-step approach required to establish an experimentally versatile in-vitro culture model of the outer retina incorporating the RPE monolayer and supportive Bruch's membrane (BrM). We show that confluent monolayers of the spontaneously arisen human ARPE-19 cell-line cultured under optimal conditions reproduce key features of native RPE. These models can be used to study dynamic, intracellular and extracellular pathogenic changes using the latest developments in microscopy and imaging technology. We also discuss how RPE cells from human foetal and stem-cell derived sources can be incorporated alongside sophisticated BrM substitutes to replicate the aged/diseased outer retina in a dish. The work presented here will enable users to rapidly establish a realistic in-vitro model of the outer retina that is amenable to a high degree of experimental manipulation which will also serve as an attractive alternative to using animals. This in-vitro model therefore has the benefit of achieving the 3Rs objective of reducing and replacing the use of animals in research. As well as recapitulating salient structural and physiological features of native RPE, other advantages of this model include its simplicity, rapid set-up time and unlimited scope for detailed single-cell resolution and matrix studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah A. Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jennifer M. Dewing
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David A. Johnston
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Angela J. Cree
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David A. Tumbarello
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Tracey A. Newman
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
- Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - J. Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
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40
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Park SW, Im S, Jun HO, Lee K, Park YJ, Kim JH, Park WJ, Lee YH, Kim JH. Dry age-related macular degeneration like pathology in aged 5XFAD mice: Ultrastructure and microarray analysis. Oncotarget 2018; 8:40006-40018. [PMID: 28467791 PMCID: PMC5522269 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. The two types of AMD are: dry and wet AMD. While laser-induced choroidal neovascularization has been used extensively in the studies of wet AMD, there is no established mouse model that fully recapitulates the cardinal features of dry AMD. A lack of appropriate mouse model for dry AMD has hampered the translational research on the pathogenesis of the disease and the development of therapeutic agents. We hypothesized that 5XFAD mice, an animal model for the study of Alzheimer’s disease, can be used as a mouse model for dry AMD with regard to the amyloid beta (Aβ) related pathology. In this study, the ultrastructure of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of 5XFAD mice was analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. Of importance, the aged 5XFAD mice show ultrastructural changes in the RPE and Bruch’s membrane (BM) that are compatible with the cardinal features of human dry AMD, including a loss of apical microvilli and basal infolding of the RPE, increased BM thickness, basal laminar and linear deposits, and accumulation of lipofuscin granules and undigested photoreceptor outer segment-laden phagosomes. In microarray-based analysis, the RPE complex of the aged 5XFAD mice shows differential gene expression profiles consistent with dry AMD in the inflammation response, immune reaction pathway, and decreased retinol metabolism. Taken together, we suggest that aged 5XFAD mice can be used as a mouse model of dry AMD to study Aβ related pathology and develop a new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Wook Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sora Im
- Department of Life Sciences, Life Sciences Concentration Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Cheomdan-Gwagiro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hyoung Oh Jun
- Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kihwang Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ajou University School of Medicine, World Cup-Ro, Yeongtong-Gu, Suwon-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jin Hyoung Kim
- Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Jin Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Life Sciences Concentration Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Cheomdan-Gwagiro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Young-Hoon Lee
- Department of Oral Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Chonbuk National University, Deokjin-Gu, Jeonju-Si, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Oral Biosciences, Chonbuk National University, Deokjin-Gu, Jeonju-Si, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
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Kivinen N. The role of autophagy in age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol 2018; 96 Suppl A110:1-50. [PMID: 29633521 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niko Kivinen
- Department of Ophthalmology; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio Finland
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Dieguez HH, Romeo HE, González Fleitas MF, Aranda ML, Milne GA, Rosenstein RE, Dorfman D. Superior cervical gangliectomy induces non-exudative age-related macular degeneration in mice. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.031641. [PMID: 29361515 PMCID: PMC5894943 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, a prevalent cause of blindness, is a progressive and degenerative disease characterized by alterations in Bruch's membrane, retinal pigment epithelium, and photoreceptors exclusively localized in the macula. Although experimental murine models exist, the vast majority take a long time to develop retinal alterations and, in general, these alterations are ubiquitous, with many resulting from non-eye-specific genetic manipulations; additionally, most do not always reproduce the hallmarks of human age-related macular degeneration. Choroid vessels receive sympathetic innervation from the superior cervical ganglion, which, together with the parasympathetic system, regulates blood flow into the choroid. Choroid blood flow changes have been involved in age-related macular degeneration development and progression. At present, no experimental models take this factor into account. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of superior cervical gangliectomy (also known as ganglionectomy) on the choroid, Bruch's membrane, retinal pigment epithelium and retina. Adult male C57BL/6J mice underwent unilateral superior cervical gangliectomy and a contralateral sham procedure. Although superior cervical gangliectomy induced ubiquitous choroid and choriocapillaris changes, it induced Bruch's membrane thickening, loss of retinal pigment epithelium melanin content and retinoid isomerohydrolase, the appearance of drusen-like deposits, and retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor atrophy, exclusively localized in the temporal side. Moreover, superior cervical gangliectomy provoked a localized increase in retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor apoptosis, and a decline in photoreceptor electroretinographic function. Therefore, superior cervical gangliectomy recapitulated the main features of human non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, and could become a new experimental model of dry age-related macular degeneration, and a useful platform for developing new therapies. Summary: Ubiquitous alteration of choroid circulation causes localized retinal alterations in mice that are similar to human non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, thus providing a new potential experimental model of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán H Dieguez
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Horacio E Romeo
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, BIOMED/UCA/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1107AFB, Argentina
| | - María F González Fleitas
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Marcos L Aranda
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Georgia A Milne
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Ruth E Rosenstein
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Damián Dorfman
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
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Malek G, Busik J, Grant MB, Choudhary M. Models of retinal diseases and their applicability in drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:359-377. [PMID: 29382242 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1430136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The impact of vision debilitating diseases is a global public health concern, which will continue until effective preventative and management protocols are developed. Two retinal diseases responsible for the majority of vision loss in the working age adults and elderly populations are diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), respectively. Model systems, which recapitulate aspects of human pathology, are valid experimental modalities that have contributed to the identification of signaling pathways involved in disease development and consequently potential therapies. Areas covered: The pathology of DR and AMD, which serve as the basis for designing appropriate models of disease, is discussed. The authors also review in vitro and in vivo models of DR and AMD and evaluate the utility of these models in exploratory and pre-clinical studies. Expert opinion: The complex nature of non-Mendelian diseases such as DR and AMD has made identification of effective therapeutic treatments challenging. However, the authors believe that while in vivo models are often criticized for not being a 'perfect' recapitulation of disease, they have been valuable experimentally when used with consideration of the strengths and limitations of the experimental model selected and have a place in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goldis Malek
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Duke University School of Medicine , Durham , NC , USA.,b Department of Pathology , Duke University School of Medicine , Durham , NC , USA
| | - Julia Busik
- c Department of Physiology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA
| | - Maria B Grant
- d Department of Ophthalmology , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , Al , USA
| | - Mayur Choudhary
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Duke University School of Medicine , Durham , NC , USA
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2016 Glenn A. Fry Award Lecture: Mechanisms and Potential Treatments of Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Optom Vis Sci 2017; 94:939-945. [DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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van Kuijk FJ, McPherson SW, Roehrich H. Enhanced Detection of Sub-Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Layer Deposits in Human and Murine Tissue: Imaging Zinc as a Biomarker for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (An American Ophthalmological Society Thesis). TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2017; 115:T3. [PMID: 29021717 PMCID: PMC5598790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Understanding the apparent paradoxical role of zinc in the pathogenesis and prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been limited by the lack of animal models for its detection in sub-retinal epithelial deposits (drusen), a definitive early hallmark of AMD. In-vitro studies using Zinpyr-1 showed drusen contained high levels of zinc, but the probe was not suitable for in-vivo studies. This study compares Zinpyr-1 to ZPP1, a new fluorescein-based probe for zinc, to assess the potential of ZPP1 for in-vivo detection of zinc in drusen. METHODS Flat mounts of human sub-RPE tissue using the probes were analyzed by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Flat mounts of sub-RPE tissue from mice deficient in superoxide dismutase isoform-1 (CuZn-SOD-KO) or isoform-2 (Mn-SOD-RPE-KO) were analyzed with sub-RPE deposits confirmed by histology. RESULTS Drusen are detected in greater numbers and intensity with ZPP1 compared to Zinpyr-1. Using ZPP1, drusen was detected in a sample from a 46-year old human donor without ocular history, suggesting that ZPP1 might be sensitive enough to detect drusen at an early stage. With CuZn-SOD KO mice, ZPP1 detected sub-RPE deposits at 10 months of age, whereas Zinpyr-1 required 14 months. CONCLUSION Detection of sub-RPE deposits by ZPP1 was greatly enhanced compared to Zinpyr-1. This enhanced sensitivity will allow for more insightful analysis of zinc in AMD using human specimens and mouse models. This could result in the development of a sensitive in-vivo probe to enhance research on the role zinc in drusen formation and the early clinical diagnosis of AMD.
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DeAngelis MM, Owen LA, Morrison MA, Morgan DJ, Li M, Shakoor A, Vitale A, Iyengar S, Stambolian D, Kim IK, Farrer LA. Genetics of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:R45-R50. [PMID: 28854576 PMCID: PMC5886461 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive blinding disease and represents the leading cause of visual impairment in the aging population. AMD affects central vision which impairs one's ability to drive, read and recognize faces. There is no cure for this disease and current treatment modalities for the exudative form of the disease require repeated intravitreal injections which may be painful, are incompletely efficacious, and represent a significant treatment burden for both the patient and physician. As such, AMD represents a significant and important clinical problem.It is anticipated that in three years' time, 196 million individuals will be affected with AMD. Over 250 billion dollars per year are spent on care for AMD patients in the US. Over half of the heritability is explained by two major loci, thus AMD is considered the most well genetically defined of the complex disorders. A recent GWAS on 43,566 subjects identified novel loci and pathways associated with AMD risk, which has provided an excellent platform for additional functional studies. Genetic variants have been investigated, particularly with respect to anti-VEGF treatment, however to date, no pharmacogenomic associations have been consistently identified across these studies. It may be that if the goal of personalized medicine is to be realized and biomarkers are to have predictive value for determining the magnitude of risk for AMD at the genetic level, one will need to examine the relationships between these pathways across disease state and relative to modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, body mass index, and hypercholesterolemia. Further studies investigating protective alleles in populations with low AMD prevalence may lead to this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M. DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, University of Utah, College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Leah A. Owen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Margaux A. Morrison
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Denise J. Morgan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Akbar Shakoor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Albert Vitale
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Sudha Iyengar
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ivana K. Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lindsay A. Farrer
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics)
- Department of Neurology
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Schools of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Biostatistics
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University Schools of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Jiang X, Wei Y, Zhang T, Zhang Z, Qiu S, Zhou X, Zhang S. Effects of GSK2606414 on cell proliferation and endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated gene expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:3105-3110. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Adamus G. Can innate and autoimmune reactivity forecast early and advance stages of age-related macular degeneration? Autoimmun Rev 2017; 16:231-236. [PMID: 28137479 PMCID: PMC5334174 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of central vision loss in persons over 55years of age in developed countries. AMD is a complex disease in which genetic, environmental and inflammatory factors influence its onset and progression. Elevation in serum anti-retinal autoantibodies, plasma and local activation of complement proteins of the alternative pathway, and increase in secretion of proinflammatory cytokines have been seen over the course of disease. Genetic studies of AMD patients confirmed that genetic variants affecting the alternative complement pathway have a major influence on AMD risk. Because the heterogeneity of this disease, there is no sufficient strategy to identify the disease onset and progression sole based eye examination, thus identification of reliable serological biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and response to treatment by sampling patient's blood is necessary. This review provides an outline of the current knowledge on possible serological (autoantibodies, complement factors, cytokines, chemokines) and related genetic biomarkers relevant to the pathology of AMD, and discusses their application for prediction of disease activity and prognosis in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Adamus
- Ocular Immunology Laboratory, Casey Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Chinnery HR, McMenamin PG, Dando SJ. Macrophage physiology in the eye. Pflugers Arch 2017; 469:501-515. [DOI: 10.1007/s00424-017-1947-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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50
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Carver KA, Lin CM, Bowes Rickman C, Yang D. Lack of the P2X 7 receptor protects against AMD-like defects and microparticle accumulation in a chronic oxidative stress-induced mouse model of AMD. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 482:81-86. [PMID: 27810364 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.10.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is an ATP-gated ion channel that is a key player in oxidative stress under pathological conditions. The P2X7R is expressed in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and neural retina. Chronic oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Mice lacking Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (Sod1) developed chronic oxidative stress as well as AMD-like features, but whether the P2X7R plays a causative role in oxidative stress-induced AMD is unknown. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to test if concurrent knockout (KO) of P2X7R could block AMD-like defects seen in Sod1 KO mice. Using multiple approaches, we demonstrate that Sod1 KO causes AMD-like defects, including positive staining for oxidative stress markers, 3-nitrotyrosine and carboxymethyl lysine, thinning of the RPE and retina, thickening of Bruch's membrane, presence of basal laminar and linear deposits, RPE barrier disruption and accumulation of microglia/macrophages. Moreover, we find that Sod1 KO mice accumulate more microparticles (MPs) within RPE/choroid tissues. Concurrent KO of the P2X7R protects against AMD-like defects and MP accumulation in Sod1 KO mice. Together, we show for the first time, that deficiency of P2X7R prevents in vivo oxidative stress-induced accumulation of MPs and AMD-like defects. This work could potentially lead to novel therapies for AMD and other oxidative stress-driven diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Carver
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - C M Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Catherine Bowes Rickman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dongli Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
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