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Quantitative assessment of retinal thickness and vessel density using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248284. [PMID: 33739997 PMCID: PMC7978346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Assessment and a direct comparison of retinal vessel density with the thickness of inner retinal layer (IRL) and outer retinal layer (ORL) in the same regions of the macula in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods We analyzed data from 48 eyes of healthy control (HC) participants, 71 eyes with POAG, and 49 eyes of AD patients. Ophthalmic examination included optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to measure IRL and ORL thickness and OCT angiography (OCTA) in the same region for the imaging of vessel density in the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and deep vascular plexus (DVP) of the retina. A direct comparison of vessel density and retinal layers thickness, which different dynamic ranges, was obtained by normalizing values as percentage losses. Results Patients with AD presented significantly greater losses of vascular density in the DVP and ORL thickness compared to POAG (p <0.001), but percentage losses of vessel density in SVP and IRL thickness were considerable in POAG compared to AD eyes (p<0.001). Positive associations among presence of AD were observed primarily in outer retina where a 1% decrease of ORL thickness was associated with about 24–29% increase in odds of the presence of AD. According to OCTA measurements, a 1% decrease of vessel density in DVP was positively associated with a 4–9% increase in odds of the presence of AD. In POAG positive associations among presence of disease were observed only in inner retina where 1% loss of IRL thickness and a 1% loss of vessel density in the SVP were positively associated with a 13–23% increase in risk of presence of the disease. Conclusions Analysis of ORL thickness and vessel density in DVP could potentially improve diagnostic capabilities and may provide a valuable approach for predicting of AD.
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Jhingan M, Singh SR, Samanta A, Arora S, Tucci D, Amarasekera S, Cagini C, Lupidi M, Chhablani J. Drusen ooze: Predictor for progression of dry age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 259:2687-2694. [PMID: 33710471 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-021-05147-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate natural history of drusen ooze and its role as a predictor for progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) longitudinally. METHODS Multi-centric retrospective observational case series of 72 eyes (72 patients) with dry AMD with a minimum follow-up of 4 years. Drusen types were identified on volume scans on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and were characterized for occurrence of drusen ooze at baseline until last visit. Drusen ooze was defined as hyperreflective dots overlying a collapsing drusen or pseudodrusen, or hyperreflective RPE above drusen or isoreflective dots at the level of outer nuclear layer. The consequent incidence of incomplete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (iRORA), complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA), and neovascular AMD (nAMD) were evaluated statistically. RESULTS In total, 72 eyes with a mean follow-up of 68.89 (± 25.57 months) were studied. At presentation, 11 eyes (15.3%) had a single drusen type, whereas 61 eyes (84.7%) had mixed drusen. Reticular pseudodrusen were most common (84.7%) followed by soft drusen (66.6%). Drusen ooze was seen in 47 eyes (65.2%) at presentation. The presence of drusen ooze at baseline (p < 0.01) and baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p = 0.04) significantly correlated with development of iRORA and cRORA. In total, 14 eyes progressed from iRORA to cRORA over a mean follow up of 29.14 (± 24.33) months. Odds of progression to iRORA or cRORA were 20.3 times greater for eyes with drusen ooze at baseline (95% C.I., 4.4-94.2). CONCLUSIONS In dry AMD, drusen ooze is a useful sign for predicting progression to iRORA and cRORA over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Jhingan
- Jacob's Retina Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Anindya Samanta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Supriya Arora
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, Princess Margaret Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas
| | - Davide Tucci
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Cagini
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Lupidi
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jay Chhablani
- UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Wittich W, Pichora-Fuller MK, Johnson A, Joubert S, Kehayia E, Bachir V, Aubin G, Jaiswal A, Phillips N. Effect of Reading Rehabilitation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration on Cognitive Functioning: Protocol for a Nonrandomized Pre-Post Intervention Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e19931. [PMID: 33704074 PMCID: PMC7995070 DOI: 10.2196/19931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related vision impairments and dementia both become more prevalent with increasing age. Research into the mechanisms of these conditions has proposed that some of their causes (eg, macular degeneration/glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease) could be symptoms of an underlying common cause. Research into sensory-cognitive aging has provided data that sensory decline may be linked to the progression of dementia through reduced sensory stimulation. While hearing loss rehabilitation may have a beneficial effect on cognitive functioning, there are no data available on whether low vision rehabilitation, specifically for reading, could have a beneficial effect on cognitive health. OBJECTIVE The research questions are: (1) Does low vision rehabilitation reduce reading effort? (2) If so, does reduced reading effort increase reading activity, and (3) If so, does increased reading activity improve cognitive functioning? The primary objective is to evaluate cognition before, as well as at 6 months and 12 months after, 3 weeks of low vision reading rehabilitation using magnification in individuals with age-related macular degeneration, with or without coexisting hearing impairments. We hypothesize that improvements postrehab will be observed at 6 months and maintained at 12 months for participants with vision loss and less so for those with dual sensory loss. The secondary objective is to correlate participant characteristics with all cognitive outcomes to identify which may play an important role in reading rehabilitation. METHODS We employ a quasiexperimental approach (nonrandomized, pre-post intervention study). A 3x3 design (3 groups x 3 time points) allows us to examine whether cognitive performance will change before and after 6 months and 12 months of a low vision reading intervention, when comparing 75 low vision and 75 dual sensory impaired (vision & hearing) participants to 75 age-matched healthy controls. The study includes outcome measures of vision (eg, reading acuity and speed), cognition (eg, short-term and long-term memory, processing speed), participant descriptors, demographics, and clinical data (eg, speech perception in noise, mental health). RESULTS The study has received approval, and recruitment began on April 24, 2019. As of March 4, 2021, 38 low vision and 7 control participants have been enrolled. Lockdown forced a pause in recruitment, which will recommence once the COVID-19 crisis has reached a point where face-to-face data collection with older adults becomes feasible again. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of protective effects caused by reading rehabilitation will have a considerable impact on the vision rehabilitation community and their clients as well as all professionals involved in the care of older adults with or without dementia. If we demonstrate that reading rehabilitation has a beneficial effect on cognition, the demand for rehabilitation services will increase, potentially preventing cognitive decline across groups of older adults at risk of developing macular degeneration. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04276610; Unique Protocol ID: CRIR-1284-1217; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04276610. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/19931.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Wittich
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Longueuil, QC, Canada.,Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research of Greater Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Aaron Johnson
- Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research of Greater Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sven Joubert
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Eva Kehayia
- Center for Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research of Greater Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vanessa Bachir
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research of Greater Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Aubin
- Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Longueuil, QC, Canada.,Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research of Greater Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Atul Jaiswal
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Longueuil, QC, Canada.,Center for Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research of Greater Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Cytoprotective Potential of Fucoxanthin in Oxidative Stress-Induced Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Senescence In Vivo and In Vitro. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19020114. [PMID: 33670685 PMCID: PMC7923087 DOI: 10.3390/md19020114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is identified as a major inducer of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell dysregulation and is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The protection of RPE disorders plays an essential role in the pathological progress of retinal degeneration diseases. The pharmacological functions of fucoxanthin, a characteristic carotenoid, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may ameliorate an outstanding bioactivity against premature senescence and cellular dysfunction. This study demonstrates that fucoxanthin protects RPE cells from oxidative stress-induced premature senescence and decreased photoreceptor cell loss in a sodium iodate-induced AMD animal model. Similarly, oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide, nuclear phosphorylated histone (γH2AX) deposition and premature senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining were inhibited by fucoxanthin pretreatment in a human RPE cell line, ARPE-19 cells. Results reveal that fucoxanthin treatment significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and increased the mitochondrial metabolic rate in oxidative stress-induced RPE cell damage. Moreover, atrophy of apical microvilli was inhibited in cells treated with fucoxanthin after oxidative stress. During aging, the RPE undergoes well-characterized pathological changes, including amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression and tight junction disruption, which were also reduced in fucoxanthin-treated groups by immunofluorescence. Altogether, pretreatment with fucoxanthin may protect against premature senescence and cellular dysfunction in retinal cells by oxidative stress in experimental AMD animal and human RPE cell models.
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Lynn SA, Johnston DA, Scott JA, Munday R, Desai RS, Keeling E, Weaterton R, Simpson A, Davis D, Freeman T, Chatelet DS, Page A, Cree AJ, Lee H, Newman TA, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. Oligomeric Aβ 1-42 Induces an AMD-Like Phenotype and Accumulates in Lysosomes to Impair RPE Function. Cells 2021; 10:413. [PMID: 33671133 PMCID: PMC7922851 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease-associated amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins accumulate in the outer retina with increasing age and in eyes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. To study Aβ-induced retinopathy, wild-type mice were injected with nanomolar human oligomeric Aβ1-42, which recapitulate the Aβ burden reported in human donor eyes. In vitro studies investigated the cellular effects of Aβ in endothelial and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Results show subretinal Aβ-induced focal AMD-like pathology within 2 weeks. Aβ exposure caused endothelial cell migration, and morphological and barrier alterations to the RPE. Aβ co-localized to late-endocytic compartments of RPE cells, which persisted despite attempts to clear it through upregulation of lysosomal cathepsin B, revealing a novel mechanism of lysosomal impairment in retinal degeneration. The rapid upregulation of cathepsin B was out of step with the prolonged accumulation of Aβ within lysosomes, and contrasted with enzymatic responses to internalized photoreceptor outer segments (POS). Furthermore, RPE cells exposed to Aβ were identified as deficient in cargo-carrying lysosomes at time points that are critical to POS degradation. These findings imply that Aβ accumulation within late-endocytic compartments, as well as lysosomal deficiency, impairs RPE function over time, contributing to visual defects seen in aging and AMD eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah A. Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - David A. Johnston
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.J.); (D.S.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Jenny A. Scott
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Rosie Munday
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Roshni S. Desai
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Ruaridh Weaterton
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Alexander Simpson
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Dillon Davis
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Thomas Freeman
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - David S. Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.J.); (D.S.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.J.); (D.S.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Angela J. Cree
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Helena Lee
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
- Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Tracey A. Newman
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (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, MP 806, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (S.A.L.); (J.A.S.); (R.M.); (R.S.D.); (E.K.); (R.W.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (T.F.); (A.J.C.); (H.L.); (T.A.N.); (A.J.L.)
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Wu J, Gao G, Shi F, Xie H, Yang Q, Liu D, Qu S, Qin H, Zhang C, Xu GT, Liu F, Zhang J. Activated microglia-induced neuroinflammatory cytokines lead to photoreceptor apoptosis in Aβ-injected mice. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:713-728. [PMID: 33575853 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is mainly characterized by the progressive accumulation of drusen deposits and loss of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Because amyloid β (Aβ) is the main component of drusen, Aβ-induced activated microglia most likely lead to neuroinflammation and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AMD. However, the relationship between activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory cytokines and photoreceptor death has not been clarified. By subretinal injection of Aβ42 in mice, we mimicked an inflammatory milieu of AMD to better understand how activated microglia-induced neuroinflammatory cytokines lead to photoreceptor apoptosis in the AMD progression. We demonstrated that subretinal injection of Aβ42 induces microglial activation and increases inflammatory cytokine release, which gives rise to photoreceptor apoptosis in mice. Our results were verified in vitro by co-culture of Aβ42 activated primary microglia and the photoreceptor cell line 661W. We also demonstrated that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was involved in Aβ42-induced microglial activation and inflammatory cytokine release. Overall, our findings indicate that activated microglia-derived neuroinflammatory cytokines could contribute to photoreceptor apoptosis under the stimulation of Aβ42. Moreover, this study may provide a potential therapeutic approach for AMD. KEY MESSAGES: Further explore the association between activated microglia-derived neuroinflammatory cytokine secretion and photoreceptor apoptosis under the stimulation of Aβ42. Subretinal injection of Aβ42 induces the activation of microglia and increases proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and COX-2 expression in the retina, which could give rise to the deterioration of visual function and aggravate photoreceptor apoptosis in mice. Primary microglial are activated and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines are increased by Aβ42 stimulation, which could increase the apoptosis of photoreceptor cell line 661W in vitro. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in microglial activation and photoreceptor apoptosis under Aβ42 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanjun Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hai Xie
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sichang Qu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, 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
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Regenerative Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,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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57
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Zhao A, Fang F, Li B, Chen Y, Qiu Y, Wu Y, Xu W, Deng Y. Visual Abnormalities Associate With Hippocampus in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:597491. [PMID: 33551787 PMCID: PMC7862343 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.597491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been shown to affect vision in human patients and animal models. This study was conducted to explore ocular abnormalities in the primary visual pathway and their relationship with hippocampal atrophy in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential value of ocular examinations as a biomarker during the AD progression. Methods: Patients with MCI (n = 23) or AD (n = 17) and age-matched cognitively normal controls (NC; n = 19) were enrolled. Pattern visual-evoked potentials (PVEP), flash electroretinogram (FERG) recordings and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed for all participants. Hippocampal volumes were measured by 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Cognitive function was assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Pearson correlation was employed to analyze the potential associations between ocular abnormalities and hippocampal volumes. Hierarchical regression models were conducted to determine associations between cognitive performances and ocular abnormalities as well as hippocampal volumes after adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, cognitive reserve, and APOE4 status. Results: PVEP amplitude of P100 waveform was significantly decreased in AD patients compared to MCI and normal individuals. In FERG test, delayed latencies of rod response, rod cone response and 3.0 flicker time were found in cognitively impaired groups, indicating dysfunctions of both the rod and cone systems in the disease progression. OCT test revealed reduced macular retinal nerve fiber layer (m-RNFL) thickness in MCI and AD patients, which significantly correlated with brain structure of hippocampus particularly vulnerable during the progression of AD. Interestingly, P100 amplitude showed a significant association with hippocampal volumes even after adjusting confounding factors including age, sex, and cognitive reserve. Hierarchical regression analysis further demonstrated that m-RNFL thickness, as well as hippocampal volumes, significantly associated with ADAS-cog scores. Conclusion: P100 amplitude and m-RNFL thickness showed significant correlations with brain structure involved in AD-related neurodegeneration, and therefore proved to be potential indicators of brain imaging pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aonan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Binyin Li
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinghui Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanli Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulei Deng
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Luwan Branch, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Varinthra P, Huang SP, Chompoopong S, Wen ZH, Liu IY. 4-(Phenylsulfanyl) Butan-2-One Attenuates the Inflammatory Response Induced by Amyloid-β Oligomers in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. Mar Drugs 2020; 19:md19010001. [PMID: 33374505 PMCID: PMC7822165 DOI: 10.3390/md19010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that causes irreversible impairment of central vision, and effective treatment is not yet available. Extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in drusen that lie under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been reported as one of the early signs of AMD and was found in more than 60% of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Extracellular deposition of Aβ can induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS in RPE cells. Thus, finding a compound that can effectively reduce the inflammatory response may help the treatment of AMD. In this research, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the coral-derived compound 4-(phenylsulfanyl) butan-2-one (4-PSB-2) on Aβ1-42 oligomer (oAβ1-42) added to the human adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19). Our results demonstrated that 4-PSB-2 can decrease the elevated expressions of TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS via NF-κB signaling in ARPE-19 cells treated with oAβ1-42 without causing any cytotoxicity or notable side effects. This study suggests that 4-PSB-2 is a promising drug candidate for attenuation of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shun-Ping Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Supin Chompoopong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Zhi-Hong Wen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan;
| | - Ingrid Y. Liu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3846-2722
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59
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The retinal toxicity profile towards assemblies of Amyloid-β indicate the predominant pathophysiological activity of oligomeric species. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20954. [PMID: 33262378 PMCID: PMC7708452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77712-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ), reported as a significant constituent of drusen, was implicated in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), yet the identity of the major pathogenic Aβ species in the retina has remained hitherto unclear. Here, we examined the in-vivo retinal impact of distinct supramolecular assemblies of Aβ. Fibrillar (Aβ40, Aβ42) and oligomeric (Aβ42) preparations showed clear biophysical hallmarks of amyloid assemblies. Measures of retinal structure and function were studied longitudinally following intravitreal administration of the various Aβ assemblies in rats. Electroretinography (ERG) delineated differential retinal neurotoxicity of Aβ species. Oligomeric Aβ42 inflicted the major toxic effect, exerting diminished ERG responses through 30 days post injection. A lesser degree of retinal dysfunction was noted following treatment with fibrillar Aβ42, whereas no retinal compromise was recorded in response to Aβ40 fibrils. The toxic effect of Aβ42 architectures was further reflected by retinal glial response. Fluorescence labelling of Aβ42 species was used to detect their accumulation into the retinal tissue. These results provide conceptual evidence of the differential toxicity of particular Aβ species in-vivo, and promote the mechanistic understanding of their retinal pathogenicity. Stratifying the impact of pathological Aβ aggregation in the retina may merit further investigation to decipher the pathophysiological relevance of processes of molecular self-assembly in retinal disorders.
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60
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Tong Y, Wang S. Not All Stressors Are Equal: Mechanism of Stressors on RPE Cell Degeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:591067. [PMID: 33330470 PMCID: PMC7710875 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.591067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of irreversible blindness among the elderly population. Dysfunction and degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer in the retina underscore the pathogenesis of both dry and wet AMD. Advanced age, cigarette smoke and genetic factors have been found to be the prominent risk factors for AMD, which point to an important role for oxidative stress and aging in AMD pathogenesis. However, the mechanisms whereby oxidative stress and aging lead to RPE cell degeneration are still unclear. As cell senescence and cell death are the major outcomes from oxidative stress and aging, here we review the mechanisms of RPE cell senescence and different kinds of cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, with an aim to clarify how RPE cell degeneration could occur in response to AMD-related stresses, including H2O2, 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), N-retinylidene-N-retinyl-ethanolamine (A2E), Alu RNA and amyloid β (Aβ). Besides those, sodium iodate (NaIO3) induced RPE cell degeneration is also discussed in this review. Although NaIO3 itself is not related to AMD, this line of study would help understand the mechanism of RPE degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Tong
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Shusheng Wang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
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61
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Murphy C, Johnson AP, Koenekoop RK, Seiple W, Overbury O. The Relationship Between Cognitive Status and Known Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:586691. [PMID: 33178008 PMCID: PMC7596199 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.586691] [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: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent literature has reported a higher occurrence of cognitive impairment among individuals with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) compared to older adults with normal vision. This pilot study explored potential links between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AMD and cognitive status. Individuals with AMD (N = 21) and controls (N = 18) were genotyped for the SNPs CFHY402H, ARMS2A69S and FADS1 rs174547. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The two groups differed significantly on which subscales were most difficult. The control group had difficulty with delayed recall while those with AMD had difficulty on delayed recall in addition to abstraction and orientation. Homozygous carriers of the FADS1 rs174547 SNP had significantly lower scores than heterozygotes or non-carriers on the MoCA. The results suggest that the FADS1 SNP may play a role in visual impairment/cognitive impairment comorbidity as reflected in the poorer cognitive scores among homozygotes with AMD compared to those carrying only one, or no copies of the SNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Murphy
- Low Vision Lab, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Concordia Vision Labs, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR)/Centre de Réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Ile-de-Montréal (CIUSSS) du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aaron P. Johnson
- Concordia Vision Labs, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR)/Centre de Réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Ile-de-Montréal (CIUSSS) du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Robert K. Koenekoop
- Paediatric Surgery and Human Genetics and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal QC, Canada
| | - William Seiple
- Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute, Lighthouse Guild, New York, NY, United States
- School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Olga Overbury
- Low Vision Lab, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
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62
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Micera A, Bruno L, Cacciamani A, Rongioletti M, Squitti R. Alzheimer's Disease and Retinal Degeneration: A Glimpse at Essential Trace Metals in Ocular Fluids and Tissues. Curr Alzheimer Res 2020; 16:1073-1083. [PMID: 31642780 DOI: 10.2174/1567205016666191023114015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Life expectancy is increasing all over the world, although neurodegenerative disorders might drastically affect the individual activity of aged people. Of those, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is one of the most social-cost age-linked diseases of industrialized countries. To date, retinal diseases seem to be more common in the developing world and characterize principally aged people. Agerelated Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a late-onset, neurodegenerative retinal disease that shares several clinical and pathological features with AD, including stress stimuli such as oxidative stress, inflammation and amyloid formations. METHODS In both diseases, the detrimental intra/extra-cellular deposits have many similarities. Aging, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, arteriosclerosis and smoking are risk factors to develop both diseases. Cellular aging routes have similar organelle and signaling patterns in retina and brain. The possibility to find out new research strategies represent a step forward to disclose potential treatment for both of them. Essential trace metals play critical roles in both physiological and pathological condition of retina, optic nerve and brain, by influencing metabolic processes chiefly upon complex multifactorial pathogenesis. CONCLUSION Hence, this review addresses current knowledge about some up-to-date investigated essential trace metals associated with AD and AMD. Changes in the levels of systemic and ocular fluid essential metals might reflect the early stages of AMD, possibly disclosing neurodegeneration pathways shared with AD, which might open to potential early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Bruno
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cacciamani
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Rongioletti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Research and Development Division, San Giovanni Calibita, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Squitti
- IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, BS, Italy
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63
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Retinal Degeneration and Alzheimer's Disease: An Evolving Link. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197290. [PMID: 33023198 PMCID: PMC7582766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma are degenerative conditions of the retina and a significant cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common dementia of the elderly, is often associated with AMD and glaucoma. The cardinal features of AD include extracellular accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and intracellular deposits of hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau). Neuroinflammation and brain iron dyshomeostasis accompany Aβ and p-tau deposits and, together, lead to progressive neuronal death and dementia. The accumulation of Aβ and iron in drusen, the hallmark of AMD, and Aβ and p-tau in retinal ganglion cells (RGC), the main retinal cell type implicated in glaucoma, and accompanying inflammation suggest overlapping pathology. Visual abnormalities are prominent in AD and are believed to develop before cognitive decline. Some are caused by degeneration of the visual cortex, while others are due to RGC loss or AMD-associated retinal degeneration. Here, we review recent information on Aβ, p-tau, chronic inflammation, and iron dyshomeostasis as common pathogenic mechanisms linking the three degenerative conditions, and iron chelation as a common therapeutic option for these disorders. Additionally discussed is the role of prion protein, infamous for prion disorders, in Aβ-mediated toxicity and, paradoxically, in neuroprotection.
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64
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Sarkar B, Siddiqui Z, Kim KK, Nguyen PK, Reyes X, McGill TJ, Kumar VA. Implantable anti-angiogenic scaffolds for treatment of neovascular ocular pathologies. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2020; 10:1191-1202. [PMID: 32232681 PMCID: PMC7483832 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00753-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The retinal physiology can accrue oxidative damage and inflammatory insults due to age and metabolic irregularities. Two notable diseases that involve retinal and choroidal neovascularization are proliferative diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration. Currently, these diseases are mainly treated with anti-VEGF drugs (VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor), generally on a monthly dosage scheme. We discuss recent developments for the treatment of these diseases, including bioactive tissue-engineered materials, which may reduce frequency of dosage and propose a path forward for improving patient outcomes. Graphical abstract Development of materials for long-term intravitreal delivery for management of posterior segment diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biplab Sarkar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 138 Warren St. LSEB 316, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Zain Siddiqui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 138 Warren St. LSEB 316, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Ka Kyung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 138 Warren St. LSEB 316, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Peter K Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 138 Warren St. LSEB 316, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Xavier Reyes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 138 Warren St. LSEB 316, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Trevor J McGill
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Vivek A Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 138 Warren St. LSEB 316, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA.
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65
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Gupta VB, Chitranshi N, den Haan J, Mirzaei M, You Y, Lim JK, Basavarajappa D, Godinez A, Di Angelantonio S, Sachdev P, Salekdeh GH, Bouwman F, Graham S, Gupta V. Retinal changes in Alzheimer's disease- integrated prospects of imaging, functional and molecular advances. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 82:100899. [PMID: 32890742 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, clinically characterised by cognitive deficits that gradually worsen over time. There is, at present, no established cure, or disease-modifying treatments for AD. As life expectancy increases globally, the number of individuals suffering from the disease is projected to increase substantially. Cumulative evidence indicates that AD neuropathological process is initiated several years, if not decades, before clinical signs are evident in patients, and diagnosis made. While several imaging, cognitive, CSF and blood-based biomarkers have been proposed for the early detection of AD; their sensitivity and specificity in the symptomatic stages is highly variable and it is difficult to justify their use in even earlier, pre-clinical stages of the disease. Research has identified potentially measurable functional, structural, metabolic and vascular changes in the retina during early stages of AD. Retina offers a distinctively accessible insight into brain pathology and current and developing ophthalmic technologies have provided us with the possibility of detecting and characterising subtle, disease-related changes. Recent human and animal model studies have further provided mechanistic insights into the biochemical pathways that are altered in the retina in disease, including amyloid and tau deposition. This information coupled with advances in molecular imaging has allowed attempts to monitor biochemical changes and protein aggregation pathology in the retina in AD. This review summarises the existing knowledge that informs our understanding of the impact of AD on the retina and highlights some of the gaps that need to be addressed. Future research will integrate molecular imaging innovation with functional and structural changes to enhance our knowledge of the AD pathophysiological mechanisms and establish the utility of monitoring retinal changes as a potential biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jurre den Haan
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jeremiah Kh Lim
- Optometry and Vision Science, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Angela Godinez
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Perminder Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ghasem H Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Femke Bouwman
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Stuart Graham
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia; Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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66
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Joseph C, Mangani AS, Gupta V, Chitranshi N, Shen T, Dheer Y, Kb D, Mirzaei M, You Y, Graham SL, Gupta V. Cell Cycle Deficits in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms to Drive Innovative Therapeutic Development. Aging Dis 2020; 11:946-966. [PMID: 32765956 PMCID: PMC7390532 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Specialised function obligates neuronal cells to subsist in a quiescent state of cell cycle once differentiated and therefore the circumstances and mechanisms underlying aberrant cell cycle activation in post-mitotic neurons in physiological and disease conditions remains an intriguing area of research. There is a strict requirement of concurrence to cell cycle regulation for neurons to ensure intracellular biochemical conformity as well as interrelationship with other cells within neural tissues. This review deliberates on various mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation in neuronal cells and underscores potential implications of their non-compliance in neural pathology. Recent research suggests that successful duplication of genetic material without subsequent induction of mitosis induces inherent molecular flaws that eventually assert as apoptotic changes. The consequences of anomalous cell cycle activation and subsequent apoptosis are demonstrated by the increased presence of molecular stress response and apoptotic markers. This review delineates cell cycle events under normal physiological conditions and deficits amalgamated by alterations in protein levels and signalling pathways associated with cell-division are analysed. Cell cycle regulators essentially, cyclins, CDKs, cip/kip family of inhibitors, caspases, bax and p53 have been identified to be involved in impaired cell cycle regulation and associated with neural pathology. The pharmacological modulators of cell cycle that are shown to impart protection in various animal models of neurological deficits are summarised. Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms that are indispensable to cell cycle regulation in neurons in health and disease conditions will facilitate targeted drug development for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Joseph
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | - Veer Gupta
- 2School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ting Shen
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yogita Dheer
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Devaraj Kb
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- 3Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.,4Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.,4Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Vivek Gupta
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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67
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Intracellular amyloid-β disrupts tight junctions of the retinal pigment epithelium via NF-κB activation. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 95:115-122. [PMID: 32795848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Drusen are focal deposits between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane in the retina of patients with age-related macular degeneration. Amyloid-β is one of the important components of drusen, which leads to local inflammation. Furthermore, intracellular amyloid-β disrupts tight junctions of the RPE. However, the intracellular mechanisms linking intracellular amyloid-β and tight-junction disruption are not clear. In this study, intracellular amyloid-β oligomers activated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65, leading to the disorganization of tight junctions of the RPE in mice after subretinal injection of amyloid-β. Amyloid-β also triggered NF-κB activation in the RPE cells in confluent culture, which was inhibited by the suppression of the advanced glycosylation end product-specific receptor. NF-κB inhibition by an IκB kinase inhibitor prevented the suppression of expression of tight-junction proteins, zonula occuludens-1 and occludin in RPE cells. In addition, tight-junction complexes remained intact in the RPE of mice with NF-κB inhibition, although there were intracellular amyloid-β oligomers. These data suggested that NF-κB inhibition might be a therapeutic approach to prevent amyloid-β-mediated tight-junction disruption.
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68
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Liew G, Tse B, Ho IV, Joachim N, White A, Pickford R, Maltby D, Gopinath B, Mitchell P, Crossett B. Acylcarnitine Abnormalities Implicate Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:32. [PMID: 38755790 PMCID: PMC7425723 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.8.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Abnormalities in lipid metabolism are implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the pathways involved remain unclear. We assessed whether acylcarnitine concentrations, a marker of lipid and mitochondrial metabolism, differed between patients with AMD and controls. Methods In this cross-sectional case-control study, cases (n = 81) had neovascular AMD and controls (n = 79) had cataract with no other ocular pathology. Participants were recruited from eye clinics in Western Sydney, Australia, between 2016 and 2018. Plasma blood samples were collected and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analyses performed to identify acylcarnitine concentrations. Acylcarnitine levels were adjusted for age, gender and smoking in multivariable models. Confirmation of key acylcarnitine identities was conducted using high mass accuracy liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results After multivariable adjustment, C2-carnitine (acetylcarnitine) levels were significantly lower in patients with neovascular AMD compared to controls (0.810 ± 0.053 (standard error) compared to 1.060 ± 0.053), p = 0.002). C18:2-DC carnitine (a dicarboxylic acylcarnitine with a 18 carbon side chain and 2 double bonds), levels were significantly higher in patients with neovascular AMD compared to controls (1.244 ± 0.046 compared to 1.013 ± 0.046), p = 0.001). Other acylcarnitines examined were not significantly different between cases and controls. Conclusions Reduced plasma levels of C2-carnitine (acetylcarnitine) and increased plasma levels of C18:2-DC carnitine were observed in patients with neovascular AMD compared to controls. These findings suggest mitochondrial dysfunction could be involved in the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Liew
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology (Westmead Hospital), Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Retina Associates, Sydney, Australia
| | - Benita Tse
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - I-Van Ho
- Retina Associates, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nichole Joachim
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology (Westmead Hospital), Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew White
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology (Westmead Hospital), Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Russell Pickford
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
| | - David Maltby
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bamini Gopinath
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology (Westmead Hospital), Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul Mitchell
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology (Westmead Hospital), Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ben Crossett
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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69
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Oral administration of ferulic acid or ethyl ferulate attenuates retinal damage in sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8688. [PMID: 32457394 PMCID: PMC7250827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies indicate that the daily intake of antioxidants from a traditional Asian diet reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Many of the phytochemicals that are abundant in whole grains exhibit a wide variety of biological activity such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid found in vegetables and grains that has therapeutic potential for diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases. We investigated the retinal protective effect of FA in a sodium iodate (NaIO3)-induced model of retinal degeneration. In a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, FA attenuated H2O2-induced injury and lipopolysaccharide- or 7-ketocholesterol-induced inflammation. In mice, the oral administration of FA or its analog, ethyl ferulate, attenuated the morphological and functional features of NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration according to optical coherence tomography and electroretinography. Our results demonstrate that the oral administration of FA provides protective effects to the retina, suggesting that the intake of FA as a daily supplement or daily healthy diet containing rich vegetables and whole grains may prevent age-related macular degeneration.
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70
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Carlsson E, Supharattanasitthi W, Jackson M, Paraoan L. Increased Rate of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Migration and Pro-Angiogenic Potential Ensuing From Reduced Cystatin C Expression. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:9. [PMID: 32049341 PMCID: PMC7324439 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.2.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Variant B precursor cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin C, a known recessive risk factor for developing exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presents altered intracellular trafficking and reduced secretion from retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Because cystatin C inhibits multiple extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading cathepsins, this study evaluated the role of this mutation in inducing ECM-related functional changes in RPE cellular behavior. Methods Induced pluripotent stem cells gene-edited bi-allelically by CRISPR/Cas9 to express the AMD-linked cystatin C variant were differentiated to RPE cells and assayed for their ability to degrade fluorescently labeled ECM proteins. Cellular migration and adhesion on multiple ECM proteins, differences in transepithelial resistance and polarized protein secretion were tested. Vessel formation induced by gene edited cells-conditioned media was quantified using primary human dermal microvascular epithelial cells. Results Variant B cystatin C-expressing induced pluripotent stem cells-derived RPE cells displayed a significantly higher rate of laminin and fibronectin degradation 3 days after seeding on fluorescently labeled ECM (P < 0.05). Migration on matrigel, collagen IV and fibronectin was significantly faster for edited cells compared with wild-type (WT) cells. Both edited and WT cells displayed polarized secretion of cystatin C, but transepithelial resistance was lower in gene-edited cells after 6 weeks culture, with significantly lower expression of tight junction protein claudin-3. Media conditioned by gene-edited cells stimulated formation of significantly longer microvascular tubes (P < 0.05) compared with WT-conditioned media. Conclusions Reduced levels of cystatin C lead to changes in the RPE ability to degrade, adhere, and migrate supporting increased invasiveness and angiogenesis relevant for AMD pathology.
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71
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Sen S, Saxena R, Tripathi M, Vibha D, Dhiman R. Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma: overlaps and missing links. Eye (Lond) 2020; 34:1546-1553. [PMID: 32152519 PMCID: PMC7608361 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-0836-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The eye is said to be the window into the brain. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and glaucoma both being diseases of the elderly, have several epidemiological and histological overlaps in pathogenesis. Both these diseases are neurodegenerative conditions. Over the years, a consensus has developed that both may be two ends of a singular spectrum of diseases. Epidemiological studies have shown that more Alzheimer’s patients may be suffering from glaucoma than general healthy population. Retinal ganglion cell damage is a characteristic of both diseases, along with discovery of amyloid-β and tau protein deposition in the retina and aqueous humor of eye. The latter two proteins are known to be pathognomonic of AD. Other pathways such as the insulin receptor pathway also seem to be affected in both diseases similarly. In spite of these overlaps, there are few missing links which still need more evidence, namely, intraocular pressure mechanisms, cerebrospinal fluid pressure and trans-lamina cribrosa pressure gradients, vascular autoregulation factors, etc. Several factors point towards a common pathogenesis at some level for both diseases and prospective studies are necessary to study the natural course of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagnik Sen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rohit Saxena
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Manjari Tripathi
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepti Vibha
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rebika Dhiman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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72
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Wehland M, Simonsen U, Buus NH, Krüger M, Grimm D. An evaluation of the fixed-dose combination sacubitril/valsartan for the treatment of arterial hypertension. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:1133-1143. [PMID: 32133873 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1735356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Essential hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and mortality with increasing prevalence. Despite the availability of various antihypertensive agents, hypertension is still poorly controlled. Therefore, new chemical compounds with antihypertensive efficacy need to be developed. The dual angiotensin II receptor-neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696 is a single molecule synthesized by co-crystallization of valsartan and the neprilysin inhibitor prodrug sacubitril (1:1 molar ratio). AREAS COVERED This review includes an overview of hypertension and the current pharmacotherapy. The authors summarize the LCZ696 drug chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, randomized control trials (RCTs), and safety concerns. Databases searched included PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov. EXPERT OPINION LCZ696 is effective in hypertension treatment. Short-term RCTs have shown that the highest doses of LCZ696 (200 and 400 mg [q.d.]) were more effective at lowering office and ambulatory blood pressure than angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) alone while having a similar tolerability profile. The effects of LCZ696 on hypertensive organ damage are only sparsely investigated and so far no studies have established the impact of LCZ696 on cardiovascular event rates. Future studies should focus on the comparison of LCZ696 and combination therapies already in use such as ARB and calcium channel blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wehland
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus C, Denmark.,Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg , Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ulf Simonsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Niels Henrik Buus
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg , Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus C, Denmark.,Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg , Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Mechanical Engineering, Otto von Guericke University , Magdeburg, Germany
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Jorba G, Aguirre-Plans J, Junet V, Segú-Vergés C, Ruiz JL, Pujol A, Fernández-Fuentes N, Mas JM, Oliva B. In-silico simulated prototype-patients using TPMS technology to study a potential adverse effect of sacubitril and valsartan. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228926. [PMID: 32053711 PMCID: PMC7018085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Unveiling the mechanism of action of a drug is key to understand the benefits and adverse reactions of a medication in an organism. However, in complex diseases such as heart diseases there is not a unique mechanism of action but a wide range of different responses depending on the patient. Exploring this collection of mechanisms is one of the clues for a future personalized medicine. The Therapeutic Performance Mapping System (TPMS) is a Systems Biology approach that generates multiple models of the mechanism of action of a drug. Each molecular mechanism generated could be associated to particular individuals, here defined as prototype-patients, hence the generation of models using TPMS technology may be used for detecting adverse effects to specific patients. TPMS operates by (1) modelling the responses in humans with an accurate description of a protein network and (2) applying a Multilayer Perceptron-like and sampling strategy to find all plausible solutions. In the present study, TPMS is applied to explore the diversity of mechanisms of action of the drug combination sacubitril/valsartan. We use TPMS to generate a wide range of models explaining the relationship between sacubitril/valsartan and heart failure (the indication), as well as evaluating their association with macular degeneration (a potential adverse effect). Among the models generated, we identify a set of mechanisms of action associated to a better response in terms of heart failure treatment, which could also be associated to macular degeneration development. Finally, a set of 30 potential biomarkers are proposed to identify mechanisms (or prototype-patients) more prone of suffering macular degeneration when presenting good heart failure response. All prototype-patients models generated are completely theoretical and therefore they do not necessarily involve clinical effects in real patients. Data and accession to software are available at http://sbi.upf.edu/data/tpms/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillem Jorba
- Anaxomics Biotech SL, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Department of Experimental and Health Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joaquim Aguirre-Plans
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Department of Experimental and Health Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Valentin Junet
- Anaxomics Biotech SL, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | | | - Albert Pujol
- Anaxomics Biotech SL, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Narcís Fernández-Fuentes
- Department of Biosciences, U Science Tech, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Baldo Oliva
- Structural Bioinformatics Group, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Department of Experimental and Health Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Qu M, Kwapong WR, Peng C, Cao Y, Lu F, Shen M, Han Z. Retinal sublayer defect is independently associated with the severity of hypertensive white matter hyperintensity. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01521. [PMID: 31875660 PMCID: PMC7010590 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the association of specific retinal sublayer thicknesses on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers using the Fazekas scale in hypertensive white matter hyperintensity (WMH) subjects. METHODS Eighty-eight participants (32 healthy controls and 56 hypertensive white matter hyperintensity subjects) underwent retinal imaging using the OCT and MRI. A custom-built algorithm was used to measure the thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer (GCIP). Focal markers for white matter hyperintensities were assessed on MRI and graded using the Fazekas visual rating. RESULTS Hypertensive WMH showed significantly reduced (p < .05) RNFL and GCIP layers when compared to healthy controls, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the RNFL (ρ = -.246, p < .001) and GCIP (ρ = -.338, p < .001) of the total participants and the Fazekas score, respectively. Statistical differences were still significant (p < .05) when correlations were adjusted for intereye correlation, age, hypertension, smoking, body mass index, and diabetes. Among the cases of hypertensive WMH, higher Fazekas scores were significantly associated (p < .05) with the thinning of both the RNFL and GCIP layers after adjustment of age and other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Retinal degeneration in the RNFL and GCIP was independently associated with focal lesions in the white matter of the brain and deteriorates with the severity of the lesions. We suggest that imaging and measurement of the retinal sublayers using the OCT may provide evidence on neurodegeneration in WMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Taizhou Central Hospital, Taizhou University Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | | | - Chenlei Peng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yungang Cao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Lu
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Meixiao Shen
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhao Han
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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den Haan J, van de Kreeke JA, Konijnenberg E, ten Kate M, den Braber A, Barkhof F, van Berckel BN, Teunissen CE, Scheltens P, Visser PJ, Verbraak FD, Bouwman FH. Retinal thickness as a potential biomarker in patients with amyloid-proven early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 11:463-471. [PMID: 31249859 PMCID: PMC6584766 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Retinal thickness measured with optical coherence tomography has been proposed as a noninvasive biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We therefore measured retinal thickness in well-characterized AD and control participants, considering ophthalmological confounders. Methods We included 57 amyloid-proven AD cases and 85 cognitively normal, amyloid-negative controls. All subjects underwent retinal thickness measurements with spectral domain optical coherence tomography and an ophthalmological assessment to exclude ocular disease. Results Retinal thickness did not discriminate cases from controls, including stratified analyses for early- versus late-onset AD. We found significant associations between macular thickness and global cortical atrophy [β -0.358; P = .01] and parietal cortical atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging [β -0.371; P < .01] in AD cases. Discussion In this study, representing the largest optical coherence tomography cohort with amyloid-proven AD cases, we show that retinal thickness does not discriminate AD from controls, despite evident changes on clinical, neuroimaging, and CSF measures, querying the use of retinal thickness measurements as an AD biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurre den Haan
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacoba A. van de Kreeke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elles Konijnenberg
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mara ten Kate
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anouk den Braber
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- UCL Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering, London, UK
| | - Bart N. van Berckel
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E. Teunissen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Neurochemistry Lab and Biobank, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter Jelle Visser
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank D. Verbraak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Femke H. Bouwman
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Yeo NJY, Chan EJJ, Cheung C. Choroidal Neovascularization: Mechanisms of Endothelial Dysfunction. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1363. [PMID: 31849644 PMCID: PMC6895252 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Many conditions affecting the heart, brain, and even the eyes have their origins in blood vessel pathology, underscoring the role of vascular regulation. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there is excessive growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye (choroidal neovascularization), eventually leading to vision loss due to detachment of retinal pigmented epithelium. As the advanced stage of this disease involves loss of retinal pigmented epithelium, much less attention has been given to early vascular events such as endothelial dysfunction. Although current gold standard therapy using inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have achieved initial successes, some drawbacks include the lack of long-term restoration of visual acuity, as well as a subset of the patients being refractory to existing treatment, alluding us and others to hypothesize upon VEGF-independent mechanisms. Against this backdrop, we present here a nonexhaustive review on the vascular underpinnings of AMD, implications with genetic and systemic factors, experimental models for studying choroidal neovascularization, and interestingly, on both endothelial-centric pathways and noncell autonomous mechanisms. We hope to shed light on future research directions in improving vascular function in ocular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Jia Ying Yeo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ebenezer Jia Jun Chan
- Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christine Cheung
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
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77
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Liu Y, Wei W, Baazaoui N, Liu F, Iqbal K. Inhibition of AMD-Like Pathology With a Neurotrophic Compound in Aged Rats and 3xTg-AD Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:309. [PMID: 31803044 PMCID: PMC6877482 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-associated macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to loss of vision at its end stage, is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly. However, to date, no effective drug therapy is available for the prevention of AMD. Here, we report the occurrence of AMD pathology and its prevention by chronic treatment with the neurotrophic peptidergic compound P021, in aged rats and 3xTg-AD mice. We found photoreceptor degeneration, lipofuscin granules, vacuoles, and atrophy in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as well as Bruch’s membrane (BM) thickening; in aged rats, we even found rosette-like structure formation. Microgliosis and astrogliosis were observed in different retinal layers. In addition, we also found that total tau, phosphorylated tau, Aβ/APP, and VEGF were widely distributed in the sub-retina of aged rats and 3xTg mice. Importantly, chronic treatment with P021 for 3 months in rats and for 18 months in 3xTg mice ameliorated the pathological changes above. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of P021 for prevention and treatment of AMD and retinal changes associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Clinical Pharmacology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Institute of Brain Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Narjes Baazaoui
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
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Bogolepova AN, Makhnovich EV, Zhuravleva AN. [Comorbidity of Alzheimer's disease and gegontophtalmic pathology]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2019; 119:17-22. [PMID: 31626214 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro201911909117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To compare the frequency of age-related ophthalmic diseases in patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 60 patients with severe cognitive impairment divided into two equal groups matched for sex and age. The first group included patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The second group consisted of people with a diagnosis of vascular dementia. All patients underwent clinical and neuropsychological as well as standard (visometry, refraction, measurement of intraocular pressure, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, computed perimetry) and complex (optic coherent tomography) ophthalmologic examinations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION In patients with Alzheimer's disease, concomitant ophthalmologic pathology in the form of glaucoma was observed more often in 46,7% of cases, pseudoexfoliation syndrome in 20% of cases, age-related macular degeneration in 16,7% of cases, while in the vascular dementia group the majority (80%) of patients did not have concomitant ophthalmologic pathology. When analyzing the severity of cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease and various concomitant ophthalmic pathology, it was shown that patients with Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma have more significant impairments compared to patients without concomitant ophthalmological pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Bogolepova
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E V Makhnovich
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A N Zhuravleva
- Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia
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Abstract
Retinal carotenoids are dietary nutrients that uniquely protect the eye from light damage and various retinal pathologies. Their antioxidative properties protect the eye from many retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. As many retinal diseases are accompanied by low carotenoid levels, accurate noninvasive assessment of carotenoid status can help ophthalmologists identify the patients most likely to benefit from carotenoid supplementation. This review focuses on the different methods available to assess carotenoid status and highlights disease-related changes and potential nutritional interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Sauer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA;, ,
| | - Binxing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA;, ,
| | - Paul S. Bernstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA;, ,
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Salobrar-García E, de Hoz R, Ramírez AI, López-Cuenca I, Rojas P, Vazirani R, Amarante C, Yubero R, Gil P, Pinazo-Durán MD, Salazar JJ, Ramírez JM. Changes in visual function and retinal structure in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220535. [PMID: 31415594 PMCID: PMC6695171 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's Disease (AD) can cause degeneration in the retina and optic nerve either directly, as a result of amyloid beta deposits, or secondarily, as a result of the degradation of the visual cortex. These effects raise the possibility that tracking ophthalmologic changes in the retina can be used to assess neurodegeneration in AD. This study aimed to detect retinal changes and associated functional changes in three groups of patients consisting of AD patients with mild disease, AD patients with moderate disease and healthy controls by using non-invasive psychophysical ophthalmological tests and optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS We included 39 patients with mild AD, 21 patients with moderate AD and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Both patients and controls were ophthalmologically healthy. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour perception, visual integration, and choroidal thicknesses were measured. In addition, OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) were applied. FINDINGS Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, colour perception, and visual integration were significantly lower in AD patients than in healthy controls. Compared to healthy controls, macular thinning in the central region was significant in the mild AD patients, while macular thickening in the central region was found in the moderate AD group. The analysis of macular layers revealed significant thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer, the ganglion cell layer and the outer plexiform layer in AD patients relative to controls. Conversely, significant thickening was observed in the outer nuclear layer of the patients. However, mild AD was associated with significant thinning of the subfovea and the nasal and inferior sectors of the choroid. Significant superonasal and inferotemporal peripapillary thinning was observed in patients with moderate disease. CONCLUSIONS The first changes in the mild AD patients appear in the psychophysical tests and in the central macula with a decrease in the central retinal thickness. When there was a disease progression to moderate AD, psychophysical tests remained stable with respect to the decrease in mild AD, but significant thinning in the peripapillary retina and thickening in the central retina appeared. The presence of AD is best indicated based on contrast sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Salobrar-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Rojas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ravi Vazirani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carla Amarante
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Yubero
- Unidad de Memoria, Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Gil
- Unidad de Memoria, Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - María D. Pinazo-Durán
- Unidad de Investigación Oftalmológica «Santiago Grisolia»/FISABIO, Valencia, Spain
- Grupo de Oftalmobiología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J. Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Determination of Zn, Cu and Fe in human patients' serum using micro-sampling ICP-MS and sample dilution. Talanta 2019; 204:663-669. [PMID: 31357350 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.05.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A high-throughput, sensitive and rapid method was developed for the determination of Zn, Cu and Fe in small volumes (30 μL) of human serum using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The sample preparation procedure employed simple 100-fold dilution of the serum samples with 1.0% butanol, 0.5% v/v ammonia, 0.02% v/v Triton X-100 and 0.01% v/v HNO3. The reliability of the method was evaluated using serum UTAK certified reference material, and the results matched well with the certified values. The method was applied to determine Zn, Cu and Fe in 81 human serum samples from participants in Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) studies. No significant differences were found in Zn and Cu levels between age matched controls, AD and AMD patients. Whilst iron levels appeared marginally higher in the AMD group, compared with the AD group, iron showed larger overall variability than the other two elements.
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Choi SI, Lee B, Woo JH, Jeong JB, Jun I, Kim EK. APP processing and metabolism in corneal fibroblasts and epithelium as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. Exp Eye Res 2019; 182:167-174. [PMID: 30930125 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) primarily affects the brain and is the most common form of dementia worldwide. Despite more than a century of research, there are still no early biomarkers for AD. It has been reported that AD affects the eye, which is more accessible for imaging than the brain; however, links with the cornea have not been evaluated. To investigate whether the cornea could be used to identify possible diagnostic indicators of AD, we analyzed the proteolytic processing and isoforms of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and evaluated the expression of AD-related genes and proteins in corneal fibroblasts from wild-type (WT) corneas and corneas from patients with granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2), which is related to amyloid formation in the cornea. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was used to assess the expression of AD-related genes, i.e., APP, ADAM10, BACE1, BACE2, PSEN1, NCSTN, IDE, and NEP. RT-PCR and DNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that isoforms of APP770 and APP751, but not APP695, were expressed in corneal fibroblasts. Moreover, the mRNA ratio of APP770/APP751 isoforms was approximately 4:1. Western blot analysis also demonstrated the expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain-containing protein 10 (ADAM10), beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), nicastrin, insulin degradation enzyme, and neprilysin in corneal fibroblasts. Among these targets, the levels of immature ADAM10 and BACE1 protein were significantly increased in GCD2 cells. The expression levels of APP, ADAM10, BACE1, and transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) were also detected by western blot in human corneal epithelium. We also investigated the effects of inhibition of the autophagy-lysosomal and ubiquitin-proteasomal proteolytic systems (UPS) on APP processing and metabolism. These pathway inhibitors accumulated APP, α-carboxy-terminal fragments (CTFs), β-CTFs, and the C-terminal APP intracellular domain (AICD) in corneal fibroblasts. Analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) revealed that miR-9 and miR-181a negatively coregulated BACE1 and TGFBIp, which was directly associated with the pathogenesis of AD and GCD2, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that APP and BACE1 were distributed in corneal stroma cells, epithelial cells, and the retinal layer in mice. Collectively, we propose that the cornea, which is the transparent outermost layer of the eye and thus offers easy accessibility, could be used as a potential biomarker for AD diagnosis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Il Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Boram Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Hwan Woo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jang Bin Jeong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ikhyun Jun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eung Kweon Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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Shoda C, Kitagawa Y, Shimada H, Yuzawa M, Tateno A, Okubo Y. Relationship of Area of Soft Drusen in Retina with Cerebral Amyloid-β Accumulation and Blood Amyloid-β Level in the Elderly. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:239-245. [PMID: 29439351 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histopathological studies have confirmed that soft drusen contains amyloid-β (Aβ). OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between the area of soft drusen in the macular area and cerebral Aβ accumulation or plasma Aβ level in elderly persons without dementia. METHODS Fourteen consecutive patients (18 eyes) aged ≥50 years with macular soft drusen were studied prospectively. From color fundus photographs, the area of soft drusen (pixel) within a 6,000 μm diameter with the macula as center was measured. Standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) was obtained from positron emission tomography using florbetapir, which indicates the ratio of cerebral cortical-to-cerebellar Aβ accumulation. Ratio of plasma Aβ1-42 to Aβ1-40 level was calculated. RESULTS Mean age was 73.3±7.6 years. The soft drusen area was 4.32±2.42 mm2. The SUVR was 1.08±0.15. Plasma Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio was 0.17±0.08. When SUVR ≥1.10 was defined as positive and <1.10 as negative, the soft drusen area in SUVR-positive patients (6.19±1.14 mm2) was significantly (p = 0.0043) larger than that in SUVR-negative patients (3.13±2.27 mm2). Multivariate regression analysis showed that SUVR positivity correlated with soft drusen area (p = 0.0484) and with Voxel-based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer's Disease score (p = 0.0360). However, there was no correlation with gender (p = 0.1921), age (p = 0.2361), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale score (p = 0.6310), Mini-Mental State Examination score (p = 0.4246), or plasma Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio (p = 0.8398). CONCLUSION Among elderly persons without dementia, the area of soft drusen was larger in those with more extensive cerebral Aβ accumulation. The area of soft drusen may be a biomarker of cerebral Aβ accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiho Shoda
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yorihisa Kitagawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuko Yuzawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Nihon University, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Amane Tateno
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Okubo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Masuda N, Tsujinaka H, Hirai H, Yamashita M, Ueda T, Ogata N. Effects of concentration of amyloid β (Aβ) on viability of cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells. BMC Ophthalmol 2019; 19:70. [PMID: 30849957 PMCID: PMC6408759 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-019-1076-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a constituent of drusen that is a common sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Aβ on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in culture. Methods Cells from a human RPE cell line (ARPE-19) were exposed to 0 to 25 μM of Aβ 1–40 for 48 h, and the number of living cells was determined by WST-8 cleavage. Replicative DNA synthesis was measured by the incorporation of 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine. The cell death pathway was investigated by the WST-8 cleavage assay after the addition of caspase-9 inhibitor, an anti-apoptotic factor. Real-time qRT-PCR was performed using Aβ-exposed cellular RNA to determine the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF). To determine the effect of receptor-for-advanced glycation end products (RAGE), the siRNA for RAGE was inserted into ARPE-19 treated with Aβ, and the levels of expression of VEGF-A and PEDF were determined. Results The number of living ARPE-19 cells was increased by exposure to 5 μM Aβ but was decreased by exposure to 25 μM of Aβ. Replicative DNA synthesis by ARPE-19 cells exposed to 25 μM of Aβ was significantly decreased indicating that 25 μM of Aβ inhibited cell proliferation. Real-time RT-PCR showed that the level of the mRNA of PEDF was increased by exposure to 5 μM Aβ, and the levels of the mRNAs of PEDF and VEGF-A were also increased by exposure to 25 μM Aβ. The addition of an inhibitor of caspase-9 blocked the decrease the number of ARPE-19 cells exposed to 25 μM Aβ. Exposure to si-RAGE attenuated the increase of VEGF-A and PEDF mRNA expression in ARPE-19 exposed to Aβ. Conclusions Exposure of ARPE-19 cells to low concentrations of Aβ increases the level of PEDF which then inhibits the apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells leading to RPE cell proliferation. Exposure to high concentrations of Aβ induces RPE cell death and enhances the expression of the mRNA of VEGF-A in RPE cells. The Aβ-RAGE pathway may lead to the expression VEGF-A and PEDF in RPE cells. These results suggest that Aβ is strongly related to the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naonori Masuda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tsujinaka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Hirai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Mariko Yamashita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ueda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan
| | - Nahoko Ogata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan.
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Huang P, Sun J, Wang F, Luo X, Zhu H, Gu Q, Sun X, Liu T, Sun X. DNMT1 and Sp1 competitively regulate the expression of BACE1 in A2E-mediated photo-oxidative damage in RPE cells. Neurochem Int 2018; 121:59-68. [PMID: 30273642 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have focused on the deteriorate role of amyloid-β (Aβ) on retina, implying the potential pathogenic mechanism underlying age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the mechanism underlying the Aβ deposition in AMD patients remains unknown. Beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), rate-limiting enzyme for Aβ production, plays an important role in Aβ deposition in the brain. In the current study, we aimed to clarify the regulation mechanism of BACE1 and explore potential drug targets using a lipofuscinfluorophore A2E-mediated photo-oxidation model. In this model, Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels increased simultaneously with the enhanced BACE1 expression. These changes were associated with the hypomethylation of specific loci within the BACE1 gene promoter and the decreased levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Furthermore, we noticed overlapping regions of differentially methylated CpG islands and specificity protein (Sp1) binding sites within the BACE1 promoter. We employed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay to verify that the decreased BACE1 promoter methylation by DNMT1 enabled increased binding between Sp1 and the BACE1 promoter, which further enhanced BACE1 transcription. The inhibition of Sp1 with mithramycin A (MTM) could down-regulate the expression of BACE1 as well as alleviate the RPE barrier morphology and function impairment. Our results for the first time show the competitive regulation of BACE1 by transcription factor Sp1 and DNMT1 after photo-oxidation and confirm the potential novel protective role of MTM on RPE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Junran Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueting Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangjun Sun
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Te Liu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA; Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Laíns I, Gantner M, Murinello S, Lasky-Su JA, Miller JW, Friedlander M, Husain D. Metabolomics in the study of retinal health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2018; 69:57-79. [PMID: 30423446 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics is the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the metabolites (small molecules < 1.5 kDa) in body fluids. The metabolites are the downstream of the genetic transcription and translation processes and also downstream of the interactions with environmental exposures; thus, they are thought to closely relate to the phenotype, especially for multifactorial diseases. In the last decade, metabolomics has been increasingly used to identify biomarkers in disease, and it is currently recognized as a very powerful tool with great potential for clinical translation. The metabolome and the associated pathways also help improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease. While there has been increasing interest and research in metabolomics of the eye, the application of metabolomics to retinal diseases has been limited, even though these are leading causes of blindness. In this manuscript, we perform a comprehensive summary of the tools and knowledge required to perform a metabolomics study, and we highlight essential statistical methods for rigorous study design and data analysis. We review available protocols, summarize the best approaches, and address the current unmet need for information on collection and processing of tissues and biofluids that can be used for metabolomics of retinal diseases. Additionally, we critically analyze recent work in this field, both in animal models and in human clinical disease, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Finally, we identify opportunities for future research applying metabolomics to improve our current assessment and understanding of mechanisms of vitreoretinal diseases, and to hence improve patient assessment and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Laíns
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mari Gantner
- Lowy Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States; Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States.
| | - Salome Murinello
- Lowy Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States; Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States.
| | - Jessica A Lasky-Su
- Systems Genetics and Genomics Unit, Channing Division of Network Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, United States.
| | - Joan W Miller
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States.
| | - Martin Friedlander
- Lowy Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States; Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, United States.
| | - Deeba Husain
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States.
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Cerquera-Jaramillo MA, Nava-Mesa MO, González-Reyes RE, Tellez-Conti C, de-la-Torre A. Visual Features in Alzheimer's Disease: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Overview. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:2941783. [PMID: 30405709 PMCID: PMC6204169 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2941783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It compromises patients' daily activities owing to progressive cognitive deterioration, which has elevated direct and indirect costs. Although AD has several risk factors, aging is considered the most important. Unfortunately, clinical diagnosis is usually performed at an advanced disease stage when dementia is established, making implementation of successful therapeutic interventions difficult. Current biomarkers tend to be expensive, insufficient, or invasive, raising the need for novel, improved tools aimed at early disease detection. AD is characterized by brain atrophy due to neuronal and synaptic loss, extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ), and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The visual system and central nervous system share many functional components. Thus, it is plausible that damage induced by Aβ, tau, and neuroinflammation may be observed in visual components such as the retina, even at an early disease stage. This underscores the importance of implementing ophthalmological examinations, less invasive and expensive than other biomarkers, as useful measures to assess disease progression and severity in individuals with or at risk of AD. Here, we review functional and morphological changes of the retina and visual pathway in AD from pathophysiological and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mauricio O. Nava-Mesa
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo E. González-Reyes
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Tellez-Conti
- Escuela Superior de Oftalmología-Instituto Barraquer de América, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Chen P, Shang A, Wang W, Yang J. Astragaloside suppresses tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 5 signaling pathway and alleviates neurodegenerative changes in retinal pigment epithelial cells induced by isoflurane. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:1028-1037. [PMID: 30277612 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pei‐Jun Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
- Department of Anesthesiology The Sixth People’s Hospital of Yancheng City Yancheng China
| | - An‐Quan Shang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Tongji Hospital of Tongji University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Wei‐Wei Wang
- Department of Pathology The Sixth People’s Hospital of Yancheng City Yancheng China
| | - Jian‐Ping Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
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90
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Feldman AM. The Heart-Brain Continuum: A New Way of Looking at Heart Failure Therapy. J Card Fail 2018; 24:537-539. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Trempe CL, Lewis TJ. It's Never Too Early or Too Late-End the Epidemic of Alzheimer's by Preventing or Reversing Causation From Pre-birth to Death. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:205. [PMID: 30050429 PMCID: PMC6052050 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The path to sporadic Alzheimer's is a tragic journey beginning prior to birth and ending in the most dreaded disease of society. Along the disease path are a myriad of clues that portend AD, many of which are complaints of seemingly unrelated conditions from chronic migraines, mood disorders, eye diseases, metabolic syndromes, periodontal diseases, hormonal and autoimmune diseases. Properly treating, not just managing, these diseases, prior to onset of dementia, may significantly reduce dementia incidences. Current high levels of health complaints reflect a state of generalized poor health and compromised immunity. During the mid-Victorian era, people were long-lived yet healthy, suffering from chronic diseases at one tenth the rate of peoples today. It's our poor health, at any age that increases susceptibility to chronic diseases and Alzheimer's. Infection is involved in many cases of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases but is also implicated in many chronic conditions. Scientists looking for causation recognize that Alzheimer' is multifactorial and systemic-not "brain only." To slow, stop and reverse the AD epidemic, identification and reversal of causal factors must occur across the entire life spectrum of humans. This approach simply gives consideration to enhancing immune status of our bodies and brain, and controlling inflammation and infection, throughout the entire age spectrum. Infection is a causal factor, but the root cause is multi-factorial and immune health related. Pasteur stated it best when acknowledging the work of Bernard in 19th Century France, "The seed is nothing, the soil is everything."
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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: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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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93
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Krittanawong C, Kitai T. Pharmacogenomics of angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor and its long-term side effects. Cardiovasc Ther 2018; 35. [PMID: 28489317 DOI: 10.1111/1755-5922.12272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the promising agent sacubitril/valsartan, known as an angiotensin receptor blocker-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), to improve heart failure (HF) management, may benefit morbidity, mortality, and readmission rates in patients with HF. The PARADIGM-HF trial demonstrated that the ARNI can reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), while ongoing PARAMOUNT and PARAGON-HF trials determined whether the ARNI has morbidity and mortality benefits in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the risk of long-term side effects of the ARNI such as cognitive dysfunction or Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unknown. In fact, neprilysin (NEP), encoded by NEP or MME gene, is a principal peptidase involved in the degradation of β-amyloid (Aβ) protein. Several studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms of the NEP gene may be associated with AD and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Pharmacogenomics, the study of variability in drug response due to genetic polymorphisms, can potentially explain the variability in the effect of the ARNI and their side effects. Therefore, we have attempted to highlight pharmacogenomic factors and potential long-term side effects of the ARNI. Physicians should carefully monitor elderly patients with genetic risk factors for AD and CAA. In the future, genetic testing and genomic testing for NEP polymorphisms may play an important role in monitoring long-term side effects in ARNI-treated HF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayakrit Krittanawong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Takeshi Kitai
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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94
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Csincsik L, MacGillivray TJ, Flynn E, Pellegrini E, Papanastasiou G, Barzegar-Befroei N, Csutak A, Bird AC, Ritchie CW, Peto T, Lengyel I. Peripheral Retinal Imaging Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study. Ophthalmic Res 2018; 59:182-192. [PMID: 29621759 DOI: 10.1159/000487053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine whether ultra-widefield (UWF) retinal imaging can identify biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its progression. METHODS Images were taken using a UWF scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Optos P200C AF) to determine phenotypic variations in 59 patients with AD and 48 healthy controls at baseline (BL). All living participants were invited for a follow-up (FU) after 2 years and imaged again (if still able to participate). All participants had blood taken for genotyping at BL. Images were graded for the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration-like pathologies and retinal vascular parameters. Comparison between AD patients and controls was made using the Student t test and the χ2 test. RESULTS Analysis at BL revealed a significantly higher prevalence of a hard drusen phenotype in the periphery of AD patients (14/55; 25.4%) compared to controls (2/48; 4.2%) [χ2 = 9.9, df = 4, p = 0.04]. A markedly increased drusen number was observed at the 2-year FU in patients with AD compared to controls. There was a significant increase in venular width gradient at BL (zone C: 8.425 × 10-3 ± 2.865 × 10-3 vs. 6.375 × 10-3 ± 1.532 × 10-3, p = 0.008; entire image: 8.235 × 10-3 ± 2.839 × 10-3 vs. 6.050 × 10-3 ± 1.414 × 10-3, p = 0.004) and a significant decrease in arterial fractal dimension in AD at BL (entire image: 1.250 ± 0.086 vs. 1.304 ± 0.089, p = 0.049) with a trend for both at FU. CONCLUSIONS UWF retinal imaging revealed a significant association between AD and peripheral hard drusen formation and changes to the vasculature beyond the posterior pole, at BL and after clinical progression over 2 years, suggesting that monitoring pathological changes in the peripheral retina might become a valuable tool in AD monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos Csincsik
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas J MacGillivray
- VAMPIRE Project, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Edinburgh Imaging, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Erin Flynn
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom.,The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Enrico Pellegrini
- VAMPIRE Project, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,OPTOS plc, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Adrienne Csutak
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Alan C Bird
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Craig W Ritchie
- Centre for Dementia Prevention, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Tunde Peto
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Imre Lengyel
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
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95
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Abstract
The hydrophobicity of vitamin E poses transport and metabolic challenges to regulate its bioavailability and to prevent its accumulation in lipid-rich tissues such as adipose tissue, brain, and liver. Water-soluble precursors of vitamin E (α-tocopherol, αT), such as its esters with acetate (αTA), succinate (αTS), or phosphate (αTP), have increased solubility in water and stability against reaction with free radicals, but they are rapidly converted during their uptake into the lipid-soluble vitamin E. Therefore, the bioavailability of these precursors as intact molecules is low; nevertheless, at least for αTS and αTP, the recent research has revealed unique regulatory effects on signal transduction and gene expression and the modulation of cellular events ranging from proliferation, survival/apoptosis, lipid uptake and metabolism, phagocytosis, long term potentiation, cell migration, telomere maintenance, and angiogenesis. Moreover, water-soluble derivatives of vitamin E including some based on αTP are increasingly used as components of nanocarriers for enhanced and targeted delivery of drugs and other molecules (vitamins, including αT and αTP itself, vitamin D3, carnosine, caffeine, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), insulin) and cofactors such as coenzyme Q10. In this review, the chemical characteristics, transport, metabolic pathways, and molecular mechanisms of action of αTP in cells and tissues are summarized and put into perspective with its possible role in the prevention of a number of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc Zingg
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States.
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96
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Laíns I, Kelly RS, Miller JB, Silva R, Vavvas DG, Kim IK, Murta JN, Lasky-Su J, Miller JW, Husain D. Human Plasma Metabolomics Study across All Stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Identifies Potential Lipid Biomarkers. Ophthalmology 2018; 125:245-254. [PMID: 28916333 PMCID: PMC8077680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the plasma metabolomic profile of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using mass spectrometry (MS). DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS We prospectively recruited participants with a diagnosis of AMD and a control group (>50 years of age) without any vitreoretinal disease. METHODS All participants underwent color fundus photography, used for AMD diagnosis and staging, according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study classification scheme. Fasting blood samples were collected and plasma was analyzed by Metabolon, Inc. (Durham, NC), using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high-resolution MS. Metabolon's hardware and software were used to identify peaks and control quality. Principal component analysis and multivariate regression were performed to assess differences in the metabolomic profiles of AMD patients versus controls, while controlling for potential confounders. For biological interpretation, pathway enrichment analysis of significant metabolites was performed using MetaboAnalyst. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measures were levels of plasma metabolites in participants with AMD compared with controls and among different AMD severity stages. RESULTS We included 90 participants with AMD (30 with early AMD, 30 with intermediate AMD, and 30 with late AMD) and 30 controls. Using UPLC and MS, 878 biochemicals were identified. Multivariate logistic regression identified 87 metabolites with levels that differed significantly between AMD patients and controls. Most of these metabolites (82.8%; n = 72), including the most significant metabolites, belonged to the lipid pathways. Analysis of variance revealed that of the 87 metabolites, 48 (55.2%) also were significantly different across the different stages of AMD. A significant enrichment of the glycerophospholipids pathway was identified (P = 4.7 × 10-9) among these metabolites. CONCLUSIONS Participants with AMD have altered plasma metabolomic profiles compared with controls. Our data suggest that the most significant metabolites map to the glycerophospholipid pathway. These findings have the potential to improve our understanding of AMD pathogenesis, to support the development of plasma-based metabolomics biomarkers of AMD, and to identify novel targets for treatment of this blinding disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Laíns
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Ophthalmology AMD Center of Excellence, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light, Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rachel S Kelly
- Systems Genetics and Genomics Unit, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John B Miller
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Ophthalmology AMD Center of Excellence, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rufino Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light, Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Demetrios G Vavvas
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Ophthalmology AMD Center of Excellence, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ivana K Kim
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Ophthalmology AMD Center of Excellence, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joaquim N Murta
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light, Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jessica Lasky-Su
- Systems Genetics and Genomics Unit, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joan W Miller
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Ophthalmology AMD Center of Excellence, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deeba Husain
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Ophthalmology AMD Center of Excellence, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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97
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Abstract
Significant advancements have been made in unraveling and understanding the non-coding elements of the human genome. New insights into the structure and function of noncoding RNAs have emerged. Their relevance in the context of both physiological cellular homeostasis and human diseases is getting appreciated. As a result, exploration of noncoding RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRs), as therapeutic agents or targets of therapeutic strategies is under way. This review summarizes and discusses in depth the current literature on the role of miRs in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salil Sharma
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Bimolecular Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Bimolecular Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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98
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Power R, Coen RF, Beatty S, Mulcahy R, Moran R, Stack J, Howard AN, Nolan JM. Supplemental Retinal Carotenoids Enhance Memory in Healthy Individuals with Low Levels of Macular Pigment in A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:947-961. [PMID: 29332050 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Power
- Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Science, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Robert F. Coen
- Mercer’s Institute for Research on Ageing, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen Beatty
- Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Science, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Riona Mulcahy
- Age-related Care Unit, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Rachel Moran
- Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Science, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Jim Stack
- Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Science, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Waterford, Ireland
| | | | - John M. Nolan
- Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Science, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Waterford, Ireland
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99
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Xu Q, Cao S, Rajapakse S, Matsubara JA. Understanding AMD by analogy: systematic review of lipid-related common pathogenic mechanisms in AMD, AD, AS and GN. Lipids Health Dis 2018; 17:3. [PMID: 29301530 PMCID: PMC5755337 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-017-0647-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elderly. Due to its complex etiology, current treatments have been insufficient. Previous studies reveal three systems closely involved in AMD pathogenesis: lipid metabolism, oxidation and inflammation. These systems are also involved in Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis and glomerulonephritis. Understanding commonalities of these four diseases may provide insight into AMD etiology. OBJECTIVES To understand AMD pathogenesis by analogy and suggest ideas for future research, this study summarizes main commonalities in disease pathogenesis of AMD, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis and glomerulonephritis. METHODS Articles were identified through PubMed, Ovid Medline and Google Scholar. We summarized the common findings and synthesized critical differences. RESULTS Oxidation, lipid deposition, complement activation, and macrophage recruitment are involved in all four diseases shown by genetic, molecular, animal and human studies. Shared genetic variations further strengthen their connection. Potential areas for future research are suggested throughout the review. CONCLUSIONS The four diseases share many steps of an overall framework of pathogenesis. Various oxidative sources cause oxidative stress. Oxidized lipids and related molecules accumulate and lead to complement activation, macrophage recruitment and pathology. Investigations that arise under this structure may aid us to better understand AMD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyuan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9 Canada
| | - Sijia Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9 Canada
| | - Sanjeeva Rajapakse
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9 Canada
| | - Joanne A. Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9 Canada
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100
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Farnoodian M, Sorenson CM, Sheibani N. Negative Regulators of Angiogenesis, Ocular Vascular Homeostasis, and Pathogenesis and Treatment of Exudative AMD. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2018; 13:470-486. [PMID: 30479719 PMCID: PMC6210860 DOI: 10.4103/jovr.jovr_67_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing capillaries, is very tightly regulated and normally does not occur except during developmental and reparative processes. This tight regulation is maintained by a balanced production of positive and negative regulators, and alterations under pathological conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration can lead to growth of new and abnormal blood vessels. Although the role of proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor has been extensively studied, little is known about the roles of negative regulators of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Here, we will discuss the role of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), one of the first known endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis, in ocular vascular homeostasis, and how its alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization. We will also discuss its potential utility as a therapeutic target for treatment of ocular diseases with a neovascular component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Farnoodian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christine M Sorenson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nader Sheibani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
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