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Wang Y, Xie J, Yu X, Liu Y, Wang Z, Guo A, Ding Y, Zhou X, Liu S, Li J, Zhou C, Li Y, Liu Z, Li X, Ding L. Influence of short-term hypoxia exposure on dynamic visual acuity. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1428987. [PMID: 39050671 PMCID: PMC11266189 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1428987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To quantify the changes in dynamic visual acuity (DVA) and explain the hidden reasons after acute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia status. Methods The study group comprised 18 healthy male and 15 healthy female participants aged 20-24 years old. DVA was measured with the self-developed software of Meidixin (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. Measurements were taken at eight altitudes. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, paired sample T-test, and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements. Results At constant altitude, DVA showed an overall decreasing trend with increasing angular velocity and a fluctuating decrease at the vast majority of altitudes. At constant angular velocities, DVA gradually increased with altitude, with the most pronounced increase in DVA at altitude 5, and thereafter a gradual decrease in DVA as altitude increased. Finally, as altitude decreased, DVA increased again and reached a higher level at the end of the experiment, which was superior to the DVA in the initial state. Conclusion Under a hypobaric hypoxic environment at high altitude, DVA was affected by the angular velocity and the degree of hypoxia, manifesting as an increase or decrease in DVA, which affects the pilot's observation of the display and control interfaces during the driving process, acquisition of information, and decision-making ability, which in turn may potentially jeopardize the safety of the flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxing Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinli Yu
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Yihe Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zesong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Anqi Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinzuo Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Siru Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxi Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chengkai Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanhong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyuan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Li Ding
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
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Lightfoot JD, Adams EM, Kamath MM, Wells BL, Fuller KK. Aspergillus fumigatus Hypoxia Adaptation Is Critical for the Establishment of Fungal Keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:31. [PMID: 38635243 PMCID: PMC11044834 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The poor visual outcomes associated with fungal keratitis (FK) underscore a need to identify fungal pathways that can serve as novel antifungal targets. In this report, we investigated whether hypoxia develops in the FK cornea and, by extension, if fungal hypoxia adaptation is essential for virulence in this setting. Methods C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani var. petroliphilum via topical overlay or intrastromal injection. At various time points post-inoculation (p.i.), animals were injected with pimonidazole for the detection of tissue hypoxia through immunofluorescence imaging. The A. fumigatus srbA gene was deleted through Cas9-mediated homologous recombination and its virulence was assessed in the topical infection model using slit-lamp microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results Topical inoculation with A. fumigatus resulted in diffuse pimonidazole staining across the epithelial and endothelial layers within 6 hours. Stromal hypoxia was evident by 48 hours p.i., which corresponded to leukocytic infiltration. Intrastromal inoculation with either A. fumigatus or F. solani similarly led to diffuse staining patterns across all corneal cell layers. The A. fumigatus srbA deletion mutant was unable to grow at oxygen levels below 3% in vitro, and corneas inoculated with the mutant failed to develop signs of corneal opacification, inflammation, or fungal burden. Conclusions These results suggest that fungal antigen rapidly drives the development of corneal hypoxia, thus rendering fungal SrbA or related pathways essential for the establishment of infection. Such pathways may therefore serve as targets for novel antifungal intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge D. Lightfoot
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Emily M. Adams
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Manali M. Kamath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Becca L. Wells
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Kevin K. Fuller
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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3
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Sharma P, Ma JX, Karamichos D. Effects of hypoxia in the diabetic corneal stroma microenvironment. Exp Eye Res 2024; 240:109790. [PMID: 38224848 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Corneal dysfunctions associated with Diabetes Mellitus (DM), termed diabetic keratopathy (DK), can cause impaired vision and/or blindness. Hypoxia affects both Type 1 (T1DM) and Type 2 (T2DM) surprisingly, the role of hypoxia in DK is unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of hypoxia in vitro on primary human corneal stromal cells derived from Healthy (HCFs), and diabetic (T1DMs and T2DMs) subjects, by exposing them to normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (2% O2) conditions through 2D and 3D in vitro models. Our data revealed that hypoxia affected T2DMs by slowing their wound healing capacity, leading to significant alterations in oxidative stress-related markers, mitochondrial health, cellular homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum health (ER) along with fibrotic development. In T1DMs, hypoxia significantly modulated markers related to membrane permeabilization, oxidative stress via apoptotic marker (BAX), and protein degradation. Hypoxic environment induced oxidative stress (NOQ1 mediated reduction of superoxide in T1DMs and Nrf2 mediated oxidative stress in T2DMs), modulation in mitochondrial health (Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), and dysregulation of cellular homeostasis (HSP90) in both T1DMs and T2DMs. This data underscores the significant impact of hypoxia on the diabetic cornea. Further studies are warranted to delineate the complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purnima Sharma
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
| | - Jian-Xing Ma
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
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Ren Y, Xi Q, He Z, Sun H, Li S. Expression and Variations in EPO Associated with Oxygen Metabolism in Tibetan Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:535. [PMID: 38396503 PMCID: PMC10886301 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
After a long period of adaptive evolution, Tibetan sheep have adapted to the plateau environment in terms of genetics, physiology and biochemistry, but the mechanism of hypoxia adaptation has not been fully elucidated, and the functional genes and molecular mechanisms regulating the hypoxia adaptation of Tibetan sheep need to be further studied. In this study, Tibetan sheep were selected as the research object, and the mRNA expression levels of the hypoxa-related gene EPO in heart, lung, kidney, liver, spleen and longissimus dorsi muscle of Hu sheep (100 m) and Tibetan sheep at different altitudes (2500 m, 3500 m, 4500 m) were assessed by RT-qPCR. The SNPs loci were detected by sequencing and Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) technology, then the correlation between genetic polymorphism and blood gas was analyzed. The results show that the expression of the EPO gene was the highest in the kidney, indicating that the expression of EPO gene had tissue differences. The expression levels of the EPO gene in the heart, lung and liver of Tibetan sheep at a 4500 m altitude were significantly higher than those in Hu sheep (p < 0.05), and the levels in the hearts of Tibetan sheep increased with the increase in altitude. Three mutations were identified in the EPO gene, the SNPs (g.855 A > C) in exon 1 and the SNPs (g.1985 T > G and g.2115 G > C) in exon 4, which were named EPO-SNP1, EPO-SNP2 and EPO-SNP3, respectively, and all three SNPs showed three genotypes. Correlation analysis showed that g.2115 G > C sites were significantly correlated with pO2 (p < 0.05), and haplotype combinations were significantly correlated with pO2 (p < 0.05). Thesee results suggest that the expression of the EPO gene is altitude-differentiated and organ-differentiated, and the EPO gene variants have significant effects on pO2, which may be beneficial to the adaptation of Tibetan sheep to hypoxia stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ren
- Institute of Livestock Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa 850000, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Qiming Xi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Zhaohua He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Hongxian Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Shaobin Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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5
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Aydamirov AS, Emekli DT, Ismayilov AS. Evaluation of the effects of strabismus surgery on corneal backward light scattering. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2023; 44:103771. [PMID: 37640202 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investigation of the effects of conventional strabismus surgeries on corneal densitometry (CD). METHODS Patients who had strabismus surgery between May 2022 and July 2022 were included in the study. CD software with a Pentacam device was used to determine corneal backward light scattering. CD data were analysed preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Patients were classified as those who had single muscle and two-muscle surgery. RESULTS The study included 33 eyes of 28 patients. The mean age of the patients was 20.51 ± 8.22 (5-35) years. Of the eyes, 19 underwent single muscle recession surgery. Two-muscle surgeries (recession and resection combination) were performed in 14 eyes. In the 1st month postoperative, the mean CD value decreased statistically significantly only in the total cornea apical 0-2 mm zone among the layers examined (p = 0.039). There was no significant change in the other layers (p > 0.05 for all). Single-muscle and two-muscle surgery groups were similar in the amount of CD reduction, except for one layer. CONCLUSIONS CD did not change in most of the corneal layers examined in the first month postoperatively. Single muscle and two-muscle horizontal rectus surgeries did not impair corneal clarity in the postoperative 1st month.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duygu Topaktaş Emekli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
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Wu Q, Hu Y, Yu B, Hu H, Xu FJ. Polysaccharide-based tumor microenvironment-responsive drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2023; 362:19-43. [PMID: 37579973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The biochemical indicators of tumor microenvironment (TME) that are different from normal tissues provide the possibility for constructing intelligent drug delivery systems (DDSs). Polysaccharides with good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique biological properties are ideal materials for constructing DDSs. Nanogels, micelles, organic-inorganic nanocomposites, hydrogels, and microneedles (MNs) are common polysaccharide-based DDSs. Polysaccharide-based DDSs enable precise control of drug delivery and release processes by incorporating TME-specific biochemical indicators. The classification and design strategies of polysaccharide-based TME-responsive DDSs are comprehensively reviewed. The advantages and challenges of current polysaccharide-based DDSs are summarized and the future directions of development are foreseen. The polysaccharide-based TME-responsive DDSs are expected to provide new strategies and solutions for cancer therapy and make important contributions to the realization of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimeng Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Key Lab of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Beijing University of Chemical Technology), Ministry of Education, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Bing Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hao Hu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Fu-Jian Xu
- Key Lab of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Beijing University of Chemical Technology), Ministry of Education, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
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Clahsen T, Hadrian K, Notara M, Schlereth SL, Howaldt A, Prokosch V, Volatier T, Hos D, Schroedl F, Kaser-Eichberger A, Heindl LM, Steven P, Bosch JJ, Steinkasserer A, Rokohl AC, Liu H, Mestanoglu M, Kashkar H, Schumacher B, Kiefer F, Schulte-Merker S, Matthaei M, Hou Y, Fassbender S, Jantsch J, Zhang W, Enders P, Bachmann B, Bock F, Cursiefen C. The novel role of lymphatic vessels in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101157. [PMID: 36759312 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Historically, the eye has been considered as an organ free of lymphatic vessels. In recent years, however, it became evident, that lymphatic vessels or lymphatic-like vessels contribute to several ocular pathologies at various peri- and intraocular locations. The aim of this review is to outline the pathogenetic role of ocular lymphatics, the respective molecular mechanisms and to discuss current and future therapeutic options based thereon. We will give an overview on the vascular anatomy of the healthy ocular surface and the molecular mechanisms contributing to corneal (lymph)angiogenic privilege. In addition, we present (i) current insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms occurring during pathological neovascularization of the cornea triggered e.g. by inflammation or trauma, (ii) the role of lymphatic vessels in different ocular surface pathologies such as dry eye disease, corneal graft rejection, ocular graft versus host disease, allergy, and pterygium, (iii) the involvement of lymphatic vessels in ocular tumors and metastasis, and (iv) the novel role of the lymphatic-like structure of Schlemm's canal in glaucoma. Identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms and of novel modulators of lymphangiogenesis will contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological lymphangiogenesis in the future. The preclinical data presented here outline novel therapeutic concepts for promoting transplant survival, inhibiting metastasis of ocular tumors, reducing inflammation of the ocular surface, and treating glaucoma. Initial data from clinical trials suggest first success of novel treatment strategies to promote transplant survival based on pretransplant corneal lymphangioregression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Clahsen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Karina Hadrian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Notara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Simona L Schlereth
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Antonia Howaldt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Verena Prokosch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Volatier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Deniz Hos
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Falk Schroedl
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology - Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexandra Kaser-Eichberger
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology - Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ludwig M Heindl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Philipp Steven
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Cluster of Excellence: Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jacobus J Bosch
- Centre for Human Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Alexander C Rokohl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hanhan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mert Mestanoglu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hamid Kashkar
- Institute for Molecular Immunology, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), CECAD Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Björn Schumacher
- Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Cluster of Excellence: Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Friedemann Kiefer
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulte-Merker
- Institute for Cardiovascular Organogenesis and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, WWU Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mario Matthaei
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yanhong Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
| | - Sonja Fassbender
- IUF‒Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany; Immunology and Environment, Life & Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonathan Jantsch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Philip Enders
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Björn Bachmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Bock
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Cluster of Excellence: Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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8
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Wang Y, Yu X, Liu Z, Lv Z, Xia H, Wang Y, Li J, Li X. Influence of hypobaric hypoxic conditions on ocular structure and biological function at high attitudes: a narrative review. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1149664. [PMID: 37229428 PMCID: PMC10203194 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1149664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the development of science and technology, high-altitude environments, involving aviation, aerospace, and mountainous regions, have become the main areas for human exploration, while such complex environments can lead to rapid decreases in air and oxygen pressure. Although modern aircrafts have pressurized cabins and support equipment that allow passengers and crew to breathe normally, flight crew still face repeated exposure to hypobaric and hypoxic conditions. The eye is a sensory organ of the visual system that responds to light and oxygen plays a key role in the maintenance of normal visual function. Acute hypoxia changes ocular structure and function, such as the blood flow rate, and can cause retinal ischemia. Methods We reviewed researches, and summarized them briefly in a review. Results The acute hypobaric hypoxia affects corneal, anterior chamber angle and depth, pupils, crystal lens, vitreous body, and retina in structure; moreover, the acute hypoxia does obvious effect on visual function; for example, vision, intraocular pressure, oculometric features and dynamic visual performance, visual field, contrast sensitivity, and color perception. Conclusion We summarized the changes in the physiological structure and function of the eye in hypoxic conditions and to provide a biological basis for the response of the human eye at high-altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinli Yu
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyuan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongsheng Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huaqin Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiren Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxi Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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9
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Huang J, Zhang Y, Lin T, Yin H, Pan Y, Zhu M, Zhang M. A cell-permeable peptide inhibitor of p55PIK signaling alleviates suture-induced corneal neovascularization and inflammation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14869. [PMID: 37095989 PMCID: PMC10121607 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To prepare an ophthalmic solution with a cell-permeable TAT peptide (TAT-N24) as the main cell-permeable peptide inhibitor of p55PIK signaling and observe its therapeutic effect on suture-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV) in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish a corneal suture (CS) model of CNV. The vehicle and 0.9% TAT-N24 ophthalmic solution was topically administered. CNV induction was assessed on the basis of the clinical performance of each group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes, and immunohistochemical staining and confocal immunofluorescence were used to determine the localization of factors associated with corneal tissue. The mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB p65), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expression levels of HIF-1α and NF-κB p65. TAT-N24 slowed CNV production and reduced the expression of HIF-1α and inflammatory factors in CS models. The mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF-A, NF-kB, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 significantly decreased. Moreover, the protein levels of HIF-1α and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased. TAT-N24 can treat CNV and ocular inflammation by inhibiting the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway in CS. In the early treatment of corneal foreign body trauma, topical application of TAT-N24 can not only reduce the inflammatory response but also inhibit corneal neovascularization.
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Sun Q, Ma L, Ferreira F, Brown C, Reid B, Zhao M. Optic Fiber Microsensor Reveals Specific Spatiotemporal Oxygen Uptake Profiles at the Mammalian Ocular Surface. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:245. [PMID: 36832011 PMCID: PMC9954666 DOI: 10.3390/bios13020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen (O2) uptake by cells and tissues is a critical indicator of metabolic demand, changes in microenvironment, and pathophysiology. O2 uptake from the atmosphere accounts for virtually all the O2 consumption in the avascular cornea; however, a detailed spatiotemporal profile of corneal O2 uptake (COU) remains undetermined. Here, we used a non-invasive self-referencing optical fiber O2 sensor-the scanning micro-optrode technique (SMOT)-to report the O2 partial pressure and flux variations at the ocular surface of rodents and non-human primates. In vivo spatial mapping in mice revealed a distinct COU, characterized by a centripetal gradient with a significantly higher O2 influx at the limbus and conjunctiva regions than at the center of the cornea. This regional COU profile was reproduced ex vivo in freshly enucleated eyes. The centripetal gradient was conserved across the following species analyzed: mice, rats, and rhesus monkeys. In vivo temporal mapping in mice showed a significant increase in the O2 flux in the limbus in the evening compared to other times. Altogether, the data unveiled a conserved centripetal COU profile, which may be associated with the limbal epithelial stem cells residing at the intersection of the limbus and conjunctiva. These physiological observations will serve as a useful baseline for comparative studies with contact lens wear, ocular disease, diabetes, etc. Moreover, the sensor may be applied to understand the responses of the cornea and other tissues to various insults, drugs, or changes in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
- School of Life Science, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650092, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
| | - Fernando Ferreira
- Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
- Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental (CMBA), Universidade do Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Chelsea Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
| | - Brian Reid
- Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, Institute for Regenerative Cures, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95816, USA
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11
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Salyha N, Oliynyk I. Hypoxia modeling techniques: A review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13238. [PMID: 36718422 PMCID: PMC9877323 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is the main cause and effect of a large number of diseases, including the most recent one facing the world, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Hypoxia is divided into short-term, long-term, and periodic, it can be the result of diseases, climate change, or living and traveling in the high mountain regions of the world. Since each type of hypoxia can be a cause and a consequence of various physiological changes, the methods for modeling these hypoxias are also different. There are many techniques for modeling hypoxia under experimental conditions. The most common animal for modeling hypoxia is a rat. Hypoxia models (hypoxia simulations) in rats are a tool to study the effect of various conditions on the oxygen supply of the body. These models can provide a necessary information to understand hypoxia and also provide effective treatment, highlighting the importance of various reactions of the body to hypoxia. The main parameters when choosing a model should be reproducibility and the goal that the scientist wants to achieve. Hypoxia in rats can be reproduced both ways exogenously and endogenously. The reason for writing this review was the aim to systematize the models of rats available in the literature in order to facilitate their selection by scientists. The relative strengths and limitations of each model need to be identified and understood in order to evaluate the information obtained from these models and extrapolate these results to humans to develop the necessary generalizations. Despite these problems, animal models have been and remain vital to understanding the mechanisms involved in the development and progression of hypoxia. The eligibility criteria for the selected studies was a comprehensive review of the methods and results obtained from the studies. This made it possible to make generalizations and give recommendations on the application of these methods. The review will assist scientists in choosing an appropriate hypoxia simulation method, as well as assist in interpreting the results obtained with these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Salyha
- Institute of Animal Biology NAAS, Lviv, Ukraine,Corresponding author
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Ren Q, Chu Z, Cui W, Cheng L, Su W, Cheng H, Wu J. Effect of corneal stiffness decrease on axial length elongation in myopia determined based on a mathematical estimation model. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1145032. [PMID: 37101753 PMCID: PMC10123270 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1145032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the corneal material stiffness parameter stress-strain index (SSI) and axial length (AL) elongation with varying severities of myopia, based on a mathematical estimation model. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study included data from healthy subjects and patients preparing for refractive surgery in the Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. Data were collected from July 2021 to April 2022. First, we performed and tested an estimated AL model ( A L M o r g a n ) based on the mathematical equation proposed by Morgan. Second, we proposed an axial increment model ( Δ A L ) corresponding to spherical equivalent error (SER) based on A L e m m e t r o p i a ( A L M o r g a n at SER = 0) and subject's real AL. Finally, we evaluated the variations of Δ A L with SSI changes based on the mathematical estimation model. Results: We found that AL was closely associated with A L M o r g a n (r = 0.91, t = 33.8, p < 0.001) with good consistency and SER was negatively associated with Δ A L (r = -0.89, t = -30.7, p < 0.001). The association of SSI with AL, A L e m m e t r o p i a , and Δ A L can be summarized using the following equations: A L = 27.7 - 2.04 × S S I , A L e m m e t r o p i a = 23.2 + 0.561 × S S I , and Δ A L = 4.52 - 2.6 × S S I . In adjusted models, SSI was negatively associated with AL (Model 1: β = -2.01, p < 0.001) and Δ A L (Model 3: β = -2.49, p < 0.001) but positively associated with A L e m m e t r o p i a (Model 2: β = 0.48, p < 0.05). In addition, SSI was negatively associated with Δ A L among subjects with AL ≥ 26 mm (β = -1.36, p = 0.02). Conclusion: AL increased with decreasing SSI in myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ren
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhe Chu
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Su
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao, China
- School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Wu,
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Li S, Pang K, Zhu S, Pate K, Yin J. Perfluorodecalin-based oxygenated emulsion as a topical treatment for chemical burn to the eye. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7371. [PMID: 36450767 PMCID: PMC9712419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35241-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical injuries to the eye are emergencies with limited acute treatment options other than prompt irrigation and can cause permanent vision loss. We developed a perfluorodecalin-based supersaturated oxygen emulsion (SSOE) to topically deliver high concentration of oxygen to the eye. SSOE is manufactured in hyperbaric conditions and stored in a ready-to-use canister. Upon dispensation, SSOE rapidly raises partial oxygen pressure 3 times over atmospheric level. SSOE is biocompatible with human corneal cells and safe on mouse eyes in vivo. A single topical application of SSOE to the eye after alkali injury significantly promotes corneal epithelial wound healing, decreases anterior chamber exudation, and reduces optical opacity and cataract formation in mice. SSOE treatment reduces intraocular hypoxia, cell death, leukocyte infiltration, production of inflammatory mediators, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha signaling, thus hastening recovery of normal tissue integrity during the wound healing process. Here, we show that SSOE is an effective topical therapeutic in the acute treatment of ocular chemical injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanming Li
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kunpeng Pang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shuyan Zhu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Jia Yin
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA.
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Nioi M, Napoli PE, Demontis R, Chighine A, De-Giorgio F, Grassi S, Scorcia V, Fossarello M, d’Aloja E. The Influence of Eyelid Position and Environmental Conditions on the Corneal Changes in Early Postmortem Interval: A Prospective, Multicentric OCT Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092169. [PMID: 36140570 PMCID: PMC9497849 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current study, using portable optical coherence tomography, we evaluated 46 corneas of 23 individuals in a multicenter setting during the first 17 h after death. Twenty-three eyes were kept open, and twenty three were kept closed. Furthermore, the experiment was carried out for 12 samples in summer and 11 in winter. Our data show that postmortem corneal alterations largely depend on the phenomena of dehydration (in particular in open eyes) and swelling of the stroma in closed eyes, probably due in the first phase to hypoxia/anoxia and subsequently to the passage by osmosis of the aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the corneal tissue. Our findings could have significant repercussions in forensic pathology for estimating the postmortem interval and transplantation to optimize the conservation of the tissue before the explant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Nioi
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.N.); (P.E.N.)
| | - Pietro Emanuele Napoli
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.N.); (P.E.N.)
| | - Roberto Demontis
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Chighine
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Legal Medicine, Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Grassi
- Legal Medicine, Department of Health Surveillance and Bioethics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Section of Forensic Medical Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Scorcia
- Department of Ophthalmology, University ‘Magna Græcia’ of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fossarello
- Eye Clinic, Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ernesto d’Aloja
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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15
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Gavrylyak IV. PROTEIN MARKERS OF HYPOXIA AND ANGIOGENESIS IN TEAR FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC CORNEAL INJURY. BIOTECHNOLOGIA ACTA 2022. [DOI: 10.15407/biotech15.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate tear levels of some protein endpoints that can reflect intensities of hypoxia, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling in wounded cornea. Methods. We examined 21 patients (21 eyes) with nonpenetrating corneal injuries. The patients underwent standard ophthalmological examination including previous history and ocular symptoms, visual acuity test, complete anterior and posterior eye segments examination using slit lamp biomicroscopy, evaluation of corneal staining with fluorescein, ophthalmoscopy. Healthy volunteers (n = 10) served as a control. Tear fluid was collected from patients and control volunteers with the use of a disposable tip micropipette. From the lower arch of the conjunctiva without instillation of anesthetic, tears were collected in a sterile plastic Eppendorf tube and frozen at -20 oC before laboratory examination. Proteins of tear fluids were separated by SDS-PAGE (loading 50 µg total protein per track). Then, levels of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiostatins were measured by western blot. Active MMP-9 levels were evaluated by gelatin zymography. The results of blot and zymography assays were processed by densitometric software and then analyzed statistically with the use of Mann-Whitney U-test. Results. Elevated HIF-1α (P<0.001) and angiostatins (P<0.05) levels were revealed by western blot in tear fluid samples collected from patients with injured cornea in comparison with the control group. It is noteworthy that extremely low amounts of VEGF were detected in tear fluid from injured eyes, in spite of abundance of its transcription inducer HIF-1α. Dramatically increased levels of active MMP-9 were found in the tear fluids of patients with corneal wounds, while no significant collagenolytic activity was observed in tears from healthy eyes. There is a strong correlation between extent of corneal lesions and changes in markers expression. Conclusions. Tear levels of HIF-1α and angiostatin as well as MMP-9 activity could represent valuable biomarkers of corneal injury severity in traumatic eye.
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Zhu S, Shan H, Li J, Pan L, Wang S, Zhu J, Guo H, Mi F, Wu X, Yin J, Pang K. Therapeutic potential of topical administration of acriflavine against hypoxia-inducible factors for corneal fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:996635. [PMID: 36339559 PMCID: PMC9634531 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.996635] [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: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transdifferentiation of keratocytes into fibroblasts or further into myofibroblasts, which produced denser and more disorganized extracellular matrix, is the major cause of corneal fibrosis and scarring, leading to corneal blindness. TGF-β1 is the critical cytokine for the myofibroblast's transdifferentiation and survival. Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) was found to play an important role in promoting fibrosis in lung, kidney, and dermal tissues recently. Our preliminary study demonstrated that topical administration of the acriflavine (ACF), a drug inhibiting HIF dimerization, delayed corneal opacity and neovascularization after the alkali burn. To know whether ACF could prevent corneal fibrosis and improve corneal transparency, we created a mouse mechanical corneal injury model and found that topical administration of ACF significantly inhibited corneal fibrosis at day 14 post-injury. The reduction of myofibroblast marker α-SMA, and fibronectin, one of the disorganized extracellular matrix molecules, in the corneal stroma were confirmed by the examination of immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Furthermore, the ACF inhibited the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin in both TGF-β1 stimulated or unstimulated fibroblasts in vitro. This effect was based on the inhibition of HIF signal pathways since the levels of the HIF-1α downstream genes including Slc2a1, Bnip3 and VEGFA were downregulated. To our knowledge, this is the first time to implicate that HIFs might be a new treatment target for controlling corneal fibrosis in mechanical corneal injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Zhu
- Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Shanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an, Shanxi, China
| | - Huimin Shan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianqiao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lijie Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shudan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fenghua Mi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xinyi Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jia Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kunpeng Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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