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Tsissios G, Sallese A, Perez-Estrada JR, Tangeman JA, Chen W, Smucker B, Ratvasky SC, Grajales-Esquivel E, Martinez A, Visser KJ, Joven Araus A, Wang H, Simon A, Yun MH, Del Rio-Tsonis K. Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:141. [PMID: 38745238 PMCID: PMC11094960 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03740-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that macrophages are present during lens regeneration in newts, but their role in the process is yet to be elucidated. METHODS Here we generated a transgenic reporter line using the newt, Pleurodeles waltl, that traces macrophages during lens regeneration. Furthermore, we assessed early changes in gene expression during lens regeneration using two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Finally, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages during lens regeneration in both species and tested the effect of a subsequent secondary injury after macrophage recovery. RESULTS Macrophage depletion abrogated lens regeneration, induced the formation of scar-like tissue, led to inflammation, decreased iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation, and increased rates of apoptosis in the eye. Some of these phenotypes persisted throughout the last observation period of 100 days and could be attenuated by exogenous FGF2 administration. A distinct transcript profile encoding acute inflammatory effectors was established for the dorsal iris. Reinjury of the newt eye alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion, including the resolution of scar-like tissue, and re-initiated the regeneration process. CONCLUSIONS Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages for facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye by regulating fibrotic responses, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape, and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis of the iPECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tsissios
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Anthony Sallese
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - J Raul Perez-Estrada
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Jared A Tangeman
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Weihao Chen
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Byran Smucker
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Sophia C Ratvasky
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Erika Grajales-Esquivel
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Arielle Martinez
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly J Visser
- CRTD/ Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alberto Joven Araus
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - András Simon
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maximina H Yun
- CRTD/ Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katia Del Rio-Tsonis
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
- Center for Visual Sciences at, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
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2
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O'Neill LM, Wang Y, Duncan MK. Modeling Cataract Surgery in Mice. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/66050. [PMID: 38108456 PMCID: PMC10981495 DOI: 10.3791/66050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cataract surgery (CS) is an effective treatment for cataracts, a major cause of visual disability worldwide. However, CS leads to ocular inflammation, and in the long term, it can result in posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and/or lens dislocation driven by the post-surgical overgrowth of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and their conversion to myofibroblasts and/or aberrant fiber cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CS results in inflammation and PCO are still obscure because most in vitro models do not recapitulate the wound healing response of LECs seen in vivo, while traditional animal models of cataract surgery, such as rabbits, do not allow the genetic manipulation of gene expression to test mechanisms. Recently, our laboratory and others have successfully used genetically modified mice to study the molecular mechanisms that drive the induction of proinflammatory signaling and LEC epithelial to mesenchymal transition, leading to new insight into PCO pathogenesis. Here, we report the established protocol for modeling cataract surgery in mice, which allows for robust transcriptional profiling of the response of LECs to lens fiber cell removal via RNAseq, the evaluation of protein expression by semi-quantitative immunofluorescence, and the use of modern mouse genetics tools to test the function of genes that are hypothesized to participate in the pathogenesis of acute sequelae like inflammation as well as the later conversion of LECs to myofibroblasts and/or aberrant lens fiber cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M O'Neill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
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3
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Tsissios G, Sallese A, Perez-Estrada JR, Tangeman JA, Chen W, Smucker B, Ratvasky SC, Grajales-Esquive EL, Martinez A, Visser KJ, Araus AJ, Wang H, Simon A, Yun MH, Rio-Tsonis KD. Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3603645. [PMID: 38045376 PMCID: PMC10690311 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3603645/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Previous studies indicated that macrophages play a role during lens regeneration in newts, but their function has not been tested experimentally. Methods Here we generated a transgenic newt reporter line in which macrophages can be visualized in vivo. Using this new tool, we analyzed the location of macrophages during lens regeneration. We uncovered early gene expression changes using bulk RNAseq in two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Next, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages, which inhibited lens regeneration in both newt species. Results Macrophage depletion induced the formation of scar-like tissue, an increased and sustained inflammatory response, an early decrease in iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation and a late increase in apoptosis. Some of these phenotypes persisted for at least 100 days and could be rescued by exogenous FGF2. Re-injury alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion and re-started the regeneration process. Conclusions Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages in facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye, helping to resolve fibrosis, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maximina H Yun
- Dresden University of Technology: Technische Universitat Dresden
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4
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Tsissios G, Sallese A, Chen W, Miller A, Wang H, Del Rio-Tsonis K. In Vivo and Ex Vivo View of Newt Lens Regeneration. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2562:197-208. [PMID: 36272077 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2659-7_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lens regeneration in the adult newt illustrates a unique example of naturally occurring cell transdifferentiation. During this process, iris pigmented epithelial cells (iPECs) reprogram into a lens, a tissue that is derived from a different embryonic source. Several methodologies both in vivo and in culture have been utilized over the years to observe this phenomenon. Most recently, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been identified as an effective tool to study the lens regeneration process in continuity through noninvasive, real-time imaging of the same animal. Described in this chapter are three different methodologies that can be used to observe the newt lens regeneration process both in vivo and ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tsissios
- Department of Biology Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Anthony Sallese
- Department of Biology Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Weihao Chen
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Alyssa Miller
- Department of Biology Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Katia Del Rio-Tsonis
- Department of Biology Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
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5
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Zebrowitz E, Aslanukov A, Kajikawa T, Bedelbaeva K, Bollinger S, Zhang Y, Sarfatti D, Cheng J, Messersmith PB, Hajishengallis G, Heber-Katz E. Prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor-induced regeneration of alveolar bone and soft tissue in a mouse model of periodontitis through metabolic reprogramming. FRONTIERS IN DENTAL MEDICINE 2022; 3:992722. [PMID: 37641630 PMCID: PMC10462383 DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2022.992722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone injuries and fractures reliably heal through a process of regeneration with restoration to original structure and function when the gap between adjacent sides of a fracture site is small. However, when there is significant volumetric loss of bone, bone regeneration usually does not occur. In the present studies, we explore a particular case of volumetric bone loss in a mouse model of human periodontal disease (PD) in which alveolar bone surrounding teeth is permanently lost and not replaced. This model employs the placement a ligature around the upper second molar for 10 days leading to inflammation and bone breakdown and faithfully replicates the bacterially-induced inflammatory etiology of human PD to induce bone degeneration. After ligature removal, mice are treated with a timed-release formulation of a small molecule inhibitor of prolylhydroxylases (PHDi; 1,4-DPCA) previously shown to induce epimorphic regeneration of soft tissue in non-regenerating mice. This PHDi induces high expression of HIF-1α and is able to shift the metabolic state from OXPHOS to aerobic glycolysis, an energetic state used by stem cells and embryonic tissue. This regenerative response was completely blocked by siHIF1a. In these studies, we show that timed-release 1,4-DPCA rapidly and completely restores PD-affected bone and soft tissue with normal anatomic fidelity and with increased stem cell markers due to site-specific stem cell migration and/or de-differentiation of local tissue, periodontal ligament (PDL) cell proliferation, and increased vascularization. In-vitro studies using gingival tissue show that 1,4-DPCA indeed induces de-differentiation and the expression of stem cell markers but does not exclude the role of migrating stem cells. Evidence of metabolic reprogramming is seen by the expression of not only HIF-1a, its gene targets, and resultant de-differentiation markers, but also the metabolic genes Glut-1, Gapdh, Pdk1, Pgk1 and Ldh-a in jaw periodontal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan Zebrowitz
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Current address: New York Medical College, 40 Sunshine Cottage Rd, Valhalla New York, United States of America
| | - Azamat Aslanukov
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tetsuhiro Kajikawa
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kamila Bedelbaeva
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sam Bollinger
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Current address: Cancer Biology Graduate Group, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Yong Zhang
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Current address: Rockland Immunochemicals, Inc., Limerick, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David Sarfatti
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jing Cheng
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Current address: Alcon Laboratories, 11460 Johns Creek Pkwy, Duluth, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Phillip B. Messersmith
- Department of Bioengineering and Materials Science and Engineering, UC Berkeley, Berkeley California, United States of America
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - George Hajishengallis
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ellen Heber-Katz
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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6
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Kumar B, Reilly MA. The Development, Growth, and Regeneration of the Crystalline Lens: A Review. Curr Eye Res 2019; 45:313-326. [DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2019.1681003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - M. A. Reilly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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7
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Vergara MN, Tsissios G, Del Rio-Tsonis K. Lens regeneration: a historical perspective. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 62:351-361. [PMID: 29877565 PMCID: PMC6378223 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.180084nv] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The idea of regenerating injured body parts has captivated human imagination for centuries, and the topic still remains an area of extensive scientific research. This review focuses on the process of lens regeneration: its history, our current knowledge, and the questions that remain unanswered. By highlighting some of the milestones that have shaped our understanding of this phenomenon and the contributions of scientists who have dedicated their lives to investigating these questions, we explore how regeneration enquiry evolved into the science it is today, and how technological advances accelerated our understanding of these remarkable processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Natalia Vergara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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8
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González-Martín-Moro J, Hernández-Verdejo JL, Jiménez-Gahete AE. Surprising characteristics of visual systems of invertebrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 92:19-28. [PMID: 27422478 DOI: 10.1016/j.oftal.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To communicate relevant and striking aspects about the visual system of some close invertebrates. MATERIAL AND METHODS Review of the related literature. RESULTS The capacity of snails to regenerate a complete eye, the benefit of the oval shape of the compound eye of many flying insects as a way of stabilising the image during flight, the potential advantages related to the extreme refractive error that characterises the ocelli of many insects, as well as the ability to detect polarised light as a navigation system, are some of the surprising capabilities present in the small invertebrate eyes that are described in this work. CONCLUSIONS The invertebrate eyes have capabilities and sensorial modalities that are not present in the human eye. The study of the eyes of these animals can help us to improve our understanding of our visual system, and inspire the development of optical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- J González-Martín-Moro
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario del Henares, Coslada, Madrid, España; Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, España.
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9
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Chera S, Herrera PL. Regeneration of pancreatic insulin-producing cells by in situ adaptive cell conversion. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2016; 40:1-10. [PMID: 27266969 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The impaired ability to produce or respond to insulin, a hormone synthetized by the pancreatic β-cells, leads to diabetes. There is an excruciating need of finding new approaches to protect or restore these cells once they are lost. Replacement and ex vivo directed reprogramming methods have an undeniable therapeutic potential, yet they exhibit crucial flaws. The in vivo conversion of adult cells to functional insulin-producing cells is a promising alternative for regenerative treatments in diabetes. The stunning natural transdifferentiation potential of the adult endocrine pancreas was recently uncovered. Modulating molecular targets involved in β-cell fate maintenance or in general differentiation mechanisms can further potentiate this intrinsic cell plasticity, which leads to insulin production reconstitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Chera
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 65, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Pedro L Herrera
- Department of Genetic Medicine & Development, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), and Centre facultaire du diabète, University of Geneva, 1 rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva-4, Switzerland.
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10
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Gearhart MD, Erickson JR, Walsh A, Echeverri K. Identification of Conserved and Novel MicroRNAs during Tail Regeneration in the Mexican Axolotl. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:22046-61. [PMID: 26378530 PMCID: PMC4613296 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160922046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mexican axolotl salamander (Ambystoma mexicanum) is one member of a select group of vertebrate animals that have retained the amazing ability to regenerate multiple body parts. In addition to being an important model system for regeneration, the axolotl has also contributed extensively to studies of basic development. While many genes known to play key roles during development have now been implicated in various forms of regeneration, much of the regulatory apparatus controlling the underlying molecular circuitry remains unknown. In recent years, microRNAs have been identified as key regulators of gene expression during development, in many diseases and also, increasingly, in regeneration. Here, we have used deep sequencing combined with qRT-PCR to undertake a comprehensive identification of microRNAs involved in regulating regeneration in the axolotl. Specifically, among the microRNAs that we have found to be expressed in axolotl tissues, we have identified 4564 microRNA families known to be widely conserved among vertebrates, as well as 59,811 reads of putative novel microRNAs. These findings support the hypothesis that microRNAs play key roles in managing the precise spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression that ensures the correct regeneration of missing tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah D Gearhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Jami R Erickson
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Andrew Walsh
- Cenix BioScience GmbH, Dresden 01307, Germany.
- Sitools Biotech GmbH, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany.
| | - Karen Echeverri
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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11
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Wassmer S, Beddaoui M, Rajai P, Munger R, Tsilfidis C. A focus on the optical properties of the regenerated newt lens. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70845. [PMID: 23990914 PMCID: PMC3750027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lens regeneration studies in the adult newt suggest that molecular aspects of lens regeneration are complete within 5 weeks of lentectomy. However, very little is known about the optical properties of the regenerated lens. In an aquatic environment, the lens accounts for almost all of the refractive power of the eye, and thus, a fully functional lens is critical. We compared the optical properties of 9- and 26-week regenerated lenses in the red spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, with the original lenses removed from the same eyes. At 9 weeks, the regenerated lenses are smaller than the original lenses and are histologically immature, with a lower density of lens proteins. The 9 week lenses have greater light transmission, but significantly reduced focal length and refractive index than the original lenses. This suggests that following 9 weeks of regeneration, the lenses have not recovered the functionality of the original lens. By 26 weeks, the transmission of light in the more mature lens is reduced, but the optical parameters of the lens have recovered enough to allow functional vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wassmer
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Vision Research Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret Beddaoui
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Vision Research Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Payman Rajai
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Vision Research Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Réjean Munger
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Vision Research Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Tsilfidis
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Vision Research Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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12
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Bruckskotten M, Looso M, Reinhardt R, Braun T, Borchardt T. Newt-omics: a comprehensive repository for omics data from the newt Notophthalmus viridescens. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:D895-900. [PMID: 22039101 PMCID: PMC3245081 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Notophthalmus viridescens, a member of the salamander family is an excellent model organism to study regenerative processes due to its unique ability to replace lost appendages and to repair internal organs. Molecular insights into regenerative events have been severely hampered by the lack of genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data, as well as an appropriate database to store such novel information. Here, we describe ‘Newt-omics’ (http://newt-omics.mpi-bn.mpg.de), a database, which enables researchers to locate, retrieve and store data sets dedicated to the molecular characterization of newts. Newt-omics is a transcript-centred database, based on an Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) data set from the newt, covering ∼50 000 Sanger sequenced transcripts and a set of high-density microarray data, generated from regenerating hearts. Newt-omics also contains a large set of peptides identified by mass spectrometry, which was used to validate 13 810 ESTs as true protein coding. Newt-omics is open to implement additional high-throughput data sets without changing the database structure. Via a user-friendly interface Newt-omics allows access to a huge set of molecular data without the need for prior bioinformatical expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Bruckskotten
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Ludwigstrasse 43, D-61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
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13
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Fukui L, Henry JJ. FGF signaling is required for lens regeneration in Xenopus laevis. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2011; 221:137-45. [PMID: 21876116 PMCID: PMC3442785 DOI: 10.1086/bblv221n1p137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In species of the frog genus Xenopus, lens regeneration occurs through a process of transdifferentiation, in which cornea epithelial cells presumably undergo dedifferentiation and subsequently redifferentiate to form a new lens. Experimental studies have shown that the retina provides the key signal required to trigger this process once the original lens is removed. A previous study showed that addition of an exogenous fibroblast growth factor (i.e., FGF1 protein) could initiate transdifferentiation of cornea epithelial cells in culture. To determine the role of FGF signaling in X. laevis lens regeneration, we have examined the presence of specific FGFs and their receptors (FGFRs) during this process and evaluated the necessity of FGFR signaling. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses reveal that a number of FGF family members are expressed in cornea epithelium and retinal tissues both before and during the process of lens regeneration. Of these, FGF1, FGF8, and FGF9 are expressed principally in retinal tissue and not in the cornea epithelium. Hence, these ligands could represent key signaling factors originating from the retina that trigger regeneration. The results of experiments using an in vitro eye culture system and an FGFR inhibitor (SU5402) suggest that FGFR signaling is required for lens regeneration in Xenopus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fukui
- University of Illinois, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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14
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Abstract
Somatic cells that change from one mature phenotype to another exhibit the property of plasticity. It is increasingly clear that epithelial and endothelial cells enjoy some of this plasticity, which is easily demonstrated by studying the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Published reports from the literature typically rely on ad hoc criteria for determining EMT events; consequently, there is some uncertainty as to whether the same process occurs under different experimental conditions. As we discuss in this Personal Perspective, we believe that context and various changes in plasticity biomarkers can help identify at least three types of EMT and that using a collection of criteria for EMT increases the likelihood that everyone is studying the same phenomenon - namely, the transition of epithelial and endothelial cells to a motile phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zeisberg
- Division of Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
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15
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Krishnan K, Kathiresan T, Raman R, Rajini B, Dhople VM, Aggrawal RK, Sharma Y. Ubiquitous lens alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins accumulate in anuran cornea as corneal crystallins. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:18953-9. [PMID: 17452334 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m609275200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal epithelium is known to have high levels of some metabolic enzymes such as aldehyde dehydrogenase in mammals, gelsolin in zebrafish, and alpha-enolase in several species. Analogous to lens crystallins, these enzymes and proteins are referred to as corneal crystallins, although their precise function is not established in any species. Although it is known that after lentectomy, the outer cornea undergoes transdifferentiation to regenerate a lens only in anuran amphibians, major proteins expressed in an anuran cornea have not been identified. This study therefore aimed to identify the major corneal proteins in the Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus) and the Indian frog (Rana tigrina). Soluble proteins of toad and frog corneas were resolved on two-dimensional gels and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight. We report that anuran cornea is made up of the full complement of ubiquitous lens alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins, mainly localized in the corneal epithelium. In addition, some taxon-specific lens crystallins and novel proteins, such as alpha- or beta-enolase/tau-crystallin, were also identified. Our data present a unique case of the anuran cornea where the same crystallins are used in the lens and in the cornea, thus supporting the earlier idea that crystallins are essential for the visual functions of the cornea as they perform for the lens. High levels of lens alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins have not been reported in the cornea of any species studied so far and may offer a possible explanation for their inability to regenerate a lens after lentectomy. Our data that anuran cornea has an abundant quantity of almost all the lens crystallins are consistent with its ability to form a lens, and this connection is worthy of further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Krishnan
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, India
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