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Pereiro X, Ruzafa N, Azkargorta M, Elortza F, Acera A, Ambrósio AF, Santiago AR, Vecino E. Müller glial cells located in the peripheral retina are more susceptible to high pressure: implications for glaucoma. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:5. [PMID: 38183095 PMCID: PMC10770903 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01186-1] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glaucoma, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. This study aims to elucidate the critical role of Müller glia (MG) in the context of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, particularly focusing on the influence of peripheral MG sensitivity to high pressure (HP). METHODS Co-cultures of porcine RGCs with MG were isolated from both the central and peripheral regions of pig retinas and subjected to both normal and HP conditions. Mass spectrometry analysis of the MG-conditioned medium was conducted to identify the proteins released by MG under all conditions. RESULTS Peripheral MG were found to secrete a higher quantity of neuroprotective factors, effectively promoting RGC survival under normal physiological conditions. However, under HP conditions, co-cultures with peripheral MG exhibited impaired RGC survival. Moreover, under HP conditions, peripheral MG significantly upregulated the secretion of proteins associated with apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS This study provides robust evidence suggesting the involvement of MG in RGC death in glaucoma, thus paving the way for future therapeutic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xandra Pereiro
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Noelia Ruzafa
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Mikel Azkargorta
- Proteomics Platform, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIBERehdProteoRed-ISCIII, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Félix Elortza
- Proteomics Platform, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIBERehdProteoRed-ISCIII, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Arantxa Acera
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Santiago
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elena Vecino
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain.
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Pfeiffer RL, Marc RE, Jones BW. Müller Cell Metabolic Signatures: Evolutionary Conservation and Disruption in Disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2020; 31:320-329. [PMID: 32187524 PMCID: PMC7188339 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Müller cells are glia that play important regulatory roles in retinal metabolism. These roles have been evolutionarily conserved across at least 300 million years. Müller cells have a tightly locked metabolic signature in the healthy retina, which rapidly degrades in response to insult and disease. This variation in metabolic signature occurs in a chaotic fashion, involving some central metabolic pathways. The cause of this divergence of Müller cells, from a single class with a unique metabolic signature to numerous separable metabolic classes, is currently unknown and illuminates potential alternative metabolic pathways that may be revealed in disease. Understanding the impacts of this heterogeneity on degenerate retinas and the implications for the metabolic support of surrounding neurons will be critical to long-term integration of retinal therapeutics for the restoration of visual perception following photoreceptor degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Pfeiffer
- Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. *
| | - Robert E Marc
- Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Signature Immunologics, Torrey, UT, USA
| | - Bryan W Jones
- Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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Ríos H, Paganelli AR, Fosser NS. The role of PDLIM1, a PDZ-LIM domain protein, at the ribbon synapses in the chicken retina. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:1820-1832. [PMID: 31930728 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PDLIM's protein family is involved in the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. In the present study, we describe the localization of PDLIM1 in chicken photoreceptors. This study provides evidence that this protein is present at the cone pedicles, as well as in other synapses of the chicken retina. Here, we demonstrate the expression pattern of PDLIM1 through immunofluorescence staining, immunoblots, subcellular fractionation, and immunoprecipitation experiments. Also, we consider the possibility that PDLIM1 may be involved in the synaptic vesicle endocytosis and/or the presynaptic trafficking of synaptic vesicles back to the nonready releasable pool. This endocytotic/exocytotic coupling requires a tight link between exocytic vesicle fusion at defined release sites and endocytic retrieval of synaptic vesicle membranes. In turn, photoreceptor ribbon synaptic structure depends on the cytoskeleton arrangement, both at the active zone-related with exocytosis-as well as at the endocytic zone-periactive zone. To our knowledge, the PDLIM1 protein has not been observed in the pre synapses of the retina. Thus, the present study describes the expression and subcellular localization of PDLIM1 for the first time, as well as its modulation by visual environment in the chicken retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Ríos
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, I° U.A. Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra R Paganelli
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, I° U.A. Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias "Prof. E. De Robertis" (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás S Fosser
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, I° U.A. Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Menon M, Mohammadi S, Davila-Velderrain J, Goods BA, Cadwell TD, Xing Y, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Shalek AK, Love JC, Kellis M, Hafler BP. Single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the human retina identifies cell types associated with age-related macular degeneration. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4902. [PMID: 31653841 PMCID: PMC6814749 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12780-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly. However, it has been challenging to identify the cell types associated with AMD given the genetic complexity of the disease. Here we perform massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of human retinas using two independent platforms, and report the first single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the human retina. Using a multi-resolution network-based analysis, we identify all major retinal cell types, and their corresponding gene expression signatures. Heterogeneity is observed within macroglia, suggesting that human retinal glia are more diverse than previously thought. Finally, GWAS-based enrichment analysis identifies glia, vascular cells, and cone photoreceptors to be associated with the risk of AMD. These data provide a detailed analysis of the human retina, and show how scRNA-seq can provide insight into cell types involved in complex, inflammatory genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhvi Menon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shahin Mohammadi
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jose Davila-Velderrain
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Brittany A Goods
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Tanina D Cadwell
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yu Xing
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Alex K Shalek
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - John Christopher Love
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Brian P Hafler
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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5
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Fyn kinase genetic ablation causes structural abnormalities in mature retina and defective Müller cell function. Mol Cell Neurosci 2016; 72:91-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Hu X, Yuan Y, Wang D, Su Z. Heterogeneous astrocytes: Active players in CNS. Brain Res Bull 2016; 125:1-18. [PMID: 27021168 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the predominant cell type that are broadly distributed in the brain and spinal cord, play key roles in maintaining homeostasis of the central nerve system (CNS) in physiological and pathological conditions. Increasing evidence indicates that astrocytes are a complex colony with heterogeneity on morphology, gene expression, function and many other aspects depending on their spatio-temporal distribution and activation level. In pathological conditions, astrocytes differentially respond to all kinds of insults, including injury and disease, and participate in the neuropathological process. Based on current studies, we here give an overview of the roles of heterogeneous astrocytes in CNS, especially in neuropathologies, which focuses on biological and functional diversity of astrocytes. We propose that a precise understanding of the heterogeneous astrocytes is critical to unlocking the secrets about pathogenesis and treatment of the mazy CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- Institute of Neuroscience and Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology of Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience and Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology of Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology of Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhida Su
- Institute of Neuroscience and Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology of Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Liu B, Hunter DJ, Smith AA, Chen S, Helms JA. The capacity of neural crest-derived stem cells for ocular repair. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 102:299-308. [DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Department of Surgery School of Medicine; Stanford University; Stanford California
| | - Daniel J. Hunter
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Department of Surgery School of Medicine; Stanford University; Stanford California
| | - Andrew A. Smith
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Department of Surgery School of Medicine; Stanford University; Stanford California
| | - Serafine Chen
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Department of Surgery School of Medicine; Stanford University; Stanford California
| | - Jill A. Helms
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Department of Surgery School of Medicine; Stanford University; Stanford California
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9
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Gallina D, Zelinka C, Fischer AJ. Glucocorticoid receptors in the retina, Müller glia and the formation of Müller glia-derived progenitors. Development 2014; 141:3340-51. [PMID: 25085975 DOI: 10.1242/dev.109835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Identification of the signaling pathways that influence the reprogramming of Müller glia into neurogenic retinal progenitors is key to harnessing the potential of these cells to regenerate the retina. Glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) signaling is commonly associated with anti-inflammatory responses and GCR agonists are widely used to treat inflammatory diseases of the eye, even though the cellular targets and mechanisms of action in the retina are not well understood. We find that signaling through GCR has a significant impact upon the ability of Müller glia to become proliferating Müller glia-derived progenitor cells (MGPCs). The primary amino acid sequence and pattern of GCR expression in the retina is highly conserved across vertebrate species, including chickens, mice, guinea pigs, dogs and humans. In all of these species we find GCR expressed by the Müller glia. In the chick retina, we find that GCR is expressed by progenitors in the circumferential marginal zone (CMZ) and is upregulated by Müller glia in acutely damaged retinas. Activation of GCR signaling inhibits the formation of MGPCs and antagonizes FGF2/MAPK signaling in the Müller glia. By contrast, we find that inhibition of GCR signaling stimulates the formation of proliferating MGPCs in damaged retinas, and enhances the neuronal differentiation while diminishing glial differentiation. Given the conserved expression pattern of GCR in different vertebrate retinas, we propose that the functions and mechanisms of GCR signaling are highly conserved and are mediated through the Müller glia. We conclude that GCR signaling directly inhibits the formation of MGPCs, at least in part, by interfering with FGF2/MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donika Gallina
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 4190 Graves Hall, 333 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher Zelinka
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 4190 Graves Hall, 333 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andy J Fischer
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 4190 Graves Hall, 333 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Quesada A, Aguilera Y, Caparrós R, Prada FA, Santano C, López-López R, Prada C. Myelin oligodendrocyte-specific protein is expressed in Müller cells of myelinated vertebrate retinas. J Neurosci Res 2011; 89:674-88. [PMID: 21337368 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The retina of nonmammalian vertebrates has a loose myelin that enwraps the large axons of the ganglion cells in all areas, whereas that of mammals lacks myelin, with some exceptions, such as the rabbit retina, which shows compact myelin restricted to the myelinated streak. Electron microscopy studies in chicken retina showed processes of Müller cells (MCs) and oligodendrocytes enwrapping ganglion cell axons. How each of these cells contributes to chicken retina myelination and whether the MC of other myelinated retinas is involved in myelination remain unknown. By immunohistochemistry, with a monoclonal antibody against myelin oligodendrocyte-specific protein (MOSP), we show that MOSP is intensely expressed in the MC and the optic-fiber layer (OFL) in myelinated but not in unmyelinated retinas. By immunocytochemistry with isolated MCs from the chick and rabbit retinas, we show that MOSP is concentrated in the innermost domain of the vitread processes. By immunoblotting, we show that protein extracts from myelinated retinas, but not those from unmyelinated retinas, presented a single band labelled with anti-MOSP of molecular weight similar to that of brain MOSP. In addition, we show that the MC of the embryonic chicken retina starts to express MOSP just before myelination starts. Our results agree with those of electron microscopy studies showing myelin in chick retina formed by MC processes and with those of immunohistochemistry studies in rabbit and human retinas showing expression of other myelin molecules in the MC. Altogether, our results suggest that the MC in myelinated retinas might contribute MOSP to myelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Quesada
- Departamento de Anatomía e Instituto de Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Notch signaling influences neuroprotective and proliferative properties of mature Müller glia. J Neurosci 2010; 30:3101-12. [PMID: 20181607 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4919-09.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is known to play important roles during retinal development. Recently, Notch signaling has been shown to be active in proliferating Müller glia in acutely damaged chick retina (Hayes et al., 2007). However, the roles of Notch in mature, undamaged retina remain unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of the Notch-signaling pathway in the postnatal retina. Here we show that components of the Notch-signaling pathway are expressed in most Müller glia at low levels in undamaged retina. The expression of Notch-related genes varies during early postnatal development and across regions, with higher expression in peripheral versus central retina. Blockade of Notch activity with a small molecule inhibitor before damage was protective to retinal interneurons (amacrine and bipolar cells) and projection neurons (ganglion cells). In the absence of damage, Notch is upregulated in retinas treated with insulin and FGF2; the combination of these factors is known to stimulate the proliferation and dedifferentiation of Müller glia (Fischer et al., 2002b). Inhibition of Notch signaling during FGF2 treatment reduces levels of the downstream effectors of the MAPK-signaling pathway-p38 MAPK and pCREB in Müller glia. Further, inhibition of Notch activity potently inhibits FGF2-induced proliferation of Müller glia. Together, our data indicate that Notch signaling is downstream of, and is required for, FGF2/MAPK signaling to drive the proliferation of Müller glia. In addition, our data suggest that low levels of Notch signaling in Müller glia diminish the neuroprotective activities of these glial cells.
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Doh ST, Hao H, Loh SC, Patel T, Tawil HY, Chen DK, Pashkova A, Shen A, Wang H, Cai L. Analysis of retinal cell development in chick embryo by immunohistochemistry and in ovo electroporation techniques. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2010; 10:8. [PMID: 20089190 PMCID: PMC2822752 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-10-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 01/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Retinal cell development has been extensively investigated; however, the current knowledge of dynamic morphological and molecular changes is not yet complete. Results This study was aimed at revealing the dynamic morphological and molecular changes in retinal cell development during the embryonic stages using a new method of targeted retinal injection, in ovo electroporation, and immunohistochemistry techniques. A plasmid DNA that expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a marker was delivered into the sub-retinal space to transfect the chick retinal stem/progenitor cells at embryonic day 3 (E3) or E4 with the aid of pulses of electric current. The transfected retinal tissues were analyzed at various stages during chick development from near the start of neurogenesis at E4 to near the end of neurogenesis at E18. The expression of GFP allowed for clear visualization of cell morphologies and retinal laminar locations for the indication of retinal cell identity. Immunohistochemistry using cell type-specific markers (e.g., Visinin, Xap-1, Lim1+2, Pkcα, NeuN, Pax6, Brn3a, Vimentin, etc.) allowed further confirmation of retinal cell types. The composition of retinal cell types was then determined over time by counting the number of GFP-expressing cells observed with morphological characteristics specific to the various retinal cell types. Conclusion The new method of retinal injection and electroporation at E3 - E4 allows the visualization of all retinal cell types, including the late-born neurons, e.g., bipolar cells at a level of single cells, which has been difficult with a conventional method with injection and electroporation at E1.5. Based on data collected from analyses of cell morphology, laminar locations in the retina, immunohistochemistry, and cell counts of GFP-expressing cells, the time-line and dynamic morphological and molecular changes of retinal cell development were determined. These data provide more complete information on retinal cell development, and they can serve as a reference for the investigations in normal retinal development and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Tae Doh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Fischer AJ, Scott MA, Ritchey ER, Sherwood P. Mitogen-activated protein kinase-signaling regulates the ability of Müller glia to proliferate and protect retinal neurons against excitotoxicity. Glia 2009; 57:1538-52. [PMID: 19306360 PMCID: PMC2775435 DOI: 10.1002/glia.20868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether insulin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways protect retinal neurons against excitotoxicity and regulate the proliferation of Müller glia. We found that intraocular injections of insulin or FGF2 had variable effects upon the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and CREB, and the expression of immediate early genes, cFos and Egr1. Accumulations of pERK1/2, p38 MAPK, pCREB, cFos and Egr1 in response to insulin or FGF2 were confined to Müller glia, whereas retinal neurons did not seem to respond to growth factors. Unlike FGF2, insulin stimulated microglia-like cells to upregulate the intermediate filament transitin and lysosomal membrane glycoprotein (LMG). With microglia-like cells and Müller glia stimulated by insulin or FGF2 there were profound effects upon numbers of dying neurons in response to excitotoxic damage. Although FGF2 significantly reduced numbers of dying neurons, insulin significantly increased numbers of dying neurons. In addition to neuroprotective affects, FGF2 also "primed" the Müller glia to proliferate following retinal damage, whereas insulin had no effect upon glial proliferation. Further, we found that FGF receptor isoform 1 (FGFR1) and FGFR3 were prominently expressed in the retina, whereas the insulin receptor and FGFR2 are not expressed, or are expressed at very low levels. We conclude that MAPK-signaling through FGF receptors stimulates Müller glia to become more neuroprotective and progenitor-like, whereas insulin acting on Müller and microglia-like cells through unidentified receptors had the opposite effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy J Fischer
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1239, USA.
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Llorente R, Llorente-Berzal A, Petrosino S, Marco EM, Guaza C, Prada C, López-Gallardo M, Di Marzo V, Viveros MP. Gender-dependent cellular and biochemical effects of maternal deprivation on the hippocampus of neonatal rats: a possible role for the endocannabinoid system. Dev Neurobiol 2009; 68:1334-47. [PMID: 18666205 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Adult animals submitted to a single prolonged episode of maternal deprivation (MD) [24 h, postnatal days (PND) 9-10] show behavioral alterations that resemble specific symptoms of schizophrenia. These behavioral impairments may be related to neuronal loss in the hippocampus triggered by elevated glucocorticoids. Furthermore, our previous data suggested functional relationships between MD stress and the endocannabinoid system. In this study, we addressed the effects of MD on hippocampal glial cells and the possible relationship with changes in plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels. In addition, we investigated the putative involvement of the endocannabinoid system by evaluating (a) the effects of MD on hippocampal levels of endocannabinoids (b) The modulation of MD effects by two inhibitors of endocannabinoids inactivation, the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor N-arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), and the endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitor, OMDM-2. Drug treatments were administered once daily from PND 7 to PND 12 at a dose of 5 mg/kg, and the animals were sacrificed at PND 13. MD induced increased CORT levels in both genders. MD males also showed an increased number of astrocytes in CA1 and CA3 areas and a significant increase in hippocampal 2-arachidonoylglycerol. The cannabinoid compounds reversed the endocrine and cellular effects of maternal deprivation. We provide direct evidence for gender-dependent cellular and biochemical effects of MD on developmental hippocampus, including changes in the endocannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Llorente
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Early maternal deprivation in rats induces gender‐dependent effects on developing hippocampal and cerebellar cells. Int J Dev Neurosci 2009; 27:233-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2008] [Revised: 12/31/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Pérez-Alvarez MJ, Isiegas C, Santano C, Salazar JJ, Ramírez AI, Triviño A, Ramírez JM, Albar JP, de la Rosa EJ, Prada C. Vimentin isoform expression in the human retina characterized with the monoclonal antibody 3CB2. J Neurosci Res 2008; 86:1871-83. [PMID: 18241054 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody 3CB2 (3CB2-Ag and 3CB2 mAb) is expressed by radial glia and astrocytes in the developing and adult vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates as well as in neural stem cells. Here we identified the 3CB2-Ag as vimentin by proteomic analysis of human glial cell line U-87 extracts (derived from a malignant astrocytoma). Indeed, the 3CB2 mAb recognized three vimentin isoforms in glial cell lines. In the human retina, 3CB2-Ag was expressed in Müller cells, astrocytes, some blood vessels, and cells in the horizontal cell layer, as determined by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. Three populations of astrocytes were distinguishable by double-labeling immunohistochemistry: vimentin+/GFAP+, vimentin-/GFAP+, and vimentin+/GFAP-. Hence, we conclude that 1) the 3CB2-Ag is vimentin; 2) vimentin isoforms are differentially expressed in normal and transformed astrocytes; 3) human retinal astrocytes display molecular heterogeneity; and 4) the 3CB2 mAb is a valuable tool to study vimentin expression and its function in the human retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Pérez-Alvarez
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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17
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López-Gallardo M, Llorente R, Llorente-Berzal A, Marco E, Prada C, Di Marzo V, Viveros M. Neuronal and glial alterations in the cerebellar cortex of maternally deprived rats: Gender differences and modulatory effects of two inhibitors of endocannabinoid inactivation. Dev Neurobiol 2008; 68:1429-40. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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18
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Roesch K, Jadhav AP, Trimarchi JM, Stadler MB, Roska B, Sun BB, Cepko CL. The transcriptome of retinal Müller glial cells. J Comp Neurol 2008; 509:225-38. [PMID: 18465787 PMCID: PMC2665263 DOI: 10.1002/cne.21730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Müller glial cells are the major type of glia in the mammalian retina. To identify the molecular machinery that defines Müller glial cell identity and function, single cell gene expression profiling was performed on Affymetrix microarrays. Identification of a cluster of genes expressed at high levels suggests a Müller glia core transcriptome, which likely underlies many of the functions of Müller glia. Expression of components of the cell cycle machinery and the Notch pathway, as well as of growth factors, chemokines, and lipoproteins might allow communication between Müller glial cells and the neurons that they support, including modulation of neuronal activity. This approach revealed a set of transcripts that were not previously characterized in (Müller) glia; validation of the expression of some of these genes was performed by in situ hybridization. Genes expressed exclusively by Müller glia were identified as novel markers. In addition, a novel BAC transgenic mouse that expresses Cre in Müller glia cells was generated. The molecular fingerprint of Müller glia provides a foundation for further studies of Müller glia development and function in normal and diseased states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Roesch
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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19
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López-López R, López-Gallardo M, Pérez-Alvarez MJ, Prada C. Isolation of chick retina cones and study of their diversity based on oil droplet colour and nucleus position. Cell Tissue Res 2008; 332:13-24. [PMID: 18266011 PMCID: PMC2668567 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-007-0572-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2007] [Accepted: 12/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The chick retina has four morphological cone types that differ not only in shape, but also in the visual pigment in the outer segment, in the colour of the oil droplet in the inner segment and in synaptic connectivity. Neither the type of droplet nor the visual pigment has been definitively established for the four cone types. The main aim of the present work has been the isolation of entire live photoreceptors in order to study the oil droplet colour in each cone type and to quantify each type. We have improved an earlier retinal cell isolation method and obtained large numbers of entire cones. Principal cones (27% of the cones) possess a yellow or colourless droplet. Accessory cones (27% of the cones) all contain a small pale green droplet. Straight cones (44% of the cones) have a red, orange, yellow, or colourless droplet. Oblique cones (1.66% of the cones) all have a colourless droplet. We have found that straight cones with a red, orange, or yellow droplet differ in terms of the position of the nucleus and their percentage and conclude that they are distributed in three rows in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the central retina. Our study of 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-stained retinal sections has revealed three rows of nuclei instead of the two currently thought to form the ONL. Together, our results show a larger cone diversity than previously known, suggest a larger functional diversity and provide an efficient method for isolating entire chick photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R López-López
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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20
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López R, López-Gallardo M, Busturia I, Anezary L, Prada C. Spatial and temporal patterns of growth and differentiation of cone oil droplets in the chick retina. J Neurosci Res 2005; 79:401-11. [PMID: 15605374 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.20360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Avian cone photoreceptors have an oil droplet in the outer portion of their inner segment that acts as a long-pass cut-off filter between incident light and visual pigment. Chick cone droplets are mainly red, orange, yellow, green, and colorless, and the colors are due to three carotenoid pigments with characteristic absorption spectra. Little is known of the differentiation of this organelle, the natural marker of cones, and the little that is known is largely controversial. We used flat whole-mounts of fresh retinas to study the time and place of the appearance of droplets, their growth rates, the sequence of droplet color differentiation, and the spatial distribution of these colors. We show that droplet differentiation starts on embryonic Day 10 (E10) in a relatively small area above the optic nerve head. The differentiation spreads to the rest of the retina in a manner similar to that of photoreceptor neurogenesis, with three decreasing gradients of droplet size and color between E13-E20: from central to peripheral, dorsal to ventral, and temporal to nasal. The rate of growth of the droplets was not constant, but showed a maximum between E17 and postnatal Day 1 (P1) in most of the retinal zones. Color differentiation started at E16-E17, 5-6 days after their appearance, when the droplets were already of considerable size. Initially, all droplets were colorless, and then turned pale green or yellow to acquire progressively the mature colors. Differentiation ended in the whole retina by P15, with ventral droplets of larger diameter than dorsal ones, the peripheral ones generally larger than the central ones, and with the color distribution varying with the retinal area. Our results show that growth and color differentiation of the droplets is regulated temporally and spatially, and the cones complete differentiation at P15 rather than at prenatal stages, as is thought generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario López
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Abstract
The possibility of neural regeneration has gained credence with the identification of neural stem cells seeded within different regions of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Recently, this possibility has received an additional boost from reports that glia, the support cells of the CNS, might provide a source of neural regeneration. We review some of our findings that Müller glia in the chicken retina are a source of proliferating progenitors that can generate neurons. These Müller cells are fully differentiated glial cells that serve functions ascribed to this cell type. In response to damage or exogenous growth factors, Müller glia dedifferentiate, proliferate, express combinations of transcription factors normally expressed by embryonic retinal progenitors, and produce new neurons and glia. In light of these data, the potential of Müller glia as a source of neural regeneration in the retina of nonavian species, namely humans, seems an avenue of investigation that warrants serious consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy J Fischer
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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