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Pitha I, Du L, Nguyen TD, Quigley H. IOP and glaucoma damage: The essential role of optic nerve head and retinal mechanosensors. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101232. [PMID: 38110030 PMCID: PMC10960268 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101232] [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] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
There are many unanswered questions on the relation of intraocular pressure to glaucoma development and progression. IOP itself cannot be distilled to a single, unifying value, because IOP level varies over time, differs depending on ocular location, and can be affected by method of measurement. Ultimately, IOP level creates mechanical strain that affects axonal function at the optic nerve head which causes local extracellular matrix remodeling and retinal ganglion cell death - hallmarks of glaucoma and the cause of glaucomatous vision loss. Extracellular tissue strain at the ONH and lamina cribrosa is regionally variable and differs in magnitude and location between healthy and glaucomatous eyes. The ultimate targets of IOP-induced tissue strain in glaucoma are retinal ganglion cell axons at the optic nerve head and the cells that support axonal function (astrocytes, the neurovascular unit, microglia, and fibroblasts). These cells sense tissue strain through a series of signals that originate at the cell membrane and alter cytoskeletal organization, migration, differentiation, gene transcription, and proliferation. The proteins that translate mechanical stimuli into molecular signals act as band-pass filters - sensing some stimuli while ignoring others - and cellular responses to stimuli can differ based on cell type and differentiation state. Therefore, to fully understand the IOP signals that are relevant to glaucoma, it is necessary to understand the ultimate cellular targets of IOP-induced mechanical stimuli and their ability to sense, ignore, and translate these signals into cellular actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Pitha
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Nanomedicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Glaucoma Center of Excellence, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liya Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thao D Nguyen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Harry Quigley
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Glaucoma Center of Excellence, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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2
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Deivasigamani S, Miteva MT, Natale S, Gutierrez-Barragan D, Basilico B, Di Angelantonio S, Weinhard L, Molotkov D, Deb S, Pape C, Bolasco G, Galbusera A, Asari H, Gozzi A, Ragozzino D, Gross CT. Microglia complement signaling promotes neuronal elimination and normal brain functional connectivity. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:10750-10760. [PMID: 37718159 PMCID: PMC10629900 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Complement signaling is thought to serve as an opsonization signal to promote the phagocytosis of synapses by microglia. However, while its role in synaptic remodeling has been demonstrated in the retino-thalamic system, it remains unclear whether complement signaling mediates synaptic pruning in the brain more generally. Here we found that mice lacking the Complement receptor 3, the major microglia complement receptor, failed to show a deficit in either synaptic pruning or axon elimination in the developing mouse cortex. Instead, mice lacking Complement receptor 3 exhibited a deficit in the perinatal elimination of neurons in the cortex, a deficit that is associated with increased cortical thickness and enhanced functional connectivity in these regions in adulthood. These data demonstrate a role for complement in promoting neuronal elimination in the developing cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilkumar Deivasigamani
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Mariya T Miteva
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
- Neuroscience Masters Programme, Sapienza University, Piazza Aldo Moro 1, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Natale
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel Gutierrez-Barragan
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UNITN, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Bernadette Basilico
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laetitia Weinhard
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Dmitry Molotkov
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Sukrita Deb
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Constantin Pape
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giulia Bolasco
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Alberto Galbusera
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UNITN, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Hiroki Asari
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UNITN, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Via Ardeatina, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Cornelius T Gross
- Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, EMBL Rome, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
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3
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Ahmad I, Subramani M. Microglia: Friends or Foes in Glaucoma? A Developmental Perspective. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:1210-1218. [PMID: 36426733 PMCID: PMC9801300 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szac077] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is the most prevalent form of optic neuropathy where a progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) leads to irreversible loss of vision. The mechanism underlying glaucomatous degeneration remains poorly understood. However, evidence suggests that microglia, which regulate RGC numbers and synaptic integrity during development and provide homeostatic support in adults, may contribute to the disease process. Hence, microglia represent a valid cellular target for therapeutic approaches in glaucoma. Here, we provide an overview of the role of microglia in RGC development and degeneration in the backdrop of neurogenesis and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system and discuss how pathological recapitulation of microglia-mediated developmental mechanisms may help initiate or exacerbate glaucomatous degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Ahmad
- Corresponding author: Iqbal Ahmad, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Murali Subramani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Neveu MM, Padhy SK, Ramamurthy S, Takkar B, Jalali S, Cp D, Padhi TR, Robson AG. Ophthalmological Manifestations of Oculocutaneous and Ocular Albinism: Current Perspectives. Clin Ophthalmol 2022; 16:1569-1587. [PMID: 35637898 PMCID: PMC9148211 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s329282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Albinism describes a heterogeneous group of genetically determined disorders characterized by disrupted synthesis of melanin and a range of developmental ocular abnormalities. The main ocular features common to both oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), and ocular albinism (OA) include reduced visual acuity, refractive errors, foveal hypoplasia, congenital nystagmus, iris and fundus hypopigmentation and visual pathway misrouting, but clinical signs vary and there is phenotypic overlap with other pathologies. This study reviews the prevalence, genetics and ocular manifestations of OCA and OA, including abnormal development of the optic chiasm. The role of visual electrophysiology in the detection of chiasmal dysfunction and visual pathway misrouting is emphasized, highlighting how age-associated changes in visual evoked potential (VEP) test results must be considered to enable accurate diagnosis, and illustrated further by the inclusion of novel VEP data in genetically confirmed cases. Differential diagnosis is considered in the context of suspected retinal and other disorders, including rare syndromes that may masquerade as albinism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magella M Neveu
- Department Electrophysiology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Brijesh Takkar
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Subhadra Jalali
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Deepika Cp
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Tapas Ranjan Padhi
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Anthony G Robson
- Department Electrophysiology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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5
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Goit RK, Taylor AW, Lo ACY. Anti-inflammatory α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Protects Retina After Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Type I Diabetes. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:799739. [PMID: 35281489 PMCID: PMC8914517 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.799739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of vision loss in many ocular diseases. Retinal I/R injury is common in diabetic retinopathy, which as a result of hyperglycemia damages the retina and can cause blindness if left untreated. Inflammation is a major contributing factor in the pathogenesis of I/R injury. α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an anti-inflammatory peptide hormone that has displayed protective effects against I/R-induced organ damages. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective role of α-MSH on I/R-induced diabetic retinal damage using hyperglycemic C57BL/6J Ins2Akita/+ mice. Experimental I/R injury was induced by blocking the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 2 h followed by 2 h or 22 h of reperfusion using the intraluminal method. Since ophthalmic artery originates proximal to the origin of the MCA, the filament also blocked blood supply to the retina. Upon treatment with α-MSH at 1 h after ischemia and 1 h after reperfusion, animals displayed significant improvement in amplitudes of b-wave and oscillatory potentials during electroretinography. α-MSH also prevented I/R-induced histological alterations and inhibited the development of retinal swelling. Loss of retinal ganglion cells as well as oxidative stress were significantly attenuated in the α-MSH-treated retinae. Level of interleukin 10 was significantly increased after α-MSH treatment. Moreover, gene expression of glutamate aspartate transporter 1, monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) 1 and MCT-2 were significantly higher after α-MSH administration. In conclusion, α-MSH mitigates the severity of I/R-induced retinal damage under hyperglycemic condition. These beneficial effects of α-MSH may have important therapeutic implications against retinal I/R injury under hyperglycemic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar Goit
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew W. Taylor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy C. Y. Lo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Amy C. Y. Lo, , orcid.org/0000-0003-4239-6851
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Beros J, Rodger J, Harvey AR. Age Related Response of Neonatal Rat Retinal Ganglion Cells to Reduced TrkB Signaling in vitro and in vivo. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:671087. [PMID: 34150766 PMCID: PMC8213349 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.671087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
During development of retinofugal pathways there is naturally occurring cell death of at least 50% of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In rats, RGC death occurs over a protracted pre- and early postnatal period, the timing linked to the onset of axonal ingrowth into central visual targets. Gene expression studies suggest that developing RGCs switch from local to target-derived neurotrophic support during this innervation phase. Here we investigated, in vitro and in vivo, how RGC birthdate affects the timing of the transition from intra-retinal to target-derived neurotrophin dependence. RGCs were pre-labeled with 5-Bromo-2'-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) at embryonic (E) day 15 or 18. For in vitro studies, RGCs were purified from postnatal day 1 (P1) rat pups and cultured with or without: (i) brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), (ii) blocking antibodies to BDNF and neurotrophin 4/5 (NT-4/5), or (iii) a tropomyosin receptor kinase B fusion protein (TrkB-Fc). RGC viability was quantified 24 and 48 h after plating. By 48 h, the survival of purified βIII-tubulin immunopositive E15 but not E18 RGCs was dependent on addition of BDNF to the culture medium. For E18 RGCs, in the absence of exogenous BDNF, addition of blocking antibodies or TrkB-Fc reduced RGC viability at both 24 and 48 h by 25-40%. While this decrease was not significant due to high variance, importantly, each blocking method also consistently reduced complex process expression in surviving RGCs. In vivo, survival of BrdU and Brn3a co-labeled E15 or E18 RGCs was quantified in rats 24 h after P1 or P5 injection into the eye or contralateral superior colliculus (SC) of BDNF and NT-4/5 antibodies, or serum vehicle. The density of E15 RGCs 24 h after P1 or P5 injection of blocking antibodies was reduced after SC but not intraretinal injection. Antibody injections into either site had little obvious impact on viability of the substantially smaller population of E18 RGCs. In summary, most early postnatal RGC death in the rat involves the elimination of early-born RGCs with their survival primarily dependent upon the availability of target derived BDNF during this time. In contrast, late-born RGC survival may be influenced by additional factors, suggesting an association between RGC birthdate and developmental death mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Beros
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Jennifer Rodger
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Alan R Harvey
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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7
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Espírito-Santo SA, Nunes-Tavares N, Mendonça HR, Serfaty CA, Sholl-Franco A, Campello-Costa P. Intravitreal Interleukin-2 modifies retinal excitatory circuits and retinocollicular innervation. Exp Eye Res 2021; 204:108442. [PMID: 33460624 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 is a classical immune cytokine whose neural functions have received little attention. Its levels have been found to be increased in some neuropathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and uveitis. Mechanistically, it has been demonstrated the role of IL-2 in regulating glutamate and acetylcholine transmission, thus being relevant for CNS physiology. In fact, our previous work showed that an acute intravitreal IL-2 injection during retinotectal development promoted contralateral eye axonal plasticity in the superior colliculus, but the involved mechanisms were not explored. So, our present study aimed to investigate the effect of increased intravitreal IL-2 levels on the retinal glutamatergic and cholinergic signalling required for retinotectal normal development. We showed through HRP neuronal tracing that intravitreal IL-2 also induces ipsilateral eye axonal sprouting. Protein level and/or immunolocalization analysis in the retina confirmed IL-2 pathway activation by increased expression of phospho-STAT-3, coupled to transient (24h) reduced levels of Egr1, PSD-95 and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β2 subunit, suggesting reduced neural activity and synaptic sites. Also, AChE activity and GluN2B and GluA2 contents were reduced within 96h after IL-2 treatment. Therefore, IL-2-induced retinotectal plasticity might be driven by changes in cholinergic and glutamatergic pathways of the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Espírito-Santo
- Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Neurociências, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Universidade Do Estado de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - N Nunes-Tavares
- Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - H R Mendonça
- Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Neurociências, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Laboratório Integrado de Morfologia, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé, Brazil
| | - C A Serfaty
- Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Neurociências, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - A Sholl-Franco
- Instituto de Biofísica, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - P Campello-Costa
- Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Neurociências, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil.
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8
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Puñal VM, Paisley CE, Brecha FS, Lee MA, Perelli RM, Wang J, O’Koren EG, Ackley CR, Saban DR, Reese BE, Kay JN. Large-scale death of retinal astrocytes during normal development is non-apoptotic and implemented by microglia. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000492. [PMID: 31626642 PMCID: PMC6821132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring cell death is a fundamental developmental mechanism for regulating cell numbers and sculpting developing organs. This is particularly true in the nervous system, where large numbers of neurons and oligodendrocytes are eliminated via apoptosis during normal development. Given the profound impact of death upon these two major cell populations, it is surprising that developmental death of another major cell type—the astrocyte—has rarely been studied. It is presently unclear whether astrocytes are subject to significant developmental death, and if so, how it occurs. Here, we address these questions using mouse retinal astrocytes as our model system. We show that the total number of retinal astrocytes declines by over 3-fold during a death period spanning postnatal days 5–14. Surprisingly, these astrocytes do not die by apoptosis, the canonical mechanism underlying the vast majority of developmental cell death. Instead, we find that microglia engulf astrocytes during the death period to promote their developmental removal. Genetic ablation of microglia inhibits astrocyte death, leading to a larger astrocyte population size at the end of the death period. However, astrocyte death is not completely blocked in the absence of microglia, apparently due to the ability of astrocytes to engulf each other. Nevertheless, mice lacking microglia showed significant anatomical changes to the retinal astrocyte network, with functional consequences for the astrocyte-associated vasculature leading to retinal hemorrhage. These results establish a novel modality for naturally occurring cell death and demonstrate its importance for the formation and integrity of the retinal gliovascular network. A study of the neonatal mouse retina shows that developmental cell death of retinal astrocytes does not occur by apoptosis but is instead mediated by microglia, which kill and engulf astrocytes to effect their developmental removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M. Puñal
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Caitlin E. Paisley
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Federica S. Brecha
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Monica A. Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robin M. Perelli
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emily G. O’Koren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Caroline R. Ackley
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
- Department of Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel R. Saban
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Benjamin E. Reese
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Jeremy N. Kay
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Complement Targets Newborn Retinal Ganglion Cells for Phagocytic Elimination by Microglia. J Neurosci 2019; 39:2025-2040. [PMID: 30647151 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1854-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia play important roles in shaping the developing CNS, and at early stages they have been proposed to regulate progenitor proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal survival. However, these studies reveal contradictory outcomes, highlighting the complexity of these cell-cell interactions. Here, we investigate microglia function during embryonic mouse retina development, where only microglia, progenitors, and neurons are present. In both sexes, we determine that microglia primarily interact with retinal neurons and find that depletion of microglia via conditional KO of the Csf1 receptor results in increased density of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Pharmacological inhibition of microglia also results in an increase in RGCs, with no effect on retinal progenitor proliferation, RGC genesis, or apoptosis. We show that microglia in the embryonic retina are enriched for phagocytic markers and observe engulfment of nonapoptotic Brn3-labeled RGCs. We investigate the molecular pathways that can mediate cell engulfment by microglia and find selective downregulation of complement pathway components with microglia inhibition, and further show that C1q protein marks a subset of RGCs in the embryonic retina. KO of complement receptor 3 (CR3; Itgam), which is only expressed by microglia, results in increased RGC density, similar to what we observed after depletion or inhibition of microglia. Thus, our data suggest that microglia regulate neuron elimination in the embryonic mouse retina by complement-mediated phagocytosis of non-apoptotic newborn RGCs.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Microglia are emerging as active and important participants in regulating neuron number in development, during adult neurogenesis, and following stem cell therapies. However, their role in these contexts and the mechanisms involved are not fully defined. Using a well-characterized in vivo system, we provide evidence that microglia regulate neuronal elimination by complement-mediated engulfment of nonapoptotic neurons. This work provides a significant advancement of the field by defining in vivo molecular mechanisms for microglia-mediated cell elimination. Our data add to a growing body of evidence that microglia are essential for proper nervous system development. In addition, we elucidate microglia function in the developing retina, which may shed light on microglia involvement in the context of retinal injury and disease.
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Nyisztor Z, Denes V, Kovacs-Valasek A, Hideg O, Berta G, Gabriel R. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP1-38) Exerts Both Pro and Anti-Apoptotic Effects on Postnatal Retinal Development in Rat. Neuroscience 2018; 385:59-66. [PMID: 29906550 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PACAP1-38, a ubiquitous and multifunctional regulator has been in the focus of neurotoxicity research due to its impressive neuroprotective potential. Although the literature extensively demonstrated its repressive effect on the apoptotic machinery in neurodegenerative models, there is a striking absence of analysis on its role in normal development. We performed quantitative analyses on caspase activity in developing retina upon 100, 50, 25 or 1 pmol intravitreal PACAP1-38 injection from postnatal day 1 (P1) through P7 in Wistar rats. Retinas were harvested at 6, 12, 18, 24 or 48 h post-injection. Apoptotic activity was revealed using fluorescent caspase 3/7 enzyme assay, western blots and TUNEL assay. Unexpectedly, we found that 100 pmol PACAP1-38 increased the activity of caspase 3/7 at P1 and P5 whereas it had no effect at P7. At P3, as a biphasic effect, PACAP1-38 repressed active caspase 3/7 at 18 h post-injection while increased their activity in 24 h post-injection. Amounts, smaller than 100 pmol, could not inhibit apoptosis whereas 50, 25 or 1 pmol PACAP1-38 could evoke significant elevation in caspase 3/7 activity. TUNEL-positive cells appeared in the proximal part of inner nuclear as well as ganglion cell layers in response to PACAP1-38 treatment. The fundamental novelty of these results is that PACAP1-38 induces apoptosis during early postnatal retinogenesis. The dose as well as stage-dependent response suggests that PACAP1-38 has a Janus face in apoptosis regulation. It not only inhibits development-related apoptosis, but as a long-term effect, facilitates it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Nyisztor
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Viktoria Denes
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Andrea Kovacs-Valasek
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Hideg
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Berta
- Institute of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Robert Gabriel
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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11
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Vrolyk V, Haruna J, Benoit-Biancamano MO. Neonatal and Juvenile Ocular Development in Sprague-Dawley Rats: A Histomorphological and Immunohistochemical Study. Vet Pathol 2017; 55:310-330. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985817738098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
As in many altricial species, rats are born with fused eyelids and markedly underdeveloped eyes. While the normal histology of the eyes of mature rats is known, the histomorphological changes occurring during postnatal eye development in this species remain incompletely characterized. This study was conducted to describe the postnatal development of ocular structures in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats during the first month of age using histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Both eyes were collected from 51 SD rats at 13 time points between postnatal day (PND)1 and PND30. Histologic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections was performed, as well as IHC for cleaved-caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) to evaluate apoptosis, and IHC for Ki-67 and phospho-histone-H3 to evaluate cell proliferation. Extensive ocular tissue remodeling occurred prior to the eyelid opening around PND14 and reflected the interplay between apoptosis and cell proliferation. Apoptosis was particularly remarkable in the maturing subcapsular anterior epithelium of the lens, the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers of the developing retina, and the Harderian gland, and was involved in the regression of the hyaloid vasculature. Nuclear degradation in the newly formed secondary lens fibers was noteworthy after birth and was associated with TUNEL-positive nuclear remnants lining the lens organelle-free zone. Cell proliferation was marked in the developing retina, cornea, iris, ciliary body and Harderian gland. The rat eye reached histomorphological maturity at PND21 after a rapid phase of morphological changes characterized by the coexistence of cell death and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Vrolyk
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | | | - Marie-Odile Benoit-Biancamano
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en pharmacologie animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Faculty of Veterinary Medicne University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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12
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Beros J, Rodger J, Harvey AR. Developmental retinal ganglion cell death and retinotopicity of the murine retinocollicular projection. Dev Neurobiol 2017; 78:51-60. [PMID: 29134765 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During mammalian visual system development, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) undergo extensive apoptotic death. In mouse retina, approximately 50% of RGCs present at birth (postnatal day 0; P0) die by P5, at a time when axons innervate central targets such as the superior colliculus (SC). We examined whether RGCs that make short-range axonal targeting errors within the contralateral SC are more likely to be eliminated during the peak period of RGC death (P1-P5), compared with RGCs initially making more accurate retinotopic connections. A small volume (2.3 nL) of the retrograde nucleophilic dye Hoechst 33342 was injected into the superficial left SC of anesthetized neonatal C57Bl/6J mice at P1 (n = 5) or P4 (n = 8), and the contralateral retina wholemounted 12 hr later. Retrogradely labelled healthy and dying (pyknotic) RGCs were identified by morphological criteria and counted. The percentage of pyknotic RGCs was analyzed in relation to distance from the area of highest density RGC labelling, presumed to represent the most topographically accurate population. As expected, pyknotic RGC density at P1 was significantly greater than P4 (p < 0.05). At P4, the density of healthy RGCs 500-750 µm away from the central region was significantly less, although this was not reflected in altered pyknotic rates. However, at P1 there was a trend (p = 0.08) for an increased proportion of pyknotic RGCs, specifically in temporal parts of the retina outside the densely labelled center. Overall, the lack of consistent association between short-range targeting errors and cell death suggests that most postnatal RGC loss is not directly related to topographic accuracy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 51-60, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Beros
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Jennifer Rodger
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, RR Block, QE II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, RR Block, QE II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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13
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Van Cruchten S, Vrolyk V, Perron Lepage MF, Baudon M, Voute H, Schoofs S, Haruna J, Benoit-Biancamano MO, Ruot B, Allegaert K. Pre- and Postnatal Development of the Eye: A Species Comparison. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:1540-1567. [PMID: 28941218 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In this review paper, literature data on pre- and postnatal eye development are compared between humans and nonclinical species that are commonly used for human safety assessment, namely, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, minipig, and nonhuman primates. Some new data on rat and minipig ocular development are also included. This compiled information can be helpful for species selection in juvenile toxicity studies or assist in the interpretation of (non)clinical data during pediatric drug development. Despite some differences in developmental windows and anatomical peculiarities, such as the lack of a fovea centralis in nonprimate species or the presence of a nictitating membrane in some nonclinical species, the functioning and development of the eye is strikingly similar between humans and other mammals. As such, all commonly used nonclinical species appear to be relatively good models for human eye development, although some practical constraints such as size may be a limiting factor. Birth Defects Research 109:1540-1567, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Van Cruchten
- Applied Veterinary Morphology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Vrolyk
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | | | - Marie Baudon
- Charles River, Safety Assessment, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Lyon, France
| | - Hélène Voute
- Charles River, Safety Assessment, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Marie-Odile Benoit-Biancamano
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - Benoît Ruot
- Charles River, Safety Assessment, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Lyon, France
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of development and regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Thomas CN, Berry M, Logan A, Blanch RJ, Ahmed Z. Caspases in retinal ganglion cell death and axon regeneration. Cell Death Discov 2017; 3:17032. [PMID: 29675270 PMCID: PMC5903394 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2017.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGC) are terminally differentiated CNS neurons that possess limited endogenous regenerative capacity after injury and thus RGC death causes permanent visual loss. RGC die by caspase-dependent mechanisms, including apoptosis, during development, after ocular injury and in progressive degenerative diseases of the eye and optic nerve, such as glaucoma, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and multiple sclerosis. Inhibition of caspases through genetic or pharmacological approaches can arrest the apoptotic cascade and protect a proportion of RGC. Novel findings have also highlighted a pyroptotic role of inflammatory caspases in RGC death. In this review, we discuss the molecular signalling mechanisms of apoptotic and inflammatory caspase responses in RGC specifically, their involvement in RGC degeneration and explore their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe N Thomas
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Martin Berry
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ann Logan
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard J Blanch
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zubair Ahmed
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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15
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Masri RA, Percival KA, Koizumi A, Martin PR, Grünert U. Survey of retinal ganglion cell morphology in marmoset. J Comp Neurol 2017; 527:236-258. [PMID: 27997691 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In primate retina, the midget, parasol, and small bistratified cell populations form the large majority of ganglion cells. In addition, there is a variety of low-density wide-field ganglion cell types that are less well characterized. Here we studied retinal ganglion cells in the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, using particle-mediated gene transfer. Ganglion cells were transfected with an expression plasmid for the postsynaptic density 95-green fluorescent protein. The retinas were processed with established immunohistochemical markers for bipolar and/or amacrine cells to determine ganglion cell dendritic stratification. In total over 500 ganglion cells were classified based on their dendritic field size, morphology, and stratification in the inner plexiform layer. Over 17 types were distinguished, including midget, parasol, broad thorny, small bistratified, large bistratified, recursive bistratified, recursive monostratified, narrow thorny, smooth monostratified, large sparse, giant sparse (melanopsin) ganglion cells, and a group that may contain several as yet uncharacterized types. Assuming each characterized type forms a hexagonal mosaic, the midget and parasol cells account for over 80% of all ganglion cells in the central retina but only ∼50% of cells in the peripheral (>2 mm) retina. We conclude that the fovea is dominated by midget and parasol cells, but outside the fovea the ganglion cell diversity in marmoset is likely as great as that reported for nonprimate retinas. Taken together, the ganglion cell types in marmoset retina resemble those described previously in macaque retina with respect to morphology, stratification, and change in proportion across the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania A Masri
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kumiko A Percival
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amane Koizumi
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paul R Martin
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ulrike Grünert
- Save Sight Institute and Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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16
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Mysona BA, Zhao J, Bollinger KE. Role of BDNF/TrkB pathway in the visual system: Therapeutic implications for glaucoma. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2016; 12:69-81. [PMID: 28751923 DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2017.1259566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroprotective therapeutics are needed to treat glaucoma, an optic neuropathy that results in death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). AREAS COVERED The BDNF/TrkB pathway is important for RGC survival. Temporal and spatial alterations in the BDNF/TrkB pathway occur in development and in response to acute optic nerve injury and to glaucoma. In animal models, BDNF supplementation is successful at slowing RGC death after acute optic nerve injury and in glaucoma, however, the BDNF/TrkB signaling is not the only pathway supporting long term RGC survival. EXPERT COMMENTARY Much remains to be discovered about the interaction between retrograde, anterograde, and retinal BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways in both neurons and glia. An ideal therapeutic agent for glaucoma likely has several modes of action that target multiple mechanisms of neurodegeneration including the BDNF/TrkB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Mysona
- Augusta University Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute. Address: Augusta University Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Health Sciences Campus, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA,
| | - J Zhao
- Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute. Address: Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA,
| | - K E Bollinger
- Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, Augusta University Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute. Address: Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA,
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17
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Quigley HA. Understanding Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy: The Synergy Between Clinical Observation and Investigation. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2016; 2:235-254. [PMID: 28532352 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-111815-114417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a complex disorder of aging defined by the death of retinal ganglion cells and remodeling of connective tissues at the optic nerve head. Intraocular pressure-induced axonal injury at the optic nerve head leads to apoptosis. Loss of retinal ganglion cells follows a slowly progressive sequence. Clinical features of the disease have suggested and corroborated pathological events. The death of retinal ganglion cells causes secondary loss of neurons in the brain, but only as a by-product of injury to the retinal ganglion cells. Although therapy to lower intraocular pressure is moderately effective, new treatments are being developed to alter the remodeling of ocular connective tissue, to interrupt the injury signal from axon to soma, and to upregulate a variety of survival mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry A Quigley
- Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287;
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18
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Gonçalves R, Vasques J, Trindade P, Serfaty C, Campello-Costa P, Faria-Melibeu A. Nicotine-induced plasticity in the retinocollicular pathway: Evidence for involvement of amyloid precursor protein. Neuroscience 2016; 313:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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Menezes GD, Goulart VG, Espírito-Santo S, Oliveira-Silva P, Serfaty CA, Campello-Costa P. Intravitreous Injection of Interleukin-6 Leads to a Sprouting in the Retinotectal Pathway at Different Stages of Development. Neuroimmunomodulation 2016; 23:81-7. [PMID: 27031648 DOI: 10.1159/000444529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The development of retinotectal pathways form precise topographical maps is usually completed by the third postnatal week. Cytokines participate in the development and plasticity of the nervous system. We have previously shown that in vivo treatment with interleukin 2 disrupts the retinocollicular topographical order in early stages of development. Therefore, we decided to study the effect of a single intravitreous injection of IL-6 upon retinotectal circuitry in neonates and juvenile rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Lister Hooded rats received an intravitreous injection of IL-6 (50 ng/ml) or vehicle (PBS) at either postnatal day (PND)10 or PND30 and the ipsilateral retinotectal pathway was evaluated 4 or 8 days later, respectively. RESULTS Our data showed that, at different stages of development, a single IL-6 intravitreous treatment did not produce an inflammatory response and increased retinal axon innervation throughout the visual layers of the superior colliculus. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data provide the first evidence that a single intravitreous injection with IL-6 leads to sprouting in the subcortical visual connections and suggest that small changes in IL-6 levels might be sufficient to impair the correct neuronal circuitry fine-tuning during brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grasielle D Menezes
- Programa de Neurocix00EA;ncias, Departamento de Neurobiologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterx00F3;i, Brazil
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20
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Fernández-Sánchez L, Lax P, Campello L, Pinilla I, Cuenca N. Astrocytes and Müller Cell Alterations During Retinal Degeneration in a Transgenic Rat Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:484. [PMID: 26733810 PMCID: PMC4686678 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa includes a group of progressive retinal degenerative diseases that affect the structure and function of photoreceptors. Secondarily to the loss of photoreceptors, there is a reduction in retinal vascularization, which seems to influence the cellular degenerative process. Retinal macroglial cells, astrocytes, and Müller cells provide support for retinal neurons and are fundamental for maintaining normal retinal function. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of macroglial changes during retinal degeneration in P23H rats. Methods: Homozygous P23H line-3 rats aged from P18 to 18 months were used to study the evolution of the disease, and SD rats were used as controls. Immunolabeling with antibodies against GFAP, vimentin, and transducin were used to visualize macroglial cells and cone photoreceptors. Results: In P23H rats, increased GFAP labeling in Müller cells was observed as an early indicator of retinal gliosis. At 4 and 12 months of age, the apical processes of Müller cells in P23H rats clustered in firework-like structures, which were associated with ring-like shaped areas of cone degeneration in the outer nuclear layer. These structures were not observed at 16 months of age. The number of astrocytes was higher in P23H rats than in the SD matched controls at 4 and 12 months of age, supporting the idea of astrocyte proliferation. As the disease progressed, astrocytes exhibited a deteriorated morphology and marked hypertrophy. The increase in the complexity of the astrocytic processes correlated with greater connexin 43 expression and higher density of connexin 43 immunoreactive puncta within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of P23H vs. SD rat retinas. Conclusions: In the P23H rat model of retinitis pigmentosa, the loss of photoreceptors triggers major changes in the number and morphology of glial cells affecting the inner retina.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aragon Institute for Health Research, Lozano Blesa University Hospital Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of AlicanteAlicante, Spain; Institute Ramón Margalef, University of AlicanteAlicante, Spain
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The Acquisition of Target Dependence by Developing Rat Retinal Ganglion Cells. eNeuro 2015; 2:eN-NWR-0044-14. [PMID: 26464991 PMCID: PMC4586937 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0044-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to neurons in the peripheral nervous system, immature CNS-derived RGCs become dependent on target-derived neurotrophic support as their axons reach termination sites in the brain. To study the factors that influence this developmental transition we took advantage of the fact that rat RGCs are born, and target innervation occurs, over a protracted period of time. Early-born RGCs have axons in the SC by birth (P0), whereas axons from late-born RGCs do not innervate the SC until P4-P5. Birth dating RGCs using EdU allowed us to identify RGCs (1) with axons still growing toward targets, (2) transitioning to target dependence, and (3) entirely dependent on target-derived support. Using laser-capture microdissection we isolated ∼34,000 EdU+ RGCs and analyzed transcript expression by custom qPCR array. Statistical analyses revealed a difference in gene expression profiles in actively growing RGCs compared with target-dependent RGCs, as well as in transitional versus target-dependent RGCs. Prior to innervation RGCs expressed high levels of BDNF and CNTFR α but lower levels of neurexin 1 mRNA. Analysis also revealed greater expression of transcripts for signaling molecules such as MAPK, Akt, CREB, and STAT. In a supporting in vitro study, purified birth-dated P1 RGCs were cultured for 24-48 h with or without BDNF; lack of BDNF resulted in significant loss of early-born but not late-born RGCs. In summary, we identified several important changes in RGC signaling that may form the basis for the switch from target independence to dependence.
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22
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Sharma A, LeVaillant CJ, Plant GW, Harvey AR. Changes in expression of Class 3 Semaphorins and their receptors during development of the rat retina and superior colliculus. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2014; 14:34. [PMID: 25062604 PMCID: PMC4121511 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-014-0034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Members of the Semaphorin 3 family (Sema3s) influence the development of the central nervous system, and some are implicated in regulating aspects of visual system development. However, we lack information about the timing of expression of the Sema3s with respect to different developmental epochs in the mammalian visual system. In this time-course study in the rat, we document for the first time changes in the expression of RNAs for the majority of Class 3 Semaphorins (Sema3s) and their receptor components during the development of the rat retina and superior colliculus (SC). Results During retinal development, transcript levels changed for all of the Sema3s examined, as well as Nrp2, Plxna2, Plxna3, and Plxna4a. In the SC there were also changes in transcript levels for all Sema3s tested, as well as Nrp1, Nrp2, Plxna1, Plxna2, Plxna3, and Plxna4a. These changes correlate with well-established epochs, and our data suggest that the Sema3s could influence retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis, patterning and connectivity in the maturing retina and SC, and perhaps guidance of RGC and cortical axons in the SC. Functionally we found that SEMA3A, SEMA3C, SEMA3E, and SEMA3F proteins collapsed purified postnatal day 1 RGC growth cones in vitro. Significantly this is a developmental stage when RGCs are growing into and within the SC and are exposed to Sema3 ligands. Conclusion These new data describing the overall temporal regulation of Sema3 expression in the rat retina and SC provide a platform for further work characterising the functional impact of these proteins on the development and maturation of mammalian visual pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Sharma
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, WA, Australia.
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23
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Saas P, Kaminski S, Perruche S. Prospects of apoptotic cell-based therapies for transplantation and inflammatory diseases. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:1055-73. [PMID: 24088076 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic cell removal or interactions of early-stage apoptotic cells with immune cells are associated with an immunomodulatory microenvironment that can be harnessed to exert therapeutic effects. While the involved immune mechanisms are still being deciphered, apoptotic cell infusion has been tested in different experimental models where inflammation is deregulated. This includes chronic and acute inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, contact hypersensitivity and acute myocardial infarction. Apoptotic cell infusion has also been used in transplantation settings to prevent or treat acute and chronic rejection, as well as to limit acute graft-versus-host disease associated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Here, we review the mechanisms involved in apoptotic cell-induced immunomodulation and data obtained in preclinical models of transplantation and inflammatory diseases.
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Harahush BK, Hart NS, Collin SP. Ontogenetic Changes in Retinal Ganglion Cell Distribution and Spatial Resolving Power in the Brown-Banded Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium punctatum (Elasmobranchii). BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2014; 83:286-300. [DOI: 10.1159/000361036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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25
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Dénes V, Czotter N, Lakk M, Berta G, Gábriel R. PAC1-expressing structures of neural retina alter their PAC1 isoform splicing during postnatal development. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 355:279-88. [PMID: 24352804 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1761-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a member of the secretin/glucagon/vasoactive intestinal peptide family, exerts various effects on neuronal development as mediated by the differential expression of PAC1 receptor (PAC1-R) isoforms. The expression changes of PAC1-R isoforms (Hip, Hop1) reported in correlation with retinal development suggest an isoform switch during the second postnatal week. Our aim is to determine the exact period of the isoform shift and to describe the PAC1-R-immunoreactive structures appearing from postnatal day 5 (P5) to P10 in the rat retina. The ratio of Hip and Hop1 receptors was assessed and changes in their expression were followed by Taqman and SybrGreen-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction. For the detection of PAC1-R-expressing retinal structures, anti-PAC1-R, anti-calbindin, anti-protein kinase C, anti-glutamine synthetase, anti-HPC1 and anti-Brn3a antibodies were utilized. At the transcript level, a marked decrease to an undetectable level was measured in Hip mRNA expression from P6 to P9. Hop1 expression appeared to be unchanged from P6 to P9, followed by a significant elevation at P10. A Hip/Hop1 isoform shift occurred between P6 and P7. Immunostaining showed strong PAC1-R labeling from P5 to P10 in ganglion, amacrine, horizontal and rod bipolar neurons and in glial Muller cell processes. The Hop1 isoform was predominantly expressed in various types of retinal cell beginning at P7, because of a dramatic reduction in Hip mRNA level. As the Hop1 receptor is coupled to different signaling cascades, this isoform shift might alter the physiological role of PACAP during this particular period.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Dénes
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 6 Ifjúság Street, 7601, Pécs, Hungary,
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Böhm MR, Mertsch S, König S, Spieker T, Thanos S. Macula-less rat and macula-bearing monkey retinas exhibit common lifelong proteomic changes. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 34:2659-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Hong J, Zeng Q, Wang H, Kuo DS, Baldridge WH, Wang N. Controlling the number of melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells by early light exposure. Exp Eye Res 2013; 111:17-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Jiang Y, Ding Q, Xie X, Libby RT, Lefebvre V, Gan L. Transcription factors SOX4 and SOX11 function redundantly to regulate the development of mouse retinal ganglion cells. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:18429-38. [PMID: 23649630 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.478503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX family proteins belong to the high-mobility-group (HMG) domain-containing transcription factors, and function as key players to regulate embryonic development and cell fate determination. The highly related group C Sox genes Sox4 and Sox11 are widely expressed in the development of mouse retina and share a similar expression pattern with each other in this process. Here, to investigate the roles of Sox4 and Sox11 in the retinal development, Sox4, Sox11, and Sox4/Sox11 conditional knock-out (CKO) mice with deletion of Sox4, Sox11, and Sox4/Sox11 in retinas were generated. Our studies demonstrated that targeted disruption of Sox4 or Sox11 in retinas caused a moderate reduction of generation of RGCs. However, a complete loss of RGCs was observed in Sox4/Sox11-null retinas, suggesting the two genes play similar roles in the development of RGCs. Our further analysis confirms that Sox4 and Sox11 function redundantly to regulate the generation of RGCs at early embryonic stages as well as the survival of RGCs at late embryonic stages. In addition, we demonstrated that loss of Math5 impairs the expression of Sox4 and Sox11 in the ganglion cell layer while deletion of Brn3b has no effect on the expression of Sox4 and Sox11. Taken together, these findings elucidate SoxC genes as essential contributors to maintain the survival of RGCs, and imply their intermediate position between Math5 and Brn3b in the genetic hierarchy of RGC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jiang
- Flaum Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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Chen SK, Chew KS, McNeill DS, Keeley PW, Ecker JL, Mao BQ, Pahlberg J, Kim B, Lee SCS, Fox M, Guido W, Wong KY, Sampath AP, Reese BE, Kuruvilla R, Hattar S. Apoptosis regulates ipRGC spacing necessary for rods and cones to drive circadian photoentrainment. Neuron 2013; 77:503-15. [PMID: 23395376 PMCID: PMC3569737 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The retina consists of ordered arrays of individual types of neurons for processing vision. Here, we show that such order is necessary for intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) to function as irradiance detectors. We found that during development, ipRGCs undergo proximity-dependent Bax-mediated apoptosis. Bax mutant mice exhibit disrupted ipRGC spacing and dendritic stratification with an increase in abnormally localized synapses. ipRGCs are the sole conduit for light input to circadian photoentrainment, and either their melanopsin-based photosensitivity or ability to relay rod/cone input is sufficient for circadian photoentrainment. Remarkably, the disrupted ipRGC spacing does not affect melanopsin-based circadian photoentrainment but severely impairs rod/cone-driven photoentrainment. We demonstrate reduced rod/cone-driven cFos activation and electrophysiological responses in ipRGCs, suggesting that impaired synaptic input to ipRGCs underlies the photoentrainment deficits. Thus, for irradiance detection, developmental apoptosis is necessary for the spacing and connectivity of ipRGCs that underlie their functioning within a neural network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Kuo Chen
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kylie S. Chew
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - David S. McNeill
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Patrick W. Keeley
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Jennifer L. Ecker
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Buqing Q. Mao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Johan Pahlberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Bright Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
| | - Sammy C. S. Lee
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Michael Fox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA, 804-828-0952
| | - William Guido
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA, 804-828-0952
| | - Kwoon Y. Wong
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
| | - Alapakkam P. Sampath
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Benjamin E. Reese
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Rejji Kuruvilla
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Samer Hattar
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- The Solomon Snyder-Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University-School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Radiation induced brain injury: assessment of white matter tracts in a pre-clinical animal model using diffusion tensor MR imaging. J Neurooncol 2013; 112:9-15. [PMID: 23334608 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-012-1031-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We aim to study radiation induced white matter injury in a pre-clinical model using Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI). Nineteen 12-week old Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated to the right hemisphere using a linear accelerator. The dose distribution map was coregistered to the DTI map to generate the actual radiation dose to each white matter tract. Rats underwent longitudinal DTI scans at five time points from 4 to 48 weeks post-radiation with histological evaluations. Fractional anisotropy (FA) of the external capsule, fornix, cerebral peduncle, anterior commissure, optic tract and optic nerve was evaluated. Radiation dose was highest at the ipsilateral external capsule and fornix (29.4 ± 1.3 and 29.8 ± 1.1 Gy, respectively). Optic nerve received 50 % dose to the external capsule and other white matter tracts received 80 % dose. Significantly lower FA was firstly found in the ipsilateral external capsule at 4 weeks post-radiation and in the ipsilateral fornix at 40 weeks post-radiation compared to the contralateral side. Significantly lower FA was found in contralateral optic nerve compared to ipsilateral optic nerve at 48 weeks post-radiation despite ipsilateral optic nerves receiving higher radiation dose than contralateral optic nerve (p = 0.021). No differences were found in other white matter regions until 48 weeks. Histology indicated demyelination, axonal degeneration and coagulative necrosis in all injured white matter. DTI can serve as a promising tool for assessment of radiation induced white matter injury and regional radiosensitivity of white matter tracts.
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Katome T, Namekata K, Guo X, Semba K, Kittaka D, Kawamura K, Kimura A, Harada C, Ichijo H, Mitamura Y, Harada T. Inhibition of ASK1-p38 pathway prevents neural cell death following optic nerve injury. Cell Death Differ 2012; 20:270-80. [PMID: 22976835 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2012.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic nerve injury (ONI) induces retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve atrophy that lead to visual loss. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is an evolutionarily conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase and has an important role in stress-induced RGC apoptosis. In this study, we found that ONI-induced p38 activation and RGC loss were suppressed in ASK1-deficient mice. Sequential in vivo retinal imaging revealed that post-ONI treatment with a p38 inhibitor into the eyeball was effective for RGC protection. ONI-induced monocyte chemotactic protein-1 production in RGCs and microglial accumulation around RGCs were suppressed in ASK1-deficient mice. In addition, the productions of tumor necrosis factor and inducible nitric oxide synthase in microglia were decreased when the ASK1-p38 pathway was blocked. These results suggest that ASK1 activation in both neural and glial cells is involved in neural cell death, and that pharmacological interruption of ASK1-p38 pathways could be beneficial in the treatment of ONI.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Katome
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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Ribas VT, Gonçalves BS, Linden R, Chiarini LB. Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) during mitosis in retinal progenitor cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34483. [PMID: 22496813 PMCID: PMC3319587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Most studies of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) activation in retinal tissue were done in the context of neurodegeneration. In this study, we investigated the behavior of JNK during mitosis of progenitor cells in the retina of newborn rats. Retinal explants from newborn rats were kept in vitro for 3 hours and under distinct treatments. Sections of retinal explants or freshly fixed retinal tissue were used to detect JNK phosphorylation by immunohistochemistry, and were examined through both fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Mitotic cells were identified by chromatin morphology, histone-H3 phosphorylation, and location in the retinal tissue. The subcellular localization of proteins was analyzed by double staining with both a DNA marker and an antibody to each protein. Phosphorylation of JNK was also examined by western blot. The results showed that in the retina of newborn rats (P1), JNK is phosphorylated during mitosis of progenitor cells, mainly during the early stages of mitosis. JNK1 and/or JNK2 were preferentially phosphorylated in mitotic cells. Inhibition of JNK induced cell cycle arrest, specifically in mitosis. Treatment with the JNK inhibitor decreased the number of cells in anaphase, but did not alter the number of cells in either prophase/prometaphase or metaphase. Moreover, cells with aberrant chromatin morphology were found after treatment with the JNK inhibitor. The data show, for the first time, that JNK is activated in mitotic progenitor cells of developing retinal tissue, suggesting a new role of JNK in the control of progenitor cell proliferation in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafael Linden
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Voyatzis S, Muzerelle A, Gaspar P, Nicol X. Modeling activity and target-dependent developmental cell death of mouse retinal ganglion cells ex vivo. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31105. [PMID: 22363559 PMCID: PMC3281910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Accepted: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death is widespread during the development of the central nervous system and serves multiple purposes including the establishment of neural connections. In the mouse retina a substantial reduction of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) occurs during the first postnatal week, coinciding with the formation of retinotopic maps in the superior colliculus (SC). We previously established a retino-collicular culture preparation which recapitulates the progressive topographic ordering of RGC projections during early post-natal life. Here, we questioned whether this model could also be suitable to examine the mechanisms underlying developmental cell death of RGCs. Brn3a was used as a marker of the RGCs. A developmental decline in the number of Brn3a-immunolabelled neurons was found in the retinal explant with a timing that paralleled that observed in vivo. In contrast, the density of photoreceptors or of starburst amacrine cells increased, mimicking the evolution of these cell populations in vivo. Blockade of neural activity with tetrodotoxin increased the number of surviving Brn3a-labelled neurons in the retinal explant, as did the increase in target availability when one retinal explant was confronted with 2 or 4 collicular slices. Thus, this ex vivo model reproduces the developmental reduction of RGCs and recapitulates its regulation by neural activity and target availability. It therefore offers a simple way to analyze developmental cell death in this classic system. Using this model, we show that ephrin-A signaling does not participate to the regulation of the Brn3a population size in the retina, indicating that eprhin-A-mediated elimination of exuberant projections does not involve developmental cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Voyatzis
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité mixte de Recherche en Santé 839, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Aude Muzerelle
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité mixte de Recherche en Santé 839, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Gaspar
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité mixte de Recherche en Santé 839, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Nicol
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité mixte de Recherche en Santé 839, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
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Leung CKS, Yu M, Weinreb RN, Ye C, Liu S, Lai G, Lam DSC. Retinal nerve fiber layer imaging with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: a prospective analysis of age-related loss. Ophthalmology 2012; 119:731-7. [PMID: 22264886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Revised: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 10/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate age-related changes of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) imaged by a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN Prospective, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies. PARTICIPANTS One hundred normal individuals were recruited for cross-sectional analysis, 35 of whom were randomly selected for longitudinal analysis. METHODS The circumpapillary average and quadrant RNFL thicknesses were measured by the Cirrus HD-OCT. In the longitudinal study, participants were followed at 4-month intervals for a mean of 30 months (range, 24-41 months) for RNFL and visual field measurements. Cross-sectional RNFL data were analyzed with multiple linear regression models with adjustment of spherical error, optic disc area, and signal strength. Longitudinal RNFL measurements were analyzed with linear mixed models with fixed coefficients on follow-up duration, baseline RNFL thickness, spherical error, optic disc area, and signal strength. Factors influencing the rate of change of RNFL measurements were analyzed in the interaction terms with "duration" in the linear mixed models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates of change of average and quadrant RNFL thicknesses. RESULTS In the cross-sectional analysis, significant negative correlations were found between age and average (-0.33 μm/year; P = 0.011), inferior (-0.45 μm/year; P = 0.037), and temporal (-0.31 μm/year; P = 0.046) RNFL thicknesses. In the longitudinal analysis, the mean rates of change of average, superior, and inferior RNFL thicknesses were -0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.86 to -0.17), -1.35 (95% CI, -2.05 to -0.65) and -1.25 μm/year (95% CI, -1.78 to -0.71), respectively, after adjusting for baseline RNFL thickness, spherical error, disc area, and signal strength. There was no detectable RNFL reduction in the nasal and temporal quadrants. The only significant factor influencing the rates of change of RNFL measurements was the baseline RNFL thickness. A greater baseline RNFL thickness was associated with a faster rate of change. CONCLUSIONS Progressive, age-related decline of RNFL thickness can be detected with longitudinal OCT imaging. Rate estimates derived from trend analysis for detection of glaucomatous RNFL progression should be interpreted with reference to the normal ranges of age-related reduction, particularly when the baseline RNFL measurement is large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K S Leung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China.
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35
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Vidal-Sanz M, Salinas-Navarro M, Nadal-Nicolás FM, Alarcón-Martínez L, Valiente-Soriano FJ, Miralles de Imperial J, Avilés-Trigueros M, Agudo-Barriuso M, Villegas-Pérez MP. Understanding glaucomatous damage: Anatomical and functional data from ocular hypertensive rodent retinas. Prog Retin Eye Res 2012; 31:1-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Intravitreous interleukin-2 treatment and inflammation modulates glial cells activation and uncrossed retinotectal development. Neuroscience 2011; 200:223-36. [PMID: 22067607 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Revised: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plays regulatory functions both in immune and nervous system. However, in the visual system, little is known about the cellular types which respond to IL-2 and its effects. Herein, we investigated the influence of IL-2 in the development of central visual pathways. Lister Hooded rats were submitted to multiple (at postnatal days [PND]7/10/13) or single (at PND10) intravitreous injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (vehicle), zymosan, or IL-2. IL-2 receptor α subunit was detected in the whole postnatal retina. Chronic treatment with either PBS or IL-2 increases retinal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, induces intravitreous inflammation revealed by the presence of macrophages, and results in a slight rearrangement of retinotectal axons. Acute zymosan treatment disrupts retinotectal axons distribution, confirming the influence of inflammation on retinotectal pathway reordering. Furthermore, acute IL-2 treatment increases GFAP expression in the retina without inflammation and produces a robust sprouting of the intact uncrossed retinotectal pathway. No difference was observed in glial cells activity in superior colliculus. Taken together, these data suggest that inflammation and interleukin-2 modulate retinal ganglion cells development and the distribution of their axons within central targets.
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Overexpression of neurotrophin-3 stimulates a second wave of dopaminergic amacrine cell genesis after birth in the mouse retina. J Neurosci 2011; 31:12663-73. [PMID: 21880927 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1100-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopaminergic amacrine (DA) cells play multiple and important roles in retinal function. Neurotrophins are known to modulate the number and morphology of DA cells, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigate how neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) regulates DA cell density in the mouse retina. We demonstrate that overexpression of NT-3 upregulates DA cell number and leads to a consequent increase in the density of DA cell dendrites. To examine the mechanisms of DA cell density increase, we further investigate the effect of NT-3 overexpression on retinal apoptosis and mitosis during development. We find that NT-3 does not affect the well known wave of retinal cell apoptosis that normally occurs during the first 2 weeks after birth. Instead, overexpression of NT-3 promotes additional mitosis of DA cells at postnatal day 4, but does not affect cell mitosis before birth, the peak period of amacrine cell genesis in wild-type retinas. We next show that retinal explants cultured from birth to day 7 without extra NT-3 produced by lens exhibit similar number of DA cells as in wild type, further supporting the notion that postnatal overexpression of lens-derived NT-3 affects DA cell number. Moreover, the additional mitosis after birth in NT-3-overexpressing mice does not occur in calretinin-positive amacrine cells or PKC-positive rod ON bipolar cells. Thus, the NT-3-triggered wave of cell mitosis after birth is specific for the retinal DA cells.
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Chan KC, Cheng JS, Fan S, Zhou IY, Yang J, Wu EX. In vivo evaluation of retinal and callosal projections in early postnatal development and plasticity using manganese-enhanced MRI and diffusion tensor imaging. Neuroimage 2011; 59:2274-83. [PMID: 21985904 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Revised: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 09/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The rodents are an excellent model for understanding the development and plasticity of the visual system. In this study, we explored the feasibility of Mn-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 7 T for in vivo and longitudinal assessments of the retinal and callosal pathways in normal neonatal rodent brains and after early postnatal visual impairments. Along the retinal pathways, unilateral intravitreal Mn2+ injection resulted in Mn2+ uptake and transport in normal neonatal visual brains at postnatal days (P) 1, 5 and 10 with faster Mn2+ clearance than the adult brains at P60. The reorganization of retinocollicular projections was also detected by significant Mn2+ enhancement by 2%-10% in the ipsilateral superior colliculus (SC) of normal neonatal rats, normal adult mice and adult rats after neonatal monocular enucleation (ME) but not in normal adult rats or adult rats after monocular deprivation (MD). DTI showed a significantly higher fractional anisotropy (FA) by 21% in the optic nerve projected from the remaining eye of ME rats compared to normal rats at 6 weeks old, likely as a result of the retention of axons from the ipsilaterally uncrossed retinal ganglion cells, whereas the anterior and posterior retinal pathways projected from the enucleated or deprived eyes possessed lower FA after neonatal binocular enucleation (BE), ME and MD by 22%-56%, 18%-46% and 11%-15% respectively compared to normal rats, indicative of neurodegeneration or immaturity of white matter tracts. Along the visual callosal pathways, intracortical Mn2+ injection to the visual cortex of BE rats enhanced a larger projection volume by about 74% in the V1/V2 transition zone of the contralateral hemisphere compared to normal rats, without apparent DTI parametric changes in the splenium of corpus callosum. This suggested an adaptive change in interhemispheric connections and spatial specificity in the visual cortex upon early blindness. The results of this study may help determine the mechanisms of axonal uptake and transport, microstructural reorganization and functional activities in the living visual brains during development, diseases, plasticity and early interventions in a global and longitudinal setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Chan
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Guerin MB, Donovan M, McKernan DP, O'Brien CJ, Cotter TG. Age-dependent rat retinal ganglion cell susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli: implications for glaucoma. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2011; 39:243-51. [PMID: 21489112 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2011.02496.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper seeks to investigate differences between the neonatal and adult retinal ganglion cell populations to apoptotic death stimuli. DESIGN AND SAMPLES: In vitro and ex vivo paradigms involving P6 and P60 Sprague-Dawley rat retinal explants and retinal ganglion cells were employed. METHODS Postnatal day 6 (P6) and 60 (P60) Sprague-Dawley retinal ganglion cells and retinal explants were either serum starved or subjected to excitotoxicity using calcium ionophore A23187. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Apoptosis was detected in both models using terminal dUTP nick end labelling. Expression of Apaf-1, active caspases-3 and 9 in P6 and P60 retinas, and in the ganglion cell layer was examined using Western blotting. RESULTS In both the dissociated retinal ganglion cell and retinal explant models, P60 retinal ganglion cells were significantly less susceptible to excitoxicity and serum starvation than their P6 counterparts. Western blotting indicated that active caspase-3 and Apaf-1 are downregulated in the Sprague-Dawley rat retina at P60 compared with P6. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that neonatal Sprague-Dawley retinal ganglion cells are more susceptible to glaucoma-related death stimuli than their adult counterparts in dissociated retinal ganglion cells and axotomized retinal explant models. It is apparent that these different retinal ganglion cell populations are inherently designed to react differently to death stimuli. Thus caution should be exercised when noting the high susceptibility of neonatal retinal ganglion cells to glaucomatous death stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc B Guerin
- Cell Development & Disease Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Zabouri N, Bouchard JF, Casanova C. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 expression during postnatal development of the rat retina. J Comp Neurol 2011; 519:1258-80. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.22534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Guo Y, Johnson EC, Cepurna WO, Dyck JA, Doser T, Morrison JC. Early gene expression changes in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a rat glaucoma model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:1460-73. [PMID: 21051717 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-5930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify patterns of early gene expression changes in the retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) of a rodent model of chronic glaucoma. METHODS Prolonged elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) was produced in rats by episcleral vein injection of hypertonic saline (N = 30). GCLs isolated by laser capture microdissection were grouped by grading of the nerve injury (<25% axon degeneration for early injury; >25% for advanced injury). Gene expression was determined by cDNA microarray of independent GCL RNA samples. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to further examine the expression of selected genes. RESULTS By array analysis, 533 GCL genes (225 up, 308 down) were significantly regulated in early injury. Compared to only one major upregulated gene class of metabolism regulation, more were downregulated, including mitochondria, ribosome, proteasome, energy pathways, protein synthesis, protein folding, and synaptic transmission. qPCR confirmed an early upregulation of Atf3. With advanced injury, 1790 GCL genes were significantly regulated (997 up, 793 down). Altered gene categories included upregulated protein synthesis, immune response, and cell apoptosis and downregulated dendrite morphogenesis and axon extension. Of all the early changed genes, 50% were not present in advanced injury. These uniquely affected genes were mainly associated with upregulated transcription regulation and downregulated protein synthesis. CONCLUSIONS Early GCL gene responses to pressure-induced injury are characterized by an upregulation of Atf3 and extensive downregulation in genes associated with cellular metabolism and neuronal functions. Most likely, these changes represent those specific to RGCs and are thus potentially important for enhancing RGC survival in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Guo
- Kenneth C. Swan Ocular Neurobiology Laboratory, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
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Bernstein SL, Johnson MA, Miller NR. Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and its experimental models. Prog Retin Eye Res 2011; 30:167-87. [PMID: 21376134 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2010] [Revised: 02/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) can be divided into nonarteritic (NAION) and arteritic (AAION) forms. NAION makes up ~85% of all cases of AION, and until recently was poorly understood. There is no treatment for NAION, and its initiating causes are poorly understood, in part because NAION is not lethal, making it difficult to obtain fresh, newly affected tissue for study. In-vivo electrophysiology and post-mortem studies reveal specific responses that are associated with NAION. New models of NAION have been developed which enable insights into the pathophysiological events surrounding this disease. These models include both rodent and primate species, and the power of a 'vertically integrated' multi-species approach can help in understanding the common cellular mechanisms and physiological responses to clinical NAION, and to identify potential approaches to treatment. The models utilize laser light to activate intravascular photoactive dye to induce capillary vascular thrombosis, while sparing the larger vessels. The observable optic nerve changes associated with rodent models of AION (rAION) and primate NAION (pNAION) are indistinguishable from that seen in clinical disease, including sectoral axonal involvement, and in-vivo electrophysiological data from these models are consistent with clinical data. Early post-infarct events reveal an unexpected inflammatory response, and changes in intraretinal gene expression for both stress response, while sparing outer retinal function, which occurs in AAION models. Histologically, the NAION models reveal an isolated loss of retinal ganglion cells by apoptosis. There are changes detectable by immunohistochemistry suggesting that other retinal cells mount a brisk response to retinal ganglion cell distress without themselves dying. The optic nerve ultimately shows axonal loss and scarring. Inflammation is a prominent early histological feature. This suggests that clinically, specific modulation of inflammation may be a useful approach to NAION treatment early in the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L Bernstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Galindo-Romero C, Avilés-Trigueros M, Jiménez-López M, Valiente-Soriano FJ, Salinas-Navarro M, Nadal-Nicolás F, Villegas-Pérez MP, Vidal-Sanz M, Agudo-Barriuso M. Axotomy-induced retinal ganglion cell death in adult mice: quantitative and topographic time course analyses. Exp Eye Res 2011; 92:377-87. [PMID: 21354138 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Revised: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The fate of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury has been thoroughly described in rat, but not in mice, despite the fact that this species is amply used as a model to study different experimental paradigms that affect retinal ganglion cell population. Here we have analyzed, quantitatively and topographically, the course of mice retinal ganglion cells loss induced by intraorbital nerve transection. To do this, we have doubly identified retinal ganglion cells in all retinas by tracing them from their main retinorecipient area, the superior colliculi, and by their expression of BRN3A (product of Pou4f1 gene). In rat, this transcription factor is expressed by a majority of retinal ganglion cells; however in mice it is not known how many out of the whole population of these neurons express it. Thus, in this work we have assessed, as well, the total population of BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells. These were automatically quantified in all whole-mounted retinas using a newly developed routine. In control retinas, traced-retinal ganglion cells were automatically quantified, using the previously reported method (Salinas-Navarro et al., 2009b). After optic nerve injury, though, traced-retinal ganglion cells had to be manually quantified by retinal sampling and their total population was afterwards inferred. In naïve whole-mounts, the mean (±standard deviation) total number of traced-retinal ganglion cells was 40,437(±3196) and of BRN3A positive ones was 34,697(±1821). Retinal ganglion cell loss was first significant for both markers 5 days post-axotomy and by day 21, the last time point analyzed, only 15% or 12% of traced or BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells respectively, survived. Isodensity maps showed that, in control retinas, BRN3A and traced-retinal ganglion cells were distributed similarly, being densest in the dorsal retina along the naso-temporal axis. After axotomy the progressive loss of BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells was diffuse and affected the entire retina. In conclusion, this is the first study assessing the values, in terms of total number and density, of the retinal ganglion cells surviving axotomy from 2 till 21 days post-lesion. Besides, we have demonstrated that BRN3A is expressed by 85.6% of the total retinal ganglion cell population, and because BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells show the same spatial distribution and temporal course of degeneration than traced ones, BRN3A is a reliable marker to identify, quantify and assess, ex-vivo, retinal ganglion cell loss in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Galindo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Oftalmología Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Ribas VT, Arruda-Carvalho M, Linden R, Chiarini LB. Early c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent phosphorylation of activating transcription factor-2 is associated with degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Neuroscience 2011; 180:64-74. [PMID: 21300140 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Revised: 01/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuron death due to deprivation of target-derived neurotrophic factors depends on protein synthesis regulated by transcription factor activity. We investigated the content and phosphorylation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) in axon-damaged retinal ganglion cells of neonatal rats. In the retina of neonatal rats, the ATF-2 protein is predominantly located in the nucleus of the ganglion cells. A gradual loss of the immunoreactivity for ATF-2 occurred after explantation. ATF-2 is phosphorylated early after explantation, with a peak within 3 hours, preceding the peak of cell death that occurs at 18 hours. Both the phosphorylation of ATF-2 and ganglion cell death were blocked by treatment with an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), whereas an inhibitor of p38 reduced only slightly the rate of ganglion cell death with no effect upon phosphorylation of ATF-2. Inhibitors of phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI-3K), protein kinase C (PKC) or extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) had no effect. Finally, the inhibitor of JNK blocked the upregulation of both c-Jun and Hrk in the GCL after retinal explantation. The data show that phosphorylation of ATF-2 by JNK is associated with retinal ganglion cell death after axon damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- V T Ribas
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Sánchez-Migallón MC, Nadal-Nicolás FM, Jiménez-López M, Sobrado-Calvo P, Vidal-Sanz M, Agudo-Barriuso M. Brain derived neurotrophic factor maintains Brn3a expression in axotomized rat retinal ganglion cells. Exp Eye Res 2011; 92:260-7. [PMID: 21315070 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Revised: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Brn3a has been reported to be a good marker for adult rat retinal ganglion cells in control and injured retinas. However, it is still unclear if Brn3a expression declines progressively by the injury itself or otherwise its expression is maintained in retinal ganglion cells that, though being injured, are still alive, as might occur when assessing neuroprotective therapies. Therefore, we have automatically quantified the whole population of surviving Brn3a positive retinal ganglion cells in retinas subjected to intraorbital optic nerve transection and treated with either brain derived neurotrophic factor or vehicle. Brain derived neurotrophic factor is known to delay retinal ganglion cell death after axotomy. Thus, comparison of both groups would inform of the suitability of Brn3a as a retinal ganglion cell marker when testing neuroprotective molecules. As internal control, retinal ganglion cells were, as well, identified in all retinas by retrogradely tracing them with fluorogold. Our data show that at all the analyzed times post-lesion, the numbers of Brn3a positive retinal ganglion cells and of fluorogold positive retinal ganglion cells are significantly higher in the brain derived neurotrophic factor-treated retinas compared to the vehicle-treated ones. Moreover, detailed isodensity maps of the surviving Brn3a positive retinal ganglion cells show that a single injection of brain derived neurotrophic factor protects retinal ganglion cells throughout the entire retina. In conclusion, Brn3a is a reliable retinal ganglion cell marker that can be used to accurately measure the potential effect of a given neuroprotective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Sánchez-Migallón
- Laboratorio de Oftalmología Experimental. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Marra C, Gomes Moret D, de Souza Corrêa A, Chagas da Silva F, Moraes P, Linden R, Sholl-Franco A. Protein kinases JAK and ERK mediate protective effect of interleukin-2 upon ganglion cells of the developing rat retina. J Neuroimmunol 2011; 233:120-6. [PMID: 21262542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Revised: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 12/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a prototypical pro-inflammatory cytokine firstly related to T cells differentiation, exerts pleiotrophic functions in several areas of the central nervous system. Previously we had described the neurotrophic roles of this interleukin upon retinal neurons. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the signaling pathways involved in the neuroprotective effect of IL-2 on axotomized RGC. Herein we demonstrated that at postnatal day 2 IL-2 receptor α subunit (IL-2Rα) is expressed in inner plexiform layer, retinal ganglion cells layer and retinal nerve fibers layer. Moreover, using a model of organotypic retinal explants and rhodamine dextran retrograde labeling for specifically quantify RGC, we showed that IL-2 increased the survival of axotomized RGC after 2 (85.43±5.43%) and 5 (50.23%±5.32) days in vitro. Western blot analysis demonstrated that IL-2 treatment increased the phosphorilation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and AKT (~two fold). However, its neuroprotective effect upon RGC was dependent of Janus kinase (JAK) and ERK1/2 activity but not of AKT activity. Taken together our results showed that the IL-2 neuroprotective action upon RGC in vitro is mediated by JAK and ERK1/2 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Marra
- Programa de Neurobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, 21941-902Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Gregory CD, Pound JD. Cell death in the neighbourhood: direct microenvironmental effects of apoptosis in normal and neoplastic tissues. J Pathol 2010; 223:177-94. [PMID: 21125674 DOI: 10.1002/path.2792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 09/12/2010] [Accepted: 09/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Here we consider the impact of the physiological cell-death programme on normal tissue homeostasis and on disease pathogenesis, with particular reference to evolution and progression of neoplasia. We seek to describe the direct contributions played by apoptosis in creating the microenvironments of normal and malignant tissues and to discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the elements of the '3Rs' that define the meaning of apoptosis: recognition, response, and removal. Apoptotic cells elicit responses in other cell types-both phagocytic and non-phagocytic-through short- and long-range signalling modes that range from direct contact to intercellular communication via membrane-bound microparticles. Such cellular responses include migration, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as production of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mediators together with, in the case of phagocytes, engulfment, and breakdown of apoptotic cells. In normal tissues, the removal of apoptotic cells is rapid and typically non-phlogistic. We discuss the importance of this clearance process in tissue homeostasis and the consequences of its failure in disease pathogenesis. Using the typical cell culture environment in vitro as an illustrative example in which apoptosis occurs commonly in the absence of the removal mechanisms, we also discuss the inhibitory effects of persistent apoptotic cells on their otherwise viable neighbours. Since apoptosis is a common and sustained event in high-grade malignancies, we hypothesize on its purposeful role in conditioning the tumour microenvironment. We propose that apoptosis subserves several pro-tumour functions-trophic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory-and we identify strategies targeting host responses to apoptotic cells as promising modes of future therapies that could be applied to multiple cancer types in which tumour-cell apoptosis is active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Gregory
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Queens Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
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Dallimore EJ, Park KK, Pollett MA, Taylor JS, Harvey AR. The life, death and regenerative ability of immature and mature rat retinal ganglion cells are influenced by their birthdate. Exp Neurol 2010; 225:353-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2010] [Revised: 06/30/2010] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Trophic responsiveness of purified postnatal and adult rat retinal ganglion cells. Cell Tissue Res 2010; 339:297-310. [PMID: 19936794 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-009-0897-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2009] [Accepted: 10/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Central neurons lose the ability for axonal re-growth during development and typically do not regenerate their axons following axotomy once they become mature unless given a growth-permissive environment i.e. peripheral nerve graft. In the present study, the growth responsiveness of purified retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) at different ages to neurotrophic factors and Schwann cell (SC)-secreted factors were examined directly. The purity of adult RGCs was 97% as assessed by retrograde labelling with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The stability of cultures were demonstrated by long-term survival (30 days) in medium contained brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and forskolin (F) (BCF). RGCs from postnatal (P) (P0, P4, P8, P21) and adult (P90) rats showed decreasing levels of survival and neuritogenesis when grown in BCF. In contrast, the opposite was observed in SC-conditioned medium (CM)-treated P0-P8 RGCs which were increasingly responsive. SCCM induced maximal neurite outgrowth in P8 RGCs via the activation of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase-Erk1/2 signaling using an Erk1/2-specific inhibitor (UO126) abolished SCCM-induced Erk1/2 phosphorylation and neuritogenesis completely. Although both SCCM and BCF failed to sustain the same levels of growth in P21 or P90 cultures as observed in P8 cultures, SCCM promoted higher survival and neuritogenesis than BCF-treated adult RGCs. This study is the first report of adult rat RGC purification and demonstrates that mature RGCs need multiple factors for survival and neurite outgrowth.
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Al-Gayyar MMH, Abdelsaid MA, Matragoon S, Pillai BA, El-Remessy AB. Neurovascular protective effect of FeTPPs in N-methyl-D-aspartate model: similarities to diabetes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2010; 177:1187-97. [PMID: 20651233 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.091289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown a causal role of peroxynitrite in mediating retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in diabetic and neurotoxicity models. In the present study, the role of peroxynitrite in altering the antioxidant and antiapoptotic thioredoxin (Trx) system will be investigated as well as the subsequent effects on glial activation and capillary degeneration. Excitotoxicity of the retina was induced by intravitreal injection of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) in rats, which also received the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst FeTPPs. RGC loss was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and GC count. Glial activation and nitrotyrosine were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Acellular capillaries and pericytes were counted in retinal trypsin digest. NMDA-induced peroxynitrite formation caused RGC loss, which was associated with enhanced expression of Trx and its endogenous inhibitor thioredoxin interacting protein. The results also showed enhanced thioredoxin interacting protein/Trx binding and disruption of the Trx/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 "inhibitory complex," leading to release of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 and activation of the apoptotic pathway, as evidenced by p38 MAPK and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase activation. Furthermore, NMDA caused glial activation and compromised retinal vasculature, as indicated by acellular-capillary formation and pericyte loss. Treatment with FeTPPs blocked these effects. In conclusion, NMDA-induced retinal neuro/vascular injury is mediated by peroxynitrite-altered Trx antioxidant defense, which in turn activates the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 apoptotic pathway. In addition to acute RGC death, an NMDA model can be a useful tool to study glial activation and capillary degeneration in retinal neurodegenerative disorders, including diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed M H Al-Gayyar
- Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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