1
|
Zhou X, Zhao L, Wang C, Sun W, Jia B, Li D, Fu J. Diverse functions and pathogenetic role of Crumbs in retinopathy. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:290. [PMID: 38802833 PMCID: PMC11129452 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The Crumbs protein (CRB) family plays a crucial role in maintaining the apical-basal polarity and integrity of embryonic epithelia. The family comprises different isoforms in different animals and possesses diverse structural, localization, and functional characteristics. Mutations in the human CRB1 or CRB2 gene may lead to a broad spectrum of retinal dystrophies. Various CRB-associated experimental models have recently provided mechanistic insights into human CRB-associated retinopathies. The knowledge obtained from these models corroborates the importance of CRB in retinal development and maintenance. Therefore, complete elucidation of these models can provide excellent therapeutic prospects for human CRB-associated retinopathies. In this review, we summarize the current animal models and human-derived models of different CRB family members and describe the main characteristics of their retinal phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuebin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Liangliang Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Chenguang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Jinling Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Peng S, Li JJ, Song W, Li Y, Zeng L, Liang Q, Wen X, Shang H, Liu K, Peng P, Xue W, Zou B, Yang L, Liang J, Zhang Z, Guo S, Chen T, Li W, Jin M, Xing XB, Wan P, Liu C, Lin H, Wei H, Lee RWJ, Zhang F, Wei L. CRB1-associated retinal degeneration is dependent on bacterial translocation from the gut. Cell 2024; 187:1387-1401.e13. [PMID: 38412859 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene is associated with retinal degeneration, most commonly Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Here, we demonstrate that murine retinas bearing the Rd8 mutation of Crb1 are characterized by the presence of intralesional bacteria. While normal CRB1 expression was enriched in the apical junctional complexes of retinal pigment epithelium and colonic enterocytes, Crb1 mutations dampened its expression at both sites. Consequent impairment of the outer blood retinal barrier and colonic intestinal epithelial barrier in Rd8 mice led to the translocation of intestinal bacteria from the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract to the retina, resulting in secondary retinal degeneration. Either the depletion of bacteria systemically or the reintroduction of normal Crb1 expression colonically rescued Rd8-mutation-associated retinal degeneration without reversing the retinal barrier breach. Our data elucidate the pathogenesis of Crb1-mutation-associated retinal degenerations and suggest that antimicrobial agents have the potential to treat this devastating blinding disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanzhen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jing Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wanying Song
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Lei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Qiaoxing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haitao Shang
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Keli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Peiyao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Bin Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Liu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Juanran Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China; Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Shixin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wenxuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ming Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 10029, China
| | - Xiang-Bin Xing
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Pengxia Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Chunqiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Haotian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Hong Wei
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Richard W J Lee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Boon N, Lu X, Andriessen CA, Orlovà M, Quinn PM, Boon CJ, Wijnholds J. Characterization and AAV-mediated CRB gene augmentation in human-derived CRB1KO and CRB1KOCRB2+/- retinal organoids. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101128. [PMID: 37886604 PMCID: PMC10597801 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The majority of patients with mutations in CRB1 develop either early-onset retinitis pigmentosa as young children or Leber congenital amaurosis as newborns. The cause for the phenotypic variability in CRB1-associated retinopathies is unknown, but might be linked to differences in CRB1 and CRB2 protein levels in Müller glial cells and photoreceptor cells. Here, CRB1KO and CRB1KOCRB2+/- differentiation day 210 retinal organoids showed a significant decrease in the number of photoreceptor nuclei in a row and a significant increase in the number of photoreceptor cell nuclei above the outer limiting membrane. This phenotype with outer retinal abnormalities is similar to CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids and Crb1 or Crb2 mutant mouse retinal disease models. The CRB1KO and CRB1KOCRB2+/- retinal organoids develop an additional inner retinal phenotype due to the complete loss of CRB1 from Müller glial cells, suggesting an essential role for CRB1 in proper localization of neuronal cell types. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) transduction was explored at early and late stages of organoid development. Moreover, AAV-mediated gene augmentation therapy with AAV.hCRB2 improved the outer retinal phenotype in CRB1KO retinal organoids. Altogether, these data provide essential information for future gene therapy approaches for patients with CRB1-associated retinal dystrophies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Xuefei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte A. Andriessen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michaela Orlovà
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M.J. Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Camiel J.F. Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1000 AE Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Buck TM, Quinn PMJ, Pellissier LP, Mulder AA, Jongejan A, Lu X, Boon N, Koot D, Almushattat H, Arendzen CH, Vos RM, Bradley EJ, Freund C, Mikkers HMM, Boon CJF, Moerland PD, Baas F, Koster AJ, Neefjes J, Berlin I, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. CRB1 is required for recycling by RAB11A+ vesicles in human retinal organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1793-1810. [PMID: 37541258 PMCID: PMC10545476 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRB1 gene mutations can cause early- or late-onset retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, or maculopathy. Recapitulating human CRB1 phenotypes in animal models has proven challenging, necessitating the development of alternatives. We generated human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids of patients with retinitis pigmentosa caused by biallelic CRB1 mutations and evaluated them against autologous gene-corrected hiPSCs and hiPSCs from healthy individuals. Patient organoids show decreased levels of CRB1 and NOTCH1 expression at the retinal outer limiting membrane. Proximity ligation assays show that human CRB1 and NOTCH1 can interact via their extracellular domains. CRB1 patient organoids feature increased levels of WDFY1+ vesicles, fewer RAB11A+ recycling endosomes, decreased VPS35 retromer complex components, and more degradative endolysosomal compartments relative to isogenic control organoids. Taken together, our data demonstrate that patient-derived retinal organoids enable modeling of retinal degeneration and highlight the importance of CRB1 in early endosome maturation receptor recycling in the retina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thilo M Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M J Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Epidemiology & Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Xuefei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Koot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Hind Almushattat
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier M Vos
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands
| | - Edward J Bradley
- Department of Genome Analysis, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Freund
- Leiden University Medical Center hiPSC Hotel, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Harald M M Mikkers
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Center hiPSC Hotel, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1000 AE, the Netherlands
| | - Perry D Moerland
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Epidemiology & Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Baas
- Department of Genome Analysis, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics/LDGA, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Ilana Berlin
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Boon N, Lu X, Andriessen CA, Moustakas I, Buck TM, Freund C, Arendzen CH, Böhringer S, Mei H, Wijnholds J. AAV-mediated gene augmentation therapy of CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids restores the histological and transcriptional retinal phenotype. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1123-1137. [PMID: 37084726 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis are inherited retinal dystrophies that can be caused by mutations in the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene. CRB1 is required for organizing apical-basal polarity and adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller glial cells. CRB1 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into CRB1 retinal organoids that showed diminished expression of variant CRB1 protein observed by immunohistochemical analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed impact on, among others, the endosomal pathway and cell adhesion and migration in CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids compared with isogenic controls. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated hCRB2 or hCRB1 gene augmentation in Müller glial and photoreceptor cells partially restored the histological phenotype and transcriptomic profile of CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids. Altogether, we show proof-of-concept that AAV.hCRB1 or AAV.hCRB2 treatment improved the phenotype of CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids, providing essential information for future gene therapy approaches for patients with mutations in the CRB1 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Xuefei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte A Andriessen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thilo M Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Freund
- hiPSC Hotel, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Arendzen
- hiPSC Hotel, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan Böhringer
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Daich Varela M, Georgiou M, Alswaiti Y, Kabbani J, Fujinami K, Fujinami-Yokokawa Y, Khoda S, Mahroo OA, Robson AG, Webster AR, AlTalbishi A, Michaelides M. CRB1-Associated Retinal Dystrophies: Genetics, Clinical Characteristics, and Natural History. Am J Ophthalmol 2023; 246:107-121. [PMID: 36099972 PMCID: PMC10555856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the clinical characteristics, natural history, and genetics of CRB1-associated retinal dystrophies. DESIGN Multicenter international retrospective cohort study. METHODS Review of clinical notes, ophthalmic images, and genetic testing results of 104 patients (91 probands) with disease-causing CRB1 variants. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, visual function, fundus characteristics, and associations between variables were the main outcome measures. RESULTS The mean age of the cohort at the first visit was 19.8 ± 16.1 (median 15) years, with a mean follow-up of 9.6 ± 10 years. Based on history, imaging, and clinical examination, 26 individuals were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP; 25%), 54 with early-onset severe retinal dystrophy / Leber congenital amaurosis (EOSRD/LCA; 52%), and 24 with macular dystrophy (MD; 23%). Severe visual impairment was most frequent after 40 years of age for patients with RP and after 20 years of age for EOSRD/LCA. Longitudinal analysis revealed a significant difference between baseline and follow-up best-corrected visual acuity in the 3 subcohorts. Macular thickness decreased in most patients with EOSRD/LCA and MD, whereas the majority of patients with RP had increased perifoveal thickness. CONCLUSIONS A subset of individuals with CRB1 variants present with mild, adult-onset RP. EOSRD/LCA phenotype was significantly associated with null variants, and 167_169 deletion was exclusively present in the MD cohort. The poor OCT lamination may have a degenerative component, as well as being congenital. Disease symmetry and reasonable window for intervention highlight CRB1 retinal dystrophies as a promising target for trials of novel therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malena Daich Varela
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Michalis Georgiou
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; Jones Eye Institute (M.G.), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Yahya Alswaiti
- St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital group, Jerusalem, Palestine (Y.A., A.A.)
| | - Jamil Kabbani
- Imperial College London (J.K.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center (Y.F.-Y.), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu Fujinami-Yokokawa
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center (Y.F.-Y.), Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University(Y.F.-Y.), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shaheeni Khoda
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony G Robson
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Webster
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Alaa AlTalbishi
- St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital group, Jerusalem, Palestine (Y.A., A.A.)
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., S.K., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (M.D.V., M.G., K.F., Y.F.-Y., O.A.M., A.G.R., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nahar A, Cho SH. Current perspectives in Leber congenital amaurosis type 8 mouse modeling. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:1094-1106. [PMID: 35150033 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the CRB1 (Crumbs homolog 1) cause rare retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa type 12 (RP12) and Leber congenital amaurosis type 8 (LCA8). RP12 results in progressively worsening peripheral vision, whereas LCA8 causes severe visual impairment at birth or in early life. While several mouse models have been proposed for RP12, few replicate the full spectrum of human LCA8 pathology, such as disorganized retinal layering, abnormal retinal thickening, pigmentary defects, hyperreflective lesions, and severely attenuated electroretinogram responses at birth. Six models have been proposed utilizing the Cre-loxP system to delete candidate genes in specific retinal cell types and developmental stages. The model ablating Crb1 and its homolog Crb2 (using mRx-Cre) from the beginning of the eye development is the most complete as it shows blindness during the eye-opening stage, pigmentary defects in the RPE, ganglion cell layer heterotopia, disruption of retinal lamination, and acellular patches. LCA8 represents a unique type of retinal dystrophy among LCA subtypes, driven by dysfunctional retinal progenitor cells during eye development. In contrast, other LCA types and RP12 are caused by photoreceptor defects. Therefore, the most accurate LCA8-like mouse model must target both alleles of the Crb1 and Crb2 genes in the optic vesicle or earlier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Nahar
- Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seo-Hee Cho
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Passaro ML, Magno L, Mazzucco A, Attaguile M, Montorio D, Cennamo G. An unusual association of macular retinoschisis with progressive familiar intrahepatic cholestasis: A multimodal imaging study. Eur J Ophthalmol 2021; 33:11206721211060141. [PMID: 34751049 DOI: 10.1177/11206721211060141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate a case of macular retinoschisis associated with a TJP2 mutation in a young woman affected by a Progressive Familiar Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) using multimodal imaging. METHODS Observational case report. RESULTS A 35-year-old woman, undergone a liver transplant for PFIC, was referred to Eye Clinic for complete ophthalmological examination and multimodal imaging. Fundus examination showed no significant alterations in both eyes while multicolor image revealed the presence of several cystes in macular region. The autofluorescence image highlighted small areas of iperautofluorescence in macular region. En-face image showed a "coral shape pattern" and structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed foveal hyporeflective cystic spaces in outer and inner nuclear layers, areas of splitting within the nerve fiber layer (schisis areas) and an initial preretinal fibrosis. Lastly, OCT-angiography (OCT-A) demonstrated small perifoveal teleangectasias and slight reduction of the foveal avascular zone area. CONCLUSION Multimodal imaging could help to highlight the presence of a rare retinal disorder associated with a gene related systemic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Passaro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 9307University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigifilippo Magno
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 9307University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzucco
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 9307University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Attaguile
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 9307University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Montorio
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, 9307University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gilda Cennamo
- Eye Clinic, Public Health Department, 165474University's of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Talib M, Schooneveld MJ, Wijnholds J, Genderen MM, Schalij‐Delfos NE, Talsma HE, Florijn RJ, Brink JB, Cremers FP, Thiadens AA, Born LI, Hoyng CB, Meester‐Smoor MA, Bergen AA, Boon CJ. Defining inclusion criteria and endpoints for clinical trials: a prospective cross-sectional study in CRB1-associated retinal dystrophies. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:e402-e414. [PMID: 33528094 PMCID: PMC8248330 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the retinal structure and function in patients with CRB1‐associated retinal dystrophies (RD) and to explore potential clinical endpoints. Methods In this prospective cross‐sectional study, 22 patients with genetically confirmed CRB1‐RD (aged 6–74 years), and who had a decimal best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 0.05 at the last visit, were studied clinically with ETDRS BCVA, corneal topography, spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT), fundus autofluorescence, Goldmann visual field (VF), microperimetry, full‐field electroretinography (ERG) and full‐field stimulus testing (FST). Ten patients were from a genetic isolate (GI). Results Patients had retinitis pigmentosa (n = 19; GI and non‐GI), cone‐rod dystrophy (n = 2; GI) or macular dystrophy (n = 1; non‐GI). Median age at first symptom onset was 3 years (range 0.8–49). Median decimal BCVA in the better and worse‐seeing eye was 0.18 (range 0.05–0.83) and 0.08 (range light perception‐0.72), respectively. Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) showed cystoid maculopathy in 8 subjects; inner retinal thickening (n = 20), a well‐preserved (para)foveal outer retina (n = 7) or severe (para)foveal outer retinal atrophy (n = 14). All retinal layers were discernible in 13/21 patients (62%), with mild to moderate laminar disorganization in the others. Nanophthalmos was observed in 8 patients (36%). Full‐field stimulus testing (FST) provided a subjective outcome measure for retinal sensitivity in eyes with (nearly) extinguished ERG amplitudes. Conclusions Despite the generally severe course of CRB1‐RDs, symptom onset and central visual function are variable, even at advanced ages. Phenotypes may vary within the same family. Imaging and functional studies in a prospective longitudinal setting should clarify which endpoints may be most appropriate in a clinical trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mays Talib
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Mary J. Schooneveld
- Department of Ophthalmology Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Bartiméus Diagnostic Centre for complex visual disorders Zeist The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Maria M. Genderen
- Bartiméus Diagnostic Centre for complex visual disorders Zeist The Netherlands
| | | | - Herman E. Talsma
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
- Bartiméus Diagnostic Centre for complex visual disorders Zeist The Netherlands
| | - Ralph J. Florijn
- Department of Clinical Genetics Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Jacoline B. Brink
- Department of Clinical Genetics Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Frans P.M. Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Carel B. Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | | | - Arthur A. Bergen
- Department of Clinical Genetics Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN‐KNAW) Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Camiel J.F. Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Defining Phenotype, Tropism, and Retinal Gene Therapy Using Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors (AAVs) in New-Born Brown Norway Rats with a Spontaneous Mutation in Crb1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073563. [PMID: 33808129 PMCID: PMC8036486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Crumbs homologue 1 (CRB1) gene cause inherited retinal dystrophies, such as early-onset retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. A Brown Norway rat strain was reported with a spontaneous insertion-deletion (indel) mutation in exon 6 of Crb1. It has been reported that these Crb1 mutant rats show vascular abnormalities associated with retinal telangiectasia and possess an early-onset retinal degenerative phenotype with outer limiting membrane breaks and focal loss of retinal lamination at 2 months of age. Here, we further characterized the morphological phenotype of new-born and adult Crb1 mutant rats in comparison with age-matched Brown Norway rats without a mutation in Crb1. A significantly decreased retinal function and visual acuity was observed in Crb1 mutant rats at 1 and 3 months of age, respectively. Moreover, in control rats, the subcellular localization of canonical CRB1 was observed at the subapical region in Müller glial cells while CRB2 was observed at the subapical region in both photoreceptors and Müller glial cells by immuno-electron microscopy. CRB1 localization was lost in the Crb1 mutant rats, whereas CRB2 was still observed. In addition, we determined the tropism of subretinal or intravitreally administered AAV5-, AAV9- or AAV6-variant ShH10Y445F vectors in new-born control and Crb1 mutant rat retinas. We showed that subretinal injection of AAV5 and AAV9 at postnatal days 5 (P5) or 8 (P8) predominantly infected the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor cells; while intravitreal injection of ShH10Y445F at P5 or P8 resulted in efficient infection of mainly Müller glial cells. Using knowledge of the subcellular localization of CRB1 and the ability of ShH10Y445F to infect Müller glial cells, canonical hCRB1 and hCRB2 AAV-mediated gene therapy were explored in new-born Crb1 mutant rats. Enhanced retinal function after gene therapy delivery in the Crb1 rat was not observed. No timely rescue of the retinal phenotype was observed using retinal function and visual acuity, suggesting the need for earlier onset of expression of recombinant hCRB proteins in Müller glial cells to rescue the severe retinal phenotype in Crb1 mutant rats.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hao Q, Zheng M, Weng K, Hao Y, Zhou Y, Lin Y, Gao F, Kou Z, Kawamura S, Yao K, Xu P, Chen J, Zou J. Crumbs proteins stabilize the cone mosaics of photoreceptors and improve vision in zebrafish. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:52-62. [PMID: 33771456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although the unique organization of vertebrate cone mosaics was first described long ago, both their underlying molecular basis and physiological significance are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Crumbs proteins, the key regulators of epithelial apical polarity, establish the planar cellular polarity of photoreceptors in zebrafish. Via heterophilic Crb2a-Crb2b interactions, the apicobasal polarity protein Crb2b restricts the asymmetric planar distribution of Crb2a in photoreceptors. The planar polarized Crumbs proteins thus balance intercellular adhesions and tension between photoreceptors, thereby stabilizing the geometric organization of cone mosaics. Notably, loss of Crb2b in zebrafish induces a nearsightedness-like phenotype in zebrafish accompanied by an elongated eye axis and impairs zebrafish visual perception for predation. These data reveal a detailed mechanism for cone mosaic homeostasis via previously undiscovered apical-planar polarity coordination and propose a pathogenic mechanism for nearsightedness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinlong Hao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingjie Zheng
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kechao Weng
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yumei Hao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuchen Lin
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Ziqi Kou
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shoji Kawamura
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8562, Japan
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pinglong Xu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jinghai Chen
- The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jian Zou
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Badia A, Salas A, Duarri A, Ferreira-de-Souza B, Zapata MÁ, Fontrodona L, García-Arumí J. Transcriptomics analysis of Ccl2/Cx3cr1/Crb1 rd8 deficient mice provides new insights into the pathophysiology of progressive retinal degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2020; 203:108424. [PMID: 33373623 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic oxidative stress and immune dysregulation are key mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of most retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. The Ccl2-/-/Cx3cr1-/-/Crb1rd8/rd8 mouse model develops a progressive degeneration phenotype, with photoreceptor atrophy, drusen-like lesions or pigment alterations at an early age; however, the role of oxidative stress and immune function in the pathogenesis of the model is poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive characterization of the Ccl2-/-/Cx3cr1-/-/Crb1rd8/rd8 mouse to evaluate how these pathways influence pathogenesis. We generated a Ccl2-/-/Cx3cr1-/- double-knockout (DKO) mouse on a C57BL/6N background (with the rd8 mutation of the Crb1 gene), assessed its retina status and function during 9 months in both in vivo and post-mortem analysis, and performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis. DKOrd8 mice presented focal retinal lesions with increased infiltration of microglia and involvement of Müller cells. Lesions progressed to thinning of the photoreceptor nuclear layer, causing a loss in retinal function. Transcriptomics analysis revealed major differential expression of genes involved in oxidative stress and neuronal function, in particular genes related to the mitochondrial electron transport chain and antioxidant cellular response. Our results suggest that alterations in chemokine signaling combined with the rd8 mutation in Ccl2-/-/Cx3cr1-/-/Crb1rd8/rd8 mice involve early changes in several pathways associated with age-related macular degeneration, highlighting the relevance of these processes in the pathological retinal degeneration in the DKOrd8 model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Badia
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Salas
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Duarri
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Miguel Ángel Zapata
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Laura Fontrodona
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - José García-Arumí
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Buck TM, Vos RM, Alves CH, Wijnholds J. AAV- CRB2 protects against vision loss in an inducible CRB1 retinitis pigmentosa mouse model. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 20:423-441. [PMID: 33575434 PMCID: PMC7848734 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Loss of Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) or CRB2 proteins in Müller cells or photoreceptors in the mouse retina results in a CRB dose-dependent retinal phenotype. In this study, we present a novel Müller cell-specific Crb1KOCrb2LowMGC retinitis pigmentosa mouse model (complete loss of CRB1 and reduced levels of CRB2 specifically in Müller cells). The Crb double mutant mice showed deficits in electroretinography, optokinetic head tracking, and retinal morphology. Exposure of retinas to low levels of dl-α-aminoadipate acid induced gliosis and retinal disorganization in Crb1KOCrb2LowMGC retinas but not in wild-type or Crb1-deficient retinas. Crb1KOCrb2LowMGC mice showed a substantial decrease in inner/outer photoreceptor segment length and optokinetic head-tracking response. Intravitreal application of rAAV vectors expressing human CRB2 (hCRB2) in Müller cells of Crb1KOCrb2LowMGC mice subsequently exposed to low levels of dl-α-aminoadipate acid prevented loss of vision, whereas recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors expressing human CRB1 (hCRB1) did not. Both rAAV vectors partially protected the morphology of the retina. The results suggest that hCRB expression in Müller cells is vital for control of retinal cell adhesion at the outer limiting membrane, and that the rAAV-cytomegalovirus (CMV)-hCRB2 vector is more potent than rAAV-minimal CMV (CMVmin)-hCRB1 in protection against loss of vision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thilo M Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Vos
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Boon N, Wijnholds J, Pellissier LP. Research Models and Gene Augmentation Therapy for CRB1 Retinal Dystrophies. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:860. [PMID: 32922261 PMCID: PMC7456964 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) are inherited degenerative retinal dystrophies with vision loss that ultimately lead to blindness. Several genes have been shown to be involved in early onset retinal dystrophies, including CRB1 and RPE65. Gene therapy recently became available for young RP patients with variations in the RPE65 gene. Current research programs test adeno-associated viral gene augmentation or editing therapy vectors on various disease models mimicking the disease in patients. These include several animal and emerging human-derived models, such as human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids or hiPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and human donor retinal explants. Variations in the CRB1 gene are a major cause for early onset autosomal recessive RP with patients suffering from visual impairment before their adolescence and for LCA with newborns experiencing severe visual impairment within the first months of life. These patients cannot benefit yet from an available gene therapy treatment. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances, advantages and disadvantages of different CRB1 human and animal retinal degeneration models. In addition, we will describe novel therapeutic tools that have been developed, which could potentially be used for retinal gene augmentation therapy for RP patients with variations in the CRB1 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Biology and Bioinformatics of Signalling Systems, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements INRAE UMR 0085, CNRS UMR 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Buck TM, Wijnholds J. Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors (rAAV)-Vector Elements in Ocular Gene Therapy Clinical Trials and Transgene Expression and Bioactivity Assays. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4197. [PMID: 32545533 PMCID: PMC7352801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies and optic neuropathies cause chronic disabling loss of visual function. The development of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) gene therapies in all disease fields have been promising, but the translation to the clinic has been slow. The safety and efficacy profiles of rAAV are linked to the dose of applied vectors. DNA changes in the rAAV gene cassette affect potency, the expression pattern (cell-specificity), and the production yield. Here, we present a library of rAAV vectors and elements that provide a workflow to design novel vectors. We first performed a meta-analysis on recombinant rAAV elements in clinical trials (2007-2020) for ocular gene therapies. We analyzed 33 unique rAAV gene cassettes used in 57 ocular clinical trials. The rAAV gene therapy vectors used six unique capsid variants, 16 different promoters, and six unique polyadenylation sequences. Further, we compiled a list of promoters, enhancers, and other sequences used in current rAAV gene cassettes in preclinical studies. Then, we give an update on pro-viral plasmid backbones used to produce the gene therapy vectors, inverted terminal repeats, production yield, and rAAV safety considerations. Finally, we assess rAAV transgene and bioactivity assays applied to cells or organoids in vitro, explants ex vivo, and clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thilo M. Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Talib M, Boon CJF. Retinal Dystrophies and the Road to Treatment: Clinical Requirements and Considerations. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2020; 9:159-179. [PMID: 32511120 PMCID: PMC7299224 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
: Retinal dystrophies (RDs) comprise relatively rare but devastating causes of progressive vision loss. They represent a spectrum of diseases with marked genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Mutations in the same gene may lead to different diagnoses, for example, retinitis pigmentosa or cone dystrophy. Conversely, mutations in different genes may lead to the same phenotype. The age at symptom onset, and the rate and characteristics of peripheral and central vision decline, may vary widely per disease group and even within families. For most RD cases, no effective treatment is currently available. However, preclinical studies and phase I/II/III gene therapy trials are ongoing for several RD subtypes, and recently the first retinal gene therapy has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for RPE65-associated RDs: voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (Luxturna). With the rapid advances in gene therapy studies, insight into the phenotypic spectrum and long-term disease course is crucial information for several RD types. The vast clinical heterogeneity presents another important challenge in the evaluation of potential efficacy in future treatment trials, and in establishing treatment candidacy criteria. This perspective describes these challenges, providing detailed clinical descriptions of several forms of RD that are caused by genes of interest for ongoing and future gene or cell-based therapy trials. Several ongoing and future treatment options will be described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mays Talib
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Alves CH, Boon N, Mulder AA, Koster AJ, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. CRB2 Loss in Rod Photoreceptors Is Associated with Progressive Loss of Retinal Contrast Sensitivity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174069. [PMID: 31438467 PMCID: PMC6747345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Variations in the Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene are associated with a wide variety of autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies, including early onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). CRB1 belongs to the Crumbs family, which in mammals includes CRB2 and CRB3. Here, we studied the specific roles of CRB2 in rod photoreceptor cells and whether ablation of CRB2 in rods exacerbates the Crb1-disease. Therefore, we assessed the morphological, retinal, and visual functional consequences of specific ablation of CRB2 from rods with or without concomitant loss of CRB1. Our data demonstrated that loss of CRB2 in mature rods resulted in RP. The retina showed gliosis and disruption of the subapical region and adherens junctions at the outer limiting membrane. Rods were lost at the peripheral and central superior retina, while gross retinal lamination was preserved. Rod function as measured by electroretinography was impaired in adult mice. Additional loss of CRB1 exacerbated the retinal phenotype leading to an early reduction of the dark-adapted rod photoreceptor a-wave and reduced contrast sensitivity from 3-months-of-age, as measured by optokinetic tracking reflex (OKT) behavior testing. The data suggest that CRB2 present in rods is required to prevent photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Quinn PM, Mulder AA, Henrique Alves C, Desrosiers M, de Vries SI, Klooster J, Dalkara D, Koster AJ, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. Loss of CRB2 in Müller glial cells modifies a CRB1-associated retinitis pigmentosa phenotype into a Leber congenital amaurosis phenotype. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:105-123. [PMID: 30239717 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in the human Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene lead to an array of retinal dystrophies including early onset of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in children. To investigate the physiological roles of CRB1 and CRB2 in retinal Müller glial cells (MGCs), we analysed mouse retinas lacking both proteins in MGC. The peripheral retina showed a faster progression of dystrophy than the central retina. The central retina showed retinal folds, disruptions at the outer limiting membrane, protrusion of photoreceptor nuclei into the inner and outer segment layers and ingression of photoreceptor nuclei into the photoreceptor synaptic layer. The peripheral retina showed a complete loss of the photoreceptor synapse layer, intermingling of photoreceptor nuclei within the inner nuclear layer and ectopic photoreceptor cells in the ganglion cell layer. Electroretinography showed severe attenuation of the scotopic a-wave at 1 month of age with responses below detection levels at 3 months of age. The double knockout mouse retinas mimicked a phenotype equivalent to a clinical LCA phenotype due to loss of CRB1. Localization of CRB1 and CRB2 in non-human primate (NHP) retinas was analyzed at the ultrastructural level. We found that NHP CRB1 and CRB2 proteins localized to the subapical region adjacent to adherens junctions at the outer limiting membrane in MGC and photoreceptors. Our data suggest that loss of CRB2 in MGC aggravates the CRB1-associated RP-like phenotype towards an LCA-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mélissa Desrosiers
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, UMR_S INSERM, CNRS, UMR, Paris, France
| | - Sharon I de Vries
- Department of Axonal Signaling, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Klooster
- Department of Retina Signal Processing, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, UMR_S INSERM, CNRS, UMR, Paris, France
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chang B, FitzMaurice B, Wang J, Low BE, Wiles MV, Nishina PM. Spontaneous Posterior Segment Vascular Disease Phenotype of a Mouse Model, rnv3, Is Dependent on the Crb1rd8 Allele. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:5127-5139. [PMID: 30372741 PMCID: PMC6203173 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine the molecular basis of lesion development in a murine model of spontaneous retinal vascularization, rnv3 (retinal vascularization 3, aka JR5558). Methods Disease progression of rnv3 was examined in longitudinal studies by clinical evaluation, electroretinography (ERG) and light microscopy analyses. The chromosomal position for the recessive rnv3 mutation was determined by DNA pooling and genome-wide linkage analysis. The causative mutation was discovered by comparison of whole exome sequences of rnv3 mutant and wild-type (WT) controls. In order to confirm the causative mutation, transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated oligonucleotide directed repair (ODR) was utilized to correct the mutant allele. Phenotypic correction was assessed by fundus imaging and optical coherence tomography of live mice. Results rnv3 exhibits early-onset, multifocal depigmented retinal lesions observable by fundus examination starting at 18 days of age. The retinal lesions are associated with fluorescein leakage around 25 days of age, with peak leakage at about 4 weeks of age. ERG responses deteriorate as rnv3 mutants age, concomitant with progressive photoreceptor disruption and loss that is observable by histology. Genetic analysis localized rnv3 to mouse chromosome (Chr) 1. By high throughput sequencing of a whole exome capture library of a rnv3/rnv3 mutant and subsequent sequence analysis, a single base deletion (del) in the Crb1 [crumbs family member 1] gene, which was previously reported to cause retinal degeneration 8, was identified. The TALEN-mediated ODR rescued the posterior segment vascularization phenotype; heterozygous Crb1rd8+em1Boc/Crb1rd8 and homozygous Crb1rd8+em1Boc/Crb1rd8+em1Boc mice showed a normal retinal phenotype. Additionally, six novel disruptions of Crb1 that were generated through aberrant non-homologous end joining induced by TALEN exhibited variable levels of vascularization, suggesting allelic effects. Conclusions The rnv3 model and the models of six novel disruptions of Crb1 are all reliable, novel mouse models for the study of both early and late events associated with posterior segment vascularization and can also be used to test the effects of pharmacological targets for treating human ocular vascular disorders. Further study of these models may provide a greater understanding about how different Crb1 alleles result in aberrant angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chang
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States
| | | | - Jieping Wang
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States
| | - Benjamin E Low
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Quinn PM, Buck TM, Mulder AA, Ohonin C, Alves CH, Vos RM, Bialecka M, van Herwaarden T, van Dijk EHC, Talib M, Freund C, Mikkers HMM, Hoeben RC, Goumans MJ, Boon CJF, Koster AJ, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. Human iPSC-Derived Retinas Recapitulate the Fetal CRB1 CRB2 Complex Formation and Demonstrate that Photoreceptors and Müller Glia Are Targets of AAV5. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:906-919. [PMID: 30956116 PMCID: PMC6522954 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human retinal organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be used to confirm the localization of proteins in retinal cell types and to test transduction and expression patterns of gene therapy vectors. Here, we compared the onset of CRB protein expression in human fetal retina with human iPSC-derived retinal organoids. We show that CRB2 protein precedes the expression of CRB1 in the developing human retina. Our data suggest the presence of CRB1 and CRB2 in human photoreceptors and Müller glial cells. Thus the fetal CRB complex formation is replicated in hiPSC-derived retina. CRB1 patient iPSC retinal organoids showed disruptions at the outer limiting membrane as found in Crb1 mutant mice. Furthermore, AAV serotype 5 (AAV5) is potent in infecting human Müller glial cells and photoreceptors in hiPSC-derived retinas and retinal explants. Our data suggest that human photoreceptors can be efficiently transduced by AAVs in the presence of photoreceptor segments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thilo M Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Ohonin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Vos
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Monika Bialecka
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa van Herwaarden
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elon H C van Dijk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mays Talib
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Freund
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Harald M M Mikkers
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rob C Hoeben
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Quinn PM, Alves CH, Klooster J, Wijnholds J. CRB2 in immature photoreceptors determines the superior-inferior symmetry of the developing retina to maintain retinal structure and function. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:3137-3153. [PMID: 29893966 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian apical-basal determinant Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) plays a crucial role in retinal structure and function by the maintenance of adherens junctions between photoreceptors and Müller glial cells. Patients with mutations in the CRB1 gene develop retinal dystrophies, including early-onset retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. Previously, we showed that Crb1 knockout mice developed a slow-progressing retinal phenotype at foci in the inferior retina, although specific ablation of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors leads to an early-onset phenotype throughout the retina. Here, we conditionally disrupted one or both alleles of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors, on a genetic background lacking Crb1, and studied the retinal dystrophies thereof. Our data showed that disruption of one allele of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors caused a substantial aggravation of the Crb1 phenotype in the entire inferior retina. The photoreceptor layer showed early-onset progressive thinning limited to the inferior retina, although the superior retina maintained intact. Surprisingly, disruption of both alleles of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors further aggravated the phenotype. Throughout the retina, photoreceptor synapses were disrupted and photoreceptor nuclei intermingled with nuclei of the inner nuclear layer. In the superior retina, the ganglion cell layer appeared thicker because of ectopic nuclei of photoreceptors. In conclusion, the data suggest that CRB2 is required to maintain retinal progenitor and photoreceptor cell adhesion and prevent photoreceptor ingression into the immature inner retina. We hypothesize, from these animal models, that decreased levels of CRB2 in immature photoreceptors adjust retinitis pigmentosa because of the loss of CRB1 into Leber congenital amaurosis phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Klooster
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Moore BA, Leonard BC, Sebbag L, Edwards SG, Cooper A, Imai DM, Straiton E, Santos L, Reilly C, Griffey SM, Bower L, Clary D, Mason J, Roux MJ, Meziane H, Herault Y, McKerlie C, Flenniken AM, Nutter LMJ, Berberovic Z, Owen C, Newbigging S, Adissu H, Eskandarian M, Hsu CW, Kalaga S, Udensi U, Asomugha C, Bohat R, Gallegos JJ, Seavitt JR, Heaney JD, Beaudet AL, Dickinson ME, Justice MJ, Philip V, Kumar V, Svenson KL, Braun RE, Wells S, Cater H, Stewart M, Clementson-Mobbs S, Joynson R, Gao X, Suzuki T, Wakana S, Smedley D, Seong JK, Tocchini-Valentini G, Moore M, Fletcher C, Karp N, Ramirez-Solis R, White JK, de Angelis MH, Wurst W, Thomasy SM, Flicek P, Parkinson H, Brown SDM, Meehan TF, Nishina PM, Murray SA, Krebs MP, Mallon AM, Lloyd KCK, Murphy CJ, Moshiri A. Identification of genes required for eye development by high-throughput screening of mouse knockouts. Commun Biol 2018; 1:236. [PMID: 30588515 PMCID: PMC6303268 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in next generation sequencing technologies, determining the genetic basis of ocular disease remains a major challenge due to the limited access and prohibitive cost of human forward genetics. Thus, less than 4,000 genes currently have available phenotype information for any organ system. Here we report the ophthalmic findings from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, a large-scale functional genetic screen with the goal of generating and phenotyping a null mutant for every mouse gene. Of 4364 genes evaluated, 347 were identified to influence ocular phenotypes, 75% of which are entirely novel in ocular pathology. This discovery greatly increases the current number of genes known to contribute to ophthalmic disease, and it is likely that many of the genes will subsequently prove to be important in human ocular development and disease. Bret Moore et al. from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium report the identification of 347 mouse genes that influence ocular phenotypes when knocked out. 75% of the identified genes have not previously been associated with any ocular pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bret A Moore
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, 95616, CA, USA
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Lionel Sebbag
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, 95616, CA, USA
| | - Sydney G Edwards
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, 95616, CA, USA
| | - Ann Cooper
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, 95616, CA, USA
| | - Denise M Imai
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Ewan Straiton
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Luis Santos
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Christopher Reilly
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Stephen M Griffey
- Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Lynette Bower
- Mouse Biology Program, and Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - David Clary
- Mouse Biology Program, and Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - Jeremy Mason
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1 SD, UK
| | - Michel J Roux
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch, France.,CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Hamid Meziane
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch, France.,CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Yann Herault
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch, France.,CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | | | - Colin McKerlie
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Ann M Flenniken
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Lauryl M J Nutter
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Zorana Berberovic
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Celeste Owen
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Susan Newbigging
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Hibret Adissu
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Mohammed Eskandarian
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sowmya Kalaga
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Uchechukwu Udensi
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chinwe Asomugha
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ritu Bohat
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Juan J Gallegos
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John R Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mary E Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Monica J Justice
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada.,The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vivek Philip
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Vivek Kumar
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | | | | | - Sara Wells
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Heather Cater
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Michelle Stewart
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Sharon Clementson-Mobbs
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Russell Joynson
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Xiang Gao
- SKL of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Model Animal Research Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | | | | | - Damian Smedley
- Clinical Pharmacology, Charterhouse Square, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - J K Seong
- Korea Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (KMPC) and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Glauco Tocchini-Valentini
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Via Ramarini, I-00015, Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Mark Moore
- International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, San Anselmo, CA, 94960, USA
| | | | - Natasha Karp
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ramiro Ramirez-Solis
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jacqueline K White
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.,The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Martin Hrabe de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1 SD, UK
| | - Helen Parkinson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1 SD, UK
| | - Steve D M Brown
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Terrence F Meehan
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1 SD, UK
| | | | | | - Mark P Krebs
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Ann-Marie Mallon
- Medical Research Council Harwell Institute (Mammalian Genetis Unit and Mary Lyon Center, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - K C Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, and Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Ala Moshiri
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
McMurtrey JJ, Tso MOM. A review of the immunologic findings observed in retinitis pigmentosa. Surv Ophthalmol 2018; 63:769-781. [PMID: 29551596 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Most patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) inherit the disorder; however, the immune-pathologic features associated with this disease have yet to be extensively studied. Six reports correlate antiretinal immune activity with vision deterioration in RP patients. Some of these patients have sporadic RP that occurs in excess of expected gene segregation during inheritance. The hypothesis that a primary immune-mediated disease process occurs in this sporadic group is supported by significant associations of RP with autoimmune endocrinopathies and other immune-related conditions or factors; however, no immunologic difference regarding RP family history is reported in the peripheral blood studies of RP patients. Twenty-one percent to 51% of RP patients display antiretinal antibodies, whereas 19-58% have antiretinal lymphocyte reactivity to retinal extract, and 60-85% have activated T cells. Mutations in animal models of RP have been shown to cause endoplasmic reticulum stress that may initiate immunopathology for genetic RP, but oxidative stress also encourages immune cytotoxicity. In addition, necrotic cell death is evident, which promotes inflammatory conditions. We review mechanisms and evidence for an occult inflammation in genetic RP and examine reports of efficacy in retarding RP progression with anti-inflammatory agents in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John J McMurtrey
- The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | - Mark O M Tso
- The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Peyer SM, Heath-Heckman EAC, McFall-Ngai MJ. Characterization of the cell polarity gene crumbs during the early development and maintenance of the squid-vibrio light organ symbiosis. Dev Genes Evol 2017; 227:375-387. [PMID: 28105525 PMCID: PMC5519459 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-017-0576-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The protein Crumbs is a determinant of apical-basal cell polarity and plays a role in apoptosis of epithelial cells and their protection against photodamage. Using the squid-vibrio system, a model for development of symbiotic partnerships, we examined the modulation of the crumbs gene in host epithelial tissues during initiation and maintenance of the association. The extracellular luminous symbiont Vibrio fischeri colonizes the apical surfaces of polarized epithelia in deep crypts of the Euprymna scolopes light organ. During initial colonization each generation, symbiont harvesting is potentiated by the biochemical and biophysical activity of superficial ciliated epithelia, which are several cell layers from the crypt epithelia where the symbionts reside. Within hours of crypt colonization, the symbionts induce the cell death mediated regression of the remote superficial ciliated fields. However, the crypt cells directly interacting with the symbiont are protected from death. In the squid host, we characterized the gene and encoded protein during light organ morphogenesis and in response to symbiosis. Features of the protein sequence and structure, phylogenetic relationships, and localization patterns in the eye supported assignment of the squid protein to the Crumbs family. In situ hybridization revealed that the crumbs transcript shows opposite expression at the onset of symbiosis in the two different regions of the light organ: elevated levels in the superficial epithelia were attenuated whereas low levels in the crypt epithelia were turned up. Although a rhythmic association in which the host controls the symbiont population over the day-night cycle begins in the juvenile upon colonization, cycling of crumbs was evident only in the adult organ with peak expression coincident with maximum symbiont population and luminescence. Our results provide evidence that crumbs responds to symbiont cues that induce developmental apoptosis and to symbiont population dynamics correlating with luminescence-based stress throughout the duration of the host-microbe association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Peyer
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A C Heath-Heckman
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Margaret J McFall-Ngai
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Quinn PM, Pellissier LP, Wijnholds J. The CRB1 Complex: Following the Trail of Crumbs to a Feasible Gene Therapy Strategy. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:175. [PMID: 28424578 PMCID: PMC5380682 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Once considered science fiction, gene therapy is rapidly becoming scientific reality, targeting a growing number of the approximately 250 genes linked to hereditary retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa and Leber's congenital amaurosis. Powerful new technologies have emerged, leading to the development of humanized models for testing and screening these therapies, bringing us closer to the goal of personalized medicine. These tools include the ability to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create a “retina-in-a-dish” model and the self-formed ectodermal autonomous multi-zone, which can mimic whole eye development. In addition, highly specific gene-editing tools are now available, including the CRISPR/Cas9 system and the recently developed homology-independent targeted integration approach, which allows gene editing in non-dividing cells. Variants in the CRB1 gene have long been associated with retinopathies, and more recently the CRB2 gene has also been shown to have possible clinical relevance with respect to retinopathies. In this review, we discuss the role of the CRB protein complex in patients with retinopathy. In addition, we discuss new opportunities provided by stem cells and gene-editing tools, and we provide insight into how the retinal therapeutic pipeline can be improved. Finally, we discuss the current state of adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy and how it can be applied to treat retinopathies associated with mutations in CRB1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Unité Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR85, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR-7247, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation, Université François RabelaisNouzilly, France
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Arno G, Carss KJ, Hull S, Zihni C, Robson AG, Fiorentino A, Hardcastle AJ, Holder GE, Cheetham ME, Plagnol V, Moore AT, Raymond FL, Matter K, Balda MS, Webster AR. Biallelic Mutation of ARHGEF18, Involved in the Determination of Epithelial Apicobasal Polarity, Causes Adult-Onset Retinal Degeneration. Am J Hum Genet 2017; 100:334-342. [PMID: 28132693 PMCID: PMC5294887 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in more than 250 genes are implicated in inherited retinal dystrophy; the encoded proteins are involved in a broad spectrum of pathways. The presence of unsolved families after highly parallel sequencing strategies suggests that further genes remain to be identified. Whole-exome and -genome sequencing studies employed here in large cohorts of affected individuals revealed biallelic mutations in ARHGEF18 in three such individuals. ARHGEF18 encodes ARHGEF18, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates RHOA, a small GTPase protein that is a key component of tight junctions and adherens junctions. This biological pathway is known to be important for retinal development and function, as mutation of CRB1, encoding another component, causes retinal dystrophy. The retinal structure in individuals with ARHGEF18 mutations resembled that seen in subjects with CRB1 mutations. Five mutations were found on six alleles in the three individuals: c.808A>G (p.Thr270Ala), c.1617+5G>A (p.Asp540Glyfs∗63), c.1996C>T (p.Arg666∗), c.2632G>T (p.Glu878∗), and c.2738_2761del (p.Arg913_Glu920del). Functional tests suggest that each disease genotype might retain some ARHGEF18 activity, such that the phenotype described here is not the consequence of nullizygosity. In particular, the p.Thr270Ala missense variant affects a highly conserved residue in the DBL homology domain, which is required for the interaction and activation of RHOA. Previously, knock-out of Arhgef18 in the medaka fish has been shown to cause larval lethality which is preceded by retinal defects that resemble those seen in zebrafish Crumbs complex knock-outs. The findings described here emphasize the peculiar sensitivity of the retina to perturbations of this pathway, which is highlighted as a target for potential therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Arno
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Keren J Carss
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge NHS Blood and Transplant Centre, Cambridge CB2 0PT, UK; NIHR BioResource - Rare Diseases, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Sarah Hull
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Ceniz Zihni
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Anthony G Robson
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Alessia Fiorentino
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Alison J Hardcastle
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Graham E Holder
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Michael E Cheetham
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Vincent Plagnol
- University College London Genetics Institute, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anthony T Moore
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK; Ophthalmology Department, UCSF School of Medicine, Koret Vision Centre, San Francisco, CA 94133-0644, USA
| | - F Lucy Raymond
- NIHR BioResource - Rare Diseases, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Karl Matter
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Maria S Balda
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Andrew R Webster
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yap is essential for retinal progenitor cell cycle progression and RPE cell fate acquisition in the developing mouse eye. Dev Biol 2016; 419:336-347. [PMID: 27616714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Yap functions as a transcriptional regulator by acting together with sequence-specific DNA binding factors and transcription cofactors to mediate cell proliferation in developing epithelial tissues and tumors. An upstream kinase cascade controls nuclear localization and function in response to partially identified exogenous signals, including cell-to-cell contact. Nevertheless, its role in CNS development is poorly understood. In order to investigate Yap function in developing CNS, we characterized the cellular outcomes after selective Yap gene ablation in developing ocular tissues. When Yap was lost, presumptive retinal pigment epithelium acquired anatomical and molecular characteristics resembling those of the retinal epithelium rather than of RPE, including loss of pigmentation, pseudostratified epithelial morphology and ectopic induction of markers for retinal progenitor cells, like Chx10, and neurons, like β-Tubulin III. In addition, developing retina showed signs of progressive degeneration, including laminar folding, thinning and cell loss, which resulted from multiple defects in cell proliferation and survival, and in junction integrity. Furthermore, Yap-deficient retinal progenitors displayed decreased S-phase cells and altered cell cycle progression. Altogether, our studies not only illustrate the canonical function of Yap in promoting the proliferation of progenitors, but also shed new light on its evolutionarily conserved, instructive role in regional specification, maintenance of junctional integrity and precise regulation of cell proliferation during neuroepithelial development.
Collapse
|
28
|
Slavotinek AM. The Family of Crumbs Genes and Human Disease. Mol Syndromol 2016; 7:274-281. [PMID: 27867342 DOI: 10.1159/000448109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The family of vertebrate Crumbs proteins, homologous to Drosophila Crumbs (Crb), share large extracellular domains with epidermal growth factor-like repeats and laminin-globular domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short intracellular C-terminus containing a single membrane proximal 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-binding domain and PSD-95/Discs large/ZO-1-binding motifs. There are 3 Crb genes in humans - Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1), Crumbs homolog-2 (CRB2), and Crumbs homolog-3 (CRB3). Bilallelic loss-of-function mutations in CRB1 cause visual impairment, with Leber's congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa, whereas CRB2 mutations are associated with raised maternal serum and amniotic fluid alpha feto-protein levels, ventriculomegaly/hydrocephalus, and renal disease, ranging from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis to congenital Finnish nephrosis. CRB3 has not yet been associated with human disease. In this review, we summarize the phenotypic findings associated with deleterious sequence variants in CRB1 and CRB2. We discuss the mutational spectrum, animal models of loss of function for both genes and speculate on the likely mechanisms of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Slavotinek
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif., USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Markand S, Saul A, Tawfik A, Cui X, Rozen R, Smith SB. Mthfr as a modifier of the retinal phenotype of Crb1(rd8/rd8) mice. Exp Eye Res 2015; 145:164-172. [PMID: 26646559 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in crumb homologue 1 (CRB1) in humans are associated with Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). There is no clear genotype-phenotype correlation for human CRB1 mutations in RP and LCA. The high variability in clinical features observed in CRB1 mutations suggests that environmental factors or genetic modifiers influence severity of CRB1 related retinopathies. Retinal degeneration 8 (rd8) is a spontaneous mutation in the Crb1 gene (Crb1(rdr/rd8)). Crb1(rdr/rd8) mice present with focal disruption in the outer retina manifesting as white spots on fundus examination. Mild retinal dysfunction with decreased b-wave amplitude has been reported in Crb1(rdr/rd8) mice at 18 months. Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a crucial enzyme of homocysteine metabolism. MTHFR mutations are prevalent in humans and are linked to a broad spectrum of disorders including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. We recently reported the retinal phenotype in Mthfr-deficient (Mthfr(+/-)) heterozygous mice. At 24 weeks the mice showed decreased RGC function, thinner nerve fiber layer, focal areas of vascular leakage and 20% fewer cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Considering the variability in CRB1-related retinopathies and the high occurrence of human MTHFR mutations we evaluated whether Mthfr deficiency influences rd8 retinal phenotype. Mthfr heterozygous mice with rd8 mutations (Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8)) and Crb(rd8/rd8) mice (Mthfr(+/+rd8/rd8)) mice were subjected to comprehensive retinal evaluation using ERG, fundoscopy, fluorescein angiography (FA), morphometric and retinal flat mount immunostaining analyses of isolectin-B4 at 8-54 wks. Assessment of retinal function revealed a significant decrease in the a-, b- and c-wave amplitudes in Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8) mice at 52 wks. Fundoscopic evaluation demonstrated the presence of signature rd8 spots in Mthfr(+/+rd8/rd8) mice and an increase in the extent of these rd8 spots in Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8) mice at 24 weeks and beyond. FA revealed marked vascular leakage, ischemia and vascular tortuosity in Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8) mice at 24 and 52 weeks. Retinal dysplasia was observed in ∼14-33% Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8) mice by morphometric analysis. This was accompanied by a ∼20% reduction in cells of the GCL of Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8) mice at 24 and 52 weeks. Retinal flat mount immunostaining with isolectin-B4 showed neovascularization and loss of blood vessel integrity in Mthfr(+/-)(rd8/rd8) mice in contrast to mild vasculopathy in Mthfr(+/+rd8/rd8) mice. Taken together, our data support an earlier onset and worsened retinal phenotype when Mthfr and rd8 mutations coexist. Our study sets the stage for future studies to investigate the role of MTHFR deficiency in human CRB1 retinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanu Markand
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; The James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Alan Saul
- The James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Amany Tawfik
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; The James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xuezhi Cui
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; The James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Rima Rozen
- Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sylvia B Smith
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; The James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
|
31
|
Singh S, Solecki DJ. Polarity transitions during neurogenesis and germinal zone exit in the developing central nervous system. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:62. [PMID: 25852469 PMCID: PMC4349153 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During neural development, billions of neurons differentiate, polarize, migrate and form synapses in a precisely choreographed sequence. These precise developmental events are accompanied by discreet transitions in cellular polarity. While radial glial neural stem cells are highly polarized, transiently amplifying neural progenitors are less polarized after delaminating from their parental stem cell. Moreover, preceding their radial migration to a final laminar position neural progenitors re-adopt a polarized morphology before they embarking on their journey along a glial guide to the destination where they will fully mature. In this review, we will compare and contrast the key polarity transitions of cells derived from a neuroepithelium to the well-characterized polarity transitions that occur in true epithelia. We will highlight recent advances in the field that shows that neuronal progenitor delamination from germinal zone (GZ) niche shares similarities to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, studies in the cerebellum suggest the acquisition of radial migration and polarity in transiently amplifying neural progenitors share similarities to mesenchymal-epithelial transitions. Where applicable, we will compare and contrast the precise molecular mechanisms used by epithelial cells and neuronal progenitors to control plasticity in cell polarity during their distinct developmental programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis, TN, USA
| | - David J Solecki
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Pellissier LP, Quinn PM, Alves CH, Vos RM, Klooster J, Flannery JG, Heimel JA, Wijnholds J. Gene therapy into photoreceptors and Müller glial cells restores retinal structure and function in CRB1 retinitis pigmentosa mouse models. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:3104-18. [PMID: 25701872 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Crumbs-homologue-1 (CRB1) gene lead to severe recessive inherited retinal dystrophies. Gene transfer therapy is the most promising cure for retinal dystrophies and has primarily been applied for recessive null conditions via a viral gene expression vector transferring a cDNA encoding an enzyme or channel protein, and targeting expression to one cell type. Therapy for the human CRB1 disease will be more complex, as CRB1 is a structural and signaling transmembrane protein present in three cell classes: Müller glia, cone and rod photoreceptors. In this study, we applied CRB1 and CRB2 gene therapy vectors in Crb1-retinitis pigmentosa mouse models at mid-stage disease. We tested if CRB expression restricted to Müller glial cells or photoreceptors or co-expression in both is required to recover retinal function. We show that targeting both Müller glial cells and photoreceptors with CRB2 ameliorated retinal function and structure in Crb1 mouse models. Surprisingly, targeting a single cell type or all cell types with CRB1 reduced retinal function. We show here the first pre-clinical studies for CRB1-related eye disorders using CRB2 vectors and initial elucidation of the cellular mechanisms underlying CRB1 function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - John G Flannery
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA and
| | - J Alexander Heimel
- Department of Cortical Structure & Function, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Luhmann UFO, Carvalho LS, Holthaus SMK, Cowing JA, Greenaway S, Chu CJ, Herrmann P, Smith AJ, Munro PMG, Potter P, Bainbridge JWB, Ali RR. The severity of retinal pathology in homozygous Crb1rd8/rd8 mice is dependent on additional genetic factors. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:128-41. [PMID: 25147295 PMCID: PMC4262495 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding phenotype–genotype correlations in retinal degeneration is a major challenge. Mutations in CRB1 lead to a spectrum of autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies with variable phenotypes suggesting the influence of modifying factors. To establish the contribution of the genetic background to phenotypic variability associated with the Crb1rd8/rd8 mutation, we compared the retinal pathology of Crb1rd8/rd8/J inbred mice with that of two Crb1rd8/rd8 lines backcrossed with C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice. Topical endoscopic fundal imaging and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy fundus images of all three Crb1rd8/rd8 lines showed a significant increase in the number of inferior retinal lesions that was strikingly variable between the lines. Optical coherence tomography, semithin, ultrastructural morphology and assessment of inflammatory and vascular marker by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that the lesions were associated with photoreceptor death, Müller and microglia activation and telangiectasia-like vascular remodelling—features that were stable in the inbred, variable in the second, but virtually absent in the third Crb1rd8/rd8 line, even at 12 months of age. This suggests that the Crb1rd8/rd8 mutation is necessary, but not sufficient for the development of these degenerative features. By whole-genome SNP analysis of the genotype–phenotype correlation, a candidate region on chromosome 15 was identified. This may carry one or more genetic modifiers for the manifestation of the retinal pathology associated with mutations in Crb1. This study also provides insight into the nature of the retinal vascular lesions that likely represent a clinical correlate for the formation of retinal telangiectasia or Coats-like vasculopathy in patients with CRB1 mutations that are thought to depend on such genetic modifiers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sophia-Martha Kleine Holthaus
- Department of Genetics and MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Simon Greenaway
- Imaging Unit, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | | | | | - Peter M G Munro
- Imaging Unit, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Paul Potter
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 ORD, UK and
| | - James W B Bainbridge
- Department of Genetics and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Robin R Ali
- Department of Genetics and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Pellissier LP, Lundvig DMS, Tanimoto N, Klooster J, Vos RM, Richard F, Sothilingam V, Garcia Garrido M, Le Bivic A, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. CRB2 acts as a modifying factor of CRB1-related retinal dystrophies in mice. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:3759-71. [PMID: 24565864 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the CRB1 gene lead to retinal dystrophies ranging from Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) to early-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP), due to developmental defects or loss of adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller glia cells, respectively. Whereas over 150 mutations have been found, no clear genotype-phenotype correlation has been established. Mouse Crb1 knockout retinas show a mild phenotype limited to the inferior quadrant, whereas Crb2 knockout retinas display a severe degeneration throughout the retina mimicking the phenotype observed in RP patients associated with CRB1 mutations. Crb1Crb2 double mutant retinas have severe developmental defects similar to the phenotype observed in LCA patients associated with CRB1 mutations. Therefore, CRB2 is a candidate modifying gene of human CRB1-related retinal dystrophy. In this study, we studied the cellular localization of CRB1 and CRB2 in human retina and tested the influence of the Crb2 gene allele on Crb1-retinal dystrophies in mice. We found that in contrast to mice, in the human retina CRB1 protein was expressed at the subapical region in photoreceptors and Müller glia cells, and CRB2 only in Müller glia cells. Genetic ablation of one allele of Crb2 in heterozygote Crb1(+/-) retinas induced a mild retinal phenotype, but in homozygote Crb1 knockout mice lead to an early and severe phenotype limited to the entire inferior retina. Our data provide mechanistic insight for CRB1-related LCA and RP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Naoyuki Tanimoto
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | - Jan Klooster
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Fabrice Richard
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7288, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Case 907, Marseille, Cedex 09 13288, France
| | - Vithiyanjali Sothilingam
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | - Marina Garcia Garrido
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | - André Le Bivic
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7288, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Case 907, Marseille, Cedex 09 13288, France
| | - Mathias W Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Alves CH, Pellissier LP, Wijnholds J. The CRB1 and adherens junction complex proteins in retinal development and maintenance. Prog Retin Eye Res 2014; 40:35-52. [PMID: 24508727 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The early developing retinal neuroepithelium is composed of multipotent retinal progenitor cells that differentiate in a time specific manner, giving rise to six major types of neuronal and one type of glial cells. These cells migrate and organize in three distinct nuclear layers divided by two plexiform layers. Apical and adherens junction complexes have a crucial role in this process by the establishment of polarity and adhesion. Changes in these complexes disturb the spatiotemporal aspects of retinogenesis, leading to retinal degeneration resulting in mild or severe impairment of retinal function and vision. In this review, we summarize the mouse models for the different members of the apical and adherens junction protein complexes and describe the main features of their retinal phenotypes. The knowledge acquired from the different mutant animals for these proteins corroborate their importance in retina development and maintenance of normal retinal structure and function. More recently, several studies have tried to unravel the connection between the apical proteins, important cellular signaling pathways and their relation in retina development. Still, the mechanisms by which these proteins function remain largely unknown. Here, we hypothesize how the mammalian apical CRB1 complex might control retinogenesis and prevents onset of Leber congenital amaurosis or retinitis pigmentosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celso Henrique Alves
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Alves CH, Pellissier LP, Vos RM, Garcia Garrido M, Sothilingam V, Seide C, Beck SC, Klooster J, Furukawa T, Flannery JG, Verhaagen J, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. Targeted ablation of Crb2 in photoreceptor cells induces retinitis pigmentosa. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:3384-401. [PMID: 24493795 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene is mutated in autosomal recessive Leber congenital amaurosis and early-onset retinitis pigmentosa. In mammals, the Crumbs family is composed of: CRB1, CRB2, CRB3A and CRB3B. Recently, we showed that removal of mouse Crb2 from retinal progenitor cells, and consequent removal from Müller glial and photoreceptor cells, results in severe and progressive retinal degeneration with concomitant loss of retinal function that mimics retinitis pigmentosa due to mutations in the CRB1 gene. Here, we studied the effects of cell-type-specific loss of CRB2 from the developing mouse retina using targeted conditional deletion of Crb2 in photoreceptors or Müller cells. We analyzed the consequences of targeted loss of CRB2 in the adult mouse retina using adeno-associated viral vectors encoding Cre recombinase and short hairpin RNA against Crb2. In vivo retinal imaging by means of optical coherence tomography on retinas lacking CRB2 in photoreceptors showed progressive thinning of the photoreceptor layer and cellular mislocalization. Electroretinogram recordings under scotopic conditions showed severe attenuation of the a-wave, confirming the degeneration of photoreceptors. Retinas lacking CRB2 in developing photoreceptors showed early onset of abnormal lamination, whereas retinas lacking CRB2 in developing Müller cells showed late onset retinal disorganization. Our data suggest that in the developing retina, CRB2 has redundant functions in Müller glial cells, while CRB2 has essential functions in photoreceptors. Our data suggest that short-term loss of CRB2 in adult mouse photoreceptors, but not in Müller glial cells, causes sporadic loss of adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marina Garcia Garrido
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | - Vithiyanjali Sothilingam
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | - Christina Seide
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | - Susanne C Beck
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | | | - Takahisa Furukawa
- Institute for Protein Research & CREST-JST, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan Department of Developmental Biology, Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Osaka, Japan and
| | - John G Flannery
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Department of Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathias W Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Microarray and morphological analysis of early postnatal CRB2 mutant retinas on a pure C57BL/6J genetic background. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82532. [PMID: 24324803 PMCID: PMC3855766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, the Crumbs homologue-1 (CRB1) gene is mutated in progressive types of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. The severity of the phenotype due to human CRB1 or mouse Crb1 mutations is dependent on the genetic background. Mice on C57BL/6J background with Crb1 mutations show late onset of retinal spotting phenotype or no phenotype. Recently, we showed that conditional deletion of mouse Crb2 in the retina results in early retinal disorganization leading to severe and progressive retinal degeneration with concomitant visual loss that mimics retinitis pigmentosa due to mutations in the CRB1 gene. Recent studies in the fruit fly and zebrafish suggest roles of the Crumbs (CRB) complex members in the regulation of cellular signalling pathways including the Notch1, mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and the Hippo pathway. Here, we demonstrate that mice backcrossed to C57BL/6J background with loss of CRB2 in the retina show a progressive disorganization and degeneration phenotype during late retinal development. We used microarray gene profiling to study the transcriptome of retinas lacking CRB2 during late retinal development. Unexpectedly, the retinas of newborn mice lacking CRB2 showed no changes in the transcriptome during retinal development. These findings suggest that loss of CRB2 in the developing retina results in retinal disorganization and subsequent degeneration without major changes in the transcriptome of the retina. These mice might be an interesting model to study the onset of retinal degeneration upon loss of CRB proteins.
Collapse
|
38
|
Pellissier LP, Alves CH, Quinn PM, Vos RM, Tanimoto N, Lundvig DMS, Dudok JJ, Hooibrink B, Richard F, Beck SC, Huber G, Sothilingam V, Garcia Garrido M, Le Bivic A, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. Targeted ablation of CRB1 and CRB2 in retinal progenitor cells mimics Leber congenital amaurosis. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003976. [PMID: 24339791 PMCID: PMC3854796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Development in the central nervous system is highly dependent on the regulation of the switch from progenitor cell proliferation to differentiation, but the molecular and cellular events controlling this process remain poorly understood. Here, we report that ablation of Crb1 and Crb2 genes results in severe impairment of retinal function, abnormal lamination and thickening of the retina mimicking human Leber congenital amaurosis due to loss of CRB1 function. We show that the levels of CRB1 and CRB2 proteins are crucial for mouse retinal development, as they restrain the proliferation of retinal progenitor cells. The lack of these apical proteins results in altered cell cycle progression and increased number of mitotic cells leading to an increased number of late-born cell types such as rod photoreceptors, bipolar and Müller glia cells in postmitotic retinas. Loss of CRB1 and CRB2 in the retina results in dysregulation of target genes for the Notch1 and YAP/Hippo signaling pathways and increased levels of P120-catenin. Loss of CRB1 and CRB2 result in altered progenitor cell cycle distribution with a decrease in number of late progenitors in G1 and an increase in S and G2/M phase. These findings suggest that CRB1 and CRB2 suppress late progenitor pool expansion by regulating multiple proliferative signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie P. Pellissier
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Celso Henrique Alves
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M. Quinn
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier M. Vos
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Naoyuki Tanimoto
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ditte M. S. Lundvig
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobus J. Dudok
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Berend Hooibrink
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Amsterdam Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fabrice Richard
- Aix-Marseille University, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille Luminy (IBDML) and CNRS, UMR 6216, Marseille, France
| | - Susanne C. Beck
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gesine Huber
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vithiyanjali Sothilingam
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Garcia Garrido
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - André Le Bivic
- Aix-Marseille University, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille Luminy (IBDML) and CNRS, UMR 6216, Marseille, France
| | - Mathias W. Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Dudok JJ, Sanz AS, Lundvig DMS, Sothilingam V, Garrido MG, Klooster J, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. MPP3 regulates levels of PALS1 and adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller cells. Glia 2013; 61:1629-44. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.22545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus J. Dudok
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences; 1105; BA Amsterdam; The Netherlands
| | - Alicia Sanz Sanz
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences; 1105; BA Amsterdam; The Netherlands
| | - Ditte M. S. Lundvig
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences; 1105; BA Amsterdam; The Netherlands
| | - Vithiyanjali Sothilingam
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration; Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen; 72076; Tübingen; Germany
| | - Marina Garcia Garrido
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration; Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen; 72076; Tübingen; Germany
| | - Jan Klooster
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences; 1105; BA Amsterdam; The Netherlands
| | - Mathias W. Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration; Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen; 72076; Tübingen; Germany
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences; 1105; BA Amsterdam; The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lipinski DM, Thake M, MacLaren RE. Clinical applications of retinal gene therapy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2013; 32:22-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
41
|
Chu XK, Wang Y, Ardeljan D, Tuo J, Chan CC. Controversial view of a genetically altered mouse model of focal retinal degeneration. Bioengineered 2012. [PMID: 23196746 PMCID: PMC3669152 DOI: 10.4161/bioe.22949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuo et al. (2012) demonstrated tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 recombinant protein (TSG-6) arrest of focal retinal lesions on a Ccl2 and Cx3cr1 double deficient mouse (DKO) on rd8 background (hereon referred to as DKO rd8). DKO rd8, a model of focal retinal degeneration with earlier onset and higher penetrance than Ccl2 and Cx3cr1 single knockout strains, demonstrates characteristic features of AMD such as focal photoreceptor atrophy, retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) degeneration, elevated ocular A2E levels and complement deposition in addition to retinal dystrophy. The discovery of the accidently introduced Crb1 mutation (rd8) in the C57BL/6N strain has led to the recent opinion that DKO rd8 is not a model of AMD but solely a model of Crb1‑associated retinal degeneration. Differences between DKO rd8 and Crb1rd8 photoreceptor and RPE pathology, as well as increased A2E and immune dysfunction, show that DKO rd8 recapitulates some AMD‑like features in addition to rd8 retinal dystrophy. The appearance of rd8 lesions and Ccl2/Cx3cr1 lesions and the amelioration of most Ccl2/Cx3cr1 lesions in intervention studies show DKO rd8 to be a useful and appropriate model for therapeutic compound screening, such as the case with anti-inflammatory TSG‑6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi K Chu
- Immunopathology Section, Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Gregory-Evans CY, Wallace VA, Gregory-Evans K. Gene networks: dissecting pathways in retinal development and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2012; 33:40-66. [PMID: 23128416 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
During retinal neurogenesis, diverse cellular subtypes originate from multipotent neural progenitors in a spatiotemporal order leading to a highly specialized laminar structure combined with a distinct mosaic architecture. This is driven by the combinatorial action of transcription factors and signaling molecules which specify cell fate and differentiation. The emerging approach of gene network analysis has allowed a better understanding of the functional relationships between genes expressed in the developing retina. For instance, these gene networks have identified transcriptional hubs that have revealed potential targets and pathways for the development of therapeutic options for retinal diseases. Much of the current knowledge has been informed by targeted gene deletion experiments and gain-of-functional analysis. In this review we will provide an update on retinal development gene networks and address the wider implications for future disease therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Y Gregory-Evans
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9, Canada.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Alves CH, Sanz AS, Park B, Pellissier LP, Tanimoto N, Beck SC, Huber G, Murtaza M, Richard F, Sridevi Gurubaran I, Garcia Garrido M, Levelt CN, Rashbass P, Le Bivic A, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. Loss of CRB2 in the mouse retina mimics human retinitis pigmentosa due to mutations in the CRB1 gene. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 22:35-50. [PMID: 23001562 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, the Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene is mutated in progressive types of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. However, there is no clear genotype-phenotype correlation for CRB1 mutations, which suggests that other components of the CRB complex may influence the severity of retinal disease. Therefore, to understand the physiological role of the Crumbs complex proteins, we generated and analysed conditional knockout mice lacking CRB2 in the developing retina. Progressive disorganization was detected during late retinal development. Progressive thinning of the photoreceptor layer and sites of cellular mislocalization was detected throughout the CRB2-deficient retina by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Under scotopic conditions using electroretinography, the attenuation of the a-wave was relatively stronger than that of the b-wave, suggesting progressive degeneration of photoreceptors in adult animals. Histological analysis of newborn mice showed abnormal lamination of immature rod photoreceptors and disruption of adherens junctions between photoreceptors, Müller glia and progenitor cells. The number of late-born progenitor cells, rod photoreceptors and Müller glia cells was increased, concomitant with programmed cell death of rod photoreceptors. The data suggest an essential role for CRB2 in proper lamination of the photoreceptor layer and suppression of proliferation of late-born retinal progenitor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celso Henrique Alves
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cho SH, Kim JY, Simons DL, Song JY, Le JH, Swindell EC, Jamrich M, Wu SM, Kim S. Genetic ablation of Pals1 in retinal progenitor cells models the retinal pathology of Leber congenital amaurosis. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:2663-76. [PMID: 22398208 PMCID: PMC3363335 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutation of the polarity gene Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) is responsible for >10% of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) cases worldwide; LCA is characterized by early-onset degenerative retinal dystrophy. The role of CRB1 in LCA8 pathogenesis remains elusive since Crb1 mouse mutants, including a null allele, have failed to mimic the early-onset of LCA, most likely due to functional compensation by closely related genes encoding Crb2 and Crb3. Crb proteins form an evolutionarily conserved, apical polarity complex with the scaffolding protein associated with lin-seven 1 (Pals1), also known as MAGUK p55 subfamily member 5 (MPP5). Pals1 and Crbs are functionally inter-dependent in establishing and maintaining epithelial polarity. Pals1 is a single gene in the mouse and human genomes; therefore, we ablated Pals1 to establish a mouse genetic model mimicking human LCA. In our study, the deletion of Pals1 leads to the disruption of the apical localization of Crb proteins in retinal progenitors and the adult retina, validating their mutual interaction. Remarkably, the Pals1 mutant mouse exhibits the critical features of LCA such as early visual impairment as assessed by electroretinogram, disorganization of lamination and apical junctions and retinal degeneration. Our data uncover the indispensible role of Pals1 in retinal development, likely involving the maintenance of retinal polarity and survival of retinal neurons, thus providing the basis for the pathologic mechanisms of LCA8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Hee Cho
- Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | | | - Ji Yun Song
- Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Julie H. Le
- Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric C. Swindell
- Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Milan Jamrich
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA and
| | | | - Seonhee Kim
- Pediatric Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Differential modulation of retinal degeneration by Ccl2 and Cx3cr1 chemokine signalling. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35551. [PMID: 22545116 PMCID: PMC3335860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia and macrophages are recruited to sites of retinal degeneration where local cytokines and chemokines determine protective or neurotoxic microglia responses. Defining the role of Ccl2-Ccr2 and Cx3cl1-Cx3cr1 signalling for retinal pathology is of particular interest because of its potential role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ccl2, Ccr2, and Cx3cr1 signalling defects impair macrophage trafficking, but have, in several conflicting studies, been reported to show different degrees of age-related retinal degeneration. Ccl2/Cx3cr1 double knockout (CCDKO) mice show an early onset retinal degeneration and have been suggested as a model for AMD. In order to understand phenotypic discrepancies in different chemokine knockout lines and to study how defects in Ccl2 and/or Cx3cr1 signalling contribute to the described early onset retinal degeneration, we defined primary and secondary pathological events in CCDKO mice. To control for genetic background variability, we compared the original phenotype with that of single Ccl2, Cx3cr1 and Ccl2/Cx3cr1 double knockout mice obtained from backcrosses of CCDKO with C57Bl/6 mice. We found that the primary pathological event in CCDKO mice develops in the inferior outer nuclear layer independently of light around postnatal day P14. RPE and vascular lesions develop secondarily with increasing penetrance with age and are clinically similar to retinal telangiectasia not to choroidal neovascularisation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a third autosomal recessive gene causes the degeneration in CCDKO mice and in all affected re-derived lines and subsequently demonstrated co-segregation of the naturally occurring RD8 mutation in the Crb1 gene. By comparing CCDKO mice with re-derived CCl2(-/-)/Crb1(Rd8/RD8), Cx3cr1(-/-)/Crb1(Rd8/RD8) and CCl2(-/-)/Cx3cr1(-/-)/Crb1(Rd8/RD8) mice, we observed a differential modulation of the retinal phenotype by genetic background and both chemokine signalling pathways. These findings indicate that CCDKO mice are not a model of AMD, but a model for an inherited retinal degeneration that is differentially modulated by Ccl2-Ccr2 and Cx3cl1-Cx3cr1 chemokine signalling.
Collapse
|
46
|
PALS1 is essential for retinal pigment epithelium structure and neural retina stratification. J Neurosci 2012; 31:17230-41. [PMID: 22114289 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4430-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane-associated palmitoylated protein 5 (MPP5 or PALS1) is thought to organize intracellular PALS1-CRB-MUPP1 protein scaffolds in the retina that are involved in maintenance of photoreceptor-Müller glia cell adhesion. In humans, the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene is mutated in progressive types of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. However, there is no clear genotype-phenotype correlation for CRB1 mutations, which suggests that other components of the CRB complex may influence the severity of retinal disease. Therefore, to understand the physiological role of the Crumbs complex proteins, especially PALS1, we generated and analyzed conditional knockdown mice for Pals1. Small irregularly shaped spots were detected throughout the PALS1 deficient retina by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The electroretinography a- and b-wave was severely attenuated in the aged mutant retinas, suggesting progressive degeneration of photoreceptors. The histological analysis showed abnormal retinal pigment epithelium structure, ectopic photoreceptor nuclei in the subretinal space, an irregular outer limiting membrane, half rosettes of photoreceptors in the outer plexiform layer, and a thinner photoreceptor synaptic layer suggesting improper photoreceptor cell layering during retinal development. The PALS1 deficient retinas showed reduced levels of Crumbs complex proteins adjacent to adherens junctions, upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein indicative of gliosis, and persisting programmed cell death after retinal maturation. The phenotype suggests important functions of PALS1 in the retinal pigment epithelium in addition to the neural retina.
Collapse
|
47
|
Aleman TS, Cideciyan AV, Aguirre GK, Huang WC, Mullins CL, Roman AJ, Sumaroka A, Olivares MB, Tsai FF, Schwartz SB, Vandenberghe LH, Limberis MP, Stone EM, Bell P, Wilson JM, Jacobson SG. Human CRB1-associated retinal degeneration: comparison with the rd8 Crb1-mutant mouse model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:6898-910. [PMID: 21757580 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-7701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the human disease due to CRB1 mutations and compare results with the Crb1-mutant rd8 mouse. METHODS Twenty-two patients with CRB1 mutations were studied. Function was assessed with perimetry and electroretinography (ERG) and retinal structure with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Cortical structure and function were quantified with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Rd8 mice underwent ERG, OCT, and retinal histopathology. RESULTS Visual acuities ranged from 20/25 to light perception. Rod ERGs were not detectable; small cone signals were recordable. By perimetry, small central visual islands were separated by midperipheral scotomas from far temporal peripheral islands. The central islands were cone mediated, whereas the peripheral islands retained some rod function. With OCT, there were small foveal islands of thinned outer nuclear layer (ONL) surrounded by thick delaminated retina with intraretinal hyperreflective lesions. MRI showed structurally normal optic nerves and only subtle changes to occipital lobe white and gray matter. Functional MRI indicated that whole-brain responses from patients were of reduced amplitude and spatial extent compared with those of normal controls. Rd8 mice had essentially normal ERGs; OCT and histopathology showed patchy retinal disorganization with pseudorosettes more pronounced in ventral than in dorsal retina. Photoreceptor degeneration was associated with dysplastic regions. CONCLUSIONS CRB1 mutations lead to early-onset severe loss of vision with thickened, disorganized, nonseeing retina. Impaired peripheral vision can persist in late disease stages. Rd8 mice also have a disorganized retina, but there is sufficient photoreceptor integrity to produce largely normal retinal function. Differences between human and mouse diseases will complicate proof-of-concept studies intended to advance treatment initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas S Aleman
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Mouse mutants for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ß2 subunit display changes in cell adhesion and neurodegeneration response genes. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18626. [PMID: 21547082 PMCID: PMC3081876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice lacking expression of the ß2 subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNB2) display abnormal retinal waves and a dispersed projection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons to their dorsal lateral geniculate nuclei (dLGNs). Transcriptomes of LGN tissue from two independently generated Chrnb2−/− mutants and from wildtype mice were obtained at postnatal day 4 (P4), during the normal period of segregation of eye-specific afferents to the LGN. Microarray analysis reveals reduced expression of genes located on the cell membrane or in extracellular space, and of genes active in cell adhesion and calcium signaling. In particular, mRNA for cadherin 1 (Cdh1), a known axon growth regulator, is reduced to nearly undetectable levels in the LGN of P4 mutant mice and Lypd2 mRNA is similarly suppressed. Similar analysis of retinal tissue shows increased expression of crumbs 1 (Crb1) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 21 (Ccl21) mRNAs in Chrnb2−/− mutant animals. Mutations in these genes are associated with retinal neuronal degeneration. The retinas of Chrnb2−/− mutants are normal in appearance, but the increased expression of these genes may also be involved in the abnormal projection patterns of RGC to the LGN. These data may provide the tools to distinguish the interplay between neural activity and molecular expression. Finally, comparison of the transcriptomes of the two different Chrnb2−/− mutant strains reveals the effects of genetic background upon gene expression.
Collapse
|
49
|
Yetemian RM, Craft CM. Characterization of the pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 knockout mouse retina. Neurochem Res 2011; 36:636-44. [PMID: 21203837 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-010-0334-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent gene expression studies on mouse models for retinal degeneration identified deregulation of Pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (Pttg1) as a potential susceptibility factor involved in photoreceptor cell death. Pttg1 is a transcription regulatory protein involved in sister chromatid segregation, and Pttg1(-/-) mice exhibit testicular and splenic hypoplasia, thymic hyperplasia, aberrant cell cycle progression, chromosome instability, and impaired glucose homeostasis leading to diabetes, particularly in older males. Due to Pttg1 deregulation in dystrophic retinas, we characterized Pttg1(-/-) retinas using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and electroretinography (ERG). Seven month old Pttg1(-/-) mice were also examined for a diabetic retinopathy phenotype using Fluorescein Angiography (FA) to test for neovascularization. Our data reveal that up to 9 months of age, Pttg1(-/-) retinas have a healthy morphology and normal photoreceptor function. This study lays the groundwork for further investigation into the relevance of Pttg1 in retinal dystrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne M Yetemian
- Division of Retinal Molecular Biology, Department of Ophthalmology, The Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Fletcher EL, Jobling AI, Vessey KA, Luu C, Guymer RH, Baird PN. Animal models of retinal disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2011; 100:211-86. [PMID: 21377628 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-384878-9.00006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Diseases of the retina are the leading causes of blindness in the industrialized world. The recognition that animals develop retinal diseases with similar traits to humans has led to not only a dramatic improvement in our understanding of the pathogenesis of retinal disease but also provided a means for testing possible treatment regimes and successful gene therapy trials. With the advent of genetic and molecular biological tools, the association between specific gene mutations and retinal signs has been made. Animals carrying natural mutations usually in one gene now provide well-established models for a host of inherited retinal diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, inherited macular degeneration, and optic nerve diseases. In addition, the development of transgenic technologies has provided a means by which to study the effects of these and novel induced mutations on retinal structure and function. Despite these advances, there is a paucity of suitable animal models for complex diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, largely because these diseases are not caused by single gene defects, but involve complex genetics and/or exacerbation through environmental factors, epigenetic, or other modes of genetic influence. In this review, we outline in detail the available animal models for inherited retinal diseases and how this information has furthered our understanding of retinal diseases. We also examine how transgenic technologies have helped to develop our understanding of the role of isolated genes or pathways in complex diseases like AMD, diabetes, and glaucoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica L Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|