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Almalki WH, Almujri SS. The impact of NF-κB on inflammatory and angiogenic processes in age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2024; 248:110111. [PMID: 39326776 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prominent cause of vision loss, characterized by two different types, dry (atrophic) and wet (neovascular). Dry AMD is distinguished by the progressive deterioration of retinal cells, which ultimately causes a decline in vision. In contrast, wet AMD is defined by the abnormal development of blood vessels underneath the retina, leading to a sudden and severe vision impairment. The course of AMD is primarily driven by chronic inflammation and pathological angiogenesis, in which the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a crucial role. The activation of NF-κB results in the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic factors like VEGF, which contribute to inflammation and the formation of new blood vessels in AMD. This review analyzes the intricate relationship between NF-κB signaling, inflammation, and angiogenesis in AMD and assesses the possibility of using NF-κB as a target for therapy. The evaluation involves a comprehensive examination of preclinical and clinical evidence that substantiates the effectiveness of NF-κB inhibitors in treating AMD by diminishing inflammation and pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Salem Salman Almujri
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Aseer, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Muraleva NA, Zhdankina AA, Fursova AZ, Kolosova NG. Retinoprotective Effect of SkQ1, Visomitin Eye Drops, Is Associated with Suppression of P38 MAPK and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways Activity. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:201-211. [PMID: 38622090 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Visomitin eye drops are the first and, so far, the only drug based on SkQ1 - the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant 10-(6'-plastoquinonyl) decyltriphenylphosphonium, developed in the laboratories of Moscow State University under the leadership of Academician V. P. Skulachev. SkQ1 is considered as a potential tool to combat the aging program. We have previously shown that it is able to prevent and/or suppress development of all manifestations of accelerated senescence in OXYS rats, including retinopathy, similar to the age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, we assessed the effect of Visomitin instillations on progression of the AMD-like pathology and p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 activity in the OXYS rat retina (from the age of 9 to 12 months). Wistar and OXYS rats treated with placebo (composition identical to Visomitin with the exception of SkQ1) were used as controls. Ophthalmological examination showed that in the OXYS rats receiving placebo, retinopathy progressed and severity of clinical manifestations did not differ from the intact OXYS rats. Visomitin suppressed progression of the AMD-like pathology in the OXYS rats and significantly improved structural and functional parameters of the retinal pigment epithelium cells and state of microcirculation in the choroid, which, presumably, contributed to preservation of photoreceptors, associative and ganglion neurons. It was found that the activity of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in the retina of 12-month-old OXYS rats is higher than that of the Wistar rats of the same age, as indicated by the increased content of phosphorylated forms of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 and their target protein tau (at position T181 and S396). Visomitin decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and tau indicating suppression of activity of these MAPK signaling cascades. Thus, Visomitin eye drops are able to suppress progression of the AMD-like pathology in the OXYS rats and their effect is associated with the decrease in activity of the MAPK signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Muraleva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Anna A Zhdankina
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Cytology, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, 634055, Russia
| | - Anzhella Zh Fursova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
- State Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Novosibirsk, 630087, Russia
| | - Nataliya G Kolosova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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Rickabaugh E, Weatherston D, Harris TI, Jones JA, Vargis E. Engineering a Biomimetic In Vitro Model of Bruch's Membrane Using Hagfish Slime Intermediate Filament Proteins. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5051-5061. [PMID: 37458693 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Bruch's membrane resides in the subretinal tissue and regulates the flow of nutrients and waste between the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and vascular layers of the eye. With age, Bruch's membrane becomes thicker, stiffer, and less permeable, which impedes its function as a boundary layer in the subretina. These changes contribute to pathologies such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To better understand how aging in Bruch's membrane affects surrounding tissues and to determine the relationship between aging and disease, an in vitro model of Bruch's membrane is needed. An accurate model of Bruch's membrane must be a proteinaceous, semipermeable, and nonporous biomaterial with similar mechanical properties to in vivo conditions. Additionally, this model must support RPE cell growth. While models of subretinal tissue exist, they typically differ from in vivo Bruch's membrane in one or more of these properties. This study evaluates the capability of membranes created from recombinant hagfish intermediate filament (rHIF) proteins to accurately replicate Bruch's membrane in an in vitro model of the subretinal tissue. The physical characteristics of these rHIF membranes were evaluated using mechanical testing, permeability assays, brightfield microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The capacity of the membranes to support RPE cell culture was determined using brightfield and fluorescent microscopy, as well as immunocytochemical staining. This study demonstrates that rHIF protein membranes are an appropriate biomaterial to accurately mimic both healthy and aged Bruch's membrane for in vitro modeling of the subretinal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilee Rickabaugh
- Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 4105 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-4105 United States
| | - Dillon Weatherston
- Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 4105 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-4105 United States
| | - Thomas I Harris
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-5305, United States
| | - Justin A Jones
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-5305, United States
| | - Elizabeth Vargis
- Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, 4105 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-4105 United States
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Khan AH, Chowers I, Lotery AJ. Beyond the Complement Cascade: Insights into Systemic Immunosenescence and Inflammaging in Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Current Barriers to Treatment. Cells 2023; 12:1708. [PMID: 37443742 PMCID: PMC10340338 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131708] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Landmark genetic studies have revealed the effect of complement biology and its regulation on the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Limited phase 3 clinical trial data showing a benefit of complement inhibition in AMD raises the prospect of more complex mediators at play. Substantial evidence supports the role of para-inflammation in maintaining homeostasis in the retina and choroid. With increasing age, a decline in immune system regulation, known as immunosenescence, has been shown to alter the equilibrium maintained by para-inflammation. The altered equilibrium results in chronic, sterile inflammation with aging, termed 'inflammaging', including in the retina and choroid. The chronic inflammatory state in AMD is complex, with contributions from cells of the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system, sometimes with overlapping features, and the interaction of their secretory products with retinal cells such as microglia and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), extracellular matrix and choroidal vascular endothelial cells. In this review, the chronic inflammatory state in AMD will be explored by immune cell type, with a discussion of factors that will need to be overcome in the development of curative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan H. Khan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Itay Chowers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91121, Israel
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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A laser-induced mouse model of progressive retinal degeneration with central sparing displays features of parafoveal geographic atrophy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4194. [PMID: 36918701 PMCID: PMC10014848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31392-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
There are no disease-modifying treatments available for geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration. Current murine models fail to fully recapitulate the features of GA and thus hinder drug discovery. Here we describe a novel mouse model of retinal degeneration with hallmark features of GA. We used an 810 nm laser to create a retinal lesion with central sparing (RLCS), simulating parafoveal atrophy observed in patients with progressive GA. Laser-induced RLCS resulted in progressive GA-like pathology with the development of a confluent atrophic lesion. We demonstrate significant changes to the retinal structure and thickness in the central unaffected retina over a 24-week post-laser period, confirmed by longitudinal optical coherence tomography scans. We further show characteristic features of progressive GA, including a gradual reduction in the thickness of the central, unaffected retina and of total retinal thickness. Histological changes observed in the RLCS correspond to GA pathology, which includes the collapse of the outer nuclear layer, increased numbers of GFAP + , CD11b + and FcγRI + cells, and damage to cone and rod photoreceptors. We demonstrate a laser-induced mouse model of parafoveal GA progression, starting at 2 weeks post-laser and reaching confluence at 24 weeks post-laser. This 24-week time-frame in which GA pathology develops, provides an extended window of opportunity for proof-of-concept evaluation of drugs targeting GA. This time period is an added advantage compared to several existing models of geographic atrophy.
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Adio AO, Bekibele CO. What do eye care workers do when their patients go blind? BRITISH JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/02646196231154471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Sometimes even with the best efforts by the eye care worker (ECW), patients cannot be stopped from losing vision even in the best of centers anywhere in the world. However, in developing countries, most vision loss happens in rural and suburban areas away from where ECWs are majorly located due to poor facilities, adverse living conditions, and poverty. Once irreversible blindness happens, rehabilitation should follow. However, the numbers of those who are not referred for rehabilitation by far outstrips those who are, for various reasons. To find out why this is so, 150 ECWs with 1:2 M:F ratio were contacted through Google links sent through WhatsApp groups. Glaucoma was statistically the commonest cause of irreversible blindness (χ2 = 66.17, p-value < .0001) mostly from late presentation ( n = 146 of 150 responses, 97.7%). When patients go blind, most ( n = 132, 87.4%) of the ECW advise them to go to a blind school (81.2%). Only about a quarter of the respondents properly ensure that they go. A third admitted ( n = 78, 39%) that knowing the patients personally improved their willingness to refer. Many do not think the government is doing enough to help the blind ( n = 118, 78.7%). Even though many ECWs have given sensitization talks on blindness (124 of 164 responses), very few focus on what happens after blindness occurs (42.4% of respondents). A third of the ECW admitted to not doing enough for the blind in their practice ( n = 51, 34%). Majority have, however, heard about The Lens Eye Clinic (TLEC) rehab center, one of the foremost rehabilitation centers for the blind in Nigeria ( n = 103, 68.7%). ECW should ensure those who live in rural areas have poor socioeconomic background, less educated, female, elderly, or born blind should have regular screening and awareness programs in the areas of practice to catch the condition on time with provision made for early counseling and support services.
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7
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Innate immunity dysregulation in aging eye and therapeutic interventions. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 82:101768. [PMID: 36280210 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of eye diseases increases considerably with age, resulting in significant vision impairment. Although the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases has been studied extensively, the contribution of immune-related changes due to aging remains elusive. In the eye, tissue-resident cells and infiltrating immune cells regulate innate responses during injury or infection. But due to aging, these cells lose their protective functions and acquire pathological phenotypes. Thus, dysregulated ocular innate immunity in the elderly increases the susceptibility and severity of eye diseases. Herein, we emphasize the impact of aging on the ocular innate immune system in the pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious eye diseases. We discuss the role of age-related alterations in cellular metabolism, epigenetics, and cellular senescence as mechanisms underlying altered innate immune functions. Finally, we describe approaches to restore protective innate immune functions in the aging eye. Overall, the review summarizes our current understanding of innate immune functions in eye diseases and their dysregulation during aging.
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Le HM, Mehanna CJ, De Rosa I, Miere A, Souied E. Effects of Photobiomodulation in Patients Presenting with Reticular Pseudodrusen: A Retrospective Observational Case Series Study. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:1662. [PMID: 36422201 PMCID: PMC9694204 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58111662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of photobiomodulation on drusen regression with patients presenting with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD). Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective observational case series study including patients presenting with RPD who underwent treatment by photobiomodulation. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and multimodal imaging prior to treatment, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Eyes were treated two times per week for six consecutive weeks. Best corrected-visual acuity (BVCA) was measured prior and after treatment for all patients. The number of RPD on the SD-OCT scans centered on the macula and stages of RPD was noted at baseline and 6 months after the first treatment session. Results: Five eyes of five patients were included in the study. Mean BCVA did not change 6 months after treatment compared to baseline. Mean number of RPD per eye was 112.60 +/- 48.33 RPD at baseline and 111.6 +/- 49.29 in the same area 6 months after treatment. Changes in RPD distribution according to RPD classification were observed before and after treatment with photobiomodulation. Changes in distribution mostly concerned stages 1 and 3 RPD: Total number of stage 1 RPD was 289 and increased to 324 after treatment. Total number of stage 3 RPD was 97 at baseline and decreased to 67 6 months after treatment. Percentage of stage 1 RPD increased from 46% to 56% after treatment. Percentage of stage 3 RPD decreased from 20% to 13% after treatment. Conclusions: Changes in RPD distribution were observed before and after treatment with photobiomodulation. The number of stage 3 reticular pseudodrusen decreased while number of stage 1 reticular pseudodrusen increased after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Mai Le
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, 94 000 Créteil, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94 000 Créteil, France
| | - Carl-Joe Mehanna
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, 94 000 Créteil, France
| | - Irene De Rosa
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, 94 000 Créteil, France
| | - Alexandra Miere
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, 94 000 Créteil, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94 000 Créteil, France
| | - Eric Souied
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, 94 000 Créteil, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94 000 Créteil, France
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Zartasht Khan A, Utheim TP, Eidet JR. Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation: Past, Present, and Future. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2022; 17:574-580. [PMID: 36620704 PMCID: PMC9806312 DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v17i4.12325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of cells situated between photoreceptors and the underlying choroid. It is essential for normal retinal function. Damaged RPE is associated with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt's macular dystrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa. RPE cells can easily be visualized in vivo, sustainable in vitro, and differentiated from stem cells with a relatively straightforward protocol. Due to these properties and the clinical significance of this epithelium in various retinal diseases, RPE transplantation as a treatment modality has gained considerable interest in the last decade. This paper presents the main techniques for RPE transplantation and discusses recent clinically relevant publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayyad Zartasht Khan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Sognsvannsveien 10, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Lundsiden, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Roger Eidet
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway
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The Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)-Preventing Mechanism of Natural Products. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10040678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is related to central visual loss in elderly people and, based on the increment in the percentage of the aging population, the number of people suffering from AMD could increase. AMD is initiated by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death, finally leading to neovascularization in the macula lutea. AMD is an uncurable disease, but the symptom can be suppressed. The current therapy of AMD can be classified into four types: device-based treatment, anti-inflammatory drug treatment, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, and natural product treatment. All these therapies have adverse effects, however early AMD therapy used with products has several advantages, as it can prevent RPE cell apoptosis in safe doses. Cell death (apoptosis) is caused by various factors, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, carbonyl stress, and a deficiency in essential components for cells, and RPE cell death is related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and carbonyl stress. Some natural products have anti-oxidative effects, anti-inflammation effects, and/or anti-carbonylation effects. The AMD preventive mechanism of natural products varies, with some natural products activating one or more anti-apoptotic pathways, such as the Nrf2/HO-1 anti-oxidative pathway, the anti-inflammasome pathway, and the anti-carbonyl pathway. As AMD drug candidates from natural products effectively inhibit RPE cell death, they have the potential to be developed as drugs for preventing early (dry) AMD.
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11
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Melatonin Metabolites Protect Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from Death Caused by Oxidative Stress. Pharm Chem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11094-021-02490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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The effect of systemic levels of TNF-alpha and complement pathway activity on outcomes of VEGF inhibition in neovascular AMD. Eye (Lond) 2021; 36:2192-2199. [PMID: 34750590 PMCID: PMC9581945 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives Systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activated complement components affect the risk and/or progression of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study investigated the effect of serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and complement pathway activity on the clinical response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition in neovascular AMD. Methods Sixty-five patients with a new diagnosis of neovascular AMD were observed over a six-month period in a single-centre, longitudinal cohort study. At each visit, the visual acuity score (VAS), central macular thickness (CMT), serum levels of CRP, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8), and complement pathway activity were measured. Participant DNA samples were sequenced for six complement pathway single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AMD. Results A statistically significant difference in VAS was observed for serum levels of TNF-α only: there was a gain in VAS (from baseline) of 1.37 for participants below the 1st quartile of mean concentration compared to a reduction of 2.71 for those above the 3rd quartile. Statistical significance was maintained after Bonferroni correction (P value set at <0.006). No significant differences in CMT were observed. In addition, statistically significant differences, maintained after Bonferroni correction, were observed in serum complement activity for participants with the following SNPs: CFH region (rs1061170), SERPING1 (rs2511989) and CFB (rs641153). Serum complement pathway components did not significantly affect VAS. Conclusions Lower serum TNF-α levels were associated with an increase in visual acuity after anti-VEGF therapy. This suggests that targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines may augment treatment for neovascular AMD.
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13
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Medication Trends for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111837. [PMID: 34769270 PMCID: PMC8584051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is central vision loss with aging, was the fourth main cause of blindness in 2015, and has many risk factors, such as cataract surgery, cigarette smoking, family history, hypertension, obesity, long-term smart device usage, etc. AMD is classified into three categories: normal AMD, early AMD, and late AMD, based on angiogenesis in the retina, and can be determined by bis-retinoid N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E)-epoxides from the reaction of A2E and blue light. During the reaction of A2E and blue light, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are synthesized, which gather inflammatory factors, induce carbonyl stress, and finally stimulate the death of retinal pigment epitheliums (RPEs). There are several medications for AMD, such as device-based therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-VEGFs, and natural products. For device-based therapy, two methods are used: prophylactic laser therapy (photocoagulation laser therapy) and photodynamic therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs consist of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-VEGFs are classified antibodies for VEGF, aptamer, soluble receptor, VEGF receptor-1 and -2 antibody, and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Finally, additional AMD drug candidates are derived from natural products. For each medication, there are several and severe adverse effects, but natural products have a potency as AMD drugs, as they have been used as culinary materials and/or traditional medicines for a long time. Their major application route is oral administration, and they can be combined with device-based therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and anti-VEGFs. In general, AMD drug candidates from natural products are more effective at treating early and intermediate AMD. However, further study is needed to evaluate their efficacy and to investigate their therapeutic mechanisms.
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Kavitha V, Heralgi MM, Gangrade AK. Commentary: Understanding irreversible blindness - The need of the hour; Reversing it - The need of the future! Indian J Ophthalmol 2021; 69:2636-2637. [PMID: 34571603 PMCID: PMC8597499 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_1224_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- V Kavitha
- Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Sankara Eye Hospital, Harakere, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
| | - Mallikarjun M Heralgi
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Services, Sankara Eye Hospital, Harakere, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
| | - Aashish Kumar Gangrade
- Department of Paedaitric Ophthalmology, Sankara Eye Hospital, Harakere, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
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15
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Khan AH, Sutton J, Cree AJ, Khandhadia S, De Salvo G, Tobin J, Prakash P, Arora R, Amoaku W, Charbel Issa P, MacLaren RE, Bishop PN, Peto T, Mohamed Q, Steel DH, Sivaprasad S, Bailey C, Menon G, Kavanagh D, Lotery AJ. Prevalence and phenotype associations of complement factor I mutations in geographic atrophy. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:1139-1152. [PMID: 34153144 PMCID: PMC9290714 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rare variants in the complement factor I (CFI) gene, associated with low serum factor I (FI) levels, are strong risk factors for developing the advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). No studies have been undertaken on the prevalence of disease-causing CFI mutations in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to AMD. A multicenter, cross-sectional, noninterventional study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of pathogenic rare CFI gene variants in an unselected cohort of patients with GA and low FI levels. A genotype-phenotype study was performed. Four hundred and sixty-eight patients with GA secondary to AMD were recruited to the study, and 19.4% (n = 91) demonstrated a low serum FI concentration (below 15.6 μg/ml). CFI gene sequencing on these patients resulted in the detection of rare CFI variants in 4.7% (n = 22) of recruited patients. The prevalence of CFI variants in patients with low serum FI levels and GA was 25%. Of the total patients recruited, 3.2% (n = 15) expressed a CFI variant classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. The presence of reticular pseudodrusen was detected in all patients with pathogenic CFI gene variants. Patients with pathogenic CFI gene variants and low serum FI levels might be suitable for FI supplementation in therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan H Khan
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Janice Sutton
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Angela J Cree
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Samir Khandhadia
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Gabriella De Salvo
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - John Tobin
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, Stevenage, UK
| | - Priya Prakash
- The Eye Unit, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, UK
| | - Rashi Arora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury, UK
| | - Winfried Amoaku
- Eye and ENT Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter Charbel Issa
- Oxford Eye Hospital and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Oxford Eye Hospital and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul N Bishop
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Tunde Peto
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Quresh Mohamed
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK
| | - David H Steel
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.,Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sobha Sivaprasad
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Clare Bailey
- Clinical Research Unit, Bristol Eye Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Geeta Menon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Camberley, UK
| | - David Kavanagh
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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16
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Schwaber EJ, Thompson AC, Smilnak G, Stinnett SS, Whitson HE, Lad EM. Co-Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Established by Histopathologic Diagnosis. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 76:207-215. [PMID: 32444545 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between AMD and AD, and several therapeutic agents are being developed based on this principle. However, prior studies have provided conflicting results due in part to their reliance on clinical diagnoses that are not based on gold-standard histopathology. OBJECTIVE To use histopathologic standards for diagnosis in order to determine the co-prevalence of AD among patients with and without AMD. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of 157 autopsy ocular specimens from patients with and without AMD that were greater than 75 years of age at death. Sarks staging was used to document the severity of AMD, and Braak and Braak staging was used to assess the severity of AD in corresponding brain specimens. The prevalence of AD within different severities of AMD was determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS 58% of autopsy eyes had AMD. The prevalence of AD was lower in AMD subjects (63%) compared to non-AMD subjects (73%), even when grouped by severity (all p > 0.15). The likelihood of AD was significantly less in AMD subjects, even after adjusting for age and sex in multivariable analysis (OR 0.47, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION Histopathologic diagnoses fail to support an increase in prevalence of AD among subjects with AMD, even when disease severity is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Schwaber
- Department of Internal Medicine, Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT, USA
| | - Atalie C Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gordon Smilnak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sandra S Stinnett
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Heather E Whitson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eleonora M Lad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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Hanna V, Oakley J, Russakoff D, Choudhry N. Effects of subthreshold nanosecond laser therapy in age-related macular degeneration using artificial intelligence (STAR-AI Study). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250609. [PMID: 33914797 PMCID: PMC8084188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate changes in retinal thickness, drusen volume, and visual acuity following subthreshold nanosecond laser (SNL) treatment in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS Patients with intermediate ARMD treated with a single session of SNL (2RT®, Ellex R&D Pty Ltd, Adelaide, Australia) were included. Swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging (Triton; Topcon Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) was performed within 6 months before and after SNL treatment. Retinal layers were segmented using the artificial intelligence-enabled Orion® software (Voxeleron LLC, San Francisco, USA). The macular region was analyzed according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study map. Mean difference and standard deviation in baseline and post-treatment retinal layer thicknesses are reported. RESULTS 37 eyes from 25 patients were included in this study (mean age 74.7±9.2 years). An average of 51±6 spots were applied around the macula of each study eye, with a mean spot power of 0.33±0.04mJ. Increases in total retinal thickness were observed within the outer temporal and inferior sectors (P<0.05). Within the annulus, there was an increase in thickness of the sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) space [0.88±2.41μm, P = 0.03], defined between the RPE and Bruch's membrane. An increase in thickness of 1.13±2.55μm (P = 0.01) was also noted in the inferior sector of the photoreceptor complex, defined from the inner and outer segment junction to the RPE. Decreases in thickness were observed within the superior sector of the inner nuclear layer (INL) [-1.08±2.55μm, P = 0.01], and within the annulus of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) [-1.44±3.55μm, P = 0.02]. CONCLUSIONS At 6 months post-SNL treatment, there were sectoral increases in OPL, photoreceptor complex, and sub-RPE space thicknesses and sectoral decreases in INL and ONL thicknesses. This pilot study demonstrates the utility of OCT combined with artificial intelligence-enabled software to track retinal changes that occur following SNL treatment in intermediate ARMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verina Hanna
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vitreous Retina Macula Specialists of Toronto, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan Oakley
- Voxeleron LLC, Pleasanton, California, United States of America
| | | | - Netan Choudhry
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vitreous Retina Macula Specialists of Toronto, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Dewell TE, Gjoni K, Liu AZ, Libby ARG, Moore AT, So PL, Conklin BR. Transcription factor overexpression drives reliable differentiation of retinal pigment epithelium from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2021; 53:102368. [PMID: 34087997 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration and genetic forms of blindness such as Best Disease and Retinitis Pigmentosa can be caused by degeneration of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE). RPE generated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is valuable for both the study of disease mechanisms and development of therapeutic strategies. However, protocols to produce iPSC-derived RPE in vitro are often inefficient, labor-intensive, low-throughput, and highly variable between cell lines and within batches. Here, we report a robust, scalable method to generate iPSC-RPE using doxycycline-inducible expression of eye field transcription factors OTX2, PAX6 and MITF paired with RPE-permissive culture media. Doxycycline addition induces exogenous expression of these transcription factors in Best Disease patient- and wildtype iPSCs to efficiently produce monolayers of RPE with characteristic morphology and gene expression. Further, these RPE monolayers display functionality features including light absorption via pigmentation, polarity-driven fluid transport, and phagocytosis. With this method, we achieve a highly efficient and easily scalable differentiation without the need for mechanical isolation or enrichment methods, generating RPE cultures applicable for in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa E Dewell
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ketrin Gjoni
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Angela Z Liu
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ashley R G Libby
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, University of California, 1675 Owens St, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Anthony T Moore
- UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, 10 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA
| | - Po-Lin So
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Gladstone Institutes Stem Cell Core, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Bruce R Conklin
- Gladstone Institutes, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, 10 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; UCSF Department of Medicine, 535 Mission Bay Blvd South, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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19
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Yan W, Peng YR, van Zyl T, Regev A, Shekhar K, Juric D, Sanes JR. Cell Atlas of The Human Fovea and Peripheral Retina. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9802. [PMID: 32555229 PMCID: PMC7299956 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66092-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Most irreversible blindness results from retinal disease. To advance our understanding of the etiology of blinding diseases, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze the transcriptomes of ~85,000 cells from the fovea and peripheral retina of seven adult human donors. Utilizing computational methods, we identified 58 cell types within 6 classes: photoreceptor, horizontal, bipolar, amacrine, retinal ganglion and non-neuronal cells. Nearly all types are shared between the two retinal regions, but there are notable differences in gene expression and proportions between foveal and peripheral cohorts of shared types. We then used the human retinal atlas to map expression of 636 genes implicated as causes of or risk factors for blinding diseases. Many are expressed in striking cell class-, type-, or region-specific patterns. Finally, we compared gene expression signatures of cell types between human and the cynomolgus macaque monkey, Macaca fascicularis. We show that over 90% of human types correspond transcriptomically to those previously identified in macaque, and that expression of disease-related genes is largely conserved between the two species. These results validate the use of the macaque for modeling blinding disease, and provide a foundation for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying visual processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Yan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yi-Rong Peng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Tavé van Zyl
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02140; and Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Karthik Shekhar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02140; and Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Dejan Juric
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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20
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Ferro Desideri L, Traverso CE, Nicolò M. Abicipar pegol: an investigational anti-VEGF agent for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:651-658. [PMID: 32479126 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1772754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several approaches have been investigated for the management of wet age-related macular degeneration (w-AMD); however, the first-line treatment option for w-AMD currently constitutes anti-VEGF agents. Abicipar pegol is a designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin), a novel, promising anti-VEGF agent for the treatment of w-AMD and is reviewed in this article. AREAS COVERED We discuss the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, clinical, and tolerability profile revealed by phase II REACH, CYPRESS, and BAMBOO and phase III CEDAR and SEQUOIA Trials. These two latter phase III trials revealed the non-inferiority of abicipar pegol administered with a bimonthly and quarterly regimen when compared with monthly ranibizumab. EXPERT OPINION Abicipar pegol has been proven to be an emerging, promising anti-VEGF agent in the management of w-AMD. The possibility of adopting a quarterly regimen would allow a decrease in treatment burden and improve patient compliance; however, further larger-scale studies should better characterize abicipar pegol clinical efficacy over longer follow-up periods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlo Enrico Traverso
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University Eye Clinic of Genoa , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Nicolò
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University Eye Clinic of Genoa , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Genoa, Italy.,Macula Onlus Foundation , Genoa, Italy
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21
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COLORADO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION REGISTRY: Design and Clinical Risk Factors of the Cohort. Retina 2020; 39:656-663. [PMID: 29283981 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000002023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study new and existing risk factors related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotypes in a Colorado cohort. METHODS Age-related macular degeneration was categorized into early, intermediate, or advanced forms. Controls (n = 180) were patients with cataract and no AMD. Demographic and clinical data were gathered by patient interview and verified by chart review. Image data were reviewed by vitreoretinal specialists. Statistical analysis included univariable and multivariate logistic regression analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS Among the 456 patients with AMD, 157 (34.4%), 80 (17.6%), and 219 (48.0%) had the early/intermediate, geographic atrophy, and neovascular forms of the disease, respectively. Adjusted for age, African-American race was associated with a reduced risk of early/intermediate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.08, confidence interval [CI] = 0.01-0.67) and neovascular AMD (AOR = 0.15, CI = 0.03-0.72). A family history of AMD was a risk factor for early/intermediate (AOR = 4.08, CI = 2.30-7.25), geographic atrophy (AOR = 8.62, CI = 3.77-19.7), and neovascular AMD (AOR = 3.76, CI = 2.16-6.56). A history of asthma was related to the early/intermediate form of AMD (AOR = 2.34, CI = 1.22-4.46). CONCLUSION Studying AMD in specific populations may reveal novel risk factors such as our finding of a relationship between asthma history and AMD.
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22
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Ben M'Barek K, Bertin S, Brazhnikova E, Jaillard C, Habeler W, Plancheron A, Fovet CM, Demilly J, Jarraya M, Bejanariu A, Sahel JA, Peschanski M, Goureau O, Monville C. Clinical-grade production and safe delivery of human ESC derived RPE sheets in primates and rodents. Biomaterials 2019; 230:119603. [PMID: 31732225 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration as well as some forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) are characterized by a retinal degeneration involving the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Various strategies were proposed to cure these disorders including the replacement of RPE cells using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), an unlimited source material to generate in vitro RPE cells. The formulation strategy of the cell therapy (either a reconstructed sheet or a cell suspension) is crucial to achieve an efficient and long lasting therapeutic effect. We previously developed a hPSC-RPE sheet disposed on human amniotic membrane that sustained the vision of rodents with retinal degeneration compared to the same cells injected as a suspension. However, the transplantation strategy was difficult to implement in large animals. Herein we developed two medical devices for the preparation, conservation and implantation of the hPSC-RPE sheet in nonhuman primates. The surgery was safe and well tolerated during the 7-week follow up. The graft integrity was preserved in primates. Moreover, the hPSC-RPE sheet did not induce teratoma or grafted cell dispersion to other organs in rodent models. This work clears the way for the first cell therapy for RP patients carrying RPE gene mutations (LRAT, RPE65 and MERTK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Ben M'Barek
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Stéphane Bertin
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France
| | - Elena Brazhnikova
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Céline Jaillard
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Walter Habeler
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Alexandra Plancheron
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | | | | | - Mohamed Jarraya
- Banque de Tissus Humain, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Ana Bejanariu
- CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France; Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, F-75012, Paris, France; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Marc Peschanski
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, F-75012, Paris, France.
| | - Christelle Monville
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France; UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100, Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
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23
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Keeling E, Chatelet DS, Johnston DA, Page A, Tumbarello DA, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. Oxidative Stress and Dysfunctional Intracellular Traffic Linked to an Unhealthy Diet Results in Impaired Cargo Transport in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE). Mol Nutr Food Res 2019; 63:e1800951. [PMID: 30835933 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201800951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Oxidative stress and dysregulated intracellular trafficking are associated with an unhealthy diet which underlies pathology. Here, these effects on photoreceptor outer segment (POS) trafficking in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a major pathway of disease underlying irreversible sight-loss, are studied. METHODS AND RESULTS POS trafficking is studied in ARPE-19 cells using an algorithm-based quantification of confocal-immunofluorescence data supported by ultrastructural studies. It is shown that although POS are tightly regulated and trafficked via Rab5, Rab7 vesicles, LAMP1/2 lysosomes and LC3b-autophagosomes, there is also a considerable degree of variation and flexibility in this process. Treatment with H2 O2 and bafilomycin A1 reveals that oxidative stress and dysregulated autophagy target intracellular compartments and trafficking in strikingly different ways. These effects appear limited to POS-containing vesicles, suggesting a cargo-specific effect. CONCLUSION The findings offer insights into how RPE cells cope with stress, and how mechanisms influencing POS transport/degradation can have different outcomes in the senescent retina. These shed new light on cellular processes underlying retinopathies such as age-related macular degeneration. The discoveries reveal how diet and nutrition can cause fundamental alterations at a cellular level, thus contributing to a better understanding of the diet-disease axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David S Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David A Johnston
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David A Tumbarello
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, UK
- Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, UK
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24
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Ferro Desideri L, Barra F, Ferrero S, Traverso CE, Nicolò M. Clinical efficacy and safety of ranibizumab in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 19:735-751. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1627322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ferro Desideri
- University Eye Clinic of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Barra
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simone Ferrero
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Enrico Traverso
- University Eye Clinic of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Nicolò
- University Eye Clinic of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Macula Onlus Foundation, Genoa, Italy
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25
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Ibbett P, Goverdhan SV, Pipi E, Chouhan JK, Keeling E, Angus EM, Scott JA, Gatherer M, Page A, Teeling JL, Lotery AJ, Arjuna Ratnayaka J. A lasered mouse model of retinal degeneration displays progressive outer retinal pathology providing insights into early geographic atrophy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7475. [PMID: 31097765 PMCID: PMC6522499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43906-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early stages of geographic atrophy (GA) age-related macular degeneration is characterised by the demise of photoreceptors, which precedes the loss of underlying retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Sight-loss due to GA has no effective treatment; reflecting both the complexity of the disease and the lack of suitable animal models for testing potential therapies. We report the development and characterisation of a laser-induced mouse model with early GA-like pathology. Retinas were lasered at adjacent sites using a 810 nm laser (1.9 J/spot), resulting in the development of confluent, hypopigmented central lesions with well-defined borders. Optical Coherence Tomography over 2-months showed progressive obliteration of photoreceptors with hyper-reflective outer plexiform and RPE/Bruch’s membrane (BrM) layers within lesions, but an unaffected inner retina. Light/electron microscopy after 3-months revealed lesions without photoreceptors, leaving the outer plexiform layer apposed to the RPE. We observed outer segment debris, hypo/hyperpigmented RPE, abnormal apical-basal RPE surfaces and BrM thickening. Lesions had wedge-shaped margins, extended zones of damage, activated Müller cells, microglial recruitment and functional retinal deficits. mRNA studies showed complement and inflammasome activation, microglial/macrophage phagocytosis and oxidative stress providing mechanistic insights into GA. We propose this mouse model as an attractive tool for early GA studies and drug-discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ibbett
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Srinivas V Goverdhan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.,Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Pipi
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Joe K Chouhan
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth M Angus
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny A Scott
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Maureen Gatherer
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica L Teeling
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, SGH, South Lab and Path Block, MP840, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom. .,Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
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26
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Subhi Y, Krogh Nielsen M, Molbech CR, Oishi A, Singh A, Nissen MH, Sørensen TL. Plasma markers of chronic low-grade inflammation in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol 2019; 97:99-106. [PMID: 30288946 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ageing is the strongest predictor of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where neuroinflammation is known to play a major role. Less is known about polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), which is an important differential diagnosis to neovascular AMD. Here, we report plasma markers of inflammation with age (inflammaging) in patients with PCV, patients with neovascular AMD and a healthy age-matched control group. METHODS We isolated plasma from fresh venous blood obtained from participants (n = 90) with either PCV, neovascular AMD, or healthy maculae. Interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNF-R2) were measured using U-PLEX Human Assays. Routine plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured using Dimension Vista 1500. RESULTS Patients with PCV had plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-R2 similar to that in healthy controls. Patients with neovascular AMD had significantly higher plasma IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 than healthy controls, whereas no significant differences were observed for plasma IL-8 and TNF-R2. Differences between plasma IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 possessed a positive but weak ability in discriminating neovascular AMD from PCV. Both patients with PCV and patients with neovascular AMD had significantly higher levels of routine plasma CRP. CONCLUSION Patients with PCV differ from patients with neovascular AMD in terms of plasma inflammaging profile. Apart from increased CRP, no signs of inflammaging were observed in patients with PCV. In patients with neovascular AMD, we find a specific angiogenesis-twisted inflammaging profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousif Subhi
- Clinical Eye Research Division; Department of Ophthalmology; Zealand University Hospital; Roskilde Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Marie Krogh Nielsen
- Clinical Eye Research Division; Department of Ophthalmology; Zealand University Hospital; Roskilde Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Christopher Rue Molbech
- Clinical Eye Research Division; Department of Ophthalmology; Zealand University Hospital; Roskilde Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Akio Oishi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | - Amardeep Singh
- Clinical Eye Research Division; Department of Ophthalmology; Zealand University Hospital; Roskilde Denmark
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund; Ophthalmology; Skane University Hospital; Lund University; Lund Sweden
| | - Mogens Holst Nissen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
- Eye Research Unit; Department of Immunology and Microbiology; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Torben Lykke Sørensen
- Clinical Eye Research Division; Department of Ophthalmology; Zealand University Hospital; Roskilde Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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27
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Ratnayaka JA, Keeling E, Chatelet DS. Study of Intracellular Cargo Trafficking and Co-localization in the Phagosome and Autophagy-Lysosomal Pathways of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2150:167-182. [PMID: 30969403 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2019_223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The transport and targeting of internalized molecules to distinct intracellular organelles/compartments can prove challenging to visualize clearly, which can contribute to some of the difficulties associated with these studies. By combining several approaches, we show how the trafficking and processing of photoreceptor outer segments in the phagosome and autophagy-lysosomal pathways of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can easily be quantified and visualized as 3D-reconstructed images. This protocol takes advantage of new developments in microscopy and image-analysis software which has the potential to help better understand dynamic intracellular processes that underlie RPE dysfunction associated with irreversible blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. The method described herein can also be used to study the trafficking and co-localization of different intracellular cargos in other cell types and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David S Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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28
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Ben M'Barek K, Habeler W, Plancheron A, Jarraya M, Goureau O, Monville C. Engineering Transplantation-suitable Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tissue Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30247475 DOI: 10.3791/58216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Several pathological conditions of the eye affect the functionality and/or the survival of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These include some forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Cell therapy is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies proposed to cure these diseases, with already encouraging preliminary results in humans. However, the method of preparation of the graft has a significant impact on its functional outcomes in vivo. Indeed, RPE cells grafted as a cell suspension are less functional than the same cells transplanted as a retinal tissue. Herein, we describe a simple and reproducible method to engineer RPE tissue and its preparation for an in vivo implantation. RPE cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells are seeded on a biological support, the human amniotic membrane (hAM). Compared to artificial scaffolds, this support has the advantage of having a basement membrane that is close to the Bruch's membrane where endogenous RPE cells are attached. However, its manipulation is not easy, and we developed several strategies for its proper culturing and preparation for grafting in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Ben M'Barek
- U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM); U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Université Evry Val-d'Essonne (UEVE); I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Centre pour L'Etude des Cellules Souches (CECS)
| | - Walter Habeler
- U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM); U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Université Evry Val-d'Essonne (UEVE); I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Centre pour L'Etude des Cellules Souches (CECS)
| | - Alexandra Plancheron
- U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM); U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Université Evry Val-d'Essonne (UEVE); I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Centre pour L'Etude des Cellules Souches (CECS)
| | - Mohamed Jarraya
- Banque de tissus humain, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-75012
| | - Christelle Monville
- U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM); U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Université Evry Val-d'Essonne (UEVE);
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29
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Ben M'Barek K, Habeler W, Plancheron A, Jarraya M, Regent F, Terray A, Yang Y, Chatrousse L, Domingues S, Masson Y, Sahel JA, Peschanski M, Goureau O, Monville C. Human ESC-derived retinal epithelial cell sheets potentiate rescue of photoreceptor cell loss in rats with retinal degeneration. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/421/eaai7471. [PMID: 29263231 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aai7471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Replacing defective retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with those derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is a potential strategy for treating retinal degenerative diseases. Early clinical trials have demonstrated that hESC-derived or hiPSC-derived RPE cells can be delivered safely as a suspension to the human eye. The next step is transplantation of hESC/hiPSC-derived RPE cells as cell sheets that are more physiological. We have developed a tissue-engineered product consisting of hESC-derived RPE cells grown as sheets on human amniotic membrane as a biocompatible substrate. We established a surgical approach to engraft this tissue-engineered product into the subretinal space of the eyes of rats with photoreceptor cell loss. We show that transplantation of the hESC-RPE cell sheets grown on a human amniotic membrane scaffold resulted in rescue of photoreceptor cell death and improved visual acuity in rats with retinal degeneration compared to hESC-RPE cells injected as a cell suspension. These results suggest that tissue-engineered hESC-RPE cell sheets produced under good manufacturing practice conditions may be a useful approach for treating diseases of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Ben M'Barek
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Walter Habeler
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Alexandra Plancheron
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Mohamed Jarraya
- Banque de tissus humain, Hôpital Saint Louis, AP-HP Paris, France
| | - Florian Regent
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Angélique Terray
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Ying Yang
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, 75012 Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DHOS CIC, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Laure Chatrousse
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Sophie Domingues
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Yolande Masson
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, 75012 Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DHOS CIC, 75012 Paris, France.,Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marc Peschanski
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.,CECS, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Christelle Monville
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM), Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France. .,UEVE U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
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30
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Lynn SA, Keeling E, Dewing JM, Johnston DA, Page A, Cree AJ, Tumbarello DA, Newman TA, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. A convenient protocol for establishing a human cell culture model of the outer retina. F1000Res 2018; 7:1107. [PMID: 30271583 PMCID: PMC6137423 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15409.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several blinding retinopathies. Alterations to RPE structure and function are reported in Age-related Macular Degeneration, Stargardt and Best disease as well as pattern dystrophies. However, the precise role of RPE cells in disease aetiology remains incompletely understood. Many studies into RPE pathobiology have utilised animal models, which only recapitulate limited disease features. Some studies are also difficult to carry out in animals as the ocular space remains largely inaccessible to powerful microscopes. In contrast, in-vitro models provide an attractive alternative to investigating pathogenic RPE changes associated with age and disease. In this article we describe the step-by-step approach required to establish an experimentally versatile in-vitro culture model of the outer retina incorporating the RPE monolayer and supportive Bruch's membrane (BrM). We show that confluent monolayers of the spontaneously arisen human ARPE-19 cell-line cultured under optimal conditions reproduce key features of native RPE. These models can be used to study dynamic, intracellular and extracellular pathogenic changes using the latest developments in microscopy and imaging technology. We also discuss how RPE cells from human foetal and stem-cell derived sources can be incorporated alongside sophisticated BrM substitutes to replicate the aged/diseased outer retina in a dish. The work presented here will enable users to rapidly establish a realistic in-vitro model of the outer retina that is amenable to a high degree of experimental manipulation which will also serve as an attractive alternative to using animals. This in-vitro model therefore has the benefit of achieving the 3Rs objective of reducing and replacing the use of animals in research. As well as recapitulating salient structural and physiological features of native RPE, other advantages of this model include its simplicity, rapid set-up time and unlimited scope for detailed single-cell resolution and matrix studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah A. Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jennifer M. Dewing
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David A. Johnston
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Angela J. Cree
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - David A. Tumbarello
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Tracey A. Newman
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
- Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - J. Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MP 806, Tremona Road, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, UK
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31
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Dayang W, Dongbo P. Taurine reduces blue light-induced retinal neuronal cell apoptosis in vitro. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2018; 37:240-244. [PMID: 29417844 DOI: 10.1080/15569527.2018.1434665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The massive uptake of organic compatible osmolytes is a self-protective response to multiple stressors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the protective effects of the osmolyte taurine against blue light-induced apoptosis in retinal neuronal cells in vitro. METHODS Real-time PCR was used to measure osmolyte transport. Radioimmunoassays were performed to measure osmolyte uptake. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were conducted to measure cellular viability. Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure apoptosis. RESULTS Compared with normotonic stress, hypertonic stress-induced uptake of osmolytes, including betaine, myoinositol, and taurine, into the retinal neuronal cells. Blue light increased osmolyte transporter mRNA expression together with osmolyte uptake. Furthermore, taurine significantly suppressed blue light-induced retinal neuronal cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION The compatible osmolyte taurine may have an important role in cell resistance to blue light and cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Dayang
- a Department of Ophthalmology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University , Jinzhou , PR China
| | - Pang Dongbo
- a Department of Ophthalmology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University , Jinzhou , PR China
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32
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García-Layana A, Cabrera-López F, García-Arumí J, Arias-Barquet L, Ruiz-Moreno JM. Early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration: update and clinical review. Clin Interv Aging 2017; 12:1579-1587. [PMID: 29042759 PMCID: PMC5633280 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s142685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in developed countries. With the aging of population, AMD will become globally an increasingly important and prevalent disease worldwide. It is a complex disease whose etiology is associated with both genetic and environmental risk factors. An extensive decline in the quality of life and progressive need of daily living assistance resulting from AMD among those most severely affected highlights the essential role of preventive strategies, particularly advising patients to quit smoking. In addition, maintaining a healthy diet, controlling other risk factors (such as hypertension, obesity, and atherosclerosis), and the use of nutritional supplements (antioxidants) are recommendable. Genetic testing may be especially important in patients with a family history of AMD. Recently, unifying criteria for the clinical classification of AMD, defining no apparent aging changes; normal aging changes; and early, intermediate, and late AMD stages, are of value in predicting AMD risk of progression and in establishing recommendations for the diagnosis, therapeutic approach, and follow-up of patients. The present review is focused on early and intermediate AMD and presents a description of the clinical characteristics and ophthalmological findings for these stages, together with algorithms for the diagnosis and management of patients, which are easily applicable in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo García-Layana
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Sociedad Española de Retina y Vítreo (SERV), Madrid, Spain.,Red Telemática de Investigación Cooperativa Oftared, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Cabrera-López
- Service of Ophthalmology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.,Las Palmas Gran Canaria University, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - José García-Arumí
- Department of Retina and Vitreous, Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular (IMO), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Ophthalmology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital Universitario Valle Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Arias-Barquet
- Section of Medical-Surgical Retina, Service of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José M Ruiz-Moreno
- Red Telemática de Investigación Cooperativa Oftared, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Universidad Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.,Vissum Corporación Oftalmológica, Madrid, Spain
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33
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Ex-vivo models of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) in long-term culture faithfully recapitulate key structural and physiological features of native RPE. Tissue Cell 2017; 49:447-460. [PMID: 28669519 PMCID: PMC5545183 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Damage to the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) is a key feature of retinopathy. We describe 2 substrates which support RPE cultures for long-term studies. Substrates were; a polyester transwell membrane and a novel electrospun scaffold. Both support RPE cultures with structural and functional features of native RPE. Electrospun scaffolds may be better for studying some disease-linked RPE changes.
The Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) forms the primary site of pathology in several blinding retinopathies. RPE cultures are being continuously refined so that dynamic disease processes in this important monolayer can be faithfully studied outside the eye over longer periods. The RPE substrate, which mimics the supportive Bruch’s membrane (BrM), plays a key role in determining how well in-vitro cultures recapitulate native RPE cells. Here, we evaluate how two different types of BrM substrates; (1) a commercially-available polyester transwell membrane, and (2) a novel electrospun scaffold developed in our laboratory, could support the generation of realistic RPE tissues in culture. Our findings reveal that both substrates were capable of supporting long-lasting RPE monolayers with structural and functional specialisations of in-situ RPE cells. These cultures were used to study autofluorescence and barrier formation, as well as activities such as outer-segment internalisation/trafficking and directional secretion of key proteins; the impairment of which underlies retinal disease. Hence, both substrates fulfilled important criteria for generating authentic in-vitro cultures and act as powerful tools to study RPE pathophysiology. However, RPE grown on electrospun scaffolds may be better suited to studying complex RPE-BrM interactions such as the formation of drusen-like deposits associated with early retinal disease.
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Bonyadi M, Mehdizadeh F, Jabbarpoor Bonyadi MH, Soheilian M, Javadzadeh A, Yaseri M. Association of the DNA repair SMUG1 rs3087404 polymorphism and its interaction with high sensitivity C-reactive protein for age-related macular degeneration in Iranian patients. Ophthalmic Genet 2017; 38:422-427. [DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2016.1251947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mortaza Bonyadi
- Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
- Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Faride Mehdizadeh
- Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Masoud Soheilian
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Javadzadeh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yaseri
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Lynn SA, Keeling E, Munday R, Gabha G, Griffiths H, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. The complexities underlying age-related macular degeneration: could amyloid beta play an important role? Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:538-548. [PMID: 28553324 PMCID: PMC5436342 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.205083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes irreversible loss of central vision for which there is no effective treatment. Incipient pathology is thought to occur in the retina for many years before AMD manifests from midlife onwards to affect a large proportion of the elderly. Although genetic as well as non-genetic/environmental risks are recognized, its complex aetiology makes it difficult to identify susceptibility, or indeed what type of AMD develops or how quickly it progresses in different individuals. Here we summarize the literature describing how the Alzheimer's-linked amyloid beta (Aβ) group of misfolding proteins accumulate in the retina. The discovery of this key driver of Alzheimer's disease in the senescent retina was unexpected and surprising, enabling an altogether different perspective of AMD. We argue that Aβ fundamentally differs from other substances which accumulate in the ageing retina, and discuss our latest findings from a mouse model in which physiological amounts of Aβ were subretinally-injected to recapitulate salient features of early AMD within a short period. Our discoveries as well as those of others suggest the pattern of Aβ accumulation and pathology in donor aged/AMD tissues are closely reproduced in mice, including late-stage AMD phenotypes, which makes them highly attractive to study dynamic aspects of Aβ-mediated retinopathy. Furthermore, we discuss our findings revealing how Aβ behaves at single-cell resolution, and consider the long-term implications for neuroretinal function. We propose Aβ as a key element in switching to a diseased retinal phenotype, which is now being used as a biomarker for late-stage AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah A Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie Munday
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gagandeep Gabha
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Griffiths
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.,Eye Unit, University Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Taylor-Walker G, Lynn SA, Keeling E, Munday R, Johnston DA, Page A, Scott JA, Goverdhan S, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. The Alzheimer's-related amyloid beta peptide is internalised by R28 neuroretinal cells and disrupts the microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP-2). Exp Eye Res 2016; 153:110-121. [PMID: 27751744 PMCID: PMC5131630 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common, irreversible blinding condition that leads to the loss of central vision. AMD has a complex aetiology with both genetic as well as environmental risks factors, and share many similarities with Alzheimer's disease. Recent findings have contributed significantly to unravelling its genetic architecture that is yet to be matched by molecular insights. Studies are made more challenging by observations that aged and AMD retinas accumulate the highly pathogenic Alzheimer's-related Amyloid beta (Aβ) group of peptides, for which there appears to be no clear genetic basis. Analyses of human donor and animal eyes have identified retinal Aβ aggregates in retinal ganglion cells (RGC), the inner nuclear layer, photoreceptors as well as the retinal pigment epithelium. Aβ is also a major drusen constituent; found correlated with elevated drusen-load and age, with a propensity to aggregate in retinas of advanced AMD. Despite this evidence, how such a potent driver of neurodegeneration might impair the neuroretina remains incompletely understood, and studies into this important aspect of retinopathy remains limited. In order to address this we exploited R28 rat retinal cells which due to its heterogeneous nature, offers diverse neuroretinal cell-types in which to study the molecular pathology of Aβ. R28 cells are also unaffected by problems associated with the commonly used RGC-5 immortalised cell-line, thus providing a well-established model in which to study dynamic Aβ effects at single-cell resolution. Our findings show that R28 cells express key neuronal markers calbindin, protein kinase C and the microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP-2) by confocal immunofluorescence which has not been shown before, but also calretinin which has not been reported previously. For the first time, we reveal that retinal neurons rapidly internalised Aβ1-42, the most cytotoxic and aggregate-prone amongst the Aβ family. Furthermore, exposure to physiological amounts of Aβ1-42 for 24 h correlated with impairment to neuronal MAP-2, a cytoskeletal protein which regulates microtubule dynamics in axons and dendrites. Disruption to MAP-2 was transient, and had recovered by 48 h, although internalised Aβ persisted as discrete puncta for as long as 72 h. To assess whether Aβ could realistically localise to living retinas to mediate such effects, we subretinally injected nanomolar levels of oligomeric Aβ1-42 into wildtype mice. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of focal Aβ deposits in RGC, the inner nuclear and the outer plexiform layers 8 days later, recapitulating naturally-occurring patterns of Aβ aggregation in aged retinas. Our novel findings describe how retinal neurons internalise Aβ to transiently impair MAP-2 in a hitherto unreported manner. MAP-2 dysfunction is reported in AMD retinas, and is thought to be involved in remodelling and plasticity of post-mitotic neurons. Our insights suggest a molecular pathway by which this could occur in the senescent eye leading to complex diseases such as AMD. Molecular basis of complex retinopathies such as AMD is incompletely understood. The Alzheimer's-related Aβ peptides are rapidly internalised by retinal neurons. Internalised Aβ is retained within neurons and transiently impairs MAP-2. Subretinally injected Aβ mimics its naturally-occurring distribution in aged retinas.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Taylor-Walker
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Savannah A Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie Munday
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - David A Johnston
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, SGH, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Anton Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, University of Southampton, SGH, MP12, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer A Scott
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Srini Goverdhan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom; Eye Unit, University Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SGH, MP806, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
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Arifoglu HB, Karatepe Hashas AS, Atas M, Sarli B, Ozkose A, Demircan S. Systemic endothelial function in cases with wet-type age-related macular degeneration. Aging Clin Exp Res 2016; 28:853-6. [PMID: 26003670 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-015-0377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Choroidal endothelial dysfunction plays key role in wet-type age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Peripheral vascular endothelial function is not known in wet AMD. OBJECTIVE We aimed to analyze peripheral vascular endothelial function in cases with wet-type age-related macular degeneration by measuring flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 20 cases with wet AMD (Group 1, mean age 65.9 ± 7.2 years) and 24 healthy individuals (Group 2, mean age 62.0 ± 11.9 years). In all cases, a cardiologist assessed the responses of endothelial function by measuring the FMD following brachial artery occlusion. RESULTS Mean FMD, an indicator of endothelial function was found to be 6.4 ± 2.7 % in Group 1 and 15.6 ± 7.3 % in Group 2 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between patient and control groups regarding age, sex, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, ESR and CRP. CONCLUSION Reduced FMD is present in patients with wet AMD, suggesting that impaired peripheral endothelial function may be involved in its pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Basri Arifoglu
- Ophthalmology Department, S.B. Kayseri Research and Education Hospital, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Boulevard Hastane Street No:78, Kayseri, 38010, Turkey.
| | - Arzu Seyhan Karatepe Hashas
- Ophthalmology Department, S.B. Kayseri Research and Education Hospital, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Boulevard Hastane Street No:78, Kayseri, 38010, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Atas
- Ophthalmology Department, S.B. Kayseri Research and Education Hospital, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Boulevard Hastane Street No:78, Kayseri, 38010, Turkey
| | - Bahadır Sarli
- Cardiology Department, S.B. Kayseri Research and Education Hospital, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Boulevard Hastane Street No:78, Kayseri, 38010, Turkey
| | - Ayse Ozkose
- Ophthalmology Department, S.B. Kayseri Research and Education Hospital, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Boulevard Hastane Street No:78, Kayseri, 38010, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Demircan
- Ophthalmology Department, S.B. Kayseri Research and Education Hospital, Sanayi Mah. Atatürk Boulevard Hastane Street No:78, Kayseri, 38010, Turkey
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Lyzogubov VV, Bora PS, Wu X, Horn LE, de Roque R, Rudolf XV, Atkinson JP, Bora NS. The Complement Regulatory Protein CD46 Deficient Mouse Spontaneously Develops Dry-Type Age-Related Macular Degeneration-Like Phenotype. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:2088-2104. [PMID: 27295359 PMCID: PMC4973660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In the mouse, membrane cofactor protein (CD46), a key regulator of the alternative pathway of the complement system, is only expressed in the eye and on the inner acrosomal membrane of spermatozoa. We noted that although Cd46(-/-) mice have normal systemic alternative pathway activating ability, lack of CD46 leads to dysregulated complement activation in the eye, as evidenced by increased deposition of C5b-9 in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid. A knockout of CD46 induced the following cardinal features of human dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 12-month-old male and female mice: accumulation of autofluorescent material in and hypertrophy of the RPE, dense deposits in and thickening of Bruch's membrane, loss of photoreceptors, cells in subretinal space, and a reduction of choroidal vessels. Collectively, our results demonstrate spontaneous age-related degenerative changes in the retina, RPE, and choroid of Cd46(-/-) mice that are consistent with human dry AMD. These findings provide the exciting possibility of using Cd46(-/-) mice as a convenient and reliable animal model for dry AMD. Having such a relatively straight-forward model for dry AMD should provide valuable insights into pathogenesis and a test model system for novel drug targets. More important, tissue-specific expression of CD46 gives the Cd46(-/-) mouse model of dry AMD a unique advantage over other mouse models using knockout strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriy V Lyzogubov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Puran S Bora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Xiaobo Wu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Leah E Horn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Ryan de Roque
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Xeniya V Rudolf
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - John P Atkinson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Nalini S Bora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Groynom R, Shoffstall E, Wu LS, Kramer RH, Lavik EB. Controlled release of photoswitch drugs by degradable polymer microspheres. J Drug Target 2016; 23:710-5. [PMID: 26453166 DOI: 10.3109/1061186x.2015.1060978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND QAQ (quaternary ammonium-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium) and DENAQ (diethylamine-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium) are synthetic photoswitch compounds that change conformation in response to light, altering current flow through voltage-gated ion channels in neurons. These compounds are drug candidates for restoring light sensitivity in degenerative blinding diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PURPOSE However, these photoswitch compounds are cleared from the eye within several days, they must be administered through repeated intravitreal injections. Therefore, we are investigating local, sustained delivery formulations to constantly replenish these molecules and have the potential to restore sight. METHODS Here, we encapsulate QAQ and DENAQ into several molecular weights of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) through an emulsion technique to assess the viability of delivering the compounds in their therapeutic window over many weeks. We characterize the loading efficiency, release profile and bioactivity of the compounds after encapsulation. RESULTS A very small burst release was observed for all of the formulations with the majority being delivered over the following two months. The lowest molecular weight PLGA led to the highest loading and most linear delivery for both QAQ and DENAQ. Bioactivity was retained for both compounds across the polymers. CONCLUSION These results present encapsulation into polymers by emulsion as a viable option for controlled release of QAQ and DENAQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Groynom
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA and
| | - Erin Shoffstall
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA and
| | - Larry S Wu
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA and
| | - Richard H Kramer
- b Department of Molecular and Cell Biology , University of California , Berkeley , CA , USA
| | - Erin B Lavik
- a Department of Biomedical Engineering , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA and
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Guo X, Zhu D, Lian R, Han Y, Guo Y, Li Z, Tang S, Chen J. Matrigel and Activin A promote cell-cell contact and anti-apoptotic activity in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells. Exp Eye Res 2016; 147:37-49. [PMID: 27130547 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among the aging population. Currently, replacement of diseased retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells with transplanted healthy RPE cells could be a feasible approach for AMD therapy. However, maintaining cell-cell contact and good viability of RPE cells cultured in vitro is difficult and fundamentally determines the success of RPE cell transplantation. This study was conducted to examine the role of Matrigel and Activin A (MA) in regulating cell-cell contact and anti-apoptotic activity in human RPE (hRPE) cells, as assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), immunofluorescence staining, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) analysis, mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψ m) assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays and Western blotting. hRPE cells cultured in vitro could maintain their epithelioid morphology after MA treatment over at least 4 passages. The contact of N-cadherin to the lateral cell border was promoted in hRPE cells at P2 by MA. MA treatment also enhanced the expression of tight junction-associated genes and proteins, such as Claudin-1, Claudin-3, Occludin and ZO-1, as well as polarized ZO-1 protein distribution and barrier function, in cultured hRPE cells. Moreover, MA treatment decreased apoptotic cells, ROS and Bax and increased △Ψ m and Bcl2 in hRPE cells under serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis. In addition, MA treatment elevated the protein expression levels of β-catenin and its target proteins, including Cyclin D1, c-Myc and Survivin, as well as the gene expression levels of ZO-1, β-catenin, Survivin and TCF-4, all of which could be down-regulated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor XAV-939. Taken together, MA treatment could effectively promote cell-cell contact and anti-apoptotic activity in hRPE cells, partly involving the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This study will benefit the understanding of hRPE cells and future cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Guo
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Deliang Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ruiling Lian
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuting Han
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yonglong Guo
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shibo Tang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Furong Middle Road 198#, Changsha 410015, China.
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mitochondria, essential to multicellular life, convert food into ATP to satisfy cellular energy demands. Since different tissues have different energy requirements, mitochondrial density is high in tissues with high metabolic needs, such as the visual system, which is therefore highly susceptible to limited energy supply as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction. AREAS COVERED Vision impairment is a common feature of most mitochondrial diseases. At the same time, there is mounting evidence that mitochondrial impairment contributes to the pathogenesis of major eye diseases such as glaucoma and might also be involved in the reported vision impairment in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. EXPERT OPINION Rather than relying on symptomatic treatment, acknowledging the mitochondrial origin of visual disorders in mitochondrial, neurodegenerative and ocular diseases could lead to novel therapeutics that aim to modulate mitochondrial function in order to protect against vision loss. This approach has already shown some promising clinical results in inherited retinal disorders, which supports the idea that targeting mitochondria could also be a treatment option for other optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamuna Chhetri
- a Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health , University of Tasmania , Hobart , Australia
| | - Nuri Gueven
- a Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health , University of Tasmania , Hobart , Australia
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De Novo Assembly and Transcriptome Characterization of Canine Retina Using High-Throughput Sequencing. GENETICS RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:638679. [PMID: 26788372 PMCID: PMC4695645 DOI: 10.1155/2015/638679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We performed transcriptome sequencing of canine retinal tissue by 454 GS-FLX and Ion Torrent PGM platforms. RNA-Seq analysis by CLC Genomics Workbench mapped expression of 10,360 genes. Gene ontology analysis of retinal transcriptome revealed abundance of transcripts known to be involved in vision associated processes. The de novo assembly of the sequences using CAP3 generated 29,683 contigs with mean length of 560.9 and N50 of 619 bases. Further analysis of contigs predicted 3,827 full-length cDNAs and 29,481 (99%) open reading frames (ORFs). In addition, 3,782 contigs were assigned to 316 KEGG pathways which included melanogenesis, phototransduction, and retinol metabolism with 33, 15, and 11 contigs, respectively. Among the identified microsatellites, dinucleotide repeats were 68.84%, followed by trinucleotides, tetranucleotides, pentanucleotides, and hexanucleotides in proportions of 25.76, 9.40, 2.52, and 0.96%, respectively. This study will serve as a valuable resource for understanding the biology and function of canine retina.
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Lazzeri S, Orlandi P, Piaggi P, Sartini MS, Casini G, Guidi G, Figus M, Fioravanti A, Di Desidero T, Ripandelli G, Parravano M, Varano M, Nardi M, Bocci G. IL-8 and VEGFR-2 polymorphisms modulate long-term functional response to intravitreal ranibizumab in exudative age-related macular degeneration. Pharmacogenomics 2015; 17:35-9. [PMID: 26653034 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.15.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate possible associations between VEGFR-2 and IL-8 gene SNPs and 1-year response to intravitreal ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. MATERIALS & METHODS Sixty-four eyes underwent a loading phase of three monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab 0.5 mg/0.05 ml followed by Pro Re Nata retreatment. VEGFR-2 rs2071559 (-604 A/G) and IL-8 rs4073 (-251 A/T) were analyzed. RESULTS Ranibizumab was significantly more effective as measured by visual acuity in patients harboring the IL-8 rs4073 TT genotype (p = 0.045), whereas patients carrying the VEGFR-2 rs2071559 CC genotype revealed better functional response as measured by mean retinal sensitivity (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION IL-8 rs4073 and VEGFR-2 rs2071559 genotypes may represent important molecular determinants to modulate final outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Lazzeri
- Ophthalmology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Fondazione G. B. Bietti, IRCCS Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Orlandi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Piaggi
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Energy & Systems Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna Fioravanti
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Teresa Di Desidero
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Marco Nardi
- Ophthalmology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Bocci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Lazzeri S, Ripandelli G, Sartini MS, Parravano M, Varano M, Nardi M, Di Desidero T, Orlandi P, Bocci G. Aflibercept administration in neovascular age-related macular degeneration refractory to previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs: a critical review and new possible approaches to move forward. Angiogenesis 2015; 18:397-432. [PMID: 26346237 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-015-9483-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The recent introduction of anti-VEGF drugs has widely changed the prognosis of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), even if a variable percentage of patients showed an insufficient response. Aflibercept is a new anti-VEGF drug approved by FDA for the treatment of exudative AMD with a wider binding capacity than either bevacizumab or ranibizumab. Therefore, the purposes were as follows: (i) to report anatomical and functional outcomes of switching from bevacizumab/ranibizumab to aflibercept previously described in the scientific literature, (ii) to hypothesize the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the resistance and tachyphylaxis to anti-VEGF drugs, and (iii) to suggest possible clinical actions to increase the chances of success for such difficult cases. METHODS We reviewed the available scientific literature in Medline, Cochrane database, Current Contents, PubMed, and cross-referencing from identified articles, regarding the treatment of exudative AMD patients refractory to bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab and switched to aflibercept monotherapy. We included in this review all the cases in which the diagnosis of refractory or resistant exudative AMD was properly made, and the results of at least one aflibercept injection were described. FINDINGS We reported the outcomes of 21 papers for a total of 1066 eyes affected by exudative AMD resistant to previous anti-VEGF drug injections and switched to aflibercept. Enrolled reports were divided into two groups: 5 prospective reports and 16 retrospective reports. All the reported papers conclude their analysis, stating that switching from bevacizumab/ranibizumab to aflibercept injections can improve outcomes successfully in refractory neovascular AMD patients. IMPLICATIONS Analysis of the papers reported in this review demonstrates that switching from bevacizumab/ranibizumab to aflibercept injections can improve outcomes successfully in refractory neovascular AMD patients. The mechanism for these effects is not yet completely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Lazzeri
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area. Operative Unit of "University Ophthalmology", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Bietti Foundation, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Sole Sartini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area. Operative Unit of "University Ophthalmology", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Nardi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area. Operative Unit of "University Ophthalmology", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Teresa Di Desidero
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Scuola Medica - Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Orlandi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Scuola Medica - Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guido Bocci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Scuola Medica - Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Ratnayaka JA, Serpell LC, Lotery AJ. Dementia of the eye: the role of amyloid beta in retinal degeneration. Eye (Lond) 2015; 29:1013-26. [PMID: 26088679 PMCID: PMC4541342 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2015.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness affecting nearly 50 million individuals globally. The disease is characterised by progressive loss of central vision, which has significant implications for quality of life concerns in an increasingly ageing population. AMD pathology manifests in the macula, a specialised region of the retina, which is responsible for central vision and perception of fine details. The underlying pathology of this complex degenerative disease is incompletely understood but includes both genetic as well as epigenetic risk factors. The recent discovery that amyloid beta (Aβ), a highly toxic and aggregate-prone family of peptides, is elevated in the ageing retina and is associated with AMD has opened up new perspectives on the aetiology of this debilitating blinding disease. Multiple studies now link Aβ with key stages of AMD progression, which is both exciting and potentially insightful, as this identifies a well-established toxic agent that aggressively targets cells in degenerative brains. Here, we review the most recent findings supporting the hypothesis that Aβ may be a key factor in AMD pathology. We describe how multiple Aβ reservoirs, now reported in the ageing eye, may target the cellular physiology of the retina as well as associated layers, and propose a mechanistic pathway of Aβ-mediated degenerative change leading to AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - L C Serpell
- School of Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Dementia Research Group), University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - A J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Casco-Robles MM, Miura T, Chiba C. The newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) RPE65 promoter: molecular cloning, characterization and functional analysis. Transgenic Res 2015; 24:463-73. [PMID: 25490979 PMCID: PMC4436847 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-014-9857-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The adult newt has the ability to regenerate the neural retina following injury, a process achieved primarily by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To deliver exogenous genes to the RPE for genetic manipulation of regenerative events, we isolated the newt RPE65 promoter region by genome walking. First, we cloned the 2.8 kb RPE65 promoter from the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Sequence analysis revealed several conserved regulatory elements described previously in mouse and human RPE65 promoters. Second, having previously established an I-SceI-mediated transgenic protocol for the newt, we used it here to examine the -657 bp proximal promoter of RPE65. The promoter assay used with F0 transgenic newts confirmed transgene expression of mCherry fluorescent protein in the RPE. Using bioinformatic tools and the TRANSFAC database, we identified a 340 bp CpG island located between -635 and -296 bp in the promoter; this region contains response elements for the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor known as MITF (CACGTG, CATGTG), and E-boxes (CANNTG). Sex-determining region box 9 (or SOX9) response element previously reported in the regulation of RPE genes (including RPE65) was also identified in the newt RPE65 promoter. Third, we identified DNA motif boxes in the newt RPE65 promoter that are conserved among other vertebrates. The newt RPE65 promoter is an invaluable tool for site-specific delivery of exogenous genes or genetic manipulation systems for the study of retinal regeneration in this animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Miguel Casco-Robles
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Tomoya Miura
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Chikafumi Chiba
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
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Pennington BO, Clegg DO, Melkoumian ZK, Hikita ST. Defined culture of human embryonic stem cells and xeno-free derivation of retinal pigmented epithelial cells on a novel, synthetic substrate. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:165-77. [PMID: 25593208 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness, is characterized by the death of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), which is a monolayer posterior to the retina that supports the photoreceptors. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can generate an unlimited source of RPE for cellular therapies, and clinical trials have been initiated. However, protocols for RPE derivation using defined conditions free of nonhuman derivatives (xeno-free) are preferred for clinical translation. This avoids exposing AMD patients to animal-derived products, which could incite an immune response. In this study, we investigated the maintenance of hESCs and their differentiation into RPE using Synthemax II-SC, which is a novel, synthetic animal-derived component-free, RGD peptide-containing copolymer compliant with good manufacturing practices designed for xeno-free stem cell culture. Cells on Synthemax II-SC were compared with cultures grown with xenogeneic and xeno-free control substrates. This report demonstrates that Synthemax II-SC supports long-term culture of H9 and H14 hESC lines and permits efficient differentiation of hESCs into functional RPE. Expression of RPE-specific markers was assessed by flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry, and RPE function was determined by phagocytosis of rod outer segments and secretion of pigment epithelium-derived factor. Both hESCs and hESC-RPE maintained normal karyotypes after long-term culture on Synthemax II-SC. Furthermore, RPE generated on Synthemax II-SC are functional when seeded onto parylene-C scaffolds designed for clinical use. These experiments suggest that Synthemax II-SC is a suitable, defined substrate for hESC culture and the xeno-free derivation of RPE for cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britney O Pennington
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Corning Life Sciences Development, Corning Inc., Corning, New York, USA; Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Corning Life Sciences Development, Corning Inc., Corning, New York, USA; Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Zara K Melkoumian
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Corning Life Sciences Development, Corning Inc., Corning, New York, USA; Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Sherry T Hikita
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA; Corning Life Sciences Development, Corning Inc., Corning, New York, USA; Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., Menlo Park, California, USA
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Jobling AI, Guymer RH, Vessey KA, Greferath U, Mills SA, Brassington KH, Luu CD, Aung KZ, Trogrlic L, Plunkett M, Fletcher EL. Nanosecond laser therapy reverses pathologic and molecular changes in age‐related macular degeneration without retinal damage. FASEB J 2014; 29:696-710. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-262444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. I. Jobling
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - R. H. Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaUniversity of MelbourneRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalVictoriaAustralia
| | - K. A. Vessey
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - U. Greferath
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - S. A. Mills
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - K. H. Brassington
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaUniversity of MelbourneRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalVictoriaAustralia
| | - C. D. Luu
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaUniversity of MelbourneRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalVictoriaAustralia
| | - K. Z. Aung
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaUniversity of MelbourneRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalVictoriaAustralia
| | - L. Trogrlic
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - E. L. Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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Visual function assessment in simulated real-life situations in patients with age-related macular degeneration compared to normal subjects. Eye (Lond) 2014; 28:1231-8. [PMID: 25081294 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2014.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate visual function variations in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to normal eyes under different light/contrast conditions using a time-dependent visual acuity testing instrument, the Central Vision Analyzer (CVA). METHODS Overall, 37 AMD eyes and 35 normal eyes were consecutively tested with the CVA after assessing best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using ETDRS charts. The CVA established visual thresholds for three mesopic environments (M1 (high contrast), M2 (medium contrast), and M3 (low contrast)) and three backlight-glare environments (G1 (high contrast, equivalent to ETDRS), G2 (medium contrast), and G3 (low contrast)) under timed conditions. Vision drop across environments was calculated, and repeatability of visual scores was determined. RESULTS BCVA significantly reduced with decreasing contrast in all eyes. M1 scores for BCVA were greater than M2 and M3 (P<0.001); G1 scores were greater than G2 and G3 (P<0.01). BCVA dropped more in AMD eyes than in normal eyes between M1 and M2 (P=0.002) and between M1 and M3 (P=0.003). In AMD eyes, BCVA was better using ETDRS charts compared to G1 (P<0.001). The drop in visual function between ETDRS and G1 was greater in AMD eyes compared to normal eyes (P=0.004). Standard deviations of test-retest ranged from 0.100 to 0.139 logMAR. CONCLUSION The CVA allowed analysis of the visual complaints that AMD patients experience with different lighting/contrast time-dependent conditions. BCVA changed significantly under different lighting/contrast conditions in all eyes, however, AMD eyes were more affected by contrast reduction than normal eyes. In AMD eyes, timed conditions using the CVA led to worse BCVA compared to non-timed ETDRS charts.
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50
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Lyzogubov V, Wu X, Jha P, Tytarenko R, Triebwasser M, Kolar G, Bertram P, Bora PS, Atkinson JP, Bora NS. Complement regulatory protein CD46 protects against choroidal neovascularization in mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 184:2537-48. [PMID: 25019227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the complement system is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in age-related macular degeneration. Although the complement regulator CD46 is expressed ubiquitously in humans, in mouse it was previously thought to be expressed only on spermatozoa. We detected CD46 mRNA and protein in the posterior ocular segment (neuronal retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid) of wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice. Cd46(-/-) knockout mice exhibited increased levels of the membrane attack complex and of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina and choroid. The Cd46(-/-) mice were also more susceptible to laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In Cd46(-/-) mice, 19% of laser spots were positive for CNV at day 2 after treatment, but no positive spots were detected in WT mice. At day 3, 42% of laser spots were positive in Cd46(-/-) mice, but only 11% in WT mice. A fully developed CNV complex was noted in both Cd46(-/-) and WT mice at day 7; however, lesion size was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in Cd46(-/-) mice. Our findings provide evidence for expression of CD46 in the mouse eye and a role for CD46 in protection against laser-induced CNV. We propose that the Cd46(-/-) mouse has a greater susceptibility to experimental CNV because of insufficient complement inhibition, which leads to increased membrane attack complex deposition and VEGF expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriy Lyzogubov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Xiaobo Wu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Purushottam Jha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Ruslana Tytarenko
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Michael Triebwasser
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Grant Kolar
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Paula Bertram
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Puran S Bora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - John P Atkinson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Nalini S Bora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pat and Willard Walker Eye Research Center, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
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