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Attallah A, Ardourel M, Gallazzini F, Lesne F, De Oliveira A, Togbé D, Briault S, Perche O. Lack of FMRP in the retina: Evidence of a retinal specific transcriptomic profile. Exp Eye Res 2024; 246:110015. [PMID: 39089568 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110015] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of human intellectual disability, is a monogenic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a loss-of-function mutation of the FMR1 gene. FMR1 is encoding the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleo Protein (FMRP) an RNA-binding protein that regulates the translation of synaptic proteins. The absence of FMRP expression has many important consequences on synaptic plasticity and function, leading to the FXS clinical phenotype. Over the last decade, a visual neurosensorial phenotype had been described in the FXS patients as well as in the murine model (Fmr1-/ymice), characterized by retinal deficits associated to retinal perception alterations. However, although the transcriptomic profile in the absence of FMRP has been studied in the cerebral part of the central nervous system (CNS), there are no actual data for the retina which is an extension of the CNS. Herein, we investigate the transcriptomic profile of mRNA from whole retinas of Fmr1-/ymice. Interestingly, we found a specific signature of Fmrp absence on retinal mRNA expression with few common genes compared to other brain studies. Gene Ontology on these retinal specific genes demonstrated an enrichment in retinal development genes as well as in synaptic genes. These alterations could be linked to the reported retinal phenotype of the FXS condition. In conclusion, we describe for the first time, retinal-specific transcriptomic changes in the absence of FMRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Attallah
- Orléans University, University Hospital Center of Orleans, LI(2)RSO, 14, Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; Orleans University, CNRS, laboratoire INEM, UMR7355, 3b Rue de la Férollerie, F-45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France; ART ARNm US55, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Maryvonne Ardourel
- Orléans University, University Hospital Center of Orleans, LI(2)RSO, 14, Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; ART ARNm US55, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Felix Gallazzini
- University Hospital Center of Orleans, Genetic Department, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Fabien Lesne
- University Hospital Center of Orléans CAR&IB, Pôle Biopatholgie, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Anthony De Oliveira
- University Hospital Center of Orléans CAR&IB, Pôle Biopatholgie, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Dieudonnée Togbé
- Orleans University, CNRS, laboratoire INEM, UMR7355, 3b Rue de la Férollerie, F-45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France
| | - Sylvain Briault
- Orléans University, University Hospital Center of Orleans, LI(2)RSO, 14, Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; ART ARNm US55, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; University Hospital Center of Orleans, Genetic Department, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Olivier Perche
- Orléans University, University Hospital Center of Orleans, LI(2)RSO, 14, Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; ART ARNm US55, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; University Hospital Center of Orleans, Genetic Department, 14 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France.
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Color vision: More than meets the eye. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R948-R950. [PMID: 34375596 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mice can discriminate color, but unlike in primates, studies have so far failed to find robust cone-opponent cells in the retina. A new study shows that a sub-region of the mouse visual thalamus is specialized for processing color.
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Harding P, Cunha DL, Moosajee M. Animal and cellular models of microphthalmia. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RARE DISEASE 2021; 2:2633004021997447. [PMID: 37181112 PMCID: PMC10032472 DOI: 10.1177/2633004021997447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Microphthalmia is a rare developmental eye disorder affecting 1 in 7000 births. It is defined as a small (axial length ⩾2 standard deviations below the age-adjusted mean) underdeveloped eye, caused by disruption of ocular development through genetic or environmental factors in the first trimester of pregnancy. Clinical phenotypic heterogeneity exists amongst patients with varying levels of severity, and associated ocular and systemic features. Up to 11% of blind children are reported to have microphthalmia, yet currently no treatments are available. By identifying the aetiology of microphthalmia and understanding how the mechanisms of eye development are disrupted, we can gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis. Animal models, mainly mouse, zebrafish and Xenopus, have provided extensive information on the genetic regulation of oculogenesis, and how perturbation of these pathways leads to microphthalmia. However, differences exist between species, hence cellular models, such as patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) optic vesicles, are now being used to provide greater insights into the human disease process. Progress in 3D cellular modelling techniques has enhanced the ability of researchers to study interactions of different cell types during eye development. Through improved molecular knowledge of microphthalmia, preventative or postnatal therapies may be developed, together with establishing genotype-phenotype correlations in order to provide patients with the appropriate prognosis, multidisciplinary care and informed genetic counselling. This review summarises some key discoveries from animal and cellular models of microphthalmia and discusses how innovative new models can be used to further our understanding in the future. Plain language summary Animal and Cellular Models of the Eye Disorder, Microphthalmia (Small Eye) Microphthalmia, meaning a small, underdeveloped eye, is a rare disorder that children are born with. Genetic changes or variations in the environment during the first 3 months of pregnancy can disrupt early development of the eye, resulting in microphthalmia. Up to 11% of blind children have microphthalmia, yet currently no treatments are available. By understanding the genes necessary for eye development, we can determine how disruption by genetic changes or environmental factors can cause this condition. This helps us understand why microphthalmia occurs, and ensure patients are provided with the appropriate clinical care and genetic counselling advice. Additionally, by understanding the causes of microphthalmia, researchers can develop treatments to prevent or reduce the severity of this condition. Animal models, particularly mice, zebrafish and frogs, which can also develop small eyes due to the same genetic/environmental changes, have helped us understand the genes which are important for eye development and can cause birth eye defects when disrupted. Studying a patient's own cells grown in the laboratory can further help researchers understand how changes in genes affect their function. Both animal and cellular models can be used to develop and test new drugs, which could provide treatment options for patients living with microphthalmia. This review summarises the key discoveries from animal and cellular models of microphthalmia and discusses how innovative new models can be used to further our understanding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath
Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS
Foundation Trust, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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Tao Y, Dong X, Lu X, Qu Y, Wang C, Peng G, Zhang J. Subcutaneous delivery of tauroursodeoxycholic acid rescues the cone photoreceptors in degenerative retina: A promising therapeutic molecule for retinopathy. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 117:109021. [PMID: 31387173 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degeneration (RD) comprises a heterogeneous group of retinopathies that rank among the main causes of blindness. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is taurine conjugate hydrophilic bile acid that demonstrates profound protective effects against a series of neurodegenerative diseases related to oxidative stress. This study sought to evaluate the TUDCA induced effects of on a pharmacologically induced RD animal model by electroretinogram (ERG) examination, behavior tests, morphological analysis and immunochemistry assay. Massive photoreceptor degeneration in mice retina was induced by an intraperitoneal administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea(MNU). Subcutaneous delivery of TUDCA inhibits effectively the photoreceptor loss and visual impairments in the MNU administered mice. In the retinal flat-mounts of TUDCA treated mice, the cone photoreceptors were efficiently preserved. Furthermore, the multi-electrodes array (MEA) was used to detect the firing activities of retinal ganglion cells within the inner retinal circuits. TUDCA therapy could restrain the spontaneous firing response, enhance the light induced firing response, and preserve the basic configurations of ON-OFF signal pathway in degenerative retinas. Our MEA assay provided an example to evaluate the potency of pharmacological compounds on retinal plasticity. TUDCA affords these protective effects by modulating apoptosis and alleviating oxidative stress in the degenerative retina. In conclusion, TUDCA therapy can ameliorate the photoreceptor degeneration and rectify the abnormities in visual signal transmission. These findings suggest that TUDCA might act as a potential medication for these retinopathies with progressive photoreceptor degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tao
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; Lab of Visual Cell Differentiation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedics Oncology Institute of Chinese PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; Lab of Visual Cell Differentiation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yingxin Qu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Chunhui Wang
- Department of Pediatric, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
| | - Guanghua Peng
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; Lab of Visual Cell Differentiation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Jianbin Zhang
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Decembrini S, Martin C, Sennlaub F, Chemtob S, Biel M, Samardzija M, Moulin A, Behar-Cohen F, Arsenijevic Y. Cone Genesis Tracing by the Chrnb4-EGFP Mouse Line: Evidences of Cellular Material Fusion after Cone Precursor Transplantation. Mol Ther 2017; 25:634-653. [PMID: 28143742 PMCID: PMC5363218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2016.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cone function is essential to mediate high visual acuity, color vision, and daylight vision. Inherited cone dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration affect a substantial percentage of the world population. To identify and isolate the most competent cells for transplantation and integration into the retina, cone tracing during development would be an important added value. To that aim, the Chrnb4-EGFP mouse line was characterized throughout retinogenesis. It revealed a sub-population of early retinal progenitors expressing the reporter gene that is progressively restricted to mature cones during retina development. The presence of the native CHRNB4 protein was confirmed in EGFP-positive cells, and it presents a similar pattern in the human retina. Sub-retinal transplantations of distinct subpopulations of Chrnb4-EGFP-expressing cells revealed the embryonic day 15.5 high-EGFP population the most efficient cells to interact with host retinas to provoke the appearance of EGFP-positive cones in the photoreceptor layer. Importantly, transplantations into the DsRed retinas revealed material exchanges between donor and host retinas, as >80% of transplanted EGFP-positive cones also were DsRed positive. Whether this cell material fusion is of significant therapeutic advantage requires further thorough investigations. The Chrnb4-EGFP mouse line definitely opens new research perspectives in cone genesis and retina repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Decembrini
- Unit of Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation asile des aveugles, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Martin
- Unit of Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation asile des aveugles, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Florian Sennlaub
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC/Univ Paris 06, UMRS 968, INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Chemtob
- Departments of Pediatrics, Ophthalmology and Pharmacology, Hôpital Ste. Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC H3T1C5, Canada
| | - Martin Biel
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Department of Pharmacy-Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Marijana Samardzija
- Laboratory for Retinal Cell Biology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Moulin
- Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation asile des aveugles, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation asile des aveugles, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Unit of Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation asile des aveugles, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Kast B, Schori C, Grimm C. Hypoxic preconditioning protects photoreceptors against light damage independently of hypoxia inducible transcription factors in rods. Exp Eye Res 2016; 146:60-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Rao KN, Li L, Zhang W, Brush RS, Rajala RVS, Khanna H. Loss of human disease protein retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) differentially affects rod or cone-enriched retina. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1345-56. [PMID: 26908598 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
It is unclear how genes, such as RPGR (retinitis pigmentosa guanine triphosphatase regulator) that are expressed in both rods and cones, cause variable disease pathogenesis. Using transcriptomic analysis, we show that loss of RPGR in a rod-dominant mouse retina (Rpgr(ko)) results in predominant alterations in genes involved in actin cytoskeletal dynamics, prior to onset of degeneration. We validated these findings and found an increase in activated RhoA-GTP levels and polymerized F-actin in the Rpgr(ko) mouse retina. To assess the effect of the loss of RPGR in the all-cone region of the human retina, we used Nrl(-/-) (neural retina leucine zipper) mice, to generate Rpgr(ko)::Nrl(-/-) double-knock-out (Rpgr-DKO) mice. These mice exhibited supranormal cone response to light and substantially retained retinal architecture. Transcriptomic analysis revealed predominant up-regulation of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE)-specific genes associated with visual cycle, whereas fatty acid analysis showed mild decrease in docosahexaenoic acid in the retina of the Rpgr-DKO mice when compared with the Nrl(-/-) mice. Our data reveal new insights into distinct intracellular pathways that are involved in RPGR-associated rod and cone dysfunction and provide a platform to design new treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kollu N Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation St, Albert Sherman Center AS6-2043, Worcester, MA 01605, USA and
| | - Linjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation St, Albert Sherman Center AS6-2043, Worcester, MA 01605, USA and
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation St, Albert Sherman Center AS6-2043, Worcester, MA 01605, USA and
| | - Richard S Brush
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Raju V S Rajala
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hemant Khanna
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation St, Albert Sherman Center AS6-2043, Worcester, MA 01605, USA and
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Kostic C, Arsenijevic Y. Animal modelling for inherited central vision loss. J Pathol 2015; 238:300-10. [PMID: 26387748 PMCID: PMC5063185 DOI: 10.1002/path.4641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Disease-causing variants of a large number of genes trigger inherited retinal degeneration leading to photoreceptor loss. Because cones are essential for daylight and central vision such as reading, mobility, and face recognition, this review focuses on a variety of animal models for cone diseases. The pertinence of using these models to reveal genotype/phenotype correlations and to evaluate new therapeutic strategies is discussed. Interestingly, several large animal models recapitulate human diseases and can serve as a strong base from which to study the biology of disease and to assess the scale-up of new therapies. Examples of innovative approaches will be presented such as lentiviral-based transgenesis in pigs and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-gene transfer into the monkey eye to investigate the neural circuitry plasticity of the visual system. The models reported herein permit the exploration of common mechanisms that exist between different species and the identification and highlighting of pathways that may be specific to primates, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Kostic
- Unit of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Unit of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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