1
|
Zhi JJ, Wu SL, Wu HQ, Ran Q, Gao X, Chen JF, Gu XM, Li T, Wang F, Xiao L, Ye J, Mei F. Insufficient Oligodendrocyte Turnover in Optic Nerve Contributes to Age-Related Axon Loss and Visual Deficits. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1859-1870. [PMID: 36725322 PMCID: PMC10027114 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2130-22.2023] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related decline in visual functions is a prevalent health problem among elderly people, and no effective therapies are available up-to-date. Axon degeneration and myelin loss in optic nerves (ONs) are age-dependent and become evident in middle-aged (13-18 months) and old (20-22 months) mice of either sex compared with adult mice (3-8 months), accompanied by functional deficits. Oligodendrocyte (OL) turnover is actively going on in adult ONs. However, the longitudinal change and functional significance of OL turnover in aging ONs remain largely unknown. Here, using cell-lineage labeling and tracing, we reported that oligodendrogenesis displayed an age-dependent decrease in aging ONs. To understand whether active OL turnover is required for maintaining axons and visual function, we conditionally deleted the transcription factor Olig2 in the oligodendrocyte precursor cells of young mice. Genetically dampening OL turnover by Olig2 ablation resulted in accelerated axon loss and retinal degeneration, and subsequently impaired ON signal transmission, suggesting that OL turnover is an important mechanism to sustain axon survival and visual function. To test whether enhancing oligodendrogenesis can prevent age-related visual deficits, 12-month-old mice were treated with clemastine, a pro-myelination drug, or induced deletion of the muscarinic receptor 1 in oligodendrocyte precursor cells. The clemastine treatment or muscarinic receptor 1 deletion significantly increased new OL generation in the aged ONs and consequently preserved visual function and retinal integrity. Together, our data indicate that dynamic OL turnover in ONs is required for axon survival and visual function, and enhancing new OL generation represents a potential approach to reversing age-related declines of visual function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oligodendrocyte (OL) turnover has been reported in adult optic nerves (ONs), but the longitudinal change and functional significance of OL turnover during aging remain largely unknown. Using cell-lineage tracing and oligodendroglia-specific manipulation, this study reported that OL generation was active in adult ONs and the efficiency decreased in an age-dependent manner. Genetically dampening OL generation by Olig2 ablation resulted in significant axon loss and retinal degeneration, along with delayed visual signal transmission. Conversely, pro-myelination approaches significantly increased new myelin generation in aging ONs, and consequently preserved retinal integrity and visual function. Our findings indicate that promoting OL generation might be a promising strategy to preserve visual function from age-related decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jie Zhi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shuang-Ling Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Hao-Qian Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qi Ran
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xing Gao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing-Fei Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xing-Mei Gu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Department of Medical English Teaching and Research, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jian Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Feng Mei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kim HM, Oh JK, Tsang SH. The Use of Optical Coherence Tomography in Evaluation of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2560:91-100. [PMID: 36481886 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2651-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technology that has gained widespread use in the evaluation of multiple retinal pathologies, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP). OCT allows for visualization of distinct retinal layers and the choroid and facilitates study of morphological features associated with RP. OCT can be used to detect and to track progression of RP, as well as to correlate structural findings with functional manifestations of the disease. This chapter provides a basic overview of OCT technology and details elements of importance in the use of OCT for diagnosis and assessment of progression of RP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Min Kim
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jin Kyun Oh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Departments of Opthalmology, Pathology & Cell Biology Graduate Programs in Nutritional & Metabolic Biology and Neurobiology & Behavior Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
MacCormick IJC, Lewallen S, Beare N, Harding SP. Measuring the Impact of Malaria on the Living Human Retina. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2470:731-748. [PMID: 35881386 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_54] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Retinal examination and imaging are relatively simple methods for studying the dynamic impact of cerebral malaria on the microcirculation of the central nervous system. Retina and brain are affected similarly by Plasmodium falciparum. Unlike the brain, the human retina can be directly observed using commercially available clinical instruments in the setting of a critical care unit, and this can be done repeatedly and non-invasively. Additional information about blood-tissue barriers can be gained from fluorescein angiography. Non-ophthalmologist clinician scientists are usually unfamiliar with ophthalmoscopy and retinal imaging, and some readers may feel that these techniques are beyond them. This chapter aims to quell these fears by providing a step-by-step description of how to examine and photograph the human retina in children with cerebral malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian James Callum MacCormick
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Susan Lewallen
- Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Nicholas Beare
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- St. Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L7 8XP, members of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool, UK
| | - Simon Peter Harding
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- St. Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L7 8XP, members of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Allen RS, Bales K, Feola A, Pardue MT. In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 32773758 DOI: 10.3791/61588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is useful for visualizing retinal and ocular structures in vivo. In research, SD-OCT is a valuable tool to evaluate and characterize changes in a variety of retinal and ocular disease and injury models. In light induced retinal degeneration models, SD-OCT can be used to track thinning of the photoreceptor layer over time. In glaucoma models, SD-OCT can be used to monitor decreased retinal nerve fiber layer and total retinal thickness and to observe optic nerve cupping after inducing ocular hypertension. In diabetic rodents, SD-OCT has helped researchers observe decreased total retinal thickness as well as decreased thickness of specific retinal layers, particularly the retinal nerve fiber layer with disease progression. In mouse models of myopia, SD-OCT can be used to evaluate axial parameters, such as axial length changes. Advantages of SD-OCT include in vivo imaging of ocular structures, the ability to quantitatively track changes in ocular dimensions over time, and its rapid scanning speed and high resolution. Here, we detail the methods of SD-OCT and show examples of its use in our laboratory in models of retinal degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and myopia. Methods include anesthesia, SD-OCT imaging, and processing of the images for thickness measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael S Allen
- Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology;
| | - Katie Bales
- Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University
| | - Andrew Feola
- Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
| | - Machelle T Pardue
- Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology; Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University
| |
Collapse
|