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Muniyandi A, Hartman GD, Song Y, Mijit M, Kelley MR, Corson TW. Beyond VEGF: Targeting Inflammation and Other Pathways for Treatment of Retinal Disease. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 386:15-25. [PMID: 37142441 PMCID: PMC10289243 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neovascular eye diseases include conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Together, they are a major cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide. The current therapeutic mainstay for these diseases is intravitreal injections of biologics targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Lack of universal response to these anti-VEGF agents coupled with the challenging delivery method underscore a need for new therapeutic targets and agents. In particular, proteins that mediate both inflammatory and proangiogenic signaling are appealing targets for new therapeutic development. Here, we review agents currently in clinical trials and highlight some promising targets in preclinical and early clinical development, focusing on the redox-regulatory transcriptional activator APE1/Ref-1, the bioactive lipid modulator soluble epoxide hydrolase, the transcription factor RUNX1, and others. Small molecules targeting each of these proteins show promise for blocking neovascularization and inflammation. The affected signaling pathways illustrate the potential of new antiangiogenic strategies for posterior ocular disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Discovery and therapeutic targeting of new angiogenesis mediators is necessary to improve treatment of blinding eye diseases like retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Novel targets undergoing evaluation and drug discovery work include proteins important for both angiogenesis and inflammation signaling, including APE1/Ref-1, soluble epoxide hydrolase, RUNX1, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anbukkarasi Muniyandi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute (A.M., G.D.H., Y.S., M.R.K., T.W.C.), Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.M., M.R.K.), Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (G.D.H., T.W.C.), Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., T.W.C.) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.R.K., T.W.C.), and Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (M.R.K., T.W.C.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Gabriella D Hartman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute (A.M., G.D.H., Y.S., M.R.K., T.W.C.), Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.M., M.R.K.), Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (G.D.H., T.W.C.), Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., T.W.C.) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.R.K., T.W.C.), and Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (M.R.K., T.W.C.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yang Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute (A.M., G.D.H., Y.S., M.R.K., T.W.C.), Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.M., M.R.K.), Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (G.D.H., T.W.C.), Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., T.W.C.) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.R.K., T.W.C.), and Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (M.R.K., T.W.C.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mahmut Mijit
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute (A.M., G.D.H., Y.S., M.R.K., T.W.C.), Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.M., M.R.K.), Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (G.D.H., T.W.C.), Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., T.W.C.) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.R.K., T.W.C.), and Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (M.R.K., T.W.C.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mark R Kelley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute (A.M., G.D.H., Y.S., M.R.K., T.W.C.), Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.M., M.R.K.), Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (G.D.H., T.W.C.), Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., T.W.C.) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.R.K., T.W.C.), and Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (M.R.K., T.W.C.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Timothy W Corson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute (A.M., G.D.H., Y.S., M.R.K., T.W.C.), Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.M., M.R.K.), Stark Neurosciences Research Institute (G.D.H., T.W.C.), Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., T.W.C.) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.R.K., T.W.C.), and Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (M.R.K., T.W.C.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Paranjpe V, Galor A, Grambergs R, Mandal N. The role of sphingolipids in meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular surface inflammation. Ocul Surf 2022; 26:100-110. [PMID: 35973562 PMCID: PMC10259413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation occurs in response to tissue injury and invasion of microorganisms and is carried out by the innate and adaptive immune systems, which are regulated by numerous chemokines, cytokines, and lipid mediators. There are four major families of bioactive lipid mediators that play an integral role in inflammation - eicosanoids, sphingolipids (SPL), specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM), and endocannabinoids. SPL have been historically recognized as important structural components of cellular membranes; their roles as bioactive lipids and inflammatory mediators are recent additions. Major SPL metabolites, including sphingomyelin, ceramide, ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), sphingosine, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), and their respective enzymes have been studied extensively, primarily in cell-culture and animal models, for their roles in cellular signaling and regulating inflammation and apoptosis. Less focus has been given to the involvement of SPL in eye diseases. As such, the aim of this review was to examine relationships between the SPL family and ocular surface diseases, focusing on their role in disease pathophysiology and discussing the potential of therapeutics that disrupt SPL pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Paranjpe
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Anat Galor
- Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Richard Grambergs
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Hamilton Eye Institute, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Nawajes Mandal
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Hamilton Eye Institute, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA; Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA.
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A Comprehensive Profiling of Cellular Sphingolipids in Mammalian Endothelial and Microglial Cells Cultured in Normal and High-Glucose Conditions. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193082. [PMID: 36231042 PMCID: PMC9563724 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SPLs) play a diverse role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulated SPL metabolism is associated with pathological changes in stressed and diseased cells. This study investigates differences in SPL metabolism between cultured human primary retinal endothelial (HREC) and murine microglial cells (BV2) in normal conditions (normal glucose, NG, 5 mM) and under high-glucose (HG, 25 mM)-induced stress by sphingolipidomics, immunohistochemistry, biochemical, and molecular assays. Measurable differences were observed in SPL profiles between HREC and BV2 cells. High-glucose treatment caused a >2.5-fold increase in the levels of Lactosyl-ceramide (LacCer) in HREC, but in BV2 cells, it induced Hexosyl-Ceramides (HexCer) by threefold and a significant increase in Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) compared to NG. Altered SPL profiles coincided with changes in transcript levels of inflammatory and vascular permeability mediators in HREC and inflammatory mediators in BV2 cells. Differences in SPL profiles and differential responses to HG stress between endothelial and microglial cells suggest that SPL metabolism and signaling differ in mammalian cell types and, therefore, their pathological association with those cell types.
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Simón MV, Vera MS, Tenconi PE, Soto T, Prado Spalm FH, Torlaschi C, Mateos MV, Rotstein NP. Sphingosine-1-phosphate and ceramide-1-phosphate promote migration, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109222. [PMID: 36041511 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109222] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, essential for preserving retina homeostasis, also contribute to the development of retina proliferative diseases, through their exacerbated migration, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammatory response. Uncovering the mechanisms inducing these changes is crucial for designing effective treatments for these pathologies. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) are bioactive sphingolipids that promote migration and inflammation in several cell types; we recently established that they stimulate the migration of retina Müller glial cells (Simón et al., 2015; Vera et al., 2021). We here analyzed whether S1P and C1P regulate migration, inflammation and EMT in RPE cells. We cultured two human RPE cell lines, ARPE-19 and D407 cells, and supplemented them with either 5 μM S1P or 10 μM C1P, or their vehicles, for 24 h. Analysis of cell migration by the scratch wound assay showed that S1P addition significantly enhanced migration in both cell lines. Pre-treatment with W146 and BML-241, antagonists for S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) and 3 (S1P3), respectively, blocked exogenous S1P-induced migration. Inhibiting sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), the enzyme involved in S1P synthesis, significantly reduced cell migration and exogenous S1P only partially restored it. Addition of C1P markedly stimulated cell migration. Whereas inhibiting C1P synthesis did not affect C1P-induced migration, inhibiting S1P synthesis strikingly decreased it; noteworthy, addition of C1P promoted the transcription of SphK1. These results suggest that S1P and C1P stimulate RPE cell migration and their effect requires S1P endogenous synthesis. Both S1P and C1P increase the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, and of EMT marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in ARPE-19 cells. Collectively, our results suggest new roles for S1P and C1P in the regulation of RPE cell migration and inflammation; since the deregulation of sphingolipid metabolism is involved in several proliferative retinopathies, targeting their metabolism might provide new tools for treating these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Victoria Simón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marcela S Vera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula E Tenconi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamara Soto
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo H Prado Spalm
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Camila Torlaschi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melina V Mateos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora P Rotstein
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Dept. of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Hydroxychloroquine Causes Early Inner Retinal Toxicity and Affects Autophagosome-Lysosomal Pathway and Sphingolipid Metabolism in the Retina. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3873-3887. [PMID: 35426574 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02825-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an anti-malarial drug but also widely used to treat autoimmune diseases like arthritis and lupus. Although there have been multiple reports of the adverse effect of prolonged HCQ usage on the outer retina, leading to bull's-eye maculopathy, the effect of HCQ toxicity on the inner retina as well as on overall visual functions has not been explored in detail. Furthermore, lack of an established animal model of HCQ toxicity hinders our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, using a small clinical study, we confirmed the effect of HCQ toxicity on the inner retina, in particular the reduction in central inner retinal thickness, and established a mouse model of chronic HCQ toxicity that recapitulates the effects observed in human retina. Using the mouse model, we demonstrated that chronic HCQ toxicity results in loss of inner retinal neurons and retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and compromises visual functions. We further established that HCQ treatment prevents autophagosome-lysosome fusion and alters the sphingolipid homeostasis in mouse retina. Our results affirm the notion that HCQ treatment causes early damage to the inner retina and affects visual functions before leading to characteristic toxicity in the macular region of the outer retina, 'bull's-eye maculopathy.' We also provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of HCQ retinal toxicity that may involve autophagy-lysosomal defects and alterations in sphingolipid metabolism.
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Bonneau N, Baudouin C, Brignole-Baudouin F. AOP and IATA applied to ocular surface toxicity. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 125:105021. [PMID: 34348128 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Until now, the Draize test on rabbits has been the only test performed to anticipate ocular toxicity of pharmaceutical compounds, mainly irritation. The OECD is urging the scientific community to develop and validate alternative methods to reduce the need for animal testing. Since the models and tests used cannot reflect the entire biologic response, it is necessary to combine them into integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATA) to obtain robust data. IATAs, along with adverse outcome pathways (AOP) that encompass molecular cascades and key events, require the best combinations of tests. This commentary manuscript describes these OECD tools and proposes original approaches for ocular surface AOP and an IATA for toxicity-induced dry eye (TIDE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Bonneau
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, IHU FOReSight, Institut de La Vision, 75012, Paris, France; HORUS PHARMA, 06700, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France
| | - Christophe Baudouin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, IHU FOReSight, Institut de La Vision, 75012, Paris, France; Centre Hospitalier National D'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, IHU FOReSight, 75012, France; Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, APHP, F-92100, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Françoise Brignole-Baudouin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, IHU FOReSight, Institut de La Vision, 75012, Paris, France; Centre Hospitalier National D'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, IHU FOReSight, 75012, France; Laboratoire d'ophtalmobiologie, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, 75012, Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, 75006, Paris, France.
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Oliveira CR, Paiva MRBD, Ribeiro MCS, Andrade GF, Carvalho JL, Gomes DA, Nehemy M, Fialho SL, Silva-Cunha A, Góes AMD. Human Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells as a Model for Drug Screening and Pre-Clinical Assays Compared to ARPE-19 Cell Line. Int J Stem Cells 2021; 14:74-84. [PMID: 33377455 PMCID: PMC7904525 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc20094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Eye diseases have a high socioeconomic impact on society and may be one of the fields in which most stem cell-related scientific accomplishments have been achieved recently. In this context, human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) technology arises as an important tool to produce and study human Embryonic Stem cell derived-Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells (hES-RPE) for several applications, such as cell therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening. The use of this technology in pre-clinical phases attends to the overall population desire for animal-free product development. Here, we aimed to compare hES-RPE cells with ARPE-19, one of the most commonly used retinal pigmented epithelial immortalized cell lines. Methods and Results Functional, cellular and molecular data obtained suggest that hES-RPE cells more closely resembles native RPEs compared to ARPE-19. Furthermore, hES-RPE revealed an interesting robustness when cultured on human Bruch’s membrane explants and after exposure to Cyclosporine (CSA), Sirolimus (SRL), Tacrolimus (TAC), Leflunomide (LEF) and Teriflunomide (TER). On these conditions, hES-RPE cells were able to survive at higher drug concentrations, while ARPE-19 cell line was more susceptible to cell death. Conclusions Therefore, hES-RPEs seem to have the ability to incur a broader range of RPE functions than ARPE-19 and should be more thoroughly explored for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Reis Oliveira
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gracielle Ferreira Andrade
- SENAN, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN/CNEN, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Department of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Dawidson Assis Gomes
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Márcio Nehemy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Ligório Fialho
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Armando Silva-Cunha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alfredo Miranda de Góes
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Simon MV, Basu SK, Qaladize B, Grambergs R, Rotstein NP, Mandal N. Sphingolipids as critical players in retinal physiology and pathology. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100037. [PMID: 32948663 PMCID: PMC7933806 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.tr120000972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids have emerged as bioactive lipids involved in the regulation of many physiological and pathological processes. In the retina, they have been established to participate in numerous processes, such as neuronal survival and death, proliferation and migration of neuronal and vascular cells, inflammation, and neovascularization. Dysregulation of sphingolipids is therefore crucial in the onset and progression of retinal diseases. This review examines the involvement of sphingolipids in retinal physiology and diseases. Ceramide (Cer) has emerged as a common mediator of inflammation and death of neuronal and retinal pigment epithelium cells in animal models of retinopathies such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has opposite roles, preventing photoreceptor and ganglion cell degeneration but also promoting inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization in AMD, glaucoma, and pro-fibrotic disorders. Alterations in Cer, S1P, and ceramide 1-phosphate may also contribute to uveitis. Notably, use of inhibitors that either prevent Cer increase or modulate S1P signaling, such as Myriocin, desipramine, and Fingolimod (FTY720), preserves neuronal viability and retinal function. These findings underscore the relevance of alterations in the sphingolipid metabolic network in the etiology of multiple retinopathies and highlight the potential of modulating their metabolism for the design of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Victoria Simon
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Departamento De Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Argentine National Research Council (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Sandip K Basu
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bano Qaladize
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Richard Grambergs
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nora P Rotstein
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), Departamento De Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Argentine National Research Council (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
| | - Nawajes Mandal
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
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Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of Qing Guang An Granule in Treating Glaucoma Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8824150. [PMID: 33299458 PMCID: PMC7704137 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8824150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Qing Guang An Granule (QGAG), a Chinese patent medicine, has been used clinically to treat glaucoma for more than 20 years. Objective To explore the possible mechanism of treatment of QGAG in glaucoma by using network pharmacology and molecular docking in this study. Methods Active compounds and targets of each herb in QGAG were retrieved via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Glaucoma-related targets were acquired from OMIM and DisGeNET database. Key targets of QGAG against glaucoma were acquired by overlapping the above targets via the Venn diagram. Using the DAVID, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the key targets were performed. The docking process was performed using the AutoDock 4.2.6 and AutoDock Vina 1.1.2. Results The 55 active compounds and 173 targets were obtained and constructed a compound-target network. The 20 key targets of QGAG in treating glaucoma were acquired, and these targets are involved in the apoptotic process, cellular response to hypoxia, negative regulation of cell growth, and ovarian follicle development. The main pathways are p53, HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, and neurotrophin signaling pathway. Conclusion QGAG may exert a protective effect by acting on the optic nerve at a molecular and systemic level. This study can provide a certain basis for future researches on exploring the QGAG in treating glaucoma and provide new ideas for developing new drugs.
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Chen S, Yida L, Chen B, Xiong M. Using the TCGA Database to Predict and Analyze Tumor Microenvironment Genes Related to Poor Prognosis of Colon Cancer. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e923707. [PMID: 32555128 PMCID: PMC7325554 DOI: 10.12659/msm.923707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colon cancer (COAD) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal cancer. The existence of the TCGA database allows us to more easily perform gene expression profiling and data mining on colon cancer patients worldwide, and to more easily discover the correlation between genes and survival prognosis of colon cancer. Related reports show that the degree of infiltration of tumor immune cells and stromal cells in tumor microenvironment cells has a significant impact on the prognosis of cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The immune and stromal components in colon cancer can be quantitatively analyzed using relevant scores obtained by use of the ESTIMATE calculation method. To better explain the effect of relevant genes of cells associated with immunity and stroma on the survival prognosis of colon cancer, we divided the data from 191 downloaded case into high and low groups according to their scores of immunity and stroma, and identified differentially expressed genes. RESULTS The results showed that immune and stromal scores were significantly associated with survival prognosis. After performing biological function enrichment analysis and protein interaction network on the target genes, the results showed that these genes are mainly involved in inflammatory response, immune response, and chemotaxis. We then performed relevant survival prognosis analysis of these genes. CONCLUSIONS We found a number of genes that possess the properties of tumor immune microenvironment and can predict poor prognosis of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Lu Yida
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - MaoMing Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
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