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DiCesare SM, Ortega AJ, Collier GE, Daniel S, Thompson KN, McCoy MK, Posner BA, Hulleman JD. GSK3 inhibition reduces ECM production and prevents age-related macular degeneration-like pathology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.14.571757. [PMID: 38168310 PMCID: PMC10760106 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.14.571757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Malattia Leventinese/Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy (ML/DHRD) is an age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-like retinal dystrophy caused by an autosomal dominant R345W mutation in the secreted glycoprotein, fibulin-3 (F3). To identify new small molecules that reduce F3 production from retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells, we knocked-in a luminescent peptide tag (HiBiT) into the endogenous F3 locus which enabled simple, sensitive, and high throughput detection of the protein. The GSK3 inhibitor, CHIR99021 (CHIR), significantly reduced F3 burden (expression, secretion, and intracellular levels) in immortalized RPE and non-RPE cells. Low-level, long-term CHIR treatment promoted remodeling of the RPE extracellular matrix (ECM), reducing sub-RPE deposit-associated proteins (e.g., amelotin, complement component 3, collagen IV, and fibronectin), while increasing RPE differentiation factors (e.g., tyrosinase, and pigment epithelium derived factor). In vivo, treatment of 8 mo R345W+/+ knockin mice with CHIR (25 mg/kg i.p., 1 mo) was well tolerated and significantly reduced R345W F3-associated AMD-like basal laminar deposit number and size, thereby preventing the main pathological feature in these mice. This is the first demonstration of small molecule-based prevention of AMD-like pathology in ML/DHRD mice and may herald a rejuvenation of interest in GSK3 inhibition for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including, potentially AMD itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M. DiCesare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Antonio J. Ortega
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6 St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
| | - Gracen E. Collier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Steffi Daniel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6 St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
| | - Krista N. Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Melissa K. McCoy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Bruce A. Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - John D. Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6 St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
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2
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Woodard DR, Daniel S, Nakahara E, Abbas A, DiCesare SM, Collier GE, Hulleman JD. A loss-of-function cysteine mutant in fibulin-3 (EFEMP1) forms aberrant extracellular disulfide-linked homodimers and alters extracellular matrix composition. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1945-1955. [PMID: 35998264 PMCID: PMC9772001 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Fibulin-3 (F3 or EFEMP1) is a disulfide-rich, secreted glycoprotein necessary for maintaining extracellular matrix (ECM) and connective tissue integrity. Three studies have identified distinct autosomal recessive F3 mutations in individuals with Marfan Syndrome-like phenotypes. Herein, we characterize how one of these mutations, c.163T>C; p.Cys55Arg (C55R), disrupts F3 secretion, quaternary structure, and function by forming unique extracellular disulfide-linked homodimers. Dual cysteine mutants suggest that the C55R-induced disulfide species forms because of the new availability of Cys70 on adjacent F3 monomers. Surprisingly, mutation of single cysteines located near Cys55 (i.e., Cys29, Cys42, Cys48, Cys61, Cys70, Cys159, and Cys171) also produced similar extracellular disulfide-linked dimers, suggesting that this is not a phenomenon isolated to the C55R mutant. To assess C55R functionality, F3 knockout (KO) retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells were generated, followed by reintroduction of wild-type (WT) or C55R F3. F3 KO cells produced lower levels of the ECM remodeling enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and reduced formation of collagen VI ECM filaments, both of which were partially rescued by WT F3 overexpression. However, C55R F3 was unable to compensate for these same ECM-related defects. Our results highlight the unique behavior of particular cysteine mutations in F3 and uncover potential routes to restore C55R F3 loss-of-function.
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Affiliation(s)
- DaNae R. Woodard
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Steffi Daniel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Emi Nakahara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ali Abbas
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Sophia M. DiCesare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Gracen E. Collier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - John D. Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of, Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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3
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Chinchilla B, Foltopoulou P, Fernandez-Godino R. Tick-over-mediated complement activation is sufficient to cause basal deposit formation in cell-based models of macular degeneration. J Pathol 2021; 255:120-131. [PMID: 34155630 DOI: 10.1002/path.5747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous unsuccessful clinical trials for anti-complement drugs to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the complement system has not been fully explored as a target to stop drusen growth in patients with dry AMD. We propose that the resilient autoactivation of C3 by hydrolysis of its internal thioester (tick-over), which cannot be prevented by existing drugs, plays a critical role in the formation of drusenoid deposits underneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). We have combined gene editing tools with stem cell technology to generate cell-based models that allow the role of the tick-over in sub-RPE deposit formation to be studied. The results demonstrate that structurally or genetically driven pathological events affecting the RPE and Bruch's membrane can lead to dysregulation of the tick-over, which is sufficient to stimulate the formation of sub-RPE deposits. This can be prevented with therapies that downregulate C3 expression. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Chinchilla
- The Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Parthena Foltopoulou
- The Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rosario Fernandez-Godino
- The Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Wang H, Ramshekar A, Kunz E, Hartnett ME. 7-ketocholesterol induces endothelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes fibrosis: implications in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and treatment. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:583-595. [PMID: 33646466 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09770-0] [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: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidized cholesterols and lipids accumulate in Bruch's membrane in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It remains unknown what causal relationship exists between these substances and AMD pathophysiology. We addressed the hypothesis that a prevalent form, 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), promotes choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) migration and macular neovascularization in AMD. Compared to control, 7KC injection caused 40% larger lectin-stained lesions, but 70% larger lesions measured by optical coherence tomography one week after laser-injury. At two weeks, 7KC-injected eyes had 86% larger alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-labeled lesions and more collagen-labeling than control. There was no difference in cell death. 7KC-treated RPE/choroids had increased αSMA but decreased VE-cadherin. Compared to control-treated CECs, 7KC unexpectedly reduced endothelial VE-cadherin, CD31 and VEGFR2 and increased αSMA, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). Inhibition of TGFβ receptor-mediated signaling by SB431542 abrogated 7KC-induced loss of endothelial and increase in mesenchymal proteins in association with decreased transcription factor, SMAD3. Knockdown of SMAD3 partially inhibited 7KC-mediated loss of endothelial proteins and increase in αSMA and FAP. Compared to control, 7KC-treatment of CECs increased Rac1GTP and migration, and both were inhibited by the Rac1 inhibitor; however, CECs treated with 7KC had reduced tube formation. These findings suggest that 7KC, which increases in AMD and with age, induces mesenchymal transition in CECs making them invasive and migratory, and causing fibrosis in macular neovascularization. Further studies to interfere with this process may reduce fibrosis and improve responsiveness to anti-VEGF treatment in non-responsive macular neovascularization in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wang
- The John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Aniket Ramshekar
- The John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Eric Kunz
- The John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Hartnett
- The John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Emri E, Kortvely E, Dammeier S, Klose F, Simpson D, den Hollander AI, Ueffing M, Lengyel I. A Multi-Omics Approach Identifies Key Regulatory Pathways Induced by Long-Term Zinc Supplementation in Human Primary Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12103051. [PMID: 33036197 PMCID: PMC7601425 DOI: 10.3390/nu12103051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), both systemic and local zinc levels decline. Elevation of zinc in clinical studies delayed the progression to end-stage AMD. However, the molecular pathways underpinning this beneficial effect are not yet identified. In this study, we used differentiated primary human fetal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cultures and long-term zinc supplementation to carry out a combined transcriptome, proteome and secretome analysis from three genetically different human donors. After combining significant differences, we identified the complex molecular networks using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The cell cultures from the three donors showed extensive pigmentation, development of microvilli and basal infoldings and responded to zinc supplementation with an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) (apical supplementation: 443.2 ± 79.3%, basal supplementation: 424.9 ± 116.8%, compared to control: 317.5 ± 98.2%). Significant changes were observed in the expression of 1044 genes, 151 cellular proteins and 124 secreted proteins. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed changes in specific molecular pathways related to cell adhesion/polarity, extracellular matrix organization, protein processing/transport, and oxidative stress response by zinc and identified a key upstream regulator effect similar to that of TGFB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Emri
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (E.E.); (D.S.)
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology (I2O) Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Elod Kortvely
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology (I2O) Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - Sascha Dammeier
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - Franziska Klose
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - David Simpson
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (E.E.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Anneke I. den Hollander
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - Imre Lengyel
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (E.E.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-28-9097-6027
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6
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Gong J, Cai H, Noggle S, Paull D, Rizzolo LJ, Del Priore LV, Fields MA. Stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium from patients with age-related macular degeneration exhibit reduced metabolism and matrix interactions. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 9:364-376. [PMID: 31840941 PMCID: PMC7031648 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.19-0321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Modeling age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is challenging, because it is a multifactorial disease. To focus on interactions between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane, we generated RPE from AMD patients and used an altered extracellular matrix (ECM) that models aged Bruch's membrane. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from fibroblasts isolated from AMD patients or age‐matched (normal) controls. RPE derived from iPSCs were analyzed by morphology, marker expression, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and phagocytosis of rod photoreceptor outer segments. Cell attachment and viability was tested on nitrite‐modified ECM, a typical modification of aged Bruch's membrane. DNA microarrays with hierarchical clustering and analysis of mitochondrial function were used to elucidate possible mechanisms for the observed phenotypes. Differentiated RPE displayed cell‐specific morphology and markers. The TER and phagocytic capacity were similar among iPSC‐derived RPE cultures. However, distinct clusters were found for the transcriptomes of AMD and control iPSC‐derived RPE. AMD‐derived iPSC‐RPE downregulated genes responsible for metabolic‐related pathways and cell attachment. AMD‐derived iPSC‐RPE exhibited reduced mitochondrial respiration and ability to attach and survive on nitrite‐modified ECM. Cells that did attach induced the expression of complement genes. Despite reprogramming, iPSC derived from AMD patients yielded RPE with a transcriptome that is distinct from that of age‐matched controls. When challenged with an AMD‐like modification of Bruch's membrane, AMD‐derived iPSC‐RPE activated the complement immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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- The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, New York, New York
| | - Scott Noggle
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, New York, New York
| | - Daniel Paull
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, New York, New York
| | - Lawrence J Rizzolo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Lucian V Del Priore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Mark A Fields
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Fields MA, Del Priore LV, Adelman RA, Rizzolo LJ. Interactions of the choroid, Bruch's membrane, retinal pigment epithelium, and neurosensory retina collaborate to form the outer blood-retinal-barrier. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 76:100803. [PMID: 31704339 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The three interacting components of the outer blood-retinal barrier are the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris, and Bruch's membrane, the extracellular matrix that lies between them. Although previously reviewed independently, this review integrates these components into a more wholistic view of the barrier and discusses reconstitution models to explore the interactions among them. After updating our understanding of each component's contribution to barrier function, we discuss recent efforts to examine how the components interact. Recent studies demonstrate that claudin-19 regulates multiple aspects of RPE's barrier function and identifies a barrier function whereby mutations of claudin-19 affect retinal development. Co-culture approaches to reconstitute components of the outer blood-retinal barrier are beginning to reveal two-way interactions between the RPE and choriocapillaris. These interactions affect barrier function and the composition of the intervening Bruch's membrane. Normal or disease models of Bruch's membrane, reconstituted with healthy or diseased RPE, demonstrate adverse effects of diseased matrix on RPE metabolism. A stumbling block for reconstitution studies is the substrates typically used to culture cells are inadequate substitutes for Bruch's membrane. Together with human stem cells, the alternative substrates that have been designed offer an opportunity to engineer second-generation culture models of the outer blood-retinal barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Fields
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA
| | - Lucian V Del Priore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA
| | - Ron A Adelman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA
| | - Lawrence J Rizzolo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA; Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT, 06520-8062, USA.
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Caceres PS, Rodriguez-Boulan E. Retinal pigment epithelium polarity in health and blinding diseases. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 62:37-45. [PMID: 31518914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The polarized phenotype of the retinal pigment epithelium is crucial for the outer retina-blood barrier and support of photoreceptors and underlying choroid, and its disruption plays a central role in degenerative retinopathies. Although the mechanisms of polarization remain mostly unknown, they are fundamental for homeostasis of the outer retina. Recent research is revealing a growing picture of interconnected tissues in the outer retina, with the retinal pigment epithelium at the center. This review discusses how elements of epithelial polarity relate to emerging apical interactions with the neural retina, basolateral cross-talk with the underlying Bruch's membrane and choriocapillaris, and tight junction biology. An integrated view of outer retina physiology is likely to provide insights into the pathogenesis of blinding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo S Caceres
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret Dyson Vision Research Institute, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Enrique Rodriguez-Boulan
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Ophthalmology, Margaret Dyson Vision Research Institute, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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