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Pavlou M, Reh TA. Cell-Based Therapies: Strategies for Regeneration. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:a041306. [PMID: 36878647 PMCID: PMC10626262 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The neural retina of mammals, like most of the rest of the central nervous system, does not regenerate new neurons after they are lost through damage or disease. The ability of nonmammalian vertebrates, like fish and amphibians, is remarkable, and lessons learned over the last 20 years have revealed some of the mechanisms underlying this potential. This knowledge has recently been applied to mammals to develop methods that can stimulate regeneration in mice. In this review, we highlight the progress in this area, and propose a "wish list" of how the clinical implementation of regenerative strategies could be applicable to various human retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pavlou
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Institute of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Institute of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Deficiency in Retinal TGFβ Signaling Aggravates Neurodegeneration by Modulating Pro-Apoptotic and MAP Kinase Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052626. [PMID: 35269767 PMCID: PMC8910086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling has manifold functions such as regulation of cell growth, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that it also acts in a neuroprotective manner. We recently showed that TGFβ receptor type 2 (Tgfbr2) is upregulated in retinal neurons and Müller cells during retinal degeneration. In this study we investigated if this upregulation of TGFβ signaling would have functional consequences in protecting retinal neurons. To this end, we analyzed the impact of TGFβ signaling on photoreceptor viability using mice with cell type-specific deletion of Tgfbr2 in retinal neurons and Müller cells (Tgfbr2ΔOC) in combination with a genetic model of photoreceptor degeneration (VPP). We examined retinal morphology and the degree of photoreceptor degeneration, as well as alterations of the retinal transcriptome. In summary, retinal morphology was not altered due to TGFβ signaling deficiency. In contrast, VPP-induced photoreceptor degeneration was drastically exacerbated in double mutant mice (Tgfbr2ΔOC; VPP) by induction of pro-apoptotic genes and dysregulation of the MAP kinase pathway. Therefore, TGFβ signaling in retinal neurons and Müller cells exhibits a neuroprotective effect and might pose promising therapeutic options to attenuate photoreceptor degeneration in humans.
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Schlecht A, Vallon M, Wagner N, Ergün S, Braunger BM. TGFβ-Neurotrophin Interactions in Heart, Retina, and Brain. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091360. [PMID: 34572573 PMCID: PMC8464756 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic insults to the heart and brain, i.e., myocardial and cerebral infarction, respectively, are amongst the leading causes of death worldwide. While there are therapeutic options to allow reperfusion of ischemic myocardial and brain tissue by reopening obstructed vessels, mitigating primary tissue damage, post-infarction inflammation and tissue remodeling can lead to secondary tissue damage. Similarly, ischemia in retinal tissue is the driving force in the progression of neovascular eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which eventually lead to functional blindness, if left untreated. Intriguingly, the easily observable retinal blood vessels can be used as a window to the heart and brain to allow judgement of microvascular damages in diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. The complex neuronal and endocrine interactions between heart, retina and brain have also been appreciated in myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and retinal diseases. To describe the intimate relationship between the individual tissues, we use the terms heart-brain and brain-retina axis in this review and focus on the role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and neurotrophins in regulation of these axes under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Moreover, we particularly discuss their roles in inflammation and repair following ischemic/neovascular insults. As there is evidence that TGFβ signaling has the potential to regulate expression of neurotrophins, it is tempting to speculate, and is discussed here, that cross-talk between TGFβ and neurotrophin signaling protects cells from harmful and/or damaging events in the heart, retina, and brain.
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Bielmeier CB, Roth S, Schmitt SI, Boneva SK, Schlecht A, Vallon M, Tamm ER, Ergün S, Neueder A, Braunger BM. Transcriptional Profiling Identifies Upregulation of Neuroprotective Pathways in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126307. [PMID: 34208383 PMCID: PMC8231189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary retinal degenerations like retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are among the leading causes of blindness in younger patients. To enable in vivo investigation of cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for photoreceptor cell death and to allow testing of therapeutic strategies that could prevent retinal degeneration, animal models have been created. In this study, we deeply characterized the transcriptional profile of mice carrying the transgene rhodopsin V20G/P23H/P27L (VPP), which is a model for autosomal dominant RP. We examined the degree of photoreceptor degeneration and studied the impact of the VPP transgene-induced retinal degeneration on the transcriptome level of the retina using next generation RNA sequencing (RNASeq) analyses followed by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). We furthermore identified cellular subpopulations responsible for some of the observed dysregulations using in situ hybridizations, immunofluorescence staining, and 3D reconstruction. Using RNASeq analysis, we identified 9256 dysregulated genes and six significantly associated gene modules in the subsequently performed WGCNA. Gene ontology enrichment showed, among others, dysregulation of genes involved in TGF-β regulated extracellular matrix organization, the (ocular) immune system/response, and cellular homeostasis. Moreover, heatmaps confirmed clustering of significantly dysregulated genes coding for components of the TGF-β, G-protein activated, and VEGF signaling pathway. 3D reconstructions of immunostained/in situ hybridized sections revealed retinal neurons and Müller cells as the major cellular population expressing representative components of these signaling pathways. The predominant effect of VPP-induced photoreceptor degeneration pointed towards induction of neuroinflammation and the upregulation of neuroprotective pathways like TGF-β, G-protein activated, and VEGF signaling. Thus, modulation of these processes and signaling pathways might represent new therapeutic options to delay the degeneration of photoreceptors in diseases like RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina B. Bielmeier
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstr. 6, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany; (C.B.B.); (S.R.); (A.S.); (M.V.); (S.E.)
| | - Saskia Roth
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstr. 6, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany; (C.B.B.); (S.R.); (A.S.); (M.V.); (S.E.)
| | - Sabrina I. Schmitt
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.I.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Stefaniya K. Boneva
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79078 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Anja Schlecht
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstr. 6, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany; (C.B.B.); (S.R.); (A.S.); (M.V.); (S.E.)
| | - Mario Vallon
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstr. 6, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany; (C.B.B.); (S.R.); (A.S.); (M.V.); (S.E.)
| | - Ernst R. Tamm
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.I.S.); (E.R.T.)
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstr. 6, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany; (C.B.B.); (S.R.); (A.S.); (M.V.); (S.E.)
| | - Andreas Neueder
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, D-89069 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Barbara M. Braunger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Koellikerstr. 6, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany; (C.B.B.); (S.R.); (A.S.); (M.V.); (S.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-931-31-84387; Fax: +49-931-31-82087
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Gao H, A L, Huang X, Chen X, Xu H. Müller Glia-Mediated Retinal Regeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2342-2361. [PMID: 33417229 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02274-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Müller glia originate from neuroepithelium and are the principal glial cells in the retina. During retinal development, Müller glia are one of the last cell types to be born. In lower vertebrates, such as zebrafish, Müller glia possess a remarkable capacity for retinal regeneration following various forms of injury through a reprogramming process in which endogenous Müller glia proliferate and differentiate into all types of retinal cells. In mammals, Müller glia become reactive in response to damage to protect or to further impair retinal function. Although mammalian Müller glia have regenerative potential, it is limited as far as repairing damaged retina. Lessons learned from zebrafish will help reveal the critical mechanisms involved in Müller glia reprogramming. Progress has been made in triggering Müller glia to reprogram and generate functional neurons to restore vision in mammals indicating that Müller glia reprogramming may be a promising therapeutic strategy for human retinal diseases. This review comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms related to retinal regeneration in model animals and the critical advanced progress made in Müller glia reprogramming in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Gao
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Luodan A
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaona Huang
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Light Intensity-Dependent Dysregulation of Retinal Reference Genes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 31884627 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The degeneration of photoreceptors is a common hallmark of ocular diseases like retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To experimentally induce photoreceptor degeneration, the light damage paradigm is frequently used. In this study we show that the exposure to high amounts of cool white light (10,000 lux, 1 h) resulted in a more than 11-fold higher apoptotic rate in the retina compared to light exposure with 5000 lux for 30 min. Consequently, exposure to intense light resulted in a significant downregulation of retinal mRNA expression levels of the reference genes Gapdh, Gnb2l, Rpl32, Rps9, Actb, Ubc or Tbp compared to untreated controls. Investigators performing light-induced photoreceptor degeneration should be aware of the fact that higher light intensities will result in a dysregulation of reference genes.
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Tao YJ, Chen Q, Wang L, Yang X, Cun Q, Yang WY, Zhong H. Pirfenidone suppresses the abnormal activation of human Müller cells after platelet-derived growth factor-BB stimulation. Int J Ophthalmol 2019; 12:1075-1082. [PMID: 31341795 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2019.07.04] [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] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine the effect of pirfenidone on the activated human Müller cells by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). METHODS The primary human Müller cells were separated from retinal tissues and established the pathogenic model by stimulated with PDGF-BB. The Müller cells behaviour of normal group and the model group was measured by MTT assay, Trypan blue assay, cell migration assay, and collagen contraction assay. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, -β2, and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) was estimated with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. RESULTS A pathogenic/proliferative model of Müller cells was established by stimulating normal cultured Müller cells with 10 ng/mL PDGF-BB for 48h. After treated with 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL pirfenidone, the proliferation, migration and collagen contraction was statistically significantly depressed in the model group compared with the normal groups. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were significantly down-regulated, while the PEDF expression was significantly up-regulated after treated with 0.2 and 0.3 mg/mL pirfenidone in the model group. CONCLUSION Pirfenidone effectively suppress the proliferation, migration and collagen contraction of the human Müller cells stimulated with PDGF-BB through down-regulation of TGF-β1/TGF-β2 and up-regulation of PEDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jin Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650031, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650031, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Qing Cun
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650031, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Wen-Yan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650031, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650031, Yunnan Province, China
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Schlecht A, Leimbeck SV, Jägle H, Feuchtinger A, Tamm ER, Braunger BM. Deletion of Endothelial Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Leads to Choroidal Neovascularization. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:2570-2589. [PMID: 28823871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The molecular pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), an angiogenic process that critically contributes to vision loss in age-related macular degeneration, is unclear. Herein, we analyzed the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling for CNV formation by generating a series of mutant mouse models with induced conditional deletion of TGF-β signaling in the entire eye, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), or the vascular endothelium. Deletion of TGF-β signaling in the eye caused CNV, irrespectively if it was ablated in newborn or 3-week-old mice. Areas of CNV showed photoreceptor degeneration, multilayered RPE, basal lamina deposits, and accumulations of monocytes/macrophages. The changes progressed, leading to marked structural and functional alterations of the retina. Although the specific deletion of TGF-β signaling in the RPE caused no obvious changes, specific deletion in vascular endothelial cells caused CNV and a phenotype similar to that observed after the deletion in the entire eye. We conclude that impairment of TGF-β signaling in the vascular endothelium of the eye is sufficient to trigger CNV formation. Our findings highlight the importance of TGF-β signaling as a key player in the development of ocular neovascularization and indicate a fundamental role of TGF-β signaling in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Schlecht
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sarah V Leimbeck
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Herbert Jägle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinic Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Annette Feuchtinger
- Research Unit Analytical Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst R Tamm
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Barbara M Braunger
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Taatjes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
| | - Jürgen Roth
- University of Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
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