1
|
Ashimori A, Higashijima F, Ogata T, Sakuma A, Hamada W, Sunada J, Aoki R, Mikuni M, Hayashi K, Wakuta M, Yoshimoto T, Minamoto A, Ko JA, Kimura K. HIF-1α-dependent upregulation of angiogenic factors by mechanical stimulation in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050640. [PMID: 38691000 PMCID: PMC11095633 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050640] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanical stimulation as a mimic of drusen formation in the eye increases the expression of angiogenic factors in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated and characterized the effects of mechanical stimulation on the expression of angiogenic factors in RPE cells both in vitro and in a mouse model. Mechanical stimulation increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, encoded by VEGFA) and other angiogenesis-related genes in cultured RPE1 cells. The presence of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α, encoded by HIF1A) was also increased, and both knockdown of HIF-1α and treatment with the HIF-1α inhibitor CAY10585 attenuated the effect of mechanical stimulation on angiogenesis factor gene expression. Signaling by the tyrosine kinase SRC and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was involved in HIF-1α activation and consequent angiogenesis-related gene expression induced by mechanical stimulation. Our results suggest that SRC-p38 and HIF-1α signaling are involved in the upregulation of angiogenic factors in RPE cells by mechanical stimulation. Such in vivo suppression of upregulated expression of angiogenesis-related genes by pharmacological inhibitors of HIF-1α suggests a new potential approach to the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushige Ashimori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Higashijima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Tadahiko Ogata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Ayano Sakuma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Waka Hamada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Junki Sunada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Ren Aoki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Masanori Mikuni
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Ken'ichiro Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Makiko Wakuta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Takuya Yoshimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Akira Minamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Ji-Ae Ko
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kimura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hong S, Jung K, Ahn M, Kim J, Moon C, Shin T. Eugenol ameliorates uveitis in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through the suppression of key inflammatory genes. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2024; 28:37-44. [PMID: 38249123 PMCID: PMC10798281 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2024.2304557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual impairment associated with uveitis is among the potential complications in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Bioinformatics analyses have shown that some hub genes are closely associated with the molecular mechanisms underlying uveitis in EAE. This study evaluated whether 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (eugenol) can mitigate the pathogenesis of uveitis in EAE through the interruption of key uveitogenic gene expression. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35-55 (MOG) peptide-immunized C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with eugenol. The eyeballs and spinal cords of EAE mice with or without eugenol treatment were collected simultaneously and immunohistochemical and molecular biological analyses were conducted. Eugenol treatment significantly ameliorated hindlimb paralysis. Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) immunohistochemistry showed that the inflammatory response was significantly reduced in the uvea of eugenol-treated EAE mice compared with vehicle-treated controls. Eugenol also significantly reduced the expression of key uveitogenic genes including C1qb and Tyrobp. The suppressive effect of eugenol on inflammation was also observed in the spinal cord, as determined by the suppression of Iba-1-positive microglial cells. Together, these results suggest that the ameliorative effect of eugenol against EAE uveitis is associated with the suppression of key proinflammatory genes, which may represent targets for the treatment of uveitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sungmoo Hong
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungsook Jung
- Functional Biomaterials Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Meejung Ahn
- Department of Animal Science, College of Life Science, Sangji University, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongtae Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjong Moon
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Taekyun Shin
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hong S, Weerasinghe-Mudiyanselage PDE, Kang S, Moon C, Shin T. Retinal transcriptome profiling identifies novel candidate genes associated with visual impairment in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2023; 27:219-233. [PMID: 37808551 PMCID: PMC10552570 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2023.2264354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual impairment is occasionally observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Although uveitis and optic neuritis have been reported in MS and EAE, the precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these visual impairments remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the retinas of mice with EAE to identify genes that may be implicated in EAE-induced visual impairment. Fourteen adult mice were injected with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35-55 to induce the EAE model. Transcriptomes of retinas with EAE were analyzed by RNA-sequencing. Gene expression analysis revealed 347 DEGs in the retinas of mice with EAE: 345 were upregulated, and 2 were downregulated (adjusted p-value < 0.05 and absolute log2 fold change > 1). Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the upregulated genes in the retinas of mice with EAE were primarily related to immune responses, responses to external biotic stimuli, defense responses, and leukocyte-mediated immunity in the GO biological process. The expression of six upregulated hub genes (c1qb, ctss, itgam, itgb2, syk, and tyrobp) from the STRING analysis and the two significantly downregulated DEGs (hapln1 and ndst4) were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis showed that the negatively enriched gene sets in EAE-affected retinas were associated with the neuronal system and phototransduction cascade. This study provides novel molecular evidence for visual impairments in EAE and indicates directions for further research to elucidate the mechanisms of these visual impairments in MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sungmoo Hong
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Poornima D. E. Weerasinghe-Mudiyanselage
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohi Kang
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjong Moon
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Taekyun Shin
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guardia A, Fernández A, Seruggia D, Chotard V, Sánchez-Castillo C, Kutsyr O, Sánchez-Sáez X, Zurita E, Cantero M, Rebsam A, Cuenca N, Montoliu L. A Slc38a8 Mouse Model of FHONDA Syndrome Faithfully Recapitulates the Visual Deficits of Albinism Without Pigmentation Defects. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:32. [PMID: 37862028 PMCID: PMC10599165 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.13.32] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We aimed to generate and phenotype a mouse model of foveal hypoplasia, optic nerve decussation defects, and anterior segment dysgenesis (FHONDA), a rare disease associated with mutations in Slc38a8 that causes severe visual alterations similar to albinism without affecting pigmentation. Methods The FHONDA mouse model was generated with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology using an RNA guide targeting the Scl38a8 murine locus. The resulting mice were backcrossed to C57BL/6J. Melanin content was measured using spectrophotometry. Retinal cell architecture was analyzed through light and electron microscopy. Retinal projections to the brain were evaluated with anterograde labelling in embryos and adults. Visual function was assessed by electroretinography (ERG) and the optomotor test (OT). Results From numerous Slc38a8 mouse mutant alleles generated, we selected one that encodes a truncated protein (p.196Pro*, equivalent to p.199Pro* in the human protein) closely resembling a mutant allele described in patients (p.200Gln*). Slc38a8 mutant mice exhibit wild-type eye and coat pigmentation with comparable melanin content. Subcellular abnormalities were observed in retinal pigment epithelium cells of Slc38a8 mutant mice. Anterograde labeling experiments of retinal projections in embryos and adults showed a reduction of ipsilateral fibers. Functional visual analyses revealed a decreased ERG response in scotopic conditions and a reduction of visual acuity in mutant mice measured by OT. Conclusions Slc38a8 mutant mice recapitulate the phenotype of patients with FHONDA concerning their normal pigmentation and their abnormal visual system, in the latter being a hallmark of all types of albinism. These mice will be helpful in better understanding the pathophysiology of this genetic condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Guardia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Fernández
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Davide Seruggia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginie Chotard
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Carla Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Esther Zurita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Cantero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexandra Rebsam
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Lluís Montoliu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
El-Gendy MA, Mansour M, El-Assal MIA, Ishak RAH, Mortada ND. Travoprost Liquid Nanocrystals: An Innovative Armamentarium for Effective Glaucoma Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030954. [PMID: 36986814 PMCID: PMC10056037 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the ophthalmic application of liquid crystalline nanostructures (LCNs) has not been thoroughly reconnoitered, yet they have been extensively used. LCNs are primarily made up of glyceryl monooleate (GMO) or phytantriol as a lipid, a stabilizing agent, and a penetration enhancer (PE). For optimization, the D-optimal design was exploited. A characterization using TEM and XRPD was conducted. Optimized LCNs were loaded with the anti-glaucoma drug Travoprost (TRAVO). Ex vivo permeation across the cornea, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic studies were performed along with ocular tolerability examinations. Optimized LCNs are constituted of GMO, Tween® 80 as a stabilizer, and either oleic acid or Captex® 8000 as PE at 25 mg each. TRAVO-LNCs, F-1-L and F-3-L, showed particle sizes of 216.20 ± 6.12 and 129.40 ± 11.73 nm, with EE% of 85.30 ± 4.29 and 82.54 ± 7.65%, respectively, revealing the highest drug permeation parameters. The bioavailability of both attained 106.1% and 322.82%, respectively, relative to the market product TRAVATAN®. They exhibited respective intraocular pressure reductions lasting for 48 and 72 h, compared to 36 h for TRAVATAN®. All LCNs exhibited no evidence of ocular injury in comparison to the control eye. The findings revealed the competence of TRAVO-tailored LCNs in glaucoma treatment and suggested the potential application of a novel platform in ocular delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. El-Gendy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Mai Mansour
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Mona I. A. El-Assal
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Rania A. H. Ishak
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
- Correspondence:
| | - Nahed D. Mortada
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pang J, Zhao X, Deng F, Tsuchiya D, Malloy S, Parmely T, Xie T, Wang Y. A freeze-substitution approach with solvent-based glyoxal fixative to prevent distortion of ocular structures. J Histotechnol 2022; 45:172-181. [DOI: 10.1080/01478885.2022.2111744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Pang
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, Minhang, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
| | - Fengyan Deng
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
| | - Dai Tsuchiya
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
| | - Seth Malloy
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
| | - Tari Parmely
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas, KS, USA
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yongfu Wang
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ji L, Waduge P, Wan W, Tian H, Li J, Zhang J, Chen R, Li W. Comparative ligandomics implicates secretogranin III as a disease‐restricted angiogenic factor in laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization. FEBS J 2022; 289:3521-3534. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.16356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Ji
- Cullen Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
- Department of Ophthalmology The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
| | - Wencui Wan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
- Department of Ophthalmology First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan China
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC Houston TX USA
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dezfuly AR, Safaee A, Amirpour N, Kazemi M, Ramezani A, Jafarinia M, Dehghani A, Salehi H. Therapeutic effects of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells and their paracrine agents on sodium iodate induced retinal degeneration in rats. Life Sci 2022; 300:120570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
9
|
Ji L, Waduge P, Hao L, Kaur A, Wan W, Wu Y, Tian H, Zhang J, Webster KA, Li W. Selectively targeting disease-restricted secretogranin III to alleviate choroidal neovascularization. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22106. [PMID: 34918375 PMCID: PMC8694659 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101085rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is routinely treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors that have limited efficacy and potentially adverse side effects. An unmet clinical need is to develop novel therapies against other angiogenic factors for alternative or combination treatment to improve efficacy and safety. We recently described secretogranin III (Scg3) as a disease-selective angiogenic factor, causally linked to diabetic retinopathy and acting independently of the VEGF pathway. An important question is whether such a disease-selective Scg3 pathway contributes to other states of pathological angiogenesis beyond diabetic retinopathy. By applying a novel in vivo endothelial ligand binding assay, we found that the binding of Scg3 to CNV vessels in live mice was markedly increased over background binding to healthy choriocapillaris and blocked by an Scg3-neutralizing antibody, whereas VEGF showed no such differential binding. Intravitreal injection of anti-Scg3 humanized antibody Fab (hFab) inhibited Matrigel-induced CNV with similar efficacy to the anti-VEGF drug aflibercept. Importantly, a combination of anti-Scg3 hFab and aflibercept synergistically alleviated CNV. Homozygous deletion of the Scg3 gene markedly reduced CNV severity and abolished the therapeutic activity of anti-Scg3 hFab, but not aflibercept, suggesting a role for Scg3 in VEGF-independent CNV pathogenesis and therapy. Our work demonstrates the stringent disease selectivity of Scg3 binding and positions anti-Scg3 hFab as a next-generation disease-targeted anti-angiogenic therapy for CNV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Ji
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Lili Hao
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Wencui Wan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Temporal Sequence of Post-Mortem Autolysis in the Mouse Retina. J Comp Pathol 2021; 187:17-26. [PMID: 34503650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In order to better differentiate ante-mortem lesions from post-mortem retinal autolysis, the temporal sequence of post-mortem changes was studied in a well-controlled mouse model. Mice were of the same strain, age and sex, and were held at a constant ambient temperature. Eyes were collected at various times up to 72 h after death and immersion-fixed in either Davidson's fixative or 10% neutral buffered formalin, paraffin-embedded and sections cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The most prominent, and early, autolytic change was retinal detachment, and subsequent folding, which occurred immediately after death in formalin-fixed eyes, but not until 2 h post mortem with Davidson's fixative. Retinal separation was complete at 16 h, or almost complete by 2 h, in formalin, but in Davidson's fixative, was only partial and segmental, the latter not becoming total until much later. Retinal detachment was attended by progressively more severe disruption and dissolution of photoreceptors and, particularly in Davidson's-fixed retinas, the rod outer segment often showed marked homogenization from 30 min to 4 h after death. The other major early change was nuclear pyknosis in the inner nuclear layer. Ganglion cells initially had cytoplasmic swelling, followed by shrinkage and basophilia (at 4 h with formalin and 16 h with Davidson's), with nuclear pyknosis becoming increasingly common over time. While the three retinal neuronal layers eventually became more attenuated and depleted of cells, the thickness of these layers was augmented by severe swelling. These findings show that the post-mortem interval at which histological interpretation of retinal changes becomes potentially compromised is dependent on the duration of this interval and the fixative used.
Collapse
|
11
|
Submacular integration of hESC-RPE monolayer xenografts in a surgical non-human primate model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:423. [PMID: 34315534 PMCID: PMC8314642 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02395-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a promising cell source for retinal cell replacement therapy but often lack standardized cell production and live-cell shipment logistics as well as rigorous analyses of surgical procedures for cell transplantation in the delicate macula area. We have previously established a xeno- and feeder cell-free production system for hPSC differentiated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and herein, a novel immunosuppressed non-human primate (NHP) model with a disrupted ocular immune privilege is presented for transplanting human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE on a scaffold, and the safety and submacular graft integration are assessed. Furthermore, the feasibility of intercontinental shipment of live hESC-RPE is examined. Methods Cynomolgus monkeys were systemically immunosuppressed and implanted with a hESC-RPE monolayer on a permeable polyester-terephthalate (PET) scaffold. Microscope-integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (miOCT)-guided surgery, postoperative follow-up incorporated scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, spectral domain (SD-) OCT, and full-field electroretinography (ERG) were used as outcome measures. In addition, histology was performed after a 28-day follow-up. Results Intercontinental cell shipment, which took >30 h from the manufacturing to the transplantation site, did not alter the hESC-RPE quality. The submacular hESC-RPE xenotransplantation was performed in 11 macaques. The miOCT typically revealed foveal disruption. ERG showed amplitude and peak time preservation in cases with favorable surgical outcomes. Histology confirmed photoreceptor preservation above the grafts and in vivo phagocytosis by hESC-RPE, albeit evidence of cytoplasmic redistribution of opsin in photoreceptors and glia hypertrophy. The immunosuppression protocol efficiently suppressed retinal T cell infiltration and microglia activation. Conclusion These results suggest both structural and functional submacular integrations of hESC-RPE xenografts. It is anticipated that surgical technique refinement will further improve the engraftment of macular cell therapeutics with significant translational relevance to improve future clinical trials. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02395-6.
Collapse
|
12
|
Morimoto T, Fujikado T, Kanda H, Miyoshi T, Endo T, Nishida K, Kishima H, Saito T, Ito K, Ozawa M, Nishida K. Testing of Newly Developed Wide-Field Dual-Array Suprachoroidal-Transretinal Stimulation Prosthesis in Dogs. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:13. [PMID: 34003947 PMCID: PMC7961109 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of a newly developed wide-field dual-array suprachoroidal–transretinal stimulation (STS) prosthesis in dogs and to examine its biocompatibility and stability over a 4-month period. Methods Three types of STS dual arrays were designed and tested. The STS dual-array was implanted into a scleral pocket of the left eye of six healthy beagle dogs. Ophthalmic examinations, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), electroretinography (ERG), and functional testing of this system were conducted postoperatively. The dogs were euthanatized at the end of the experiment, and their eyes were enucleated and histologically examined. Results All prostheses were successfully implanted without complications, and no serious adverse event occurred during the postoperative period. Fundus photographs and FA showed no serious damage in the retina surrounding the arrays. The ERGs recorded from the implanted eyes showed no significant differences from those from control eyes. Histological evaluations demonstrated good preservation of the retina over the array. However, system failure occurred in 50% of the dogs owing to dog-specific habits. Conclusions Implantation of this prosthesis system in dogs is feasible and can be performed without significant damage to the eye. The biocompatibility and stability of the array were good during the observation period, but the low durability of the system against dogs (not humans) is an issue to be resolved in the future. Translational Relevance This study suggests that this wide-field dual-array prosthesis might widen the visual field and might be useful for patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Morimoto
- Department of Advanced Visual Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Fujikado
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kanda
- Department of Applied Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomomitsu Miyoshi
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takao Endo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nishida
- Department of Advanced Visual Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Kishima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toru Saito
- NIDEK, Co., Ltd., Gamagori, Aichi, Japan
| | | | | | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rimpelä AK, Garneau M, Baum-Kroker KS, Schönberger T, Runge F, Sauer A. Quantification of Drugs in Distinctly Separated Ocular Substructures of Albino and Pigmented Rats. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12121174. [PMID: 33276439 PMCID: PMC7760391 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat is a commonly used species in ocular drug research. Detailed methods of separating rat ocular tissues have not been described in literature. To understand the intraocular drug distribution, we developed a robust method for the separation of individual anterior and posterior substructures of pigmented Brown Norway (BN) and albino Wistar Han (WH) rat eyes, followed by quantification of drug concentration in these substructures. A short formalin incubation, which did not interfere with drug quantification, enabled the preservation of individual tissue sections while minimizing cross-tissue contamination, as demonstrated by histological analysis. Following oral administration, we applied the tissue separation method, in order to determine the ocular concentrations of dexamethasone and levofloxacin, as well as two in-house molecules BI 113823 and BI 1026706, compounds differing in their melanin binding. The inter-individual variability in tissue partitioning coefficients (Kp) was low, demonstrating the reproducibility of the separation method. Kp values of individual tissues varied up to 100-fold in WH and up to 46,000-fold in BN rats highlighting the importance of measuring concentration directly from the ocular tissue of interest. Additionally, clear differences were observed in the BN rat tissue partitioning compared to the WH rat. Overall, the developed method enables a reliable determination of small molecule drug concentrations in ocular tissues to support ocular drug research and development.
Collapse
|
14
|
Ismail A, Nasr M, Sammour O. Nanoemulsion as a feasible and biocompatible carrier for ocular delivery of travoprost: Improved pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. Int J Pharm 2020; 583:119402. [PMID: 32387308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Travoprost is a synthetic prostaglandin F2α analogue used in treatment of glaucoma. Due to its water insolubility and oily nature, novel delivery systems need to be developed to enhance its bioavailability, and sustain its release. In the current work, travoprost nanoemulsion was explored as a novel carrier prepared using low energy technique. Results showed that travoprost nanoemulsions exhibited suitable nanodroplet size, zeta potential, pH, refractive index, controlled release, as well as sufficient stability under accelerated conditions. In vivo studies delineated the enhanced absorption of travoprost nanoemulsion compared to the marketed eye drops Travatan®, as proven by the higher Cmax and AUC of the former, and its prolonged intraocular pressure reduction time. Moreover, the nanoemulsion formulation was proven safe and non-irritant to ocular surfaces. Therefore, it can be suggested that travoprost nanoemulsion is a promising ocular delivery system for glaucoma treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maha Nasr
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Omaima Sammour
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tokuda K, Baron B, Yamashiro C, Kuramitsu Y, Kitagawa T, Kobayashi M, Sonoda KH, Kimura K. Up-regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway and HIF-1α expression during neural progenitor cell induction following glutamate treatment in rat ex vivo retina. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:137-144. [PMID: 31393075 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The metabolic state influences the regulation of neural stem/progenitor cells. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), an alternative metabolic pathway that operates parallel to glycolysis, not only provides key intermediates for biosynthetic reactions but also controls the fate of neural stem/progenitor cells. We have previously shown that glutamate application leads to the induction of neural progenitor cells in mature ex vivo rat retina. In this study, we investigated whether regulation of the PPP might be changed following glutamate treatment of the retina. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the amount of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP as well as that of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), another enzyme in this pathway, increased in the glutamate-treated retina. Consistent with the fact that both these enzymes generate reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), the amount of NAPDH in the treated retina was significantly higher compared with that in the untreated retina. We also found that both DNA synthesis as well as the expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) increased significantly in the glutamate-treated retina. Furthermore, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α), a positive transcriptional regulator of PPP enzymes, was up-regulated at both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. Finally, we found the interaction of HIF-1α with the M2 isozyme of pyruvate kinase (PKM2), with this interaction having been shown to contribute to a positive feedback loop in the control of glycolysis. Our results thus show that specific metabolic change in the PPP occurs in the process of neural progenitor cell induction in the mature rat retina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Tokuda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Byron Baron
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
| | - Chiemi Yamashiro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kuramitsu
- Research Institute of Cancer Prevention, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Takao Kitagawa
- Department of Systems Biochemistry in Pathology and Regeneration, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kobayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Koh-Hei Sonoda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kimura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dendritic cells mediate the anti-inflammatory action of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in experimental autoimmune uveitis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219405. [PMID: 31335861 PMCID: PMC6650034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously showed that dietary omega (ω)–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) suppress inflammation in mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). We have now investigated the role of antigen presenting cells (APCs) in this action of ω-3 LCPUFAs. C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet supplemented with ω-3 or ω-6 LCPUFAs for 2 weeks, after which splenocytes were isolated from the mice and cocultured with CD4+ T cells isolated from mice with EAU induced by injection of a human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein peptide together with complete Freund’s adjuvant. The proliferation of and production of interferon-γ and interleukin-17 by T cells from EAU mice in vitro were attenuated in the presence of splenocytes from ω-3 LCPUFA–fed mice as compared with those from mice fed ω-6 LCPUFAs. Splenocyte fractionation by magnetic-activated cell sorting revealed that, among APCs, dendritic cells (DCs) were the target of ω-3 LCPUFAs. Adoptive transfer of DCs from mice fed ω-3 LCPUFAs attenuated disease progression in EAU mice as well as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by T cells isolated from these latter animals. The proliferation of T cells from control Balb/c mice was also attenuated in the presence of DCs from ω-3 LCPUFA–fed mice as compared with those from ω-6 LCPUFA–fed mice. Furthermore, T cell proliferation in such a mixed lymphocyte reaction was inhibited by prior exposure of DCs from mice fed an ω-6 LCPUFA diet to ω-3 LCPUFAs in vitro. Our results thus suggest that DCs mediate the anti-inflammatory action of dietary ω-3 LCPUFAs in EAU.
Collapse
|