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Liao C, Chen S, Chen X, Yi W, Fan Y, Chen Y, Ye T, Chen Y. Inhibition of JNK ameliorates rod photoreceptor degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 39010325 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited eye disease that causes progressive vision loss. Microglial activation and inflammation play essential roles in photoreceptor degeneration in RP, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we examined the progressive degeneration of photoreceptors in rd1 mice, a mouse model of RP. We investigated the molecular changes in various retinal cells in rd1 mice using single-cell RNA sequencing and found that potentiation of JNK signaling is associated with photoreceptor degeneration in RP. Moreover, inflammation-related molecules, which function downstream of JNK, are elevated in RP. Furthermore, inhibiting JNK alleviates microglial activation and rescues photoreceptor degeneration in rd1 mice. Thus, our findings suggest that targeting JNK is a promising approach for slowing RP progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Liao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuxu Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wanying Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, China
| | - Yingying Fan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuewen Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, China
| | - Tao Ye
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, China
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Goto K, Koyanagi Y, Akiyama M, Murakami Y, Fukushima M, Fujiwara K, Iijima H, Yamaguchi M, Endo M, Hashimoto K, Ishizu M, Hirakata T, Mizobuchi K, Takayama M, Ota J, Sajiki AF, Kominami T, Ushida H, Fujita K, Kaneko H, Ueno S, Hayashi T, Terao C, Hotta Y, Murakami A, Kuniyoshi K, Kusaka S, Wada Y, Abe T, Nakazawa T, Ikeda Y, Momozawa Y, Sonoda KH, Nishiguchi KM. Disease-specific variant interpretation highlighted the genetic findings in 2325 Japanese patients with retinitis pigmentosa and allied diseases. J Med Genet 2024; 61:613-620. [PMID: 38499336 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As gene-specific therapy for inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) advances, unified variant interpretation across institutes is becoming increasingly important. This study aims to update the genetic findings of 86 retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-related genes in a large number of Japanese patients with RP by applying the standardised variant interpretation guidelines for Japanese patients with IRD (J-IRD-VI guidelines) built upon the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology rules, and assess the contribution of these genes in RP-allied diseases. METHODS We assessed 2325 probands with RP (n=2155, including n=1204 sequenced previously with the same sequencing panel) and allied diseases (n=170, newly analysed), including Usher syndrome, Leber congenital amaurosis and cone-rod dystrophy (CRD). Target sequencing using a panel of 86 genes was performed. The variants were interpreted according to the J-IRD-VI guidelines. RESULTS A total of 3564 variants were detected, of which 524 variants were interpreted as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Among these 524 variants, 280 (53.4%) had been either undetected or interpreted as variants of unknown significance or benign variants in our earlier study of 1204 patients with RP. This led to a genetic diagnostic rate in 38.6% of patients with RP, with EYS accounting for 46.7% of the genetically solved patients, showing a 9% increase in diagnostic rate from our earlier study. The genetic diagnostic rate for patients with CRD was 28.2%, with RP-related genes significantly contributing over other allied diseases. CONCLUSION A large-scale genetic analysis using the J-IRD-VI guidelines highlighted the population-specific genetic findings for Japanese patients with IRD; these findings serve as a foundation for the clinical application of gene-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Goto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshito Koyanagi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masato Akiyama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Ocular Pathology and Imaging Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Murakami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Fukushima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kohta Fujiwara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hanae Iijima
- Laboratory for Genotyping Development, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuyo Yamaguchi
- Laboratory for Genotyping Development, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mikiko Endo
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuki Hashimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masataka Ishizu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miyazaki Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Hirakata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Mizobuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masakazu Takayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Junya Ota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ai Fujita Sajiki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Taro Kominami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ushida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kosuke Fujita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kaneko
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Ueno
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hisoraki, Japan
| | - Takaaki Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chikashi Terao
- Laboratory for Statistical and Translational Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hotta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Akira Murakami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kuniyoshi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-sayama, Japan
| | - Shunji Kusaka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-sayama, Japan
| | | | - Toshiaki Abe
- Division of Clinical Cell Therapy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toru Nakazawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ikeda
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miyazaki Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Yukihide Momozawa
- Laboratory for Genotyping Development, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Koh-Hei Sonoda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koji M Nishiguchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Boroughani M, Tahmasbi Z, Heidari MM, Johari M, Hashempur MH, Heydari M. Potential therapeutic effects of green tea ( Camellia sinensis) in eye diseases, a review. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28829. [PMID: 38601618 PMCID: PMC11004586 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28829] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This review aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of green tea (GT), scientifically named Camellia sinensis, in treating eye diseases. We provide an overview of the ingredients and traditional use of Camellia sinensis, followed by a detailed discussion of its therapeutic uses in various eye diseases, including ocular surface diseases (allergic diseases, dry eye, pterygium, and infections), cataract, glaucoma, uveitis, retinal diseases, and optic nerve diseases. The pharmacologic activities related to ocular diseases, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, aldose reductase inhibitor activity, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects are also explored in this review. The dose and route of administration of GT in various studies are discussed. Safety issues related to the use of GT, such as the side effects associated with high doses and long-term use, are also addressed. The review highlights the potential of GT as a natural therapeutic agent for a variety of ocular diseases. Its various pharmacologic activities make it a promising treatment option. However, more well-designed studies are needed to determine the optimal dose and route of administration and to assess its long-term safety and efficacy. Overall, GT appears to be a promising adjunct therapy for various ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadese Boroughani
- Student research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Tahmasbi
- Student research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammadkarim Johari
- Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hashem Hashempur
- Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Heydari
- Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Esteban-Medina M, Loucera C, Rian K, Velasco S, Olivares-González L, Rodrigo R, Dopazo J, Peña-Chilet M. The mechanistic functional landscape of retinitis pigmentosa: a machine learning-driven approach to therapeutic target discovery. J Transl Med 2024; 22:139. [PMID: 38321543 PMCID: PMC10848380 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04911-7] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinitis pigmentosa is the prevailing genetic cause of blindness in developed nations with no effective treatments. In the pursuit of unraveling the intricate dynamics underlying this complex disease, mechanistic models emerge as a tool of proven efficiency rooted in systems biology, to elucidate the interplay between RP genes and their mechanisms. The integration of mechanistic models and drug-target interactions under the umbrella of machine learning methodologies provides a multifaceted approach that can boost the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, facilitating further drug repurposing in RP. METHODS By mapping Retinitis Pigmentosa-related genes (obtained from Orphanet, OMIM and HPO databases) onto KEGG signaling pathways, a collection of signaling functional circuits encompassing Retinitis Pigmentosa molecular mechanisms was defined. Next, a mechanistic model of the so-defined disease map, where the effects of interventions can be simulated, was built. Then, an explainable multi-output random forest regressor was trained using normal tissue transcriptomic data to learn causal connections between targets of approved drugs from DrugBank and the functional circuits of the mechanistic disease map. Selected target genes involvement were validated on rd10 mice, a murine model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. RESULTS A mechanistic functional map of Retinitis Pigmentosa was constructed resulting in 226 functional circuits belonging to 40 KEGG signaling pathways. The method predicted 109 targets of approved drugs in use with a potential effect over circuits corresponding to nine hallmarks identified. Five of those targets were selected and experimentally validated in rd10 mice: Gabre, Gabra1 (GABARα1 protein), Slc12a5 (KCC2 protein), Grin1 (NR1 protein) and Glr2a. As a result, we provide a resource to evaluate the potential impact of drug target genes in Retinitis Pigmentosa. CONCLUSIONS The possibility of building actionable disease models in combination with machine learning algorithms to learn causal drug-disease interactions opens new avenues for boosting drug discovery. Such mechanistically-based hypotheses can guide and accelerate the experimental validations prioritizing drug target candidates. In this work, a mechanistic model describing the functional disease map of Retinitis Pigmentosa was developed, identifying five promising therapeutic candidates targeted by approved drug. Further experimental validation will demonstrate the efficiency of this approach for a systematic application to other rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Esteban-Medina
- Andalusian Platform for Computational Medicine, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, Seville, Spain
- Systems and Computational Medicine Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos Loucera
- Andalusian Platform for Computational Medicine, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, Seville, Spain
- Systems and Computational Medicine Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Kinza Rian
- Andalusian Platform for Computational Medicine, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, Seville, Spain
- Systems and Computational Medicine Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Sheyla Velasco
- Group of Pathophysiology and Therapies for Vision Disorders, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lorena Olivares-González
- Group of Pathophysiology and Therapies for Vision Disorders, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Regina Rodrigo
- Group of Pathophysiology and Therapies for Vision Disorders, Príncipe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia (UV), 46100, Burjassot, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001, Valencia, Spain
- Joint Research Unit on Endocrinology, Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics UV-IIS La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joaquin Dopazo
- Andalusian Platform for Computational Medicine, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, Seville, Spain.
- Systems and Computational Medicine Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Peña-Chilet
- Andalusian Platform for Computational Medicine, Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health-FPS, Seville, Spain.
- Systems and Computational Medicine Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- BigData, AI, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Platform, Health Research Institute La Fe (IISLaFe), 46026, Valencia, Spain.
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Bighinati A, Adani E, Stanzani A, D’Alessandro S, Marigo V. Molecular mechanisms underlying inherited photoreceptor degeneration as targets for therapeutic intervention. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1343544. [PMID: 38370034 PMCID: PMC10869517 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1343544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a form of retinal degeneration characterized by primary degeneration of rod photoreceptors followed by a secondary cone loss that leads to vision impairment and finally blindness. This is a rare disease with mutations in several genes and high genetic heterogeneity. A challenging effort has been the characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying photoreceptor cell death during the progression of the disease. Some of the cell death pathways have been identified and comprise stress events found in several neurodegenerative diseases such as oxidative stress, inflammation, calcium imbalance and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Other cell death mechanisms appear more relevant to photoreceptor cells, such as high levels of cGMP and metabolic changes. Here we review some of the cell death pathways characterized in the RP mutant retina and discuss preclinical studies of therapeutic approaches targeting the molecular outcomes that lead to photoreceptor cell demise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bighinati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Adani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Agnese Stanzani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sara D’Alessandro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Marigo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Modena, Italy
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Yan J, Wang L, Yang QL, Yang QX, He X, Dong Y, Hu Z, Seeliger MW, Jiao K, Paquet-Durand F. T-type voltage-gated channels, Na +/Ca 2+-exchanger, and calpain-2 promote photoreceptor cell death in inherited retinal degeneration. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:92. [PMID: 38303059 PMCID: PMC10836022 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01391-y] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a group of untreatable and commonly blinding diseases characterized by progressive photoreceptor loss. IRD pathology has been linked to an excessive activation of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGC) leading to Na+- and Ca2+-influx, subsequent activation of voltage-gated Ca2+-channels (VGCC), and further Ca2+ influx. However, a connection between excessive Ca2+ influx and photoreceptor loss has yet to be proven.Here, we used whole-retina and single-cell RNA-sequencing to compare gene expression between the rd1 mouse model for IRD and wild-type (wt) mice. Differentially expressed genes indicated links to several Ca2+-signalling related pathways. To explore these, rd1 and wt organotypic retinal explant cultures were treated with the intracellular Ca2+-chelator BAPTA-AM or inhibitors of different Ca2+-permeable channels, including CNGC, L-type VGCC, T-type VGCC, Ca2+-release-activated channel (CRAC), and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). Moreover, we employed the novel compound NA-184 to selectively inhibit the Ca2+-dependent protease calpain-2. Effects on the retinal activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), sirtuin-type histone-deacetylase, calpains, as well as on activation of calpain-1, and - 2 were monitored, cell death was assessed via the TUNEL assay.While rd1 photoreceptor cell death was reduced by BAPTA-AM, Ca2+-channel blockers had divergent effects: While inhibition of T-type VGCC and NCX promoted survival, blocking CNGCs and CRACs did not. The treatment-related activity patterns of calpains and PARPs corresponded to the extent of cell death. Remarkably, sirtuin activity and calpain-1 activation were linked to photoreceptor protection, while calpain-2 activity was related to degeneration. In support of this finding, the calpain-2 inhibitor NA-184 protected rd1 photoreceptors.These results suggest that Ca2+ overload in rd1 photoreceptors may be triggered by T-type VGCCs and NCX. High Ca2+-levels likely suppress protective activity of calpain-1 and promote retinal degeneration via activation of calpain-2. Overall, our study details the complexity of Ca2+-signalling in photoreceptors and emphasizes the importance of targeting degenerative processes specifically to achieve a therapeutic benefit for IRDs. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yan
- Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, 176 Qingnian, Kunming, 650021, China
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Lan Wang
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Qian-Lu Yang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University &Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, 650118, China
| | - Qian-Xi Yang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University &Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, 650118, China
| | - Xinyi He
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- High-resolution Functional Imaging and Test Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Yujie Dong
- Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, 176 Qingnian, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Zhulin Hu
- Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, 176 Qingnian, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Mathias W Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Kangwei Jiao
- Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, 176 Qingnian, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.
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7
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Martín-Oliva D, Martín-Guerrero SM, Carrasco MC, Neubrand VE, Martín-Estebané M, Marín-Teva JL, Navascués J, Cuadros MA, Vangheluwe P, Sepúlveda MR. Distribution of intracellular Ca 2+-ATPases in the mouse retina and their involvement in light-induced cone degeneration. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119612. [PMID: 37884226 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Calcium signalling is involved in many processes in mammalian retina, from development to mature functions and neurodegeneration. Although proteins involved in Ca2+ entry in retinal cells have been well studied, less is known about Ca2+-clearance. Among the Ca2+ pumps, plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPases (PMCAs) have been identified as key proteins extruding Ca2+ across the plasma membrane with specific distribution in developing and adult retina. However, the two main isoforms of intracellular Ca2+-ATPases in the central nervous system, the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+-ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) and the secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase 1 (SPCA1), which remove cytosolic Ca2+ into intracellular stores, have been less or not at all analysed, respectively. In this study, we described for the first time the SPCA1 localisation in adult mouse retina and we report differential distributions of SERCA2b and SPCA1 transporters within various classes of retinal neurons and distinct subcellular localisations. In addition, we studied the expression and localisation of both Ca2+ pumps in 661W cells, a cone photoreceptor-derived cell line. Since continuous exposure to high light intensity induces photodegeneration, we analysed the effect of LED light exposure on these cells and SERCA2b and SPCA1 distribution. We found that continuous mild LED-light exposure compromised cell survival and produced stress in the ER and Golgi, the Ca2+ stores where the two pumps are localised. These effects were reversed after halting light exposure and washing. This study demonstrates that Ca2+ signalling may be involved in light-induced photoreceptor cell damage and points to previously unrecognised functions of intracellular Ca2+-ATPases in retina physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martín-Oliva
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - M Carmen Carrasco
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Veronika E Neubrand
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María Martín-Estebané
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José L Marín-Teva
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Julio Navascués
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel A Cuadros
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Peter Vangheluwe
- Laboratory of Cellular Transport Systems, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Rosario Sepúlveda
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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8
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Kim H, Roh H, Kim SH, Lee K, Im M, Oh SJ. Effective protection of photoreceptors using an inflammation-responsive hydrogel to attenuate outer retinal degeneration. NPJ Regen Med 2023; 8:68. [PMID: 38097595 PMCID: PMC10721838 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-023-00342-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an outer retinal degenerative disease that can lead to photoreceptor cell death and profound vision loss. Although effective regulation of intraretinal inflammation can slow down the progression of the disease, an efficient anti-inflammatory treatment strategy is still lacking. This study reports the fabrication of a hyaluronic acid-based inflammation-responsive hydrogel (IRH) and its epigenetic regulation effects on retinal degeneration. The injectable IRH was designed to respond to cathepsin overexpression in an inflammatory environment. The epigenetic drug, the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitors, was loaded into the hydrogel to attenuate inflammatory factors. On-demand anti-inflammatory effects of microglia cells via the drug-loaded IRH were verified in vitro and in vivo retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice model. Therefore, our IRH not only reduced intraretinal inflammation but also protected photoreceptors morphologically and functionally. Our results suggest the IRH reported here can be used to considerably delay vision loss caused by RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyerim Kim
- Program in Nanoscience and Technology, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyeonhee Roh
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea
- School of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Sang-Heon Kim
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, KIST, Seoul, 02792, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Kangwon Lee
- Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
- Research Institute for Convergence Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
| | - Maesoon Im
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea.
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea.
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
| | - Seung Ja Oh
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, South Korea.
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9
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Chirinskaite AV, Rotov AY, Ermolaeva ME, Tkachenko LA, Vaganova AN, Danilov LG, Fedoseeva KN, Kostin NA, Sopova JV, Firsov ML, Leonova EI. Does Background Matter? A Comparative Characterization of Mouse Models of Autosomal Retinitis Pigmentosa rd1 and Pde6b-KO. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17180. [PMID: 38139011 PMCID: PMC10742838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417180] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Many retinal degenerative diseases result in vision impairment or permanent blindness due to photoreceptor loss or dysfunction. It has been observed that Pde6brd1 mice (rd1), which carry a spontaneous nonsense mutation in the pde6b gene, have a strong phenotypic similarity to patients suffering from autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. In this study, we present a novel mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa generated through pde6b gene knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We compare this Pde6b-KO mouse model to the rd1 mouse model to gain insights into the progression of retinal degeneration. The functional assessment of the mouse retina and the tracking of degeneration dynamics were performed using electrophysiological methods, while retinal morphology was analyzed through histology techniques. Interestingly, the Pde6b-KO mouse model demonstrated a higher amplitude of photoresponse than the rd1 model of the same age. At postnatal day 12, the thickness of the photoreceptor layer in both mouse models did not significantly differ from that of control animals; however, by day 15, a substantial reduction was observed. Notably, the decline in the number of photoreceptors in the rd1 model occurred at a significantly faster rate. These findings suggest that the C3H background may play a significant role in the early stages of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina V. Chirinskaite
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (J.V.S.)
| | - Alexander Yu. Rotov
- Laboratory of Evolution of Sense Organs, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez Ave., 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia (M.L.F.)
| | - Mariia E. Ermolaeva
- Laboratory of Evolution of Sense Organs, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez Ave., 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia (M.L.F.)
| | - Lyubov A. Tkachenko
- Department of Cytology and Histology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia N. Vaganova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Lavrentii G. Danilov
- Department of Genetics and biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ksenia N. Fedoseeva
- Resource Center “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nicolay A. Kostin
- Resource Center “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V. Sopova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (J.V.S.)
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Michael L. Firsov
- Laboratory of Evolution of Sense Organs, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez Ave., 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia (M.L.F.)
| | - Elena I. Leonova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (J.V.S.)
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10
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Zhou Y, Sheng Y, Pan M, Tu J, Zhao X, Ge Q, Lu Z. Spatial Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Regional Transcript Changes in Early and Late Stages of rd1 Model Mice with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14869. [PMID: 37834317 PMCID: PMC10573885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914869] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the leading cause of inherited blindness with a genetically heterogeneous disorder. Currently, there is no effective treatment that can protect vision for those with RP. In recent decades, the rd1 mouse has been used to study the pathological mechanisms of RP. Molecular biological studies using rd1 mice have clarified the mechanism of the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in the early stage of RP. However, the pathological changes in RP over time remain unclear. The unknown pathology mechanism of RP over time and the difficulty of clinical treatment make it urgent to perform more refined and spatially informed molecular biology studies of RP. In this study, spatial transcriptomic analysis is used to study the changes in different retinal layers of rd1 mice at different ages. The results demonstrate the pattern of photoreceptor apoptosis between rd1 mice and the control group. Not only was oxidative stress enhanced in the late stage of RP, but it was accompanied by an up-regulation of the VEGF pathway. Analysis of temporal kinetic trends has further identified patterns of changes in the key pathways of the early and late stages, to help understand the important pathogenesis of RP. Overall, the application of spatial transcriptomics to rd1 mice can help to elucidate the important pathogenesis of RP involving photoreceptor apoptosis and retinal remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yuqi Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Min Pan
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210097, China;
| | - Jing Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xiangwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Qinyu Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zuhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
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11
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García-Arroyo R, Domènech EB, Herrera-Úbeda C, Asensi MA, Núñez de Arenas C, Cuezva JM, Garcia-Fernàndez J, Pallardó FV, Mirra S, Marfany G. Exacerbated response to oxidative stress in the Retinitis Pigmentosa Cerkl KD/KO mouse model triggers retinal degeneration pathways upon acute light stress. Redox Biol 2023; 66:102862. [PMID: 37660443 PMCID: PMC10491808 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102862] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is particularly vulnerable to genetic and environmental alterations that generate oxidative stress and cause cellular damage in photoreceptors and other retinal neurons, eventually leading to cell death. CERKL (CERamide Kinase-Like) mutations cause Retinitis Pigmentosa and Cone-Rod Dystrophy in humans, two disorders characterized by photoreceptor degeneration and progressive vision loss. CERKL is a resilience gene against oxidative stress, and its overexpression protects cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Besides, CERKL contributes to stress granule-formation and regulates mitochondrial dynamics in the retina. Using the CerklKD/KO albino mouse model, which recapitulates the human disease, we aimed to study the impact of Cerkl knockdown on stress response and activation of photoreceptor death mechanisms upon light/oxidative stress. After acute light injury, we assessed immediate or late retinal stress response, by combining both omic and non-omic approaches. Our results show that Cerkl knockdown increases ROS levels and causes a basal exacerbated stress state in the retina, through alterations in glutathione metabolism and stress granule production, overall compromising an adequate response to additional oxidative damage. As a consequence, several cell death mechanisms are triggered in CerklKD/KO retinas after acute light stress. Our studies indicate that Cerkl gene is a pivotal player in regulating light-challenged retinal homeostasis and shed light on how mutations in CERKL lead to blindness by dysregulation of the basal oxidative stress response in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío García-Arroyo
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona - Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IBUB-IRSJD), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena B Domènech
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona - Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IBUB-IRSJD), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Herrera-Úbeda
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona - Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IBUB-IRSJD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel A Asensi
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Department of Physiology, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Núñez de Arenas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Departament of Molecular Biology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Cuezva
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Departament of Molecular Biology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Garcia-Fernàndez
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona - Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IBUB-IRSJD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Federico V Pallardó
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Department of Physiology, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Serena Mirra
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona - Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IBUB-IRSJD), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gemma Marfany
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona - Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IBUB-IRSJD), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Dong Y, Yan J, Xu W, Paquet-Durand F, Hu Z, Jiao K. HDAC inhibition delays photoreceptor loss in Pde6b mutant mice of retinitis pigmentosa: insights from scRNA-seq and CUT&Tag. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15659. [PMID: 37456870 PMCID: PMC10349563 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This research aimed to ascertain the neuroprotective effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition on retinal photoreceptors in Pde6brd1 mice, a model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) explored HDAC and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-related gene expression in both Pde6b-mutant rd1 and wild-type (WT) mice. The CUT&Tag method was employed to examine the functions of HDAC in rd1 mice. Organotypic retinal explant cultures from WT and rd1 mice were exposed to the HDAC inhibitor SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) postnatally, from day 5 to day 11. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was applied to quantify the percentage of photoreceptor loss in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). HDAC activity was confirmed to be inhibited by SAHA through an HDAC activity assay. Moreover, the study evaluated PARP activity, a key driver of the initial response to DNA damage during photoreceptor degeneration, following HDAC inhibition. Results The scRNA-seq revealed that diverse roles of HDAC and PARP isoforms in photoreceptor cell death. HDAC-related genes appeared to regulate cell death and primary immunodeficiency. Alterations in HDAC activity were consistent with the TUNEL-positive cells in the ONL at different time points. Notably, SAHA significantly postponed photoreceptor loss and decreased HDAC and PARP activity, thereby implicating both in the same degenerative pathway. Conclusions This study highlights that the interaction between HDAC inhibition and PARP can delay photoreceptor cell death, proposing a promising therapeutic approach for RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Dong
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wenrong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zhulin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Kangwei Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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13
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Christensen G, Chen Y, Urimi D, Zizmare L, Trautwein C, Schipper N, Paquet-Durand F. Pyruvate-conjugation of PEGylated liposomes for targeted drug delivery to retinal photoreceptors. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114717. [PMID: 37435722 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite several promising candidates, there is a paucity of drug treatments available for patients suffering from retinal diseases. An important reason for this is the lack of suitable delivery systems that can achieve sufficiently high drug uptake in the retina and its photoreceptors. A promising and versatile method for drug delivery to specific cell types involves transporter-targeted liposomes, i.e., liposomes surface-coated with substrates for transporter proteins highly expressed on the target cell. We identified strong lactate transporter (monocarboxylate transporter, MCT) expression on photoreceptors as a potential target for drug delivery vehicles. To evaluate MCT suitability for drug targeting, we used PEG-coated liposomes and conjugated these with different monocarboxylates, including lactate, pyruvate, and cysteine. Monocarboxylate-conjugated and dye-loaded liposomes were tested on both human-derived cell-lines and murine retinal explant cultures. We found that liposomes conjugated with pyruvate consistently displayed higher cell uptake than unconjugated liposomes or liposomes conjugated with lactate or cysteine. Pharmacological inhibition of MCT1 and MCT2 reduced internalization, suggesting an MCT-dependent uptake mechanism. Notably, pyruvate-conjugated liposomes loaded with the drug candidate CN04 reduced photoreceptor cell death in the murine rd1 retinal degeneration model while free drug solutions could not achieve the same therapeutic effect. Our study thus highlights pyruvate-conjugated liposomes as a promising system for drug delivery to retinal photoreceptors, as well as other neuronal cell types displaying high expression of MCT-type proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustav Christensen
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn Straße 5-7, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Yiyi Chen
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn Straße 5-7, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Dileep Urimi
- Division Bioeconomy and Health, Chemical Process and Pharmaceutical Development, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Forskargatan 18, Södertälje 15136, Sweden
| | - Laimdota Zizmare
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Röntgenweg 13, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christoph Trautwein
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Röntgenweg 13, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Nicolaas Schipper
- Division Bioeconomy and Health, Chemical Process and Pharmaceutical Development, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Forskargatan 18, Södertälje 15136, Sweden
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn Straße 5-7, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
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14
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Christensen G, Urimi D, Lorenzo-Soler L, Schipper N, Paquet-Durand F. Ocular permeability, intraocular biodistribution of lipid nanocapsule formulation intended for retinal drug delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 187:175-183. [PMID: 37088247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.04.012] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Recently, cGMP analogues have been investigated for the treatment of inherited retinal degenerations (IRD) using intravitreal injections. However, higher vitreous elimination rates limit the possibility to treat the retina with small molecule drugs. Here, we investigated the potential of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) as vehicles to reduce clearance and prolong the delivery of cGMP analogue, CN03 to the retinal photoreceptors. Initially LNCs were investigated for both topical/periocular and intravitreal administration routes. While LNC-mediated drug permeation through the cornea proved to be too low for clinical applications, intravitreal application showed significant promise. Intravitreally administered LNCs containing fluorescent tracer in ex vivo porcine eyes showed complete intravitreal dispersal within 24 h. Ocular bio-distribution on histological sections showed that around 10 % of the LNCs had reached the retina, and 40 % accumulated in the ciliary body. For comparison, we used fluorescently labeled liposomes and these showed a different intraocular distribution with 48 % accumulated in the retina, and almost none were in the ciliary body. LNCs were then tested in retinal explants prepared from wild-type (WT) and rd1 mouse. In WT retina LNCs showed no significant toxic effects up to a concentration of 5 mg/mL. In rd1 retina, the LNC/CN03 formulation protected rd1 photoreceptors with similar efficacy to that of free CN03, demonstrating the usefulness of LNC/CN03 formulation in the treatment of IRD. Overall, our results indicate the suitability of LNCs for intraocular administration and drug delivery to both the retina and the ciliary body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustav Christensen
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn Straße 5-7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dileep Urimi
- Division Bioeconomy and Health, Chemical Process and Pharmaceutical Development, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Forskargatan 18, Södertälje 151 36, Sweden; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Hofsvallagata 53, Reykjavík IS-107, Iceland
| | - Laura Lorenzo-Soler
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Hofsvallagata 53, Reykjavík IS-107, Iceland
| | - Nicolaas Schipper
- Division Bioeconomy and Health, Chemical Process and Pharmaceutical Development, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Forskargatan 18, Södertälje 151 36, Sweden
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn Straße 5-7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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15
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Völkner M, Wagner F, Kurth T, Sykes AM, Del Toro Runzer C, Ebner LJA, Kavak C, Alexaki VI, Cimalla P, Mehner M, Koch E, Karl MO. Modeling inducible neuropathologies of the retina with differential phenotypes in organoids. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1106287. [PMID: 37213216 PMCID: PMC10196395 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1106287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases remain incompletely understood and therapies are needed. Stem cell-derived organoid models facilitate fundamental and translational medicine research. However, to which extent differential neuronal and glial pathologic processes can be reproduced in current systems is still unclear. Here, we tested 16 different chemical, physical, and cell functional manipulations in mouse retina organoids to further explore this. Some of the treatments induce differential phenotypes, indicating that organoids are competent to reproduce distinct pathologic processes. Notably, mouse retina organoids even reproduce a complex pathology phenotype with combined photoreceptor neurodegeneration and glial pathologies upon combined (not single) application of HBEGF and TNF, two factors previously associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological inhibitors for MAPK signaling completely prevent photoreceptor and glial pathologies, while inhibitors for Rho/ROCK, NFkB, and CDK4 differentially affect them. In conclusion, mouse retina organoids facilitate reproduction of distinct and complex pathologies, mechanistic access, insights for further organoid optimization, and modeling of differential phenotypes for future applications in fundamental and translational medicine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Völkner
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Wagner
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform Core Facility Electron Microscopy and Histology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alex M. Sykes
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Lynn J. A. Ebner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Cagri Kavak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Vasileia Ismini Alexaki
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Cimalla
- Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirko Mehner
- Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Dresden, Germany
| | - Edmund Koch
- Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mike O. Karl
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mike O. Karl, ,
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16
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Brown EE, Scandura MJ, Pierce E. Role of Nuclear NAD + in Retinal Homeostasis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1415:235-239. [PMID: 37440039 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues and maintenance of metabolic homeostasis is critical for retinal function. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a cofactor that is required for key processes, including the electron transport chain, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and redox reactions. NAD+ also acts as a co-substrate for enzymes involved in maintaining genomic DNA integrity and cellular homeostasis, including poly-ADP ribose polymerases (PARPs) and Sirtuins. This review highlights the importance of NAD+ in the retina, including the role of enzymes involved in NAD+ production in the retina and how NAD+-consuming enzymes may play a role in disease pathology. We also suggest a cell death pathway that may be common in multiple models of photoreceptor degeneration and highlight the role that NAD+ likely plays in this process. Finally, we explore future experimental approaches to enhance our understanding of the role of NAD+ in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Brown
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Scandura
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Chen Y, Dong Y, Yan J, Wang L, Yu S, Jiao K, Paquet-Durand F. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling in Inherited Retinal Degeneration Reveals Distinct Metabolic Pathways in Rod and Cone Photoreceptors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12170. [PMID: 36293024 PMCID: PMC9603353 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms underlying hereditary photoreceptor degeneration are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to systematically map the transcriptional changes that occur in the degenerating mouse retina at the single cell level. To this end, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and retinal degeneration-1 (rd1) mice to profile the impact of the disease mutation on the diverse retinal cell types during early post-natal development. The transcriptome data allowed to annotate 43,979 individual cells grouped into 20 distinct clusters. We further characterized cluster-specific metabolic and biological changes in individual cell types. Our results highlight Ca2+-signaling as relevant to hereditary photoreceptor degeneration. Although metabolic reprogramming in retina, known as the 'Warburg effect', has been documented, further metabolic changes were noticed in rd1 mice. Such metabolic changes in rd1 mutation was likely regulated through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. By combining single-cell transcriptomes and immunofluorescence staining, our study revealed cell type-specific changes in gene expression, as well as interplay between Ca2+-induced cell death and metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Chen
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yujie Dong
- Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, 650021 Kunming, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lan Wang
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Shirley Yu
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kangwei Jiao
- Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, 650021 Kunming, China
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Martínez-Gil N, Maneu V, Kutsyr O, Fernández-Sánchez L, Sánchez-Sáez X, Sánchez-Castillo C, Campello L, Lax P, Pinilla I, Cuenca N. Cellular and molecular alterations in neurons and glial cells in inherited retinal degeneration. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:984052. [PMID: 36225228 PMCID: PMC9548552 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.984052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple gene mutations have been associated with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Despite the spectrum of phenotypes caused by the distinct mutations, IRDs display common physiopathology features. Cell death is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vertebrate retina has several attributes that make this tissue vulnerable to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance. The high energy demands and active metabolism in retinal cells, as well as their continuous exposure to high oxygen levels and light-induced stress, reveal the importance of tightly regulated homeostatic processes to maintain retinal function, which are compromised in pathological conditions. In addition, the subsequent microglial activation and gliosis, which triggers the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, trophic factors, and other molecules, further worsen the degenerative process. As the disease evolves, retinal cells change their morphology and function. In disease stages where photoreceptors are lost, the remaining neurons of the retina to preserve their function seek out for new synaptic partners, which leads to a cascade of morphological alterations in retinal cells that results in a complete remodeling of the tissue. In this review, we describe important molecular and morphological changes in retinal cells that occur in response to oxidative stress and the inflammatory processes underlying IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carla Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Aragón Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Surgery, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Isabel Pinilla,
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- *Correspondence: Nicolás Cuenca,
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19
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Guo Y, Gan D, Hu F, Cheng Y, Yu J, Lei B, Shu Q, Gu R, Xu G. Intravitreal injection of mitochondrial DNA induces cell damage and retinal dysfunction in rats. Biol Res 2022; 55:22. [PMID: 35659309 PMCID: PMC9164539 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-022-00390-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Retinal neurodegeneration is induced by a variety of environmental insults and stresses, but the exact mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, we explored the involvement of cytosolic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), resulting in the cGAS-STING dependent inflammatory response and apoptosis in retinal damage in vivo. Methods Retinal injury was induced with white light or intravitreal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After light- or LPS-induced injury, the amount of cytosolic mtDNA in the retina was detected by PCR. The mtDNA was isolated and used to transfect retinas in vivo. WB and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the activation of cGAS-STING pathway and the levels of apoptosis-associated protein at different times after mtDNA injection. Retinal cell apoptosis rate was detected by TUNEL staining. Full-field electroretinography (ERG) was used to assess the retinal function. Results Light injury and the intravitreal injection of LPS both caused the leakage of mtDNA into the cytoplasm in retinal tissue. After the transfection of mtDNA in vivo, the levels of cGAS, STING, and IFN-β mRNAs and the protein levels of STING, phosph-TBK1, phospho-IRF3, and IFN-β were upregulated. mtDNA injection also induced the activation of caspase 3 and caspase 9. BAX and BAK were increased at both the mRNA and protein levels. The release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol was increased after mtDNA injection. The wave amplitudes on ERG decreased and retinal cell apoptosis was detected after mtDNA injection. Conclusions Cytosolic mtDNA triggers an inflammatory response. It also promotes apoptosis and the dysfunction of the retina. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40659-022-00390-6.
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Pinilla I, Maneu V, Campello L, Fernández-Sánchez L, Martínez-Gil N, Kutsyr O, Sánchez-Sáez X, Sánchez-Castillo C, Lax P, Cuenca N. Inherited Retinal Dystrophies: Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Their Physiopathology and Therapeutic Implications. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061086. [PMID: 35739983 PMCID: PMC9219848 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a large group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration of the retina, ultimately leading to loss of visual function. Oxidative stress and inflammation play fundamental roles in the physiopathology of these diseases. Photoreceptor cell death induces an inflammatory state in the retina. The activation of several molecular pathways triggers different cellular responses to injury, including the activation of microglia to eliminate debris and recruit inflammatory cells from circulation. Therapeutical options for IRDs are currently limited, although a small number of patients have been successfully treated by gene therapy. Many other therapeutic strategies are being pursued to mitigate the deleterious effects of IRDs associated with oxidative metabolism and/or inflammation, including inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ accumulation and inflammatory responses, and blocking autophagy. Several compounds are being tested in clinical trials, generating great expectations for their implementation. The present review discusses the main death mechanisms that occur in IRDs and the latest therapies that are under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Pinilla
- Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa, University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Surgery, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain;
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (P.L.); (N.C.)
- Correspondence: (I.P.); (V.M.)
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
| | - Laura Fernández-Sánchez
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
| | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
| | - Carla Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
| | - Pedro Lax
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (P.L.); (N.C.)
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain; (P.L.); (N.C.)
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (L.C.); (N.M.-G.); (O.K.); (X.S.-S.); (C.S.-C.)
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21
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Hussey KA, Hadyniak SE, Johnston RJ. Patterning and Development of Photoreceptors in the Human Retina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:878350. [PMID: 35493094 PMCID: PMC9049932 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.878350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans rely on visual cues to navigate the world around them. Vision begins with the detection of light by photoreceptor cells in the retina, a light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. Photoreceptor types are defined by morphology, gene expression, light sensitivity, and function. Rod photoreceptors function in low-light vision and motion detection, and cone photoreceptors are responsible for high-acuity daytime and trichromatic color vision. In this review, we discuss the generation, development, and patterning of photoreceptors in the human retina. We describe our current understanding of how photoreceptors are patterned in concentric regions. We conclude with insights into mechanisms of photoreceptor differentiation drawn from studies of model organisms and human retinal organoids.
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22
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Roy A, Tolone A, Hilhorst R, Groten J, Tomar T, Paquet-Durand F. Kinase activity profiling identifies putative downstream targets of cGMP/PKG signaling in inherited retinal neurodegeneration. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:93. [PMID: 35241647 PMCID: PMC8894370 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00897-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that lead to photoreceptor cell death and eventually blindness. IRDs are characterised by a high genetic heterogeneity, making it imperative to design mutation-independent therapies. Mutations in a number of IRD disease genes have been associated with a rise of cyclic 3’,5’-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in photoreceptors. Accordingly, the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) has emerged as a new potential target for the mutation-independent treatment of IRDs. However, the substrates of PKG and the downstream degenerative pathways triggered by its activity have yet to be determined. Here, we performed kinome activity profiling of different murine organotypic retinal explant cultures (diseased rd1 and wild-type controls) using multiplex peptide microarrays to identify proteins whose phosphorylation was significantly altered by PKG activity. In addition, we tested the downstream effect of a known PKG inhibitor CN03 in these organotypic retina cultures. Among the PKG substrates were potassium channels belonging to the Kv1 family (KCNA3, KCNA6), cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1), DNA topoisomerase 2-α (TOP2A), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (F263), and the glutamate ionotropic receptor kainate 2 (GRIK2). The retinal expression of these PKG targets was further confirmed by immunofluorescence and could be assigned to various neuronal cell types, including photoreceptors, horizontal cells, and ganglion cells. Taken together, this study confirmed the key role of PKG in photoreceptor cell death and identified new downstream targets of cGMP/PKG signalling that will improve the understanding of the degenerative mechanisms underlying IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Roy
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, 96708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,PamGene International B.V, 5200 BJ, s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Arianna Tolone
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, 72072, Germany
| | - Riet Hilhorst
- PamGene International B.V, 5200 BJ, s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - John Groten
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, 96708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,PamGene International B.V, 5200 BJ, s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Tushar Tomar
- PamGene International B.V, 5200 BJ, s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, 72072, Germany.
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Harkin K, Augustine J, Stitt AW, Xu H, Chen M. Wedelolactone Attenuates N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-Induced Retinal Neurodegeneration through Suppression of the AIM2/CASP11 Pathway. Biomedicines 2022; 10:311. [PMID: 35203520 PMCID: PMC8869516 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) is widely used to model oxidative stress and inflammation mediated retinal neurodegeneration. Wedelolactone (WD) is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective roles. This study tested the therapeutic potential of WD in NMU-induced retinal neurodegeneration and investigated the underlying mechanisms in mice. NMU (40 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into C57BL/6J mice with/without an intravitreal injection of WD (1 μL/eye, 200 μM). Seven days later, retinal function and structure were evaluated by electroretinography (ERG) and Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). The expression of inflammasome components (Aim2, Caspase 1/11, and Il1b/Il18) in the total retina lysate was evaluated by RT-qPCR. In vitro, 661W photoreceptor cells were transfected with synthetic double-strand DNA (Poly(dA:dT)) with/without WD pre-incubation. The aim2-related inflammasome expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR and immunocytochemistry. The production of IL18 was measured by ELISA. NMU treatment significantly impaired A- and B-wave response (ERG) and reduced neuroretina thickness (OCT). This was significantly attenuated upon intravitreal injection of WD. The expression of Aim2, ACasp1, and Casp11 was increased in the retina from NMU-treated mice, and this was prevented by WD treatment. Transfection of Poly(dA:dT) upregulated Aim2, Casp11, and Il18 expression in 661W cells. WD prevented their upregulation and reduced IL18 production. Aim2 inflammasome activation is critically involved in NMU-induced retinal neurodegeneration and WD can protect the retina particularly through the suppression of this inflammasome-linked pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mei Chen
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (K.H.); (J.A.); (A.W.S.); (H.X.)
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24
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Brunet AA, Harvey AR, Carvalho LS. Primary and Secondary Cone Cell Death Mechanisms in Inherited Retinal Diseases and Potential Treatment Options. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020726. [PMID: 35054919 PMCID: PMC8775779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a leading cause of blindness. To date, 260 disease-causing genes have been identified, but there is currently a lack of available and effective treatment options. Cone photoreceptors are responsible for daylight vision but are highly susceptible to disease progression, the loss of cone-mediated vision having the highest impact on the quality of life of IRD patients. Cone degeneration can occur either directly via mutations in cone-specific genes (primary cone death), or indirectly via the primary degeneration of rods followed by subsequent degeneration of cones (secondary cone death). How cones degenerate as a result of pathological mutations remains unclear, hindering the development of effective therapies for IRDs. This review aims to highlight similarities and differences between primary and secondary cone cell death in inherited retinal diseases in order to better define cone death mechanisms and further identify potential treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Brunet
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Lions Eye Institute Ltd., 2 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-423-359-714
| | - Alan R. Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Livia S. Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Lions Eye Institute Ltd., 2 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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25
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Adamus G. Importance of Autoimmune Responses in Progression of Retinal Degeneration Initiated by Gene Mutations. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:672444. [PMID: 34926479 PMCID: PMC8674421 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.672444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous rare disorders associated with retinal dysfunction and death of retinal photoreceptor cells, leading to blindness. Among the most frequent and severe forms of those retinopathies is retinitis pigmentosa (RP) that affects 1:4,000 individuals worldwide. The genes that have been implicated in RP are associated with the proteins present in photoreceptor cells or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Asymmetric presentation or sudden progression in retinal disease suggests that a gene mutation alone might not be responsible for retinal degeneration. Immune responses could directly target the retina or be site effect of immunity as a bystander deterioration. Autoantibodies against retinal autoantigens have been found in RP, which led to a hypothesis that autoimmunity could be responsible for the progression of photoreceptor cell death initiated by a genetic mutation. The other contributory factor to retinal degeneration is inflammation that activates the innate immune mechanisms, such as complement. If autoimmune responses contribute to the progression of retinopathy, this could have an implication on treatment, such as gene replacement therapy. In this review, we provide a perspective on the current role of autoimmunity/immunity in RP pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Adamus
- Ocular Immunology Laboratory, Casey Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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26
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Lin B, Youdim MBH. The protective, rescue and therapeutic potential of multi-target iron-chelators for retinitis pigmentosa. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 174:1-11. [PMID: 34324978 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited diseases in which mutations result in the initial loss of night vision, followed by complete blindness. There is currently no effective therapeutic option for RP patients. Given the extremely heterogeneous nature of RP, any causative gene-specific therapy would be practical in a small fraction of patients with RP. Non-gene-specific therapeutics that is applicable to the majority of RP patients regardless of causative mutations may have an enormous impact on RP treatment. Several theories including apoptosis, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have been proposed as possible underlying mechanisms for photoreceptor death in RP. We have designed and synthesized a series of iron-chelating compounds that possess diverse pharmacological properties and can act in a non-gene-specific manner on multiple pathological features ascribed to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and RP. In this review, we discuss the multiple effects of several brain-permeable multi target iron-chelating compounds on photoreceptor degeneration in a mouse model of human RP. Specifically, we focus on the anti-apototic, neuroprotective and neurorescue effects of the compound VK28, M30 and VAR10303 on the histologic and functional preservation of photoreceptors in a mouse model of RP. We consider such drugs as potential therapeutic agents for RP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lin
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Moussa B H Youdim
- Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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Yan J, Chen Y, Zhu Y, Paquet-Durand F. Programmed Non-Apoptotic Cell Death in Hereditary Retinal Degeneration: Crosstalk between cGMP-Dependent Pathways and PARthanatos? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10567. [PMID: 34638907 PMCID: PMC8508647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a highly regulated process that results in the orderly destruction of a cell. Many different forms of PCD may be distinguished, including apoptosis, PARthanatos, and cGMP-dependent cell death. Misregulation of PCD mechanisms may be the underlying cause of neurodegenerative diseases of the retina, including hereditary retinal degeneration (RD). RD relates to a group of diseases that affect photoreceptors and that are triggered by gene mutations that are often well known nowadays. Nevertheless, the cellular mechanisms of PCD triggered by disease-causing mutations are still poorly understood, and RD is mostly still untreatable. While investigations into the neurodegenerative mechanisms of RD have focused on apoptosis in the past two decades, recent evidence suggests a predominance of non-apoptotic processes as causative mechanisms. Research into these mechanisms carries the hope that the knowledge created can eventually be used to design targeted treatments to prevent photoreceptor loss. Hence, in this review, we summarize studies on PCD in RD, including on apoptosis, PARthanatos, and cGMP-dependent cell death. Then, we focus on a possible interplay between these mechanisms, covering cGMP-signaling targets, overactivation of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), energy depletion, Ca2+-permeable channels, and Ca2+-dependent proteases. Finally, an outlook is given into how specific features of cGMP-signaling and PARthanatos may be targeted by therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - François Paquet-Durand
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (J.Y.); (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
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Sahu B, Leon LM, Zhang W, Puranik N, Periasamy R, Khanna H, Volkert M. Oxidative Stress Resistance 1 Gene Therapy Retards Neurodegeneration in the rd1 Mutant Mouse Model of Retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:8. [PMID: 34505865 PMCID: PMC8434758 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.12.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Oxidative stress is a major factor underlying many neurodegenerative diseases. However, antioxidant therapy has had mixed results, possibly because of its indiscriminate activity. The purpose of our study was to determine if the human OXR1 (hOXR1) antioxidant regulatory gene could protect neurons from oxidative stress and delay photoreceptor cell death. Methods The cone-like 661W cell line was transfected to stably express the hOXR1 gene. Oxidative stress was induced by the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase cleavage, and cellular resistance to oxidative stress were determined and compared between the control and hOXR1 cells. For in vivo analysis, AAV8-hOXR1 was injected subretinally into the rd1 mouse model of retinal degeneration. Functional and structural integrity of the photoreceptors were assessed using electroretinography (ERG), histology, and immunofluorescence analysis. Results Expression of hOXR1 increased cellular resistance and reduced ROS levels and caspase cleavage in the 661W cell line after H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Subretinal injection of AAV8-hOXR1 in the rd1 mice improved their photoreceptor light response, expression and localization of photoreceptor-specific proteins, and delayed retinal degeneration. Conclusions Our results suggest that OXR1 is a potential therapy candidate for retinal degeneration. Because OXR1 targets oxidative stress, a common feature of many retinal degenerative diseases, it should be of therapeutic value to multiple retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhubanananda Sahu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Laura Moreno Leon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Nikita Puranik
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Ramesh Periasamy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hemant Khanna
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Michael Volkert
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
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Lv Z, Xiao L, Tang Y, Chen Y, Chen D. Rb deficiency induces p21cip1 expression and delays retinal degeneration in rd1 mice. Exp Eye Res 2021; 210:108701. [PMID: 34252413 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108701] [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: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a major cause of inherited blindness, and there is presently no cure for RP. Rd1 mouse is the most commonly used RP animal model. Re-expression of cell cycle proteins in post-mitotic neurons is considered an important mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases, including RP. The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (Rb) is a major regulator of cell cycle progression, yet its role in rd1 mouse retina and related signaling pathways have never been analyzed. By crossing α-Cre, Rbf/f mice with rd1 mice, p21cip1-/- mice, Cdk1f/f mice and Cdk2f/f mice, we established multiple rd1 mouse models with deletions of Rb gene, Cdkn1a (p21cip1) gene, Cdk1 and Cdk2 gene in the retina. Cdk inhibitor CR8 was injected into the vitreous of rd1 mouse to investigate its effects on photoreceptor survival. Rb gene knockout (KO) induces cell death in excitatory retinal neurons (rods, rod bipolar and ganglions) and ectopic proliferation of retinal cells; but it paradoxically delays the rod death of rd1 mice, which is primarily mediated by the Cdk inhibitor Cdkn1a (p21cip1). Interestingly, p21cip1 protects the ectopic dividing rd1 rod cells by inhibiting Cdk1 and Cdk2. However, inhibiting Cdk1 and Cdk2 in rd1 mice with non-dividing rods only has limited and transient protective effects. Our data suggest that there is no ectopic division of rd1 rod cells, and RbKO induces ectopic division but delays the death of rd1 rod cells. This reveals the important protective role of Rb-p21cip1-Cdk axis in rd1 rod cells. P21cip1 is a potential target for future therapy of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongping Lv
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; The Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lirong Xiao
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yunjing Tang
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; The Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongjiang Chen
- The School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Danian Chen
- The Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; The Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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30
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Zhang L, Chen C, Fu J, Lilley B, Berlinicke C, Hansen B, Ding D, Wang G, Wang T, Shou D, Ye Y, Mulligan T, Emmerich K, Saxena MT, Hall KR, Sharrock AV, Brandon C, Park H, Kam TI, Dawson VL, Dawson TM, Shim JS, Hanes J, Ji H, Liu JO, Qian J, Ackerley DF, Rohrer B, Zack DJ, Mumm JS. Large-scale phenotypic drug screen identifies neuroprotectants in zebrafish and mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa. eLife 2021; 10:e57245. [PMID: 34184634 PMCID: PMC8425951 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and associated inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are caused by rod photoreceptor degeneration, necessitating therapeutics promoting rod photoreceptor survival. To address this, we tested compounds for neuroprotective effects in multiple zebrafish and mouse RP models, reasoning drugs effective across species and/or independent of disease mutation may translate better clinically. We first performed a large-scale phenotypic drug screen for compounds promoting rod cell survival in a larval zebrafish model of inducible RP. We tested 2934 compounds, mostly human-approved drugs, across six concentrations, resulting in 113 compounds being identified as hits. Secondary tests of 42 high-priority hits confirmed eleven lead candidates. Leads were then evaluated in a series of mouse RP models in an effort to identify compounds effective across species and RP models, that is, potential pan-disease therapeutics. Nine of 11 leads exhibited neuroprotective effects in mouse primary photoreceptor cultures, and three promoted photoreceptor survival in mouse rd1 retinal explants. Both shared and complementary mechanisms of action were implicated across leads. Shared target tests implicated parp1-dependent cell death in our zebrafish RP model. Complementation tests revealed enhanced and additive/synergistic neuroprotective effects of paired drug combinations in mouse photoreceptor cultures and zebrafish, respectively. These results highlight the value of cross-species/multi-model phenotypic drug discovery and suggest combinatorial drug therapies may provide enhanced therapeutic benefits for RP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Conan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jie Fu
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brendan Lilley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Cynthia Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Baranda Hansen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ding Ding
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Guohua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Tao Wang
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- School of Chemistry, Xuzhou College of Industrial TechnologyXuzhouChina
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Daniel Shou
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ying Ye
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Timothy Mulligan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Kevin Emmerich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Meera T Saxena
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Kelsi R Hall
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Abigail V Sharrock
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Carlene Brandon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Hyejin Park
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Tae-In Kam
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Joong Sup Shim
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, TaipaMacauChina
| | - Justin Hanes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jun O Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - David F Ackerley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of WellingtonWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Baerbel Rohrer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South CarolinaCharlestonUnited States
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jeff S Mumm
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
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Tennakoon M, Senarath K, Kankanamge D, Ratnayake K, Wijayaratna D, Olupothage K, Ubeysinghe S, Martins-Cannavino K, Hébert TE, Karunarathne A. Subtype-dependent regulation of Gβγ signalling. Cell Signal 2021; 82:109947. [PMID: 33582184 PMCID: PMC8026654 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit information to the cell interior by transducing external signals to heterotrimeric G protein subunits, Gα and Gβγ subunits, localized on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Though the initial focus was mainly on Gα-mediated events, Gβγ subunits were later identified as major contributors to GPCR-G protein signalling. A broad functional array of Gβγ signalling has recently been attributed to Gβ and Gγ subtype diversity, comprising 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ subtypes, respectively. In addition to displaying selectivity towards each other to form the Gβγ dimer, numerous studies have identified preferences of distinct Gβγ combinations for specific GPCRs, Gα subtypes and effector molecules. Importantly, Gβ and Gγ subtype-dependent regulation of downstream effectors, representing a diverse range of signalling pathways and physiological functions have been found. Here, we review the literature on the repercussions of Gβ and Gγ subtype diversity on direct and indirect regulation of GPCR/G protein signalling events and their physiological outcomes. Our discussion additionally provides perspective in understanding the intricacies underlying molecular regulation of subtype-specific roles of Gβγ signalling and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mithila Tennakoon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Kanishka Senarath
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Dinesh Kankanamge
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Kasun Ratnayake
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dhanushan Wijayaratna
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Koshala Olupothage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Sithurandi Ubeysinghe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | | | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Ajith Karunarathne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
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32
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Völkner M, Kurth T, Schor J, Ebner LJA, Bardtke L, Kavak C, Hackermüller J, Karl MO. Mouse Retinal Organoid Growth and Maintenance in Longer-Term Culture. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:645704. [PMID: 33996806 PMCID: PMC8114082 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.645704] [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: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Using retinal organoid systems, organ-like 3D tissues, relies implicitly on their robustness. However, essential key parameters, particularly retinal growth and longer-term culture, are still insufficiently defined. Here, we hypothesize that a previously optimized protocol for high yield of evenly-sized mouse retinal organoids with low variability facilitates assessment of such parameters. We demonstrate that these organoids reliably complete retinogenesis, and can be maintained at least up to 60 days in culture. During this time, the organoids continue to mature on a molecular and (ultra)structural level: They develop photoreceptor outer segments and synapses, transiently maintain its cell composition for about 5-10 days after completing retinogenesis, and subsequently develop pathologic changes - mainly of the inner but also outer retina and reactive gliosis. To test whether this organoid system provides experimental access to the retina during and upon completion of development, we defined and stimulated organoid growth by activating sonic hedgehog signaling, which in patients and mice in vivo with a congenital defect leads to enlarged eyes. Here, a sonic hedgehog signaling activator increased retinal epithelia length in the organoid system when applied during but not after completion of development. This experimentally supports organoid maturation, stability, and experimental reproducibility in this organoid system, and provides a potential enlarged retina pathology model, as well as a protocol for producing larger organoids. Together, our study advances the understanding of retinal growth, maturation, and maintenance, and further optimizes the organoid system for future utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Völkner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technology Platform, Electron Microscopy and Histology Facility, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jana Schor
- Young Investigators Group Bioinformatics and Transcriptomics, Department Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lynn J A Ebner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lara Bardtke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cagri Kavak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Hackermüller
- Young Investigators Group Bioinformatics and Transcriptomics, Department Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mike O Karl
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Co-delivery of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) from PLGA microspheres: potential combination therapy for retinal diseases. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:566-580. [PMID: 33641047 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-00930-9] [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] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetically diverse inherited disorders characterised by the progressive photoreceptors and pigment epithelial cell dysfunction leading to central vision impairment. Although important advances in the understanding of the pathophysiologic pathways involved in RP have been made, drug delivery for the treatment of ocular disorders affecting the posterior segment of the eye is still an unmet clinical need. In the present study, we describe the development of multi-loaded PLGA-microspheres (MSs) incorporating two neuroprotectants agents (glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor-GDNF and Tauroursodeoxycholic acid-TUDCA) as a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of RP. A solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion solvent extraction-evaporation technique was employed for MS preparation. A combination of PLGA and vitamin E was used to create the microcarriers. The morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release profile of the MSs were studied. Encapsulation efficiencies of GDNF and TUDCA for the initial multiloaded MSs, prepared with methylene chloride (MC) as organic solvent and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution in the external phase, were 28.53±0.36% and 45.65±8.01% respectively. Different technological parameters to optimise the formulation such as the incorporation of a water-soluble co-solvent ethanol (EtOH) in the internal organic phase, as well as NaCl concentration, and viscosity using a viscosizing agent (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-HPMC) in the external aqueous phase were considered. EtOH incorporation and external phase viscosity of the emulsion were critical attributes for improving drug loading of both compounds. In such a way, when using a methylene chloride/EtOH ratio 75:25 into the inner organic phase and the viscosity agent HPMC (1% w/v) in the external aqueous phase, GDNF and TUDCA payloads resulted 48.86±1.49% and 78.58±10.40% respectively, and a decrease in the initial release of GDNF was observed (22.03±1.41% compared with 40.86±6.66% of the initial multi-loaded formulation). These optimised microparticles exhibited sustained in vitro releases over 91 days. These results suggest that the microencapsulation procedure optimised in this work presents a promising technological strategy for the development of multi-loaded intraocular drug delivery systems (IODDS).
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Murenu E, Kostidis S, Lahiri S, Geserich AS, Imhof A, Giera M, Michalakis S. Metabolic Analysis of Vitreous/Lens and Retina in Wild Type and Retinal Degeneration Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052345. [PMID: 33652907 PMCID: PMC7956175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052345] [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: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors are the light-sensing cells of the retina and the major cell type affected in most inherited retinal degenerations. Different metabolic pathways sustain their high energetic demand in physiological conditions, particularly aerobic glycolysis. The principal metabolome of the mature retina has been studied, but only limited information is available on metabolic adaptations in response to key developmental events, such as eye opening. Moreover, dynamic metabolic changes due to retinal degeneration are not well understood. Here, we aimed to explore and map the ocular metabolic dynamics induced by eye opening in healthy (wild type) or Pde6b-mutant (retinal degeneration 1, Rd1) mice, in which photoreceptors degenerate shortly after eye opening. To unravel metabolic differences emerging before and after eye opening under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolome analysis of wild type and Rd1 retina and vitreous/lens. We show that eye opening is accompanied by changes in the concentration of selected metabolites in the retina and by alterations in the vitreous/lens composition only in the retinal degeneration context. As such, we identify NAcetylaspartate as a potential novel vitreous/lens marker reflecting progressive retinal degeneration. Thus, our data can help elucidating mechanisms underlying key events in retinal physiology and reveal changes occurring in pathology, while highlighting the importance of the vitreous/lens in the characterization of retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Murenu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Mathildenstraße 8, 80336 Munich, Germany;
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Butenandtstr. 7, 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Sarantos Kostidis
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Shibojyoti Lahiri
- Biomedical Center Munich-Molecular Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Strasse 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (S.L.); (A.I.)
| | - Anna S. Geserich
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Butenandtstr. 7, 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Axel Imhof
- Biomedical Center Munich-Molecular Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Strasse 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (S.L.); (A.I.)
| | - Martin Giera
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Mathildenstraße 8, 80336 Munich, Germany;
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Butenandtstr. 7, 81377 Munich, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-2180-77325
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Forouzanfar F, Shojapour M, Aghili ZS, Asgharzade S. Growth Factors as Tools in Photoreceptor Cell Regeneration and Vision Recovery. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:573-581. [PMID: 31755378 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666191121103831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Photoreceptor loss is a major cause of blindness around the world. Stem cell therapy offers a new strategy in retina degenerative disease. Retinal progenitors can be derived from embryonic stem cells (ESC) in vitro, but cannot be processed to a mature state. In addition, the adult recipient retina presents a very different environment than the photoreceptor precursor donor. It seems that modulation of the recipient environment by ectopic development regulated growth factors for transplanted cells could generate efficient putative photoreceptors. The purpose of this review article was to investigate the signaling pathway of growth factors including: insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), fibroblast growth factors (FGF), Nerve growth factor (NGF), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Taurin and Retinoic acid (RA) involved in the differentiation of neuroretina cell, like; photoreceptor and retinal progenitor cells. Given the results available in the related literature, the differentiation efficacy of ESCs toward the photoreceptor and retinal neurons and the important role of growth factors in activating signaling pathways such as Akt, Ras/Raf1/ and ERKs also inhibit the ASK1/JNK apoptosis pathway. Manipulating differentiated culture, growth factors can influence photoreceptor transplantation efficiency in retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mana Shojapour
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Aghili
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Samira Asgharzade
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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36
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Türksever C, López Torres LT, Valmaggia C, Todorova MG. Retinal Oxygenation in Inherited Diseases of the Retina. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020272. [PMID: 33672973 PMCID: PMC7918478 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between retinal metabolic alterations (retinal vessel oximetry, RO) and structural findings (retinal vessel diameter, central retinal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, RNFL) in patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). (2) Methods: A total of 181 eyes of 92 subjects were examined: 121 eyes of 62 patients with IRDs were compared to 60 eyes of 30 healthy age-matched controls. The retinal vessel oximetry was performed with the oxygen saturation measurement tool of the Retinal Vessel Analyser (RVA; IMEDOS Systems UG, Jena, Germany). The oxygen saturation in all four major peripapillary retinal arterioles (A-SO2; %) and venules (V-SO2; %) were measured and their difference (A-V SO2; %) was calculated. Additionally, retinal vessel diameters of the corresponding arterioles (D-A; µm) and venules (D-V; µm) were determined. The peripapillary central retinal thickness and the RNFL thickness were measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA). Moreover, we calculated the mean central retinal oxygen exposure (cO2-E; %/µm) and the mean peripapillary oxygen exposure (pO2-E; %/µm) per micron of central retinal thickness and nerve fiber layer thickness by dividing the mean central retinal thickness (CRT) and the RNFL thickness with the mean A-V SO2. (3) Results: Rod-cone dystrophy patients had the highest V-SO2 and A-SO2, the lowest A-V SO2, the narrowest D-A and D-V and the thickest RNFL, when compared not only to controls (p ≤ 0.040), but also to patients with other IRDs. Furthermore, in rod-cone dystrophies the cO2-E and the pO2-E were higher in comparison to controls and to patients with other IRDs (p ≤ 0.005). Cone-rod dystrophy patients had the lowest cO2-E compared to controls and patients with other IRDs (p ≤ 0.035). Evaluated in central zones, the cO2-E was significantly different when comparing cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) against rod-cone dystrophy (RCD) patients in all zones (p < 0.001), whereas compared with controls and patients with inherited macular dystrophy this was observed only in zones 1 and 2 (p ≤ 0.018). The oxygen exposure was also the highest in the RCD group for both the nasal and the temporal peripapillary area, among all the evaluated groups (p ≤ 0.025). (4) Conclusions: The presented metabolic-structural approach enhances our understanding of inherited photoreceptor degenerations. Clearly demonstrated through the O2-E comparisons, the central and the peripapillary retina in rod-cone dystrophy eyes consume less oxygen than the control-eyes and eyes with other IRDs. Rod-cone dystrophy eyes seem to be proportionally more exposed to oxygen, the later presumably leading to more pronounced oxidative damage-related remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisette T. López Torres
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (L.T.L.T.); (C.V.)
| | - Christophe Valmaggia
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (L.T.L.T.); (C.V.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Margarita G. Todorova
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (L.T.L.T.); (C.V.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cantonal Hospital, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-71-494-97-67
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Charish J, Shabanzadeh AP, Chen D, Mehlen P, Sethuramanujam S, Harada H, Bonilha VL, Awatramani G, Bremner R, Monnier PP. Neogenin neutralization prevents photoreceptor loss in inherited retinal degeneration. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:2054-2068. [PMID: 32175920 DOI: 10.1172/jci125898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are characterized by the progressive loss of photoreceptors and represent one of the most prevalent causes of blindness among working-age populations. Cyclic nucleotide dysregulation is a common pathological feature linked to numerous forms of IRD, yet the precise mechanisms through which this contributes to photoreceptor death remain elusive. Here we demonstrate that cAMP induced upregulation of the dependence receptor neogenin in the retina. Neogenin levels were also elevated in both human and murine degenerating photoreceptors. We found that overexpressing neogenin in mouse photoreceptors was sufficient to induce cell death, whereas silencing neogenin in degenerating murine photoreceptors promoted survival, thus identifying a pro-death signal in IRDs. A possible treatment strategy is modeled whereby peptide neutralization of neogenin in Rd1, Rd10, and Rho P23H-knockin mice promotes rod and cone survival and rescues visual function as measured by light-evoked retinal ganglion cell recordings, scotopic/photopic electroretinogram recordings, and visual acuity tests. These results expose neogenin as a critical link between cAMP and photoreceptor death, and identify a druggable target for the treatment of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Charish
- Vision Division, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and
| | - Alireza P Shabanzadeh
- Vision Division, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danian Chen
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and.,Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Patrick Mehlen
- Apoptosis, Cancer and Development Laboratory, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Hidekiyo Harada
- Vision Division, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vera L Bonilha
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Gautam Awatramani
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rod Bremner
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philippe P Monnier
- Vision Division, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Mukherjee A, Katiyar R, Dembla E, Dembla M, Kumar P, Belkacemi A, Jung M, Beck A, Flockerzi V, Schwarz K, Schmitz F. Disturbed Presynaptic Ca 2+ Signaling in Photoreceptors in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis. iScience 2020; 23:101830. [PMID: 33305185 PMCID: PMC7711289 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101830] [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: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease caused by an auto-reactive immune system. Recent studies also demonstrated synapse dysfunctions in MS patients and MS mouse models. We previously observed decreased synaptic vesicle exocytosis in photoreceptor synapses in the EAE mouse model of MS at an early, preclinical stage. In the present study, we analyzed whether synaptic defects are associated with altered presynaptic Ca2+ signaling. Using high-resolution immunolabeling, we found a reduced signal intensity of Cav-channels and RIM2 at active zones in early, preclinical EAE. In line with these morphological alterations, depolarization-evoked increases of presynaptic Ca2+ were significantly smaller. In contrast, basal presynaptic Ca2+ was elevated. We observed a decreased expression of Na+/K+-ATPase and plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase 2 (PMCA2), but not PMCA1, in photoreceptor terminals of EAE mice that could contribute to elevated basal Ca2+. Thus, complex Ca2+ signaling alterations contribute to synaptic dysfunctions in photoreceptors in early EAE. Less Cav-channels and RIM2 at the active zones of EAE photoreceptor synapses Decreased depolarization-evoked Ca2+-responses in EAE photoreceptor synapses Elevated basal, resting Ca2+ levels in preclinical EAE photoreceptor terminals Decreased expression of PMCA2 and Na+/K+-ATPase in EAE photoreceptor synapses
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Mukherjee
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Rashmi Katiyar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Ekta Dembla
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Mayur Dembla
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Anouar Belkacemi
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Martin Jung
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Beck
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Veit Flockerzi
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Karin Schwarz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Saarland University, Medical School, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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Potic J, Mbefo M, Berger A, Nicolas M, Wanner D, Kostic C, Matet A, Behar-Cohen F, Moulin A, Arsenijevic Y. An in vitro Model of Human Retinal Detachment Reveals Successive Death Pathway Activations. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:571293. [PMID: 33324144 PMCID: PMC7726250 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.571293] [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: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose was to create an in vitro model of human retinal detachment (RD) to study the mechanisms of photoreceptor death. Methods Human retinas were obtained through eye globe donations for research purposes and cultivated as explants. Cell death was investigated in retinas with (control) and without retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells to mimic RD. Tissues were studied at different time points and immunohistological analyses for TUNEL, Cleaved caspase3, AIF, CDK4 and the epigenetic mark H3K27me3 were performed. Human and monkey eye globes with retinal detachment served as controls. Results The number of TUNEL-positive cells, compared between 1 and 7 days, increased with time in both retinas with RPE (from 1.2 ± 0.46 to 8 ± 0.89, n = 4) and without RPE (from 2.6 ± 0.73 to 16.3 ± 1.27, p < 0.014). In the group without RPE, cell death peaked at day 3 (p = 0.014) and was high until day 7. Almost no Cleaved-Caspase3 signal was observed, whereas a transient augmentation at day 3 of AIF-positive cells was observed to be about 10-fold in comparison to the control group (n = 2). Few CDK4-positive cells were found in both groups, but significantly more in the RD group at day 7 (1.8 ± 0.24 vs. 4.7 ± 0.58, p = 0.014). The H3K27me3 mark increased by 7-fold after 5 days in the RD group (p = 0.014) and slightly decreased at day 7 and was also observed to be markedly increased in human and monkey detached retina samples. Conclusion AIF expression coincides with the first peak of cell death, whereas the H3K27me3 mark increases during the cell death plateau, suggesting that photoreceptor death is induced by different successive pathways after RD. This in vitro model should permit the identification of neuroprotective drugs with clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Potic
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Clinic for Eye Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Martial Mbefo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Adeline Berger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Nicolas
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dana Wanner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Kostic
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Matet
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, Institut Curie, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland.,INSERM U 1138, Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, Université Paris Descartes, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Moulin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
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40
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Carrella S, Indrieri A, Franco B, Banfi S. Mutation-Independent Therapies for Retinal Diseases: Focus on Gene-Based Approaches. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:588234. [PMID: 33071752 PMCID: PMC7541846 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.588234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is proving to be an effective approach to treat or prevent ocular diseases ensuring a targeted, stable, and regulated introduction of exogenous genetic material with therapeutic action. Retinal diseases can be broadly categorized into two groups, namely monogenic and complex (multifactorial) forms. The high genetic heterogeneity of monogenic forms represents a significant limitation to the application of gene-specific therapeutic strategies for a significant fraction of patients. Therefore, mutation-independent therapeutic strategies, acting on common pathways that underly retinal damage, are gaining interest as complementary/alternative approaches for retinal diseases. This review will provide an overview of mutation-independent strategies that rely on the modulation in the retina of key genes regulating such crucial degenerative pathways. In particular, we will describe how gene-based approaches explore the use of neurotrophic factors, microRNAs (miRNAs), genome editing and optogenetics in order to restore/prolong visual function in both outer and inner retinal diseases. We predict that the exploitation of gene delivery procedures applied to mutation/gene independent approaches may provide the answer to the unmet therapeutic need of a large fraction of patients with genetically heterogeneous and complex retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Carrella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Indrieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Brunella Franco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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41
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Sebastián-Morelló M, Alambiaga-Caravaca AM, Calatayud-Pascual MA, Rodilla V, Balaguer-Fernández C, Miranda M, López-Castellano A. Ex-Vivo Trans-Corneal and Trans-Scleral Diffusion Studies with Ocular Formulations of Glutathione as an Antioxidant Treatment for Ocular Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12090861. [PMID: 32927681 PMCID: PMC7558315 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12090861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to sunlight and contact with atmospheric oxygen makes the eye particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, which can potentially produce cellular damage. In physiological conditions, there are several antioxidant defense mechanisms within the eye. Glutathione (GSH) is the most important antioxidant in the eye; GSH deficit has been linked to several ocular pathologies. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for newly developed formulations allowing controlled delivery of antioxidants such as GSH and vitamin C (Vit C) directly to the eye. We have investigated the stability of antioxidants in aqueous solution and assessed ex-vivo the diffusion of GSH through two ocular membranes, namely cornea and sclera, either in solution or included in a semisolid insert. We have also carried out the hen’s egg-chlorioallantoic membrane test (HET-CAM) to evaluate the ocular irritancy of the different antioxidant solutions. Our results showed that GSH is stable for up to 30 days at 4 °C in darkness and it is not an irritant to the eye. The diffusion studies revealed that the manufactured formulation, a semisolid insert containing GSH, could deliver this tripeptide directly to the eye in a sustained manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vicent Rodilla
- Correspondence: (V.R.); (A.L.-C.); Tel.: +34-961-369-00 (ext. 64527) (V.R.); +34-961-369-00 (ext. 64427) (A.L.-C.)
| | | | | | - Alicia López-Castellano
- Correspondence: (V.R.); (A.L.-C.); Tel.: +34-961-369-00 (ext. 64527) (V.R.); +34-961-369-00 (ext. 64427) (A.L.-C.)
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42
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Böhm S, Splith V, Riedmayr LM, Rötzer RD, Gasparoni G, Nordström KJV, Wagner JE, Hinrichsmeyer KS, Walter J, Wahl-Schott C, Fenske S, Biel M, Michalakis S, Becirovic E. A gene therapy for inherited blindness using dCas9-VPR-mediated transcriptional activation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba5614. [PMID: 32875106 PMCID: PMC7438099 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba5614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Catalytically inactive dCas9 fused to transcriptional activators (dCas9-VPR) enables activation of silent genes. Many disease genes have counterparts, which serve similar functions but are expressed in distinct cell types. One attractive option to compensate for the missing function of a defective gene could be to transcriptionally activate its functionally equivalent counterpart via dCas9-VPR. Key challenges of this approach include the delivery of dCas9-VPR, activation efficiency, long-term expression of the target gene, and adverse effects in vivo. Using dual adeno-associated viral vectors expressing split dCas9-VPR, we show efficient transcriptional activation and long-term expression of cone photoreceptor-specific M-opsin (Opn1mw) in a rhodopsin-deficient mouse model for retinitis pigmentosa. One year after treatment, this approach yields improved retinal function and attenuated retinal degeneration with no apparent adverse effects. Our study demonstrates that dCas9-VPR-mediated transcriptional activation of functionally equivalent genes has great potential for the treatment of genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sybille Böhm
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Victoria Splith
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Maria Riedmayr
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - René Dominik Rötzer
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Gilles Gasparoni
- Department of Genetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Johanna Elisabeth Wagner
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Klara Sonnie Hinrichsmeyer
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of Genetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Fenske
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Biel
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Elvir Becirovic
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich CIPSM, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy - Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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43
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Hydrogel-based milliwell arrays for standardized and scalable retinal organoid cultures. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10275. [PMID: 32581233 PMCID: PMC7314858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67012-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of improved methods to culture retinal organoids is relevant for the investigation of mechanisms of retinal development under pathophysiological conditions, for screening of neuroprotective compounds, and for providing a cellular source for clinical transplantation. We report a tissue-engineering approach to accelerate and standardize the production of retinal organoids by culturing mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) in optimal physico-chemical microenvironments. Arrayed round-bottom milliwells composed of biomimetic hydrogels, combined with an optimized medium formulation, promoted the rapid generation of retina-like tissue from mESC aggregates in a highly efficient and stereotypical manner: ∼93% of the aggregates contained retinal organoid structures. 26 day-old retinal organoids were composed of ∼80% of photoreceptors, of which ∼22% are GNAT2-positive cones, an important and rare sensory cell type that is difficult to study in rodent models. The compartmentalization of retinal organoids into predefined locations on a two-dimensional array not only allowed us to derive almost all aggregates into retinal organoids, but also to reliably capture the dynamics of individual organoids, an advantageous requirement for high-throughput experimentation. Our improved retinal organoid culture system should be useful for applications that require scalability and single-organoid traceability.
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44
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Sahaboglu A, Miranda M, Canjuga D, Avci-Adali M, Savytska N, Secer E, Feria-Pliego JA, Kayık G, Durdagi S. Drug repurposing studies of PARP inhibitors as a new therapy for inherited retinal degeneration. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2199-2216. [PMID: 31451894 PMCID: PMC11104953 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) has important roles for many forms of DNA repair and it also participates in transcription, chromatin remodeling and cell death signaling. Currently, some PARP inhibitors are approved for cancer therapy, by means of canceling DNA repair processes and cell division. Drug repurposing is a new and attractive aspect of therapy development that could offer low-cost and accelerated establishment of new treatment options. Excessive PARP activity is also involved in neurodegenerative diseases including the currently untreatable and blinding retinitis pigmentosa group of inherited retinal photoreceptor degenerations. Hence, repurposing of known PARP inhibitors for patients with non-oncological diseases might provide a facilitated route for a novel retinitis pigmentosa therapy. Here, we demonstrate and compare the efficacy of two different PARP inhibitors, BMN-673 and 3-aminobenzamide, by using a well-established retinitis pigmentosa model, the rd1 mouse. Moreover, the mechanistic aspects of the PARP inhibitor-induced protection were also investigated in the present study. Our results showed that rd1 rod photoreceptor cell death was decreased by about 25-40% together with the application of these two PARP inhibitors. The wealth of human clinical data available for BMN-673 highlights a strong potential for a rapid clinical translation into novel retinitis pigmentosa treatments. Remarkably, we have found that the efficacy of 3 aminobenzamide was able to decrease PARylation at the nanomolar level. Our data also provide a link between PARP activity with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the major intracellular antioxidant concentrations behind the PARP-dependent retinal degeneration. In addition, molecular modeling studies were integrated with experimental studies for better understanding of the role of PARP1 inhibitors in retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Sahaboglu
- Division of Experimental Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Maria Miranda
- Departamento Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Denis Canjuga
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Meltem Avci-Adali
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Natalia Savytska
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Enver Secer
- Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | | | - Gülru Kayık
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serdar Durdagi
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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45
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Zhu D, Xie M, Gademann F, Cao J, Wang P, Guo Y, Zhang L, Su T, Zhang J, Chen J. Protective effects of human iPS-derived retinal pigmented epithelial cells on retinal degenerative disease. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:98. [PMID: 32131893 PMCID: PMC7055119 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01608-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease characterized by progressive loss of photoreceptor cells. This study aim at exploring the effect of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC-RPE) on the retina of retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice, which are characterized with progressive photoreceptor death. Methods We generated RPE from hiPSCs by sequential supplementation with retinal-inducing factors and RPE specification signaling factors. The three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture method was used to obtain optimal injectable hiPSC-RPE cells. Subretinal space transplantation was conducted to deliver hiPSC-RPE cells into the retina of rd10 mice. Neurotrophic factor secretion from transplanted hiPSC-RPE cells was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunostaining, Western blotting, electroretinography (ERG), and visual behavior testing were performed to determine the effects of hiPSC-RPE on the retinal visual function in rd10 mice. Results Our data demonstrated that hiPSC-RPE cells exhibited classic RPE properties and phenotype after the sequential RPE induction from hiPSCs. hiPSC-RPE cells co-cultured with mouse retinal explants or retinal ganglion cells 5 (RGC5) exhibited decreased apoptosis. The viability and functional properties of hiPSC-RPE cells were enhanced by 3D spheroid culture. Transplanted hiPSC-derived RPE cells were identified by immunostaining with human nuclear antigen staining in the retina of rd10 14 days after subretinal space injection. The pigment epithelium-derived factor level was increased significantly. The expression of CD68, microglial activation marker, reduced after transplantation. The light avoidance behavior and ERG visual function in rd10 mice improved by the transplantation of hiPSC-RPE cells. Conclusion Our findings suggest that injectable hiPSC-RPE cells after 3D spheroid culture can rescue the structure and function of photoreceptors by sub-retinal transplantation, which lay the foundation for future clinical cell therapy to treat RP and other retinal degeneration diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengyuan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fabian Gademann
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jixing Cao
- Eye Institute, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- Eye Institute, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonglong Guo
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Eye Institute, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Su
- Eye Institute, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. .,Eye Institute, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. .,Aier Eye Institute, Furong Middle Road, Changsha, China.
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46
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Tao Y, Cai L, Zhou D, Wang C, Ma Z, Dong X, Peng G. CoPP-Induced-Induced HO-1 Overexpression Alleviates Photoreceptor Degeneration With Rapid Dynamics: A Therapeutic Molecular Against Retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 60:5080-5094. [PMID: 31825462 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-26876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) causes progressive photoreceptor degeneration in the retina. The N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-administered mouse is used as a chemically induced RP model with rapid progression rate. This study was designed to study heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in the MNU-administered mice, and to explore the therapeutic effects of cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP). Methods The HO-1 expression in the retina of MNU-administered mice was analyzed. CoPP was injected intravenously into the MNU-administered mice. Subsequently, the CoPP-treated mice were subjected to functional and morphologic examinations. Results HO-1 was involved in the MNU-induced photoreceptor degeneration. CoPP treatment enhanced retinal HO-1 expression in the MNU-administered mice. Electroretinogram (ERG) examination and behavioral tests showed that CoPP treatment improved the retinal responsiveness of MNU-administered mice. Histologic analysis and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination showed that retinal architecture of the CoPP-treated mice was more intact than that of the MNU+vehicle group. Cone photoreceptors in the MNU-administered mice were rescued efficiently by CoPP treatment. Furthermore, multielectrode array (MEA) recording showed that CoPP treatment mitigated the spontaneous firing response, enhanced the light-induced firing response, and preserved the basic configurations of visual signal pathway in the MNU-administered mice. Mechanism studies suggested that CoPP afforded these therapeutic effects by modulating the apoptosis cascades and alleviating the oxidative stress in degenerative retinas. Conclusions CoPP alleviated photoreceptor degeneration and rectified the signaling abnormities in MNU-administered mice. CoPP may serve as a potential medication against degenerative retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tao
- Lab of Visual Cell Differentiation and Modulation, Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lun Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dawei Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 967(210) Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Dalian, China
| | - Chunhui Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhao Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofei Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, 967(210) Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Dalian, China
| | - Guanghua Peng
- Lab of Visual Cell Differentiation and Modulation, Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Li C, Tian Y, Yao A, Zha X, Zhang J, Tao Y. Intravitreal Delivery of Melatonin Is Protective Against the Photoreceptor Loss in Mice: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Degenerative Retinopathy. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1633. [PMID: 32116667 PMCID: PMC7028754 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a circadian hormone with potent cytoprotective effects. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) comprises a heterogeneous group of inherent retinopathies that characterized by the photoreceptor death in bilateral eyes. The N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) administered mouse is a type of chemically induced RP model with rapid progressive rate. We intend to study the melatonin mediated effects on the MNU administered mice. Melatonin was delivered into the vitreous body of the MNU administered mice. Subsequently, the melatonin treated mice were subjected to histological analysis, optokinetic behavior tests, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and electroretinogram (ERG) examination. Multi-electrodes array (MEA) was used to analyze the status of visual signal transmission within retinal circuits. Biochemical analysis was performed to quantify the expression levels of antioxidative enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic factors in the retinas. The intravitreal injection of melatonin ameliorated effectively the MNU induced photoreceptor degeneration. Melatonin therapy mitigated the spontaneous firing response, and preserved the basic configurations of visual signal pathway in MNU administered mice. MEA is effective to evaluate the pharmacological effects on retina. Of note, the cone photoreceptors in degenerative retinas were rescued efficiently by melatonin therapy. Melatonin afforded these protective effects by modulating the apoptotic cascades and alleviating the oxidative stress. These findings suggest that melatonin could act as an alternative treatment for degenerative retinopathy. Melatonin might be used in combination with other therapeutic approaches to alleviate the photoreceptor loss and preserve the visual function of RP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Anhui Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobing Zha
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianbin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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48
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cAMP and Photoreceptor Cell Death in Retinal Degeneration. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1185:301-304. [PMID: 31884628 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the progressive loss of photoreceptor cells. Despite this heterogeneity in the disease-causing mutation, common underlying mechanisms promoting photoreceptor cell death may be present. Dysregulation of photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide signaling may be one such common feature differentiating healthy from diseased photoreceptors. Here we review evidence that elevated retinal cAMP levels promote photoreceptor death and are a common feature of numerous animal models of IRDs. Improving our understanding of how cAMP levels become elevated and identifying downstream effectors may prove important for the development of therapeutics that will be applicable to multiple forms of the disease.
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49
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Greenwald SH, Pierce EA. Parthanatos as a Cell Death Pathway Underlying Retinal Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1185:323-327. [PMID: 31884632 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Parthanatos is a programmed cell death pathway mediated by the effects of pathogenically high levels of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) activity. This process underlies a broad range of diseases affecting many tissues and organs across the body, including the retina. This chapter reviews mechanisms that are currently understood to drive parthanatos in the context of retinal diseases associated with this form of cell death. Toxicity of upregulated poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) content, NAD+ and ATP depletion, translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus, and loss of glycolytic function are discussed. Since therapies that preserve vulnerable cells remain elusive for the vast majority of retinal diseases, pharmacologically blocking parthanatos may be an effective treatment strategy for cases in which this process contributes to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott H Greenwald
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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50
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Power MJ, Rogerson LE, Schubert T, Berens P, Euler T, Paquet-Durand F. Systematic spatiotemporal mapping reveals divergent cell death pathways in three mouse models of hereditary retinal degeneration. J Comp Neurol 2019; 528:1113-1139. [PMID: 31710697 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+ ) dysregulation has been linked to neuronal cell death, including in hereditary retinal degeneration. Ca2+ dysregulation is thought to cause rod and cone photoreceptor cell death. Spatial and temporal heterogeneities in retinal disease models have hampered validation of this hypothesis. We examined the role of Ca2+ in photoreceptor degeneration, assessing the activation pattern of Ca2+ -dependent calpain proteases, generating spatiotemporal maps of the entire retina in the cpfl1 mouse model for primary cone degeneration, and in the rd1 and rd10 models for primary rod degeneration. We used Gaussian process models to distinguish the temporal sequences of degenerative molecular processes from other variability sources.In the rd1 and rd10 models, spatiotemporal pattern of increased calpain activity matched the progression of primary rod degeneration. High calpain activity coincided with activation of the calpain-2 isoform but not with calpain-1, suggesting differential roles for both calpain isoforms. Primary rod loss was linked to upregulation of apoptosis-inducing factor, although only a minute fraction of cells showed activity of the apoptotic marker caspase-3. After primary rod degeneration concluded, caspase-3 activation appeared in cones, suggesting apoptosis as the dominant mechanism for secondary cone loss. Gaussian process models highlighted calpain activity as a key event during primary rod photoreceptor cell death. Our data suggest a causal link between Ca2+ dysregulation and primary, nonapoptotic degeneration of photoreceptors and a role for apoptosis in secondary degeneration of cones, highlighting the importance of the spatial and temporal location of key molecular events, which may guide the evaluation of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Power
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luke E Rogerson
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Berens
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
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