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Duman Sastim D, Elboga G, Elboga U, Gungor K. Evaluation of the relationship between FDG-PET hypometabolism and retinal layer thickness in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neurol Belg 2024; 124:987-993. [PMID: 38546932 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-024-02511-2] [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: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to assess the correlation between OCT and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) which shows high diagnostic agreement with findings from postmortem histopathology-the gold standard method. Patients who were diagnosed with AD-related dementia were selected for the study. Patients with a mini mental test (MMT) score between 18 and 23 were included in the study (n = 31). Volunteers with MMT ≥ 28 and no cognitive impairment were included in the study as the control group (n = 31). OCT imaging was performed in the patient and control groups after detailed ophthalmological examinations including visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurements. Brain glucose metabolism measurement was performed using 18 F-FDG PET/computed tomography. When adjusted for age and sex, mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) thickness showed a significant difference between groups and the RNFL thickness in the superior temporal and superior nasal quadrants in AD-related mild dementia group showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Furthermore, only the RNFL thickness in the inferior nasal quadrant of the right eye showed a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.016). It is thought that OCT is a promising imaging method in the elderly population due to its low-cost, non-invasive and easily applicability, and therefore, it may contribute in the future as a tool in the periodic follow-up of patients diagnosed with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demet Duman Sastim
- Department of Psychiatry, Tunceli State Hospital, Merkez, 62000, Merkez/Tunceli, Turkey.
| | - Gulcin Elboga
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Umut Elboga
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Kivanc Gungor
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
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2
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Tan YY, Kang HG, Lee CJ, Kim SS, Park S, Thakur S, Da Soh Z, Cho Y, Peng Q, Lee K, Tham YC, Rim TH, Cheng CY. Prognostic potentials of AI in ophthalmology: systemic disease forecasting via retinal imaging. EYE AND VISION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 11:17. [PMID: 38711111 PMCID: PMC11071258 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-024-00384-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence (AI) that utilizes deep learning (DL) has potential for systemic disease prediction using retinal imaging. The retina's unique features enable non-invasive visualization of the central nervous system and microvascular circulation, aiding early detection and personalized treatment plans for personalized care. This review explores the value of retinal assessment, AI-based retinal biomarkers, and the importance of longitudinal prediction models in personalized care. MAIN TEXT This narrative review extensively surveys the literature for relevant studies in PubMed and Google Scholar, investigating the application of AI-based retina biomarkers in predicting systemic diseases using retinal fundus photography. The study settings, sample sizes, utilized AI models and corresponding results were extracted and analysed. This review highlights the substantial potential of AI-based retinal biomarkers in predicting neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. Notably, DL algorithms have demonstrated effectiveness in identifying retinal image features associated with cognitive decline, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, longitudinal prediction models leveraging retinal images have shown potential in continuous disease risk assessment and early detection. AI-based retinal biomarkers are non-invasive, accurate, and efficient for disease forecasting and personalized care. CONCLUSION AI-based retinal imaging hold promise in transforming primary care and systemic disease management. Together, the retina's unique features and the power of AI enable early detection, risk stratification, and help revolutionizing disease management plans. However, to fully realize the potential of AI in this domain, further research and validation in real-world settings are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyun Goo Kang
- Division of Retina, Severance Eye Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chan Joo Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Division of Retina, Severance Eye Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sungha Park
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sahil Thakur
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhi Da Soh
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunnie Cho
- Mediwhale Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Education and Human Resource Development, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Qingsheng Peng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kwanghyun Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Yih-Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tyler Hyungtaek Rim
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
- Mediwhale Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Rinaldi M, Pezone A, Quadrini GI, Abbadessa G, Laezza MP, Passaro ML, Porcellini A, Costagliola C. Targeting shared pathways in tauopathies and age-related macular degeneration: implications for novel therapies. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1371745. [PMID: 38633983 PMCID: PMC11021713 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1371745] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate parallels in structure and function between the human retina and the central nervous system designate the retina as a prospective avenue for understanding brain-related processes. This review extensively explores the shared physiopathological mechanisms connecting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proteinopathies, with a specific focus on tauopathies. The pivotal involvement of oxidative stress and cellular senescence emerges as key drivers of pathogenesis in both conditions. Uncovering these shared elements not only has the potential to enhance our understanding of intricate neurodegenerative diseases but also sets the stage for pioneering therapeutic approaches in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Rinaldi
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Pezone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaia Italia Quadrini
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Abbadessa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Laezza
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Passaro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | | | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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4
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Manjur SM, Diaz LRM, Lee IO, Skuse DH, Thompson DA, Marmolejos-Ramos F, Constable PA, Posada-Quintero HF. Detecting Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Using Multimodal Time-Frequency Analysis with Machine Learning Using the Electroretinogram from Two Flash Strengths. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06290-w. [PMID: 38393437 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06290-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are conditions that similarly alter cognitive functioning ability and challenge the social interaction, attention, and communication skills of affected individuals. Yet these are distinct neurological conditions that can exhibit diverse characteristics which require different management strategies. It is desirable to develop tools to assist with early distinction so that appropriate early interventions and support may be tailored to an individual's specific requirements. The current diagnostic procedures for ASD and ADHD require a multidisciplinary approach and can be lengthy. This study investigated the potential of electroretinogram (ERG), an eye test measuring retinal responses to light, for rapid screening of ASD and ADHD. METHODS Previous studies identified differences in ERG amplitude between ASD and ADHD, but this study explored time-frequency analysis (TFS) to capture dynamic changes in the signal. ERG data from 286 subjects (146 control, 94 ASD, 46 ADHD) was analyzed using two TFS techniques. RESULTS Key features were selected, and machine learning models were trained to classify individuals based on their ERG response. The best model achieved 70% overall accuracy in distinguishing control, ASD, and ADHD groups. CONCLUSION The ERG to the stronger flash strength provided better separation and the high frequency dynamics (80-300 Hz) were more informative features than lower frequency components. To further improve classification a greater number of different flash strengths may be required along with a discrimination comparison to participants who meet both ASD and ADHD classifications and carry both diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irene O Lee
- Behavioral and Brain Sciences Unit, Population Policy and Practice Program, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - David H Skuse
- Behavioral and Brain Sciences Unit, Population Policy and Practice Program, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dorothy A Thompson
- Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Paul A Constable
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hugo F Posada-Quintero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, 06269, Storrs, CT, USA.
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Donato L, Mordà D, Scimone C, Alibrandi S, D’Angelo R, Sidoti A. Bridging Retinal and Cerebral Neurodegeneration: A Focus on Crosslinks between Alzheimer-Perusini's Disease and Retinal Dystrophies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3258. [PMID: 38137479 PMCID: PMC10741418 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123258] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the early stages of Alzheimer-Perusini's disease (AD), individuals often experience vision-related issues such as color vision impairment, reduced contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity problems. As the disease progresses, there is a connection with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leading to retinal cell death. The retina's involvement suggests a link with the hippocampus, where most AD forms start. A thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) due to the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is seen as a potential AD diagnostic marker using electroretinography (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Amyloid beta fragments (Aβ), found in the eye's vitreous and aqueous humor, are also present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and accumulate in the retina. Aβ is known to cause tau hyperphosphorylation, leading to its buildup in various retinal layers. However, diseases like AD are now seen as mixed proteinopathies, with deposits of the prion protein (PrP) and α-synuclein found in affected brains and retinas. Glial cells, especially microglial cells, play a crucial role in these diseases, maintaining immunoproteostasis. Studies have shown similarities between retinal and brain microglia in terms of transcription factor expression and morphotypes. All these findings constitute a good start to achieving better comprehension of neurodegeneration in both the eye and the brain. New insights will be able to bring the scientific community closer to specific disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Donato
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Domenico Mordà
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Concetta Scimone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Simona Alibrandi
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Rosalia D’Angelo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonina Sidoti
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
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6
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Shen L, Tang X, Zhang H, Zhuang H, Lin J, Zhao Y, Liu X. Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of the Eye Tissue of Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice at an Early Pathological Stage. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7309-7328. [PMID: 37553545 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03533-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease in older people. Despite some consensus on pathogenesis of AD established by previous researches, further elucidation is still required for better understanding. This study analyzed the eye tissues of 2- and 6-month-old triple transgenic AD (3 × Tg-AD) male mice and age-sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice using a targeted metabolomics approach. Compared with WT mice, 20 and 44 differential metabolites were identified in 2- and 6-month-old AD mice, respectively. They were associated with purine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, lysine degradation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyrimidine metabolism pathways. Among them, 8 metabolites presented differences in both the two groups, and 5 of them showed constant trend of change. The results indicated that the eye tissues of 3 × Tg-AD mice underwent changes in the early stages of the disease, with changes in metabolites observed at 2 months of age and more pronounced at 6 months of age, which is consistent with our previous studies on hippocampal targeted metabolomics in 3 × Tg-AD mice. Therefore, a joint analysis of data from this study and previous hippocampal study was performed, and the differential metabolites and their associated mechanisms were similar in eye and hippocampal tissues, but with tissue specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine, Biotechnology, and Ecology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxiao Tang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Huajie Zhang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Zhuang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Lin
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Li C, Zhu X, Yang K, Ju Y, Shi K, Xiao Y, Su B, Lu F, Cui L, Li M. Relationship of retinal capillary plexus and ganglion cell complex with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:3743-3750. [PMID: 37270614 PMCID: PMC10698172 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02592-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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate relationship of the retinal capillary plexus (RCP) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in a community-based study1. METHODS This cross-sectional study incorporated the participants of the Jidong Eye Cohort Study. Optical coherence tomography angiography was performed to obtain RCP vessel density and GCC thickness with detailed segments. The Mini-mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were used to assess cognitive status by professional neuropsychologists. Participants were thus divided into three groups: normal, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. Multivariable analysis was used to measure relationship of ocular parameters with cognitive impairment. RESULTS Of the 2678 participants, the mean age was 44.1 ± 11.7 years. MCI and dementia occurred in 197 (7.4%) and 80 (3%) participants, respectively. Compared to the normal group, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) with the 95% confidence interval was 0.76 (0.65-0.90) for the correlation of lower deep RCP with MCI. We found the following items significantly associated with dementia compared with the normal group: a superficial (OR, 0.68 [0.54-0.86]) and deep (OR, 0.75 [0.57-0.99]) RCP, as well as the GCC (OR, 0.68 [0.54-0.85]). Compared to the MCI group, those with dementia had decreased GCC (OR, 0.75 [0.58-0.97]). CONCLUSIONS Decreased deep RCP density was associated with MCI. Decreased superficial and deep RCP and the thin GCC were correlated with dementia. These implied that the retinal microvasculature may develop into a promising non-invasive imaging marker to predict severity of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Kai Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Ying Ju
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Keai Shi
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yunfan Xiao
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Binbin Su
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Fan Lu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| | - Lele Cui
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| | - Ming Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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8
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Poças IM, Lino P, Silva C, Mendonça P, Cunha JP, Barroqueiro O, Carvalho F, Nicho I, Castelhano M, Condado P, Carmo R, Almeida J, Prieto I, Camacho P. Ocular repercussions in COVID-19 patients: structural changes of the retina and choroid. Strabismus 2023; 31:271-280. [PMID: 38053303 DOI: 10.1080/09273972.2023.2278639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurotropic capabilities of SARS-COVs allow viruses to reach the central nervous system by hematogenous neuronal dissemination. The human retina, as an extension of the Central Nervous System, may have some neurodegenerative and/or vascular modifications related to COVID-19. OBJECTIVES To evaluate choroidal and inner neural layers in participants previously recovered from COVID-19 compared to the control group using optical coherence tomography. METHODS With a cross-sectional approach, the sample (n = 96), constituted by patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (n = 56) and healthy participants control group (n = 40) were ophthalmologically characterized. The neurodegenerative and vascular histological assessment was performed using SD-OCT and the mean thickness was measured in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields. Retinal nerve fiber layer, Ganglion cell layer and subfoveal choroidal thickness were obtained through semi-automatic measurement. RESULTS A total of 40 controls (27 women [67.5%]) and 56 COVID-19 participants (34 women [60.8%]) were included in this first report. There were retinal thickness significant differences in nearly all inner ETDRS subfields: nasal 3 mm (p = .025), I3 (p = .049), and temporal 3 mm (p = .009). Also, a decrease in neural layers was found in the nasal 3 mm (p = .049) and temporal 3 mm (p = .029) during ganglion cell layer assessment. The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was thinner in the COVID-19 group in superior temporal (p = .019), nasal (p = .002), inferior temporal (p = .046) and global (p = .014). Concerning the subfoveal choroidal measurement, an increase was observed in the COVID-19 group (p = .002). CONCLUSION Participants who had recovered from COVID-19 showed a non-glaucomatous neuropathy trend pattern. We found differences closer to the classic description of the "bow-tie" observed in other neurological as compressive neuropathies at the chiasma location. OCT assessment also showed an increase in choroidal thickness as a result of vascular changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilda Maria Poças
- Departamento das Ciências da Terapia e Reabilitação, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lino
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Carina Silva
- Departamento das Ciências Exatas, da Vida Sociais e Humanas, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Mendonça
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento das Ciências do Diagnóstico, Terapêutica e Saúde Pública, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Cunha
- Departamento das Ciências da Terapia e Reabilitação, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Cuf Cascais, Cascais Municipality, Portugal
| | - Olga Barroqueiro
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Francisca Carvalho
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Cuf Cascais, Cascais Municipality, Portugal
| | - Inês Nicho
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Mariana Castelhano
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Cuf Cascais, Cascais Municipality, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Condado
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Rita Carmo
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Júlio Almeida
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Isabel Prieto
- Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, EPE, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Pedro Camacho
- Departamento das Ciências da Terapia e Reabilitação, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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9
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Amadoro G, Latina V, Stigliano E, Micera A. COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease Share Common Neurological and Ophthalmological Manifestations: A Bidirectional Risk in the Post-Pandemic Future. Cells 2023; 12:2601. [PMID: 37998336 PMCID: PMC10670749 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222601] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that a neuropathological cross-talk takes place between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) -the pandemic severe pneumonia that has had a tremendous impact on the global economy and health since three years after its outbreak in December 2019- and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia among human beings, reaching 139 million by the year 2050. Even though COVID-19 is a primary respiratory disease, its causative agent, the so-called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is also endowed with high neuro-invasive potential (Neurocovid). The neurological complications of COVID-19, resulting from the direct viral entry into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and/or indirect systemic inflammation and dysregulated activation of immune response, encompass memory decline and anosmia which are typically associated with AD symptomatology. In addition, patients diagnosed with AD are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and are inclined to more severe clinical outcomes. In the present review, we better elucidate the intimate connection between COVID-19 and AD by summarizing the involved risk factors/targets and the underlying biological mechanisms shared by these two disorders with a particular focus on the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, APOlipoprotein E (APOE), aging, neuroinflammation and cellular pathways associated with the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)/Amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau neuropathologies. Finally, the involvement of ophthalmological manifestations, including vitreo-retinal abnormalities and visual deficits, in both COVID-19 and AD are also discussed. Understanding the common physiopathological aspects linking COVID-19 and AD will pave the way to novel management and diagnostic/therapeutic approaches to cope with them in the post-pandemic future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Latina
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research and Development Laboratory for Biochemical, Molecular and Cellular Applications in Ophthalmological Sciences, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
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10
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Wang MD, Zhang S, Liu XY, Wang PP, Zhu YF, Zhu JR, Lv CS, Li SY, Liu SF, Wen L. Salvianolic acid B ameliorates retinal deficits in an early-stage Alzheimer's disease mouse model through downregulating BACE1 and Aβ generation. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:2151-2168. [PMID: 37420104 PMCID: PMC10618533 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01125-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with subtle onset, early diagnosis remains challenging. Accumulating evidence suggests that the emergence of retinal damage in AD precedes cognitive impairment, and may serve as a critical indicator for early diagnosis and disease progression. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a bioactive compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD and Parkinson's disease. In this study we investigated the therapeutic effects of Sal B on retinopathy in early-stage AD. One-month-old transgenic mice carrying five familial AD mutations (5×FAD) were treated with Sal B (20 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 3 months. At the end of treatment, retinal function and structure were assessed, cognitive function was evaluated in Morris water maze test. We showed that 4-month-old 5×FAD mice displayed distinct structural and functional deficits in the retinas, which were significantly ameliorated by Sal B treatment. In contrast, untreated, 4-month-old 5×FAD mice did not exhibit cognitive impairment compared to wild-type mice. In SH-SY5Y-APP751 cells, we demonstrated that Sal B (10 μM) significantly decreased BACE1 expression and sorting into the Golgi apparatus, thereby reducing Aβ generation by inhibiting the β-cleavage of APP. Moreover, we found that Sal B effectively attenuated microglial activation and the associated inflammatory cytokine release induced by Aβ plaque deposition in the retinas of 5×FAD mice. Taken together, our results demonstrate that functional impairments in the retina occur before cognitive decline, suggesting that the retina is a valuable reference for early diagnosis of AD. Sal B ameliorates retinal deficits by regulating APP processing and Aβ generation in early AD, which is a potential therapeutic intervention for early AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Dan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xing-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Pan-Pan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yi-Fan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jun-Rong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Chong-Shan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shi-Ying Li
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Sui-Feng Liu
- Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China.
| | - Lei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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11
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Zhao FF, Yao SQ, Wang Y, Li TP, Yang JF, Pang CP, Cen LP. Bilateral retinal nerve fiber layer thickness reduction in a 9-year-old myopic boy suffering from unilateral optic neuritis: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:6806-6811. [PMID: 37900998 PMCID: PMC10600838 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i28.6806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this paper, we present a 9-year-old boy who demonstrates a complex interplay between myopia progression, axial length (AL) extension, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness loss in both eyes. Additionally, concurrent optic neuritis has directly impacted RNFL thickness in his right eye, and its potential indirect influence on RNFL and macular ganglion cell layer (mGCL) thickness in his left eye is also noteworthy. CASE SUMMARY A 9-year-old boy with bilateral myopia presented with diminished vision and pain in his right eye due to optic neuritis, while his left eye showed pseudopapilledema. Steroid therapy improved his vision in the right eye, and 16-mo follow-up revealed recovery without recurrence despite myopia progression. Follow-up optical coherence tomography conducted 16 mo later revealed a notable thinning of the RNFL in both eyes, especially along with a reduction in mGCL thickness in the left eye. This intricate interaction between optic neuritis, myopia, and retinal changes underscores the need for comprehensive management, highlighting potential long-term visual implications in young patients. CONCLUSION The progression of myopia and AL extension led to the loss of RNFL thickness in both eyes in a 9-year-old boy. Concurrently, optic neuritis directly affected RNFL thickness in his right eye and may indirectly play a role in the thickness of RNFL and mGCL in his left eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Fang Zhao
- Department of Medical Retina and Neuro-ophthalmology, Joint Shantou International Eye Centre of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shi-Qi Yao
- Department of Medical Retina and Neuro-ophthalmology, Joint Shantou International Eye Centre of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Medical Retina and Neuro-ophthalmology, Joint Shantou International Eye Centre of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Tai-Ping Li
- Department of Medical Retina and Neuro-ophthalmology, Joint Shantou International Eye Centre of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian-Feng Yang
- Department of Medical Retina and Neuro-ophthalmology, Joint Shantou International Eye Centre of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chi-Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ling-Ping Cen
- Department of Medical Retina and Neuro-ophthalmology, Joint Shantou International Eye Centre of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
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12
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Wang S, Jiang X, Peng W, Yang S, Pi R, Zhou S. Acrolein Induces Retinal Abnormalities of Alzheimer's Disease in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13576. [PMID: 37686379 PMCID: PMC10487815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713576] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
It is reported that retinal abnormities are related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients and animal models. However, it is unclear whether the retinal abnormities appear in the mouse model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) induced by acrolein. We investigated the alterations of retinal function and structure, the levels of β-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) in the retina, and the changes in the retinal vascular system in this mouse model. We demonstrated that the levels of Aβ and p-Tau were increased in the retinas of mice from the acrolein groups. Subsequently, a decreased amplitudes of b-waves in the scotopic and photopic electroretinogram (ERG), decreased thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the retina, and slight retinal venous beading were found in the mice induced by acrolein. We propose that sAD mice induced by acrolein showed abnormalities in the retina, which may provide a valuable reference for the study of the retina in sAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiuying Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Foshan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Weijia Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuangjian Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Institute for Vision and Eye Research, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Rongbiao Pi
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 528406, China
| | - Shiyou Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
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13
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Lavekar SS, Harkin J, Hernandez M, Gomes C, Patil S, Huang KC, Puntambekar SS, Lamb BT, Meyer JS. Development of a three-dimensional organoid model to explore early retinal phenotypes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13827. [PMID: 37620502 PMCID: PMC10449801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40382-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, resulting in synaptic loss and neurodegeneration. The retina is an extension of the central nervous system within the eye, sharing many structural similarities with the brain, and previous studies have observed AD-related phenotypes within the retina. Three-dimensional retinal organoids differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can effectively model some of the earliest manifestations of disease states, yet early AD-associated phenotypes have not yet been examined. Thus, the current study focused upon the differentiation of hPSCs into retinal organoids for the analysis of early AD-associated alterations. Results demonstrated the robust differentiation of retinal organoids from both familial AD and unaffected control cell lines, with familial AD retinal organoids exhibiting a significant increase in the Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio as well as phosphorylated Tau protein, characteristic of AD pathology. Further, transcriptional analyses demonstrated the differential expression of many genes and cellular pathways, including those associated with synaptic dysfunction. Taken together, the current study demonstrates the ability of retinal organoids to serve as a powerful model for the identification of some of the earliest retinal alterations associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sailee S Lavekar
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jade Harkin
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Melody Hernandez
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Cátia Gomes
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Shruti Patil
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kang-Chieh Huang
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Shweta S Puntambekar
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bruce T Lamb
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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14
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Móvio MI, de Lima-Vasconcellos TH, Dos Santos GB, Echeverry MB, Colombo E, Mattos LS, Resende RR, Kihara AH. Retinal organoids from human-induced pluripotent stem cells: From studying retinal dystrophies to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 144:77-86. [PMID: 36210260 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have provided new methods to study neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to their wide application in neuronal disorders, hiPSCs technology can also encompass specific conditions, such as inherited retinal dystrophies. The possibility of evaluating alterations related to retinal disorders in 3D organoids increases the truthfulness of in vitro models. Moreover, both Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have been described as causing early retinal alterations, generating beta-amyloid protein accumulation, or affecting dopaminergic amacrine cells. This review addresses recent advances and future perspectives obtained from in vitro modeling of retinal diseases, focusing on retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Additionally, we depicted the possibility of evaluating changes related to AD and PD in retinal organoids obtained from potential patients long before the onset of the disease, constituting a valuable tool in early diagnosis. With this, we pointed out prospects in the study of retinal dystrophies and early diagnosis of AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marília Inês Móvio
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcela Bermudez Echeverry
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisabetta Colombo
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Leonardo S Mattos
- Biomedical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Advanced Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rodrigo Ribeiro Resende
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil; Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil.
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15
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Latina V, Atlante A, Malerba F, La Regina F, Balzamino BO, Micera A, Pignataro A, Stigliano E, Cavallaro S, Calissano P, Amadoro G. The Cleavage-Specific Tau 12A12mAb Exerts an Anti-Amyloidogenic Action by Modulating the Endocytic and Bioenergetic Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119683. [PMID: 37298634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Beyond deficits in hippocampal-dependent episodic memory, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) features sensory impairment in visual cognition consistent with extensive neuropathology in the retina. 12A12 is a monoclonal cleavage specific antibody (mAb) that in vivo selectively neutralizes the AD-relevant, harmful N-terminal 20-22 kDa tau fragment(s) (i.e., NH2htau) without affecting the full-length normal protein. When systemically injected into the Tg2576 mouse model overexpressing a mutant form of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), APPK670/671L linked to early onset familial AD, this conformation-specific tau mAb successfully reduces the NH2htau accumulating both in their brain and retina and, thus, markedly alleviates the phenotype-associated signs. By means of a combined biochemical and metabolic experimental approach, we report that 12A12mAb downregulates the steady state expression levels of APP and Beta-Secretase 1 (BACE-1) and, thus, limits the Amyloid beta (Aβ) production both in the hippocampus and retina from this AD animal model. The local, antibody-mediated anti-amyloidogenic action is paralleled in vivo by coordinated modulation of the endocytic (BIN1, RIN3) and bioenergetic (glycolysis and L-Lactate) pathways. These findings indicate for the first time that similar molecular and metabolic retino-cerebral pathways are modulated in a coordinated fashion in response to 12A12mAb treatment to tackle the neurosensorial Aβ accumulation in AD neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), National Research Council (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
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16
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Latina V, De Introna M, Caligiuri C, Loviglio A, Florio R, La Regina F, Pignataro A, Ammassari-Teule M, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Immunotherapy with Cleavage-Specific 12A12mAb Reduces the Tau Cleavage in Visual Cortex and Improves Visuo-Spatial Recognition Memory in Tg2576 AD Mouse Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020509. [PMID: 36839831 PMCID: PMC9965010 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau-targeted immunotherapy is a promising approach for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beyond cognitive decline, AD features visual deficits consistent with the manifestation of Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the eyes and higher visual centers, both in animal models and affected subjects. We reported that 12A12-a monoclonal cleavage-specific antibody (mAb) which in vivo neutralizes the neurotoxic, N-terminal 20-22 kDa tau fragment(s)-significantly reduces the retinal accumulation in Tg(HuAPP695Swe)2576 mice of both tau and APP/Aβ pathologies correlated with local inflammation and synaptic deterioration. Here, we report the occurrence of N-terminal tau cleavage in the primary visual cortex (V1 area) and the beneficial effect of 12A12mAb treatment on phenotype-associated visuo-spatial deficits in this AD animal model. We found out that non-invasive administration of 12 A12mAb markedly reduced the pathological accumulation of both truncated tau and Aβ in the V1 area, correlated to significant improvement in visual recognition memory performance along with local increase in two direct readouts of cortical synaptic plasticity, including the dendritic spine density and the expression level of activity-regulated cytoskeleton protein Arc/Arg3.1. Translation of these findings to clinical therapeutic interventions could offer an innovative tau-directed opportunity to delay or halt the visual impairments occurring during AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita De Introna
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Caligiuri
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Loviglio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Martine Ammassari-Teule
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ercole Ramarini 32, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-49255252
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17
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Melo P, S Silveira M, Mendes-Pinto I, Relvas JB. MorphoMacro for in vivo and ex vivo quantitative morphometric analysis of microglia. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 174:75-92. [PMID: 36710053 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Microglia cells dynamically survey the central nervous system microenvironment and, in response to tissue damage inflicted by radiation therapy, disease or infection, undergo morphological and functional changes that culminate in microglia activation. Cell shape transformation can be assessed descriptively or, alternatively, it can be quantified as a continuous variable for parameters including total cell size as well as protrusion length, ramification and complexity. The purpose of the MorphoMacro method is to quantitatively profile multiple and single microglia cells using the available ImageJ platform. This method outlines the required steps and ImageJ plugins to convert fluorescence and bright-field photomicrographs into representative binary and skeletonized images and to analyze them using the MorphoMacro software plugin for multiparametric and multilevel description of microglia cell morphology in vivo and ex vivo. Overall, the protocol provides a quantitative and comprehensive tool that can be used to identify, stratify, and monitor diverse microglia morphologies in homeostatic, different disease conditions and subsequent therapeutic monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Melo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana S Silveira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Inês Mendes-Pinto
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - João B Relvas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Departmento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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18
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Harris G, Rickard JJS, Butt G, Kelleher L, Blanch RJ, Cooper J, Oppenheimer PG. Review: Emerging Eye-Based Diagnostic Technologies for Traumatic Brain Injury. IEEE Rev Biomed Eng 2023; 16:530-559. [PMID: 35320105 PMCID: PMC9888755 DOI: 10.1109/rbme.2022.3161352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The study of ocular manifestations of neurodegenerative disorders, Oculomics, is a growing field of investigation for early diagnostics, enabling structural and chemical biomarkers to be monitored overtime to predict prognosis. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers a cascade of events harmful to the brain, which can lead to neurodegeneration. TBI, termed the "silent epidemic" is becoming a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. There is currently no effective diagnostic tool for TBI, and yet, early-intervention is known to considerably shorten hospital stays, improve outcomes, fasten neurological recovery and lower mortality rates, highlighting the unmet need for techniques capable of rapid and accurate point-of-care diagnostics, implemented in the earliest stages. This review focuses on the latest advances in the main neuropathophysiological responses and the achievements and shortfalls of TBI diagnostic methods. Validated and emerging TBI-indicative biomarkers are outlined and linked to ocular neuro-disorders. Methods detecting structural and chemical ocular responses to TBI are categorised along with prospective chemical and physical sensing techniques. Particular attention is drawn to the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a non-invasive sensing of neurological molecular signatures in the ocular projections of the brain, laying the platform for the first tangible path towards alternative point-of-care diagnostic technologies for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Harris
- School of Chemical Engineering, Advanced Nanomaterials Structures and Applications Laboratories, College of Engineering and Physical SciencesUniversity of BirminghamB15 2TTBirminghamU.K.
| | - Jonathan James Stanley Rickard
- School of Chemical Engineering, Advanced Nanomaterials Structures and Applications Laboratories, College of Engineering and Physical SciencesUniversity of BirminghamB15 2TTBirminghamU.K.
- Department of Physics, Cavendish LaboratoryUniversity of CambridgeCB3 0HECambridgeU.K.
| | - Gibran Butt
- Ophthalmology DepartmentUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustB15 2THBirminghamU.K.
| | - Liam Kelleher
- School of Chemical Engineering, Advanced Nanomaterials Structures and Applications Laboratories, College of Engineering and Physical SciencesUniversity of BirminghamB15 2TTBirminghamU.K.
| | - Richard James Blanch
- Department of Military Surgery and TraumaRoyal Centre for Defence MedicineB15 2THBirminghamU.K.
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustcBirminghamU.K.
| | - Jonathan Cooper
- School of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowG12 8LTGlasgowU.K.
| | - Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer
- School of Chemical Engineering, Advanced Nanomaterials Structures and Applications Laboratories, College of Engineering and Physical SciencesUniversity of BirminghamB15 2TTBirminghamU.K.
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, Institute of Translational MedicineB15 2THBirminghamU.K.
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19
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Hao X, Zhang W, Jiao B, Yang Q, Zhang X, Chen R, Wang X, Xiao X, Zhu Y, Liao W, Wang D, Shen L. Correlation between retinal structure and brain multimodal magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1088829. [PMID: 36909943 PMCID: PMC9992546 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1088829] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The retina imaging and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can both reflect early changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may serve as potential biomarker for early diagnosis, but their correlation and the internal mechanism of retinal structural changes remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the possible correlation between retinal structure and visual pathway, brain structure, intrinsic activity changes in AD patients, as well as to build a classification model to identify AD patients. Methods In the study, 49 AD patients and 48 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Retinal images were obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Multimodal MRI sequences of all subjects were collected. Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models were used to assess the correlation between OCT parameters and multimodal MRI findings. The diagnostic value of combination of retinal imaging and brain multimodal MRI was assessed by performing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results Compared with HCs, retinal thickness and multimodal MRI findings of AD patients were significantly altered (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were presented between the fractional anisotropy (FA) value of optic tract and mean retinal thickness, macular volume, macular ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, inner plexiform layer (IPL) thickness in AD patients (p < 0.01). The fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF) value of primary visual cortex (V1) was correlated with temporal quadrant peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness (p < 0.05). The model combining thickness of GCL and temporal quadrant pRNFL, volume of hippocampus and lateral geniculate nucleus, and age showed the best performance to identify AD patients [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.936, sensitivity = 89.1%, specificity = 87.0%]. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that retinal structure change was related to the loss of integrity of white matter fiber tracts in the visual pathway and the decreased LGN volume and functional metabolism of V1 in AD patients. Trans-synaptic axonal retrograde lesions may be the underlying mechanism. Combining retinal imaging and multimodal MRI may provide new insight into the mechanism of retinal structural changes in AD and may serve as new target for early auxiliary diagnosis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Hao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qijie Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ruiting Chen
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuewen Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weihua Liao
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dongcui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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20
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Ma X, Xie Z, Wang H, Tian Z, Bi Y, Li Y, Zhang L. A cross-sectional study of retinal vessel changes based on optical coherence tomography angiography in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1101950. [PMID: 37113575 PMCID: PMC10126258 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The involvement of retina and its vasculature has been recently described in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is noninvasively used to assess the retinal blood flow. Objective This study was to compare vessel density (VD) and blood perfusion density (PD) of the macular in AD patients, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and healthy controls by OCTA, which may provide new ideas for diagnosis of AD or MCI. Methods AD patients, MCI patients and healthy controls underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic and neurological evaluations, including cognitive function assessments as well as visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), slit lamp examinations, and OCTA. General demographic data, cognitive function, retinal VD and PD were compared among three groups. The correlations among retinal VD, PD and cognitive function, amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) protein were further evaluated. The correlations between retinal superficial capillary plexus and cognitive function, Aβ protein and p-Tau protein were also explored. Results A total of 139 participants were recruited into this study, including 43 AD patients, 62 MCI patients, and 34 healthy controls. After adjusting for sex, age, history of smoking, history of alcohol intake, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, best corrected visual acuity, and IOP, VD and PD in the nasal and inferior regions of the inner ring, superior and inferior regions of outer ring in the AD group were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). PD in nasal region of outer ring also significantly decreased in the AD group. VD and PD in superior and inferior regions of inner ring, superior and temporal regions of outer ring in the MCI group were markedly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). After adjusting for sex and age, VD and PD were correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic score, Mini-mental State Examination score, visuospatial function and executive function (p < 0.05), while Aβ protein and p-Tau protein had no relationship with VD and PD. Conclusion Our findings suggest that superficial retinal VD and PD in macula may be potential non-invasive biomarkers for AD and MCI, and these vascular parameters correlate with cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zengmai Xie
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Clinical Research Center, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongping Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanlong Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yanlong Bi,
| | - Yunxia Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Yunxia Li,
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Li Zhang,
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21
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Xu Q, Rydz C, Nguyen Huu VA, Rocha L, Palomino La Torre C, Lee I, Cho W, Jabari M, Donello J, Lyon DC, Brooke RT, Horvath S, Weinreb RN, Ju W, Foik A, Skowronska‐Krawczyk D. Stress induced aging in mouse eye. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13737. [PMID: 36397653 PMCID: PMC9741506 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging, a universal process that affects all cells in an organism, is a major risk factor for a group of neuropathies called glaucoma, where elevated intraocular pressure is one of the known stresses affecting the tissue. Our understanding of molecular impact of aging on response to stress in retina is very limited; therefore, we developed a new mouse model to approach this question experimentally. Here we show that susceptibility to response to stress increases with age and is primed on chromatin level. We demonstrate that ocular hypertension activates a stress response that is similar to natural aging and involves activation of inflammation and senescence. We show that multiple instances of pressure elevation cause aging of young retina as measured on transcriptional and DNA methylation level and are accompanied by local histone modification changes. Our data show that repeated stress accelerates appearance of aging features in tissues and suggest chromatin modifications as the key molecular components of aging. Lastly, our work further emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and prevention as well as age-specific management of age-related diseases, including glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianlan Xu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cezary Rydz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Viet Anh Nguyen Huu
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center and Shiley Eye Institute, School of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lorena Rocha
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center and Shiley Eye Institute, School of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Claudia Palomino La Torre
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center and Shiley Eye Institute, School of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Irene Lee
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - William Cho
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mary Jabari
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center and Shiley Eye Institute, School of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - John Donello
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - David C. Lyon
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Steve Horvath
- Epigenetic Clock Development FoundationTorranceCaliforniaUSA
| | - Robert N. Weinreb
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center and Shiley Eye Institute, School of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Won‐Kyu Ju
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center and Shiley Eye Institute, School of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andrzej Foik
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Institute of Physical ChemistryPolish Academy of SciencesWarsawPoland
| | - Dorota Skowronska‐Krawczyk
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of MedicineUniversity of California, IrvineCaliforniaUSA
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22
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Buscho S, Palacios E, Xia F, Shi S, Li S, Luisi J, Kayed R, Motamedi M, Zhang W, Liu H. Longitudinal characterization of retinal vasculature alterations with optical coherence tomography angiography in a mouse model of tauopathy. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109240. [PMID: 36096190 PMCID: PMC10162407 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are a family of neurodegenerative diseases which predominately afflict the rapidly growing aging population suffering from various brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism-17 and Pick disease. As the only visually accessible region of the central nervous system, in recent years, the retina has attracted extensive attention for its potential as a target for visualizing and quantifying emerging biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous study has found that retinal vascular inflammation and leakage occur at the very early stage of tauopathic mouse model. Here, we aimed to non-invasively visualize age-dependent alterations of retinal vasculature assessing the potential for using changes in retinal vasculature as the biomarker for the early diagnosis of tauopathy. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), a non-invasive depth-resolved high-resolution imaging technique was used to visualize and quantify tauopathy-induced alterations of retinal vasculature in P301S transgenic mice overexpressing the P301S mutant form of human tau and age-matched wild type littermate mice at 3, 6 and 10 months of age. We observed significant alterations of vascular features in the intermediate capillary plexus (ICP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) but not in the superficial vascular complex (SVC) of P301S mice at early stages of tauopathy. With aging, alterations of vascular features in P301S mice became more prominent in all three vascular plexuses. Staining of retinal vasculature in flatmounts and trypsin digests of P301S mice at 10 months of age revealed decreased vessel density and increased acellular capillary formation, indicating that vascular degeneration also occurs during tauopathy. Overall, our results demonstrate that the changes in retinal vascular features accelerate during the progression of tauopathy. Vessels in the ICP and DCP may be more susceptible to tauopathy than vessels in the SVC. Since changes in retinal vasculature often precede tau pathology in the brain, non-invasive identification of retinal vascular alterations with OCTA may be a useful biomarker for the early diagnosis of tauopathy and monitoring its progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Buscho
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Erick Palacios
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Fan Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Shuizhen Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Shengguo Li
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Luisi
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Massoud Motamedi
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Departments of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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23
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Cheng Y, Cao P, Geng C, Chu X, Li Y, Cui J. The adenosine A (2A) receptor antagonist SCH58261 protects photoreceptors by inhibiting microglial activation and the inflammatory response. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 112:109245. [PMID: 36150227 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109245] [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: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor degeneration is a principal event in a variety of human retinal diseases. Progressive apoptosis of photoreceptors leads to impaired vision and blindness, for which there is no curative treatment. Adenosine 2A receptors (A2AR) are expressed in microglia. Blockade of A2AR has been shown to protect neurons via suppression of inflammation. However, the therapeutic effects of A2AR antagonists on photoreceptor degeneration have not been characterized. In this study, adult zebrafish were exposed to short term high-intensity light to induce photoreceptor death. SCH58261, a selective A2AR antagonist, was immediately injected into the vitreous body. Photoreceptor degeneration and microglia-induced inflammation were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography, and optomotor response. Co-culture of BV2 and 661W cells was used to investigate the interaction between microglia and photoreceptors. The results showed that A2AR was over-expressed during photoreceptor degeneration. Following intraocular SCH58261 injection, microglial activation and release of inflammatory factors were inhibited, and photoreceptor survival increased. Inactivation of microglia prevented apoptosis and autophagy in photoreceptors. Our results showed that SCH58261 intervention at the early stage of photoreceptor degeneration protected photoreceptors through inhibition of the inflammatory response, apoptosis, and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajia Cheng
- Medical International Collaborative Innovation Center, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China; Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Peipei Cao
- Medical International Collaborative Innovation Center, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Geng
- Medical International Collaborative Innovation Center, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqi Chu
- Medical International Collaborative Innovation Center, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuhao Li
- Beijing Geriatric Medical Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianlin Cui
- Medical International Collaborative Innovation Center, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China.
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24
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Ferreira H, Serranho P, Guimarães P, Trindade R, Martins J, Moreira PI, Ambrósio AF, Castelo-Branco M, Bernardes R. Stage-independent biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease from the living retina: an animal study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13667. [PMID: 35953633 PMCID: PMC9372147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18113-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders is still an open issue despite the many efforts to address this problem. In particular, Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains undiagnosed for over a decade before the first symptoms. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is now common and widely available and has been used to image the retina of AD patients and healthy controls to search for biomarkers of neurodegeneration. However, early diagnosis tools would need to rely on images of patients in early AD stages, which are not available due to late diagnosis. To shed light on how to overcome this obstacle, we resort to 57 wild-type mice and 57 triple-transgenic mouse model of AD to train a network with mice aged 3, 4, and 8 months and classify mice at the ages of 1, 2, and 12 months. To this end, we computed fundus images from OCT data and trained a convolution neural network (CNN) to classify those into the wild-type or transgenic group. CNN performance accuracy ranged from 80 to 88% for mice out of the training group's age, raising the possibility of diagnosing AD before the first symptoms through the non-invasive imaging of the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Ferreira
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro Serranho
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Sciences and Technology, Universidade Aberta, Rua da Escola Politécnica, n.º 147, 1269-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Guimarães
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Trindade
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Martins
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Bernardes
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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25
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Moncaster JA, Moir RD, Burton MA, Chadwick O, Minaeva O, Alvarez VE, Ericsson M, Clark JI, McKee AC, Tanzi RE, Goldstein LE. Alzheimer's disease amyloid-β pathology in the lens of the eye. Exp Eye Res 2022; 221:108974. [PMID: 35202705 PMCID: PMC9873124 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.108974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include pathogenic accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and age-dependent formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. AD-associated Aβ neuropathology begins decades before onset of cognitive symptoms and slowly progresses over the course of the disease. We previously reported discovery of Aβ deposition, β-amyloidopathy, and co-localizing supranuclear cataracts (SNC) in lenses from people with AD, but not other neurodegenerative disorders or normal aging. We confirmed AD-associated Aβ molecular pathology in the lens by immunohistopathology, amyloid histochemistry, immunoblot analysis, epitope mapping, immunogold electron microscopy, quantitative immunoassays, and tryptic digest mass spectrometry peptide sequencing. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that AD-associated Aβ deposits in AD lenses localize as electron-dense microaggregates in the cytoplasm of supranuclear (deep cortex) fiber cells. These Aβ microaggregates also contain αB-crystallin and scatter light, thus linking Aβ pathology and SNC phenotype expression in the lenses of people with AD. Subsequent research identified Aβ lens pathology as the molecular origin of the distinctive cataracts associated with Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), a chromosomal disorder invariantly associated with early-onset Aβ accumulation and Aβ amyloidopathy in the brain. Investigation of 1249 participants in the Framingham Eye Study found that AD-associated quantitative traits in brain and lens are co-heritable. Moreover, AD-associated lens traits preceded MRI brain traits and cognitive deficits by a decade or more and predicted future AD. A genome-wide association study of bivariate outcomes in the same subjects identified a new AD risk factor locus in the CTNND2 gene encoding δ-catenin, a protein that modulates Aβ production in brain and lens. Here we report identification of AD-related human Aβ (hAβ) lens pathology and age-dependent SNC phenotype expression in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD. Tg2576 mice express Swedish mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP-Swe), accumulate hAβ peptides and amyloid pathology in the brain, and exhibit cognitive deficits that slowly progress with increasing age. We found that Tg2576 trangenic (Tg+) mice, but not non-transgenic (Tg-) control mice, also express human APP, accumulate hAβ peptides, and develop hAβ molecular and ultrastructural pathologies in the lens. Tg2576 Tg+ mice exhibit age-dependent Aβ supranuclear lens opacification that recapitulates lens pathology and SNC phenotype expression in human AD. In addition, we detected hAβ in conditioned medium from lens explant cultures prepared from Tg+ mice, but not Tg- control mice, a finding consistent with constitutive hAβ generation in the lens. In vitro studies showed that hAβ promoted mouse lens protein aggregation detected by quasi-elastic light scattering (QLS) spectroscopy. These results support mechanistic (genotype-phenotype) linkage between Aβ pathology and AD-related phenotypes in lens and brain. Collectively, our findings identify Aβ pathology as the shared molecular etiology of two age-dependent AD-related cataracts associated with two human diseases (AD, DS) and homologous murine cataracts in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD. These results represent the first evidence of AD-related Aβ pathology outside the brain and point to lens Aβ as an optically-accessible AD biomarker for early detection and longitudinal monitoring of this devastating neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet A. Moncaster
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Robert D. Moir
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Mark A. Burton
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Oliver Chadwick
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Olga Minaeva
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Victor E. Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
| | - Maria Ericsson
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - John I. Clark
- Departments of Biological Structure and Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ann C. McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Lee E. Goldstein
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Corresponding author. Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University, School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA. (L.E. Goldstein)
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26
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Moran C, Xu ZY, Mehta H, Gillies M, Karayiannis C, Beare R, Chen C, Srikanth V. Neuroimaging and cognitive correlates of retinal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) measures at late middle age in a twin sample. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9562. [PMID: 35688899 PMCID: PMC9187769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sharing in embryology and function between the eye and brain has led to interest in whether assessments of the eye reflect brain changes seen in neurodegeneration. We aimed to examine the associations between measures of retinal layer thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multimodal measures of brain structure and function. Using a convenient sample of twins discordant for type 2 diabetes, we performed cognitive testing, structural brain MRI (tissue volumetry), diffusion tensor imaging (white matter microstructure), and arterial spin labelling (cerebral blood flow). OCT images were recorded and retinal thickness maps generated. We used mixed level modelling to examine the relationship between retinal layer thicknesses and brain measures. We enrolled 35 people (18 pairs, mean age 63.8 years, 63% female). Ganglion cell layer thickness was positively associated with memory, speed, gray matter volume, and altered mean diffusivity. Ganglion cell layer thickness was strongly positively associated with regional cerebral blood flow. We found only a limited number of associations between other retinal layer thickness and measures of brain structure or function. Ganglion cell layer thickness showed consistent associations with a range of brain measures suggesting it may have utility as a marker for future dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Moran
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Aged Care, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zheng Yang Xu
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,UCL Medical School, London, UK
| | - Hemal Mehta
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Macular Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Gillies
- Macular Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris Karayiannis
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard Beare
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christine Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Velandai Srikanth
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Betzler BK, Rim TH, Sabanayagam C, Cheng CY. Artificial Intelligence in Predicting Systemic Parameters and Diseases From Ophthalmic Imaging. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:889445. [PMID: 35706971 PMCID: PMC9190759 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.889445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics has been used to predict, classify, and aid clinical management of multiple eye diseases. Its robust performances have prompted researchers to expand the use of AI into predicting systemic, non-ocular diseases and parameters based on ocular images. Herein, we discuss the reasons why the eye is well-suited for systemic applications, and review the applications of deep learning on ophthalmic images in the prediction of demographic parameters, body composition factors, and diseases of the cardiovascular, hematological, neurodegenerative, metabolic, renal, and hepatobiliary systems. Three main imaging modalities are included—retinal fundus photographs, optical coherence tomographs and external ophthalmic images. We examine the range of systemic factors studied from ophthalmic imaging in current literature and discuss areas of future research, while acknowledging current limitations of AI systems based on ophthalmic images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjorn Kaijun Betzler
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tyler Hyungtaek Rim
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program (Eye ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charumathi Sabanayagam
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program (Eye ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program (Eye ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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28
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Araya-Arriagada J, Garay S, Rojas C, Duran-Aniotz C, Palacios AG, Chacón M, Medina LE. Multiscale entropy analysis of retinal signals reveals reduced complexity in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8900. [PMID: 35614075 PMCID: PMC9132967 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12208-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most significant health challenges of our time, affecting a growing number of the elderly population. In recent years, the retina has received increased attention as a candidate for AD biomarkers since it appears to manifest the pathological signatures of the disease. Therefore, its electrical activity may hint at AD-related physiological changes. However, it is unclear how AD affects retinal electrophysiology and what tools are more appropriate to detect these possible changes. In this study, we used entropy tools to estimate the complexity of the dynamics of healthy and diseased retinas at different ages. We recorded microelectroretinogram responses to visual stimuli of different nature from retinas of young and adult, wild-type and 5xFAD-an animal model of AD-mice. To estimate the complexity of signals, we used the multiscale entropy approach, which calculates the entropy at several time scales using a coarse graining procedure. We found that young retinas had more complex responses to different visual stimuli. Further, the responses of young, wild-type retinas to natural-like stimuli exhibited significantly higher complexity than young, 5xFAD retinas. Our findings support a theory of complexity-loss with aging and disease and can have significant implications for early AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Araya-Arriagada
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Gerontología Aplicada (CIGAP), Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Antofagasta, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Sebastián Garay
- Departamento de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Rojas
- Instituto de Ingeniería Matemática y Computacional, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Duran-Aniotz
- Latin American Institute for Brain Health (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adrián G Palacios
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Max Chacón
- Departamento de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonel E Medina
- Departamento de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Nucleus for Applied Control and Inverse Problems, Santiago, Chile.
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29
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Frame G, Schuller A, Smith MA, Crish SD, Dengler-Crish CM. Alterations in Retinal Signaling Across Age and Sex in 3xTg Alzheimer’s Disease Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:471-492. [PMID: 35599482 PMCID: PMC9398084 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background: Visual disturbances often precede cognitive dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may coincide with early accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein in the retina. These findings have inspired critical research on in vivo ophthalmic Aβ imaging for disease biomarker detection but have not fully answered mechanistic questions on how retinal pathology affects visual signaling between the eye and brain. Objective: The goal of this study was to provide a functional and structural assessment of eye-brain communication between retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their primary projection target, the superior colliculus, in female and male 3xTg-AD mice across disease stages. Methods: Retinal electrophysiology, axonal transport, and immunofluorescence were used to determine RGC projection integrity, and retinal and collicular Aβ levels were assessed with advanced protein quantitation techniques. Results: 3xTg mice exhibited nuanced deficits in RGC electrical signaling, axonal transport, and synaptic integrity that exceeded normal age-related decrements in RGC function in age- and sex-matched healthy control mice. These deficits presented in sex-specific patterns among 3xTg mice, differing in the timing and severity of changes. Conclusion: These data support the premise that retinal Aβ is not just a benign biomarker in the eye, but may contribute to subtle, nuanced visual processing deficits. Such disruptions might enhance the biomarker potential of ocular amyloid and differentiate patients with incipient AD from patients experiencing normal age-related decrements in visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Frame
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Adam Schuller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Matthew A. Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Samuel D. Crish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
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30
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Effect of Resveratrol Combined with Donepezil Hydrochloride on Inflammatory Factor Level and Cognitive Function Level of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2022; 2022:9148650. [PMID: 35368930 PMCID: PMC8975642 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9148650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective To explore the effect of resveratrol (RES) combined with donepezil hydrochloride on inflammatory factor level and cognitive function level of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A total of 90 AD patients treated in our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020 were selected as the study objects and divided into the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) by the randomized and double-blind method, with 45 cases each. Patients in CG received donepezil hydrochloride treatment, and on this basis, those in EG received additional RES treatment, so as to compare the clinical indicators between the two groups. Results Compared with CG after treatment, EG obtained significantly higher good rate, MMSE score, and FIM score (P < 0.05) and obviously lower clinical indicators and ADAS-cog score (P < 0.001), and between CG and EG, no obvious difference in total incidence rate of adverse reactions was observed after treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion Combining RES with donepezil hydrochloride has significant clinical efficacy in treating AD, which can effectively improve patients' inflammatory factor indicators, promote their cognitive function, and facilitate patient prognosis.
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31
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Liu J, Baum L, Yu S, Lin Y, Xiong G, Chang RCC, So KF, Chiu K. Preservation of Retinal Function Through Synaptic Stabilization in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mouse Retina by Lycium Barbarum Extracts. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:788798. [PMID: 35095474 PMCID: PMC8792986 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.788798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid β deposition-induced hippocampal synaptic dysfunction generally begins prior to neuronal degeneration and memory impairment. Lycium barbarum extracts (LBE) have been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in various animal models of neurodegeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of LBE on the synapse loss in AD through the avenue of the retina in a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). We fed 3xTg-AD mice with low (200 mg/kg) or high (2 g/kg) dose hydrophilic LBE daily for 2 months from the starting age of 4- or 6-month-old. For those started at 6 month age, at 1 month (though not 2 months) after starting treatment, mice given high dose LBE showed a significant increase of a wave and b wave in scotopic ERG. After 2 months of treatment with high dose LBE, calpain-2, calpain-5, and the oxidative RNA marker 8-OHG were downregulated, and presynaptic densities in the inner plexiform layer but not the outer plexiform layer of the retina were significantly increased, suggesting the presynaptic structure of retina was preserved. Our results indicate that LBE feeding may preserve synapse stability in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice, probably by decreasing both oxidative stress and intracellular calcium influx. Thus, LBE might have potential as a neuroprotectant for AD through synapse preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Larry Baum
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shasha Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Nankai University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Youhong Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guoying Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwok Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Kwok Fai So
| | - Kin Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Kin Chiu
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32
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Yang X, Guan Y, Yan B, Xie Y, Zhou M, Wu Y, Yao L, Qiu X, Yan F, Chen Y, Huang L. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine bioinformatics approach through network pharmacology and molecular docking to determine the molecular mechanisms of Erjing pill in Alzheimer's disease. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1252. [PMID: 34539848 PMCID: PMC8438686 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Erjing pill, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulation composed of Polygonatum sibiricum and Lycium chinense, has an important role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms of the action of Erjing pill in AD have remained elusive. In the present study, the key ingredients of Erjing pill were investigated and the active components and their mechanisms of action on AD were analyzed based on networks pharmacology. By using the TCM and TCM Systems Pharmacology and databases, the components of Erjing pill were screened and the data were captured using Discovery Studio. The SwissTarget webserver database was used to predict the potential protein targets of Erjing pill components for pathologies related to AD. The data were further analyzed with the disease targets of AD based on analysis of the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, DiGSeE and Therapeutic Target Database. Subsequent analysis of mechanistic pathways of the screened components and protein targets allowed us to construct a network by using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, which revealed potential molecular mechanisms of Erjing pill against AD. Finally, the protective effect of three active components on neurons was verified using an in vitro injury model of PC12 cells induced by Aβ25-35. The results indicated that 65 bioactive components of Erjing pill, including lauric acid and zederone, and 6 targets, including acetylcholinesterase, butylcholinesterase and amyloid protein precursor, were closely associated with the prevention and treatment of AD. The molecular components of Erjing pill were indicated to be involved in various biological signaling processes, mainly in synaptic signal transmission, transsynaptic signal transmission and chemical synaptic transmission. Furthermore, related pathways targeted by Erjing pill in AD included the regulation of neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, serotoninergic synapses, calcium signaling pathways and dopaminergic synapses. A cell viability assay indicated that the compounds (polygonatine A, polygonatine C and 4',5-dihydroxyflavone) assessed were able to significantly improve the survival rate and increase the Ca2+ level in a PC12 cell model of AD induced by amyloid-β25-35. The present study revealed that the mechanisms of action of Erjing pill to prevent and treat AD included a multicompound, multitarget and multipathway regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyang Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
| | - Yang Guan
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
| | - Bo Yan
- Department of Research and Development, Shandong Qidu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zibo, Shandong 255400, P.R. China
| | - Yongyan Xie
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 333004, P.R. China
| | - Maofu Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Jiangxi Provincial Institute for Drug Control, Jiangxi Provincial Engineering Research Center for Drug and Medical Device Quality, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lihua Yao
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
- Department of Life Science, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, P.R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Qiu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
| | - Feixia Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
| | - Yaohui Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Liping Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, P.R. China
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33
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Veys L, Devroye J, Lefevere E, Cools L, Vandenabeele M, De Groef L. Characterizing the Retinal Phenotype of the Thy1-h[A30P]α-syn Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726476. [PMID: 34557068 PMCID: PMC8452874 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726476] [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: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, disease-modifying treatments of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, remain out of reach. One of the reasons for this treatment gap is the incomplete understanding of how misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-syn) contributes to PD pathology. The retina, as an integral part of the central nervous system, recapitulates the PD disease processes that are typically seen in the brain, and retinal manifestations have emerged as prodromal symptoms of the disease. The timeline of PD manifestations in the visual system, however, is not fully elucidated and the underlying mechanisms are obscure. This highlights the need for new studies investigating retinal pathology, in order to propel its use as PD biomarker, and to develop validated research models to investigate PD pathogenesis. The present study pioneers in characterizing the retina of the Thy1-h[A30P]α-syn PD transgenic mouse model. We demonstrate widespread α-syn accumulation in the inner retina of these mice, of which a proportion is phosphorylated yet not aggregated. This α-syn expression coincides with inner retinal atrophy due to postsynaptic degeneration. We also reveal abnormal retinal electrophysiological responses. Absence of selective loss of melanopsin retinal ganglion cells or dopaminergic amacrine cells and inflammation indicates that the retinal manifestations in these transgenic mice diverge from their brain phenotype, and questions the specific cellular or molecular alterations that underlie retinal pathology in this PD mouse model. Nevertheless, the observed α-syn accumulation, synapse loss and functional deficits suggest that the Thy1-h[A30P]α-syn retina mimics some of the features of prodromal PD, and thus may provide a window to monitor and study the preclinical/prodromal stages of PD, PD-associated retinal disease processes, as well as aid in retinal biomarker discovery and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Veys
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joyce Devroye
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Evy Lefevere
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Cools
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjan Vandenabeele
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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Lee MJ, Bhattarai D, Jang H, Baek A, Yeo IJ, Lee S, Miller Z, Lee S, Hong JT, Kim DE, Lee W, Kim KB. Macrocyclic Immunoproteasome Inhibitors as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10934-10950. [PMID: 34309393 PMCID: PMC10913540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we reported that immunoproteasome (iP)-targeting linear peptide epoxyketones improve cognitive function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a manner independent of amyloid β. However, these compounds' clinical prospect for AD is limited due to potential issues, such as poor brain penetration and metabolic instability. Here, we report the development of iP-selective macrocyclic peptide epoxyketones prepared by a ring-closing metathesis reaction between two terminal alkenes attached at the P2 and P3/P4 positions of linear counterparts. We show that a lead macrocyclic compound DB-60 (20) effectively inhibits the catalytic activity of iP in ABCB1-overexpressing cells (IC50: 105 nM) and has metabolic stability superior to its linear counterpart. DB-60 (20) also lowered the serum levels of IL-1α and ameliorated cognitive deficits in Tg2576 mice. The results collectively suggest that macrocyclic peptide epoxyketones have improved CNS drug properties than their linear counterparts and offer promising potential as an AD drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jae Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA
| | - Deepak Bhattarai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA
| | - Hyeryung Jang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahreum Baek
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jun Yeo
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongsoo Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Zachary Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA
| | - Sukyeong Lee
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jin Tae Hong
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Eun Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooin Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Bo Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA
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35
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Oktem C, Aslan F, Oktem EO. Evaluation of the effect of unilateral late blindness on the retina, optic nerve and choroid parameters in the sighted eye. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:4083-4089. [PMID: 34309792 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01981-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate whether unilateral late blindness alters the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), central macular thickness (CMT) and choroidal thickness (CT). METHODS The 17 healthy eyes of 17 monocular patients with late blindness due to isolated eye trauma in one eye and the 19 eyes of 19 healthy individuals were evaluated in this retrospective study. Patients with at least 10 years of monocular blindness, a refractive error between + 1.5 and -1.5 D in the sighted eye, a best-corrected visual acuity of at least 20/20 and an axial length (AL) < 25 mm were included in the study. Following ophthalmologic examination, the RNFL, GCC, CMT and CT values were measured with spectral domain optic tomography (SD-OCT). Those with ocular, systemic or neurological disease that could influence the measured parameters were excluded from the study. RESULTS A total of 17 (14 males, 3 females) monocular patients [mean age 41.00 ± 11.95 (24-64)] and 19 (16 males, 3 females) healthy individuals [mean age 39.79 ± 6.74 (30-56)], similar in age and gender (p = 0.949 and p = 0.881), were included in the study. The mean duration of being monocular was 22.76 ± 11.76 (10-49) years. No difference was present between the RNFL, GCC, CMT and CT measurements of the monocular patients and the healthy individuals (p = 0.692, p = 0.294, p = 0.113, p = 0.623, respectively). No significant correlation was found between the duration of monocularity and the retinal and optic nerve parameters. CONCLUSION The results of our study indicate no difference in the optic nerve, retina and choroid OCT findings in the sighted eyes of subjects with long-term monocular blindness compared to subjects with bilateral normal eyes. Although functional and volumetric neuroimaging studies suggest the possibility of compensation in these patients, our findings indicate that this is not at the ocular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caglar Oktem
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alaaddin Keykubat University Alanya Education and Research Hospital, 07400, Antalya, Turkey.
| | - Fatih Aslan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alaaddin Keykubat University Alanya Education and Research Hospital, 07400, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ece Ozdemir Oktem
- Department of Neurology, Alaaddin Keykubat University Alanya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
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36
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Zhang M, Zhong L, Han X, Xiong G, Xu D, Zhang S, Cheng H, Chiu K, Xu Y. Brain and Retinal Abnormalities in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease at Early Stages. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:681831. [PMID: 34366774 PMCID: PMC8343228 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.681831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major challenges in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) is its early diagnosis. Increasing data from clinical and animal research indicate that the retina may facilitate an early diagnosis of AD. However, a previous study on the 5xFAD (a fast AD model), showing retinal changes before those in the brain, has been questioned because of the involvement of the retinal degeneration allele Pde6brd1. Here, we tested in parallel, at 4 and 6 months of age, both the retinal and the brain structure and function in a 5xFAD mouse line that carries no mutation of rd1. In the three tested regions of the 5xFAD brain (hippocampus, visual cortex, and olfactory bulb), the Aβ plaques were more numerous than in wild-type (WT) littermates already at 4 months, but deterioration in the cognitive behavioral test and long-term potentiation (LTP) lagged behind, showing significant deterioration only at 6 months. Similarly in the retina, structural changes preceded functional decay. At 4 months, the retina was generally normal except for a thicker outer nuclear layer in the middle region than WT. At 6 months, the visual behavior (as seen by an optomotor test) was clearly impaired. While the full-field and pattern electroretinogram (ERG) responses were relatively normal, the light responses of the retinal ganglion cells (measured with multielectrode-array recording) were decreased. Structurally, the retina became abnormally thick with few more Aβ plaques and activated glia cells. In conclusion, the timeline of the degenerative processes in the retina and the brain is similar, supporting the use of non-invasive methods to test the retinal structure and function to reflect changes in the brain for early AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrong Zhang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liting Zhong
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiu Han
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoyin Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKF Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Di Xu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sensen Zhang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Cheng
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kin Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKF Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu, China
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37
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Tams ALM, Sanz-Morello B, Westi EW, Mouhammad ZA, Andersen JV, Freude KK, Vohra R, Hannibal J, Aldana BI, Kolko M. Decreased Glucose Metabolism and Glutamine Synthesis in the Retina of a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:291-303. [PMID: 34259962 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Visual changes are some of the earliest symptoms that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience. Pathophysiological processes such as amyloid-β plaque formation, vascular changes, neuroinflammation, and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) have been detected in the retina of AD patients and animal models. However, little is known about the molecular processes that underlie retinal neurodegeneration in AD. The cellular architecture and constant sensory activity of the retina impose high metabolic demands. We thus hypothesized that energy metabolism might be compromised in the AD retina similarly to what has been observed in the AD brain. To address this question, we explored cellular alterations and retinal metabolic activity in the 5 × FAD mouse model of AD. We used 8-month-old female 5 × FAD mice, in which the AD-related pathology has been shown to be apparent. We observed that RGC density is selectively affected in the retina of 5 × FAD mice. To map retinal metabolic activity, we incubated isolated retinal tissue with [U-13C] glucose and analyzed tissue extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that the retinas of 5 × FAD mice exhibit glucose hypometabolism. Moreover, we detected decreased glutamine synthesis in 5 × FAD retinas but no changes in the expression of markers of Müller glia, the main glial cell type responsible for glutamate uptake and glutamine synthesis in the retina. These findings suggest that AD presents with metabolic alterations not only in the brain but also in the retina that may be detrimental to RGC activity and survival, potentially leading to the visual impairments that AD patients suffer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luna Mølgaard Tams
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Berta Sanz-Morello
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil Winther Westi
- Neurometabolism Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zaynab Ahmad Mouhammad
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Velde Andersen
- Neurometabolism Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine Karla Freude
- Group of Stem Cells and Modeling of Neurodegeneration, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Rupali Vohra
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Group of Stem Cells and Modeling of Neurodegeneration, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jens Hannibal
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Blanca Irene Aldana
- Neurometabolism Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Miriam Kolko
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark.
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38
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Guo L, Ravindran N, Shamsher E, Hill D, Cordeiro MF. Retinal Changes in Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 18:89-102. [PMID: 33855942 DOI: 10.2174/1567205018666210414113634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, the most common form of dementia. AD is characterised by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brain, in association with neuronal loss and synaptic failure, causing cognitive deficits. Accurate and early diagnosis is currently unavailable in lifespan, hampering early intervention of potential new treatments. Visual deficits have been well documented in AD patients, and the pathological changes identified in the brain are also believed to be found in the retina, an integral part of the central nervous system. Retinal changes can be detected by real-time non-invasive imaging, due to the transparent nature of the ocular media, potentially allowing an earlier diagnosis as well as monitoring disease progression and treatment outcome. Animal models are essential for AD research, and this review has a focus on retinal changes in various transgenic AD mouse models with retinal imaging and immunohistochemical analysis as well as therapeutic effects in those models. We also discuss the limitations of transgenic AD models in clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nivedita Ravindran
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ehtesham Shamsher
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Hill
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Francesca Cordeiro
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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39
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Schultz N, Byman E, Wennström M. Levels of Retinal Amyloid-β Correlate with Levels of Retinal IAPP and Hippocampal Amyloid-β in Neuropathologically Evaluated Individuals. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 73:1201-1209. [PMID: 31884473 PMCID: PMC7081096 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have used immunohistology to demonstrate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) characteristic accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the retina of AD patients, a finding indicating retina examination as a potential diagnostic tool for AD pathology. Objective: To further explore this idea by investigating whether levels of Aβ42 and Aβ40 in retina are associated with corresponding levels in hippocampus, neuropathological assessments, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, and levels of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Methods: Levels of high molecular weight (HMW) Aβ42, Aβ40, and IAPP in ultra-centrifuged homogenates of retina and hippocampus from patients with AD, multiple sclerosis, AD with Lewy bodies, and non-demented controls were analyzed using Mesoscale Discovery electrochemiluminescence technology employing immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Higher levels of retinal and hippocampal Aβ42-HMW, Aβ40-HMW, and IAPP-HMW were found in individuals with high neuropathological scores of Aβ plaques and in individuals carrying the APOEɛ4 allele. The retinal levels of Aβ42-HMW and Aβ40-HMW correlated with corresponding levels in hippocampus as well as with neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and Aβ scores. Retinal IAPP-HMW correlated with retinal levels of Aβ42-HMW and with NFT and Aβ scores. Conclusion: These results show that different isoforms of Aβ can be detected in the human retina and moreover support the growing number of studies indicating that AD-related pathological changes occurring in the brain could be reflected in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schultz
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elin Byman
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Malin Wennström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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40
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Chintapaludi SR, Uyar A, Jackson HM, Acklin CJ, Wang X, Sasner M, Carter GW, Howell GR. Staging Alzheimer's Disease in the Brain and Retina of B6.APP/PS1 Mice by Transcriptional Profiling. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 73:1421-1434. [PMID: 31929156 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common form of dementia characterized by amyloid plaque deposition, tau pathology, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Mouse models recapitulate some key features of AD. For instance, the B6.APP/PS1 model (carrying human transgenes for mutant forms of APP and PSEN1) shows plaque deposition and neuroinflammation involving both astrocytes and microglia beginning around 4-6 months of age. However, significant tau pathology and neurodegeneration are not apparent in this model even when assessed at old age. Therefore, this model is ideal for studying neuroinflammatory responses to amyloid deposition. Here, RNA sequencing of brain and retinal tissue, generalized linear modeling (GLM), functional annotation followed by validation by immunofluorescence was performed in B6.APP/PS1 mice to determine the earliest molecular changes prior to and around the onset of plaque deposition (2-6 months of age). Multiple pathways were shown to be activated in response to amyloid deposition including the JAK/STAT and NALFD pathways. Putative, cell-specific targets of STAT3, a central component of the JAK/STAT pathway, were identified that we propose provide more precise options for assessing the potential for targeting activation of the JAK/STAT pathway as a treatment for human AD. In the retina, GLM predicted activation of vascular-related pathways. However, many of the gene expression changes comparing B6 with B6.APP/PS1 retina samples occurred prior to plaque onset (2 months of age). This suggests retinal changes in B6.APP/PS1 mice may be an artefact of overexpression of mutant forms of APP and PSEN1 providing limited translatability to human AD. Therefore, caution should be taken when using this mouse model to assess the potential of using the eye as a window to the brain for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Asli Uyar
- The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, CT, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Gregory W Carter
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA.,The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, CT, USA.,Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA.,Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
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41
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Rodrigues-Neves AC, Carecho R, Correia SC, Carvalho C, Campos EJ, Baptista FI, Moreira PI, Ambrósio AF. Retina and Brain Display Early and Differential Molecular and Cellular Changes in the 3xTg-AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3043-3060. [PMID: 33606195 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02316-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The concept 'the retina as a window to the brain' has been increasingly explored in Alzheimer´s disease (AD) in recent years, since some patients present visual alterations before the first symptoms of dementia. The retina is an extension of the brain and can be assessed by noninvasive methods. However, assessing the retina for AD diagnosis is still a matter of debate. Using the triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD; males), this study was undertaken to investigate whether the retina and brain (hippocampus and cortex) undergo similar molecular and cellular changes during the early stages (4 and 8 months) of the pathology, and if the retina can anticipate the alterations occurring in the brain. We assessed amyloid-beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels, barrier integrity, cell death, neurotransmitter levels, and glial changes. Overall, the retina, hippocampus, and cortex of 3xTg-AD are not significantly affected at these early stages. However, we detected a few differential changes in the retina and brain regions, and particularly a different profile in microglia branching in the retina and hippocampus, only at 4 months, where the number and length of the processes decreased in the retina and increased in the hippocampus. In summary, at the early stages of pathology, the retina, hippocampus, and cortex are not significantly affected but already present some molecular and cellular alterations. The retina did not mirror the changes detected in the brain, and these observations should be taking into account when using the retina as a potential diagnostic tool for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Rodrigues-Neves
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafael Carecho
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Catarina Correia
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elisa Julião Campos
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Isabel Baptista
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula Isabel Moreira
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal. .,Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal.
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42
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Lee ATC, Richards M, Chan WC, Chiu HFK, Lee RSY, Lam LCW. Higher Dementia Incidence in Older Adults with Poor Visual Acuity. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 75:2162-2168. [PMID: 32043518 PMCID: PMC7566398 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glaa036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Longitudinal evidence of poor visual acuity associating with higher risk of incident dementia is mixed. This study aimed to examine if poor visual acuity was associated with higher dementia incidence in a large community cohort of older adults, independent of the possible biases relating to misclassification error, reverse causality, and confounding effects due to health problems and behaviors. Methods A total of 15,576 community-living older adults without dementia at baseline were followed for 6 years to the outcome of incident dementia, which was diagnosed according to the ICD-10 or a Clinical Dementia Rating of 1 to 3. Visual acuity was assessed using the Snellen’s chart at baseline and follow-up. Important variables including demographics (age, sex, education, and socioeconomic status), physical and psychiatric comorbidities (cardiovascular risks, ophthalmological conditions, hearing impairment, poor mobility, and depression), and lifestyle behaviors (smoking, diet, physical, intellectual, and social activities) were also assessed. Results Over 68,904 person-years of follow-up, 1,349 participants developed dementia. Poorer visual acuity at baseline was associated with higher dementia incidence in 6 years, even after adjusting for demographics, health problems, and lifestyle behaviors, and excluding those who developed dementia within 3 years after baseline. Compared with normal vision, the hazard ratio of dementia was 1.19 (p = .31), 2.09 (p < .001), and 8.66 (p < .001) for mild, moderate, and severe visual impairment, respectively. Conclusions Moderate-to-severe visual impairment could be a potential predictor and possibly a risk factor for dementia. From a clinical perspective, older adults with poor visual acuity might warrant further risk assessment for dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen T C Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Wai C Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Helen F K Chiu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ruby S Y Lee
- Elderly Health Service, Department of Health, The Government of Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Linda C W Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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43
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Bevan RJ, Hughes TR, Williams PA, Good MA, Morgan BP, Morgan JE. Retinal ganglion cell degeneration correlates with hippocampal spine loss in experimental Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:216. [PMID: 33287900 PMCID: PMC7720390 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal dendritic and synaptic pruning are early features of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to brain pathology, amyloid plaque deposition, microglial activation, and cell loss occur in the retinas of human patients and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. Retinal ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina, are vulnerable to damage in neurodegenerative diseases and are a potential opportunity for non-invasive clinical diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s progression. However, the extent of retinal involvement in Alzheimer’s models and how well this reflects brain pathology is unclear. Here we have quantified changes in retinal ganglion cells dendritic structure and hippocampal dendritic spines in three well-studied Alzheimer’s mouse models, Tg2576, 3xTg-AD and APPNL-G-F. Dendritic complexity of DiOlistically labelled retinal ganglion cells from retinal explants was reduced in all three models in an age-, gender-, and receptive field-dependent manner. DiOlistically labelled hippocampal slices showed spine loss in CA1 apical dendrites in all three Alzheimer’s models, mirroring the early stages of neurodegeneration as seen in the retina. Morphological classification showed that loss of thin spines predominated in all. The demonstration that retinal ganglion cells dendritic field reduction occurs in parallel with hippocampal dendritic spine loss in all three Alzheimer’s models provide compelling support for the use of retinal neurodegeneration. As retinal dendritic changes are within the optical range of current clinical imaging systems (for example optical coherence tomography), our study makes a case for imaging the retina as a non-invasive way to diagnose disease and monitor progression in Alzheimer’s disease.
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Mavilio A, Sisto D, Prete F, Guadalupi V, Dammacco R, Alessio G. RE-PERG in early-onset Alzheimer's disease: A double-blind, electrophysiological pilot study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236568. [PMID: 32790788 PMCID: PMC7425894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the ability of re-test pattern electroretinogram (RE-PERG), a non-invasive and fast steady-state PERG, to detect inner retinal bioelectric function anomalies in patients with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS The study population consisted of 17 patients with AD-related mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 16 patients with vascular dementia (VD)-related MCI, both assessed using the neuropsychological Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and by structural magnetic resonance imaging, and 19 healthy, age-matched normal controls (NC). All participants were visually asymptomatic, had normal or near-normal general cognitive functioning and no or minimal impairments in daily life activities. Visual field (VF) test, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and RE-PERG, sampled in five consecutive blocks of 130 events, were performed. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups with respect to age, VF parameters (mean and pattern standard deviations) and OCT parameters (ganglion cell complex thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness). The mean amplitude in the RE-PERG was significantly lower, but only weakly in the AD group than in NC (p = 0.1) whereas the intrinsic variability of the 2nd harmonic phase was significantly higher in the AD group than in either the VD or NC group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS RE-PERG is altered in early-stage AD, showing a reduced amplitude with high intrinsic phase variability. It also allows the discrimination of AD from VD. A high intrinsic variability in the PERG signal, determined using RE-PERG, may thus be a new promising test for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Mavilio
- Social Health District, Glaucoma Center, Azienda Sanitaria Locale–Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Dario Sisto
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Florenza Prete
- Social Health District, Alzheimer Evaluation Units, Azienda Sanitaria Locale—Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Viviana Guadalupi
- Social Health District, Alzheimer Evaluation Units, Azienda Sanitaria Locale—Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Rosanna Dammacco
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Alessio
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Wang Y, Kwapong WR, Tu Y, Xia Y, Tang J, Miao H, Liu X, Lu Y, Yan Z. Altered resting-state functional connectivity density in patients with neuromyelitis optica-spectrum disorders. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 43:102187. [PMID: 32480345 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune, demyelinating disorder, accompanied by abnormal spontaneous activity of the brain and impairment of the retina and optic nerve. Functional connectivity density (FCD) map, a graph theory method, was applied to explore the functional connectivity alterations of brian in NMOSD patients and investigate the alterations of FCD to the structural and microvascular changes around the optic nerve head (ONH). METHODS Nineteen NMOSD patients and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were included in our study. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of the brain, and ophthalmological examinations included optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) imaging, visual acuity (VA), and intraocular pressure (IOP). The long- and short-range FCD was calculated by the fMRI graph theory method and two-sample t-tests were performed to compare the discrepancy of FCD between NMOSD and HCs. OCT-A imaging was used to obtain the structure (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, pRNFL) and microvessels (radial peripapillary capillary, RPC) details around the ONH. The association between the long- and short-range FCD values with the structural and microvascular variation around the ONH were evaluated using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS Significantly decreased (corrected p < 0.05) long-range FCD was seen in the right superior parietal gyrus (SPG) in patients with NMOSD when compared to HCs. Increased long-range FCD was seen in the right fusiform gyrus (FFG), left orbital part of superior frontal orbital gyrus (ORBsup) and left anterior cingulum and paracingulate gyri (ACG) in NMOSD patients (corrected p < 0.05). The regions with reduced short-range FCD in NMOSD were the left angular gyrus (ANG) and right SPG (corrected p < 0.05). Increased short-range FCD was shown (corrected p < 0.05) in the right FFG of NMOSD. The pRNFL thickness and RPC density in all participants were negatively correlated with the long-range FCD values in the right FFG, left ORBsup, and left ACG as well as short-range FCD values in the right FFG, besides, both were positively correlated with the long-range FCD values in the right SPG and short-range FCD values in the left ANG and right SPG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that patients with NMOSD have widespread brain dysfunction after optic neuritis attacks which shows as impairment of widespread spatial distribution in long- and short-range FCD. Structural and microvascular changes around the ONH are associated with neural changes in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | | | - Yunhai Tu
- The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Yikai Xia
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Hanpei Miao
- The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xiaozheng Liu
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; China-USA Neuroimaging Research Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
| | - Zhihan Yan
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.
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Alves CH, Fernandes R, Santiago AR, Ambrósio AF. Microglia Contribution to the Regulation of the Retinal and Choroidal Vasculature in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051217. [PMID: 32423062 PMCID: PMC7290930 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a highly metabolically active tissue with high-level consumption of nutrients and oxygen. This high metabolic demand requires a properly developed and maintained vascular system. The retina is nourished by two systems: the central retinal artery that supplies the inner retina and the choriocapillaris that supplies the outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Pathological neovascularization, characterized by endothelial cell proliferation and new vessel formation, is a common hallmark in several retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A limited number of studies have suggested that microglia, the resident immune cells of the retina, have an important role not only in the pathology but also in the formation and physiology of the retinal vascular system. Here, we review the current knowledge on microglial interaction with the retinal vascular system under physiological and pathological conditions. To do so, we first highlight the role of microglial cells in the formation and maintenance of the retinal vasculature system. Thereafter, we discuss the molecular signaling mechanisms through which microglial cells contribute to the alterations in retinal and choroidal vasculatures and to the neovascularization in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Henrique Alves
- Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.H.A.); (R.F.); (A.R.S.)
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rosa Fernandes
- Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.H.A.); (R.F.); (A.R.S.)
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Santiago
- Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.H.A.); (R.F.); (A.R.S.)
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.H.A.); (R.F.); (A.R.S.)
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-239-480093
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Harper DJ, Augustin M, Lichtenegger A, Gesperger J, Himmel T, Muck M, Merkle CW, Eugui P, Kummer S, Woehrer A, Glösmann M, Baumann B. Retinal analysis of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease with multicontrast optical coherence tomography. NEUROPHOTONICS 2020; 7:015006. [PMID: 32042855 PMCID: PMC6999077 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.7.1.015006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Significance. Recent Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient studies have focused on retinal analysis, as the retina is the only part of the central nervous system that can be imaged noninvasively by optical methods. However, as this is a relatively new approach, the occurrence and role of retinal pathological features are still debated. Aim. The retina of an APP/PS1 mouse model was investigated using multicontrast optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to provide a documentation of what was observed in both transgenic and wild-type mice. Approach. Both eyes of 24 APP/PS1 transgenic mice (age: 45 to 104 weeks) and 15 age-matched wild-type littermates were imaged by the custom-built OCT system. At the end of the experiment, retinas and brains were harvested from a subset of the mice (14 transgenic, 7 age-matched control) in order to compare the in vivo results to histological analysis and to quantify the cortical amyloid beta plaque load. Results. The system provided a combination of standard reflectivity data, polarization-sensitive data, and OCT angiograms. Qualitative and quantitative information from the resultant OCT images was extracted on retinal layer thickness and structure, presence of hyper-reflective foci, phase retardation abnormalities, and retinal vasculature. Conclusions. Although multicontrast OCT revealed abnormal structural properties and phase retardation signals in the retina of this APP/PS1 mouse model, the observations were very similar in transgenic and control mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Harper
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
- Address all correspondence to Danielle J. Harper, E-mail:
| | - Marco Augustin
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonia Lichtenegger
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johanna Gesperger
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
- General Hospital and Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Neurology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tanja Himmel
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Muck
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Conrad W. Merkle
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pablo Eugui
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kummer
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Core Facility for Research and Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adelheid Woehrer
- General Hospital and Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Neurology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Glösmann
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Core Facility for Research and Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Baumann
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
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Yumnamcha T, Devi TS, Singh LP. Auranofin Mediates Mitochondrial Dysregulation and Inflammatory Cell Death in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: Implications of Retinal Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1065. [PMID: 31649499 PMCID: PMC6795687 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Photoreceptor degeneration occurs in various retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, molecular mechanisms are not fully understood yet. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the outer blood retinal barrier (oBRB) and supplies glucose, oxygen and nutrients from the fenestrated choriocapillaris to photoreceptors for visual function. Therefore, RPE dysfunction leads to photoreceptor injury/death and progression of blinding eye diseases. This study aims to understand the role of the thioredoxin (Trx) and its reductase (TrxR) redox signaling in human RPE dysfunction and cell death mechanism(s) in an in vitro system. Methods A human RPE cell line (APRE-19) was cultured in DMEM/F12 medium and treated with auranofin (AF - 4 μM, an inhibitor of TrxR) for 4 and 24 h. Mitochondrial and lysosomal function, cellular oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activity were measured using cell assays, Western blotting, and confocal microscopy. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds were tested for blocking AF effects on RPE damage. Cell death mechanisms (LDH release to culture media) were determined using necroptosis, ferroptosis and pyroptosis inhibitors. P < 0.05 was considered significant in statistical analysis. Results Auranofin causes mitochondrial dysfunction (Δψm↓ and ATP↓), oxidative stress (H2O2↑) and mitophagic flux to lysosomes. Furthermore, the lysosomal enzyme (cathepsin L) activity is reduced while that of pro-inflammatory caspase-1 (NLRP3 inflammasome) is enhanced in ARPE-19. These effects of AF on ARPE-19 are inhibited by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (5 mM, NAC) and significantly by a combination of SS31 (mitochondrial antioxidant) and anti-inflammatory drugs (amlexanox and tranilast). AF also causes cell death as measured by cytosolic LDH release/leakage, which is not inhibited by either ferrostatin-1 or necrostatin-1 (ferroptosis and necroptosis inhibitors, respectively). Conversely, AF-induced LDH release is significantly reduced by MCC950 and Ac-YVAD-cmk (NLRP3 and Caspase-1 inhibitors, respectively), suggesting a pro-inflammatory cell death by pyroptosis. Conclusion The Trx/TrxR redox system is critical for RPE function and viability. We previously showed that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is strongly induced in DR inhibiting the Trx/TrxR system and RPE dysfunction. Therefore, our results suggest that the TXNIP-Trx-TrxR redox pathway may participate in RPE dysfunction in DR and other retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thangal Yumnamcha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences (OVAS), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Takhellembam Swornalata Devi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences (OVAS), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Lalit Pukhrambam Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences (OVAS), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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