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Shen T, Sheriff S, You Y, Jiang J, Schulz A, Francis H, Mirzaei M, Saks D, Palanivel V, Basavarajappa D, Chitranshi N, Gupta V, Wen W, Sachdev PS, Jia H, Sun X, Graham SL, Gupta VK. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met is Associated with Variation in Cortical Structure in Healthy Aging Subjects. Aging Dis 2024; 15:2315-2327. [PMID: 38916728 PMCID: PMC11346411 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with progressive brain atrophy and declines in learning and memory, often attributed to hippocampal or cortical deterioration. The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in modulating the structural and functional changes in the brain and visual system, particularly in relation to BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, remains underexplored. In this present cross-sectional observational study, we aimed to assess the effects of BDNF polymorphism on brain structural integrity, cognitive function, and visual pathway alterations. A total of 108 older individuals with no evidence of dementia and a mean (SD) age of 67.3 (9.1) years were recruited from the Optic Nerve Decline and Cognitive Change (ONDCC) study cohort. The BDNF Met allele carriage had a significant association with lower entorhinal cortex volume (6.7% lower compared to the Val/Val genotype, P = 0.02) and posterior cingulate volume (3.2% lower than the Val/Val group, P = 0.03), after adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex and estimated total intracranial volumes (eTIV). No significant associations were identified between the BDNF Val66Met genotype and other brain volumetric or diffusion measures, cognitive performances, or vision parameters except for temporal retinal nerve fibre layer thickness. Small but significant correlations were found between visual structural and functional, cognitive, and brain morphological metrics. Our findings suggest that carriage of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with lower entorhinal cortex and posterior cingulate volumes and may be involved in modulating the cortical morphology along the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Samran Sheriff
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Jiyang Jiang
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Angela Schulz
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Heather Francis
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Neurology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Danit Saks
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | | | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Veer Gupta
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Wei Wen
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Huixun Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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Palanivel V, Gupta V, Chitranshi N, Tietz O, Vander Wall R, Blades R, Maha Thananthirige KP, Salkar A, Shen C, Mirzaei M, Gupta V, Graham SL, Basavarajappa D. Neuropeptide Y receptor activation preserves inner retinal integrity through PI3K/Akt signaling in a glaucoma mouse model. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae299. [PMID: 39114576 PMCID: PMC11305140 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY), an endogenous peptide composed of 36 amino acids, has been investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases due to its neuroprotective attributes. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of NPY in a mouse model of glaucoma characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and progressive retinal ganglion cell degeneration. Elevated IOP in mice was induced through intracameral microbead injections, accompanied by intravitreal administration of NPY peptide. The results demonstrated that NPY treatment preserved both the structural and functional integrity of the inner retina and mitigated axonal damage and degenerative changes in the optic nerve under high IOP conditions. Further, NPY treatment effectively reduced inflammatory glial cell activation, as evidenced by decreased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and Iba-1. Notably, endogenous NPY expression and its receptors (NPY-Y1R and NPY-Y4R) levels were negatively affected in the retina under elevated IOP conditions. NPY treatment restored these changes to a significant extent. Molecular analysis revealed that NPY mediates its protective effects through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of NPY in glaucoma treatment, underscoring its capacity to preserve retinal health, modulate receptor expression under stress, reduce neuroinflammation, and impart protection against axonal impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viswanthram Palanivel
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ole Tietz
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Roshana Vander Wall
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Reuben Blades
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Kanishka Pushpitha Maha Thananthirige
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Akanksha Salkar
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Chao Shen
- Microscopy Unit, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Veer Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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Zhang Q, Jiang Y, Deng C, Wang J. Effects and potential mechanisms of exercise and physical activity on eye health and ocular diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1353624. [PMID: 38585147 PMCID: PMC10995365 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1353624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In the field of eye health, the profound impact of exercise and physical activity on various ocular diseases has become a focal point of attention. This review summarizes and elucidates the positive effects of exercise and physical activities on common ocular diseases, including dry eye disease (DED), cataracts, myopia, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It also catalogues and offers exercise recommendations based on the varying impacts that different types and intensities of physical activities may have on specific eye conditions. Beyond correlations, this review also compiles potential mechanisms through which exercise and physical activity beneficially affect eye health. From mitigating ocular oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, reducing intraocular pressure, enhancing mitochondrial function, to promoting ocular blood circulation and the release of protective factors, the complex biological effects triggered by exercise and physical activities reveal their substantial potential in preventing and even assisting in the treatment of ocular diseases. This review aims not only to foster awareness and appreciation for how exercise and physical activity can improve eye health but also to serve as a catalyst for further exploration into the specific mechanisms and key targets through which exercise impacts ocular health. Such inquiries are crucial for advancing innovative strategies for the treatment of eye diseases, thereby holding significant implications for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chaohua Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junming Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Bugara K, Pacwa A, Smedowski A. Molecular pathways in experimental glaucoma models. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1363170. [PMID: 38562304 PMCID: PMC10982327 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1363170] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a complex and progressive disease that primarily affects the optic nerve axons, leading to irreversible vision loss. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying glaucoma pathogenesis are not fully understood, it is believed that except increased intraocular pressure, a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of the disease. Animal models have been widely used in the study of glaucoma, allowing researchers to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease and test potential treatments. Several molecular pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and excitotoxic-induced neurodegeneration. This review summarizes the most important knowledge about molecular mechanisms involved in the glaucoma development. Although much research has been done to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease, there is still much to be learned to develop effective treatments and prevent vision loss in those affected by glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Bugara
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Anna Pacwa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
| | - Adrian Smedowski
- GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Professor K. Gibinski University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Huh MG, Kim YK, Lee J, Shin YI, Lee YJ, Choe S, Kim DW, Jeong Y, Jeoung JW, Park KH. Relative Risks for Dementia among Individuals with Glaucoma: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Cohort Studies. KOREAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 37:490-500. [PMID: 37899286 PMCID: PMC10721395 DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2023.0059] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relative risks (RRs) for dementia among individuals with glaucoma. METHODS We conducted a search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for observational cohort studies examining the association between glaucoma and dementia until March 2023. Two authors independently screened all titles and abstracts according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pooled RR and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated using random-effect models. RESULTS The meta-analysis included 18 cohort studies conducted in eight countries and involving 4,975,325 individuals. The pooled RR for the association between glaucoma and all-cause dementia was 1.314 (95% CI, 1.099-1.572; I2 = 95%). The pooled RRs for the associations of open-angle glaucoma with Alzheimer dementia and Parkinson disease were 1.287 (95% CI, 1.007-1.646; I2 = 96%) and 1.233 (95% CI, 0.677-2.243; I2 = 73%), respectively. The pooled RRs for the associations of angle-closure glaucoma with all-cause dementia and Alzheimer dementia were 0.978 (95% CI, 0.750-1.277; I2 = 17%) and 0.838 (95% CI, 0.421-1.669; I2 = 16%), respectively. No evidence of publication bias was detected in the Begg-Mazumdar adjusted rank correlation test (p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS Based on current observational cohort studies, there is evidence supporting that glaucoma is a risk factor for dementia in the adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Gu Huh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Young Kook Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
- EyeLight Data Science Laboratory, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Jaekyoung Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Young In Shin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Yun Jeong Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon,
Korea
| | - Sooyeon Choe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon,
Korea
| | - Dai Woo Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu,
Korea
| | - Yoon Jeong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Jin Wook Jeoung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
| | - Ki Ho Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul,
Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Korea
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6
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Basavarajappa D, Galindo-Romero C, Gupta V, Agudo-Barriuso M, Gupta VB, Graham SL, Chitranshi N. Signalling pathways and cell death mechanisms in glaucoma: Insights into the molecular pathophysiology. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 94:101216. [PMID: 37856930 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a complex multifactorial eye disease manifesting in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve degeneration, ultimately causing irreversible vision loss. Research in recent years has significantly enhanced our understanding of RGC degenerative mechanisms in glaucoma. It is evident that high intraocular pressure (IOP) is not the only contributing factor to glaucoma pathogenesis. The equilibrium of pro-survival and pro-death signalling pathways in the retina strongly influences the function and survival of RGCs and optic nerve axons in glaucoma. Molecular evidence from human retinal tissue analysis and a range of experimental models of glaucoma have significantly contributed to unravelling these mechanisms. Accumulating evidence reveals a wide range of molecular signalling pathways that can operate -either alone or via intricate networks - to induce neurodegeneration. The roles of several molecules, including neurotrophins, interplay of intracellular kinases and phosphates, caveolae and adapter proteins, serine proteases and their inhibitors, nuclear receptors, amyloid beta and tau, and how their dysfunction affects retinal neurons are discussed in this review. We further underscore how anatomical alterations in various animal models exhibiting RGC degeneration and susceptibility to glaucoma-related neuronal damage have helped to characterise molecular mechanisms in glaucoma. In addition, we also present different regulated cell death pathways that play a critical role in RGC degeneration in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Caridad Galindo-Romero
- Experimental Ophthalmology Group, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca) & Ophthalmology Department, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marta Agudo-Barriuso
- Experimental Ophthalmology Group, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca) & Ophthalmology Department, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
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Risner ML, Ribeiro M, McGrady NR, Kagitapalli BS, Chamling X, Zack DJ, Calkins DJ. Neutral sphingomyelinase inhibition promotes local and network degeneration in vitro and in vivo. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:305. [PMID: 37904133 PMCID: PMC10614343 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01291-1] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell-to-cell communication is vital for tissues to respond, adapt, and thrive in the prevailing milieu. Several mechanisms mediate intercellular signaling, including tunneling nanotubes, gap junctions, and extracellular vesicles (EV). Depending on local and systemic conditions, EVs may contain cargoes that promote survival, neuroprotection, or pathology. Our understanding of pathologic intercellular signaling has been bolstered by disease models using neurons derived from human pluripotent stems cells (hPSC). METHODS Here, we used hPSC-derived retinal ganglion cells (hRGC) and the mouse visual system to investigate the influence of modulating EV generation on intercellular trafficking and cell survival. We probed the impact of EV modulation on cell survival by decreasing the catabolism of sphingomyelin into ceramide through inhibition of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase), using GW4869. We assayed for cell survival in vitro by probing for annexin A5, phosphatidylserine, viable mitochondria, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. In vivo, we performed intraocular injections of GW4869 and measured RGC and superior colliculus neuron density and RGC anterograde axon transport. RESULTS Following twenty-four hours of dosing hRGCs with GW4869, we found that inhibition of nSMase decreased ceramide and enhanced GM1 ganglioside accumulation. This inhibition also reduced the density of small EVs, increased the density of large EVs, and enriched the pro-apoptotic protein, annexin A5. Reducing nSMase activity increased hRGC apoptosis initiation due to enhanced density and uptake of apoptotic particles, as identified by the annexin A5 binding phospholipid, phosphatidylserine. We assayed intercellular trafficking of mitochondria by developing a coculture system of GW4869-treated and naïve hRGCs. In treated cells, inhibition of nSMase reduced the number of viable mitochondria, while driving mitochondrial reactive oxygen species not only in treated, but also in naive hRGCs added in coculture. In mice, 20 days following a single intravitreal injection of GW4869, we found a significant loss of RGCs and their axonal recipient neurons in the superior colliculus. This followed a more dramatic reduction in anterograde RGC axon transport to the colliculus. CONCLUSION Overall, our data suggest that perturbing the physiologic catabolism of sphingomyelin by inhibiting nSMase reorganizes plasma membrane associated sphingolipids, alters the profile of neuron-generated EVs, and promotes neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo by shifting the balance of pro-survival versus -degenerative EVs. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Risner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Eye Research Center, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 369 Dodge Hall, 118 Library Dr., Rochester, MI, 48309, USA.
| | - Marcio Ribeiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Bhanu S Kagitapalli
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Xitiz Chamling
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Abstract
Because the central nervous system is largely nonrenewing, neurons and their synapses must be maintained over the lifetime of an individual to ensure circuit function. Age is a dominant risk factor for neural diseases, and declines in nervous system function are a common feature of aging even in the absence of disease. These alterations extend to the visual system and, in particular, to the retina. The retina is a site of clinically relevant age-related alterations but has also proven to be a uniquely approachable system for discovering principles that govern neural aging because it is well mapped, contains diverse neuron types, and is experimentally accessible. In this article, we review the structural and molecular impacts of aging on neurons within the inner and outer retina circuits. We further discuss the contribution of non-neuronal cell types and systems to retinal aging outcomes. Understanding how and why the retina ages is critical to efforts aimed at preventing age-related neural decline and restoring neural function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Zhu
- Department of Neuroscience, Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
| | - Sharma Pooja Tarachand
- Department of Neuroscience, Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
| | - Qudrat Abdulwahab
- Department of Neuroscience, Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
| | - Melanie A Samuel
- Department of Neuroscience, Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA;
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9
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Chitranshi N, Rajput R, Godinez A, Pushpitha K, Mirzaei M, Basavarajappa D, Gupta V, Sharma S, You Y, Galliciotti G, Salekdeh GH, Baker MS, Graham SL, Gupta VK. Neuroserpin gene therapy inhibits retinal ganglion cell apoptosis and promotes functional preservation in glaucoma. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2056-2076. [PMID: 36905120 PMCID: PMC10362384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Our research has proven that the inhibitory activity of the serine protease inhibitor neuroserpin (NS) is impaired because of its oxidation deactivation in glaucoma. Using genetic NS knockout (NS-/-) and NS overexpression (NS+/+ Tg) animal models and antibody-based neutralization approaches, we demonstrate that NS loss is detrimental to retinal structure and function. NS ablation was associated with perturbations in autophagy and microglial and synaptic markers, leading to significantly enhanced IBA1, PSD95, beclin-1, and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and reduced phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH) levels. On the other hand, NS upregulation promoted retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in wild-type and NS-/- glaucomatous mice and increased pNFH expression. NS+/+Tg mice demonstrated decreased PSD95, beclin-1, LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and IBA1 following glaucoma induction, highlighting its protective role. We generated a novel reactive site NS variant (M363R-NS) resistant to oxidative deactivation. Intravitreal administration of M363R-NS was observed to rescue the RGC degenerative phenotype in NS-/- mice. These findings demonstrate that NS dysfunction plays a key role in the glaucoma inner retinal degenerative phenotype and that modulating NS imparts significant protection to the retina. NS upregulation protected RGC function and restored biochemical networks associated with autophagy and microglial and synaptic function in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Rashi Rajput
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Angela Godinez
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kanishka Pushpitha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Veer Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samridhi Sharma
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ghasem H Salekdeh
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Mark S Baker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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10
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Wostyn P. Could Young Cerebrospinal Fluid Combat Glaucoma? Comment on Lee et al. Association between Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Lamina Cribrosa Morphology in Normal-Tension Glaucoma. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 360. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093285. [PMID: 37176725 PMCID: PMC10179310 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
I enjoyed reading the article by Lee et al. [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wostyn
- Department of Psychiatry, PC Sint-Amandus, 8730 Beernem, Belgium
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11
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Nishijima E, Honda S, Kitamura Y, Namekata K, Kimura A, Guo X, Azuchi Y, Harada C, Murakami A, Matsuda A, Nakano T, Parada LF, Harada T. Vision protection and robust axon regeneration in glaucoma models by membrane-associated Trk receptors. Mol Ther 2023; 31:810-824. [PMID: 36463402 PMCID: PMC10014229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of neurotrophic factor signaling is a promising therapy for neurodegeneration. However, the transient nature of ligand-dependent activation limits its effectiveness. In this study, we solved this problem by inventing a system that forces membrane localization of the intracellular domain of tropomyosin receptor kinase B (iTrkB), which results in constitutive activation without ligands. Our system overcomes the small size limitation of the genome packaging in adeno-associated virus (AAV) and allows high expression of the transgene. Using AAV-mediated gene therapy in the eyes, we demonstrate that iTrkB expression enhances neuroprotection in mouse models of glaucoma and stimulates robust axon regeneration after optic nerve injury. In addition, iTrkB expression in the retina was also effective in an optic tract transection model, in which the injury site is near the superior colliculus. Regenerating axons successfully formed pathways to their brain targets, resulting in partial recovery of visual behavior. Our system may also be applicable to other trophic factor signaling pathways and lead to a significant advance in the field of gene therapy for neurotrauma and neurodegenerative disorders, including glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euido Nishijima
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Sari Honda
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yuta Kitamura
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Namekata
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kimura
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Xiaoli Guo
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Yuriko Azuchi
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Chikako Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Akira Murakami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akira Matsuda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tadashi Nakano
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan
| | - Luis F Parada
- Brain Tumor Center and Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Takayuki Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan.
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12
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Park KW, Joo JY, Kim ST. Comparison of brain-derived neurotrophic factor among subtypes of exudative age-related macular degeneration. Eur J Ophthalmol 2023; 33:408-414. [PMID: 35505604 DOI: 10.1177/11206721221099488] [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] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum and aqueous humor (AH) in eyes with typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (tAMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). METHODS This prospective study included 20 patients with tAMD, 20 patients with PCV, 20 patients with RAP, and 20 healthy controls. BDNF levels in the serum and AH were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Serum and AH BDNF levels were significantly lower in the age-related macular degeneration groups (tAMD, PCV, and RAP) than in the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean BDNF levels in the serum and AH among the different nAMD subtypes (p = 0.538). CONCLUSIONS We confirmed that serum and AH BDNF levels were independent of the nAMD subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keon Woo Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Yeon Joo
- Department of Pediatrics, 92203Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Taeck Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea
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13
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Seyed Hosseini Fin N, Georgevsky D, Sukkar MB, Golzan SM. RAGE and its ligand amyloid beta promote retinal ganglion cell loss following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1156084. [PMID: 37124398 PMCID: PMC10130520 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1156084] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with age. Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) proteins in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and subsequent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss is an established pathological hallmark of the disease. The mechanism through which Aß provokes RGC loss remains unclear. The receptor for the advanced glycation end product (RAGE), and its ligand Aß, have been shown to mediate neuronal loss via internalizing Aß within the neurons. In this study, we investigated whether the RAGE-Aß axis plays a role in RGC loss in experimental glaucoma. Methods Retinal ischemia was induced by an acute elevation of intraocular pressure in RAGE-/- and wild-type (WT) control mice. In a subset of animals, oligomeric Aß was injected directly into the vitreous of both strains. RGC loss was assessed using histology and biochemical assays. Baseline and terminal positive scotopic threshold (pSTR) were also recorded. Results Retinal ischemia resulted in 1.9-fold higher RGC loss in WT mice compared to RAGE-/- mice (36 ± 3% p < 0.0001 vs. 19 ± 2%, p = 0.004). Intravitreal injection of oligomeric Aß resulted in 2.3-fold greater RGC loss in WT mice compared to RAGE-/- mice, 7-days post-injection (55 ± 4% p = 0.008 vs. 24 ± 2%, p = 0.02). We also found a significant decline in the positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR) amplitude of WT mice compared to RAGE-/- (36 ± 3% vs. 16 ± 6%). Discussion RAGE-/- mice are protected against RGC loss following retinal ischemia. Intravitreal injection of oligomeric Aß accelerated RGC loss in WT mice but not RAGE-/-. A co-localization of RAGE and Aß, suggests that RAGE-Aß binding may contribute to RGC loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Seyed Hosseini Fin
- Vision Science Group, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dana Georgevsky
- Vision Science Group, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria B. Sukkar
- Pharmacy Discipline, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S. Mojtaba Golzan
- Vision Science Group, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: S. Mojtaba Golzan,
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14
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Innate immunity dysregulation in aging eye and therapeutic interventions. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 82:101768. [PMID: 36280210 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of eye diseases increases considerably with age, resulting in significant vision impairment. Although the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases has been studied extensively, the contribution of immune-related changes due to aging remains elusive. In the eye, tissue-resident cells and infiltrating immune cells regulate innate responses during injury or infection. But due to aging, these cells lose their protective functions and acquire pathological phenotypes. Thus, dysregulated ocular innate immunity in the elderly increases the susceptibility and severity of eye diseases. Herein, we emphasize the impact of aging on the ocular innate immune system in the pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious eye diseases. We discuss the role of age-related alterations in cellular metabolism, epigenetics, and cellular senescence as mechanisms underlying altered innate immune functions. Finally, we describe approaches to restore protective innate immune functions in the aging eye. Overall, the review summarizes our current understanding of innate immune functions in eye diseases and their dysregulation during aging.
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15
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Systemic Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Affects BDNF and Autophagy into the Retina of Diabetic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710184. [PMID: 36077579 PMCID: PMC9455989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a neurovascular disease, characterized by a deficiency of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a regulator of autophagy. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), previously reported as a protective agent in DR, has been associated with BDNF promotion. Here, we investigated whether systemic BHB affects the retinal levels of BDNF and local autophagy in diabetic mice with retinopathy; Methods: C57BL/6J mice were administered with intraperitoneal (i.p.) streptozotocin (STZ) (75 mg/kg) injection to develop diabetes. After 2 weeks, they received i.p. injections of BHB (25−50−100 mg/kg) twice a week for 10 weeks. Retinal samples were collected in order to perform immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and ELISA analysis; Results: BHB 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg significantly improved retinal BDNF levels (p < 0.01) in diabetic mice. This improvement was negatively associated with autophagosome−lysosome formations (marked by LC3B and ATG14) and to higher levels of connexin 43 (p < 0.01), a marker of cell integrity. Moreover, BHB administration significantly reduced M1 microglial activation and autophagy (p < 0.01); Conclusions: The systemic administration of BHB in mice with DR improves the retinal levels of BDNF, with the consequent reduction of the abnormal microglial autophagy. This leads to retinal cell safety through connexin 43 restoration.
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16
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Masuda S, Tanaka S, Shiraki H, Sotomaru Y, Harada K, Hide I, Kiuchi Y, Sakai N. GPR3 expression in retinal ganglion cells contributes to neuron survival and accelerates axonal regeneration after optic nerve crush in mice. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 172:105811. [PMID: 35809764 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105811] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy and is currently one of the most common diseases that leads to irreversible blindness. The axonal degeneration that occurs before retinal ganglion neuronal loss is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. G protein-coupled receptor 3 (GPR3) belongs to the class A rhodopsin-type GPCR family and is highly expressed in various neurons. GPR3 is unique in its ability to constitutively activate the Gαs protein without a ligand, which elevates the basal intracellular cAMP level. Our earlier reports suggested that GPR3 enhances both neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival. However, the potential role of GPR3 in axonal regeneration after neuronal injury has not been elucidated. Herein, we investigated retinal GPR3 expression and its possible involvement in axonal regeneration after retinal injury in mice. GPR3 was relatively highly expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Surprisingly, RGCs in GPR3 knockout mice were vulnerable to neural death during aging without affecting high intraocular pressure (IOP) and under ischemic conditions. Primary cultured neurons from the retina showed that GPR3 expression was correlated with neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival. Evaluation of the effect of GPR3 on axonal regeneration using GPR3 knockout mice revealed that GPR3 in RGCs participates in axonal regeneration after optic nerve crush (ONC) under zymosan stimulation. In addition, regenerating axons were further stimulated when GPR3 was upregulated in RGCs, and the effect was further augmented when combined with zymosan treatment. These results suggest that GPR3 expression in RGCs helps maintain neuronal survival and accelerates axonal regeneration after ONC in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Masuda
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Shigeru Tanaka
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
| | - Hiroko Shiraki
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sotomaru
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Kana Harada
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Izumi Hide
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kiuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Norio Sakai
- Department of Molecular and Pharmacological Neuroscience, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
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17
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Lambuk L, Mohd Lazaldin MA, Ahmad S, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Uskoković V, Mohamud R. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Mediated Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: A Review of Current State of the Art. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875662. [PMID: 35668928 PMCID: PMC9163364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are neurons of the visual system that are responsible for transmitting signals from the retina to the brain via the optic nerve. Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by apoptotic loss of RGCs and degeneration of optic nerve fibers. Risk factors such as elevated intraocular pressure and vascular dysregulation trigger the injury that culminates in RGC apoptosis. In the event of injury, the survival of RGCs is facilitated by neurotrophic factors (NTFs), the most widely studied of which is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Its production is regulated locally in the retina, but transport of BDNF retrogradely from the brain to retina is also crucial. Not only that the interruption of this retrograde transport has been detected in the early stages of glaucoma, but significantly low levels of BDNF have also been detected in the sera and ocular fluids of glaucoma patients, supporting the notion that neurotrophic deprivation is a likely mechanism of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Moreover, exogenous NTF including BDNF administration was shown reduce neuronal loss in animal models of various neurodegenerative diseases, indicating the possibility that exogenous BDNF may be a treatment option in glaucoma. Current literature provides an extensive insight not only into the sources, transport, and target sites of BDNF but also the intracellular signaling pathways, other pathways that influence BDNF signaling and a wide range of its functions. In this review, the authors discuss the neuroprotective role of BDNF in promoting the survival of RGCs and its possible application as a therapeutic tool to meet the challenges in glaucoma management. We also highlight the possibility of using BDNF as a biomarker in neurodegenerative disease such as glaucoma. Further we discuss the challenges and future strategies to explore the utility of BDNF in the management of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidawani Lambuk
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | | | - Suhana Ahmad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Igor Iezhitsa
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacology and Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
| | - Renu Agarwal
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Vuk Uskoković
- TardigradeNano LLC, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Rohimah Mohamud
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
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18
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Boccuni I, Fairless R. Retinal Glutamate Neurotransmission: From Physiology to Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:638. [PMID: 35629305 PMCID: PMC9147752 DOI: 10.3390/life12050638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate neurotransmission and metabolism are finely modulated by the retinal network, where the efficient processing of visual information is shaped by the differential distribution and composition of glutamate receptors and transporters. However, disturbances in glutamate homeostasis can result in glutamate excitotoxicity, a major initiating factor of common neurodegenerative diseases. Within the retina, glutamate excitotoxicity can impair visual transmission by initiating degeneration of neuronal populations, including retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The vulnerability of RGCs is observed not just as a result of retinal diseases but has also been ascribed to other common neurodegenerative and peripheral diseases. In this review, we describe the vulnerability of RGCs to glutamate excitotoxicity and the contribution of different glutamate receptors and transporters to this. In particular, we focus on the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor as the major effector of glutamate-induced mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including impairment of calcium homeostasis, changes in gene expression and signalling, and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as the role of endoplasmic reticular stress. Due to recent developments in the search for modulators of NMDA receptor signalling, novel neuroprotective strategies may be on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Boccuni
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Richard Fairless
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Taurone S, De Ponte C, Rotili D, De Santis E, Mai A, Fiorentino F, Scarpa S, Artico M, Micera A. Biochemical Functions and Clinical Characterizations of the Sirtuins in Diabetes-Induced Retinal Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23074048. [PMID: 35409409 PMCID: PMC8999941 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is undoubtedly one of the most prominent causes of blindness worldwide. This pathology is the most frequent microvascular complication arising from diabetes, and its incidence is increasing at a constant pace. To date, the insurgence of DR is thought to be the consequence of the intricate complex of relations connecting inflammation, the generation of free oxygen species, and the consequent oxidative stress determined by protracted hyperglycemia. The sirtuin (SIRT) family comprises 7 histone and non-histone protein deacetylases and mono (ADP-ribosyl) transferases regulating different processes, including metabolism, senescence, DNA maintenance, and cell cycle regulation. These enzymes are involved in the development of various diseases such as neurodegeneration, cardiovascular pathologies, metabolic disorders, and cancer. SIRT1, 3, 5, and 6 are key enzymes in DR since they modulate glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation. Currently, indirect and direct activators of SIRTs (such as antagomir, glycyrrhizin, and resveratrol) are being developed to modulate the inflammation response arising during DR. In this review, we aim to illustrate the most important inflammatory and metabolic pathways connecting SIRT activity to DR, and to describe the most relevant SIRT activators that might be proposed as new therapeutics to treat DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Taurone
- IRCCS—Fondazione Bietti, via Livenza 3, 00198 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-85-356-727; Fax: +39-06-84-242-333
| | - Chiara De Ponte
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.D.P.); (M.A.)
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Elena De Santis
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesco Fiorentino
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.R.); (A.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Susanna Scarpa
- Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.D.P.); (M.A.)
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20
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Gupta V, Chitranshi N, Gupta V, You Y, Rajput R, Paulo JA, Mirzaei M, van den Buuse M, Graham SL. TrkB receptor agonist 7,8 dihydroxyflavone is protective against the inner retinal deficits induced by experimental glaucoma. Neuroscience 2022; 490:36-48. [PMID: 35217121 PMCID: PMC9142859 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and excavation of the optic nerve head (ONH). It is associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and progressive decline in the visual field. Reduction in the retrograde axonal transport of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from the brain to the neuronal cell bodies in retina, has been suggested as one of the key mechanisms underlying selective degeneration of ganglion cells and optic nerve in glaucoma. Multiple studies have indicated that BDNF and its high affinity receptor Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) play crucial roles in survival of RGCs and that upregulating BDNF/TrkB signalling using gene therapy can protect the ganglion cells against degeneration. This study corroborates previous findings and demonstrates that glaucoma is associated with downregulation of TrkB downstream signalling and enhanced levels of amyloid β (Aβ 1-42) accumulation in the retina. 7,8 dihydroxyflavone (7,8 DHF) is a TrkB agonist and regular administration of this compound imparted significant protection against loss of GCL density and preserved inner retinal function in experimental glaucoma models. 7,8 DHF treatment stimulated activation of TrkB intracellular signalling as well as ameliorated the increase in the levels of soluble Aβ (1-42) in the retinas of rats and mice exposed to high IOP. The protective effects of 7,8 DHF were also evident in BDNF+/- mice indicating that TrkB agonist mediated activation of TrkB signalling was not altered upon BDNF allelic impairment. These data support BDNF/TrkB axis as a promising therapeutic target in glaucoma and highlight that the detrimental effects of high IOP exposure can be compensated by the exogenous administration of a TrkB agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Gupta
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie university, NSW, Australia.
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie university, NSW, Australia
| | - Veer Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie university, NSW, Australia; Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rashi Rajput
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie university, NSW, Australia
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie university, NSW, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia; Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie university, NSW, Australia; Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
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21
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Martínez-Alberquilla I, Gasull X, Pérez-Luna P, Seco-Mera R, Ruiz-Alcocer J, Crooke A. Neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular trap components: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets for age-related eye diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 74:101553. [PMID: 34971794 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Age-related eye diseases, including dry eye, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, represent a major global health issue based on their increasing prevalence and disabling action. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases will provide novel opportunities to reduce the burden of age-related eye diseases and improve eye health, contributing to sustainable development goals achievement. The impairment of neutrophil extracellular traps formation/degradation processes seems to be one of these mechanisms. These traps formed by a meshwork of DNA and neutrophil cytosolic granule proteins may exacerbate the inflammatory response promoting chronic inflammation, a pivotal cause of age-related diseases. In this review, we describe current findings that suggest the role of neutrophils and their traps in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned age-related eye diseases. Furthermore, we discuss why these cells and their constituents could be biomarkers and therapeutic targets for dry eye, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. We also examine the therapeutic potential of some neutrophil function modulators and provide several recommendations for future research in age-related eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martínez-Alberquilla
- Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Clinical and Experimental Eye Research Group, UCM 971009, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Gasull
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Pérez-Luna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Seco-Mera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Ruiz-Alcocer
- Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Clinical and Experimental Eye Research Group, UCM 971009, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Crooke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Clinical and Experimental Eye Research Group, UCM 971009, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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22
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Pöstyéni E, Ganczer A, Kovács-Valasek A, Gabriel R. Relevance of Peptide Homeostasis in Metabolic Retinal Degenerative Disorders: Curative Potential in Genetically Modified Mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:808315. [PMID: 35095518 PMCID: PMC8793341 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.808315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina contains approximately 30 neuropeptides that are synthetized by different neuronal cell populations, glia, and the pigmented epithelium. The presence of these neuropeptides leaves a mark on normal retinal molecular processes and physiology, and they are also crucial in fighting various pathologies (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, ischemia, age-related pathologies, glaucoma) because of their protective abilities. Retinal pathologies of different origin (metabolic, genetic) are extensively investigated by genetically manipulated in vivo mouse models that help us gain a better understanding of the molecular background of these pathomechanisms. These models offer opportunities to manipulate gene expression in different cell types to help reveal their roles in the preservation of retinal health or identify malfunction during diseases. In order to assess the current status of transgenic technologies available, we have conducted a literature survey focused on retinal disorders of metabolic origin, zooming in on the role of retinal neuropeptides in diabetic retinopathy and ischemia. First, we identified those neuropeptides that are most relevant to retinal pathologies in humans and the two clinically most relevant models, mice and rats. Then we continued our analysis with metabolic disorders, examining neuropeptide-related pathways leading to systemic or cellular damage and rescue. Last but not least, we reviewed the available literature on genetically modified mouse strains to understand how the manipulation of a single element of any given pathway (e.g., signal molecules, receptors, intracellular signaling pathways) could lead either to the worsening of disease conditions or, more frequently, to substantial improvements in retinal health. Most attention was given to studies which reported successful intervention against specific disorders. For these experiments, a detailed evaluation will be given and the possible role of converging intracellular pathways will be discussed. Using these converging intracellular pathways, curative effects of peptides could potentially be utilized in fighting metabolic retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etelka Pöstyéni
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alma Ganczer
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Andrea Kovács-Valasek
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Robert Gabriel
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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23
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Zheng C, Liu S, Zhang X, Hu Y, Shang X, Zhu Z, Huang Y, Wu G, Xiao Y, Du Z, Liang Y, Chen D, Zang S, Hu Y, He M, Zhang X, Yu H. Shared genetic architecture between the two neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:880576. [PMID: 36118709 PMCID: PMC9476600 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.880576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considered as the representatives of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and glaucoma are complex progressive neuropathies affected by both genetic and environmental risk factors and cause irreversible damages. Current research indicates that there are common features between AD and glaucoma in terms of epidemiology and pathophysiology. However, the understandings and explanations of their comorbidity and potential genetic overlaps are still limited and insufficient. METHOD Genetic pleiotropy analysis was performed using large genome-wide association studies summary statistics of AD and glaucoma, with an independent cohort of glaucoma for replication. Conditional and conjunctional false discovery rate methods were applied to identify the shared loci. Biological function and network analysis, as well as the expression level analysis were performed to investigate the significance of the shared genes. RESULTS A significant positive genetic correlation between AD and glaucoma was identified, indicating that there were significant polygenetic overlaps. Forty-nine shared loci were identified and mapped to 11 shared protein-coding genes. Functional genomic analyses of the shared genes indicate their modulation of critical physiological processes in human cells, including those occurring in the mitochondria, nucleus, and cellular membranes. Most of the shared genes indicated a potential modulation of metabolic processes in human cells and tissues. Furthermore, human protein-protein interaction network analyses revealed that some of the shared genes, especially MTCH2, NDUFS3, and PTPMT1, as well as SPI1 and MYBPC3, may function concordantly. The modulation of their expressions may be related to metabolic dysfunction and pathogenic processes. CONCLUSION Our study identified a shared genetic architecture between AD and glaucoma, which may explain their shared features in epidemiology and pathophysiology. The potential involvement of these shared genes in molecular and cellular processes reflects the "inter-organ crosstalk" between AD and glaucoma. These results may serve as a genetic basis for the development of innovative and effective therapeutics for AD, glaucoma, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunwen Zheng
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunming Liu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiayin Zhang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunyan Hu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianwen Shang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoting Zhu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanrong Wu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijing Du
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Liang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daiyu Chen
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siwen Zang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijun Hu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingguang He
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honghua Yu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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González Fleitas MF, Dorfman D, Rosenstein RE. A novel viewpoint in glaucoma therapeutics: enriched environment. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1431-1439. [PMID: 34916414 PMCID: PMC8771091 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.330594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the world's most frequent visual impairment causes and leads to selective damage to retinal ganglion cells and their axons. Despite glaucoma's most accepted risk factor is increased intraocular pressure (IOP), the mechanisms behind the disease have not been fully elucidated. To date, IOP lowering remains the gold standard; however, glaucoma patients may still lose vision regardless of effective IOP management. Therefore, the exclusive IOP control apparently is not enough to stop the disease progression, and developing new resources to protect the retina and optic nerve against glaucoma is a goal of vast clinical importance. Besides pharmacological treatments, environmental conditions have been shown to prevent neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. In this review, we discuss current concepts on key pathogenic mechanisms involved in glaucoma, the effect of enriched environment on these mechanisms in different experimental models, as well as recent evidence supporting the preventive and therapeutic effect of enriched environment exposure against experimental glaucomatous damage. Finally, we postulate that stimulating vision may become a non-invasive and rehabilitative therapy that could be eventually translated to the human disease, preventing glaucoma-induced terrible sequelae resulting in permanent visual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F González Fleitas
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Damián Dorfman
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ruth E Rosenstein
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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25
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Profiles of microRNA in aqueous humor of normal tension glaucoma patients using RNA sequencing. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19024. [PMID: 34561506 PMCID: PMC8463707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98278-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to identify and compare microRNAs (miRNAs) from individual aqueous humor samples between normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients and normal controls. Aqueous humor (80 to 120 µl) was collected before cataract surgery. Six stable NTG patients and seven age-matched controls were included in the final analysis. RNA sequencing was conducted for RNA samples extracted from the 13 aqueous humor samples, and bioinformatics analysis was employed for the miRNA targets and related pathways. Two hundred and twenty-eight discrete miRNAs were detected in the aqueous humor and consistently expressed in all samples. Eight significantly upregulated miRNAs were found in the NTG patients compared to the controls (fold-change > 2, p < 0.05). They were hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-let-7c-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-192-5p, hsa-miR-10a-5p, hsa-miR-10b-5p, hsa-miR-375, and hsa-miR-143-3p. These miRNAs were predicted to be associated with the biological processes of apoptosis, autophagy, neurogenesis, and aging in the gene ontology categories. The related Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways were extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, mucin-type O-glycan biosynthesis, biotin metabolism, and signaling pathways regulating the pluripotency of stem cells. The differentially expressed miRNA in the NTG samples compared to the controls suggest the possible roles of miRNA in the pathogenesis of NTG. The underlying miRNA-associated pathways further imply novel targets for the pathogenesis of NTG.
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26
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Cha YW, Kim ST. Serum and aqueous humor levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:3869-3875. [PMID: 34533687 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01959-y] [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: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to compare the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum and aqueous humor (AH) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS This prospective, observational study consists of 30 patients with POAG, 30 patients with NTG, and 30 healthy controls. The serum and AH BDNF levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS BDNF levels in serum and AH were markedly lower in the glaucoma groups (POAG and NTG) than in the control group (p < 0.05). When comparing the NTG and POAG groups, the average serum BDNF level was significantly lower in the NTG group than in the POAG group (p < 0.05). The difference in the mean BDNF levels in AH between the POAG and NTG groups was not statistically significant. (p = 0.538). CONCLUSION We confirmed that serum BDNF levels were lower in patients with NTG than in those with POAG. BDNF could be a causative systemic biomarker in NTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wan Cha
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, 365 Philmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Taeck Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, 365 Philmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453, Republic of Korea.
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Schlecht A, Vallon M, Wagner N, Ergün S, Braunger BM. TGFβ-Neurotrophin Interactions in Heart, Retina, and Brain. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091360. [PMID: 34572573 PMCID: PMC8464756 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic insults to the heart and brain, i.e., myocardial and cerebral infarction, respectively, are amongst the leading causes of death worldwide. While there are therapeutic options to allow reperfusion of ischemic myocardial and brain tissue by reopening obstructed vessels, mitigating primary tissue damage, post-infarction inflammation and tissue remodeling can lead to secondary tissue damage. Similarly, ischemia in retinal tissue is the driving force in the progression of neovascular eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which eventually lead to functional blindness, if left untreated. Intriguingly, the easily observable retinal blood vessels can be used as a window to the heart and brain to allow judgement of microvascular damages in diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. The complex neuronal and endocrine interactions between heart, retina and brain have also been appreciated in myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and retinal diseases. To describe the intimate relationship between the individual tissues, we use the terms heart-brain and brain-retina axis in this review and focus on the role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and neurotrophins in regulation of these axes under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Moreover, we particularly discuss their roles in inflammation and repair following ischemic/neovascular insults. As there is evidence that TGFβ signaling has the potential to regulate expression of neurotrophins, it is tempting to speculate, and is discussed here, that cross-talk between TGFβ and neurotrophin signaling protects cells from harmful and/or damaging events in the heart, retina, and brain.
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28
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Igarashi T, Nakamoto K, Kobayashi M, Suzuki H, Arima T, Tobita Y, Takao K, Igarashi T, Okuda T, Okada T, Takahashi H. Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucoma Patients. J NIPPON MED SCH 2021; 88:128-132. [PMID: 33980757 DOI: 10.1272/jnms.jnms.2021_88-305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. BDNF concentrations reported in previous studies have varied widely, and the concentration of BDNF in aqueous humor is unknown. In this study, BDNF concentrations in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients and control patients were measured with ELISA kits. METHODS This prospective, observational study examined BDNF levels in aqueous humor in 62 eyes of 43 patients who underwent cataract surgery or trabeculectomy (11 glaucoma patients and 32 non-glaucoma cataract patients as controls). BDNF concentrations were examined by 4 different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. RESULTS The mean ± SD patient age was 72.0 ± 10.1 (range 35 to 87) years. Two of the techniques detected no BDNF in aqueous humor in any samples (n=3 and n=9, respectively); the average value was less than zero. An ultrasensitive ELISA kit did not yield reliable measurements. Finally, in an even more sensitive ELISA (Simoa-HD1), performed by an outside contractor, 25 (54.3%) eyes were below the detection limit, including 20 (55.6%) control and 5 (50%) glaucoma cases. For eyes with detectable BDNF, the overall BDNF concentration was 0.158 pg/mL (n=21): 0.196 pg/mL (n=16) in controls and 0.034 pg/mL (n=5) in glaucoma cases. CONCLUSIONS BDNF level in aqueous humor varies widely.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Takahisa Okuda
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
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Rhee J, Shih KC. Use of Gene Therapy in Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection: Current Concepts and Future Directions. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040581. [PMID: 33920974 PMCID: PMC8071340 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We systematically reviewed published translational research on gene-based therapy for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neuroprotection. A search was conducted on Entrez PubMed on 23 December 2020 using the keywords "gene therapy", "retinal ganglion cell" and "neuroprotection". The initial search yielded 82 relevant articles. After restricting publications to those with full text available and in the English language, and then curating for only original articles on gene-based therapy, the final yield was 18 relevant articles. From the 18 papers, 17 of the papers utilized an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector for gene therapy encoding specific genes of interest. Specifically, six of the studies utilized an AAV vector encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two of the studies utilized an AAV vector encoding erythropoietin (EPO), the remaining 10 papers utilized AAV vectors encoding different genes and one microRNA study. Although the literature shows promising results in both in vivo and in vitro models, there is still a significant way to go before gene-based therapy for RGC neuroprotection can proceed to clinical trials. Namely, the models of injury in many of the studies were more acute in nature, unlike the more progressive and neurodegenerative pathophysiology of diseases, such as glaucoma. The regulation of gene expression is also highly unexplored despite the use of AAV vectors in the majority of the studies reviewed. It is also expected that with the successful launch of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccinations in 2020, we will see a shift towards this technology for gene-based therapy in glaucoma neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jess Rhee
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A3K7, Canada;
| | - Kendrick Co Shih
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence:
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30
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Abbasi M, Gupta VK, Chitranshi N, Gupta V, Ranjbaran R, Rajput R, Pushpitha K, KB D, You Y, Salekdeh GH, Parton RG, Mirzaei M, Graham SL. Inner retinal injury in experimental glaucoma is prevented upon AAV mediated Shp2 silencing in a caveolin dependent manner. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:6154-6172. [PMID: 33995651 PMCID: PMC8120201 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SH2 domain containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (Shp2; PTPN11) regulates several intracellular pathways downstream of multiple growth factor receptors. Our studies implicate that Shp2 interacts with Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) protein in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and negatively regulates BDNF/TrkB signaling. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of shp2 silencing in the RGCs in glaucomatous conditions. Methods: Shp2 was silenced in the Cav-1 deficient mice and the age matched wildtype littermates using adeno-associated viral (AAV) constructs. Shp2 expression modulation was performed in an acute and a chronic mouse model of experimental glaucoma. AAV2 expressing Shp2 eGFP-shRNA under a strong synthetic CAG promoter was administered intravitreally in the animals' eyes. The contralateral eye received AAV-eGFP-scramble-shRNA as control. Animals with Shp2 downregulation were subjected to either microbead injections or acute ocular hypertension experimental paradigm. Changes in inner retinal function were evaluated by measuring positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR) while structural and biochemical alterations were evaluated through H&E staining, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis of the retinal tissues. Results: A greater loss of pSTR amplitudes was observed in the WT mice compared to Cav-1-/- retinas in both the models. Silencing of Shp2 phosphatase imparted protection against inner retinal function loss in chronic glaucoma model in WT mice. The functional rescue also translated to structural preservation of ganglion cell layer in the chronic glaucoma condition in WT mice which was not evident in Cav-1-/- mice retinas. Conclusions: This study indicates that protective effects of Shp2 ablation under chronic experimental glaucoma conditions are dependent on Cav-1 in the retina, suggesting in vivo interactions between the two proteins.
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31
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Wang Q, Qu X, Chen W, Wang H, Huang C, Li T, Wang N, Xian J. Altered coupling of cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity strength in visual and higher order cognitive cortices in primary open angle glaucoma. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:901-913. [PMID: 32580669 PMCID: PMC7983497 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x20935274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) has been suggested to be a neurodegenerative disease associated with altered cerebral vascular hemodynamics and widespread disruption of neuronal activity within the visual, working memory, attention and executive networks. We hypothesized that disturbed neurovascular coupling in visual and higher order cognitive cortices exists in POAG patients and correlates with glaucoma stage and visual field defects. Through multimodal magnetic resonance imaging, we evaluated the cerebral blood flow (CBF)-functional connectivity strength (FCS) correlations of the whole gray matter and CBF/FCS ratio per voxel for all subjects. Compared with normal controls, POAG patients showed reduced global CBF-FCS coupling and altered CBF/FCS ratios, predominantly in regions in the visual cortex, salience network, default mode network, and dorsal attentional network. The CBF/FCS ratio was negatively correlated with glaucoma stage, and positively correlated with visual field defects in the lingual gyrus in POAG patients. Moreover, early brain changes were detected in early POAG. These findings indicate neurovascular coupling dysfunction might exist in the visual and higher order cognitive cortices in POAG patients and its clinical relevance. The results may contribute to the monitoring of POAG progression and provide insight into the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative process in POAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Qu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Huaizhou Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Caiyun Huang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Junfang Xian
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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32
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Wang L, Mao X. Role of Retinal Amyloid-β in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Overlapping Mechanisms and Emerging Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2360. [PMID: 33653000 PMCID: PMC7956232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulations have been identified in the retina for neurodegeneration-associated disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Elevated retinal Aβ levels were associated with progressive retinal neurodegeneration, elevated cerebral Aβ accumulation, and increased disease severity with a decline in cognition and vision. Retinal Aβ accumulation and its pathological effects were demonstrated to occur prior to irreversible neurodegeneration, which highlights its potential in early disease detection and intervention. Using the retina as a model of the brain, recent studies have focused on characterizing retinal Aβ to determine its applicability for population-based screening of AD, which warrants a further understanding of how Aβ manifests between these disorders. While current treatments directly targeting Aβ accumulations have had limited results, continued exploration of Aβ-associated pathological pathways may yield new therapeutic targets for preserving cognition and vision. Here, we provide a review on the role of retinal Aβ manifestations in these distinct neurodegeneration-associated disorders. We also discuss the recent applications of retinal Aβ for AD screening and current clinical trial outcomes for Aβ-associated treatment approaches. Lastly, we explore potential future therapeutic targets based on overlapping mechanisms of pathophysiology in AD, glaucoma, and AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Xiaobo Mao
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Retinal Molecular Changes Are Associated with Neuroinflammation and Loss of RGCs in an Experimental Model of Glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042066. [PMID: 33669765 PMCID: PMC7922243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling mediated by cytokines and chemokines is involved in glaucoma-associated neuroinflammation and in the damage of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Using multiplexed immunoassay and immunohistochemical techniques in a glaucoma mouse model at different time points after ocular hypertension (OHT), we analyzed (i) the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, BDNF, VEGF, and fractalkine; and (ii) the number of Brn3a+ RGCs. In OHT eyes, there was an upregulation of (i) IFN-γ at days 3, 5, and 15; (ii) IL-4 at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and IL-10 at days 3 and 5 (coinciding with downregulation of IL1-β at days 1, 5, and 7); (iii) IL-6 at days 1, 3, and 5; (iv) fractalkine and VEGF at day 1; and (v) BDNF at days 1, 3, 7, and 15. In contralateral eyes, there were (i) an upregulation of IL-1β at days 1 and 3 and a downregulation at day 7, coinciding with the downregulation of IL4 at days 3 and 5 and the upregulation at day 7; (ii) an upregulation of IL-6 at days 1, 5, and 7 and a downregulation at 15 days; (iii) an upregulation of IL-10 at days 3 and 7; and (iv) an upregulation of IL-17 at day 15. In OHT eyes, there was a reduction in the Brn3a+ RGCs number at days 3, 5, 7, and 15. OHT changes cytokine levels in both OHT and contralateral eyes at different time points after OHT induction, confirming the immune system involvement in glaucomatous neurodegeneration.
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Aggio-Bruce R, Chu-Tan JA, Wooff Y, Cioanca AV, Schumann U, Natoli R. Inhibition of microRNA-155 Protects Retinal Function Through Attenuation of Inflammation in Retinal Degeneration. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:835-854. [PMID: 33037565 PMCID: PMC7843561 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02158-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Although extensively investigated in inflammatory conditions, the role of pro-inflammatory microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-155 and miR-146a, has not been well-studied in retinal degenerative diseases. We therefore aimed to explore the role and regulation of these miRNA in the degenerating retina, with a focus on miR-155. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to photo-oxidative damage for up to 5 days to induce focal retinal degeneration. MiR-155 expression was quantified by qRT-PCR in whole retina, serum, and small-medium extracellular vesicles (s-mEVs), and a PrimeFlow™ assay was used to identify localisation of miR-155 in retinal cells. Constitutive miR-155 knockout (KO) mice and miR-155 and miR-146a inhibitors were utilised to determine the role of these miRNA in the degenerating retina. Electroretinography was employed as a measure of retinal function, while histological quantification of TUNEL+ and IBA1+ positive cells was used to quantify photoreceptor cell death and infiltrating immune cells, respectively. Upregulation of miR-155 was detected in retinal tissue, serum and s-mEVs in response to photo-oxidative damage, localising to the nucleus of a subset of retinal ganglion cells and glial cells and in the cytoplasm of photoreceptors. Inhibition of miR-155 showed increased function from negative controls and a less pathological pattern of IBA1+ cell localisation and morphology at 5 days photo-oxidative damage. While neither dim-reared nor damaged miR-155 KO animals showed retinal histological difference from controls, following photo-oxidative damage, miR-155 KO mice showed increased a-wave relative to controls. We therefore consider miR-155 to be associated with the inflammatory response of the retina in response to photoreceptor-specific degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riemke Aggio-Bruce
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- The Australian National University Medical School, Mills Road, Australian Capital Territory, Acton, 2601, Australia
| | - Joshua A Chu-Tan
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- The Australian National University Medical School, Mills Road, Australian Capital Territory, Acton, 2601, Australia
| | - Yvette Wooff
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- The Australian National University Medical School, Mills Road, Australian Capital Territory, Acton, 2601, Australia
| | - Adrian V Cioanca
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
| | - Ulrike Schumann
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Garran Road, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia.
- The Australian National University Medical School, Mills Road, Australian Capital Territory, Acton, 2601, Australia.
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Van Hook MJ, Monaco C, Bierlein ER, Smith JC. Neuronal and Synaptic Plasticity in the Visual Thalamus in Mouse Models of Glaucoma. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 14:626056. [PMID: 33584206 PMCID: PMC7873902 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.626056] [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: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostatic plasticity plays important role in regulating synaptic and intrinsic neuronal function to stabilize output following perturbations to circuit activity. In glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disease of the visual system commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), the early disease is associated with altered synaptic inputs to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), changes in RGC intrinsic excitability, and deficits in optic nerve transport and energy metabolism. These early functional changes can precede RGC degeneration and are likely to alter RGC outputs to their target structures in the brain and thereby trigger homeostatic changes in synaptic and neuronal properties in those brain regions. In this study, we sought to determine whether and how neuronal and synaptic function is altered in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), an important RGC projection target in the thalamus, and how functional changes related to IOP. We accomplished this using patch-clamp recordings from thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons in the dLGN in two established mouse models of glaucoma—the DBA/2J (D2) genetic mouse model and an inducible glaucoma model with intracameral microbead injections to elevate IOP. We found that the intrinsic excitability of TC neurons was enhanced in D2 mice and these functional changes were mirrored in recordings of TC neurons from microbead-injected mice. Notably, many neuronal properties were correlated with IOP in older D2 mice, when IOP rises. The frequency of miniature excitatory synaptic currents (mEPSCs) was reduced in 9-month-old D2 mice, and vGlut2 staining of RGC synaptic terminals was reduced in an IOP-dependent manner. These data suggest that glaucoma-associated changes to neuronal excitability and synaptic inputs in the dLGN might represent a combination of both stabilizing/homeostatic plasticity and pathological dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Van Hook
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Corrine Monaco
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Olson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Elizabeth R Bierlein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jennie C Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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Igarashi T, Nakamoto K, Kobayashi M, Suzuki H, Tobita Y, Igarashi T, Okuda T, Okada T, Takahashi H. Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Glaucoma Patients in Japan: An Observational Study. J NIPPON MED SCH 2021; 87:339-345. [PMID: 32238736 DOI: 10.1272/jnms.jnms.2020_87-605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in Japanese patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS This was a prospective observational study of serum BDNF levels in 78 patients who underwent cataract surgery or trabeculectomy (27 glaucoma patients and 51 non-glaucoma cataract patients as controls). Patient age was 68.8 ± 11.1 years (mean ± standard deviation; range 35-86 years). The numbers of patients with POAG and NTG were 16 and 11, respectively. POAG was diagnosed by intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy, optic nerve head change, and presence of a visual field defect. RESULTS Serum BDNF concentration was significantly lower in the glaucoma group (including both POAG and NTG) than in the control group (7.2 ± 3.6 ng/mL vs. 12.2 ± 9.3 ng/mL, p=0.004). Serum BDNF concentration was lower in early glaucoma than in moderate glaucoma. There was no correlation between serum BDNF concentration and age. When patients with NTG and POAG were compared, serum BDNF concentration was lower in the former. Serum BDNF concentration was not significantly correlated with glaucoma parameters, including optical coherence tomography and visual field defects. CONCLUSION This is the first study to investigate serum BDNF concentration in glaucoma patients in Japan. Future studies should evaluate the role of BDNF as a potential biomarker of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Takahisa Okuda
- Department of Legal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine
| | - Takashi Okada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School
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Neurotrophic Factors in Glaucoma and Innovative Delivery Systems. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10249015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease and a worldwide leading cause of irreversible vision loss. In the last decades, high efforts have been made to develop novel treatments effective in inducing protection and/or recovery of neural function in glaucoma, including neurotrophic factors (NTFs). These approaches have shown encouraging data in preclinical setting; however, the challenge of sustained, targeted delivery to the retina and optic nerve still prevents the clinical translation. In this paper, the authors review and discuss the most recent advances for the use of NTFs treatment in glaucoma, including intraocular delivery. Novel strategies in drug and gene delivery technology for NTFs are proving effective in promoting long-term retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) survival and related functional improvements. Results of experimental and clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of biodegradable slow-release NTF-loaded microparticle devices, encapsulated NTF-secreting cells implants, mimetic ligands for NTF receptors, and viral and non-viral NTF gene vehicles are discussed. NTFs are able to prevent and even reverse apoptotic ganglion cell death. Nevertheless, neuroprotection in glaucoma remains an open issue due to the unmet need of sustained delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. The recent advances in intraocular delivery systems pave the way for possible future use of NTFs in clinical practice for the treatment of glaucoma.
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Mirzaei M, Gupta VK, Chitranshi N, Deng L, Pushpitha K, Abbasi M, Chick JM, Rajput R, Wu Y, McKay MJ, Salekdeh GH, Gupta VB, Haynes PA, Graham SL. Retinal proteomics of experimental glaucoma model reveal intraocular pressure-induced mediators of neurodegenerative changes. J Cell Biochem 2020; 121:4931-4944. [PMID: 32692886 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Current evidence suggests that exposure to chronically induced intraocular pressure (IOP) leads to neurodegenerative changes in the inner retina. This study aimed to determine retinal proteomic alterations in a rat model of glaucoma and compared findings with human retinal proteomics changes in glaucoma reported previously. We developed an experimental glaucoma rat model by subjecting the rats to increased IOP (9.3 ± 0.1 vs 20.8 ± 1.6 mm Hg) by weekly microbead injections into the eye (8 weeks). The retinal tissues were harvested from control and glaucomatous eyes and protein expression changes analysed using a multiplexed quantitative proteomics approach (TMT-MS3). Immunofluorescence was performed for selected protein markers for data validation. Our study identified 4304 proteins in the rat retinas. Out of these, 139 proteins were downregulated (≤0.83) while the expression of 109 proteins was upregulated (≥1.2-fold change) under glaucoma conditions (P ≤ .05). Computational analysis revealed reduced expression of proteins associated with glutathione metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction/oxidative phosphorylation, cytoskeleton, and actin filament organisation, along with increased expression of proteins in coagulation cascade, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and RNA processing. Further functional network analysis highlighted the differential modulation of nuclear receptor signalling, cellular survival, protein synthesis, transport, and cellular assembly pathways. Alterations in crystallin family, glutathione metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction associated proteins shared similarities between the animal model of glaucoma and the human disease condition. In contrast, the activation of the classical complement pathway and upregulation of cholesterol transport proteins were exclusive to human glaucoma. These findings provide insights into the neurodegenerative mechanisms that are specifically affected in the retina in response to chronically elevated IOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Kanishka Pushpitha
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mojdeh Abbasi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joel M Chick
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rashi Rajput
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yunqi Wu
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew J McKay
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ghasem H Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul A Haynes
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Gupta VB, Chitranshi N, den Haan J, Mirzaei M, You Y, Lim JK, Basavarajappa D, Godinez A, Di Angelantonio S, Sachdev P, Salekdeh GH, Bouwman F, Graham S, Gupta V. Retinal changes in Alzheimer's disease- integrated prospects of imaging, functional and molecular advances. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 82:100899. [PMID: 32890742 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, clinically characterised by cognitive deficits that gradually worsen over time. There is, at present, no established cure, or disease-modifying treatments for AD. As life expectancy increases globally, the number of individuals suffering from the disease is projected to increase substantially. Cumulative evidence indicates that AD neuropathological process is initiated several years, if not decades, before clinical signs are evident in patients, and diagnosis made. While several imaging, cognitive, CSF and blood-based biomarkers have been proposed for the early detection of AD; their sensitivity and specificity in the symptomatic stages is highly variable and it is difficult to justify their use in even earlier, pre-clinical stages of the disease. Research has identified potentially measurable functional, structural, metabolic and vascular changes in the retina during early stages of AD. Retina offers a distinctively accessible insight into brain pathology and current and developing ophthalmic technologies have provided us with the possibility of detecting and characterising subtle, disease-related changes. Recent human and animal model studies have further provided mechanistic insights into the biochemical pathways that are altered in the retina in disease, including amyloid and tau deposition. This information coupled with advances in molecular imaging has allowed attempts to monitor biochemical changes and protein aggregation pathology in the retina in AD. This review summarises the existing knowledge that informs our understanding of the impact of AD on the retina and highlights some of the gaps that need to be addressed. Future research will integrate molecular imaging innovation with functional and structural changes to enhance our knowledge of the AD pathophysiological mechanisms and establish the utility of monitoring retinal changes as a potential biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jurre den Haan
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jeremiah Kh Lim
- Optometry and Vision Science, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Angela Godinez
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Perminder Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ghasem H Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Femke Bouwman
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Stuart Graham
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia; Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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Tanaka-Gonome T, Xie Y, Yamauchi K, Maeda-Monai N, Tanabu R, Kudo T, Nakazawa M. The protective effect of astaxanthin on the ganglion cell complex in glutamate/aspartate transporter deficient mice, a model of normal tension glaucoma, analyzed by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. Biochem Biophys Rep 2020; 23:100777. [PMID: 32637659 PMCID: PMC7330488 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Astaxanthin (AST), a natural marine carotenoid, possess a wide variety of biological functions. In particular, as a strong antioxidant, AST effectively scavenges oxygen free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. In addition, recent in vitro studies have suggested that AST attenuates glutamate-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. The glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) deficient (GLAST-/-) mouse is a mouse model of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) caused by both the glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the retina. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AST on the ganglion cell complex, indicator of glaucomatous structural damage, using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. As a result, AST significantly attenuated the thinning of ganglion cell complex in GLAST-/- mice in comparison to an AST-free control group. Our results suggest the possibility that AST has protective effects against glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the retina. At present, the only treatment for NTG that is available in the clinical setting is to reduce the IOP as much as possible. Thus, our results suggest that AST supplementation may be effective for some types of NTG in which glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Tanaka-Gonome
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Yuting Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Kodai Yamauchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Natsuki Maeda-Monai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Reiko Tanabu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Nakazawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
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Jun YH, Kim ST. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy with diabetic macular edema. Eur J Ophthalmol 2020; 31:1915-1919. [PMID: 32686489 DOI: 10.1177/1120672120944801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate aqueous humor (AH) and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS The prospective study consists of 20 patients with DME NPDR, 20 patients with no-DME NPDR, and 20 healthy control subjects. Serum and AH samples were obtained during cataract surgery and intravitreal injection. Serum and AH levels of BDNF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The mean serum levels of BDNF were lower in both NPDR groups compared to the control group (DME NPDR group, p = 0.015; no-DME NPDR group, p = 0.024). Furthermore, the mean serum level of BDNF was lower in the DME NPDR group compared to the no-DME NPDR group (p = 0.041). The mean AH levels of BDNF were significantly reduced in both NPDR groups compared to the control group (DME NPDR group, p < 0.001; no-DME NPDR group, p = 0.006). Further, the mean AH level of BDNF was significantly lower in the DME NPDR group compared to the no-DME NPDR group (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION Serum and AH levels of BDNF were reduced in NPDR patients with DME than without DME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hyun Jun
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Taeck Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Abbasi M, Gupta VK, Chitranshi N, Gupta VB, Mirzaei M, Dheer Y, Garthwaite L, Zaw T, Parton RG, You Y, Graham SL. Caveolin-1 Ablation Imparts Partial Protection Against Inner Retinal Injury in Experimental Glaucoma and Reduces Apoptotic Activation. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3759-3784. [PMID: 32578008 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01948-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell degeneration is a characteristic feature of glaucoma, and accordingly, protection of these cells constitutes a major therapeutic objective in the disease. Here, we demonstrate the key influence of caveolin (Cav) in regulating the inner retinal homeostasis in two models of experimentally elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Two groups of Cav-1-/- and wild-type mice were used in the study. Animals were subjected to experimentally induced chronic and acutely elevated IOP and any changes in their retinal function were assessed by positive scotopic threshold response recordings. TUNEL and cleaved caspase-3 assays were performed to evaluate apoptotic changes in the retina while Brn3a immunostaining was used as a marker to assess and quantify ganglion cell layer (GCL) changes. H&E staining was carried out on retinal sections to evaluate histological differences in retinal laminar structure. Cav-1 ablation partially protected the inner retinal function in both chronic and acute models of elevated IOP. The protective effects of Cav-1 loss were also evident histologically by reduced loss of GCL density in both models. The phenotypic protection in Cav-1-/- glaucoma mice paralleled with increased TrkB phosphorylation and reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress markers and apoptotic activation in the inner retinas. This study corroborated previous findings of enhanced Shp2 phosphorylation in a chronic glaucoma model and established a novel role of Cav-1 in mediating activation of this phosphatase in the inner retina in vivo. Collectively, these findings highlight the critical involvement of Cav-1 regulatory mechanisms in ganglion cells in response to increased IOP, implicating Cav-1 as a potential therapeutic target in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojdeh Abbasi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Molecular Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.,Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Yogita Dheer
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Linda Garthwaite
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Thiri Zaw
- Department of Molecular Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Robert G Parton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, QLD, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, F10A, 2 Technology Place, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
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Yadav KS, Sharma S, Londhe VY. Bio-tactics for neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in the treatment of glaucoma. Life Sci 2020; 243:117303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Kimura
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiko Noro
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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Quantitative Assessment of the Retina Using OCT and Associations with Cognitive Function. Ophthalmology 2020; 127:107-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Shen T, Gupta V, Yiannikas C, Klistorner A, Graham SL, You Y. Association Between BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Optic Neuritis Damage in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1236. [PMID: 31803011 PMCID: PMC6877654 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of the study was to examine the association between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met genotype and structural and functional optic nerve damage in the eyes of NMOSD patients. A total of 17 NMOSD subjects (34 eyes) were included in the study and were divided into subgroups based on optic neuritis (ON) history and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms. The mean (range) age was 47.8 (23–78) years, and the mean (SD) disease duration was 7.4 (2–39) years. All participants had undergone optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans for global retinal nerve fiber layer (gRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness and multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) test for amplitude and latency. BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms were genotyped in all participants. OCT and mfVEP changes were compared between two genotype groups (Met carriers vs. Val homozygotes) by using the generalised estimating equation (GEE) models. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was significantly associated with more severe nerve fiber layer damage and axonal loss in ON eyes of NMOSD subjects. Met carriers had more significantly reduced GCIPL (P = 0.002) and gRNFL (P < 0.001) thickness as well as more delayed mfVEP latency (P = 0.008) in ON eyes. No association was found between Val66Met variants and non-ON (NON)-eye of the participants. These findings suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may be associated with optic nerve damage caused by acute ON attacks in NMOSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Shen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Con Yiannikas
- Australia Department of Neurology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Klistorner
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Therapeutic Strategies for Attenuation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Injury in Optic Neuropathies: Concepts in Translational Research and Therapeutic Implications. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8397521. [PMID: 31828134 PMCID: PMC6885158 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8397521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death is the central and irreversible endpoint of optic neuropathies. Current management of optic neuropathies and glaucoma focuses on intraocular pressure-lowering treatment which is insufficient. As such, patients are effectively condemned to irreversible visual impairment. This review summarizes experimental treatments targeting RGCs over the last decade. In particular, we examine the various treatment modalities and determine their viability and limitations in translation to clinical practice. Experimental RGC treatment can be divided into (1) cell replacement therapy, (2) neuroprotection, and (3) gene therapy. For cell replacement therapy, difficulties remain in successfully integrating transplanted RGCs from various sources into the complex neural network of the human retina. However, there is significant potential for achieving full visual restoration with this technique. Neuroprotective strategies, in the form of pharmacological agents, nutritional supplementation, and neurotrophic factors, are viable strategies with encouraging results from preliminary noncomparative interventional case series. It is important to note, however, that most published studies are focused on glaucoma, with few treating optic neuropathies of other etiologies. Gene therapy, through the use of viral vectors, has shown promising results in clinical trials, particularly for diseases with specific genetic mutations like Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. This treatment technique can be further extended to nonhereditary diseases, through transfer of genes promoting cell survival and neuroprotection. Crucially though, for gene therapy, teratogenicity remains a significant issue in translation to clinical practice.
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Normal tension glaucoma-like degeneration of the visual system in aged marmosets. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14852. [PMID: 31619716 PMCID: PMC6795850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51281-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a non-human primate that provides valuable models for neuroscience and aging research due to its anatomical similarities to humans and relatively short lifespan. This study was carried out to examine whether aged marmosets develop glaucoma, as seen in humans. We found that 11% of the aged marmosets presented with glaucoma-like characteristics; this incident rate is very similar to that in humans. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a significant volume loss in the visual cortex, and histological analyses confirmed the degeneration of the lateral geniculate nuclei and visual cortex in the affected marmosets. These marmosets did not have elevated intraocular pressure, but showed an increased oxidative stress level, low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, and low brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB expression in the retina, optic nerve head and CSF. Our findings suggest that marmosets have potential to provide useful information for the research of eye and the visual system.
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Georgevsky D, Retsas S, Raoufi N, Shimoni O, Golzan SM. A longitudinal assessment of retinal function and structure in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2019; 8:30. [PMID: 31592131 PMCID: PMC6774218 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-019-0170-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A great body of evidence suggests that there are retinal functional and structural changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether such changes are primary or secondary remains to be elucidated. We studied a range of retinal functional and structural parameters in association with AD- specific pathophysiological markers in the double transgenic APP/PS1 and control mice across age. METHODS Electroretinogram (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in APP/PS1 and wild type (WT) control mice every 3 months from 3 to 12 months of age. For functional assessment, the a- and b-wave of the ERG, amplitude of oscillatory potentials (OP) and the positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR) were quantified at each time point. For structural assessment, the inner and outer retinal thickness was segmented and measured from OCT scans. Episodic memory was evaluated at 6, 9 and 12 months of age using the novel object recognition test. Amyloid beta (Aβ) distribution in the hippocampus and the retina were visualised at 3, 6 and 12 months of age. Inter- and intra- group analysis was performed to study rate of change for each parameter between the two groups. RESULTS Inter-group analysis revealed a significant difference in b-wave and OPs of APP/PS1 compared to WT controls starting from 3 months (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the amplitude of pSTR between the two groups starting from 6 months (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference in the inner retinal thickness, between the two groups, was observed starting from 9 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We observed an age-related decline in retinal functional and structural parameters in both APP/PS1 and WT controls, however, inter-group analysis revealed that inner retinal functional and structural decline is exacerbated in APP/PS1 mice, and that retinal functional changes precede structural changes in this strain. Further studies are required to confirm whether such phenomenon occurs in humans and if studying retinal functional changes can aid-in early assessment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Georgevsky
- Vision Science group, Graduate School of Health (Orthoptics Discipline), University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - Stephanie Retsas
- Vision Science group, Graduate School of Health (Orthoptics Discipline), University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - Newsha Raoufi
- Vision Science group, Graduate School of Health (Orthoptics Discipline), University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007 Australia
- Institute of Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - Olga Shimoni
- Institute of Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - S. Mojtaba Golzan
- Vision Science group, Graduate School of Health (Orthoptics Discipline), University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007 Australia
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Bhandari A, Smith JC, Zhang Y, Jensen AA, Reid L, Goeser T, Fan S, Ghate D, Van Hook MJ. Early-Stage Ocular Hypertension Alters Retinal Ganglion Cell Synaptic Transmission in the Visual Thalamus. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:426. [PMID: 31607867 PMCID: PMC6761307 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonopathy is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases including glaucoma, where elevated intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension, OHT) stresses retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons as they exit the eye and form the optic nerve. OHT causes early changes in the optic nerve such as axon atrophy, transport inhibition, and gliosis. Importantly, many of these changes appear to occur prior to irreversible neuronal loss, making them promising points for early diagnosis of glaucoma. It is unknown whether OHT has similarly early effects on the function of RGC output to the brain. To test this possibility, we elevated eye pressure in mice by anterior chamber injection of polystyrene microbeads. Five weeks post-injection, bead-injected eyes showed a modest RGC loss in the peripheral retina, as evidenced by RBPMS antibody staining. Additionally, we observed reduced dendritic complexity and lower spontaneous spike rate of On-αRGCs, targeted for patch clamp recording and dye filling using a Opn4-Cre reporter mouse line. To determine the influence of OHT on retinal projections to the brain, we expressed Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in melanopsin-expressing RGCs by crossing the Opn4-Cre mouse line with a ChR2-reporter mouse line and recorded post-synaptic responses in thalamocortical relay neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus evoked by stimulation with 460 nm light. The use of a Opn4-Cre reporter system allowed for expression of ChR2 in a narrow subset of RGCs responsible for image-forming vision in mice. Five weeks following OHT induction, paired pulse and high-frequency stimulus train experiments revealed that presynaptic vesicle release probability at retinogeniculate synapses was elevated. Additionally, miniature synaptic current frequency was slightly reduced in brain slices from OHT mice and proximal dendrites of post-synaptic dLGN relay neurons, assessed using a Sholl analysis, showed a reduced complexity. Strikingly, these changes occurred prior to major loss of RGCs labeled with the Opn4-Cre mouse, as indicated by immunofluorescence staining of ChR2-expressing retinal neurons. Thus, OHT leads to pre- and post-synaptic functional and structural changes at retinogeniculate synapses. Along with RGC dendritic remodeling and optic nerve transport changes, these retinogeniculate synaptic changes are among the earliest signs of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Bhandari
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jennie C Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Aaron A Jensen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Lisa Reid
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Toni Goeser
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Shan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Deepta Ghate
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Matthew J Van Hook
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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