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O'Neill LM, Wang Y, Duncan MK. Modeling Cataract Surgery in Mice. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/66050. [PMID: 38108456 PMCID: PMC10981495 DOI: 10.3791/66050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cataract surgery (CS) is an effective treatment for cataracts, a major cause of visual disability worldwide. However, CS leads to ocular inflammation, and in the long term, it can result in posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and/or lens dislocation driven by the post-surgical overgrowth of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and their conversion to myofibroblasts and/or aberrant fiber cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CS results in inflammation and PCO are still obscure because most in vitro models do not recapitulate the wound healing response of LECs seen in vivo, while traditional animal models of cataract surgery, such as rabbits, do not allow the genetic manipulation of gene expression to test mechanisms. Recently, our laboratory and others have successfully used genetically modified mice to study the molecular mechanisms that drive the induction of proinflammatory signaling and LEC epithelial to mesenchymal transition, leading to new insight into PCO pathogenesis. Here, we report the established protocol for modeling cataract surgery in mice, which allows for robust transcriptional profiling of the response of LECs to lens fiber cell removal via RNAseq, the evaluation of protein expression by semi-quantitative immunofluorescence, and the use of modern mouse genetics tools to test the function of genes that are hypothesized to participate in the pathogenesis of acute sequelae like inflammation as well as the later conversion of LECs to myofibroblasts and/or aberrant lens fiber cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah M O'Neill
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware
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The Role of Aldose Reductase in Beta-Amyloid-Induced Microglia Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315088. [PMID: 36499422 PMCID: PMC9739496 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of Alzheimer's disease has been associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid (β-amyloid) plaques. These plaques activate microglia to secrete inflammatory molecules, which damage neurons in the brain. Thus, understanding the underlying mechanism of microglia activation can provide a therapeutic strategy for alleviating microglia-induced neuroinflammation. The aldose reductase (AR) enzyme catalyzes the reduction of glucose to sorbitol in the polyol pathway. In addition to mediating diabetic complications in hyperglycemic environments, AR also helps regulate inflammation in microglia. However, little is known about the role of AR in β-amyloid-induced inflammation in microglia and subsequent neuronal death. In this study, we confirmed that AR inhibition attenuates increased β-amyloid-induced reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor α secretion by suppressing ERK signaling in BV2 cells. In addition, we are the first to report that AR inhibition reduced the phagocytotic capability and cell migration of BV2 cells in response to β-amyloid. To further investigate the protective role of the AR inhibitor sorbinil in neurons, we co-cultured β-amyloid-induced microglia with stem cell-induced neurons. sorbinil ameliorated neuronal damage in both cells in the co-culture system. In summary, our findings reveal AR regulation of microglia activation as a novel therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.
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Lu A, Duan P, Xie J, Gao H, Chen M, Gong Y, Li J, Xu H. Recent progress and research trend of anti-cataract pharmacology therapy: A bibliometric analysis and literature review. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 934:175299. [PMID: 36181780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Cataract phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation causes great burden to global healthcare, especially for low- and middle-income countries. Such burden would be significantly relieved if cataracts can effectively be treated or delayed by non-surgical means. Excitingly, novel drugs have been developed to treat cataracts in recent decades. For example, oxysterols are found to be able to innovatively reverse lens clouding, novel nanotechnology-loaded drugs improve anti-cataract pharmacological effect, and traditional Chinese medicine demonstrates promising therapeutic effects against cataracts. In the present review, we performed bibliometric analysis to provide an overview perspective regarding the research status, hot topics, and academic trends in the field of anti-cataract pharmacology therapy. We further reviewed the curative effects and molecular mechanisms of anti-cataract drugs such as lanosterol, metformin, resveratrol and curcumin, and prospected the possibility of their clinical application in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Lu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Duan
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Gong
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiawen Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China.
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China; Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China.
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Su Q, Dong J, Zhang D, Yang L, Roy R. Protective Effects of the Bilobalide on Retinal Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 194:6407-6422. [PMID: 35932369 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04012-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a diabetes mellitus (DM) complication that causes visual acuity impairment and loss of sight in the working population, mainly in developed countries. According to the WHO, DR accounts for 5% of the world's 37 million blind people. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was highest in Africa, followed by North America and the Caribbean and South and Central America. Hyperglycemia can generate excessive ROS that activates multiple pathways, which can damage the cells. Oxidative stress and inflammatory process are intricate in the DR pathological mechanism. Bilobalide is the main bioactive compound isolated from the Ginkgo biloba, a plant utilized in folklore medicine. Bilobalide, a sesquiterpene trilactone, exhibits excellent antioxidant activity. But the molecular mechanisms associated with such effects, especially the antioxidant-related mechanism, have not been documented. Hence, this investigation explored whether bilobalide may attenuate DR in streptozotocin (STZ)-prompted diabetic rats. The effects of bilobalide on parameters of antioxidant content, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors in the retinal tissues were evaluated by ELISA, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry methods. Bilobalide improved caloric management by reducing food consumption and increasing body weight. Furthermore, the administration of bilobalide decreases the blood glucose level and glycosylated (HbA1c) hemoglobin. The anti-retinopathy activity of bilobalide was established by the increase in the total retina thickness (TRT), inner nuclear layer (INL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) in diabetic rats. Additionally, the serum level of MDA was decreased. In contrast, the antioxidant enzyme (SOD and CAT) levels were increased with TAC plus lower Keap1 and higher Nrf2 expression in the retina when associated with the DM rats. Moreover, bilobalide increased the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression level and inflammatory mediators (NF-κβ p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, and VEGF), thus inhibiting oxidative stress. Bilobalide can be effective against DR, and the possible mechanism may be relatively elucidated by decreasing oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activities. But the further investigation should be directed to expose the precise mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
| | - Jing Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Donglei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Retinology, Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Rupak Roy
- SHRM Biotechnologies Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Fichtner JE, Patnaik J, Christopher KL, Petrash JM. Cataract inhibitors: Present needs and future challenges. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 349:109679. [PMID: 34600869 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cataracts result from opacification of the ocular lens and represent the leading cause of blindness worldwide. After surgical removal of the diseased lens material and implantation of an artificial intraocular lens, up to 50% of cataract patients develop a secondary lens defect called posterior capsular opacification (PCO). While vision can be restored in PCO patients by a laser-mediated capsulotomy, novel therapies involving inhibition of aldose reductase are now being developed to prevent PCO development and complications of laser capsulotomy. A question we wished to address was whether cataract surgeons believe there is an unmet need for a preventative PCO therapy, whether they would prescribe such a therapy were it available, and to assess their perceptions regarding the benefits of and obstacles to adopting novel PCO therapies in the place of laser capsulotomy. We gathered perspectives from adult, pediatric, and veterinary cataract surgeons using an online questionnaire. From 161 surgeon responses, we found that the majority of adult, pediatric, and veterinary cataract surgeons (78% n = 35, 88% n = 37, and 96% n = 71 respectively) believed there is an unmet need for preventative PCO therapy, with more than 95% expressing interest in incorporating such therapy into surgical protocols. Perceived benefits included optimizing visual outcomes, avoiding the need for additional procedures, eliminating complications related to neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, preserving the posterior capsule particularly in patients receiving multifocal intraocular lens implants, providing a viable solution for PCO in animals, and using it in developing countries that lack access to neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers. Perceived obstacles included potential lack of reimbursement by insurance companies, and the need for strong efficacy and safety profiles. Among adult surgeons, 70% (n = 31) indicated that preventative PCO therapy could add value to premium intraocular lens packages. Our studies revealed that cataract surgeons overwhelmingly support the development of preventative PCO therapy, and that clinical trials will play a critical role to test the safety and efficacy of specific therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin E Fichtner
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer Patnaik
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - J Mark Petrash
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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Nanogel-Facilitated In-Situ Delivery of a Cataract Inhibitor. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081150. [PMID: 34439816 PMCID: PMC8391309 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Surgical removal of cataracts is a safe and effective procedure to restore vision. However, a large number of patients later develop vision loss due to regrowth of lens cells and subsequent degradation of the visual axis leading to visual disability. This postsurgical complication, known as posterior capsular opacification (PCO), occurs in up to 30% of cataract patients and has no clinically proven pharmacological means of prevention. Despite the availability of many compounds capable of preventing early steps in PCO development, there is currently no effective means to deliver such therapies into the eye for a suitable duration. To model a solution to this unmet medical need, we fabricated acrylic substrates as intraocular lens (IOL) mimics scaled to place into the capsular bag of the mouse lens following a mock-cataract surgery. Substrates were coated with a hydrophilic crosslinked acrylate nanogel designed to elute Sorbinil, an aldose reductase inhibitor previously shown to suppress PCO. Insertion of the Sorbinil-eluting device into the lens capsule at the time of cataract surgery resulted in substantial prevention of cellular changes associated with PCO development. This model demonstrates that a cataract inhibitor can be delivered into the postsurgical lens capsule at therapeutic levels.
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