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Luo S, Hu Q, Jiang B, Zhang Z, Sun D. Bioinformatics analysis for constructing a cellular senescence-related age-related macular degeneration diagnostic model and identifying relevant disease subtypes to guide treatment. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:8044-8069. [PMID: 38742956 PMCID: PMC11131993 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition causing progressive central vision loss. Growing evidence suggests a link between cellular senescence and AMD. However, the exact mechanism by which cellular senescence leads to AMD remains unclear. Employing machine learning, we established an AMD diagnostic model. Through unsupervised clustering, two distinct AMD subtypes were identified. GO, KEGG, and GSVA analyses explored the diverse biological functions associated with the two subtypes. By WGCNA, we constructed a coexpression network of differential genes between the subtypes, revealing the regulatory role of hub genes at the level of transcription factors and miRNAs. We identified 5 genes associated with inflammation for the construction of the AMD diagnostic model. Additionally, we observed that the level of cellular senescence and pathways related to programmed cell death (PCD), such as ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, exhibited higher expression levels in subtype B than A. Immune microenvironments also differed between the subtypes, indicating potentially distinct pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In summary, by leveraging cellular senescence-associated gene expression, we developed an AMD diagnostic model. Furthermore, we identified two subtypes with varying expression patterns of senescence genes, revealing their differential roles in programmed cell death, disease progression, and immune microenvironments within AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qiang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhongyu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Dawei Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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2
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Fan X, Jiang K, Geng F, Lu W, Wei G. Ocular therapies with biomacromolecules: From local injection to eyedrop and emerging noninvasive delivery strategies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114864. [PMID: 37156266 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The last two decades have witnessed a continuously increasing number of biomacromolecules approved for the treatment of ocular diseases. The eye possesses multiple protective mechanisms to resist the invasion of exogenous substances, but meanwhile these physiological defense systems also act as strong barriers, impeding absorption of most biomacromolecules into the eye. As a result, local injections play predominant roles for posterior ocular delivery of biomacromolecules in clinical practice. To achieve safe and convenient application of biomacromolecules, alternative strategies to realize noninvasive intraocular delivery are necessary. Various nanocarriers, novel penetration enhancers and physical strategies have been explored to facilitate delivery of biomacromolecules to both anterior and posterior ocular segments but still suffered difficulties in clinical translation. This review compares the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the eyes from those frequently adopted experimental species and profiles the well-established animal models of ocular diseases. We also summarize the ophthalmic biomacromolecules launched on the market and put emphasis on emerging noninvasive intraocular delivery strategies of peptides, proteins and genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education & Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Kuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education & Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200030, P.R. China
| | - Feiyang Geng
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education & Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education & Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, PR China
| | - Gang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education & Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, PR China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of ImmunoTherapeutics, Shanghai, 201203, PR China.
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3
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Caruso G, Fresta CG, Fidilio A, Lazzara F, Musso N, Cardaci V, Drago F, Caraci F, Bucolo C. Carnosine Counteracts the Molecular Alterations Aβ Oligomers-Induced in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083324. [PMID: 37110558 PMCID: PMC10146178 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been described as a progressive eye disease characterized by irreversible impairment of central vision, and unfortunately, an effective treatment is still not available. It is well-known that amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide is one of the major culprits in causing neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extracellular accumulation of this peptide has also been found in drusen which lies under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and represents one of the early signs of AMD pathology. Aβ aggregates, especially in the form of oligomers, are able to induce pro-oxidant (oxidative stress) and pro-inflammatory phenomena in RPE cells. ARPE-19 is a spontaneously arising human RPE cell line validated for drug discovery processes in AMD. In the present study, we employed ARPE-19 treated with Aβ oligomers, representing an in vitro model of AMD. We used a combination of methods, including ATPlite, quantitative real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry, as well as a fluorescent probe for reactive oxygen species to investigate the molecular alterations induced by Aβ oligomers. In particular, we found that Aβ exposure decreased the cell viability of ARPE-19 cells which was paralleled by increased inflammation (increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators) and oxidative stress (increased expression of NADPH oxidase and ROS production) along with the destruction of ZO-1 tight junction protein. Once the damage was clarified, we investigated the therapeutic potential of carnosine, an endogenous dipeptide that is known to be reduced in AMD patients. Our findings demonstrate that carnosine was able to counteract most of the molecular alterations induced by the challenge of ARPE-19 with Aβ oligomers. These new findings obtained with ARPE-19 cells challenged with Aβ1-42 oligomers, along with the well-demonstrated multimodal mechanism of action of carnosine both in vitro and in vivo, able to prevent and/or counteract the dysfunctions elicited by Aβ oligomers, substantiate the neuroprotective potential of this dipeptide in the context of AMD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Claudia G Fresta
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Bio-Nanotech Research and Innovation Tower (BRIT), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cardaci
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milano, Italy
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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4
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Gozzo L, Romano GL, Brancati S, Cicciù M, Fiorillo L, Longo L, Vitale DC, Drago F. Access to Innovative Neurological Drugs in Europe: Alignment of Health Technology Assessments Among Three European Countries. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:823199. [PMID: 35185551 PMCID: PMC8854989 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.823199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Even for products centrally approved, each European country is responsible for national market access after European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval. This step can result in inequalities in terms of access, due to different opinions about the therapeutic value assessed by Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of HTA recommendations issued by EU countries (France, Germany, and Italy) for new neurological drugs following EMA approval. In the reference period, we identified 11 innovative medicines authorized in Europe for five neurological diseases (cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy, migraine, and polyneuropathy in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis), including eight drugs for genetic rare diseases. We found no agreement on the therapeutic value (in particular the “added value” compared to the standard of care) of the selected drugs. Despite the differences in terms of assessment, the access has been usually guaranteed even if with various types of limitations. The heterogeneity of the HTA assessment of clinical data among countries is probably related to the uncertainties about clinical value at the time of EMA approval and the lack of long-term data and of direct comparison with available alternatives. Given the importance of new medicines especially for rare diseases, it is crucial to understand and act on the causes of inconsistency among the HTA assessments, in order to ensure rapid and uniform access to innovation for patients who can benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Gozzo
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit/Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- *Correspondence: Lucia Gozzo,
| | - Giovanni Luca Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Serena Brancati
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit/Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Cicciù
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, AOU “G. Martino”, Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Fiorillo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, AOU “G. Martino”, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Longo
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit/Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Cristina Vitale
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit/Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit/Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Centre for Research and Consultancy in HTA and Drug Regulatory Affairs (CERD), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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5
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Xu F, Guo D, Jiang Q, Zhang R, Yu T, Yin X, Wu S, Liu D, Wen Y, Wu J, Bi A, Jiang W, Bi H. Association between anti-fibrillin-2 protein induced retinal degeneration via intravitreous delivery and activated TGF-β signaling in mice. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:586-595. [PMID: 35108420 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fibrillin-2 (FBN2) is a major component of tissue microfibrils, and the decrease of FBN2 perturbs the signaling events mediated by TGF-β, thereby playing a role in macular degeneration. However, the association between the retinal degeneration resulting from the abnormality of FBN2 and the activation of TGF-β signaling has not been fully addressed. In the present study, the mice were divided into a normal control group (NC group), a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection group (PBS group), and an anti-FBN2 protein injection group (anti-FBN2 group), and the mice in PBS and anti-FBN2 groups received the relevant treatment via the intravitreal injection once a week for three consecutive weeks. One week later after injection, the retinal morphology and visual function of the fundus were detected. Further, the expression of FBN2, TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in retina was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. As a result, fundus examination suggests that after intravitreous injection of anti-FBN2 protein, there were a large patchy yellow white degeneration region and numerous pigmentations in the retina in anti-FBN2-treated mice; by contrast, there was no apparent change in mice from the NC and PBS groups. The retina suffered markedly damage, and the thickness of whole retina and outer nuclear layer markedly thinned. The expression of FBN2 was decreased whereas the levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 were upregulated. Together, our findings indicate that the intravitreous delivery of anti-FBN2 protein could induce retina degeneration in mice, accompanied by the higher activated TGF-β. The retinal degeneration mouse model established will provide a platform for the investigation of the retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furu Xu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Dadong Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Disease, Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ruixue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Xuewei Yin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Province, No. 37 Guoxue Xiang, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dezheng Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ying Wen
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Ailing Bi
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Disease, Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Wenjun Jiang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Disease, Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250002, China
| | - Hongsheng Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
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6
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Bianca Maria Platania C, Drago F, Bucolo C. The P2X7 receptor as a new pharmacological target for retinal diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114942. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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7
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Lazzara F, Conti F, Platania CBM, Eandi CM, Drago F, Bucolo C. Effects of Vitamin D 3 and Meso-Zeaxanthin on Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells in Three Integrated in vitro Paradigms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:778165. [PMID: 34803719 PMCID: PMC8602342 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.778165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative retinal disease and one of major causes of irreversible vision loss. AMD has been linked to several pathological factors, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, Aβ (1-42) oligomers have been found in drusen, the extracellular deposits that accumulate beneath the retinal pigmented epithelium in AMD patients. Hereby, we investigated the hypothesis that treatment with 1,25(OH) 2D3 (vitamin D3) and meso-zeaxathin, physiologically present in the eye, would counteract the toxic effects of three different insults on immortalized human retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19). Specifically, ARPE-19 cells have been challenged with Aβ (1-42) oligomers, H2O2, LPS, and TNF-α, respectively. In the present study, we demonstrated that the combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and meso-zeaxanthin significantly counteracted the cell damage induced by the three insults, at least in these in vitro integrated paradigms of AMD. These results suggest that combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and meso-zeaxathin could be a useful approach to contrast pathological features of AMD, such as retinal inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara M Eandi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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8
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Dick K, Pattang A, Hooker J, Nissan N, Sadowski M, Barnes B, Tan LH, Burnside D, Phanse S, Aoki H, Babu M, Dehne F, Golshani A, Cober ER, Green JR, Samanfar B. Human-Soybean Allergies: Elucidation of the Seed Proteome and Comprehensive Protein-Protein Interaction Prediction. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:4925-4947. [PMID: 34582199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The soybean crop, Glycine max (L.) Merr., is consumed by humans, Homo sapiens, worldwide. While the respective bodies of literature and -omics data for each of these organisms are extensive, comparatively few studies investigate the molecular biological processes occurring between the two. We are interested in elucidating the network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) involved in human-soybean allergies. To this end, we leverage state-of-the-art sequence-based PPI predictors amenable to predicting the enormous comprehensive interactome between human and soybean. A network-based analytical approach is proposed, leveraging similar interaction profiles to identify candidate allergens and proteins involved in the allergy response. Interestingly, the predicted interactome can be explored from two complementary perspectives: which soybean proteins are predicted to interact with specific human proteins and which human proteins are predicted to interact with specific soybean proteins. A total of eight proteins (six specific to the human proteome and two to the soy proteome) have been identified and supported by the literature to be involved in human health, specifically related to immunological and neurological pathways. This study, beyond generating the most comprehensive human-soybean interactome to date, elucidated a soybean seed interactome and identified several proteins putatively consequential to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dick
- Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Arezo Pattang
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Julia Hooker
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Nour Nissan
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Michael Sadowski
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Bradley Barnes
- Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Le Hoa Tan
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Daniel Burnside
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Sadhna Phanse
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2
| | - Hiroyuki Aoki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2
| | - Mohan Babu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2
| | - Frank Dehne
- School of Computer Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Ashkan Golshani
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Elroy R Cober
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
| | - James R Green
- Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Bahram Samanfar
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
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9
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Shi H, Koronyo Y, Rentsendorj A, Fuchs DT, Sheyn J, Black KL, Mirzaei N, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Retinal Vasculopathy in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:731614. [PMID: 34630020 PMCID: PMC8493243 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.731614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina has been increasingly investigated as a site of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) manifestation for over a decade. Early reports documented degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axonal projections. Our group provided the first evidence of the key pathological hallmarks of AD, amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques including vascular Aβ deposits, in the retina of AD and mild cognitively impaired (MCI) patients. Subsequent studies validated these findings and further identified electroretinography and vision deficits, retinal (p)tau and inflammation, intracellular Aβ accumulation, and retinal ganglion cell-subtype degeneration surrounding Aβ plaques in these patients. Our data suggest that the brain and retina follow a similar trajectory during AD progression, probably due to their common embryonic origin and anatomical proximity. However, the retina is the only CNS organ feasible for direct, repeated, and non-invasive ophthalmic examination with ultra-high spatial resolution and sensitivity. Neurovascular unit integrity is key to maintaining normal CNS function and cerebral vascular abnormalities are increasingly recognized as early and pivotal factors driving cognitive impairment in AD. Likewise, retinal vascular abnormalities such as changes in vessel density and fractal dimensions, blood flow, foveal avascular zone, curvature tortuosity, and arteriole-to-venule ratio were described in AD patients including early-stage cases. A rapidly growing number of reports have suggested that cerebral and retinal vasculopathy are tightly associated with cognitive deficits in AD patients and animal models. Importantly, we recently identified early and progressive deficiency in retinal vascular platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) expression and pericyte loss that were associated with retinal vascular amyloidosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in MCI and AD patients. Other studies utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT), retinal amyloid-fluorescence imaging and retinal hyperspectral imaging have made significant progress in visualizing and quantifying AD pathology through the retina. With new advances in OCT angiography, OCT leakage, scanning laser microscopy, fluorescein angiography and adaptive optics imaging, future studies focusing on retinal vascular AD pathologies could transform non-invasive pre-clinical AD diagnosis and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Altan Rentsendorj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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10
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Burgaletto C, Platania CBM, Di Benedetto G, Munafò A, Giurdanella G, Federico C, Caltabiano R, Saccone S, Conti F, Bernardini R, Bucolo C, Cantarella G. Targeting the miRNA-155/TNFSF10 network restrains inflammatory response in the retina in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:905. [PMID: 34611142 PMCID: PMC8492692 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04165-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share common features such as amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation. Retinal deposition of Aβ aggregates in AMD patients has suggested a potential link between AMD and AD. In the present study, we analyzed the expression pattern of a focused set of miRNAs, previously found to be involved in both AD and AMD, in the retina of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) at different time-points. Several miRNAs were differentially expressed in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice, compared to the retina of age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. In particular, bioinformatic analysis revealed that miR-155 had a central role in miRNA-gene network stability, regulating several pathways, including apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways modulated by TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TNFSF10). We showed that chronic treatment of 3xTg-AD mice with an anti-TNFSF10 monoclonal antibody was able to inhibit the retinal expression of miR-155, which inversely correlated with the expression of its molecular target SOCS-1. Moreover, the fine-tuned mechanism related to TNFSF10 immunoneutralization was tightly linked to modulation of TNFSF10 itself and its death receptor TNFRSF10B, along with cytokine production by microglia, reactive gliosis, and specific AD-related neuropathological hallmarks (i.e., Aβ deposition and Tau phosphorylation) in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice. In conclusion, immunoneutralization of TNFSF10 significantly preserved the retinal tissue in 3xTg-AD mice, suggesting its potential therapeutic application in retinal degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Burgaletto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Benedetto
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Munafò
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Concetta Federico
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department Gian Filippo Ingrassia, Section of Anatomic Pathology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy. .,Clinical Toxicology Unit, University Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania School of Medicine, Catania, Italy
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11
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Chien JY, Chou YY, Ciou JW, Liu FY, Huang SP. The Effects of Two Nrf2 Activators, Bardoxolone Methyl and Omaveloxolone, on Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival during Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091466. [PMID: 34573098 PMCID: PMC8470542 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091466] [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: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is one of the most common acute optic neuropathies that affect the over 55-year-old population. NAION causes the loss of visual function, and it has no safe and effective therapy. Bardoxolone methyl (methyl 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate; CDDO-Me; RTA 402) is a semisynthetic triterpenoid with effects against antioxidative stress and inflammation in neurodegeneration and kidney disease that activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Moreover, RTA 402 is an FDA-approved compound for the treatment of solid tumors, lymphoid malignancies, melanoma, and chronic kidney disease. Omaveloxolone (RTA 408) is an activator of Nrf2 and an inhibitor of NFκB, possessing antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in mitochondrial bioenergetics. RTA 408 is also under clinical investigation for Friedreich ataxia (FA). In this study, a rodent anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION) model induced by photothrombosis was used to examine the therapeutic effects of RTA 402 and RTA 408. Treatment with RTA402 results in antiapoptotic, antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, and myelin-preserving effects on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and visual function via regulation of NQO1 and HO-1, reduced IL-6 and Iba1 expression in macrophages, and promoted microglial expression of TGF-β and Ym1 + 2 in the retina and optic nerve. However, these effects were not observed after RTA 408 treatment. Our results provide explicit evidence that RTA 402 modulates the Nrf2 and NFκB signaling pathways to protect RGCs from apoptosis and maintain the visual function in an rAION model. These findings indicate that RTA 402 may a potential therapeutic agent for ischemic optic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ying Chien
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Yau Chou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-W.C.); (F.-Y.L.)
| | - Jhih-Wei Ciou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-W.C.); (F.-Y.L.)
| | - Fang-Yun Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-W.C.); (F.-Y.L.)
| | - Shun-Ping Huang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
- Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.C.); (J.-W.C.); (F.-Y.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-8565301 (ext. 2664)
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12
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Wang Y, Chang T, Wu T, Ye W, Wang Y, Dou G, Du H, Hui Y, Guo C. Connective tissue growth factor promotes retinal pigment epithelium mesenchymal transition via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:389. [PMID: 33760200 PMCID: PMC8008218 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a disease leading to the formation of contractile preretinal membranes (PRMs) and is one of the leading causes of blindness. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been identified as a possible key determinant of progressive tissue fibrosis and excessive scarring. Therefore, the present study investigated the role and mechanism of action of CTGF in PVR. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of CTGF, fibronectin and collagen type III in PRMs from patients with PVR. The effects and mechanisms of recombinant human CTGF and its upstream regulator, TGF‑β1, on epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were investigated using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, western blotting and a [3H]proline incorporation assay. The data indicated that CTGF, fibronectin and collagen type III were highly expressed in PRMs. In vitro, CTGF significantly decreased the expression of the epithelial markers ZO‑1 and E‑cadherin and increased that of the mesenchymal markers fibronectin, N‑cadherin and α‑smooth muscle actin in a concentration‑dependent manner. Furthermore, the expression of the ECM protein collagen type III was upregulated by CTGF. However, the trends in expression for the above‑mentioned markers were reversed after knocking down CTGF. The incorporation of [3H]proline into RPE cells was also increased by CTGF. In addition, 8‑Bromoadenosine cAMP inhibited CTGF‑stimulated collagen synthesis and transient transfection of RPE cells with a CTGF antisense oligonucleotide inhibited TGF‑β1‑induced collagen synthesis. The phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT in RPE cells was promoted by CTGF and TGF‑β1 and the latter promoted the expression of CTGF. The results of the present study indicated that CTGF may promote EMT and ECM synthesis in PVR via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and suggested that targeting CTGF signaling may have a therapeutic or preventative effect on PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafen Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Tianfang Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Wei Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Yusheng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Guorui Dou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Hongjun Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Yannian Hui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Changmei Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
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13
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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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14
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Pugazhendhi A, Hubbell M, Jairam P, Ambati B. Neovascular Macular Degeneration: A Review of Etiology, Risk Factors, and Recent Advances in Research and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1170. [PMID: 33504013 PMCID: PMC7866170 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (exudative or wet AMD) is a prevalent, progressive retinal degenerative macular disease that is characterized by neovascularization of the choroid, mainly affecting the elderly population causing gradual vision impairment. Risk factors such as age, race, genetics, iris color, smoking, drinking, BMI, and diet all play a part in nvAMD's progression, with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy being the mainstay of treatment. Current therapeutic advancements slow the progression of the disease but do not cure or reverse its course. Newer therapies such as gene therapies, Rho-kinase inhibitors, and levodopa offer potential new targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunbalaji Pugazhendhi
- Knights Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA; (A.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Margaret Hubbell
- Knights Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA; (A.P.); (M.H.)
| | - Pooja Jairam
- Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Balamurali Ambati
- Knights Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA; (A.P.); (M.H.)
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15
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Characterization of TGF-β by Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10010107. [PMID: 33451157 PMCID: PMC7828702 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a critical role in the pathomechanism of glaucoma, which is a multifactorial blinding disease that may cause irreversible damage within human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs). It is known that the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is an important component of oxidative stress-induced damage related to extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrosis and activates cell antioxidative mechanisms. To elucidate the dual potential roles and regulatory mechanisms of TGF-β in effects on HTMCs, we established an in vitro oxidative model using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and further focused on TGF-β-related oxidative stress pathways and the related signal transduction. Via a series of cell functional qualitative analyses to detect related protein level alterations and cell fibrosis status, we illustrated the role of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in oxidative stress-induced injury by shTGF-β1 and shTGF-β2 knockdown or added recombinant human TGF-β1 protein (rhTGF-β1). The results of protein level showed that p38 MAPK, TGF-β, and its related SMAD family were activated after H2O2 stimulation. Cell functional assays showed that HTMCs with H2O2 exposure duration had a more irregular actin architecture compared to normal TM cells. Data with rhTGF-β1 (1 ng/mL) pretreatment reduced the cell apoptosis rate and amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), while it also enhanced survival. Furthermore, TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in terms of antioxidant signaling were related to the activation of collagen I and laminin, which are fibrosis-response proteins. Succinctly, our study demonstrated that low concentrations of TGF-β1 (1 ng/mL) preserves HTMCs from free radical-mediated injury by p-p38 MAPK level and p-AKT signaling balance, presenting a signaling transduction mechanism of TGF-β1 in HTMC oxidative stress-related therapies.
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16
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Su Y, Yi Y, Li L, Chen C. circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in age-related macular degeneration: From construction to identification. Exp Eye Res 2020; 203:108427. [PMID: 33383027 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by constructing a regulatory circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. By adjusting the P value to <0.05 and the absolute log value of fold change to >0.25, 2920 and 1057 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified from GSE50195 and GSE29801, respectively. Based on a literature review, Starbase database analysis, and RNA hybrid assays, we obtained 77 miRNA-mRNA and 331 circRNA-miRNA pairs. After combining these pairs, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network possessing 303 circRNA nodes, 4 miRNA nodes, 51 mRNA nodes, and 408 edges. By utilizing protein-protein network analysis, the MCODE algorithm, and the highest degree of circRNA node, we identified the regulatory axis of hsa_circRNA7329/hsa-miR-9/SCD. Hsa_circRNA7329 may regulate SCD through hsa-miR-9 to promote macrophage-mediated inflammation and pathologic angiogenesis, which lead to AMD development. However, the underlying details require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Su
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei province, 430060, PR China
| | - Yuexiong Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei province, 430071, PR China
| | - Lu Li
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei province, 430060, PR China
| | - Changzheng Chen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei province, 430060, PR China.
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17
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Bonfiglio V, Platania CBM, Lazzara F, Conti F, Pizzo C, Reibaldi M, Russo A, Fallico M, Ortisi E, Pignatelli F, Longo A, Avitabile T, Drago F, Bucolo C. TGF-β Serum Levels in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients and the Role of Anti-VEGF Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249558. [PMID: 33334029 PMCID: PMC7765505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), particularly in the late phase of disease. The aim of the present study was to validate serum TGFβ1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of DR stages. Thirty-eight subjects were enrolled and, after diagnosis and evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria, were assigned to six groups: (1) healthy age-matched control, (2) diabetic without DR, (3) non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) naïve to treatment, (4) NPDR treated with intravitreal (IVT) aflibercept, (5) proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) naïve to treatment and (6) PDR treated with IVT aflibercept. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), placental growth factor (PlGF) and TGFβ1 were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Foveal macular thickness (FMT) in enrolled subjects was evaluated by means of structural-optical coherence tomography (S-OCT). VEGF-A serum levels decreased in NPDR and PDR patients treated with aflibercept, compared to naïve DR patients. PlGF serum levels were modulated only in aflibercept-treated NPDR patients. Particularly, TGFβ1 serum levels were predictive of disease progression from NPDR to PDR. A Multivariate ANOVA analysis (M-ANOVA) was also carried out to assess the effects of fixed factors on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, TGFβ1, and diabetes duration. In conclusion, our data have strengthened the hypothesis that TGFβ1 would be a biomarker and pharmacological target of diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Section, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Federica Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Corrado Pizzo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Michele Reibaldi
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy;
| | - Andrea Russo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Matteo Fallico
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Elina Ortisi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | | | - Antonio Longo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Teresio Avitabile
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence:
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18
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TGF-β1 signaling protects retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress via modulation of the HO-1/Nrf2 pathway. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 331:109249. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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19
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Tan H, Lv M, Tan X, Su G, Chang R, Yang P. Sharing of Genetic Association Signals by Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Alzheimer's Disease at Multiple Levels. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4488-4499. [PMID: 32748369 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease are closely related complex diseases that may share overlapping pathogenesis in gene networks. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic factors shared by both diseases. We analyzed genome-wide association studies' summary statistics from both diseases using a new platform known as functional mapping and annotation (FUMA) and a co-localization analysis. We obtained disease-related gene expression profile data from the Gene Expression Omnibus and analyzed these data using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. FUMA analysis and Bayesian co-localization analysis showed that ten genes on chromosome 7, one pathway (complement and coagulation cascade), and forty-two biological processes were common for both diseases. Among these ten genes, two protein-coding genes, two pseudogenes, and two RNA genes were, for the first time, identified to be associated with both diseases. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 19 age-related macular degeneration hub genes and 19 Alzheimer's disease hub genes and revealed that these two diseases shared nine pathways and 63 biological processes. Using FUMA, co-localization analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, 10 genes on chromosome 7, 10 pathways, and 105 biological processes were found to be associated with the two degenerative diseases. This suggests that these10 genes and the hub genes of these modules associated with the shared pathways are potential diagnostic markers for both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Handan Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Youyi Road 1, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Lv
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Youyi Road 1, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Youyi Road 1, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Guannan Su
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Youyi Road 1, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Chang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Youyi Road 1, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Peizeng Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Chongqing Eye Institute, Youyi Road 1, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Mitochondrial MicroRNAs in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061345. [PMID: 32481587 PMCID: PMC7349858 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of several biological processes, such as cell growth, cell proliferation, embryonic development, tissue differentiation, and apoptosis. Currently, over 2000 mammalian miRNAs have been reported to regulate these biological processes. A subset of microRNAs was found to be localized to human mitochondria (mitomiRs). Through years of research, over 400 mitomiRs have been shown to modulate the translational activity of the mitochondrial genome. While miRNAs have been studied for years, the function of mitomiRs and their role in neurodegenerative pathologies is not known. The purpose of our article is to highlight recent findings that relate mitomiRs to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. We also discuss the involvement of mitomiRs in regulating the mitochondrial genome in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Fresta CG, Fidilio A, Lazzarino G, Musso N, Grasso M, Merlo S, Amorini AM, Bucolo C, Tavazzi B, Lazzarino G, Lunte SM, Caraci F, Caruso G. Modulation of Pro-Oxidant and Pro-Inflammatory Activities of M1 Macrophages by the Natural Dipeptide Carnosine. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030776. [PMID: 31991717 PMCID: PMC7038063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnosine is a natural endogenous dipeptide widely distributed in mammalian tissues, existing at particularly high concentrations in the muscles and brain and possesses well-characterized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In an in vitro model of macrophage activation, induced by lipopolysaccharide + interferon-gamma (LPS + IFN-γ), we here report the ability of carnosine to modulate pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory activities of macrophages, representing the primary cell type that is activated as a part of the immune response. An ample set of parameters aimed to evaluate cytotoxicity (MTT assay), energy metabolism (HPLC), gene expressions (high-throughput real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)), protein expressions (western blot) and nitric oxide production (qRT-PCR and HPLC), was used to assess the effects of carnosine on activated macrophages challenged with a non cytotoxic LPS (100 ng/mL) + IFN-γ (600 U/mL) concentration. In our experimental model, main carnosine beneficial effects were: (1) the modulation of nitric oxide production and metabolism; (2) the amelioration of the macrophage energy state; (3) the decrease of the expressions of pro-oxidant enzymes (Nox-2, Cox-2) and of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde; (4) the restoration and/or increase of the expressions of antioxidant enzymes (Gpx1, SOD-2 and Cat); (5) the increase of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and the down-regulation of the expressions of interleukins 1β and 6 (IL-1β and IL-6) and 6) the increase of the expressions of Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). According to these results carnosine is worth being tested in the treatment of diseases characterized by elevated levels of oxidative stress and inflammation (atherosclerosis, cancer, depression, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia G. Fresta
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA; (C.G.F.); (S.M.L.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Giacomo Lazzarino
- UniCamillus—Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy;
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Bio-nanotech Research and Innovation Tower (BRIT), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (F.C.)
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Sara Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (A.M.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Angela M. Amorini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (A.M.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (A.M.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (S.M.); (A.M.A.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Susan M. Lunte
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA; (C.G.F.); (S.M.L.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.F.); (M.G.); (F.C.)
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (G.C.)
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22
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López-Malo D, Villarón-Casares CA, Alarcón-Jiménez J, Miranda M, Díaz-Llopis M, Romero FJ, Villar VM. Curcumin as a Therapeutic Option in Retinal Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9010048. [PMID: 31935797 PMCID: PMC7023263 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is subjected to oxidative stress due to its high vascularization, long time light exposition and a high density of mitochondria. Oxidative stress can lead to pathological processes, like cell apoptosis, angiogenesis and inflammation ending in retinal pathologies. Curcumin, a major bioactive component obtained from the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome has been used for centuries in Asian countries for cooking and for curing all kinds of diseases like dysentery, chest congestion and pain in general, due to its antioxidant effects. Curcumin prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species and so it is a good protective agent. Curcumin has shown also anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Curcumin is a natural product, which can be a therapeutic option in a variety of retinal diseases due to its pleiotropic properties. Some drawbacks are its poor solubility, bioavailability and lack of stability at physiological conditions; which have been shown in curcumin skeptical publications. In this review, we provide some lights and shadows on curcumin administration on the major retinal pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel López-Malo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (D.L.-M.); (C.A.V.-C.)
| | | | - Jorge Alarcón-Jiménez
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Maria Miranda
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, 46315 Moncada, Spain; (M.M.); (V.M.V.)
| | - Manuel Díaz-Llopis
- Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universitat de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Francisco J. Romero
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (D.L.-M.); (C.A.V.-C.)
- Hospital General de Requena, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, 46340 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-961-0438-83
| | - Vincent M. Villar
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, 46315 Moncada, Spain; (M.M.); (V.M.V.)
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23
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Mancino R, Cesareo M, Martucci A, Di Carlo E, Ciuffoletti E, Giannini C, Morrone LA, Nucci C, Garaci F. Neurodegenerative Process Linking the Eye and the Brain. Curr Med Chem 2019. [PMID: 29521197 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180307114332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent literature agrees that neurodegenerative processes involve both the retina and the central nervous system, which are two strictly related anatomical structures. However, the causal mechanisms of this dual involvement are still uncertain. To date, anterograde transsynaptic neurodegeneration, triggered by retinal ganglion cells' death, and retrograde transsynaptic neurodegeneration, induced by neurodegenerative processes of the central nervous system, has been considered the major possible causal mechanisms. The development of novel neuroimaging techniques has recently supported both the study of the central stations of the visual pathway as well as the study of the retina which is possibly an open window to the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Mancino
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Cesareo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Martucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Di Carlo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Ciuffoletti
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Clarissa Giannini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Antonio Morrone
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy
| | - Carlo Nucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Garaci
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Biomedicine an d Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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24
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Caruso G, Fresta CG, Fidilio A, O'Donnell F, Musso N, Lazzarino G, Grasso M, Amorini AM, Tascedda F, Bucolo C, Drago F, Tavazzi B, Lazzarino G, Lunte SM, Caraci F. Carnosine Decreases PMA-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Murine Macrophages. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:E281. [PMID: 31390749 PMCID: PMC6720685 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8080281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide composed of β-alanine and L-histidine. This naturally occurring molecule is present at high concentrations in several mammalian excitable tissues such as muscles and brain, while it can be found at low concentrations in a few invertebrates. Carnosine has been shown to be involved in different cellular defense mechanisms including the inhibition of protein cross-linking, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species detoxification as well as the counteraction of inflammation. As a part of the immune response, macrophages are the primary cell type that is activated. These cells play a crucial role in many diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, carnosine was first tested for its ability to counteract oxidative stress. In our experimental model, represented by RAW 264.7 macrophages challenged with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibitors, carnosine was able to decrease the intracellular concentration of superoxide anions (O2-•) as well as the expression of Nox1 and Nox2 enzyme genes. This carnosine antioxidant activity was accompanied by the attenuation of the PMA-induced Akt phosphorylation, the down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNAs, and the up-regulation of the expression of the anti-inflammatory mediators IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β1. Additionally, when carnosine was used at the highest dose (20 mM), there was a generalized amelioration of the macrophage energy state, evaluated through the increase both in the total nucleoside triphosphate concentrations and the sum of the pool of intracellular nicotinic coenzymes. Finally, carnosine was able to decrease the oxidized (NADP+)/reduced (NADPH) ratio of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in a concentration dependent manner, indicating a strong inhibitory effect of this molecule towards the main source of reactive oxygen species in macrophages. Our data suggest a multimodal mechanism of action of carnosine underlying its beneficial effects on macrophage cells under oxidative stress and inflammation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Laboratories, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy.
| | - Claudia G Fresta
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Fergal O'Donnell
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09W6Y4 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Bio-Nanotech Research and Innovation Tower (BRIT), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giacomo Lazzarino
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Laboratories, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Angela M Amorini
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Susan M Lunte
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Laboratories, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
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25
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Cline EN, Bicca MA, Viola KL, Klein WL. The Amyloid-β Oligomer Hypothesis: Beginning of the Third Decade. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 64:S567-S610. [PMID: 29843241 PMCID: PMC6004937 DOI: 10.3233/jad-179941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 530] [Impact Index Per Article: 106.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid-β oligomer (AβO) hypothesis was introduced in 1998. It proposed that the brain damage leading to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was instigated by soluble, ligand-like AβOs. This hypothesis was based on the discovery that fibril-free synthetic preparations of AβOs were potent CNS neurotoxins that rapidly inhibited long-term potentiation and, with time, caused selective nerve cell death (Lambert et al., 1998). The mechanism was attributed to disrupted signaling involving the tyrosine-protein kinase Fyn, mediated by an unknown toxin receptor. Over 4,000 articles concerning AβOs have been published since then, including more than 400 reviews. AβOs have been shown to accumulate in an AD-dependent manner in human and animal model brain tissue and, experimentally, to impair learning and memory and instigate major facets of AD neuropathology, including tau pathology, synapse deterioration and loss, inflammation, and oxidative damage. As reviewed by Hayden and Teplow in 2013, the AβO hypothesis “has all but supplanted the amyloid cascade.” Despite the emerging understanding of the role played by AβOs in AD pathogenesis, AβOs have not yet received the clinical attention given to amyloid plaques, which have been at the core of major attempts at therapeutics and diagnostics but are no longer regarded as the most pathogenic form of Aβ. However, if the momentum of AβO research continues, particularly efforts to elucidate key aspects of structure, a clear path to a successful disease modifying therapy can be envisioned. Ensuring that lessons learned from recent, late-stage clinical failures are applied appropriately throughout therapeutic development will further enable the likelihood of a successful therapy in the near-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika N Cline
- Department of Neurobiology, Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, International Institute for Nanotechnology, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Maíra Assunção Bicca
- Department of Neurobiology, Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, International Institute for Nanotechnology, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Kirsten L Viola
- Department of Neurobiology, Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, International Institute for Nanotechnology, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - William L Klein
- Department of Neurobiology, Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, International Institute for Nanotechnology, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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26
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Shamsher E, Davis BM, Yap TE, Guo L, Cordeiro MF. Neuroprotection in glaucoma: old concepts, new ideas. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2019.1604222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ehtesham Shamsher
- Department of Visual Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Benjamin M. Davis
- Department of Visual Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- The Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG), Imperial College London, London
| | - Timothy E. Yap
- The Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG), Imperial College London, London
- The Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Li Guo
- Department of Visual Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Maria Francesca Cordeiro
- Department of Visual Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- The Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG), Imperial College London, London
- The Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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27
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Yuan J. Role of inflammatory factors in the effects of aflibercept or ranibizumab treatment for alleviating wet age-associated macular degeneration. Exp Ther Med 2019; 17:4249-4258. [PMID: 30988797 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflibercept and ranibizumab are novel drugs for effectively treating wet age-associated macular degeneration (AMD). In the present study, the effect of aflibercept and ranibizumab on wet AMD was compared. A total of 80 AMD patients were intravitreously treated with aflibercept (2.0 mg/dose, 40 participants) or ranibizumab (0.3 mg/dose, 40 participants). The mean visual acuity and central subfield thickness (CTS) were determined at baseline and each follow-up visit (every 4 weeks). ELISA was used to detect the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The primary outcome was the mean change in visual acuity letter score (VAS) and CTS at 1 year. The VAS was markedly improved by 13.1 in the aflibercept group and by 11.0 in the ranibizumab group. In a subgroup of patients with an initial VAS of <69, the mean improvement in the VAS was 17.7 in the aflibercept group and 13.2 in the ranibizumab group (P<0.01). The mean CTS was markedly decreased by 141 in the aflibercept group and by 134 in the ranibizumab group. In the subgroup of patients with an initial VAS of <69, the mean CTS was decreased by 171 in the aflibercept group and by 154 in the ranibizumab group (P<0.01). However, the change of VAS and CTS was similar between the ranibizumab and aflibercept groups when the initial VAS was ≥69. No significant differences in serious adverse events were identified between the aflibercept and ranibizumab groups. The levels of TGF-β1, IL-6 and MCP-1 were decreased by the aflibercept and ranibizumab treatments. The decrease in the levels of the inflammatory factors was more obvious in patients with an initial VAS of <69 in comparison with that in patients with an initial VAS of ≥69. Negative correlations between the levels of TGF-β1, MCP-1 and IL-6 and the mean change of VAS when patients were treated with aflibercept or ranibizumab were identified among all ages. Positive correlations between the levels of TGF-β1, MCP-1 and IL-6 and the mean change of CTS were observed when the initial VAS of the patients was <69. In conclusion, the efficacy of aflibercept in treating patients with AMD was better than that of ranibizumab when the initial VAS of the patients was <69. The inhibition of inflammatory factors may be a secondary effect of aflibercept and ranibizumab treatment. The present study provides a useful reference for the clinical treatment of wet AMD (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry no. ChiCTR1800017782).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianshu Yuan
- Ophthalmology Department, Ningbo Eye Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
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28
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Ma W, Silverman SM, Zhao L, Villasmil R, Campos MM, Amaral J, Wong WT. Absence of TGFβ signaling in retinal microglia induces retinal degeneration and exacerbates choroidal neovascularization. eLife 2019; 8:42049. [PMID: 30666961 PMCID: PMC6342522 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Constitutive TGFβ signaling is important in maintaining retinal neurons and blood vessels and is a factor contributing to the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a retinal disease involving neurodegeneration and microglial activation. How TGFβ signaling to microglia influences pathological retinal neuroinflammation is unclear. We discovered that ablation of the TGFβ receptor, TGFBR2, in retinal microglia of adult mice induced abnormal microglial numbers, distribution, morphology, and activation status, and promoted a pathological microglial gene expression profile. TGFBR2-deficient retinal microglia induced secondary gliotic changes in Müller cells, neuronal apoptosis, and decreased light-evoked retinal function reflecting abnormal synaptic transmission. While retinal vasculature was unaffected, TGFBR2-deficient microglia demonstrated exaggerated responses to laser-induced injury that was associated with increased choroidal neovascularization, a hallmark of advanced exudative AMD. These findings demonstrate that deficiencies in TGFβ-mediated microglial regulation can drive neuroinflammatory contributions to AMD-related neurodegeneration and neovascularization, highlighting TGFβ signaling as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Ma
- Unit on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sean M Silverman
- Unit on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Lian Zhao
- Unit on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Rafael Villasmil
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Maria M Campos
- Section on Histopathology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Juan Amaral
- Unit on Ocular Stem Cell and Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Wai T Wong
- Unit on Neuron-Glia Interactions in Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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29
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Wang K, Li H, Sun R, Liu C, Luo Y, Fu S, Ying Y. Emerging roles of transforming growth factor β signaling in wet age-related macular degeneration. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2019; 51:1-8. [PMID: 30496406 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmy145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness among aging populations in developed countries and can be classified as dry or wet according to its progression. Wet AMD, which is characterized by angiogenesis on the choroidal membrane, is uncommonly seen but more severe. Controlling or completely inhibiting the factors that contribute to the progression of events that lead to angiogenesis may be an effective strategy for treating wet AMD. Emerging evidence has shown that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a significant role in the progression of wet AMD. In this review, we described the roles of and changes in TGF-β signaling in the development of AMD and discussed the mechanisms of the TGF-β superfamily in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and wet AMD, including the modulation of angiogenesis-related factors, inflammation, vascular fibrosis, and immune responses, as well as cross-talk with other signaling pathways. These remarkable findings indicate that TGF-β signaling is a potential target for wet AMD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanchang University Medical College, Nanchang, China
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Haoran Li
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanchang University Medical College, Nanchang, China
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ruipu Sun
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanchang University Medical College, Nanchang, China
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Chaxian Liu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanchang University Medical College, Nanchang, China
- The Second Clinical Department, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yunfei Luo
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanchang University Medical College, Nanchang, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shuhua Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanchang University Medical College, Nanchang, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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30
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Hu Y, Chen W, Wu L, Jiang L, Liang N, Tan L, Liang M, Tang N. TGF-β1 Restores Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Memory in Alzheimer Model via the PI3K/Akt/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 67:142-149. [PMID: 30539409 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1219-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disturbances. Dysfunction of synaptic plasticity and decline in cognitive functions are the most prominent features of AD, but the mechanisms of pathogenesis have not been well elucidated. In this paper, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was found to be reduced in the hippocampus of AD mouse which was accompanied by impaired pine density, synaptic plasticity, and memory function. Hippocampal injection of TGF-β1 rescued the AD-induced memory function impairment. In addition, TGF-β1 ameliorated synaptic plasticity and increased synaptic plasticity-associated protein expression including Arc, NR2B, and PSD-95 in mouse model of AD. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Akt/Wnt/β-catenin pathway protein expression in the hippocampus was suppressed in a mouse model of AD and TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the phosphorylation Akt, GSK3β, and increased the nuclear β-catenin. These results indicate that TGF-β1activates PI3K/Akt/Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse model of AD, which is important for promoting synaptic plasticity related to memory function. More importantly, suppression of PI3K/Akt/Wnt/β-catenin pathway compromised the beneficial effects of TGFβ1 in Alzheimer's model. Hence, TGF-β1 shows protective effect on neurons, which might be through the PI3K/Akt/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, serving as a potential target in AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqiang Hu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Guangxi Basic Chinese, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Guangxi Basic Chinese, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Guangxi Basic Chinese, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China.,Scientific Laboratorial Centre Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China
| | - Lingfei Jiang
- Graduate College of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ni Liang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China
| | - Lulu Tan
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China
| | - Minghui Liang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China
| | - Nong Tang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China. .,Key Laboratory of Guangxi Basic Chinese, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China. .,Scientific Laboratorial Centre Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, 530023, Guangxi, China.
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Huang P, Sun J, Wang F, Luo X, Zhu H, Gu Q, Sun X, Liu T, Sun X. DNMT1 and Sp1 competitively regulate the expression of BACE1 in A2E-mediated photo-oxidative damage in RPE cells. Neurochem Int 2018; 121:59-68. [PMID: 30273642 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have focused on the deteriorate role of amyloid-β (Aβ) on retina, implying the potential pathogenic mechanism underlying age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the mechanism underlying the Aβ deposition in AMD patients remains unknown. Beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), rate-limiting enzyme for Aβ production, plays an important role in Aβ deposition in the brain. In the current study, we aimed to clarify the regulation mechanism of BACE1 and explore potential drug targets using a lipofuscinfluorophore A2E-mediated photo-oxidation model. In this model, Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels increased simultaneously with the enhanced BACE1 expression. These changes were associated with the hypomethylation of specific loci within the BACE1 gene promoter and the decreased levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Furthermore, we noticed overlapping regions of differentially methylated CpG islands and specificity protein (Sp1) binding sites within the BACE1 promoter. We employed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay to verify that the decreased BACE1 promoter methylation by DNMT1 enabled increased binding between Sp1 and the BACE1 promoter, which further enhanced BACE1 transcription. The inhibition of Sp1 with mithramycin A (MTM) could down-regulate the expression of BACE1 as well as alleviate the RPE barrier morphology and function impairment. Our results for the first time show the competitive regulation of BACE1 by transcription factor Sp1 and DNMT1 after photo-oxidation and confirm the potential novel protective role of MTM on RPE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Junran Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueting Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangjun Sun
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Te Liu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA; Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Disease, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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The Controversial Role of TGF-β in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113363. [PMID: 30373226 PMCID: PMC6275040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The multifunctional transforming growth factors-beta (TGF-βs) have been extensively studied regarding their role in the pathogenesis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a major cause of severe visual loss in the elderly in developed countries. Despite this, their effect remains somewhat controversial. Indeed, both pro- and antiangiogenic activities have been suggested for TGF-β signaling in the development and progression of nAMD, and opposite therapies have been proposed targeting the inhibition or activation of the TGF-β pathway. The present article summarizes the current literature linking TGF-β and nAMD, and reviews experimental data supporting both pro- and antiangiogenic hypotheses, taking into account the limitations of the experimental approaches.
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Kashima R, Hata A. The role of TGF-β superfamily signaling in neurological disorders. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2018; 50:106-120. [PMID: 29190314 PMCID: PMC5846707 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmx124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β superfamily signaling is involved in a variety of biological processes during embryogenesis and in adult tissue homeostasis. Faulty regulation of the signaling pathway that transduces the TGF-β superfamily signals accordingly leads to a number of ailments, such as cancer and cardiovascular, metabolic, urinary, intestinal, skeletal, and immune diseases. In recent years, a number of studies have elucidated the essential roles of TGF-βs and BMPs during neuronal development in the maintenance of appropriate innervation and neuronal activity. The new advancement implicates significant roles of the aberrant TGF-β superfamily signaling in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. In this review, we compile a number of reports implicating the deregulation of TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders in animal models and patients. We apologize in advance that the review falls short of providing details of the role of TGF-β/BMP signaling or mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. The goal of this article is to reveal a gap in our knowledge regarding the association between TGF-β/BMP signaling pathways and neuronal tissue homeostasis and development and facilitate the research with a potential to develop new therapies for neurological ailments by modulating the pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Kashima
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Akiko Hata
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Platania CBM, Fisichella V, Fidilio A, Geraci F, Lazzara F, Leggio GM, Salomone S, Drago F, Pignatello R, Caraci F, Bucolo C. Topical Ocular Delivery of TGF-β1 to the Back of the Eye: Implications in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102076. [PMID: 28973964 PMCID: PMC5666758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/selected small mother against decapentaplegic (SMAD) pathway can be implicated in development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the delivery of TGF-β1 could be beneficial for AMD. We developed a new ophthalmic formulation of TGF-β1 assessing the ocular pharmacokinetic profile of TGF-β1 in the rabbit eye. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) loaded with TGF-β1 were complemented with Annexin V and Ca2+, and the vitreous bioavailability of TGF-β1 was assessed after topical ocular administration by a commercial ELISA kit. We detected high levels of TGF-β1 (Cmax 114.7 ± 12.40 pg/mL) in the vitreous after 60 min (Tmax) from the topical application of the liposomal suspension. Ocular tolerability was also assessed by a modified Draize’s test. The new formulation was well tolerated. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the novel formulation was able to deliver remarkable levels of TGF-β1 into the back of the eye after topical administration. Indeed, this TGF-β1 delivery system may be useful in clinical practice to manage ophthalmic conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, skipping invasive intraocular injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Fisichella
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Federica Geraci
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Filippo Drago
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosario Pignatello
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
- NANO-i-Research Center on Ocular Nanotechnology, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
- IRCSS Associazione Oasi Maria S.S., Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, 94018 Troina, Italy.
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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35
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Astrocyte Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 Protects Synapses against Aβ Oligomers in Alzheimer's Disease Model. J Neurosci 2017; 37:6797-6809. [PMID: 28607171 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3351-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, increasingly attributed to neuronal dysfunction induced by amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs). Although the impact of AβOs on neurons has been extensively studied, only recently have the possible effects of AβOs on astrocytes begun to be investigated. Given the key roles of astrocytes in synapse formation, plasticity, and function, we sought to investigate the impact of AβOs on astrocytes, and to determine whether this impact is related to the deleterious actions of AβOs on synapses. We found that AβOs interact with astrocytes, cause astrocyte activation and trigger abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species, which is accompanied by impairment of astrocyte neuroprotective potential in vitro We further show that both murine and human astrocyte conditioned media (CM) increase synapse density, reduce AβOs binding, and prevent AβO-induced synapse loss in cultured hippocampal neurons. Both a neutralizing anti-transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) antibody and siRNA-mediated knockdown of TGF-β1, previously identified as an important synaptogenic factor secreted by astrocytes, abrogated the protective action of astrocyte CM against AβO-induced synapse loss. Notably, TGF-β1 prevented hippocampal dendritic spine loss and memory impairment in mice that received an intracerebroventricular infusion of AβOs. Results suggest that astrocyte-derived TGF-β1 is part of an endogenous mechanism that protects synapses against AβOs. By demonstrating that AβOs decrease astrocyte ability to protect synapses, our results unravel a new mechanism underlying the synaptotoxic action of AβOs in AD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, mainly attributed to synaptotoxicity of the amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs). Here, we investigated the impact of AβOs in astrocytes, a less known subject. We show that astrocytes prevent synapse loss induced by AβOs, via production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). We found that AβOs trigger morphological and functional alterations in astrocytes, and impair their neuroprotective potential. Notably, TGF-β1 reduced hippocampal dendritic spine loss and memory impairment in mice that received intracerebroventricular infusions of AβOs. Our results describe a new mechanism underlying the toxicity of AβOs and indicate novel therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease, mainly focused on TGF-β1 and astrocytes.
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Romano GL, Platania CBM, Drago F, Salomone S, Ragusa M, Barbagallo C, Di Pietro C, Purrello M, Reibaldi M, Avitabile T, Longo A, Bucolo C. Retinal and Circulating miRNAs in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An In vivo Animal and Human Study. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:168. [PMID: 28424619 PMCID: PMC5371655 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among people aged 50 and over. Retinal deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates in AMD patients has suggested a potential link between AMD and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have evaluated the differential retinal expression profile of miRNAs in a rat model of AMD elicited by Aβ. A serum profile of miRNAs in AMD patients has been also assessed using single TaqMan assay. Analysis of retina from rats intravitreally injected with Aβ revealed that miR-27a, miR-146a, and miR-155 were up-regulated in comparison to control rats. Seven miRNA (miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-126, miR-146a, and miR-155) have been found to be dysregulated in serum of AMD patients in comparison to control group. Analysis of pathways has revealed that dysregulated miRNAs, both in the AMD animal model and in AMD patients, can target genes regulating pathways linked to neurodegeneration and inflammation, reinforcing the hypothesis that AMD is a protein misfolding disease similar to AD. In fact, miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-155 have been found to be dysregulated both in AMD and AD. In conclusion, we suggest that miR-9, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-155 represent potential biomarkers and new pharmacological targets for AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni L Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Chiara B M Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Marco Ragusa
- BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics G. Sichel, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Cristina Barbagallo
- BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics G. Sichel, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Cinzia Di Pietro
- BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics G. Sichel, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Michele Purrello
- BioMolecular, Genome and Complex Systems BioMedicine Unit, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics G. Sichel, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Michele Reibaldi
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Teresio Avitabile
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Antonio Longo
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of CataniaCatania, Italy
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Imamura T, Tsuruma K, Inoue Y, Otsuka T, Ohno Y, Ogami S, Yamane S, Shimazawa M, Hara H. Rimonabant, a selective cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist, protects against light-induced retinal degeneration in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 803:78-83. [PMID: 28315677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is involved in some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. An endogenous constellation of proteins related to cannabinoid1 receptor signaling, including free fatty acids, diacylglycerol lipase, and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase, are localized in the murine retina. Moreover, the expression levels of endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors are changed in the vitreous fluid. However, the role of the endocannabinoid system in the retina, particularly in the light-induced photoreceptor degeneration, remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated involvement of the cannabinoid1 receptor in light-induced retinal degeneration using in vitro and in vivo models. To evaluate the effect of cannabinoid1 receptors in light irradiation-induced cell death, the mouse retinal cone-cell line (661W) was treated with a cannabinoid1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant. Time-dependent changes of expression and localization of retinal cannabinoid1 receptors were measured using Western blot and immunostaining. Retinal damage was induced in mice by exposure to light, followed by intravitreal injection of rimonabant. Electroretinograms and histologic analyses were performed. Rimonabant suppressed light-induced photoreceptor cell death. Cannabinoid1 receptor expression was upregulated by light exposure. Treatment with rimonabant improved both a- and b-wave amplitudes and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer. These results suggest that the cannabinoid1 receptor is involved in light-induced retinal degeneration and it may represent a therapeutic target in the light-induced photoreceptor degeneration related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyo Imamura
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Tsuruma
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Yuki Inoue
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Tomohiro Otsuka
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Yuta Ohno
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Shiho Ogami
- Discovery Research Laboratories III, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan.
| | - Shinsaku Yamane
- Discovery Research Laboratories III, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan.
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
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38
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Lynn SA, Keeling E, Munday R, Gabha G, Griffiths H, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. The complexities underlying age-related macular degeneration: could amyloid beta play an important role? Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:538-548. [PMID: 28553324 PMCID: PMC5436342 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.205083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes irreversible loss of central vision for which there is no effective treatment. Incipient pathology is thought to occur in the retina for many years before AMD manifests from midlife onwards to affect a large proportion of the elderly. Although genetic as well as non-genetic/environmental risks are recognized, its complex aetiology makes it difficult to identify susceptibility, or indeed what type of AMD develops or how quickly it progresses in different individuals. Here we summarize the literature describing how the Alzheimer's-linked amyloid beta (Aβ) group of misfolding proteins accumulate in the retina. The discovery of this key driver of Alzheimer's disease in the senescent retina was unexpected and surprising, enabling an altogether different perspective of AMD. We argue that Aβ fundamentally differs from other substances which accumulate in the ageing retina, and discuss our latest findings from a mouse model in which physiological amounts of Aβ were subretinally-injected to recapitulate salient features of early AMD within a short period. Our discoveries as well as those of others suggest the pattern of Aβ accumulation and pathology in donor aged/AMD tissues are closely reproduced in mice, including late-stage AMD phenotypes, which makes them highly attractive to study dynamic aspects of Aβ-mediated retinopathy. Furthermore, we discuss our findings revealing how Aβ behaves at single-cell resolution, and consider the long-term implications for neuroretinal function. We propose Aβ as a key element in switching to a diseased retinal phenotype, which is now being used as a biomarker for late-stage AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah A Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie Munday
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gagandeep Gabha
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Griffiths
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.,Eye Unit, University Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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39
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Minhas G, Sharma J, Khan N. Cellular Stress Response and Immune Signaling in Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Front Immunol 2016; 7:444. [PMID: 27822213 PMCID: PMC5075763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemia–reperfusion injury is a well-known pathological hallmark associated with diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other related retinopathies that ultimately can lead to visual impairment and vision loss. Retinal ischemia pathogenesis involves a cascade of detrimental events that include energy failure, excitotoxic damage, calcium imbalance, oxidative stress, and eventually cell death. Retina for a long time has been known to be an immune privileged site; however, recent investigations reveal that retina, as well as the central nervous system, elicits immunological responses during various stress cues. Stress condition, such as reperfusion of blood supply post-ischemia results in the sequestration of different immune cells, inflammatory mediators including cytokines, chemokines, etc., to the ischemic region, which in turn facilitates induction of inflammatory conditions in these tissues. The immunological activation during injury or stress per se is beneficial for repair and maintenance of cellular homeostasis, but whether the associated inflammation is good or bad, during ischemia–reperfusion injury, hitherto remains to be explored. Keeping all these notions in mind, the current review tries to address the immune response and host stress response mechanisms involved in ischemia–reperfusion injury with the focus on the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillipsie Minhas
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad , Telangana, India
| | - Jyoti Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad , Telangana, India
| | - Nooruddin Khan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad , Telangana, India
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