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Roodnat AW, Callaghan B, Doyle C, Vallabh NA, Atkinson SD, Willoughby CE. Genome-wide RNA sequencing of ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous and normal eyes: Implications for glaucoma management. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307227. [PMID: 38990974 PMCID: PMC11239048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary open angle glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness which is commonly treated with drugs or laser but may require surgery. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts are involved in wound-healing after glaucoma filtration surgery and may compromise a favourable outcome of glaucoma surgery by contributing to fibrosis. To investigate changes in gene expression and key pathways contributing to the glaucomatous state we performed genome-wide RNA sequencing. Human Tenon's ocular fibroblasts were cultured from normal and glaucomatous human donors undergoing eye surgery (n = 12). mRNA was extracted and RNA-Seq performed on the Illumina platform. Differentially expressed genes were identified using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts and edgeR. Changes in biological functions and pathways were determined using Enrichr and clustered using Cytoscape. A total of 5817 genes were differentially expressed between Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from normal versus glaucomatous eyes. Enrichment analysis showed 787 significantly different biological functions and pathways which were clustered into 176 clusters. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous eyes showed signs of fibrosis with fibroblast to myofibroblast transdifferentiation and associated changes in mitochondrial fission, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, proliferation, unfolded protein response, inflammation and apoptosis which may relate to the pathogenesis of glaucoma or the detrimental effects of topical glaucoma therapies. Altered gene expression in glaucomatous Tenon's ocular fibroblasts may contribute to an unfavourable outcome of glaucoma filtration surgery. This work presents a genome-wide transcriptome of glaucomatous versus normal Tenon's ocular fibroblasts which may identify genes or pathways of therapeutic value to improve surgical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton W. Roodnat
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Breedge Callaghan
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chelsey Doyle
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Neeru A. Vallabh
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Insitute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- St. Paul’s Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah D. Atkinson
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Colin E. Willoughby
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Canleblebici M, Celiker U, Yıldırım H, Balbaba M. Evaluation of lamina cribrosa curvature index in different types of glaucoma. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:284. [PMID: 38926206 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03190-x] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the lamina cribrosa curvature index in different types of glaucoma in comparison with clinical findings and conventional measurement methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD Patients older than 18 years who were followed up in Glaucoma Unit of Department of Ophthalmology at Fırat University Faculty of Medicine, whose disease had been under control at least for 1 year, who had at least three reliable visual fields, whose refractive error was between - 6 and + 5 diopter and who did not have any disease other than glaucoma that would affect the visual field, were included in the study. Clinical and demographic characteristics, visual field, optical coherence tomography and lamina cribrosa curvature index (LCCI) results were evaluated. The study patients were divided into six groups: early-stage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) as group 1 and intermediate-advanced stage POAG as group 2, pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) as group 3, normal tension glaucoma (NTG) as group 4, ocular hypertension patients whom subsequently developed POAG as group 5 and healthy control as group 6. RESULTS A total of 189 eyes of 101 patients were included in our study. Forty-seven patients were male (46.5%) and 54 were female (53.5%). The mean age was 62.43 ± 1.49 years. LCCI, mean deviation (MD), visual field index (VFI), pattern standard deviation (PSD) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) values were analyzed in all groups and Pearson correlation analysis showed statistically significant correlation between PSD and RNFL measurements with LCCI values in all groups. MD value was correlated with LCCI in groups 2, 3 and 4, while VFI value was correlated with LCCI in all groups except group 5. When the groups were compared with each other according to the Post-Hoc Tamhane test, LCCI measurement showed statistically significant results in accordance with MD, VFI, PSD and RNFL values. CONCLUSION The LCCI assessment is mostly consistent with conventional tests. In this study, in which different types of glaucoma and healthy subjects were examined simultaneously, LCCI shows promise as a detailed and reliable assessment method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ulku Celiker
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Fırat University, Elazığ, Turkey
| | - Hakan Yıldırım
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Fırat University, Elazığ, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Balbaba
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Fırat University, Elazığ, Turkey
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Hariani HN, Ghosh AK, Rosen SM, Tso HY, Kessinger C, Zhang C, Jones WK, Sappington RM, Mitchell CH, Stubbs EB, Rao VR, Kaja S. Lysyl oxidase like-1 deficiency in optic nerve head astrocytes elicits reactive astrocytosis and alters functional effects of astrocyte derived exosomes. Exp Eye Res 2024; 240:109813. [PMID: 38331016 PMCID: PMC10962968 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a multifactorial progressive ocular pathology that manifests clinically with damage to the optic nerve (ON) and the retina, ultimately leading to blindness. The optic nerve head (ONH) shows the earliest signs of glaucoma pathology, and therefore, is an attractive target for drug discovery. The goal of this study was to elucidate the effects of reactive astrocytosis on the elastin metabolism pathway in primary rat optic nerve head astrocytes (ONHA), the primary glial cell type in the unmyelinated ONH. Following exposure to static equibiaxial mechanical strain, we observed prototypic molecular and biochemical signatures of reactive astrocytosis that were associated with a decrease in lysyl oxidase like 1 (Loxl1) expression and a concomitant decrease in elastin (Eln) gene expression. We subsequently investigated the role of Loxl1 in reactive astrocytosis by generating primary rat ONHA cultures with ∼50% decreased Loxl1 expression. Our results suggest that reduced Loxl1 expression is sufficient to elicit molecular signatures of elastinopathy in ONHA. Astrocyte derived exosomes (ADE) significantly increased the length of primary neurites of primary neurons in vitro. In contrast, ADE from Loxl1-deficient ONHA were deficient of trophic effects on neurite outgrowth in vitro, positing that Loxl1 dysfunction and the ensuing impaired elastin synthesis during reactive astrocytosis in the ONH may contribute to impaired neuron-glia signaling in glaucoma. Our data support a role of dysregulated Loxl1 function in eliciting reactive astrocytosis in glaucoma subtypes associated with increased IOP, even in the absence of genetic polymorphisms in LOXL1 typically associated with exfoliation glaucoma. This suggests the need for a paradigm shift toward considering lysyl oxidase activity and elastin metabolism and signaling as contributors to an altered secretome of the ONH that may lead to the progression of glaucomatous changes. Future research is needed to investigate cargo of exosomes in the context of reactive astrocytosis and identify the pathways leading to the observed transcriptome changes during reactive astrocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh N Hariani
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Research Service, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Anita K Ghosh
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Research Service, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Sasha M Rosen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Department of Radiology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Huen-Yee Tso
- Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Cassidy Kessinger
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Chongyu Zhang
- Graduate Program in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - W Keith Jones
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Rebecca M Sappington
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27109, USA; Translational Eye and Vision Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27109, USA
| | - Claire H Mitchell
- Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Evan B Stubbs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Research Service, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Vidhya R Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Research Service, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA
| | - Simon Kaja
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA; Research Service, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA.
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Li M, Sun H, Hou Z, Hao S, Jin L, Wang B. Engineering the Physical Microenvironment into Neural Organoids for Neurogenesis and Neurodevelopment. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306451. [PMID: 37771182 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the signals from the physical microenvironment is critical for deciphering the processes of neurogenesis and neurodevelopment. The discovery of how surrounding physical signals shape human developing neurons is hindered by the bottleneck of conventional cell culture and animal models. Notwithstanding neural organoids provide a promising platform for recapitulating human neurogenesis and neurodevelopment, building neuronal physical microenvironment that accurately mimics the native neurophysical features is largely ignored in current organoid technologies. Here, it is discussed how the physical microenvironment modulates critical events during the periods of neurogenesis and neurodevelopment, such as neural stem cell fates, neural tube closure, neuronal migration, axonal guidance, optic cup formation, and cortical folding. Although animal models are widely used to investigate the impacts of physical factors on neurodevelopment and neuropathy, the important roles of human stem cell-derived neural organoids in this field are particularly highlighted. Considering the great promise of human organoids, building neural organoid microenvironments with mechanical forces, electrophysiological microsystems, and light manipulation will help to fully understand the physical cues in neurodevelopmental processes. Neural organoids combined with cutting-edge techniques, such as advanced atomic force microscopes, microrobots, and structural color biomaterials might promote the development of neural organoid-based research and neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Heng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Zongkun Hou
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Shilei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Bochu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
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Salehi A, Balasubramanian M. Dense optic nerve head deformation estimated using CNN as a structural biomarker of glaucoma progression. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:3819-3826. [PMID: 37330606 PMCID: PMC10697945 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To present a new structural biomarker for detecting glaucoma progression based on structural transformation of the optic nerve head (ONH) region over time. METHODS Dense ONH deformation was estimated using deep learning methods namely DDCNet-Multires, FlowNet2, and FlowNetCorrelation, and legacy computational methods namely the topographic change analysis (TCA) and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) methods. A candidate biomarker was estimated as the average magnitude of deformation of the ONH and evaluated using longitudinal confocal scans of 12 laser treated and 12 contralateral normal eyes of 12 primates from the LSU Experimental Glaucoma Study (LEGS); and 36 progressing eyes and 21 longitudinal normal eyes from the UCSD Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS). Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the biomarker. RESULTS AUROC (95% CI) for LEGS were: 0.83 (0.79, 0.88) for DDCNet-Multires; 0.83 (0.78, 0.88) for FlowNet2; 0.83 (0.78, 0.88) for FlowNet-Correlation; 0.94 (0.91, 0.97) for POD; and 0.86 (0.82, 0.91) for TCA methods. For DIGS: 0.89 (0.80, 0.97) for DDCNet-Multires; 0.82 (0.71, 0.93) for FlowNet2; 0.93 (0.86, 0.99) for FlowNet-Correlation; 0.86 (0.76, 0.96) for POD; and 0.86 (0.77, 0.95) for TCA methods. Lower diagnostic accuracy of the learning-based methods for LEG study eyes were due to image alignment errors in confocal sequences. CONCLUSION Deep learning methods trained to estimate generic deformation were able to estimate ONH deformation from image sequences and provided a higher diagnostic accuracy. Our validation of the biomarker using ONH sequences from controlled experimental conditions confirms the diagnostic accuracy of the biomarkers observed in the clinical population. Performance can be further improved by fine-tuning these networks using ONH sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Salehi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA
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Mamidipaka A, Di Rosa I, Lee R, Zhu Y, Chen Y, Salowe R, Addis V, Sankar P, Daniel E, Ying GS, O’Brien JM. Factors Associated with Large Cup-to-Disc Ratio and Blindness in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1809. [PMID: 37761949 PMCID: PMC10530848 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry. In these patients' eyes, a large cup-to-disc ratio (LCDR > 0.90) suggests greater retinal ganglion cell loss, though these patients often display varied visual ability. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with LCDR in African ancestry individuals with POAG and explored the differences between blind (>20/200) and not blind (≤20/200) LCDR eyes. METHODS A case-control methodology was used to investigate the demographic, optic disc, and genetic risk factors of subjects in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics Study. Risk factors were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models with inter-eye correlation adjusted using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Out of 5605 eyes with POAG, 1440 eyes (25.7%) had LCDR. In the multivariable analysis, LCDR was associated with previous glaucoma surgery (OR = 1.72), increased intraocular pressure (OR = 1.04), decreased mean deviation (OR = 1.08), increased pattern standard deviation (OR = 1.06), thinner retinal nerve fiber layer (OR = 1.05), nasalization of vessels (OR = 2.67), bayonetting of vessels (OR = 1.98), visible pores in the lamina cribrosa (OR = 1.68), and a bean-shaped cup (OR = 2.11). Of LCDR eyes, 30.1% were classified as blind (≤20/200). In the multivariable analysis, the statistically significant risk factors of blindness in LCDR eyes were previous glaucoma surgery (OR = 1.72), increased intraocular pressure (OR = 1.05), decreased mean deviation (OR = 1.04), and decreased pattern standard deviation (OR = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of close monitoring of intraocular pressure and visual function in African ancestry POAG patients, particularly those with LCDR, to preserve visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joan M. O’Brien
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (A.M.); (I.D.R.); (R.L.); (Y.Z.); (Y.C.); (R.S.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (G.-S.Y.)
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Geiduschek EK, McDowell CM. The Fibro-Inflammatory Response in the Glaucomatous Optic Nerve Head. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13240. [PMID: 37686046 PMCID: PMC10487997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a progressive disease and the leading cause of irreversible blindness. The limited therapeutics available are only able to manage the common risk factor of glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), indicating a great need for understanding the cellular mechanisms behind optic nerve head (ONH) damage during disease progression. Here we review the known inflammatory and fibrotic changes occurring in the ONH. In addition, we describe a novel mechanism of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGFβ2) signaling crosstalk in the cells of the ONH that contribute to glaucomatous damage. Understanding molecular signaling within and between the cells of the ONH can help identify new drug targets and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Colleen M. McDowell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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Monavarfeshani A, Yan W, Pappas C, Odenigbo KA, He Z, Segrè AV, van Zyl T, Hageman GS, Sanes JR. Transcriptomic Analysis of the Ocular Posterior Segment Completes a Cell Atlas of the Human Eye. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.26.538447. [PMID: 37162855 PMCID: PMC10168356 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.26.538447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the visual system extends through the brain, most vision loss originates from defects in the eye. Its central element is the neural retina, which senses light, processes visual signals, and transmits them to the rest of the brain through the optic nerve (ON). Surrounding the retina are numerous other structures, conventionally divided into anterior and posterior segments. Here we used high-throughput single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to classify and characterize cells in the extraretinal components of the posterior segment: ON, optic nerve head (ONH), peripheral sclera, peripapillary sclera (PPS), choroid, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Defects in each of these tissues are associated with blinding diseases - for example, glaucoma (ONH and PPS), optic neuritis (ON), retinitis pigmentosa (RPE), and age-related macular degeneration (RPE and choroid). From ∼151,000 single nuclei, we identified 37 transcriptomically distinct cell types, including multiple types of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells. Our analyses revealed a differential distribution of many cell types among distinct structures. Together with our previous analyses of the anterior segment and retina, the new data complete a "Version 1" cell atlas of the human eye. We used this atlas to map the expression of >180 genes associated with the risk of developing glaucoma, which is known to involve ocular tissues in both anterior and posterior segments as well as neural retina. Similar methods can be used to investigate numerous additional ocular diseases, many of which are currently untreatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Equal contributions
| | - Wenjun Yan
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Equal contributions
| | - Christian Pappas
- Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine, John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Kenechukwu A. Odenigbo
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayellet V. Segrè
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | - Tavé van Zyl
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114
- Present address: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Gregory S. Hageman
- Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine, John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Joshua R. Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
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McElhinney K, Irnaten M, O’Brien C. p53 and Myofibroblast Apoptosis in Organ Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076737. [PMID: 37047710 PMCID: PMC10095465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ fibrosis represents a dysregulated, maladaptive wound repair response that results in progressive disruption of normal tissue architecture leading to detrimental deterioration in physiological function, and significant morbidity/mortality. Fibrosis is thought to contribute to nearly 50% of all deaths in the Western world with current treatment modalities effective in slowing disease progression but not effective in restoring organ function or reversing fibrotic changes. When physiological wound repair is complete, myofibroblasts are programmed to undergo cell death and self-clearance, however, in fibrosis there is a characteristic absence of myofibroblast apoptosis. It has been shown that in fibrosis, myofibroblasts adopt an apoptotic-resistant, highly proliferative phenotype leading to persistent myofibroblast activation and perpetuation of the fibrotic disease process. Recently, this pathological adaptation has been linked to dysregulated expression of tumour suppressor gene p53. In this review, we discuss p53 dysregulation and apoptotic failure in myofibroblasts and demonstrate its consistent link to fibrotic disease development in all types of organ fibrosis. An enhanced understanding of the role of p53 dysregulation and myofibroblast apoptosis may aid in future novel therapeutic and/or diagnostic strategies in organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kealan McElhinney
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mustapha Irnaten
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm O’Brien
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
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Safa BN, Bleeker A, Berdahl JP, Ethier CR. The Effects of Negative Periocular Pressure on Biomechanics of the Optic Nerve Head and Cornea: A Computational Modeling Study. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:5. [PMID: 36745441 PMCID: PMC9910383 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.2.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of negative periocular pressure (NPP), and concomitant intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering, on the biomechanics of the optic nerve head (ONH) and cornea. Methods We developed a validated finite element (FE) model of the eye to compute tissue biomechanical strains induced in response to NPP delivered using the Multi-Pressure Dial (MPD) system. The model was informed by clinical measurements of IOP lowering and was based on published tissue properties. We also conducted sensitivity analyses by changing pressure loads and tissue properties. Results Application of -7.9 mmHg NPP decreased strain magnitudes in the ONH by c. 50% whereas increasing corneal strain magnitudes by c. 25%. Comparatively, a similar increase in corneal strain was predicted to occur due to an increase in IOP of 4 mmHg. Sensitivity studies indicated that NPP lowers strain in the ONH by reducing IOP and that these effects persisted over a range of tissue stiffnesses and spatial distributions of NPP. Conclusions NPP is predicted to considerably decrease ONH strain magnitudes. It also increases corneal strain but to an extent expected to be clinically insignificant. Thus, using NPP to lower IOP and hence decrease ONH mechanical strain is likely biomechanically beneficial for patients with glaucoma. Translational Relevance This study provides the first description of how NPP affects ONH biomechanics and explains the underlying mechanism of ONH strain reduction. It complements current empirical knowledge about the MPD system and guides future studies of NPP as a treatment for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak N. Safa
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adam Bleeker
- Dean McGee Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - John P. Berdahl
- Equinox Ophthalmic, Newport Beach, CA, USA,Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - C. Ross Ethier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Bastelica P, Labbé A, El Maftouhi A, Hamard P, Paques M, Baudouin C. Rôle de la lame criblée dans la pathogenèse du glaucome. Une revue de la littérature. J Fr Ophtalmol 2022; 45:952-966. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Lai W, Huang J, Fang W, Deng S, Xie Y, Wang W, Qiao T, Xu G, Wang X, Ding F. Optic nerve head: A gatekeeper for vitreous infectious insults? Front Immunol 2022; 13:987771. [PMID: 36203577 PMCID: PMC9531234 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.987771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) pass through the optic nerve head (ONH) and form the optic nerve (ON). The ONH serves as an anatomical interface between the vitreous cavity and subarachnoid space. After inducing acute neuroinflammation by intravitreal injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), we observed inflammatory activation in the retina, but detect no signs of inflammation in the posterior ON or infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ONH. Therefore, we hypothesized that the ONH functions as a barrier to vitreous inflammation. Using transmission electron microscopy, we identified significant increase in G-ratio in the posterior ON on day 7 post intravitreal injection (PII) of LPS compared with the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group. Moreover, using confocal imaging of ex vivo tissue extracted from Aldh1L1-eGFP reporter mice, we observed that the ONH astrocytes altered their spatial orientation by elongating their morphology along the axonal axis of RGCs in LPS- versus PBS-treated eyes; this was quantified by the ratio of longitudinal (DL) and transverse (DT) diameter of astrocytes and the proportion of longitudinally locating astrocytes. Supportive evidences were further provided by transmission electron microscopic imaging in rat ONH. We further conducted RNA sequencing of ONH on day 1 PII and found LPS induced clear upregulation of immune and inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that astrocyte and microglia contributed prominently to the transcriptomic alterations in ONH. Here, we report that the vitreous infectious insults induce morphological changes of ONH astrocytes and transcriptomic alterations in the ONH. Glial responses in the ONH may defend against vitreous infectious insults and serve as a barrier to inflammation for the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wangyi Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Saiyue Deng
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tong Qiao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gezhi Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Fengfei Ding, ; Xiaowei Wang,
| | - Fengfei Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Fengfei Ding, ; Xiaowei Wang,
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13
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Strickland RG, Garner MA, Gross AK, Girkin CA. Remodeling of the Lamina Cribrosa: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Approaches for Glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158068. [PMID: 35897642 PMCID: PMC9329908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. The chronic disease is characterized by optic nerve degeneration and vision field loss. The reduction of intraocular pressure remains the only proven glaucoma treatment, but it does not prevent further neurodegeneration. There are three major classes of cells in the human optic nerve head (ONH): lamina cribrosa (LC) cells, glial cells, and scleral fibroblasts. These cells provide support for the LC which is essential to maintain healthy retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. All these cells demonstrate responses to glaucomatous conditions through extracellular matrix remodeling. Therefore, investigations into alternative therapies that alter the characteristic remodeling response of the ONH to enhance the survival of RGC axons are prevalent. Understanding major remodeling pathways in the ONH may be key to developing targeted therapies that reduce deleterious remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan G. Strickland
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.G.S.); (M.A.G.); (A.K.G.)
| | - Mary Anne Garner
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.G.S.); (M.A.G.); (A.K.G.)
| | - Alecia K. Gross
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (R.G.S.); (M.A.G.); (A.K.G.)
| | - Christopher A. Girkin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-205-325-8620
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14
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Ma L, Liu X, Liu Q, Jin S, Chang H, Liu H. The Roles of Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channels in Pathologies of Glaucoma. Front Physiol 2022; 13:806786. [PMID: 35185615 PMCID: PMC8850928 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.806786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor ion potential (TRP) channels are a cluster of non-selective cation channels present on cell membranes. They are important mediators of sensory signals to regulate cellular functions and signaling pathways. Alterations and dysfunction of these channels could disrupt physiological processes, thus leading to a broad array of disorders, such as cardiovascular, renal and nervous system diseases. These effects position them as potential targets for drug design and treatment. Because TRP channels can mediate processes such as mechanical conduction, osmotic pressure, and oxidative stress, they have been studied in the context of glaucoma. Glaucoma is an irreversible blinding eye disease caused by an intermittent or sustained increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which results in the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), optic nerve atrophy and eventually visual field defects. An increasing number of studies have documented that various TRP subfamilies are abundantly expressed in ocular structures, including the cornea, lens, ciliary body (CB), trabecular meshwork (TM) and retina. In alignment with these findings, there is also mounting evidence supporting the potential role of the TRP family in glaucoma progression. Therefore, it is of great interest and clinical significance to gain an increased understanding of these channels, which in turn could shed more light on the identification of new therapeutic targets for glaucoma. Moreover, this role is not understood completely to date, and whether the activation of TRP channels contributes to glaucoma, or instead aggravates progression, needs to be explored. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of recent research on TRP channels in glaucoma and to suggest novel targets for future therapeutic interventions in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Jin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Haixia Liu,
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15
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Grytz R, El Hamdaoui M, Fuchs PA, Fazio MA, McNabb RP, Kuo AN, Girkin CA, Samuels BC. Nonlinear distortion correction for posterior eye segment optical coherence tomography with application to tree shrews. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:1070-1086. [PMID: 35284162 PMCID: PMC8884212 DOI: 10.1364/boe.447595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We propose an empirical distortion correction approach for optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices that use a fan-scanning pattern to image the posterior eye segment. Two types of reference markers were used to empirically estimate the distortion correction approach in tree shrew eyes: retinal curvature from MRI images and implanted glass beads of known diameter. Performance was tested by correcting distorted images of the optic nerve head. In small animal eyes, our purposed method effectively reduced nonlinear distortions compared to a linear scaling method. No commercial posterior segment OCT provides anatomically correct images, which may bias the 3D interpretation of these scans. Our method can effectively reduce such bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Grytz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mustapha El Hamdaoui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Preston A. Fuchs
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Massimo A. Fazio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ryan P. McNabb
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anthony N. Kuo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher A. Girkin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Brian C. Samuels
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
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16
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Murphy R, Irnaten M, Hopkins A, O'Callaghan J, Stamer WD, Clark AF, Wallace D, O'Brien CJ. Matrix Mechanotransduction via Yes-Associated Protein in Human Lamina Cribrosa Cells in Glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:16. [PMID: 35015027 PMCID: PMC8762700 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.1.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Extracellular matrix stiffening is characteristic of both aging and glaucoma, and acts as a promoter and perpetuator of pathological fibrotic remodeling. Here, we investigate the role of a mechanosensitive transcriptional coactivator, Yes-associated protein (YAP), a downstream effector of multiple signaling pathways, in lamina cribrosa (LC) cell activation to a profibrotic, glaucomatous state. Methods LC cells isolated from glaucomatous human donor eyes (GLC; n = 3) were compared to LC cells from age-matched nonglaucomatous controls (NLC; n = 3) to determine differential YAP expression, protein levels, and proliferation rates. NLC cells were then cultured on soft (4 kPa), and stiff (100 kPa), collagen-1 coated polyacrylamide hydrogel substrates. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to measure the expression, activity, and subcellular location of YAP and its downstream targets, respectively. Proliferation rates were examined in NLC and GLC cells by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium salt assays, across a range of incrementally increased substrate stiffness. Endpoints were examined in the presence or absence of a YAP inhibitor, verteporfin (2 µM). Results GLC cells show significantly (P < 0.05) increased YAP gene expression and total-YAP protein compared to NLC cells, with significantly increased proliferation. YAP regulation is mechanosensitive, because NLC cells cultured on pathomimetic, stiff substrates (100 kPa) show significantly upregulated YAP gene and protein expression, increased YAP phosphorylation at tyrosine 357, reduced YAP phosphorylation at serine 127, increased nuclear pooling, and increased transcriptional target, connective tissue growth factor. Accordingly, myofibroblastic markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I, alpha 1 (Col1A1) are increased. Proliferation rates are elevated on 50 kPa substrates and tissue culture plastic. Verteporfin treatment significantly inhibits YAP-mediated cellular activation and proliferation despite a stiffened microenvironment. Conclusions These data demonstrate how YAP plays a pivotal role in LC cells adopting a profibrotic and proliferative phenotype in response to the stiffened LC present in aging and glaucoma. YAP provides an attractive and novel therapeutic target, and its inhibition via verteporfin warrants further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory Murphy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mustapha Irnaten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan Hopkins
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeffrey O'Callaghan
- Ocular Genetics Unit, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Abbot F Clark
- Department of Cell Biology & Immunology and the North Texas Eye Research Institute, U. North Texas Health Science Centre, Ft. Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Deborah Wallace
- Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm J O'Brien
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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17
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Geiduschek EK, Milne PD, Mzyk P, Mavlyutov TA, McDowell CM. TLR4 signaling modulates extracellular matrix production in the lamina cribrosa. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2022; 2:968381. [PMID: 36911656 PMCID: PMC9997209 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2022.968381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The optic nerve head (ONH) is a place of vulnerability during glaucoma progression due to increased intraocular pressure damaging the retinal ganglion cell axons. The molecular signaling pathways involved in generating glaucomatous ONH damage has not been fully elucidated. There is a great deal of evidence that pro-fibrotic TGFβ2 signaling is involved in modulating the ECM environment within the lamina cribrosa (LC) region of the ONH. Here we investigated the role of signaling crosstalk between the TGFβ2 pathway and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway within the LC. ECM deposition was examined between healthy and glaucomatous human ONH sections, finding increases in fibronectin and fibronectin extra domain A (FN-EDA) an isoform of fibronectin known to be a damage associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that can activate TLR4 signaling. In human LC cell cultures derived from healthy donor eyes, inhibition of TLR4 signaling blocked TGFβ2 induced FN and FN-EDA expression. Activation of TLR4 by cellular FN (cFN) containing the EDA isoform increased both total FN production and Collagen-1 production and this effect was dependent on TLR4 signaling. These studies identify TGFβ2-TLR4 signaling crosstalk in LC cells of the ONH as a novel pathway regulating ECM and DAMP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma K Geiduschek
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Paige D Milne
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Philip Mzyk
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Timur A Mavlyutov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Colleen M McDowell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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18
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Coyle S, Khan MN, Chemaly M, Callaghan B, Doyle C, Willoughby CE, Atkinson SD, Gregory-Ksander M, McGilligan V. Targeting the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Glaucoma. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081239. [PMID: 34439904 PMCID: PMC8393362 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies characterised by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, resulting in damage to the optic nerve head (ONH) and loss of vision in one or both eyes. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the major aetiological risk factors in glaucoma, and is currently the only modifiable risk factor. However, 30–40% of glaucoma patients do not present with elevated IOP and still proceed to lose vision. The pathophysiology of glaucoma is therefore not completely understood, and there is a need for the development of IOP-independent neuroprotective therapies to preserve vision. Neuroinflammation has been shown to play a key role in glaucoma and, specifically, the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key driver of inflammation, has recently been implicated. The NLRP3 inflammasome is expressed in the eye and its activation is reported in pre-clinical studies of glaucoma. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome results in IL-1β processing. This pro inflammatory cytokine is elevated in the blood of glaucoma patients and is believed to drive neurotoxic inflammation, resulting in axon degeneration and the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). This review discusses glaucoma as an inflammatory disease and evaluates targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome as a therapeutic strategy. A hypothetical mechanism for the action of the NLRP3 inflammasome in glaucoma is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Coyle
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK; (S.C.); (M.N.K.); (S.D.A.)
| | - Mohammed Naeem Khan
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK; (S.C.); (M.N.K.); (S.D.A.)
| | - Melody Chemaly
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 76 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Breedge Callaghan
- Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (B.C.); (C.D.); (C.E.W.)
| | - Chelsey Doyle
- Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (B.C.); (C.D.); (C.E.W.)
| | - Colin E. Willoughby
- Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (B.C.); (C.D.); (C.E.W.)
| | - Sarah D. Atkinson
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK; (S.C.); (M.N.K.); (S.D.A.)
| | - Meredith Gregory-Ksander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Victoria McGilligan
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK; (S.C.); (M.N.K.); (S.D.A.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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O'Regan A, O'Brien CJ, Eivers SB. The lysophosphatidic acid axis in fibrosis: Implications for glaucoma. Wound Repair Regen 2021; 29:613-626. [PMID: 34009724 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a common progressive optic neuropathy that results in visual field defects and can lead to irreversible blindness. The pathophysiology of glaucoma involves dysregulated extracellular matrix remodelling in both the trabecular meshwork in the anterior chamber and in the lamina cribrosa of the optic nerve head. Fibrosis in these regions leads to raised intraocular pressure and retinal ganglion cell degeneration, respectively. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid mediator which acts via six G-protein coupled receptors on the cell surface to activate intracellular pathways that promote cell proliferation, transcription and survival. LPA signalling has been implicated in both normal wound healing and pathological fibrosis. LPA enhances fibroblast proliferation, migration and contraction, and induces expression of pro-fibrotic mediators such as connective tissue growth factor. The LPA axis plays a major role in diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, where it has been identified as an important pharmacological target. In glaucoma, LPA is present in high levels in the aqueous humour, and its signalling has been found to increase resistance to aqueous humour outflow through altered trabecular meshwork cellular contraction and extracellular matrix deposition. LPA signalling may, therefore, also represent an attractive target for treatment of glaucoma. In this review we wish to describe the role of LPA and its related proteins in tissue fibrosis and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy O'Regan
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm J O'Brien
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah B Eivers
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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20
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Pouw AE, Greiner MA, Coussa RG, Jiao C, Han IC, Skeie JM, Fingert JH, Mullins RF, Sohn EH. Cell-Matrix Interactions in the Eye: From Cornea to Choroid. Cells 2021; 10:687. [PMID: 33804633 PMCID: PMC8003714 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in all parts of the eye, from maintaining clarity and hydration of the cornea and vitreous to regulating angiogenesis, intraocular pressure maintenance, and vascular signaling. This review focuses on the interactions of the ECM for homeostasis of normal physiologic functions of the cornea, vitreous, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, and choroid as well as trabecular meshwork, optic nerve, conjunctiva and tenon's layer as it relates to glaucoma. A variety of pathways and key factors related to ECM in the eye are discussed, including but not limited to those related to transforming growth factor-β, vascular endothelial growth factor, basic-fibroblastic growth factor, connective tissue growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases (including MMP-2 and MMP-9, and MMP-14), collagen IV, fibronectin, elastin, canonical signaling, integrins, and endothelial morphogenesis consistent of cellular activation-tubulogenesis and cellular differentiation-stabilization. Alterations contributing to disease states such as wound healing, diabetes-related complications, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, angiogenesis, fibrosis, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and posteriorly inserted vitreous base are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E. Pouw
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Mark A. Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Razek G. Coussa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Chunhua Jiao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ian C. Han
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jessica M. Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
| | - John H. Fingert
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Robert F. Mullins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Elliott H. Sohn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (A.E.P.); (M.A.G.); (R.G.C.); (C.J.); (I.C.H.); (J.M.S.); (J.H.F.); (R.F.M.)
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Kondkar AA. Updates on Genes and Genetic Mechanisms Implicated in Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2021; 14:89-112. [PMID: 33727852 PMCID: PMC7955727 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s274884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) is estimated to affect over 30 million people worldwide by 2040 and is highly prevalent in the Asian population. PACG is more severe and carries three times the higher risk of blindness than primary open-angle glaucoma, thus representing a significant public health concern. High heritability and ethnic-specific predisposition to PACG suggest the involvement of genetic factors in disease development. In the recent past, genetic studies have led to the successful identification of several genes and loci associated with PACG across different ethnicities. The precise cellular and molecular roles of these multiple loci in the development and progression of PACG remains to be elucidated. Nonetheless, these studies have significantly increased our understanding of the emerging cellular processes and biological pathways that might provide more significant insights into the disease’s genetic etiology and may be valuable for future clinical applications. This review aims to summarize and update the current knowledge of PACG genetics analysis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altaf A Kondkar
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Glaucoma Research Chair in Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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22
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Oikawa K, Teixeira LBC, Keikhosravi A, Eliceiri KW, McLellan GJ. Microstructure and resident cell-types of the feline optic nerve head resemble that of humans. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108315. [PMID: 33091431 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108315] [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: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The lamina cribrosa (LC) region of the optic nerve head (ONH) is considered a primary site for glaucomatous damage. In humans, biology of this region reflects complex interactions between retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and other resident ONH cell-types including astrocytes, lamina cribrosa cells, microglia and oligodendrocytes, as well as ONH microvasculature and collagenous LC beams. However, species differences in the microanatomy of this region could profoundly impact efforts to model glaucoma pathobiology in a research setting. In this study, we characterized resident cell-types, ECM composition and ultrastructure in relation to microanatomy of the ONH in adult domestic cats (Felis catus). Longitudinal and transverse cryosections of ONH tissues were immunolabeled with astrocyte, microglia/macrophage, oligodendrocyte, LC cell and vascular endothelial cell markers. Collagen fiber structure of the LC was visualized by second harmonic generation (SHG) with multiphoton microscopy. Fibrous astrocytes form glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive glial columns in the pre-laminar region, and cover the collagenous plates of the LC region in lamellae oriented perpendicular to the axons. GFAP-negative and alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive LC cells were identified in the feline ONH. IBA-1 positive immune cells and von Willebrand factor-positive blood vessel endothelial cells are also identifiable throughout the feline ONH. As in humans, myelination commences with a population of oligodendrocytes in the retro-laminar region of the feline ONH. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of capillaries and LC cells that extend thin processes in the core of the collagenous LC beams. In conclusion, the feline ONH closely recapitulates the complexity of the ONH of humans and non-human primates, with diverse ONH cell-types and a robust collagenous LC, within the beams of which, LC cells and capillaries reside. Thus, studies in a feline inherited glaucoma model have the potential to play a key role in enhancing our understanding of ONH cellular and molecular processes in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Oikawa
- Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Leandro B C Teixeira
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, Madison, WI, USA; Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adib Keikhosravi
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kevin W Eliceiri
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, Madison, WI, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gillian J McLellan
- Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Surgical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, Madison, WI, USA.
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Resveratrol protects retinal ganglion cell axons through regulation of the SIRT1-JNK pathway. Exp Eye Res 2020; 200:108249. [PMID: 32956685 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It is reported that Ischemia and reperfusion damage (I/R damage) can lead to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and neurodegeneration, which in turn can lead to irreversible vision loss. In this study, we sought to understand the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol, the important activator of sirtuin1 (SIRT1), on RGC survival in I/R damage model and the molecular mechanism that mediate this effect. Our results show that resveratrol could reverse axonal swelling, holes, and the chaos of the nucleus in axons of RGCs caused by I/R. At the same time, resveratrol could also reverse the activation of retinal astrocytes and the loss of RGCs caused by I/R. Resveratrol increased the expression of SIRT1 while decreasing the phosphorylation of N-terminal kinase (JNK). SP600125(JNK inhibitor) decreased the phosphorylation of JNK while increasing the expression of SIRT1, indicating that SIRT1 and JNK can interact with each other. Simultaneous administration of resveratrol and sirtinol (SIRT1 inhibitor) neither increased the expression of SIRT1 nor decreased the phosphorylation of JNK, indicating that resveratrol affects the phosphorylation of JNK by SIRT1. In total, our research shows that resveratrol treatment significantly reduces apoptosis and axonal degeneration of RGCs, and this protection is partly mediated through the SIRT1-JNK pathway.
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Lee EJ, Kee HJ, Han JC, Kee C. Evidence-based understanding of disc hemorrhage in glaucoma. Surv Ophthalmol 2020; 66:412-422. [PMID: 32949554 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Disc hemorrhage is a characteristic finding that is highly associated with glaucoma development or progression. Consequently, the literature commonly designates disc hemorrhage as a "risk factor" for glaucoma progression; however, the exact cause-and-effect relationship or mechanism remains unclear. In this review, we discuss the emerging evidence that disc hemorrhage is a secondary development that follows glaucomatous damage. As our understanding of disc hemorrhage has progressed in recent decades, we suggest the terminology be changed from "risk factor" to "indicator" of ongoing glaucomatous development or progression for a more accurate description, better indication of the clinical implications and, ultimately, a better guide for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Joo Kee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Chul Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Changwon Kee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Evaluation of Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma Susceptibility Loci for Estimating Angle Closure Disease Severity. Ophthalmology 2020; 128:403-409. [PMID: 32682838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether recently identified genetic loci for primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) are associated with disease severity. DESIGN Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS Eight hundred four PACG patients and 943 control participants of Chinese ethnicity from Singapore. METHODS The 8 PACG-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs11024102 at PLEKHA7, rs3753841 at COL11A1, rs1015213 located between PCMTD1 and ST18 on chromosome 8q, rs3816415 at EPDR1, rs1258267 at CHAT, rs736893 at GLIS3, rs7494379 at FERMT2, and rs3739821 mapping in between DPM2 and FAM102A) identified from genome-wide association studies were tested for association with disease severity using logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. A P value of 0.006 was set as significant after Bonferroni correction for testing of 8 loci. We also calculated the weighted genetic risk score (GRS) weighted by the estimated individual SNP effect size on PACG calculated as logarithm of the odds ratio (OR). Disease severity was based on the visual field mean deviation (MD) and classified as early to moderate (MD, >-12 dB) and severe (MD, <-20 dB). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Association of PACG loci with severe disease. RESULTS Of the 804 PACG patients, genotyping data were available for 768 individuals and included 436 with mild-to-moderate PACG and 206 with severe PACG. The PACG patients were significantly older (mean age, 64.3 ± 9.1 years vs. 56.4 ± 8.9 years; P < 0.001) and there were proportionately more women compared with control participants (58.4% vs. 49.0%; P < 0.001). Of the 8 loci investigated, we observed significant evidence of association with severe PACG at 1 SNP, namely rs3816415 in EPDR1 (OR, 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.78; P = 1 × 10-5). A higher-weighted GRS was associated significantly with severe PACG, with an OR of 3.11 (95% CI, 1.95-4.96) comparing the lowest quartile with the highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that EPDR1 is associated significantly with severe PACG, suggesting that it may predispose patients to more aggressive disease development. Individuals with PACG with a higher GRS were associated with a higher risk of severe PACG.
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Hopkins AA, Murphy R, Irnaten M, Wallace DM, Quill B, O'Brien C. The role of lamina cribrosa tissue stiffness and fibrosis as fundamental biomechanical drivers of pathological glaucoma cupping. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 319:C611-C623. [PMID: 32667866 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00054.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The primary biomechanical driver of pathological glaucomatous cupping remains unknown. Finite element modeling indicates that stress and strain play key roles. In this article, primarily a review, we utilize known biomechanical data and currently unpublished results from our lab to propose a three-stage, tissue stiffness-based model to explain glaucomatous cupping occurring at variable levels of translaminar pressure (TLP). In stage 1, a short-term increase in TLP gradient induces a transient increase in lamina cribrosa (LC) strain. Beyond a critical level of strain, the tissue stiffness rises steeply provoking cellular responses via integrin-mediated mechanotransduction. This early mechanoprotective cellular contraction reduces strain, which reduces tissue stiffness by return of the posteriorly deflected LC to baseline. In stage 2 a prolonged period of TLP increase elicits extracellular matrix (ECM) production leading to fibrosis, increasing baseline tissue stiffness and strain and diminishing the contractile ability/ability to return to the baseline LC position. This is supported by our three-dimensional collagen contraction assays, which show significantly reduced capacity to contract in glaucoma compared with normal LC cells. Second, 15% cyclic strain in LC cells over 24 h elicits a typical increase in ECM profibrotic genes in normal LC cells but a highly blunted response in glaucoma LC cells. Stage 3 is characterized by persistent fibrosis causing further stiffening and inducing a feed-forward ECM production cycle. Repeated cycles of increased strain and stiffness with profibrotic ECM deposition prevent optic nerve head (ONH) recoil from the new deflected position. This incremental maladaptive modeling leads to pathological ONH cupping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan A Hopkins
- Clinical Research Centre, Catherine McAuley Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rory Murphy
- Clinical Research Centre, Catherine McAuley Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mustapha Irnaten
- Clinical Research Centre, Catherine McAuley Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deborah M Wallace
- Clinical Research Centre, Catherine McAuley Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Barry Quill
- Clinical Research Centre, Catherine McAuley Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm O'Brien
- Clinical Research Centre, Catherine McAuley Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Isolation and characterization of human optic nerve head astrocytes and lamina cribrosa cells. Exp Eye Res 2020; 197:108103. [PMID: 32522476 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The lamina cribrosa is the initial site of glaucomatous injury. Pathological changes to the lamina cribrosa include posterior displacement of the lamina cribrosa, loss of trophic support, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Optic nerve head (ONH) astrocytes and lamina cribrosa cells synthesize extracellular matrix proteins to support and maintain the lamina cribrosa under physiological conditions. During glaucoma, these cells respond to mechanical strain and other stimuli, which leads to pathological remodeling of the ONH. Although ONH astrocytes and lamina cribrosa cells have been previously cultured, there is no well-accepted, straightforward technique to isolate both cell types from a single dissected human ONH. To better understand the pathophysiology of glaucoma, we obtained and cultured lamina cribrosa explants from human donor eyes. Initially, cells that grew out from the explant were ONH astrocytes and lamina cribrosa cells. Using a specialized medium, we isolated pure populations of lamina cribrosa cells and ONH astrocytes. ONH astrocytes expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Lamina cribrosa cells expressed alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), but were negative for GFAP. This method of ONH cell isolation and cell-culture will provide a technique to better understand the molecular and cell-specific changes in glaucomatous damage to the ONH.
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Jasien JV, Samuels BC, Johnston JM, Downs JC. Diurnal Cycle of Translaminar Pressure in Nonhuman Primates Quantified With Continuous Wireless Telemetry. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:37. [PMID: 32097479 PMCID: PMC7329631 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.2.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Recent retrospective clinical studies and animal experiments have suggested that cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) is important in glaucoma pathogenesis. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and CSFP are the driving components of the translaminar pressure (TLP), which directly effects the optic nerve head. This study measured the diurnal cycle of TLP using continuous wireless telemetry in nonhuman primates (NHPs), a common animal model of glaucoma. Methods We have developed an implantable wireless telemetry system based on a small piezoelectric pressure transducer with low drift. Unilateral IOP was measured in the anterior chamber of the eye, and intracranial pressure (ICP, a surrogate measure of CSFP) was measured in the brain parenchyma in four awake, behaving NHPs for periods of 22 to 281 days. IOP and ICP telemetry transducers were calibrated with direct pressure measurements in the eye (every 2 weeks) and brain (monthly). TLP was quantified in real time as IOP-ICP, and hourly means of IOP, ICP, and TLP were analyzed. Results Results show that mean ICP is significantly higher by an average of 4.8 ± 0.8 mmHg during sleeping hours in NHPs (P < 0.01). IOP showed a small but significant nocturnal elevation in two of four animals despite NHPs sleeping upright (P < 0.05). TLP was significantly lower during sleep (7.1 ± 0.6 mmHg; P < 0.01) than when the animals were awake and active (11.0 ± 0.9 mmHg), driven primarily by the large increase in ICP during sleep. Conclusions The 56% increase in TLP during waking hours in NHPs matches the increase in TLP due to postural change from supine to upright reported previously in humans.
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NikhalaShree S, Karthikkeyan G, George R, Shantha B, Vijaya L, Ratra V, Sulochana KN, Coral K. Lowered Decorin With Aberrant Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Aqueous Humor and Tenon's Tissue From Primary Glaucoma Patients. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 60:4661-4669. [PMID: 31725165 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the inflammatory cytokine, growth factors, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling genes, profibrotic and antifibrotic molecules in patients undergoing glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). Additionally, the effect of preoperative antiglaucoma medications (AGMs) and postoperative bleb status were related to these parameters. Methods Tenon's tissue and aqueous humour (AH) were collected from 207 patients undergoing GFS with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (n = 77), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) (n = 62), and cataract controls (n = 68). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transforming growth factor β1/2 (TGF-β1/2), lysyl oxidase (LOX), lysyl oxidase L2 (LOXL2), elastin (ELN), collagen type 1 α 1 (COL1A1), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and decorin (DCN) were determined in tenon's tissue by real-time PCR and in AH using ELISA. Results A significant increase was observed in the transcripts of MCP-1, TGF-β2, and SPARC in POAG and PACG (P < 0.05); CTGF, TGF-β1, LOX, LOXL2, ELN, COL1A1, and α-SMA in PACG (P < 0.05) compared with control. DCN transcript was significantly decreased in POAG and PACG (P < 0.05) compared with control. The protein levels of CTGF, TGF-β1/β2, ELN, SPARC, and LOXL2 was significantly elevated in POAG and PACG (P < 0.05); DCN was decreased (P < 0.05) compared with control. These parameters showed significant association with duration of preoperative AGMs and postoperative bleb status. Conclusions This study demonstrates increased expression of growth factors and ECM molecules, both at protein and transcript levels in GFS patients. A decreased DCN in AH seems striking, and if restored might have a therapeutic role in minimizing postoperative scarring to improve GFS outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampath NikhalaShree
- R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, KBIRVO, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India.,School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed-to-be University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Gayathree Karthikkeyan
- R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, KBIRVO, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Ronnie George
- Smt Jadhavbai Nathmal Singhvee Glaucoma Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Balekudaru Shantha
- Smt Jadhavbai Nathmal Singhvee Glaucoma Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Lingam Vijaya
- Smt Jadhavbai Nathmal Singhvee Glaucoma Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Vineet Ratra
- Smt Jadhavbai Nathmal Singhvee Glaucoma Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | | | - Karunakaran Coral
- R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, KBIRVO, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
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Lee EJ, Han JC, Park DY, Kee C. A neuroglia-based interpretation of glaucomatous neuroretinal rim thinning in the optic nerve head. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 77:100840. [PMID: 31982595 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroretinal rim thinning (NRR) is a characteristic glaucomatous optic disc change. However, the precise mechanism of the rim thinning has not been completely elucidated. This review focuses on the structural role of the glioarchitecture in the formation of the glaucomatous NRR thinning. The NRR is a glia-framed structure, with honeycomb geometry and mechanically reinforced astrocyte processes along the transverse plane. When neural damage selectively involves the neuron and spares the glia, the gross structure of the tissue is preserved. The disorganization and loss of the glioarchitecture are the two hallmarks of optic nerve head (ONH) remodeling in glaucoma that leads to the thinning of NRR tissue upon axonal loss. This is in contrast to most non-glaucomatous optic neuropathies with optic disc pallor where hypertrophy of the glioarchitecture is associated with the seemingly absent optic disc cupping. Arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is an exception where pan-necrosis of ONH tissue leads to NRR thinning. Milder ischemia indicates selective neuronal loss that spares glia in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The biological reason is the heterogeneous glial response determined by the site, type, and severity of the injury. The neuroglial interpretation explains how the cellular changes underlie the clinical findings. Updated understandings on glial responses illustrate the mechanical, microenvironmental, and microglial modulation of activated astrocytes in glaucoma. Findings relevant to the possible mechanism of the astrocyte death in advanced glaucoma are also emerging. Ultimately, a better understanding of glaucomatous glial response may lead to glia-targeting neuroprotection in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Jong Chul Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Do Young Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Changwon Kee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-Ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
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Ling YTT, Shi R, Midgett DE, Jefferys JL, Quigley HA, Nguyen TD. Characterizing the Collagen Network Structure and Pressure-Induced Strains of the Human Lamina Cribrosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2406-2422. [PMID: 31157833 PMCID: PMC6545820 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to measure the 2D collagen network structure of the human lamina cribrosa (LC), analyze for the correlations with age, region, and LC size, as well as the correlations with pressure-induced strains. Methods The posterior scleral cups of 10 enucleated human eyes with no known ocular disease were subjected to ex vivo inflation testing from 5 to 45 mm Hg. The optic nerve head was imaged by using second harmonic generation imaging (SHG) to identify the LC collagen structure at both pressures. Displacements and strains were calculated by using digital volume correlation of the SHG volumes. Nine structural features were measured by using a custom Matlab image analysis program, including the pore area fraction, node density, and beam connectivity, tortuosity, and anisotropy. Results All strain measures increased significantly with higher pore area fraction, and all but the radial-circumferential shear strain (Erθ) decreased with higher node density. The maximum principal strain (Emax) and maximum shear strain (Γmax) also increased with larger beam aspect ratio and tortuosity, respectively, and decreased with higher connectivity. The peripheral regions had lower node density and connectivity, and higher pore area fraction, tortuosity, and strains (except for Erθ) than the central regions. The peripheral nasal region had the lowest Emax, Γmax, radial strain, and pore area fraction. Conclusions Features of LC beam network microstructure that are indicative of greater collagen density and connectivity are associated with lower pressure-induced LC strain, potentially contributing to resistance to glaucomatous damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yik Tung Tracy Ling
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Ran Shi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Dan E Midgett
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Joan L Jefferys
- Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Harry A Quigley
- Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Thao D Nguyen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Chauhan MZ, Valencia AK, Piqueras MC, Enriquez-Algeciras M, Bhattacharya SK. Optic Nerve Lipidomics Reveal Impaired Glucosylsphingosine Lipids Pathway in Glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:1789-1798. [PMID: 31022733 PMCID: PMC6485987 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine major differences in lipid profile between human control and glaucomatous optic nerve. To assess major enzymes in lipid pathway if aberration is revealed for a lipid class by profiling. Methods Optic nerve (ON) samples were obtained from human cadaveric donors [control (n = 11) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG; n = 12)]; the lipids were extracted using Bligh and Dyer methods. Control and glaucoma donors were all Caucasians age 72.3 ± 5.9 and 70.3 ± 10.5 (inclusive of both sexes), respectively. Lipids were extracted after weighing the tissue; the protein amounts in the corresponding aqueous phase of organic solvent extraction were recorded. High-resolution mass spectrometry was performed using a Q-exactive mass spectrometer coupled with an EASY-nLC 1000 liquid chromatograph instrument. Bioinformatics and statistical analysis were performed using LipidSearch v.4.1 and MetaboAnalyst 4.0/STATA 14.2. Protein amounts were determined using Bradford's method. Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry utilized established protocols and were performed for protein quantification and localization, respectively. Additional donor tissues were utilized for Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results Principal component analysis (PCA) placed control and glaucomatous ONs in two distinct groups based on analysis of lipid profiles. Total lipid, total phospholipids, total ceramide, and total sphingolipids were similar (without significant difference) between control and glaucoma. However, we found a significant increase in glucosylsphingosine in glaucoma compared to control samples. We found similar levels of glucocerebrosidase (GBA), ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG), decreased nonlysosomal glucocerebrosidase (GBA2), and increased lysosomal and nonlysosomal acylsphingosine amidohydrolase (ASAH1 and ASAH2) levels in glaucomatous ON compared to control. Conclusions We found significant differences in glucosylsphingosine lipids, consistent with decreased GBA and GBA2 and increased ASAH1 and ASAH2 immunoreactivity in glaucoma, suggesting the potential impairment of sphingolipid enzymatic pathways in lysosomal and nonlysosomal cellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zain Chauhan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Ann-Katrin Valencia
- Department of Ophthalmology & Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Maria Carmen Piqueras
- Department of Ophthalmology & Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Mabel Enriquez-Algeciras
- Department of Ophthalmology & Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Sanjoy K Bhattacharya
- Department of Ophthalmology & Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States
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Belmares R, Raychaudhuri U, Maansson S, Clark AF. Histological investigation of human glaucomatous eyes: Extracellular fibrotic changes and galectin 3 expression in the trabecular meshwork and optic nerve head. Clin Anat 2018; 31:1031-1049. [PMID: 30117188 DOI: 10.1002/ca.23263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and is associated with fibrotic changes in two ocular tissues-the optic nerve head (ONH) and trabecular meshwork (TM). We investigated the differences in extracellular matrix components (ECM) including collagen, elastin, transforming growth factor beta-2, type-II receptor (TGFβRII) and Galectin3 (Gal3) in the glaucomatous human eyes to quantify fibrotic changes in ONH and TM. Glaucomatous and control human donor eyes were prepared for chemical and immunological staining to quantify ECM protein expression in the TM and ONH. Chemical staining included: Trichrome (collagen), Vernhoeff-Van Giesen (elastin) and Sirius Red (collagen). Immunohistochemistry was used to determine levels of Gal3 and TGFβ2RII. Quantitative analyses were performed using Image J software. Student's t-test was used to compare groups and Pearson's test was used to determine correlations P-values of 0.05 (or less) were considered statistically significant. Deposition of ECM proteins was elevated in glaucomatous tissues. There was increased collagen (P = 0.0469), Gal3 (P < 0.0001) and TGFβ2RII (P = 0.0005) in the TM of glaucomatous eyes. Likewise, collagen (P = 0.0517) and Galectin3 (P = 0.041) were increased in the ONH glaucomatous eyes. There was a correlation of TGFβRII with Gal3 in the TM (P < 0.0001) and optic nerve (P = 0.0003). The TM and ONH of glaucomatous eyes showed increased expression of ECM proteins supporting a fibrotic pathology. Galectin3 and TGFβ-2R II showed a positive correlation in TM and optic nerve supporting co-localization and suggesting their potential role in the glaucoma fibrotic process. Clin. Anat. 31:1031-1049, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Anatomy published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Clinical Anatomists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Belmares
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas.,Center for Anatomical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Urmimala Raychaudhuri
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Sandra Maansson
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Abbot F Clark
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas.,Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
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Zeng Y, Chen J, Li Y, Huang J, Huang Z, Huang Y, Pan X, Wu C. Thermo-sensitive gel in glaucoma therapy for enhanced bioavailability: In vitro characterization, in vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics study. Life Sci 2018; 212:80-86. [PMID: 30268857 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Glaucoma is a chronic ophthalmic disease, which has become one of the leading causes to progressive and irreversible blindness. Current ophthalmic drug delivery to treat glaucoma is mostly eyedrop, whose rapid elimination on corneal surface can lead to poor bioavailability. The present study was aimed to develop a timolol maleate loaded thermo-sensitive gel (TM-TSG) with improved bioavailability to treat glaucoma. MAIN METHODS TM-TSG was prepared by homogeneously dispersing 0.3% (w/v) timolol maleate, 24.25% (w/v) poloxamer 407 (P407) and 1.56% (w/v) poloxamer 188 (P188) into phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.4) and the formulated TM-TSG was characterized. KEY FINDINGS TM-TSG was stored in liquid form at room temperature (25 °C) and transited to semisolid gel at physiological temperature (32 °C). The rheological property of TM-TSG was in favor of uniform distribution of drug. TM-TSG showed good stability at different conditions including centrifugation, autoclaving and different temperature. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that TM-TSG could enhance absorption of TM in aqueous humor and improve the ocular bioavailability in comparison of commercial TM eyedrops. In vivo experiment result showed that TM-TSG had greater effect in treating glaucoma than TM eyedrops by sustainably lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) for a week. Moreover, slit lamp test and histopathological analysis demonstrated that TM-TSG had excellent biocompatibility. SIGNIFICANCE TM-TSG could be a promising ophthalmic delivery system for glaucoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youmei Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Jintian Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Yanrong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Jiayuan Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Zhengwei Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Ying Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Xin Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Chuanbin Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Qian X, Lin L, Zong Y, Yuan Y, Dong Y, Fu Y, Shao W, Li Y, Gao Q. Shifts in renin-angiotensin system components, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress-related protein expression in the lamina cribrosa region of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 256:525-534. [PMID: 29404759 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-017-3866-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to analyse shifts in renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress-related protein expression in the lamina cribrosa (LC) region in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. METHODS Six months after diabetes induction, the retinal vessels of male C57BL/6 J mice were observed by colour photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and immunofluorescent staining following incubation with CD31. Immunofluorescence for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),and NG2 was also performed. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1), angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R), renin, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and haeme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression levels were confirmed by immunohistochemical and western blotting analyses. RESULTS Compared with control mice, diabetic mice had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations (p < 0.001) and significantly lower body weights (p < 0.001). Colour photography and FFA did not reveal any vessel abnormalities in the diabetic mice; however, immunostaining of whole-mount retinas revealed an increased number of retinal vessels. Furthermore, histopathological staining showed significant reduction in the whole retinal thickness. GFAP expression was slightly higher, whereas fewer NG2+ pericytes were observed in diabetic mice than in control mice. ACE1, AT1R, renin, HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, and HO-1 expression were up-regulated in the LC of the STZ-induced diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, ACE 1, AT1R, HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, and HO-1 activation in the LC region in diabetic mice may be involved in diabetes via the RAS and induction of angiogenesis and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Leilei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yao Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yongguang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yanmin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yue Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Wanwen Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yujie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Qianying Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadali Almasieh
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, McGill University, Montreal H4A 3S5, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Montreal, Montreal H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Leonard A. Levin
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, McGill University, Montreal H4A 3S5, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Montreal, Montreal H1T 2M4, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
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Lee EJ, Han JC, Kee C. A novel hypothesis for the pathogenesis of glaucomatous disc hemorrhage. Prog Retin Eye Res 2017; 60:20-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Shu DY, Lovicu FJ. Myofibroblast transdifferentiation: The dark force in ocular wound healing and fibrosis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2017; 60:44-65. [PMID: 28807717 PMCID: PMC5600870 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Wound healing is one of the most complex biological processes to occur in life. Repair of tissue following injury involves dynamic interactions between multiple cell types, growth factors, inflammatory mediators and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Aberrant and uncontrolled wound healing leads to a non-functional mass of fibrotic tissue. In the eye, fibrotic disease disrupts the normally transparent ocular tissues resulting in irreversible loss of vision. A common feature in fibrotic eye disease is the transdifferentiation of cells into myofibroblasts that can occur through a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Myofibroblasts rapidly produce excessive amounts of ECM and exert tractional forces across the ECM, resulting in the distortion of tissue architecture. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) plays a major role in myofibroblast transdifferentiation and has been implicated in numerous fibrotic eye diseases including corneal opacification, pterygium, anterior subcapsular cataract, posterior capsular opacification, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, fibrovascular membrane formation associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, submacular fibrosis, glaucoma and orbital fibrosis. This review serves to introduce the pathological functions of the myofibroblast in fibrotic eye disease. We also highlight recent developments in elucidating the multiple signaling pathways involved in fibrogenesis that may be exploited in the development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies to reduce ocular morbidity due to scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Y Shu
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Frank J Lovicu
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article presents, summarizes, and interprets the most recent advances in the study and understanding of the lamina cribrosa in glaucoma, in the context of previous work. RECENT FINDINGS The lamina is an active living structure that responds to strain by changing morphology at the micro-scale and macro-scale in glaucoma. Changes in lamina cribrosa morphology in glaucoma include posteriorization of the laminar insertion into the sclera, increased cupping or depth of the lamina cribrosa, and the development of focal lamina cribrosa defects. These lamina cribrosa changes are associated with disk hemorrhages and visual field damage, and are detectable with clinical imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography. Glaucomatous changes in the lamina cribrosa are thought to be driven by cellular processes mediated by focal cyclical mechanical strain. Strain is eye specific and mediated by intraocular pressure, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, scleral and lamina cribrosa morphology, and structural stiffness; deleterious lamina cribrosa strains can occur at all levels of mean intraocular pressure. SUMMARY Laminar morphology is ever changing in health and disease, and recent studies have identified several promising morphological changes that are indicative of glaucoma susceptibility, onset, and progression.
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Mysona BA, Zhao J, Bollinger KE. Role of BDNF/TrkB pathway in the visual system: Therapeutic implications for glaucoma. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2016; 12:69-81. [PMID: 28751923 DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2017.1259566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroprotective therapeutics are needed to treat glaucoma, an optic neuropathy that results in death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). AREAS COVERED The BDNF/TrkB pathway is important for RGC survival. Temporal and spatial alterations in the BDNF/TrkB pathway occur in development and in response to acute optic nerve injury and to glaucoma. In animal models, BDNF supplementation is successful at slowing RGC death after acute optic nerve injury and in glaucoma, however, the BDNF/TrkB signaling is not the only pathway supporting long term RGC survival. EXPERT COMMENTARY Much remains to be discovered about the interaction between retrograde, anterograde, and retinal BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways in both neurons and glia. An ideal therapeutic agent for glaucoma likely has several modes of action that target multiple mechanisms of neurodegeneration including the BDNF/TrkB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Mysona
- Augusta University Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute. Address: Augusta University Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Health Sciences Campus, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA,
| | - J Zhao
- Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute. Address: Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA,
| | - K E Bollinger
- Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, Augusta University Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute. Address: Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA,
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Paula JS, O'Brien C, Stamer WD. Life under pressure: The role of ocular cribriform cells in preventing glaucoma. Exp Eye Res 2016; 151:150-9. [PMID: 27567558 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary open-angle glaucoma is a multifactorial blinding disease often impacting the two pressure-sensitive regions of the eye: the conventional outflow pathway and the optic nerve head (ONH). The connective tissues that span these two openings in the globe are the trabecular meshwork of the conventional outflow pathway and the lamina cribrosa of the ONH. Resident cribiform cells of these two regions are responsible for actively remodeling and maintaining their connective tissues. In glaucoma, aberrant maintenance of the juxtacanalicular tissues (JCT) of the conventional outflow pathway results in ocular hypertension and pathological remodeling of the lamina cribrosa results in ONH cupping, damaging retinal ganglion cell axons. Interestingly, cells cultured from the lamina cribrosa and the JCT of the trabecular meshwork have similarities regarding gene expression, protein production, plus cellular responses to growth factors and mechanical stimuli. This review compares and contrasts the current knowledge of these two cell types, whose health is critical for protecting the eye from glaucomatous changes. In response to pressure gradients across their respective cribiform tissues, the goal is to better understand and differentiate healthy from pathological behavior of these two cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayter S Paula
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Colm O'Brien
- Ophthalmology, UCD School of Medicine, Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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Foldvari M, Chen DW. The intricacies of neurotrophic factor therapy for retinal ganglion cell rescue in glaucoma: a case for gene therapy. Neural Regen Res 2016; 11:875-7. [PMID: 27482199 PMCID: PMC4962568 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.184448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of damaged retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons is an important aspect of reversing vision loss in glaucoma patients. While current therapies can effectively lower intraocular pressure, they do not provide extrinsic support to RGCs to actively aid in their protection and regeneration. The unmet need could be addressed by neurotrophic factor gene therapy, where plasmid DNA, encoding neurotrophic factors, is delivered to retinal cells to maintain sufficient levels of neurotrophins in the retina. In this review, we aim to describe the intricacies in the design of the therapy including: the choice of neurotrophic factor, the site and route of administration and target cell populations for gene delivery. Furthermore, we also discuss the challenges currently being faced in RGC-related therapy development with special considerations to the existence of multiple RGC subtypes and the lack of efficient and representative in vitro models for rapid and reliable screening in the drug development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Foldvari
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology and Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ding Wen Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology and Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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