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Hu H, Liu F, Gao P, Huang Y, Jia D, Reilly J, Chen X, Han Y, Sun K, Luo J, Li P, Zhang Z, Wang Q, Lu Q, Luo D, Shu X, Tang Z, Liu M, Ren X. Cross-species single-cell landscapes identify the pathogenic gene characteristics of inherited retinal diseases. Front Genet 2024; 15:1409016. [PMID: 39055259 PMCID: PMC11269129 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1409016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) affect ∼4.5 million people worldwide. Elusive pathogenic variants in over 280 genes are associated with one or more clinical forms of IRDs. It is necessary to understand the complex interaction among retinal cell types and pathogenic genes by constructing a regulatory network. In this study, we attempt to establish a panoramic expression view of the cooperative work in retinal cells to understand the clinical manifestations and pathogenic bases underlying IRDs. Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data on the retinas from 35 retina samples of 3 species (human, mouse, and zebrafish) including 259,087 cells were adopted to perform a comparative analysis across species. Bioinformatic tools were used to conduct weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), single-cell regulatory network analysis, cell-cell communication analysis, and trajectory inference analysis. Results The cross-species comparison revealed shared or species-specific gene expression patterns at single-cell resolution, such as the stathmin family genes, which were highly expressed specifically in zebrafish Müller glias (MGs). Thirteen gene modules were identified, of which nine were associated with retinal cell types, and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment of module genes was consistent with cell-specific highly expressed genes. Many IRD genes were identified as hub genes and cell-specific regulons. Most IRDs, especially the retinitis pigmentosa (RP) genes, were enriched in rod-specific regulons. Integrated expression and transcription regulatory network genes, such as congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) genes GRK1, PDE6B, and TRPM1, showed cell-specific expression and transcription characteristics in either rods or bipolar cells (BCs). IRD genes showed evolutionary conservation (GNAT2, PDE6G, and SAG) and divergence (GNAT2, MT-ND4, and PDE6A) along the trajectory of photoreceptors (PRs) among species. In particular, the Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) gene OTX2 showed high expression at the beginning of the trajectory of both PRs and BCs. Conclusion We identified molecular pathways and cell types closely connected with IRDs, bridging the gap between gene expression, genetics, and pathogenesis. The IRD genes enriched in cell-specific modules and regulons suggest that these diseases share common etiological bases. Overall, mining of interspecies transcriptome data reveals conserved transcriptomic features of retinas across species and promising applications in both normal retina anatomy and retina pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Danna Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jamas Reilly
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunqiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pei Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zuxiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qunwei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Daji Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhua Shu
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mugen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Álvarez-Hernán G, de Mera-Rodríguez JA, Calle-Guisado V, Martín-Partido G, Rodríguez-León J, Francisco-Morcillo J. Retinal Development in a Precocial Bird Species, the Quail (Coturnix coturnix, Linnaeus 1758). Cells 2023; 12:cells12070989. [PMID: 37048062 PMCID: PMC10093483 DOI: 10.3390/cells12070989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The quail (Coturnix coturnix, Linnaeus 1758), a notable model used in developmental biology, is a precocial bird species in which the processes of retinal cell differentiation and retinal histogenesis have been poorly studied. The purpose of the present research is to examine the retinogenesis in this bird species immunohistochemically and compare the results with those from previous studies in precocial and altricial birds. We found that the first PCNA-negative nuclei are detected at Stage (St) 21 in the vitreal region of the neuroblastic layer, coinciding topographically with the first αTubAc-/Tuj1-/Isl1-immunoreactive differentiating ganglion cells. At St28, the first Prox1-immunoreactive nuclei can be distinguished in the vitreal side of the neuroblastic layer (NbL), but also the first visinin-immunoreactive photoreceptors in the scleral surface. The inner plexiform layer (IPL) emerges at St32, and the outer plexiform layer (OPL) becomes visible at St35—the stage in which the first GS-immunoreactive Müller cells are distinguishable. Newly hatched animals show a well-developed stratified retina in which the PCNA-and pHisH3-immunoreactivies are absent. Therefore, retinal cell differentiation in the quail progresses in the stereotyped order conserved among vertebrates, in which ganglion cells initially appear and are followed by amacrine cells, horizontal cells, and photoreceptors. Müller glia are one of the last cell types to be born. Plexiform layers emerge following a vitreal-to-scleral gradient. Finally, our results suggest that there are no significant differences in the timing of different events involved in retinal maturation between the quail and the chicken, but the same events are delayed in an altricial bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - José Antonio de Mera-Rodríguez
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Violeta Calle-Guisado
- Área de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Gervasio Martín-Partido
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-León
- Área de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Lacomme M, Hales SC, Brown TW, Stevanovic K, Jolicoeur C, Cai J, Bois T, Desrosiers M, Dalkara D, Cayouette M. Numb regulates Tau levels and prevents neurodegeneration in tauopathy mouse models. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm4295. [PMID: 36260685 PMCID: PMC9581485 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm4295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau is linked to neuronal cell death in tauopathies, but how intraneuronal Tau levels are regulated in health and disease remains unclear. Here, we show that conditional inactivation of the trafficking adaptor protein Numb in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) increases Tau levels and leads to axonal blebbing, which is followed by neuronal cell loss in aged mice. In the TauP301S mouse model of tauopathy, conditional inactivation of Numb in RGCs and spinal motoneurons accelerates neurodegeneration, and loss of Numb in motoneurons also leads to precocious hindlimb paralysis. Conversely, overexpression of the long isoform of Numb (Numb-72) decreases intracellular Tau levels and reduces axonal blebbing in TauP301S RGCs, leading to improved electrical activity in cultured neurons and improves performance in a visually guided behavior test in vivo. These results uncover Numb as a key regulator of intracellular Tau levels and identify Numb-72 as a potential therapeutic factor for tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Lacomme
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Sarah C. Hales
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas W. Brown
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katarina Stevanovic
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Christine Jolicoeur
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Jenny Cai
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Therence Bois
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Melissa Desrosiers
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Michel Cayouette
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
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Álvarez-Hernán G, de Mera-Rodríguez JA, de la Gándara F, Ortega A, Barros-Gata I, Romero-Rodríguez JA, Blasco M, Martín-Partido G, Rodríguez-León J, Francisco-Morcillo J. Histogenesis and cell differentiation in the retina of Thunnus thynnus: A morphological and immunohistochemical study. Tissue Cell 2022; 76:101809. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Álvarez-Hernán G, de Mera-Rodríguez JA, Hernández-Núñez I, Acedo A, Marzal A, Gañán Y, Martín-Partido G, Rodríguez-León J, Francisco-Morcillo J. Timing and Distribution of Mitotic Activity in the Retina During Precocial and Altricial Modes of Avian Development. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:853544. [PMID: 35615284 PMCID: PMC9125163 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.853544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During development of the vertebrate retina, mitotic activity is defined as apical when is located at the external surface of the neuroepithelium or as non-apical when is found in more internal regions. Apical mitoses give rise to all retinal cell types. Non-apical mitoses are linked to committed horizontal cell precursors that subsequently migrate vitreo-sclerally, reaching their final position in the outer surface of the inner nuclear layer, where they differentiate. Previous studies have suggested differences in the timing of retinal maturation between altricial and precocial bird species. In the present study we analyze qualitatively and quantitatively the mitotic activity in the developing retina of an altricial (zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata) and a precocial (Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix) bird species. We found that pHisH3-immunoreactive apical and non-apical mitoses were abundant in the T. guttata retina at the hatching stage. In contrast, pHisH3 immunoreactivity almost disappeared from the quail retina at the embryonic day 10 (E10). Furthermore, we also found that the onset of the appearance of non-apical mitoses occurred at later stages in the altricial bird species than in the precocial one. The disappearance of apical mitoses and the spatiotemporal distribution of non-apical mitoses followed central to peripheral and dorsal to ventral gradients, similar to gradients of cell differentiation described in the retina of birds. Therefore, these results suggest that retinal neurogenesis is active at the hatching stage in T. guttata, and that horizontal cell differentiation is delayed in the altricial bird species compared to the precocial one. Together, this study reveals important insights into the timing differences that regulate bird retinal maturation and provides a better understanding of the evolution of avian altriciality and precociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | - Ismael Hernández-Núñez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Abel Acedo
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gañán
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Gervasio Martín-Partido
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-León
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
- *Correspondence: Joaquín Rodríguez-León,
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
- Javier Francisco-Morcillo,
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Regulates the Genesis of Displaced Retinal Ganglion Cells3. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0171-21.2021. [PMID: 34518365 PMCID: PMC8496207 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0171-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) proteins (GSK3α and GSK3β) are key mediators of signaling pathways, with crucial roles in coordinating fundamental biological processes during neural development. Here we show that the complete loss of GSK3 signaling in mouse retinal progenitors leads to microphthalmia with broad morphologic defects. A single wild-type allele of either Gsk3α or Gsk3β is able to rescue this phenotype. In this genetic context, all cell types are present in a functional retina. However, we unexpectedly detected a large number of cells in the inner nuclear layer expressing retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-specific markers (called displaced RGCs, dRGCs) when at least one allele of Gsk3α is expressed. The excess of dRGCs leads to an increased number of axons projecting into the ipsilateral medial terminal nucleus, an area of the brain belonging to the non-image-forming visual circuit and poorly targeted by RGCs in wild-type retina. Transcriptome analysis and optomotor response assay suggest that at least a subset of dRGCs in Gsk3 mutant mice are direction-selective RGCs. Our study thus uncovers a unique role of GSK3 in controlling the production of ganglion cells in the inner nuclear layer, which correspond to dRGCs, a rare and poorly characterized retinal cell type.
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Álvarez-Hernán G, Garrido-Jiménez S, Román ÁC, Carvajal-González JM, Francisco-Morcillo J. Distribution of planar cell polarity proteins in the developing avian retina. Exp Eye Res 2021; 209:108681. [PMID: 34166683 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Planar cell polarity (PCP) is evolutionary conserved and play a critical role in proper tissue development and function. During central nervous system development, PCP proteins exhibit specific patterns of distribution and are indispensable for axonal growth, dendritogenesis, neuronal migration, and neuronal differentiation. The retina constitutes an excellent model in which to study molecular mechanisms involved in neural development. The analysis of the spatiotemporal expression of PCP proteins in this model constitutes an useful histological approach in order to identify possible roles of these proteins in retinogenesis. Immunohistochemical techniques revealed that Frz6, Celsr1, Vangl1, Pk1, Pk3, and Fat1 were present in emerging axons from recently differentiated ganglion cells in the chicken retina. Except for Vangl1, they were also asymmetrically distributed in differentiated amacrine cells. Pk1 and Pk3 were restricted in the outer nuclear layer to the outer segment of photoreceptors. Vangl1 was also located in the cell somata of Müller glia. Given these findings together, the distribution of PCP proteins in the developing chicken retina suggest essential roles in axonal guidance during early retinogenesis and a possible involvement in the establishment of cell asymmetry and maintenance of retinal cell phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Sergio Garrido-Jiménez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Ángel Carlos Román
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - José María Carvajal-González
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.
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de Mera-Rodríguez JA, Álvarez-Hernán G, Gañán Y, Martín-Partido G, Rodríguez-León J, Francisco-Morcillo J. Is Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase a Reliable in vivo Marker of Cellular Senescence During Embryonic Development? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:623175. [PMID: 33585480 PMCID: PMC7876289 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.623175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
During vertebrate embryonic development, cellular senescence occurs at multiple locations. To date, it has been accepted that when there has been induction of senescence in an embryonic tissue, β-galactosidase activity is detectable at a pH as high as 6.0, and this has been extensively used as a marker of cellular senescence in vivo in both whole-mount and cryosections. Such senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) labeling appears enhanced in degenerating regions of the vertebrate embryo that are also affected by programmed cell death. In this sense, there is a strong SA-β-GAL signal which overlaps with the pattern of cell death in the interdigital tissue of the developing limbs, and indeed, many of the labeled cells detected go on to subsequently undergo apoptosis. However, it has been reported that β-GAL activity at pH 6.0 is also enhanced in healthy neurons, and some retinal neurons are strongly labeled with this histochemical technique when they begin to differentiate during early embryonic development. These labeled early post-mitotic neurons also express other senescence markers such as p21. Therefore, the reliability of this histochemical technique in studying senescence in cells such as neurons that undergo prolonged and irreversible cell-cycle arrest is questionable because it is also expressed in healthy post-mitotic cells. The identification of new biomarkers of cellular senescence would, in combination with established markers, increase the specificity and efficiency of detecting cellular senescence in embryonic and healthy mature tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio de Mera-Rodríguez
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gañán
- Área de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Gervasio Martín-Partido
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-León
- Área de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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LIM Homeobox 4 (lhx4) regulates retinal neural differentiation and visual function in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1977. [PMID: 33479361 PMCID: PMC7820405 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81211-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
LIM homeobox 4 (LHX4) is expressed in the photoreceptors (PRs) of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and bipolar cells (BCs) of the inner nuclear layer (INL) in mouse and chicken retina. It regulates the subtype-specific development of rod BCs and cone BCs in the mouse retina. However, no report has been published on its expression and function in the zebrafish retina. In this study, we assessed the expression of Lhx4 using in situ hybridization (ISH) technique and explored its role in zebrafish (Danio rerio) retinal development via morpholino (MO) technology. We found that the expression of lhx4 in the zebrafish retina begins 48 h post-fertilization (hpf) and is continuously expressed in the ONL and INL. A zebrafish model constructed with lhx4 knockdown in the eyes through vivo-MO revealed that: lhx4 knockdown inhibits the differentiation of Parvalbumin+ amacrine cells (ACs) and Rhodopsin+ rod photoreceptors (RPs), enhances the expression of visual system homeobox 2 (vsx2); and damages the responses of zebrafish to light stimulus, without affecting the differentiation of OFF-BCs and rod BCs, and apoptosis in the retina. These findings reveal that lhx4 regulates neural differentiation in the retina and visual function during zebrafish embryonic development.
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Álvarez-Hernán G, Hernández-Núñez I, Rico-Leo EM, Marzal A, de Mera-Rodríguez JA, Rodríguez-León J, Martín-Partido G, Francisco-Morcillo J. Retinal differentiation in an altricial bird species, Taeniopygia guttata: An immunohistochemical study. Exp Eye Res 2020; 190:107869. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Islet1 and Brn3 Expression Pattern Study in Human Retina and hiPSC-Derived Retinal Organoid. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:8786396. [PMID: 31885629 PMCID: PMC6925930 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8786396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the dynamic Islet1 and Brn3 (POU4F) expression pattern in the human fetal retina and human-induced pluripotent stem cell- (hiPSC-) derived retinal organoid. Human fetal eyes from 8 to 27 fetal weeks (Fwks), human adult retina, hiPSC-derived retinal organoid from 7 to 31 differentiation weeks (Dwks), and rhesus adult retina were collected for cyrosectioning. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that Islet1 was expressed in retinal ganglion cells in the fetal retina, human adult retina, and retinal organoids. Unexpectedly, after Fwk 20, Brn3 expression gradually decreased in the fetal retina. In the midstage of development, Islet1 was detected in bipolar and developing horizontal cells. As the photoreceptor developed, the Islet1-positive cone precursors gradually became Islet1-negative/S-opsin-positive cones. This study highlights the distinguishing characteristics of Islet1 dynamic expression in human fetal retina development and proposes more concerns which should be taken regarding Brn3 as a cell-identifying marker in mature primate retina.
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Su T, Liu H, Zhang D, Xu G, Liu J, Evans SM, Pan J, Cui S. LIM homeodomain transcription factor Isl1 affects urethral epithelium differentiation and apoptosis via Shh. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:713. [PMID: 31558700 PMCID: PMC6763423 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1952-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Urethral hypoplasia, including failure of urethral tube closure, is one of the common phenotypes observed in hereditary human disorders, the mechanism of which remains unclear. The present study was thus designed to study the expression, functions, and related mechanisms of the LIM homeobox transcription factor Isl1 throughout mouse urethral development. Results showed that Isl1 was highly expressed in urethral epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells of the genital tubercle (GT). Functional studies were carried out by utilizing the tamoxifen-inducible Isl1-knockout mouse model. Histological and morphological results indicated that Isl1 deletion caused urethral hypoplasia and inhibited maturation of the complex urethral epithelium. In addition, we show that Isl1-deleted mice failed to maintain the progenitor cell population required for renewal of urethral epithelium during tubular morphogenesis and exhibited significantly increased cell death within the urethra. Dual-Luciferase reporter assays and yeast one-hybrid assays showed that ISL1 was essential for normal urethral development by directly targeting the Shh gene. Collectively, results presented here demonstrated that Isl1 plays a crucial role in mouse urethral development, thus increasing our potential for understanding the mechanistic basis of hereditary urethral hypoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Su
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 225009, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 225009, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiali Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Sylvia M Evans
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jirong Pan
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineInstitute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sheng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 225009, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Overbey EG, da Silveira WA, Stanbouly S, Nishiyama NC, Roque-Torres GD, Pecaut MJ, Zawieja DC, Wang C, Willey JS, Delp MD, Hardiman G, Mao XW. Spaceflight influences gene expression, photoreceptor integrity, and oxidative stress-related damage in the murine retina. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13304. [PMID: 31527661 PMCID: PMC6746706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49453-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Extended spaceflight has been shown to adversely affect astronaut visual acuity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether spaceflight alters gene expression profiles and induces oxidative damage in the retina. Ten week old adult C57BL/6 male mice were flown aboard the ISS for 35 days and returned to Earth alive. Ground control mice were maintained on Earth under identical environmental conditions. Within 38 (+/-4) hours after splashdown, mice ocular tissues were collected for analysis. RNA sequencing detected 600 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in murine spaceflight retinas, which were enriched for genes related to visual perception, the phototransduction pathway, and numerous retina and photoreceptor phenotype categories. Twelve DEGs were associated with retinitis pigmentosa, characterized by dystrophy of the photoreceptor layer rods and cones. Differentially expressed transcription factors indicated changes in chromatin structure, offering clues to the observed phenotypic changes. Immunofluorescence assays showed degradation of cone photoreceptors and increased retinal oxidative stress. Total retinal, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid layer thickness were significantly lower after spaceflight. These results indicate that retinal performance may decrease over extended periods of spaceflight and cause visual impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliah G Overbey
- University of Washington, Department of Genome Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Willian Abraham da Silveira
- Queen's University Belfast, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Seta Stanbouly
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
- Center for Genomics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Nina C Nishiyama
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | | | - Michael J Pecaut
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - David Carl Zawieja
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Charles Wang
- Center for Genomics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Michael D Delp
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Gary Hardiman
- Queen's University Belfast, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
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de Mera-Rodríguez JA, Álvarez-Hernán G, Gañán Y, Martín-Partido G, Rodríguez-León J, Francisco-Morcillo J. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in the developing avian retina. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:850-865. [PMID: 31226225 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) histochemistry is the most commonly used biomarker of cellular senescence. These SA-β-GAL-positive cells are senescent embryonic cells that are usually removed by apoptosis from the embryo, followed by macrophage-mediated clearance. RESULTS Some authors have proposed that SA-β-GAL activity in differentiated neurons from young and adult mammals cannot be uniquely attributed to cell senescence, whether in vivo or in vitro. Using the developing visual system of the chicken as a model, the present study found that SA-β-GAL detected in the developing retina corresponded to lysosomal β-galactosidase activity, and that SA-β-GAL activity did not correlate with the chronotopographical distribution of apoptotic cells. However, SA-β-GAL staining in the undifferentiated retina coincided with the appearance of early differentiating neurons. In the laminated retina, SA-β-GAL staining was concentrated in the ganglion, amacrine, and horizontal cell layers. The photoreceptors and pigment epithelial cells also exhibited SA-β-GAL activity throughout retinal development. We have also found that SA-β-GAL staining strongly correlated p21 immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the results clearly show that SA-β-GAL activity cannot be regarded as a specific marker of senescence during retinal development, and that it is mainly expressed in subpopulations of postmitotic neurons, which are nonproliferative cells, even at early stages of cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio de Mera-Rodríguez
- Área de Anatomía Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gañán
- Área de Anatomía Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Gervasio Martín-Partido
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-León
- Área de Anatomía Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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Retinal differentiation in syngnathids: comparison in the developmental rate and acquisition of retinal structures in altricial and precocial fish species. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-019-00447-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Molero de Ávila ME, Alarcón MV, Uriarte D, Mancha LA, Moreno D, Francisco-Morcillo J. Histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of enzymes involved in phenolic metabolism during berry development in Vitis vinifera L. PROTOPLASMA 2019; 256:25-38. [PMID: 29926200 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-018-1278-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Phenolics are involved in many of plants' biological functions. In particular, they play important roles in determining the quality of grape berries and the wine made from them, and can also act as antioxidants with beneficial effects for human health. Several enzymes are involved in the synthesis of phenolic compounds. Among them, stilbene synthase (STS) is a key to the biosynthesis of stilbenes, which are considered to be important secondary metabolites in plants. Other enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), are involved in the degradation of phenolics, and become activated during late stages of berry ripening. In the present study, Vitis vinifera L. berries were sampled at eight stages of development, from 10 days after anthesis to late harvest. The PPO and POD enzymatic activities were determined at each stage. The presence of STS, PPO, and POD proteins in the grape exocarp and mesocarp was detected immunohistochemically and histochemically. The amount and intensity of the immunohistochemical and histochemical signals correlate with the variations in enzyme activities throughout fruit development. Strong STS immunoreactivity was detected until the onset of ripening. Labeled tissue increased gradually from mesocarp to exocarp, showing an intense signal in epidermis. At subcellular level, STS was mainly detected in cytoplasm grains and cell walls. The amount of PPO immunoreactivity increased progressively until the end of ripening. The PPO signal was detected in hypodermal layers and, to a lesser extent, in mesocarp parenchyma cells, especially in cytoplasm grains and cell walls. Finally, POD activity was stronger at the onset of ripening, and the POD histochemical signal was mainly detected in the cell walls of both exocarp and mesocarp tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Molero de Ávila
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
| | - María Victoria Alarcón
- Departamento de Hortofruticultura, Instituto de Investigaciones Agrarias Finca "La Orden-Valdesequera", CICYTEX, Junta de Extremadura, Guadajira, 06187, Badajoz, Spain
| | - David Uriarte
- Departamento de Hortofruticultura, Instituto de Investigaciones Agrarias Finca "La Orden-Valdesequera", CICYTEX, Junta de Extremadura, Guadajira, 06187, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Mancha
- Departamento de Hortofruticultura, Instituto de Investigaciones Agrarias Finca "La Orden-Valdesequera", CICYTEX, Junta de Extremadura, Guadajira, 06187, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Daniel Moreno
- Departamento de Enología, INTAEX, CICYTEX, Junta de Extremadura, 06071, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain.
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Zhang J, Qiu J, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Li H, Zhang T, Jiang Y, Gou K, Cui S. LIM homeobox transcription factor Isl1 is required for melatonin synthesis in the pig pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2018; 65:e12481. [PMID: 29480946 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is a key hormone that regulates circadian rhythms, metabolism, and reproduction. However, the mechanisms of melatonin synthesis and secretion have not been fully defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functions of the LIM homeobox transcription factor Isl1 in regulating melatonin synthesis and secretion in porcine pineal gland. We found that Isl1 is highly expressed in the melatonin-producing cells in the porcine pineal gland. Further functional studies demonstrate that Isl1 knockdown in cultured primary porcine pinealocytes results in the decline of melatonin and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) mRNA levels by 29.2% and 72.2%, respectively, whereas Isl1 overexpression raised by 1.3-fold and 2.7-fold. In addition, the enhancing effect of norepinephrine (NE) on melatonin synthesis was abolished by Isl1 knockdown. The in vivo intracerebroventricular NE injections upregulate Isl1 mRNA and protein levels by about threefold and 4.5-fold in the porcine pineal gland. We then examined the changes in Isl1 expression in the pineal gland and global melatonin levels throughout the day. The results show that Isl1 protein level at 24:00 is 2.5-fold higher than that at 12:00, which is parallel to melatonin levels. We further found that Isl1 increases the activity of AANAT promoter, and the effect of NE on Isl1 expression was blocked by an ERK inhibitor. Collectively, the results presented here demonstrate that Isl1 positively modulates melatonin synthesis by targeting AANAT, via the ERK signaling pathway of NE. These suggest that Isl1 plays important roles in maintaining the daily circadian rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingtao Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yewen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Taojie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Kemian Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Álvarez-Hernán G, Sánchez-Resino E, Hernández-Núñez I, Marzal A, Rodríguez-León J, Martín-Partido G, Francisco-Morcillo J. Retinal histogenesis in an altricial avian species, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata, Vieillot 1817). J Anat 2018; 233:106-120. [PMID: 29582431 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparative developmental studies have shown that the retina of altricial fish and mammals is incompletely developed at birth, and that, during the first days of life, maturation proceeds rapidly. In contrast, precocial fish and mammals are born with fully differentiated retinas. Concerning birds, knowledge about retinal development is generally restricted to a single order of precocial birds, Galliformes, due to the fact that both the chicken and the Japanese quail are considered model systems. However, comparison of embryonic pre-hatchling retinal development between altricial and precocial birds has been poorly explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the morphogenesis and histogenesis of the retina in the altricial zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata, Vieillot 1817) and compare the results with those from previous studies in the precocial chicken. Several maturational features (morphogenesis of the optic vesicle and optic cup, appearance of the first differentiated neurons, the period in which the non-apical cell divisions are observable, and the emergence of the plexiform layers) were found to occur at later stages in the zebra finch than in the chicken. At hatching, the retina of T. guttata showed the typical cytoarchitecture of the mature tissue, although features of immaturity were still observable, such as a ganglion cell layer containing many thick cells, very thin plexiform layers, and poorly developed photoreceptors. Moreover, abundant mitotic activity was detected in the entire retina, even in the regions where the layering was complete. The circumferential marginal zone was very prominent and showed abundant mitotic activity. The partially undifferentiated stage of maturation at hatching makes the T. guttata retina an appropriate model with which to study avian postnatal retinal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Elena Sánchez-Resino
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Ismael Hernández-Núñez
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Área de Zoología, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-León
- Área de Anatomía Humana, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Gervasio Martín-Partido
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Francisco-Morcillo
- Área de Biología Celular, Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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Li L, Sun F, Chen X, Zhang M. ISL1 is upregulated in breast cancer and promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:781-789. [PMID: 29497310 PMCID: PMC5818873 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s144241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ISL1 plays a key role in several cancers, including pheochromocytoma, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and lung tumors and bile duct carcinoma. In order to elucidate the role of ISL1 in breast cancer, we performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis, and we found that ISL1 was upregulated in breast cancer cells and tissues. Moreover, high expression of ISL1 was correlated with tumor size, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Colony formation analysis and CCK-8 analysis revealed that ISL1 facilitated breast cancer cell proliferation. In addition, wound healing analysis and transwell invasion analysis demonstrated that ISL1 played a role in cell migration and invasion. Interestingly, the expression of ISL1 was also associated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in breast cancer, and ISL1 promoted angiogenesis in breast cancer. In conclusion, reducing the expression of ISL1 suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in breast cancer, suggesting that ISL1 might serve as a novel molecular therapy target in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Imaging, Linyi People's Hospital of Shandong Province, Linyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuwen Sun
- Department of Interventional, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Medical College, Linyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, Linyi People's Hospital of Shandong Province, Linyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Zhang
- Department of Imaging, Linyi People's Hospital of Shandong Province, Linyi, People's Republic of China
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Wang Y, Zhou Y, Xiao L, Zheng S, Yan N, Chen D. E2f1 mediates high glucose-induced neuronal death in cultured mouse retinal explants. Cell Cycle 2017; 16:1824-1834. [PMID: 28825879 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2017.1361070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common complication of diabetes and remains one of the major causes of blindness in the world; infants born to diabetic mothers have higher risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). While hyperglycemia is a major risk factor, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying DR and diabetic ROP are poorly understood. To explore the consequences of retinal cells under high glucose, we cultured wild type or E2f1-/- mouse retinal explants from postnatal day 8 with normal glucose, high osmotic or high glucose media. Explants were also incubated with cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to mimic the hypoxic condition. We showed that, at 7 days post exposure to high glucose, retinal explants displayed elevated cell death, ectopic cell division and intact retinal vascular plexus. Cell death mainly occurred in excitatory neurons, such as ganglion and bipolar cells, which were also ectopically dividing. Many Müller glial cells reentered the cell cycle; some had irregular morphology or migrated to other layers. High glucose inhibited the hyperoxia-induced blood vessel regression of retinal explants. Moreover, inactivation of E2f1 rescued high glucose-induced ectopic division and cell death of retinal neurons, but not ectopic cell division of Müller glial cells and vascular phenotypes. This suggests that high glucose has direct but distinct effects on retinal neurons, glial cells and blood vessels, and that E2f1 mediates its effects on retinal neurons. These findings shed new light onto mechanisms of DR and the fetal retinal abnormalities associated with maternal diabetes, and suggest possible new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Wang
- a Department of Ophthalmology, Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences , Torsten-Wiesel Research Institute of World Eye Organization, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Yi Zhou
- a Department of Ophthalmology, Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences , Torsten-Wiesel Research Institute of World Eye Organization, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Lirong Xiao
- a Department of Ophthalmology, Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences , Torsten-Wiesel Research Institute of World Eye Organization, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Shijie Zheng
- a Department of Ophthalmology, Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences , Torsten-Wiesel Research Institute of World Eye Organization, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Naihong Yan
- a Department of Ophthalmology, Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences , Torsten-Wiesel Research Institute of World Eye Organization, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Danian Chen
- a Department of Ophthalmology, Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences , Torsten-Wiesel Research Institute of World Eye Organization, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
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Kelly JP, Phillips JO, Weiss AH. VEP analysis methods in children with optic nerve hypoplasia: relationship to visual acuity and optic disc diameter. Doc Ophthalmol 2016; 133:159-169. [PMID: 27882486 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-016-9566-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Assessing vision in young children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is challenging due to multi-directional infantile nystagmus, the range of optic nerve loss, and cognitive delay. This study examined visual evoked potential (VEP) responses and averaging techniques in children with ONH. The assumption is that EEG epochs with inconsistent temporal phase would be associated with nystagmus, signal reduction due to axon loss, and visual inattention. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed on 44 children (average age 2.2 years; SD 1.9). Optic disc diameter was estimated by ophthalmoscopy. Visual function was measured under binocular viewing and then compared to the eye with the larger optic disc to exclude secondary amblyopia. Visual acuity was measured by Teller cards or by recognition optotypes, and both measures were converted into log minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). VEPs were recorded to onset/offset of horizontal gratings and to reversing checkerboards. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were estimated from phase consistency across epochs in the Fourier domain. VEPs were also averaged after (1) correction of epochs for phase shifts across a limited bandwidth, or (2) selection of only epochs showing phase consistency. RESULTS Optic disc diameter, logMAR, VEP amplitudes, and VEP SNR were all significantly inter-correlated. Optic disc diameter correlated best with VEP SNR (Spearman rho = 0.82; p < 0.001). Age-corrected logMAR correlated with optic disc diameter and VEP SNR (Spearman rho = -0.695 and 0.70, respectively; p < 0.001). VEP latency poorly correlated with optic disc diameter or logMAR. Correction of phase shifts or selection of epochs based on phase consistency significantly increased VEP amplitude and SNR for children with optic disc diameters <1000 microns. Correction of phase inconsistency did not improve the correlation of VEP parameters with optic disc diameter or with logMAR. CONCLUSIONS In ONH, the size of the optic nerve is correlated with VEP SNR and logMAR. The results imply a direct relationship between the reduction in optic nerve axons and generalized reduction in visual function. Our calculation of VEP SNR provides objective assessment of optic nerve function that is independent of subjective scoring of VEP peaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Kelly
- Division of Ophthalmology, OA.5.345, Roger H. Johnson Vision Lab, Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - James O Phillips
- Division of Ophthalmology, OA.5.345, Roger H. Johnson Vision Lab, Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Avery H Weiss
- Division of Ophthalmology, OA.5.345, Roger H. Johnson Vision Lab, Seattle Children's Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
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ISL1-based LIM complexes control Slit2 transcription in developing cranial motor neurons. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36491. [PMID: 27819291 PMCID: PMC5098159 DOI: 10.1038/srep36491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
LIM-homeodomain (HD) transcription factors form a multimeric complex and assign neuronal subtype identities, as demonstrated by the hexameric ISL1-LHX3 complex which gives rise to somatic motor (SM) neurons. However, the roles of combinatorial LIM code in motor neuron diversification and their subsequent differentiation is much less well understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that the ISL1 controls postmitotic cranial branchiomotor (BM) neurons including the positioning of the cell bodies and peripheral axon pathfinding. Unlike SM neurons, which transform into interneurons, BM neurons are normal in number and in marker expression in Isl1 mutant mice. Nevertheless, the movement of trigeminal and facial BM somata is stalled, and their peripheral axons are fewer or misrouted, with ectopic branches. Among genes whose expression level changes in previous ChIP-seq and microarray analyses in Isl1-deficient cell lines, we found that Slit2 transcript was almost absent from BM neurons of Isl1 mutants. Both ISL1-LHX3 and ISL1-LHX4 bound to the Slit2 enhancer and drove endogenous Slit2 expression in SM and BM neurons. Our findings suggest that combinations of ISL1 and LHX factors establish cell-type specificity and functional diversity in terms of motor neuron identities and/or axon development.
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Xu H, Yi Q, Yang C, Wang Y, Tian J, Zhu J. Histone modifications interact with DNA methylation at the GATA4 promoter during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells. Cell Prolif 2016; 49:315-29. [PMID: 27117983 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A previous study of ours confirmed that Islet-1 specifically induces differentiation of MSCs into cardiomyocytes, and that one of the mechanisms underlying that process is regulation of histone acetylation. Here, we further explore the mechanism of MSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes from the perspective of interactions between epigenetic modifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used lentiviral vectors to overexpress Islet-1 in MSCs, and ChIP-qPCR, MSP and BSP were performed to detect levels of histone acetylation/methylation and DNA methylation in the GATA4 and Nkx2.5 promoters. To further explore relationships between these epigenetic modifications, we used 5-aza or TSA to interfere with DNA methylation and histone acetylation, respectively, and detected effects on the other two modifications. RESULTS Histone acetylation level increased and its methylation level decreased at GATA4 and Nkx2.5 promoters; DNA methylation level was reduced at the GATA4 promoter but did not change at the Nkx2.5 promoter. Furthermore, 5-aza increased histone acetylation level and reduced its methylation level at the GATA4 promoter but had no effect on the Nkx2.5 promoter; TSA reduced histone methylation and DNA methylation levels at the GATA4 promoter, but it only reduced histone methylation level at the Nkx2.5 promoter. CONCLUSIONS Histone acetylation/methylation and DNA methylation were both involved in regulating GATA4 expression, but Nkx2.5 expression was not regulated by DNA methylation. These three modifications had high correlation with each other during regulation of GATA4 and produced a regulation loop at the GATA4 promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Qin Yi
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Chunmei Yang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jie Tian
- Cardiovascular Department (Internal Medicine), Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing, 400014, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
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Martín-Partido G, Francisco-Morcillo J. The role of Islet-1 in cell specification, differentiation, and maintenance of phenotypes in the vertebrate neural retina. Neural Regen Res 2016; 10:1951-2. [PMID: 26889183 PMCID: PMC4730819 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.165301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gervasio Martín-Partido
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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