1
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Waxman S, Schilpp H, Linton A, Jakobs TC, Sigal IA. Morphological comparison of astrocytes in the lamina cribrosa and glial lamina. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.07.610493. [PMID: 39314351 PMCID: PMC11418941 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.07.610493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Purpose Although the mechanisms underlying glaucomatous neurodegeneration are not yet well understood, cellular and small animal models suggest that LC astrocytes undergo early morphologic and functional changes, indicating their role as early responders to glaucomatous stress. These models, however, lack the LC found in larger animals and humans, leaving the in situ morphology of LC astrocytes and their role in glaucoma initiation underexplored. In this work, we aimed to characterize the morphology of LC astrocytes in situ and determine differences and similarities with astrocytes in the mouse glial lamina (GL), the analogous structure in a prominent glaucoma model. Methods Astrocytes in the LCs of twenty-two eyes from goats, sheep, and pigs were stochastically labeled via Multicolor DiOlistics and imaged in situ using confocal microscopy. 3D models of DiOlistically-labeled LC astrocytes and hGFAPpr-GFP mouse GL astrocytes were constructed to quantify morphological features related to astrocyte functions. LC and GL astrocyte cross-pore contacts, branching complexity, branch tortuosity, and cell and branch span were compared. Results LC astrocytes displayed distinct spatial relationships with collagen, greater branching complexity, and higher branch tortuosity compared to GL astrocytes. Despite substantial differences in their anatomical environments, LC and GL astrocytes had similar cell and branch spans. Conclusions Astrocyte morphology in the LC was characterized through Multicolor DiOlistic labeling. LC and GL astrocytes have both distinct and shared morphological features. Further research is needed to understand the potentially unique roles of LC astrocytes in glaucoma initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah Waxman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Hannah Schilpp
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Ashley Linton
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Tatjana C. Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ian A. Sigal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
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2
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Cheng SY, Caiazzi J, Biscans A, Alterman JF, Echeverria D, McHugh N, Hassler M, Jolly S, Giguere D, Cipi J, Khvorova A, Punzo C. Single intravitreal administration of a tetravalent siRNA exhibits robust and efficient gene silencing in mouse and pig photoreceptors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102088. [PMID: 38192611 PMCID: PMC10772295 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies caused by dominant mutations in photoreceptor (PR) cell expressed genes are a major cause of irreversible vision loss. Oligonucleotide therapy has been of interest in diseases that conventional medicine cannot target. In the early days, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were explored in clinical trials for retinal disorders with limited success due to a lack of stability and efficient cellular delivery. Thus, an unmet need exists to identify siRNA chemistry that targets PR cell expressed genes. Here, we evaluated 12 different fully chemically modified siRNA configurations, where the valency and conjugate structure were systematically altered. The impact on retinal distribution following intravitreal delivery was examined. We found that the increase in valency (tetravalent siRNA) supports the best PR accumulation. A single intravitreal administration induces multimonths efficacy in rodent and porcine retinas while demonstrating a good safety profile. The data suggest that this configuration can treat retinal diseases caused by PR cell expressed genes with 1-2 intravitreal injections per year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Yun Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jillian Caiazzi
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Julia F. Alterman
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Dimas Echeverria
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Nicholas McHugh
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Matthew Hassler
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Samson Jolly
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Delaney Giguere
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Joris Cipi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Claudio Punzo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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3
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Carido M, Völkner M, Steinheuer LM, Wagner F, Kurth T, Dumler N, Ulusoy S, Wieneke S, Norniella AV, Golfieri C, Khattak S, Schönfelder B, Scamozzi M, Zoschke K, Canzler S, Hackermüller J, Ader M, Karl MO. Reliability of human retina organoid generation from hiPSC-derived neuroepithelial cysts. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1166641. [PMID: 37868194 PMCID: PMC10587494 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1166641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The possible applications for human retinal organoids (HROs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) rely on the robustness and transferability of the methodology for their generation. Standardized strategies and parameters to effectively assess, compare, and optimize organoid protocols are starting to be established, but are not yet complete. To advance this, we explored the efficiency and reliability of a differentiation method, called CYST protocol, that facilitates retina generation by forming neuroepithelial cysts from hiPSC clusters. Here, we tested seven different hiPSC lines which reproducibly generated HROs. Histological and ultrastructural analyses indicate that HRO differentiation and maturation are regulated. The different hiPSC lines appeared to be a larger source of variance than experimental rounds. Although previous reports have shown that HROs in several other protocols contain a rather low number of cones, HROs from the CYST protocol are consistently richer in cones and with a comparable ratio of cones, rods, and Müller glia. To provide further insight into HRO cell composition, we studied single cell RNA sequencing data and applied CaSTLe, a transfer learning approach. Additionally, we devised a potential strategy to systematically evaluate different organoid protocols side-by-side through parallel differentiation from the same hiPSC batches: In an explorative study, the CYST protocol was compared to a conceptually different protocol based on the formation of cell aggregates from single hiPSCs. Comparing four hiPSC lines showed that both protocols reproduced key characteristics of retinal epithelial structure and cell composition, but the CYST protocol provided a higher HRO yield. So far, our data suggest that CYST-derived HROs remained stable up to at least day 200, while single hiPSC-derived HROs showed spontaneous pathologic changes by day 200. Overall, our data provide insights into the efficiency, reproducibility, and stability of the CYST protocol for generating HROs, which will be useful for further optimizing organoid systems, as well as for basic and translational research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Carido
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manuela Völkner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lisa Maria Steinheuer
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Wagner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform, Core Facility Electron Microscopy and Histology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalie Dumler
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Selen Ulusoy
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wieneke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Cristina Golfieri
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Shahryar Khattak
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Stem Cell Engineering Facility, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bruno Schönfelder
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Scamozzi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Zoschke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Canzler
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Hackermüller
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marius Ader
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mike O Karl
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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4
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Cheng SY, Caiazzi J, Biscans A, Alterman JF, Echeverria D, McHugh N, Hassler M, Jolly S, Giguere D, Cipi J, Khvorova A, Punzo C. Single intravitreal administration of a tetravalent siRNA exhibits robust and efficient gene silencing in rodent and swine photoreceptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.20.558641. [PMID: 37790464 PMCID: PMC10542117 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.20.558641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies caused by dominant mutations in photoreceptor-expressed genes, are a major cause of irreversible vision loss. Oligonucleotide therapy has been of interest in diseases that conventional medicine cannot target. In the early days, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were explored in clinical trials for retinal disorders with limited success due to a lack of stability and efficient cellular delivery. Thus, an unmet need exists to identify siRNA chemistry that targets photoreceptor-expressed genes. Here we evaluated 12 different fully chemically modified siRNA configurations, where the valency and conjugate structure were systematically altered. The impact on retinal distribution following intravitreal delivery was examined. We found that the increase in valency (tetravalent siRNA) supports the best photoreceptor accumulation. A single intravitreal administration induces multi-months efficacy in rodent and porcine retinas while showing a good safety profile. The data suggest that this configuration can treat retinal diseases caused by photoreceptor-expressed genes with 1-2 intravitreal injections per year.
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5
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Díaz-Lezama N, Kajtna J, Wu J, Ayten M, Koch SF. Microglial and macroglial dynamics in a model of retinitis pigmentosa. Vision Res 2023; 210:108268. [PMID: 37295269 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108268] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the characteristic photoreceptor cell death is associated with changes of microglia and macroglia cells. Gene therapy, a promising treatment option for RP, is based on the premise that glial cell remodeling does not impact vision rescue. However, the dynamics of glial cells after treatment at late disease stages are not well understood. Here, we tested the reversibility of specific RP glia phenotypes in a Pde6b-deficient RP gene therapy mouse model. We demonstrated an increased number of activated microglia, retraction of microglial processes, reactive gliosis of Müller cells, astrocyte remodelling and an upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in response to photoreceptor degeneration. Importantly, these changes returned to normal following rod rescue at late disease stages. These results suggest that therapeutic approaches restore the homeostasis between photoreceptors and glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nundehui Díaz-Lezama
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Kajtna
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jiou Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Ayten
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne F Koch
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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6
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Holden JM, Wareham LK, Calkins DJ. Retinal astrocyte morphology predicts integration of vascular and neuronal architecture. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1244679. [PMID: 37621717 PMCID: PMC10445659 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1244679] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are important regulators of blood flow and play a key role in the response to injury and disease in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite having an understanding that structural changes to these cells have consequences for local neurovascular physiology, individual astrocyte morphology remains largely unexplored in the retina. Here, we used MORF3 mice to capture full membranous morphology for over fifteen hundred individual astrocytes in the mouse retina, a highly metabolically active component of the CNS. We demonstrate that retinal astrocytes have been misrepresented as stellate in morphology due to marker use like GFAP and S100β which underestimates cell complexity. We also find that astrocytes contain recurring morphological motifs which are predictive of the underlying neurovascular architecture of the inner retina and suggestive of function. These motifs predict fine sampling and integration of retinal ganglion cell electrical activity with consequences for blood flow regulation. Additionally, our data shows that astrocytes participate in neurovascular interactions to a much greater degree than currently reported. 100% of cells contact the vasculature through one of three mutually exclusive classes of connections. Similarly, 100% of cells contact some neuronal element, be it an RGC axon or soma. Finally, we report that astrocyte morphology depends on retinal eccentricity, with cells appearing compressed near the nerve head and in the periphery. These results reveal a large degree of astrocyte morphological complexity that informs their contribution to neurovascular coupling in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Holden
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Lauren K. Wareham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - David J. Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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7
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Kwong JMK, Caprioli J, Lee JCY, Song Y, Yu FJ, Bian J, Sze YH, Li KK, Do CW, To CH, Lam TC. Differential Responses of Retinal Neurons and Glia Revealed via Proteomic Analysis on Primary and Secondary Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12109. [PMID: 37569482 PMCID: PMC10418669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the temporal profile of retinal proteomes specific to primary and secondary retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. Unilateral partial optic nerve transection (pONT) was performed on the temporal side of the rat optic nerve. Temporal and nasal retinal samples were collected at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after pONT (n = 4 each) for non-biased profiling with a high-resolution hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry running on label-free SWATHTM acquisition (SCIEX). An information-dependent acquisition ion library was generated using ProteinPilot 5.0 and OneOmics cloud bioinformatics. Combined proteome analysis detected 2531 proteins with a false discovery rate of <1%. Compared to the nasal retina, 10, 25 and 61 significantly regulated proteins were found in the temporal retina at 1, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively (p < 0.05, FC ≥ 1.4 or ≤0.7). Eight proteins (ALDH1A1, TRY10, GFAP, HBB-B1, ALB, CDC42, SNCG, NEFL) were differentially expressed for at least two time points. The expressions of ALDH1A1 and SNCG at nerve fibers were decreased along with axonal loss. Increased ALDH1A1 localization in the inner nuclear layer suggested stress response. Increased GFAP expression demonstrated regional reactivity of astrocytes and Muller cells. Meta-analysis of gene ontology showed a pronounced difference in endopeptidase and peptidase inhibitor activity. Temporal proteomic profiling demonstrates established and novel protein targets associated with RGC damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacky M. K. Kwong
- Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.); (J.C.Y.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Joseph Caprioli
- Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.); (J.C.Y.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Joanne C. Y. Lee
- Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.); (J.C.Y.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yifan Song
- Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (J.C.); (J.C.Y.L.); (Y.S.)
| | - Feng-Juan Yu
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jingfang Bian
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ying-Hon Sze
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
| | - King-Kit Li
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
| | - Chi-Wai Do
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 17W, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi-Ho To
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 17W, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Thomas Chuen Lam
- Centre for Myopia Research, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (F.-J.Y.); (J.B.); (Y.-H.S.); (K.-K.L.); (C.-W.D.); (C.-H.T.)
- Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 17W, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518052, China
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Martinez-Fernandez de la Camara C, Storm T, Salman A, Burgoyne T, Rasmussen MQ, Orlans HO, Russell AJ, Davies SG, Barnard AR, MacLaren RE. Developmental Expression of the Cell Cycle Regulator p16 INK4a in Retinal Glial Cells: A Novel Marker for Immature Ocular Astrocytes? J Histochem Cytochem 2023; 71:301-320. [PMID: 37350564 PMCID: PMC10315990 DOI: 10.1369/00221554231184286] [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: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal astrocytes are vital for neuronal homeostasis in the retina. Together with Müller glia, they provide retinal cells with neurotrophic factors, antioxidative support, and defense mechanisms such as the formation of the blood-retinal barrier. Substantial heterogeneity of astrocyte morphology and function represents a challenge for identification of distinct subtypes which may be potential targets for therapeutic purposes. Hence, identification of novel markers of astrocyte subpopulations is highly relevant to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in retinal development, homeostasis, and pathology. In this study, we observed that the cell cycle regulator, p16INK4a, is expressed in immature astrocytes in the mouse retina. Immunohistochemical analysis showed p16INK4a expression in the optic nerve of wild-type mice from 3 days to 3 months of age and in the nerve fiber layer of the adult mouse retina. Colocalization of p16INK4a expression and glial fibrillary acidic protein (immature/mature astrocyte marker) tends to decrease with age. However, colocalization of p16INK4a expression and vimentin (immature astrocyte marker) remains high in the optic nerve from the early postnatal period to adulthood. The observations from this study provide a valuable tool for further investigations of ocular astrocytes in the developing retina as well as in degenerative retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martinez-Fernandez de la Camara
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tina Storm
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Salman
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Burgoyne
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Centre, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Harry O. Orlans
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alun R. Barnard
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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9
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Waxman S, Quinn M, Donahue C, Falo LD, Sun D, Jakobs TC, Sigal IA. Individual astrocyte morphology in the collagenous lamina cribrosa revealed by multicolor DiOlistic labeling. Exp Eye Res 2023; 230:109458. [PMID: 36965593 PMCID: PMC10152998 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109458] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes in the lamina region of the optic nerve head play vital roles in supporting retinal ganglion cell axon health. In glaucoma, these astrocytes are implicated as early responders to stressors, undergoing characteristic changes in cell function as well as cell morphology. Much of what is currently known about individual lamina astrocyte morphology has been learned from rodent models which lack a defining feature of the human optic nerve head, the collagenous lamina cribrosa (LC). Current methods available for evaluation of collagenous LC astrocyte morphology have significant shortcomings. We aimed to evaluate Multicolor DiOlistic labeling (MuDi) as an approach to reveal individual astrocyte morphologies across the collagenous LC. Gold microcarriers were coated with all combinations of three fluorescent cell membrane dyes, DiI, DiD, and DiO, for a total of seven dye combinations. Microcarriers were delivered to 150 μm-thick coronal vibratome slices through the LC of pig, sheep, goat, and monkey eyes via MuDi. Labeled tissues were imaged with confocal and second harmonic generation microscopy to visualize dyed cells and LC collagenous beams, respectively. GFAP labeling of DiOlistically-labeled cells with astrocyte morphologies was used to investigate cell identity. 3D models of astrocytes were created from confocal image stacks for quantification of morphological features. DiOlistic labeling revealed fine details of LC astrocyte morphologies including somas, primary branches, higher-order branches, and end-feet. Labeled cells with astrocyte morphologies were GFAP+. Astrocytes were visible across seven distinct color channels, allowing high labeling density while still distinguishing individual cells from their neighbors. MuDi was capable of revealing tens to hundreds of collagenous LC astrocytes, in situ, with a single application. 3D astrocyte models allowed automated quantification of morphological features including branch number, length, thickness, hierarchy, and straightness as well as Sholl analysis. MuDi labeling provides an opportunity to investigate morphologies of collagenous LC astrocytes, providing both qualitative and quantitative detail, in healthy tissues. This approach may open doors for research of glaucoma, where astrocyte morphological alterations are thought to coincide with key functional changes related to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah Waxman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marissa Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Cara Donahue
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Louis D Falo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatjana C Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ian A Sigal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Comparative Analysis of Retinal Organotypic Cultures and In Vivo Axotomized Retinas. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043481. [PMID: 36834893 PMCID: PMC9962025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal organotypic cultures (ROCs) are used as an in vivo surrogate to study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and neuroprotection. In vivo, the gold standard to study RGC degeneration and neuroprotection is optic nerve lesion. We propose here to compare the course of RGC death and glial activation between both models. The left optic nerve of C57BL/6 male mice was crushed, and retinas analyzed from 1 to 9 days after the injury. ROCs were analyzed at the same time points. As a control, intact retinas were used. Retinas were studied anatomically to assess RGC survival, microglial, and macroglial activation. Macroglial and microglial cells showed different morphological activation between models and were activated earlier in ROCs. Furthermore, microglial cell density in the ganglion cell layer was always lower in ROCs than in vivo. RGC loss after axotomy and in vitro followed the same trend up to 5 days. Thereafter, there was an abrupt decrease in viable RGCs in ROCs. However, RGC somas were still immuno-identified by several molecular markers. ROCs are useful for proof-of-concept studies on neuroprotection, but long-term experiments should be carried out in vivo. Importantly, the differential glial activation observed between models and the concomitant death of photoreceptors that occurs in vitro may alter the efficacy of RGC neuroprotective therapies when tested in in vivo models of optic nerve injury.
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11
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Hu B, Huang Y, Jakobs TC, Kang Q, Lv Z, Liu W, Wang R. Viability of mitochondria-labeled retinal ganglion cells in organotypic retinal explant cultures by two methods. Exp Eye Res 2023; 226:109311. [PMID: 36403849 PMCID: PMC11003390 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109311] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal explant cultures provide a valuable system to study retinal function in vitro. This study established a new retinal explant culture method to prolong the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Explants were prepared in two different ways: with or without optic nerve. Retinas from newborn mice that had received an injection of MitoTracker Red into the contralateral superior colliculus to label axonal mitochondria were cultured as organotypic culture for 7 days in vitro. At several time points during the culture, viability of RGCs was assessed by multi-electrode array recording, and morphology by immunohistochemical methods. During the culture, the thickness of the retinal tissue in both groups gradually decreased, however, the structure of the layers of the retina could be identified. Massive apoptosis in the retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) appeared on the first day of culture, thereafter the number of apoptotic cells decreased. Glial activation was observed throughout the culture, and there was no difference in morphology between the two groups. RGCs loss was exacerbated on 3rdday of culture, and RGCs loss in retinal explants with preserved optic nerve was significantly lower than in retinas that did not preserve the optic nerve. More and longer-lasting mitochondrial signals were observed in the injured area of the optic nerve-preserving explants. Retinal explants provide an invaluable tool for studying retinal function and developing treatments for ocular diseases. The optic nerve-preserving culture helps preserve the integrity of RGCs. The higher number of mitochondria in the nerve-preserving cultures may help maintain viability of RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoqi Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China
| | - Yaoyao Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tatjana C Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary / Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States
| | - Qianyan Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Ziwei Lv
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenxuan Liu
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China.
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12
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Zhang X, Yu X, Wen Y, Jin L, Zhang L, Zhu H, Zhang D, Xie C, Guo D, Tong J, Shen Y. Functions of retinal astrocytes and Müller cells in mammalian myopia. BMC Ophthalmol 2022; 22:451. [PMID: 36418970 PMCID: PMC9686084 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-022-02643-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Changes in the retina and choroid blood vessels are regularly observed in myopia. However, if the retinal glial cells, which directly contact blood vessels, play a role in mammalian myopia is unknown. We aimed to explore the potential role and mechanism of retinal glial cells in form deprived myopia. Methods We adapted the mice form-deprivation myopia model by covering the right eye and left the left eye open for control, measured the ocular structure with anterior segment optical coherence tomography, evaluated changes in the morphology and distribution of retinal glial cells by fluorescence staining and western blotting; we also searched the online GEO databases to obtain relative gene lists and confirmed them in the form-deprivation myopia mouse retina at mRNA and protein level. Results Compared with the open eye, the ocular axial length (3.54 ± 0.006 mm v.s. 3.48 ± 0.004 mm, p = 0.027) and vitreous chamber depth (3.07 ± 0.005 mm v.s. 2.98 ± 0.006 mm, p = 0.007) in the covered eye became longer. Both glial fibrillary acidic protein and excitatory amino acid transporters 4 elevated. There were 12 common pathways in human myopia and anoxic astrocytes. The key proteins were also highly relevant to atropine target proteins. In mice, two common pathways were found in myopia and anoxic Müller cells. Seven main genes and four key proteins were significantly changed in the mice form-deprivation myopia retinas. Conclusion Retinal astrocytes and Müller cells were activated in myopia. They may response to stimuli and secretory acting factors, and might be a valid target for atropine. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02643-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhong Zhang
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Xin Yu
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Yingying Wen
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Le Jin
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Liyue Zhang
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Hong Zhu
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Dongyan Zhang
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China ,Department of Ophthalmology, Shaoxing Central Hospital, Shaoxing, 312030 Zhejiang China
| | - Chen Xie
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Dongyu Guo
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Jianping Tong
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Ye Shen
- grid.452661.20000 0004 1803 6319Ophthalmology department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road No.79, Hangzhou, 310003 China
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13
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Szilágyi A, Takács B, Szekeres R, Tarjányi V, Bombicz M, Priksz D, Kovács A, Juhász B, Frecska E, Szilvássy Z, Varga B. Therapeutic Properties of Ayahuasca Components in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury of the Eye. Biomedicines 2022; 10:997. [PMID: 35625734 PMCID: PMC9138933 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050997] [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: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic eye diseases are major causes of vision impairment. Thus, potential retinoprotective effects of N'N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) were investigated. To inhibit its rapid breakdown by monoamine-oxidase A (MAO-A) enzyme, DMT was co-administered with harmaline, a β-carboline in the Amazonian Ayahuasca brew. Using ligation, 60 min of ischemia was provoked in eyes of rats, followed by 7 days of reperfusion whilst animals received harmaline alone, DMT + harmaline, or vehicle treatment. After 1 week of reperfusion, electroretinographical (ERG) measurements, histological analysis, and Western blot were performed. Harmaline alone exhibited retinoprotection in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) which was, surprisingly, counterbalanced by DMT in case of co-administration. As both MAO-A inhibition and DMT increase serotoninergic tone synergistically, communicated to be anti-ischemic, thus, involvement of other pathways was investigated. Based on our experiments, DMT and harmaline exert opposite effects on important ocular proteins such as PARP1, NFκB, MMP9, or HSP70, each having a critical role in a different mechanism of eye-ischemia-related pathologies, e.g., cell death, inflammation, tissue destruction, and oxidative stress. Since DMT is proclaimed to be a promising drug candidate, its potentially undesirable effect on eye-ischemia should be further investigated. Meanwhile, this experiment revealed the potential therapeutic effect of MAO-A inhibitor harmaline in I/R-related eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szilágyi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Barbara Takács
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Réka Szekeres
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Vera Tarjányi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Mariann Bombicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Dániel Priksz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Attila Kovács
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.K.); (E.F.)
| | - Béla Juhász
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Ede Frecska
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.K.); (E.F.)
| | - Zoltán Szilvássy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
| | - Balázs Varga
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei Krt 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.T.); (R.S.); (V.T.); (M.B.); (D.P.); (B.J.); (Z.S.)
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14
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Morgan JIW, Jiang YY, Vergilio GK, Serrano LW, Pearson DJ, Bennett J, Maguire AM, Aleman TS. Short-term Assessment of Subfoveal Injection of Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated hCHM Gene Augmentation in Choroideremia Using Adaptive Optics Ophthalmoscopy. JAMA Ophthalmol 2022; 140:411-420. [PMID: 35266957 PMCID: PMC8914909 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Subretinal injection for gene augmentation in retinal degenerations forcefully detaches the neural retina from the retinal pigment epithelium, potentially damaging photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelium cells. Objective To use adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) to assess the short-term integrity of the cone mosaic following subretinal injections of adeno-associated virus vector designed to deliver a functional version of the CHM gene (AAV2-hCHM) in patients with choroideremia. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal case series study enrolled adult patients with choroideremia from February 2015 to January 2016 in the US. To be included in the study, study participants must have received uniocular subfoveal injections of low-dose (5 × 1010 vector genome per eye) or high-dose (1 × 1011 vector genome per eye) AAV2-hCHM. Analysis began February 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures The macular regions of both eyes were imaged before and 1 month after injection using a custom-built multimodal AOSLO. Postinjection cone inner segment mosaics were compared with preinjection mosaics at multiple regions of interest. Colocalized spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and dark-adapted cone sensitivity was also acquired at each time point. Results Nine study participants ranged in age from 26 to 50 years at the time of enrollment, and all were White men. Postinjection AOSLO images showed preservation of the cone mosaic in all 9 AAV2-hCHM-injected eyes. Mosaics appeared intact and contiguous 1 month postinjection, with the exception of foveal disruption in 1 patient. Optical coherence tomography showed foveal cone outer segment shortening postinjection. Cone-mediated sensitivities were unchanged in 8 of 9 injected and 9 of 9 uninjected eyes. One participant showed acute loss of foveal optical coherence tomography cone outer segment-related signals along with cone sensitivity loss that colocalized with disruption of the mosaic on AOSLO. Conclusions and Relevance Integrity of the cone mosaic is maintained following subretinal delivery of AAV2-hCHM, providing strong evidence in support of the safety of the injections. Minor foveal thinning observed following surgery corresponds with short-term cone outer segment shortening rather than cone cell loss. Foveal cone loss in 1 participant raises the possibility of individual vulnerability to the subretinal injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica I. W. Morgan
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Yu You Jiang
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Grace K. Vergilio
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Leona W. Serrano
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Denise J. Pearson
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Jean Bennett
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Albert M. Maguire
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Tomas S. Aleman
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Center for Advanced Retinal & Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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15
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Dorgau B, Georgiou M, Chaudhary A, Moya-Molina M, Collin J, Queen R, Hilgen G, Davey T, Hewitt P, Schmitt M, Kustermann S, Pognan F, Steel DH, Sernagor E, Armstrong L, Lako M. Human Retinal Organoids Provide a Suitable Tool for Toxicological Investigations: A Comprehensive Validation Using Drugs and Compounds Affecting the Retina. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:159-177. [PMID: 35298655 PMCID: PMC8929478 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal drug toxicity screening is essential for the development of safe treatment strategies for a large number of diseases. To this end, retinal organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a suitable screening platform due to their similarity to the human retina and the ease of generation in large-scale formats. In this study, two hPSC cell lines were differentiated to retinal organoids, which comprised all key retinal cell types in multiple nuclear and synaptic layers. Single-cell RNA-Seq of retinal organoids indicated the maintenance of retinal ganglion cells and development of bipolar cells: both cell types segregated into several subtypes. Ketorolac, digoxin, thioridazine, sildenafil, ethanol, and methanol were selected as key compounds to screen on retinal organoids because of their well-known retinal toxicity profile described in the literature. Exposure of the hPSC-derived retinal organoids to digoxin, thioridazine, and sildenafil resulted in photoreceptor cell death, while digoxin and thioridazine additionally affected all other cell types, including Müller glia cells. All drug treatments caused activation of astrocytes, indicated by dendrites sprouting into neuroepithelium. The ability to respond to light was preserved in organoids although the number of responsive retinal ganglion cells decreased after drug exposure. These data indicate similar drug effects in organoids to those reported in in vivo models and/or in humans, thus providing the first robust experimental evidence of their suitability for toxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Dorgau
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcells Biotech, Biosphere, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Maria Georgiou
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alexander Chaudhary
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Marina Moya-Molina
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcells Biotech, Biosphere, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Joseph Collin
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachel Queen
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Gerrit Hilgen
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Northumbria University, Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tracey Davey
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Electron Microscopy Research Services, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | - Stefan Kustermann
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - David H Steel
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Evelyne Sernagor
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcells Biotech, Biosphere, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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16
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Holden JM, Al Hussein Al Awamlh S, Croteau LP, Boal AM, Rex TS, Risner ML, Calkins DJ, Wareham LK. Dysfunctional cGMP Signaling Leads to Age-Related Retinal Vascular Alterations and Astrocyte Remodeling in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3066. [PMID: 35328488 PMCID: PMC8954518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase-1-cyclic guanylate monophosphate (NO-GC-1-cGMP) pathway is integral to the control of vascular tone and morphology. Mice lacking the alpha catalytic domain of guanylate cyclase (GC1-/-) develop retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration with age, with only modest fluctuations in intraocular pressure (IOP). Increasing the bioavailability of cGMP in GC1-/- mice prevents neurodegeneration independently of IOP, suggesting alternative mechanisms of retinal neurodegeneration. In continuation to these studies, we explored the hypothesis that dysfunctional cGMP signaling leads to changes in the neurovascular unit that may contribute to RGC degeneration. We assessed retinal vasculature and astrocyte morphology in young and aged GC1-/- and wild type mice. GC1-/- mice exhibit increased peripheral retinal vessel dilation and shorter retinal vessel branching with increasing age compared to Wt mice. Astrocyte cell morphology is aberrant, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) density is increased in young and aged GC1-/- mice, with areas of dense astrocyte matting around blood vessels. Our results suggest that proper cGMP signaling is essential to retinal vessel morphology with increasing age. Vascular changed are preceded by alterations in astrocyte morphology which may together contribute to retinal neurodegeneration and loss of visual acuity observed in GC1-/- mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lauren K. Wareham
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (J.M.H.); (S.A.H.A.A.); (L.-P.C.); (A.M.B.); (T.S.R.); (M.L.R.); (D.J.C.)
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17
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Li X, Zhu J, Zhong Y, Liu C, Yao M, Sun Y, Yao W, Ni X, Zhou F, Yao J, Jiang Q. Targeting long noncoding RNA-AQP4-AS1 for the treatment of retinal neurovascular dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. EBioMedicine 2022; 77:103857. [PMID: 35172268 PMCID: PMC8850682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in the working-age population, which is characterized by retinal neurodegeneration and vascular dysfunction. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in several biological processes and disease progression. Here we investigated the role of lncRNA AQP4-AS1 in retinal neurovascular dysfunction induced by diabetes. Methods Quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the AQP4-AS1 expression pattern upon diabetes mellitus-related stresses. Visual electrophysiology examination, TUNEL staining, Evans blue staining, retinal trypsin digestion and immunofluorescent staining were conducted to detect the role of AQP4-AS1 in retinal neurovascular dysfunction in vivo. MTT assays, TUNEL staining, PI/Calcein-AM staining, EdU incorporation assay transwell assay and tube formation were conducted to detect the role of AQP4-AS1 in retinal cells function in vitro. qRT-PCR, western blot and in vivo studies were conducted to reveal the mechanism of AQP4-AS1-mediated retinal neurovascular dysfunction. Findings AQP4-AS1 was significantly increased in the clinical samples of diabetic retinopathy patients, high glucose-treated Müller cells, and diabetic retinas of a murine model. AQP4-AS1 silencing in vivo alleviated retinal neurodegeneration and vascular dysfunction as shown by improved retinal capillary degeneration, decreased reactive gliosis, and reduced RGC loss. AQP4-AS1 directly regulated Müller cell function and indirectly affected endothelial cell and RGC function in vitro. Mechanistically, AQP4-AS1 regulated retinal neurovascular dysfunction through affecting AQP4 levels. Interpretation This study reveals AQP4-AS1 is involved in retinal neurovascular dysfunction and expected to become a promising target for the treatment of neurovascular dysfunction in DR. Funding This work was generously supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81800858, 82070983, 81870679 and 81970823), grants from the Medical Science and Technology Development Project Fund of Nanjing (Grant No ZKX17053 and YKK19158), grants from Innovation Team Project Fund of Jiangsu Province (No. CXTDB2017010), and the Science and Technology Development Plan Project Fund of Nanjing (Grant No 201716007, 201805007 and 201803058).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumiao Li
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junya Zhu
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuling Zhong
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mudi Yao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Yao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xisen Ni
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fen Zhou
- Eye Hospital and School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jin Yao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Qin Jiang
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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18
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Strettoi E, Di Marco B, Orsini N, Napoli D. Retinal Plasticity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031138. [PMID: 35163059 PMCID: PMC8835074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain plasticity is a well-established concept designating the ability of central nervous system (CNS) neurons to rearrange as a result of learning, when adapting to changeable environmental conditions or else while reacting to injurious factors. As a part of the CNS, the retina has been repeatedly probed for its possible ability to respond plastically to a variably altered environment or to pathological insults. However, numerous studies support the conclusion that the retina, outside the developmental stage, is endowed with only limited plasticity, exhibiting, instead, a remarkable ability to maintain a stable architectural and functional organization. Reviewed here are representative examples of hippocampal and cortical paradigms of plasticity and of retinal structural rearrangements found in organization and circuitry following altered developmental conditions or occurrence of genetic diseases leading to neuronal degeneration. The variable rate of plastic changes found in mammalian retinal neurons in different circumstances is discussed, focusing on structural plasticity. The likely adaptive value of maintaining a low level of plasticity in an organ subserving a sensory modality that is dominant for the human species and that requires elevated fidelity is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Strettoi
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (D.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0503153213
| | - Beatrice Di Marco
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (D.N.)
- Regional Doctorate School in Neuroscience, Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Noemi Orsini
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (D.N.)
- Regional Doctorate School in Neuroscience, Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Debora Napoli
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (D.N.)
- Regional Doctorate School in Neuroscience, Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, 50134 Florence, Italy
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19
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Danjo Y, Shinozaki Y, Natsubori A, Kubota Y, Kashiwagi K, Tanaka KF, Koizumi S. The Mlc1 Promoter Directs Müller Cell-specific Gene Expression in the Retina. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:25. [PMID: 35040915 PMCID: PMC8764212 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.1.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Because the importance of glia in regulating brain functions has been demonstrated, genetic technologies that manipulate glial cell-specific gene expression in the brain have become essential and have made great progress. However, it is unknown whether the same strategy that is used in the brain can be applied to the retina because retinal glia differs from glia in the brain. Here, we aimed to find a method for selective gene expression in Müller cells (characteristic glial cells in the retina) and identified Mlc1 as a specific promoter of Müller cells. Methods Mlc1-tTA::Yellow-Cameleon-NanotetO/tetO (YC-Nano) mice were used as a reporter line. YC-Nano, a fluorescent protein, was ectopically expressed in the cell type controlled by the Mlc1 promotor. Immunofluorescence staining was used to identify the cell type expressing YC-Nano protein. Results YC-Nano-positive (+) signals were observed as vertical stalks in the sliced retina and spanned from the nerve fiber layer through the outer nuclear layer. The density of YC-Nano+ cells was higher around the optic nerve head and lower in the peripheral retina. The YC-Nano+ signals colocalized with vimentin, a marker of Müller cells, but not with the cell markers for blood vessels, microglia, neurons, or astrocytes. Conclusions The Mlc1 promoter allows us to manipulate gene expression in Müller cells without affecting astrocytes in the retina. Translational Relevance Gene manipulation under control of Mlc1 promoter offers novel technique to investigate the role of Müller cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Danjo
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.,GLIA Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Youichi Shinozaki
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.,GLIA Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Akiyo Natsubori
- Sleep Disorders Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuto Kubota
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.,GLIA Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kenji Kashiwagi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kenji F Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Schuichi Koizumi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.,GLIA Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
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20
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Qadri A, Cai CL, Deslouches K, Siddiqui F, Aranda JV, Beharry KD. Ocular Versus Oral Propranolol for Prevention and/or Treatment of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy in a Rat Model. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2021; 37:112-130. [PMID: 33535016 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2020.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Propranolol, a nonselective B1/B2 adrenoceptor antagonist, promotes the regression of infantile hemangiomas likely through suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which prompted its use for the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity. We tested the hypothesis that topical ocular propranolol is safe and effective for reducing the severity of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in the neonatal rat intermittent hypoxia (IH) model. Methods: At birth (P0), rat pups were randomly assigned to room air or neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) consisting of 50% O2 with brief episodes of hypoxia (12% O2) from P0 to P14, during which they received a single daily dose of oral propranolol (1 mg/kg/day in 50 μL in sterile normal saline) or topical ocular propranolol (0.2% in 10 μL in normal saline) from P5 to P14. Placebo-controlled littermates received 50 μL oral or 10 μL topical ocular sterile normal saline. Retinal vascular and astrocyte integrity; retinal histopathology and morphometry; and angiogenesis biomarkers were determined. Results: Topical ocular propranolol improved retinal vascular damage and preserved the astrocytic template, but did not completely prevent OIR. The beneficial effects of propranolol were associated with reduced ocular VEGF and increased endogenous soluble inhibitor, sVEGFR-1, when administered topically. Conclusions: Propranolol failed to completely prevent severe OIR, however, it prevented astrocyte degeneration resulting from neonatal IH-induced damage. We conclude that the mechanisms of propranolol's beneficial effects in neonatal IH may involve in part, astrocyte preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areej Qadri
- Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Charles L Cai
- Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Karen Deslouches
- Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Faisal Siddiqui
- Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Jacob V Aranda
- Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,State University of New York Eye Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kay D Beharry
- Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,State University of New York Eye Institute, New York, New York, USA
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21
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Maya-Vetencourt JF, Di Marco S, Mete M, Di Paolo M, Ventrella D, Barone F, Elmi A, Manfredi G, Desii A, Sannita WG, Bisti S, Lanzani G, Pertile G, Bacci ML, Benfenati F. Biocompatibility of a Conjugated Polymer Retinal Prosthesis in the Domestic Pig. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:579141. [PMID: 33195139 PMCID: PMC7605258 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.579141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors is one of the most significant causes of blindness in humans. Conjugated polymers represent an attractive solution to the field of retinal prostheses, and a multi-layer fully organic prosthesis implanted subretinally in dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats was able to rescue visual functions. As a step toward human translation, we report here the fabrication and in vivo testing of a similar device engineered to adapt to the human-like size of the eye of the domestic pig, an excellent animal paradigm to test therapeutic strategies for photoreceptors degeneration. The active conjugated polymers were layered onto two distinct passive substrates, namely electro-spun silk fibroin (ESF) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Naive pigs were implanted subretinally with the active device in one eye, while the contralateral eye was sham implanted with substrate only. Retinal morphology and functionality were assessed before and after surgery by means of in vivo optical coherence tomography and full-field electroretinogram (ff-ERG) analysis. After the sacrifice, the retina morphology and inflammatory markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry of the excised retinas. Surprisingly, ESF-based prostheses caused a proliferative vitreoretinopathy with disappearance of the ff-ERG b-wave in the implanted eyes. In contrast, PET-based active devices did not evoke significant inflammatory responses. As expected, the subretinal implantation of both PET only and the PET-based prosthesis locally decreased the thickness of the outer nuclear layer due to local photoreceptor loss. However, while the implantation of the PET only substrate decreased the ff-ERG b-wave amplitude with respect to the pre-implant ERG, the eyes implanted with the active device fully preserved the ERG responses, indicating an active compensation of the surgery-induced photoreceptor loss. Our findings highlight the possibility of developing a new generation of conjugated polymer/PET-based prosthetic devices that are highly biocompatible and potentially suitable for subretinal implantation in patients suffering from degenerative blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Fernando Maya-Vetencourt
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Marco
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mete
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Mattia Di Paolo
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Barone
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Desii
- Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Walter G Sannita
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Bisti
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Consorzio Interuniversitario INBB, Rome, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Grazia Pertile
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy
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22
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Comparison of vitreoretinal disorders in fellow eyes of lamellar macular holes versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 258:2611-2619. [PMID: 33009974 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-020-04950-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate and compare the rate and characteristics of vitreoretinal disorders in fellow eyes of lamellar macular holes (LMH) versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis (ERMF). METHODS Included patients in this retrospective study were divided into two groups based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features of their primary eye: LMH (group A) and ERMF (group B). RESULTS Ninety-four patients were enrolled: 59 (62.8%) in group A and 35 (37.2%) in group B. Fellow eyes in group A had a higher rate of retinal detachment (8/59 [13.6%] vs. 0/35 [0%], P = 0.024), and full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) (11/59 [18.6%] vs. 2/35 [5.7%], P = 0.079), compared with fellow eyes in group B. In group A, 4/59 patients (6.8%) showed a bilateral LMH while none from group B had a LMH in their fellow eye (0/35 [0%]), P = 0.293. Additionally, epiretinal proliferation was noted in 30/59 (50.8%) fellow eyes in group A versus 3/35 (8.6%) fellow eyes in group B, P < 0.001. Longitudinal data were available for 80/94 patients. Over a mean follow-up of 37.4 ± 29.9 months, 1/48 (2.1%) fellow eyes from group A developed a FTMH and 2/48 (4.2%) developed a LMH, while no FTMH or LMH occurred in fellow eyes of group B. CONCLUSIONS Fellow eyes of LMH showed a high rate of macular and peripheral vitreoretinal disorders. In addition, epiretinal proliferation was detected in a higher number of fellow eyes of LMH versus ERMF. These findings suggest a bilateral process in eyes of patients with LMH.
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23
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Gao M, Liu H, Xiao Y, Guo Y, Wan X, Li X, Li M, Liang J, Zhai Y, Liu W, Jiang M, Luo X, Sun X. xCT regulates redox homeostasis and promotes photoreceptor survival after retinal detachment. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 158:32-43. [PMID: 32679366 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Photoreceptor degeneration underlies various retinal disorders that lead to vision impairment. Currently, no effective medication is available to rescue photoreceptors under disease conditions. Elucidation of the molecular pathways involved in photoreceptor degeneration is a prerequisite for the rational design of therapeutic interventions. Photoreceptors are among the most energy-demanding tissues that require highly active oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, disruption of metabolic support to photoreceptors results in a redox imbalance and subsequent cell death. We hypothesize that the redox regulatory pathway could be a potential therapeutic target to rescue photoreceptors under disease conditions. METHODS Experimental retinal detachment was induced in mice. A murine photoreceptor-derived 661w cell line treated with H2O2 was employed as an in vitro model to study the cellular response to oxidative stress. The expression and functional role of xCT, an upstream regulator of redox homeostasis, was assessed in vivo and in vitro. An xCT expression vector was constructed for an in vivo study to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this molecule. RESULTS xCT expression was upregulated in detached retina and H2O2-stimulated 661w cells compared to the control cells. Pharmacological inhibition of xCT by sulfasalazine (SAS) promoted photoreceptor degeneration after retinal detachment and 661w cell death upon H2O2 treatment. Additionally, SAS treatment induced reactive oxidative species (ROS) accumulation, glutathione (GSH) depletion, and glutamate release in 661w cells. In contrast, xCT overexpression via viral infection protected photoreceptors from degeneration after retinal detachment. CONCLUSION We conclude that xCT expression is upregulated in photoreceptors after retinal detachment and plays a neuroprotective role in preserving photoreceptors. Mechanistically, xCT promotes cellular homeostasis by regulating intracellular ROS and GSH levels, which are critical to photoreceptor survival after retinal detachment. Collectively, our findings identify xCT as a potential therapeutic target for protection of photoreceptors under disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Yushu Xiao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinong Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Liang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanqi Zhai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjia Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueting Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, 200080, Shanghai, China.
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24
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Mezu-Ndubuisi OJ, Macke EL, Kalavacherla R, Nwaba AA, Suscha A, Zaitoun IS, Ikeda A, Sheibani N. Long-term evaluation of retinal morphology and function in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Mol Vis 2020; 26:257-276. [PMID: 32256029 PMCID: PMC7127927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a condition of aberrant retinal vascularization in premature infants in response to high levels of oxygen used for critical care that can potentially cause blindness. Although therapies to mitigate vascular abnormalities are being evaluated, functional deficits often remain in patients with treated or regressed ROP. This study investigated long-term outcomes of hyperoxia on retinal morphology and function using a mouse model of oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy (OIR). Methods Twenty-two mice were exposed to 77% oxygen to induce OIR, while 23 age-matched control mice were raised in room air (RA). In vivo fluorescein angiography (FA), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and focal electroretinography (fERG) were performed at P19, P24, P32, and P47, followed by histological assessments of retinal morphology, gliosis, microglia activation, and apoptosis. Results FA in OIR mice showed capillary attrition despite peripheral revascularization. Inner retina thinning was detected with SD-OCT; outer and inner retinal dysfunction were demonstrated with fERG. Histology of the OIR mice exhibited a thin, disorganized structure. Immunohistochemistry showed increased gliosis, microglial activation, and apoptosis with increasing age from P19 to P47. The synapses between rod photoreceptor cells and rod bipolar cells were ectopically localized in the OIR mice. Conclusions We demonstrated histological evidence of persistent ectopic synapses, prolonged cellular apoptosis, and gliosis in the OIR retina that corresponded with long-term in vivo evidence of capillary attrition, inner retinal thinning, and dysfunction despite full peripheral revascularization. Further studies on the mechanisms underlying these persistent phenotypes could enhance our understanding of ROP pathogenesis and lead to new therapeutic targets to preserve visual function in premature infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olachi J. Mezu-Ndubuisi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Erica L. Macke
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Raja Kalavacherla
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | | | - Andrew Suscha
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Ismail S. Zaitoun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Akihiro Ikeda
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Nader Sheibani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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25
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Deng C, Chen S, Li X, Luo H, Zhang Q, Hu P, Wang F, Xiong C, Sun T, Zhang X. Role of the PGE2 receptor in ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat retina. Mol Vis 2020; 26:36-47. [PMID: 32165825 PMCID: PMC7043643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the function and expression of the PGE2 receptors EP1-4 in rat retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and to determine the regulatory role of resveratrol (RES) in this process. Methods In vitro, we stimulated primary astrocytes extracted from the optic disc of rats with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and RES, and detected the location of EP1-4 expression with immunofluorescence. The expression of antiglial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), EGF receptor (EGFR), inducible NOS (iNOS), and EP1-4 in astrocytes was detected with western blotting. In vivo, we established an I/R injury model and RES treatment model with Sprague-Dawley rats. Changes in the thickness of the inner retina were observed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. EP1-4 localization in the retina was observed with immunohistochemistry. The expression of COX-2, iNOS, and EP1-4 in the control and model groups was detected with western blotting. Results In this study, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry showed that EP1-4 are expressed in astrocytes and the rat retina. EGF stimulation increased the expression of EGFR, iNOS, EP1, EP2, and EP4 in astrocytes. The expression of EP1-4 was statistically significantly increased on the third day after model induction, and EP1-4 expression decreased to normal levels on day 7. EGF and RES mediated the decrease in the expression of EP2. RES treatment significantly reduced retinal damage and RGC loss, as demonstrated by the relatively intact tissue structure on day 7 observed with H&E staining. Moreover, inflammation was associated with this I/R injury model, as demonstrated by the early induction of proinflammatory mediators, and this inflammation was significantly attenuated after RES treatment. Conclusions These results indicate that the COX-2/PGE2/EPs pathway is involved in retinal damage and astrocyte inflammation. In addition, the results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of RES may be associated with decreased production of inflammatory mediators. These results suggest that the PGE2 receptor may be a key factor in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and that RES may be used as a possible therapeutic strategy for glaucoma.
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26
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Zhu L, Zang J, Liu B, Yu G, Hao L, Liu L, Zhong J. Oxidative stress-induced RAC autophagy can improve the HUVEC functions by releasing exosomes. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:7392-7409. [PMID: 32096219 PMCID: PMC7496456 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a common pathological feature in many kinds of fundus oculi diseases. Sometimes RNV can even lead to severe vision loss. Oxidative injury is one of the main predisposing factors for RNV occurrence and development. The specific mechanism may be closely related to the special structural tissues of the retina. Retinal astrocytes (RACs) are mesenchymal cells located in the retinal neuroepithelial layer. RACs have an intimate anatomical relationship with microvascular endothelial cells. They have a variety of functions, but little is known about the mechanisms by which RACs regulate the function of endothelial cells. The molecules secreted by RACs, such as exosomes, have recently received a lot of attention and may provide potential clues to address the RAC‐mediated modulation of endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to preliminarily explore the mechanisms of how RAC exosomes generated under oxidative stress are involved in the regulation of endothelial function. Our results showed that the apoptosis and autophagy levels in RACs were positively correlated with the oxidative stress level, and the exosomes generated from RACs under normal and oxidative stress conditions had different effects on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. However, the effect of RACs on endothelial cell function could be markedly reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine or the exosome inhibitor GW4869. Therefore, oxidative stress can lead to increased autophagy in RACs and can further promote RACs to regulate endothelial cell function by releasing exosomes. tBHP‐induced oxidative stress can increase the level of autophagy in retinal (RAC) astrocytes. RAC with high‐autophagy level has a completely opposite effect on HUVEC functions when compared with normal RAC. RACs under different states have different effects on endothelial cell functions by releasing exosomes
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxin Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiankun Zang
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guocheng Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Hao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxiang Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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27
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Guo Y, Gao M, Wan X, Li X, Wang Y, Sun M, Li T, Jiang M, Luo X, Sun X. An improved method for establishment of murine retinal detachment model and its 3D vascular evaluation. Exp Eye Res 2020; 193:107949. [PMID: 32006561 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.107949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Retinal detachment (RD) results in disruption of retinal physiology and visual function. Although surgical intervention has been well-developed to restore the retinal anatomic structure, post-op progression of visual function decline is prominent in a large proportion of patients. Therefore, the establishment of a disease model that accurately mimics RD pathogenesis is crucial to mechanistic study and drug screening. General protocols to induce RD in mice are frequently associated with complications leading to model instability and reduced reproducibility. In this study, we established a stable and reproducible mice RD model with a detached area of over 90% and rare complications. Briefly, the modified method was realized by vitreous humor extraction to reduce intraocular pressure, followed by directly-visible hyaluronic acid injection into subretinal space. The detachment of retina was confirmed by fundus photography, and progressive thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was determined by HE staining. Apoptotic signals were prominent in the ONL. Consistently, visual function was significantly compromised as determined by ERG. Moreover, retinal vasculature appeared to remodel and acquired winding, twisted and dilated structures illustrated by 3D reconstruction. In addition, activation of Müller cells and microglia, and infiltration of blood-derived macrophages were detected locally. Collectively, we have established a modified protocol to model RD with increased stability, reproducibility and fewer complications, and 3D high-resolution imaging and reconstruction of vasculature could provide new tools to evaluate this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinong Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengsha Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueting Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, 200080, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, 200080, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China; Shanghai engineering center for precise diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, 200080, Shanghai, China.
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28
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Pfeiffer RL, Marc RE, Jones BW. Persistent remodeling and neurodegeneration in late-stage retinal degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 74:100771. [PMID: 31356876 PMCID: PMC6982593 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Retinal remodeling is a progressive series of negative plasticity revisions that arise from retinal degeneration, and are seen in retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration and other forms of retinal disease. These processes occur regardless of the precipitating event leading to degeneration. Retinal remodeling then culminates in a late-stage neurodegeneration that is indistinguishable from progressive central nervous system (CNS) proteinopathies. Following long-term deafferentation from photoreceptor cell death in humans, and long-lived animal models of retinal degeneration, most retinal neurons reprogram, then die. Glial cells reprogram into multiple anomalous metabolic phenotypes. At the same time, survivor neurons display degenerative inclusions that appear identical to progressive CNS neurodegenerative disease, and contain aberrant α-synuclein (α-syn) and phosphorylated α-syn. In addition, ultrastructural analysis indicates a novel potential mechanism for misfolded protein transfer that may explain how proteinopathies spread. While neurodegeneration poses a barrier to prospective retinal interventions that target primary photoreceptor loss, understanding the progression and time-course of retinal remodeling will be essential for the establishment of windows of therapeutic intervention and appropriate tuning and design of interventions. Finally, the development of protein aggregates and widespread neurodegeneration in numerous retinal degenerative diseases positions the retina as a ideal platform for the study of proteinopathies, and mechanisms of neurodegeneration that drive devastating CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Pfeiffer
- Dept of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Robert E Marc
- Dept of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bryan William Jones
- Dept of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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29
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Matteucci A, Ricceri L, Fabbri A, Fortuna A, Travaglione S, Guidotti M, Martinelli A, Villa M, Pricci F, Maroccia Z, Campana G, Malchiodi-Albedi F, Fiorentini C, Loizzo S. Eye Drop Instillation of the Rac1 Modulator CNF1 Attenuates Retinal Gliosis and Ameliorates Visual Performance in a Rat Model of Hypertensive Retinopathy. Neuroscience 2019; 411:119-129. [PMID: 31128161 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In hypertensive retinopathy, the retinal damage due to high blood pressure is accompanied by increased expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), which indicates a role of neuroinflammatory processes in such a retinopathy. Proteins belonging to the Rho GTPase family, particularly Rac1, are involved in the activation of Müller glia and in the progression of photoreceptor degeneration, and may thus represent a novel candidate for therapeutic intervention following central nervous system inflammation. In this paper, we have observed that topical administration as eye drops of Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1), a Rho GTPase modulator, surprisingly improves electrophysiological and behavioral visual performances in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats. Furthermore, such functional improvement is accompanied by a reduction of Rac1 activity and retinal GFAP expression. Our results suggest that Rac1 inhibition through CNF1 topical administration may represent a new strategy to target retinal gliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Matteucci
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Fortuna
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Travaglione
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Guidotti
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinelli
- National Centre for Animal Research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Villa
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Pricci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Dysmetabolic and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases, and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Maroccia
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Campana
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiorella Malchiodi-Albedi
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy; Association for Research on Integrative Oncology Therapies (ARTOI), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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Kiang L, Ross BX, Yao J, Shanmugam S, Andrews CA, Hansen S, Besirli CG, Zacks DN, Abcouwer SF. Vitreous Cytokine Expression and a Murine Model Suggest a Key Role of Microglia in the Inflammatory Response to Retinal Detachment. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:3767-3778. [PMID: 30046818 PMCID: PMC6059764 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal detachment (RD) separates the retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium, resulting in a gradual degeneration of photoreceptor (PR) cells. It is known that RD also results in an inflammatory response, but its contribution to PR degeneration is unknown. In this study we examine the inflammatory responses to RD in patient vitreous and validate a mouse experimental RD as a model of this phenomenon. Methods Multiplex bead arrays were used to examine cytokine levels in vitreous samples from 24 patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) undergoing reattachment surgery and from 10 control patients undergoing vitrectomy for vitreous opacities or epiretinal membrane. Activation of the innate immune response was then examined in a mouse model of RD. Results Twenty-eight factors were significantly increased in vitreous from RD patients versus controls. Notable were the cytokines MCP-1 (CCL2), IP-10 (CXCL10), fractalkine (CX3CL1), GRO (CXCL1), MDC (CCL22), IL-6, and IL-8, which all exhibited relatively high concentrations and several-fold increases in the vitreous of RD patients. Concentrations of various analytes correlated with a range of clinical variables such as duration of detachment and visual acuity. Retinal detachment in the mouse resulted in cytokine mRNA expression changes consistent with human RD vitreous results, as well as microglial proliferation and migration toward the outer retina. Conclusions The findings suggest that an inflammatory response involving microglia is a component of the reaction to retinal detachment that may impact visual acuity after surgical repair and that mouse experimental RD can serve as a model to study this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Kiang
- Oregon Health and Science University, Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Bing X Ross
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Jingyu Yao
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Sumathi Shanmugam
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Chris A Andrews
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Sean Hansen
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Cagri G Besirli
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - David N Zacks
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Steven F Abcouwer
- University of Michigan Medicine, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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31
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Beharry KD, Cai CL, Siddiqui F, Chowdhury S, D'Agrosa C, Valencia GB, Aranda JV. Comparative Effects of Coenzyme Q10 or n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Retinal Angiogenesis in a Rat Model of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2018; 7:E160. [PMID: 30423931 PMCID: PMC6262377 DOI: 10.3390/antiox7110160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) or apnea afflicts 70% to 90% of all preterm infants <28 weeks gestation, and is associated with severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We tested the hypotheses that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation during neonatal IH reduces the severity of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Newborn rats were exposed to two IH paradigms: (1) 50% O₂ with brief hypoxia (12% O₂); or (2) 21% O₂ with brief hypoxia, until postnatal day 14 (P14), during which they received daily oral CoQ10 in olive oil, n-3 PUFAs in fish oil, or olive oil only and compared to room air (RA) treated groups. Pups were examined at P14, or placed in RA until P21. Retinal angiogenesis, histopathology, and morphometry were determined. Both IH paradigms produced severe OIR, but these were worsened with 50/12% O₂ IH. CoQ10 and n-3 PUFAs reduced the severity of OIR, as well as ocular growth factors in both IH paradigms, but CoQ10 was more effective in 50/12% O₂ IH. Supplementation with either CoQ10 or n-3 PUFAs targeting IH-induced retinal injury is individually effective for ameliorating specific characteristics consistent with ROP. Given the complexity of ROP, further studies are needed to determine whether combined CoQ10 and n-3 PUFAs supplementation would optimize their efficacy and result in a better outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay D Beharry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
- State University of New York Department of Ophthalmology Eye Institute, New York, NY 10062, USA.
| | - Charles L Cai
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Faisal Siddiqui
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Sara Chowdhury
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Christina D'Agrosa
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Gloria B Valencia
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
| | - Jacob V Aranda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
- State University of New York Department of Ophthalmology Eye Institute, New York, NY 10062, USA.
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32
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Genetic Rescue Reverses Microglial Activation in Preclinical Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1953-1964. [PMID: 30001913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia cells (MGCs) play a key role in scavenging pathogens and phagocytosing cellular debris in the central nervous system and retina. Their activation, however, contributes to the progression of multiple degenerative diseases. Given the potential damage created by MGCs, it is important to better understand their mechanism of activation. Here, we explored the role of MGCs in the context of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) by using four independent preclinical mouse models. For therapeutic modeling, tamoxifen-inducible CreER was introduced to explore changes in MGCs when RP progression halted. The phenotypes of the MGCs were observed using live optical coherence tomography, live autofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. We found that, regardless of genetic background, MGCs were activated in neurodegenerative conditions and migrated beyond the layers where they are typically found to the inner and outer segments, where degeneration was ongoing. Genetic rescue not only halted degeneration but also deactivated MGCs, regardless of whether the intervention occurred at the early, middle, or late stage of the disease. These findings suggest that halting long-term disease progression may be more successful by downregulating MGC activity while co-administering the therapeutic intervention.
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Li N, Wang F, Zhang Q, Jin M, Lu Y, Chen S, Guo C, Zhang X. Rapamycin mediates mTOR signaling in reactive astrocytes and reduces retinal ganglion cell loss. Exp Eye Res 2018; 176:10-19. [PMID: 29928901 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Damage and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can cause visual impairment. The underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate RGC death in ischemic retinal diseases are still unclear. In this study, we sought to understand the neuroprotective effect of rapamycin, the selective inhibitor of mTORC1, on RGC survival and the cellular mechanics that mediate this effect. Recent studies have reported that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor shows an increase in expression in astrocytes after injury, and this receptor can promote their transformation into reactive astrocytes. Our results, along with previous works from others, show the colocalization of phosphor-EGF receptors with the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic proteins in reactive astrocytes in the injured retina. In our in vitro studies, using primary astrocyte cultures of the optic nerve head of rats, showed that rapamycin significantly blocked EGF-induced mTOR signaling mainly through the PI3K/Akt pathway in primary astrocytes, but not through the MAPK/Erk pathway. Additionally, rapamycin dramatically inhibited the activation of mTOR signaling in our ratinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury model in vivo. Astrocyte activation was assessed by immunostaining retinal flat mounts or cross sections with antibody against GFAP, and we also used western blots to detect the expression of GFAP. Taken together, these results revealed that rapamycin decreases the activation of astrocytes after retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Furthermore, rapamycin can improve retinal RGC survival in rats during I/R, as detected by FluoroGold labeling. Our data reveals the neuroprotective effects of rapamycin in an experimental retina injury model, possibly through decreasing glial-dependent intracellular signaling mechanisms for suppressing apoptosis of RGCs. Our study also presents an approach to targeting reactive astrocytes for the treatment of optic neurodegenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningfeng Li
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qinglin Zhang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ming Jin
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ye Lu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cuiju Guo
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
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Zaitoun IS, Cikla U, Zafer D, Udho E, Almomani R, Suscha A, Cengiz P, Sorenson CM, Sheibani N. Attenuation of Retinal Vascular Development in Neonatal Mice Subjected to Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9166. [PMID: 29907863 PMCID: PMC6003906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27525-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant proportion of children that survive hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) develop visual impairment. These visual deficits are generally attributed to injuries that occur in the primary visual cortex and other visual processing systems. Recent studies suggested that neuronal damage might also occur in the retina. An important structure affecting the viability of retinal neurons is the vasculature. However, the effects of HIE on the retinal neurovasculature have not been systemically evaluated. Here we investigated whether exposure of postnatal day 9 (P9) neonatal mice to HIE is sufficient to induce neurovascular damage in the retina. We demonstrate that the blood vessels on the surface of the retina, from mice subjected to HIE, were abnormally enlarged with signs of degeneration. The intermediate and deep vascular layers in these retinas failed to form normally, particularly in the periphery. All the vascular damages observed here were irreversible in nature up to 100 days post HIE. We also observed loss of retinal neurons, together with changes in both astrocytes and Müller cells mainly in the inner retina at the periphery. Collectively, our findings suggest that HIE results in profound alterations in the retinal vasculature, indicating the importance of developing therapeutic strategies to protect neurovascular dysfunction not only in the brain but also in the retina for infants exposed to HIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail S Zaitoun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA. .,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Ulas Cikla
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Dila Zafer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Eshwar Udho
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Reem Almomani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Andrew Suscha
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Pelin Cengiz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Christine M Sorenson
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nader Sheibani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
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Role of the Epipapillary Membrane in Maculopathy Associated with Cavitary Optic Disc Anomalies: Morphology, Surgical Outcomes, and Histopathology. J Ophthalmol 2018; 2018:5680503. [PMID: 29854427 PMCID: PMC5964424 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5680503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the surgical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with epipapillary membrane removal in patients with maculopathy associated with cavitary optic disc anomalies. Methods Eight patients (8 eyes) with cavitary optic disc anomaly-associated maculopathy who underwent PPV with epipapillary membrane removal were retrospectively reviewed. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular and papillary morphologies using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) were evaluated before and after treatment. Immunohistochemistry for an intraoperatively excised epipapillary membrane tissue was also performed. Results Before surgery, EDI-OCT revealed that epipapillary membrane was observed in all patients. Retinoschisis was resolved with no recurrence in all patients following vitrectomy regardless of a disease type or the presence or absence of preoperative posterior vitreous detachment. The mean final BCVA and central retinal thickness significantly improved compared with pretreatment values (P = 0.008 and 0.004, resp.). Immunoreactivity for S100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein, markers of astrocytes, was positive in the resected membrane tissues. Conclusions These results suggest that epipapillary membrane is involved in the pathogenesis of some patients with cavitary optic disc anomaly-associated maculopathy as well as posterior hyaloid membrane. PPV with epipapillary membrane removal may be a useful treatment option for this maculopathy. This trial is registered with UMIN000011123.
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36
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Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy from Recurrent Intermittent Hypoxia Is Not Dependent on Resolution with Room Air or Oxygen, in Neonatal Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051337. [PMID: 29724000 PMCID: PMC5983662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm infants often experience intermittent hypoxia (IH) with resolution in room air (RA) or hyperoxia (Hx) between events. Hypoxia is a major inducer of vascular endothelial growth factor, which plays a key role in normal and aberrant retinal angiogenesis. This study tested the hypothesis that neonatal IH which resolved with RA is less injurious to the immature retina than IH resolved by Hx between events. Newborn rats were exposed to: (1) Hx (50% O2) with brief hypoxia (12% O2); (2) RA with 12% O2; (3) Hx with RA; (4) Hx only; or (5) RA only, from P0 to P14. Pups were examined at P14 or placed in RA until P21. Retinal vascular and astrocyte integrity; retinal layer thickness; ocular and systemic biomarkers of angiogenesis; and somatic growth were determined at P14 and P21. All IH paradigms resulted in significant retinal vascular defects, disturbances in retinal astrocyte template, retinal thickening, and photoreceptor damage concurrent with elevations in angiogenesis biomarkers. These data suggest that the susceptibility of the immature retina to changes in oxygen render no differences in the outcomes between RA or O2 resolution. Interventions and initiatives to curtail O2 variations should remain a high priority to prevent severe retinopathy.
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37
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Beharry KD, Cai CL, Ahmad T, Guzel S, Valencia GB, Aranda JV. Impact of Chronic Neonatal Intermittent Hypoxia on Severity of Retinal Damage in a Rat Model of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy. JOURNAL OF NATURE AND SCIENCE 2018; 4:e488. [PMID: 29552637 PMCID: PMC5851484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) followed by re-oxygenation in normoxia or supplemental oxygen (IHR) increases the risk for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The exact timing for the onset of retinal damage which may guide strategic interventions during retinal development, is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure of the immature retina to neonatal IH induces early manifestations of retinal damage that can be utilized as key time points for strategic pharmacologic intervention. Newborn rats were exposed to IH within 2 hours of birth (P0) until P14, or allowed to recover in room air (RA) from P14 to P21 (IHR). Retinal integrity and angiogenesis biomarkers were progressively assessed before (P0), during IH, and post IH (recovery in RA), or IHR, and compared to normoxic age-matched controls. Retinal damage occurred as early as day 3 of neonatal IH, consistent with vascular abnormalities and disturbances in the astrocytic template. These abnormalities worsened during IHR. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions to identify, prevent, or minimize neonatal IH should be implemented shortly after birth in high risk preterm newborns. This strategy may lead to a reduction in the outcome of severe ROP requiring later invasive treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay D. Beharry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
- State University of New York Eye Institute, New York, NY10062, USA
| | - Charles L. Cai
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
| | - Taimur Ahmad
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
| | - Sibel Guzel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
| | - Gloria B. Valencia
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
| | - Jacob V. Aranda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY11203, USA
- State University of New York Eye Institute, New York, NY10062, USA
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Kautzman AG, Keeley PW, Nahmou MM, Luna G, Fisher SK, Reese BE. Sox2 regulates astrocytic and vascular development in the retina. Glia 2017; 66:623-636. [PMID: 29178409 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sox2 is a transcriptional regulator that is highly expressed in retinal astrocytes, yet its function in these cells has not previously been examined. To understand its role, we conditionally deleted Sox2 from the population of astrocytes and examined the consequences on retinal development. We found that Sox2 deletion does not alter the migration of astrocytes, but it impairs their maturation, evidenced by the delayed upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) across the retina. The centro-peripheral gradient of angiogenesis is also delayed in Sox2-CKO retinas. In the mature retina, we observed lasting abnormalities in the astrocytic population evidenced by the sporadic loss of GFAP immunoreactivity in the peripheral retina as well as by the aberrant extension of processes into the inner retina. Blood vessels in the adult retina are also under-developed and show a decrease in the frequency of branch points and in total vessel length. The developmental relationship between maturing astrocytes and angiogenesis suggests a causal relationship between the astrocytic loss of Sox2 and the vascular architecture in maturity. We suggest that the delay in astrocytic maturation and vascular invasion may render the retina hypoxic, thereby causing the abnormalities we observe in adulthood. These studies uncover a novel role for Sox2 in the development of retinal astrocytes and indicate that its removal can lead to lasting changes to retinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda G Kautzman
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060
| | - Patrick W Keeley
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060
| | - Michael M Nahmou
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060
| | - Gabriel Luna
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060
| | - Steven K Fisher
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060
| | - Benjamin E Reese
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-5060
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Ringer C, Weihe E, Schütz B. SOD1G93A Mutant Mice Develop a Neuroinflammation-Independent Dendropathy in Excitatory Neuronal Subsets of the Olfactory Bulb and Retina. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2017; 76:769-778. [PMID: 28859334 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlx057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonmotor neuron-related pathology is a feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), both in patients and in animal models. There is emerging evidence that sensory systems (olfaction and vision) are affected in humans. Here, we asked whether such sensory neuropathology is recapitulated in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) mouse model of ALS. Neuronal vacuolization in olfaction and vision pathways was assessed in tissue sections from presymptomatic and symptomatic disease stages, and compared to wild type. In both, the olfactory bulb and retina, vacuolization started around postnatal day 60, and vacuole sizes increased until disease end-stage. Notably, vacuolization was largely restricted to the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb and to the inner plexiform layer of the retina. In both layers, hSOD1-immunoreactive vacuoles localized to dendrites of excitatory neurons. Downstream olfaction and vision pathway fiber tracts and relay stations did not display obvious vacuolization. Finally, on a morphological level, there was no evidence for an activation of astrocytes and microglia in the 2 affected areas. Thus, we identified a new pathology hallmark in SOD1G93A ALS mice: a glutamatergic sensory neuron dendropathy restricted to olfactory bulb mitral cells and retinal ganglionic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Ringer
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eberhard Weihe
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Burkhard Schütz
- Department of Molecular Neurosciences, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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40
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Stowell C, Burgoyne CF, Tamm ER, Ethier CR. Biomechanical aspects of axonal damage in glaucoma: A brief review. Exp Eye Res 2017; 157:13-19. [PMID: 28223180 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The biomechanical environment within the optic nerve head (ONH) is complex and is likely directly involved in the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in glaucoma. Unfortunately, our understanding of this process is poor. Here we describe factors that influence ONH biomechanics, including ONH connective tissue microarchitecture and anatomy; intraocular pressure (IOP); and cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFp). We note that connective tissue factors can vary significantly from one individual to the next, as well as regionally within an eye, and that the understanding of ONH biomechanics is hindered by anatomical differences between small-animal models of glaucoma (rats and mice) and humans. Other challenges of using animal models of glaucoma to study the role of biomechanics include the complexity of assessing the degree of glaucomatous progression; and inadequate tools for monitoring and consistently elevating IOP in animal models. We conclude with a consideration of important open research questions/challenges in this area, including: (i) Creating a systems biology description of the ONH; (ii) addressing the role of astrocyte connective tissue remodeling and reactivity in glaucoma; (iii) providing a better characterization of ONH astrocytes and non-astrocytic constituent cells; (iv) better understanding the role of ONH astrocyte phagocytosis, proliferation and death; (v) collecting gene expression and phenotype data on a larger, more coordinated scale; and (vi) developing an implantable IOP sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri Stowell
- Optic Nerve Head Research Laboratory, Discoveries in Sight Research Laboratories, Devers Eye Institute, Legacy Health System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Claude F Burgoyne
- Optic Nerve Head Research Laboratory, Discoveries in Sight Research Laboratories, Devers Eye Institute, Legacy Health System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ernst R Tamm
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - C Ross Ethier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Clevenger TN, Luna G, Boctor D, Fisher SK, Clegg DO. Cell-mediated remodeling of biomimetic encapsulating hydrogels triggered by adipogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells. J Tissue Eng 2016; 7:2041731416670482. [PMID: 27733898 PMCID: PMC5040235 DOI: 10.1177/2041731416670482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most common regenerative therapies is autologous fat grafting, which frequently suffers from unexpected volume loss. One approach is to deliver adipose stem cells encapsulated in the engineered hydrogels supportive of cell survival, differentiation, and integration after transplant. We describe an encapsulating, biomimetic poly(ethylene)-glycol hydrogel, with embedded peptides for attachment and biodegradation. Poly(ethylene)-glycol hydrogels containing an Arg–Gly–Asp attachment sequence and a matrix metalloprotease 3/10 cleavage site supported adipose stem cell survival and showed remodeling initiated by adipogenic differentiation. Arg–Gly–Asp–matrix metalloprotease 3/10 cleavage site hydrogels showed an increased number and area of lacunae or holes after adipose stem cell differentiation. Image analysis of adipose stem cells in Arg–Gly–Asp–matrix metalloprotease 3/10 cleavage site hydrogels showed larger Voronoi domains, while cell density remained unchanged. The differentiated adipocytes residing within these newly remodeled spaces express proteins and messenger RNAs indicative of adipocytic differentiation. These engineered scaffolds may provide niches for stem cell differentiation and could prove useful in soft tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy N Clevenger
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Luna
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Center for Bio-Image Informatics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Boctor
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Steven K Fisher
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Center for Bio-Image Informatics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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42
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Jones BW, Lewis GP. Special issue on retinal remodeling. Exp Eye Res 2016; 150:1-3. [PMID: 27373972 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan William Jones
- University of Utah, Moran Eye Center, Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences, USA.
| | - Geoffrey P Lewis
- University California, Santa Barbara, Neuroscience Research Institute, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
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