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Kauppila M, Vattulainen M, Ihalainen TO, Mörö A, Ilmarinen T, Skottman H. Whole mount immunofluorescence analysis of fresh and stored human donor corneas highlights changes in limbal characteristics during storage. Ocul Surf 2024:S1542-0124(24)00067-3. [PMID: 38945477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2024.06.004] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human donor corneas are an essential control tissue for corneal research. We utilized whole mount immunofluorescence (WM-IF) to evaluate how the storage affects the tissue integrity and putative limbal stem cells in human and porcine corneas. Moreover, we compare this information with the marker expression patterns observed in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived LSCs. METHODS The expression of putative LSC markers was analyzed with WM-IF and the fluorescence intensity was quantified in human donor corneas stored for 1-30 days, and in porcine corneas processed 0-6 hours after euthanasia. The results were compared with the staining of human and porcine corneal cryosections and with both primary and hPSC-derived LSC cultures. RESULTS WM-IF analyses emerged as a more effective method when compared to tissue sections for visualizing the expression of LSC markers within human and porcine corneas. Storage duration was a significant factor influencing the expression of LSC markers, as human tissues stored longer exhibited notable epithelial degeneration and lack of LSC markers. Porcine corneas replicated the expression patterns observed in fresh human tissue. We validated the diverse expression patterns of PAX6 in the limbal-corneal region, which aligned with findings from hPSC-LSC differentiation experiments. CONCLUSIONS WM-IF coupled with quantification of fluorescence intensities proved to be a valuable tool for investigating LSC marker expression in both human and porcine tissues ex vivo. Prolonged storage significantly influences the expression of LSC markers, underscoring the importance of fresh human or substitute control tissue when studying limbal stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija Kauppila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Meri Vattulainen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Teemu O Ihalainen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland; Tampere Institute for Advanced Study, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Anni Mörö
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Tanja Ilmarinen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland.
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2
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Shalwitz R, Day T, Ruehlmann AK, Julio L, Gordon S, Vandeuren A, Nelson M, Lyman M, Kelly K, Altvater A, Ondeck C, O'Brien S, Hamilton T, Hanson RL, Wayman K, Miller A, Shalwitz I, Batchelor E, McNutt P. Treatment of Sulfur Mustard Corneal Injury by Augmenting the DNA Damage Response (DDR): A Novel Approach. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:526-535. [PMID: 37977813 PMCID: PMC10801765 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly reactive organic chemical has been used as a chemical warfare agent and terrorist threat since World War I. The cornea is highly sensitive to SM toxicity and exposure to low vapor doses can cause incapacitating acute injuries. Exposure to higher doses can elicit persistent secondary keratopathies that cause reduced quality of life and impaired or lost vision. Despite a century of research, there are no specific treatments for acute or persistent ocular SM injuries. SM cytotoxicity emerges, in part, through DNA alkylation and double-strand breaks (DSBs). Because DSBs can naturally be repaired by DNA damage response pathways with low efficiency, we hypothesized that enhancing the homologous recombination pathway could pose a novel approach to mitigate SM injury. Here, we demonstrate that a dilithium salt of adenosine diphosphoribose (INV-102) increases protein levels of p53 and Sirtuin 6, upregulates transcription of BRCA1/2, enhances γH2AX focus formation, and promotes assembly of repair complexes at DSBs. Based on in vitro evidence showing INV-102 enhancement of DNA damage response through both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways, we next tested INV-102 in a rabbit preclinical model of corneal injury. In vivo studies demonstrate a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of secondary keratopathies in INV-102-treated eyes compared with vehicle-treated eyes when treatment was started 24 hours after SM vapor exposure. These results suggest DNA repair mechanisms are a viable therapeutic target for SM injury and suggest topical treatment with INV-102 is a promising approach for SM as well as other conditions associated with DSBs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Sulfur mustard gas corneal injury currently has no therapeutic treatment. This study aims to show the therapeutic potential of activating the body's natural DNA damage response to activate tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Shalwitz
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Tovah Day
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Anna Kotsakis Ruehlmann
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Lindsay Julio
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Shellaina Gordon
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Adrianna Vandeuren
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Marian Nelson
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Megan Lyman
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Kyle Kelly
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Amber Altvater
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Celinia Ondeck
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Sean O'Brien
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Tracey Hamilton
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Ryan L Hanson
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Kayla Wayman
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Alexandrea Miller
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Isaiah Shalwitz
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Eric Batchelor
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Patrick McNutt
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
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3
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Li M, Guo H, Wang B, Han Z, Wu S, Liu J, Huang H, Zhu J, An F, Lin Z, Mo K, Tan J, Liu C, Wang L, Deng X, Li G, Ji J, Ouyang H. The single-cell transcriptomic atlas and RORA-mediated 3D epigenomic remodeling in driving corneal epithelial differentiation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:256. [PMID: 38177186 PMCID: PMC10766623 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44471-w] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Proper differentiation of corneal epithelial cells (CECs) from limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) is required for maintenance of ocular homeostasis and clear vision. Here, using a single-cell transcriptomic atlas, we delineate the comprehensive and refined molecular regulatory dynamics during human CEC development and differentiation. We find that RORA is a CEC-specific molecular switch that initiates and drives LSCs to differentiate into mature CECs by activating PITX1. RORA dictates CEC differentiation by establishing CEC-specific enhancers and chromatin interactions between CEC gene promoters and distal regulatory elements. Conversely, RORA silences LSC-specific promoters and disrupts promoter-anchored chromatin loops to turn off LSC genes. Collectively, our work provides detailed and comprehensive insights into the transcriptional dynamics and RORA-mediated epigenetic remodeling underlying human corneal epithelial differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingsen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Huizhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bofeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhuo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Siqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Huaxing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Fengjiao An
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zesong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Kunlun Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jieying Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chunqiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Guigang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jianping Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Hong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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4
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Smits JGA, Cunha DL, Amini M, Bertolin M, Laberthonnière C, Qu J, Owen N, Latta L, Seitz B, Roux LN, Stachon T, Ferrari S, Moosajee M, Aberdam D, Szentmary N, van Heeringen SJ, Zhou H. Identification of the regulatory circuit governing corneal epithelial fate determination and disease. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002336. [PMID: 37856539 PMCID: PMC10586658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The transparent corneal epithelium in the eye is maintained through the homeostasis regulated by limbal stem cells (LSCs), while the nontransparent epidermis relies on epidermal keratinocytes for renewal. Despite their cellular similarities, the precise cell fates of these two types of epithelial stem cells, which give rise to functionally distinct epithelia, remain unknown. We performed a multi-omics analysis of human LSCs from the cornea and keratinocytes from the epidermis and characterized their molecular signatures, highlighting their similarities and differences. Through gene regulatory network analyses, we identified shared and cell type-specific transcription factors (TFs) that define specific cell fates and established their regulatory hierarchy. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analyses of the cornea and the epidermis confirmed these shared and cell type-specific TFs. Notably, the shared and LSC-specific TFs can cooperatively target genes associated with corneal opacity. Importantly, we discovered that FOSL2, a direct PAX6 target gene, is a novel candidate associated with corneal opacity, and it regulates genes implicated in corneal diseases. By characterizing molecular signatures, our study unveils the regulatory circuitry governing the LSC fate and its association with corneal opacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos G. A. Smits
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dulce Lima Cunha
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maryam Amini
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | | | - Camille Laberthonnière
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jieqiong Qu
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicholas Owen
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenz Latta
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, UKS, Homburg, Germany
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, UKS, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Tanja Stachon
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Aberdam
- INSERM U976, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, INSERM U1138, Centre des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Nora Szentmary
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Simon J. van Heeringen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Huiqing Zhou
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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5
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Gross C, Guérin LP, Socol BG, Germain L, Guérin SL. The Ins and Outs of Clusterin: Its Role in Cancer, Eye Diseases and Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13182. [PMID: 37685987 PMCID: PMC10488069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713182] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Clusterin (CLU) is a glycoprotein originally discovered in 1983 in ram testis fluid. Rapidly observed in other tissues, it was initially given various names based on its function in different tissues. In 1992, it was finally named CLU by consensus. Nearly omnipresent in human tissues, CLU is strongly expressed at fluid-tissue interfaces, including in the eye and in particular the cornea. Recent research has identified different forms of CLU, with the most prominent being a 75-80 kDa heterodimeric protein that is secreted. Another truncated version of CLU (55 kDa) is localized to the nucleus and exerts pro-apoptotic activities. CLU has been reported to be involved in various physiological processes such as sperm maturation, lipid transportation, complement inhibition and chaperone activity. CLU was also reported to exert important functions in tissue remodeling, cell-cell adhesion, cell-substratum interaction, cytoprotection, apoptotic cell death, cell proliferation and migration. Hence, this protein is sparking interest in tissue wound healing. Moreover, CLU gene expression is finely regulated by cytokines, growth factors and stress-inducing agents, leading to abnormally elevated levels of CLU in many states of cellular disturbance, including cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. In the eye, CLU expression has been reported as being severely increased in several pathologies, such as age-related macular degeneration and Fuch's corneal dystrophy, while it is depleted in others, such as pathologic keratinization. Nevertheless, the precise role of CLU in the development of ocular pathologies has yet to be deciphered. The question of whether CLU expression is influenced by these disorders or contributes to them remains open. In this article, we review the actual knowledge about CLU at both the protein and gene expression level in wound healing, and explore the possibility that CLU is a key factor in cancer and eye diseases. Understanding the expression and regulation of CLU could lead to the development of novel therapeutics for promoting wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Gross
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.G.); (B.G.S.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | | | - Bianca G. Socol
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.G.); (B.G.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Lucie Germain
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.G.); (B.G.S.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain L. Guérin
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.G.); (B.G.S.); (L.G.)
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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6
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Daruich A, Duncan M, Robert MP, Lagali N, Semina EV, Aberdam D, Ferrari S, Romano V, des Roziers CB, Benkortebi R, De Vergnes N, Polak M, Chiambaretta F, Nischal KK, Behar-Cohen F, Valleix S, Bremond-Gignac D. Congenital aniridia beyond black eyes: From phenotype and novel genetic mechanisms to innovative therapeutic approaches. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 95:101133. [PMID: 36280537 PMCID: PMC11062406 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Congenital PAX6-aniridia, initially characterized by the absence of the iris, has progressively been shown to be associated with other developmental ocular abnormalities and systemic features making congenital aniridia a complex syndromic disorder rather than a simple isolated disease of the iris. Moreover, foveal hypoplasia is now recognized as a more frequent feature than complete iris hypoplasia and a major visual prognosis determinant, reversing the classical clinical picture of this disease. Conversely, iris malformation is also a feature of various anterior segment dysgenesis disorders caused by PAX6-related developmental genes, adding a level of genetic complexity for accurate molecular diagnosis of aniridia. Therefore, the clinical recognition and differential genetic diagnosis of PAX6-related aniridia has been revealed to be much more challenging than initially thought, and still remains under-investigated. Here, we update specific clinical features of aniridia, with emphasis on their genotype correlations, as well as provide new knowledge regarding the PAX6 gene and its mutational spectrum, and highlight the beneficial utility of clinically implementing targeted Next-Generation Sequencing combined with Whole-Genome Sequencing to increase the genetic diagnostic yield of aniridia. We also present new molecular mechanisms underlying aniridia and aniridia-like phenotypes. Finally, we discuss the appropriate medical and surgical management of aniridic eyes, as well as innovative therapeutic options. Altogether, these combined clinical-genetic approaches will help to accelerate time to diagnosis, provide better determination of the disease prognosis and management, and confirm eligibility for future clinical trials or genetic-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Daruich
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Melinda Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Matthieu P Robert
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; Borelli Centre, UMR 9010, CNRS-SSA-ENS Paris Saclay-Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Neil Lagali
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Daniel Aberdam
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Stefano Ferrari
- Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Via Paccagnella 11, Venice, Italy
| | - Vito Romano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiolological Sciences, and Public Health, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Cyril Burin des Roziers
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies de Système et d'Organe, APHP. Centre Université de Paris, Fédération de Génétique et de Médecine Génomique Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Fbg St-Jacques, 75679, Paris Cedex 14, France
| | - Rabia Benkortebi
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie De Vergnes
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Michel Polak
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Gynecology and Diabetology, Hôpital Universitaire Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, INSERM U1016, Institut IMAGINE, France
| | | | - Ken K Nischal
- Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus, and Adult Motility, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Valleix
- INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies de Système et d'Organe, APHP. Centre Université de Paris, Fédération de Génétique et de Médecine Génomique Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Fbg St-Jacques, 75679, Paris Cedex 14, France
| | - Dominique Bremond-Gignac
- Ophthalmology Department, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Cité University, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS1138, Team 17, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
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7
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Swamynathan SK, Swamynathan S. Corneal epithelial development and homeostasis. Differentiation 2023; 132:4-14. [PMID: 36870804 PMCID: PMC10363238 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2023.02.002] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE), the most anterior cellular structure of the eye, is a self-renewing stratified squamous tissue that protects the rest of the eye from external elements. Each cell in this exquisite three-dimensional structure needs to have proper polarity and positional awareness for the CE to serve as a transparent, refractive, and protective tissue. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the molecular and cellular events involved in the embryonic development, post-natal maturation, and homeostasis of the CE, and how they are regulated by a well-coordinated network of transcription factors. This review summarizes the status of related knowledge and aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology of disorders caused by disruption of CE development, and/or homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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8
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Polisetti N, Martin G, Cristina Schmitz HR, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Schlunck G, Reinhard T. Characterization of Porcine Ocular Surface Epithelial Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087543. [PMID: 37108705 PMCID: PMC10145510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087543] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The porcine ocular surface is used as a model of the human ocular surface; however, a detailed characterization of the porcine ocular surface has not been documented. This is due, in part, to the scarcity of antibodies produced specifically against the porcine ocular surface cell types or structures. We performed a histological and immunohistochemical investigation on frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ocular surface tissue from domestic pigs using a panel of 41 different antibodies related to epithelial progenitor/differentiation phenotypes, extracellular matrix and associated molecules, and various niche cell types. Our observations suggested that the Bowman's layer is not evident in the cornea; the deep invaginations of the limbal epithelium in the limbal zone are analogous to the limbal interpalisade crypts of human limbal tissue; and the presence of goblet cells in the bulbar conjunctiva. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the epithelial progenitor markers cytokeratin (CK)15, CK14, p63α, and P-cadherin were expressed in both the limbal and conjunctival basal epithelium, whereas the basal cells of the limbal and conjunctival epithelium did not stain for CK3, CK12, E-cadherin, and CK13. Antibodies detecting marker proteins related to the extracellular matrix (collagen IV, Tenascin-C), cell-matrix adhesion (β-dystroglycan, integrin α3 and α6), mesenchymal cells (vimentin, CD90, CD44), neurons (neurofilament), immune cells (HLA-ABC; HLA-DR, CD1, CD4, CD14), vasculature (von Willebrand factor), and melanocytes (SRY-homeobox-10, human melanoma black-45, Tyrosinase) on the normal human ocular surface demonstrated similar immunoreactivity on the normal porcine ocular surface. Only a few antibodies (directed against N-cadherin, fibronectin, agrin, laminin α3 and α5, melan-A) appeared unreactive on porcine tissues. Our findings characterize the main immunohistochemical properties of the porcine ocular surface and provide a morphological and immunohistochemical basis useful to research using porcine models. Furthermore, the analyzed porcine ocular structures are similar to those of humans, confirming the potential usefulness of pig eyes to study ocular surface physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Polisetti
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gottfried Martin
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heidi R Cristina Schmitz
- CEMT-Freiburg, Experimental Surgery, Hospital-Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstrasse 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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9
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Lu ZJ, Ye JG, Wang DL, Li MK, Zhang QK, Liu Z, Huang YJ, Pan CN, Lin YH, Shi ZX, Zheng YF. Integrative Single-Cell RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq Analysis of Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:30. [PMID: 36943152 PMCID: PMC10043503 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Corneal epithelial homeostasis is maintained by coordinated gene expression across distinct cell populations, but the gene regulatory programs underlying this cellular diversity remain to be characterized. Here we applied single-cell multi-omics analysis to delineate the gene regulatory profile of mouse corneal epithelial cells under normal homeostasis. Methods Single cells isolated from the cornea epithelium (with marginal conjunctiva) of adult mice were subjected to scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq using the 10×Genomics platform. Cell types were clustered by the graph-based visualization method uniform manifold approximation and projection and unbiased computational informatics analysis. The scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq datasets were integrated following the integration pipeline described in ArchR and Seurat. Results We characterized diverse corneal epithelial cell types based on gene expression signatures and chromatin accessibility. We found that cell type-specific accessibility regions were mainly located at distal regions, suggesting essential roles of distal regulatory elements in determining corneal epithelial cell diversity. Trajectory analyses revealed a continuum of cell state transition and higher coordination between transcription factor (TF) motif accessibility and gene expression during corneal epithelial cell differentiation. By integrating transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analysis, we identified cell type-specific and shared gene regulation programs. We also uncovered critical TFs driving corneal epithelial cell differentiation, such as nuclear factor I (NFI) family members, Rarg, Elf3. We found that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family members were positive TFs in limbal cells and some superficial cells, but they were involved in regulating distinct biological processes. Conclusions Our study presents a comprehensive gene regulatory landscape of mouse cornea epithelial cells, and provides valuable foundations for future investigation of corneal epithelial homeostasis in the context of cornea pathologies and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jin-Guo Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cai-Neng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Heng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo-Xing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Feng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
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10
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Wang Y, Di G, Zhang K, Bai Y, Cao X, Zhao H, Wang D, Chen P. Loss of aquaporin 5 contributes to the corneal epithelial pathogenesis via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22776. [PMID: 36688817 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201503r] [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: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AQP5 plays a crucial role in maintaining corneal transparency and the barrier function of the cornea. Here, we found that in the corneas of Aqp5-/- mice at older than 6 months, loss of AQP5 significantly increased corneal neovascularization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and corneal haze. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that upregulation of K1, K10, and K14, and downregulation of K12 and Pax6 were detected in Aqp5-/- cornea and primary corneal epithelial cells. Loss of AQP5 aggravated wound-induced corneal neovascularization, inflammation, and haze. mRNA sequencing, western blotting, and qRT-PCR showed that Wnt2 and Wnt6 were significantly decreased in Aqp5-/- corneas and primary corneal epithelial cells, accompanied by decreased aggregation in the cytoplasm and nucleus of β-catenin. IIIC3 significantly suppressed corneal neovascularization, inflammation, haze, and maintained corneal transparent epithelial in Aqp5-/- corneas. We also found that pre-stimulated Aqp5-/- primary corneal epithelial cells with IIIC3 caused the decreased expression of K1, K10, and K14, the increased expression of K12, Pax6, and increased aggregation in the cytoplasm and nucleus of β-catenin. These findings revealed that AQP5 may regulate corneal epithelial homeostasis and function through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Together, we uncovered a possible role of AQP5 in determining corneal epithelial cell fate and providing a potential therapeutic target for corneal epithelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Guohu Di
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Stem Cell Regeneration Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kaier Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Bai
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- The 971 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, Qingdao, China
| | - Dianqiang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qingdao Aier Eye Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Institute of Stem Cell Regeneration Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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11
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PAX6 Expression Patterns in the Adult Human Limbal Stem Cell Niche. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030400. [PMID: 36766742 PMCID: PMC9913671 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Paired box 6 (PAX6), a nuclear transcription factor, determines the fate of limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPC) and maintains epithelial cell identity. However, the expression of PAX6 in limbal niche cells, primarily mesenchymal stromal cells (LMSC), and melanocytes is scarce and not entirely clear. To distinctly assess the PAX6 expression in limbal niche cells, fresh and organ-cultured human corneoscleral tissues were stained immunohistochemically. Furthermore, the expression of PAX6 in cultured limbal cells was investigated. Immunostaining revealed the presence of PAX6-negative cells which were positive for vimentin and the melanocyte markers Melan-A and human melanoma black-45 in the basal layer of the limbal epithelium. PAX6 staining was not observed in the limbal stroma. Moreover, the expression of PAX6 was observed by Western blot in cultured LEPC but not in cultured LMSC or LM. These data indicate a restriction of PAX6 expression to limbal epithelial cells at the limbal stem cell niche. These observations warrant further studies for the presence of other PAX isoforms in the limbal stem cell niche.
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12
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Liu S, Tang S, Yang G, Li Q. Lysine Demethylase 1B Promotes Tear Secretion Disorder in Sjogren's Syndrome by Regulating the PAX6/CLU Axis. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:28-38. [PMID: 36542318 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02094-8] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The impacts of lysine demethylase 1B (KDM1B) have been probed in multiple diseases, but the effects of KDM1B on SS remained obscure. The study aimed to unravel the efficiency of KDM1B on SS progression via the paired box 6 (PAX6)/clusterin (CLU) axis. NODB10. H2b mice were selected to establish the SS model. KDM1B, Pax6, and CLU expression in SS mice was assessed. Adeno-associated viruses carrying KDM1B, Pax6, and CLU were injected into the SS mice to detect tear secretion, epithelium corneal fluorescein staining scores, and levels of specific markers of lacrimal gland epithelial cells, neurotransmitter receptors that induce secretion from the lacrimal gland, and genes encoding normal tear components. The relation among KDM1B, Pax6, and CLU was examined. The rescue experiments were conducted for verifying the interaction among KDM1B, Pax6, and CLU. KDM1B expression was elevated, while Pax6 and CLU levels were decreased in the lacrimal gland tissues of SS mouse models. KDM1B decrement and Pax6 augmentation improved tear secretion, reduced corneal fluorescein staining score, decreased levels of specific markers of lacrimal gland epithelial cells, and increased levels of neurotransmitter receptors that induce secretion from the lacrimal gland and genes encoding normal tear components. KDM1D suppressed Pax6 expression by mediating H3K4me2 demethylation. Pax6 promoted the expression of CLU at the transcriptional level by binding to the CLU promoter. Silencing of Pax6 or CLU could reverse the effects of KDM1B reduction on improving the tear secretion disorder of SS mice. Silencing KDM1B mitigates the tear secretion disorder of SS mice via modulating the Pax6/CLU axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100096, China.
| | - Shaohua Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Qingnan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100096, China
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13
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Aniridia-related keratopathy relevant cell signaling pathways in human fetal corneas. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 158:169-180. [PMID: 35551459 PMCID: PMC9338123 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02099-9] [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] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to study aniridia-related keratopathy (ARK) relevant cell signaling pathways [Notch1, Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and mTOR] in normal human fetal corneas compared with normal human adult corneas and ARK corneas. We found that fetal corneas at 20 weeks of gestation (wg) and normal adult corneas showed similar staining patterns for Notch1; however 10–11 wg fetal corneas showed increased presence of Notch1. Numb and Dlk1 had an enhanced presence in the fetal corneas compared with the adult corneas. Fetal corneas showed stronger immunolabeling with antibodies against β-catenin, Wnt5a, Wnt7a, Gli1, Hes1, p-rpS6, and mTOR when compared with the adult corneas. Gene expression of Notch1, Wnt5A, Wnt7A, β-catenin, Hes1, mTOR, and rps6 was higher in the 9–12 wg fetal corneas compared with adult corneas. The cell signaling pathway differences found between human fetal and adult corneas were similar to those previously found in ARK corneas with the exception of Notch1. Analogous profiles of cell signaling pathway activation between human fetal corneas and ARK corneas suggests that there is a less differentiated host milieu in ARK.
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14
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Comprehensive 3D epigenomic maps define limbal stem/progenitor cell function and identity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1293. [PMID: 35277509 PMCID: PMC8917218 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28966-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The insights into how genome topology couples with epigenetic states to govern the function and identity of the corneal epithelium are poorly understood. Here, we generate a high-resolution Hi-C interaction map of human limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and show that chromatin multi-hierarchical organisation is coupled to gene expression. By integrating Hi-C, epigenome and transcriptome data, we characterize the comprehensive 3D epigenomic landscapes of LSCs. We find that super-silencers mediate gene repression associated with corneal development, differentiation and disease via chromatin looping and/or proximity. Super-enhancer (SE) interaction analysis identified a set of SE interactive hubs that contribute to LSC-specific gene activation. These active and inactive element-anchored loop networks occur within the cohesin-occupied CTCF-CTCF loops. We further reveal a coordinated regulatory network of core transcription factors based on SE-promoter interactions. Our results provide detailed insights into the genome organization principle for epigenetic regulation of gene expression in stratified epithelia. Genome topology provides a structural basis for epigenome-mediated transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. Here the authors characterized the 3D genome of stratified squamous epithelia. They generated a Hi-C map of human limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and integrated these data with epigenomics, transcription factor binding maps, and transcriptome data.
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Sasamoto Y, Lee CAA, Yoshihara M, Martin G, Ksander BR, Frank MH, Frank NY. High expression of SARS-CoV2 viral entry-related proteins in human limbal stem cells. Ocul Surf 2022; 23:197-200. [PMID: 34653711 PMCID: PMC8511872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). While the ocular surface is considered one of the major SARS-CoV2 transmission routes, the specific cellular tropism of SARS-CoV2 is not fully understood. In the current study, we evaluated the expression and regulation of two SARS-CoV2 viral entry proteins, TMPRSS2 and ACE2, in human ocular epithelial cells and stem cells. METHODS TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression in ABCB5-positive limbal stem cells (LSCs) were assessed by RNAseq, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. PAX6, TMPRSS2, and ACE2 mRNA expression values were obtained from the GSE135455 and DRA002960 RNA-seq datasets. siRNA-mediated PAX6 knockdown (KD) was performed in limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells. TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression in the PAX6 KD cells was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS We found that ABCB5-positive LSCs express high levels of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 compared to ABCB5-negative limbal epithelial cells. Mechanistically, gene knockout and overexpression models revealed that the eye transcription factor PAX6 negatively regulates TMPRSS2 expression. Therefore, low levels of PAX6 in ABCB5-positive LSCs promote TMPRSS2 expression, and high levels of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression by LSCs indicate enhanced susceptibility to SARS-CoV2 infection in this stem cell population. CONCLUSIONS Our study points to a need for COVID-19 testing of LSCs derived from donor corneas before transplantation to patients with limbal stem cell deficiency. Furthermore, our findings suggest that expandable human ABCB5+ LSC cultures might represent a relevant novel model system for studying cellular SARS-CoV2 viral entry mechanisms and evaluating related targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuru Sasamoto
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Transplant Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Catherine A A Lee
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Transplant Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gabrielle Martin
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Transplant Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bruce R Ksander
- Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Markus H Frank
- Transplant Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Skin Disease Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Natasha Y Frank
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States.
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Decreased FABP5 and DSG1 protein expression following PAX6 knockdown of differentiated human limbal epithelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2021; 215:108904. [PMID: 34954205 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PAX6 haploinsufficiency related aniridia is characterized by disorder of limbal epithelial cells (LECs) and aniridia related keratopathy. In the limbal epithelial cells of aniridia patients, deregulated retinoic acid (RA) signaling components were identified. We aimed to visualize differentiation marker and RA signaling component expression in LECs, combining a differentiation triggering growth condition with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) based aniridia cell model (PAX6 knock down). Primary LECs were isolated from corneoscleral rims of healthy donors and cultured in serum free low Ca2+ medium (KSFM) and in KSFM supplemented with 0.9 mmol/L Ca2+. In addition, LECs were treated with siRNA against PAX6. DSG1, PAX6, KRT12, KRT 3, ADH7, RDH10, ALDH1A1, ALDH3A1, STRA6, CYP1B1, RBP1, CRABP2, FABP5, PPARG, VEGFA and ELOVL7 expression was determined using qPCR and western blot. DSG1, FABP5, ADH7, ALDH1A1, RBP1, CRABP2 and PAX6 mRNA and FABP5 protein expression increased (p ≤ 0.03), PPARG, CYP1B1 mRNA expression decreased (p ≤ 0.0003) and DSG1 protein expression was only visible after Ca2+ supplementation. After PAX6 knock down and Ca2+ supplementation, ADH7 and ALDH1A1 mRNA and DSG1 and FABP5 protein expression decreased (p ≤ 0.04), compared to Ca2+ supplementation alone. Using our cell model, with Ca2+ supplementation and PAX6 knockdown with siRNA treatment against PAX6, we provide evidence that haploinsufficiency of the master regulatory gene PAX6 contributes to differentiation defect in the corneal epithelium through alterations of RA signalling. Upon PAX6 knockdown, DSG1 differentiation marker and FABP5 RA signaling component mRNA expression decreases. A similar effect becomes apparent at protein level though differentiation triggering Ca2+ supplementation in the siRNA-based aniridia cell model. Expression data from this cell model and from our siRNA aniridia cell model strongly indicate that FABP5 expression is PAX6 dependent. These new findings may lead to a better understanding of differentiation processes in LECs and are able to explain the insufficient cell function in AAK.
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Latta L, Knebel I, Bleil C, Stachon T, Katiyar P, Zussy C, Fries FN, Käsmann-Kellner B, Seitz B, Szentmáry N. Similarities in DSG1 and KRT3 Downregulation through Retinoic Acid Treatment and PAX6 Knockdown Related Expression Profiles: Does PAX6 Affect RA Signaling in Limbal Epithelial Cells? Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11111651. [PMID: 34827649 PMCID: PMC8615883 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital PAX6-aniridia is a rare panocular disease resulting from limbal stem cell deficiency. In PAX6-aniridia, the downregulation of the retinol-metabolizing enzymes ADH7 (All-trans-retinol dehydrogenase 7) and ALDH1A1/A3 (Retinal dehydrogenase 1, Aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 member A3) have been described in limbal epithelial cells (LECs) and conjunctival epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify the role of retinol derivates in the differentiation of human LEC and its potential impact on aniridia-associated keratopathy development. Human LEC were isolated from healthy donor corneas and were cultured with retinol, retinoic acid, or pan-retinoic acid receptor antagonist (AGN 193109) acting on RARα, β, γ (NR1B1, NR1B2 NR1B3) or were cultured with pan-retinoid X receptor antagonist (UVI 3003) acting on RXR α, β, γ (retinoid X receptor, NR2B1, NR2B2, BR2B3). Using qPCR, differentiation marker and retinoid-/fatty acid metabolism-related mRNA expression was analysed. DSG1 (Desmoglein 1), KRT3 (Keratin 3), and SPINK7 (Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal Type 7) mRNA expression was downregulated when retinoid derivates were used. AGN 193109 treatment led to the upregulation of ADH7, KRT3, and DSG1 mRNA expression and to the downregulation of KRT12 (Keratin 12) and KRT19 (Keratin 19) mRNA expression. Retinol and all-trans retinoic acid affect some transcripts of corneal LEC in a similar way to what has been observed in the LEC of PAX6-aniridia patients with the altered expression of differentiation markers. An elevated concentration of retinol derivatives in LEC or an altered response to retinoids may contribute to this pattern. These initial findings help to explain ocular surface epithelia differentiation disorders in PAX6-aniridia and should be investigated in patient cells or in cell models in the future in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Latta
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
| | - Igor Knebel
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
| | - Constanze Bleil
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
| | - Tanja Stachon
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
| | - Priya Katiyar
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (F.N.F.); (B.K.-K.); (B.S.)
| | - Claire Zussy
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
| | - Fabian Norbert Fries
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (F.N.F.); (B.K.-K.); (B.S.)
| | - Barbara Käsmann-Kellner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (F.N.F.); (B.K.-K.); (B.S.)
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (F.N.F.); (B.K.-K.); (B.S.)
| | - Nóra Szentmáry
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (L.L.); (I.K.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (P.K.); (C.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Català P, Groen N, Dehnen JA, Soares E, van Velthoven AJH, Nuijts RMMA, Dickman MM, LaPointe VLS. Single cell transcriptomics reveals the heterogeneity of the human cornea to identify novel markers of the limbus and stroma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21727. [PMID: 34741068 PMCID: PMC8571304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is the clear window that lets light into the eye. It is composed of five layers: epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane and endothelium. The maintenance of its structure and transparency are determined by the functions of the different cell types populating each layer. Attempts to regenerate corneal tissue and understand disease conditions requires knowledge of how cell profiles vary across this heterogeneous tissue. We performed a single cell transcriptomic profiling of 19,472 cells isolated from eight healthy donor corneas. Our analysis delineates the heterogeneity of the corneal layers by identifying cell populations and revealing cell states that contribute in preserving corneal homeostasis. We identified expression of CAV1, HOMER3 and CPVL in the corneal epithelial limbal stem cell niche, CKS2, STMN1 and UBE2C were exclusively expressed in highly proliferative transit amplifying cells, CXCL14 was expressed exclusively in the suprabasal/superficial limbus, and NNMT was exclusively expressed by stromal keratocytes. Overall, this research provides a basis to improve current primary cell expansion protocols, for future profiling of corneal disease states, to help guide pluripotent stem cells into different corneal lineages, and to understand how engineered substrates affect corneal cells to improve regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Català
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jasmin A Dehnen
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Soares
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arianne J H van Velthoven
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mor M Dickman
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center+, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Vanessa L S LaPointe
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE) forms the outermost layer of the cornea. Despite its thickness of only 50 μm, the CE plays a key role as an initial barrier against any insults to the eye and contributes to the light refraction onto the retina required for clear vision. In the event of an injury, the cornea is equipped with many strategies contributing to competent wound healing, including angiogenic and immune privileges, and mechanotransduction. Various factors, including growth factors, keratin, cytokines, integrins, crystallins, basement membrane, and gap junction proteins are involved in CE wound healing and serve as markers in the healing process. Studies of CE wound healing are advancing rapidly in tandem with the rise of corneal bioengineering, which employs limbal epithelial stem cells as the primary source of cells utilizing various types of biomaterials as substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norzana Abd Ghafar
- Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nahdia Afiifah Abdul Jalil
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Taty Anna Kamarudin
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Conditional Deletion of AP-2β in the Periocular Mesenchyme of Mice Alters Corneal Epithelial Cell Fate and Stratification. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168730. [PMID: 34445433 PMCID: PMC8395778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is an anterior eye structure specialized for vision. The corneal endothelium and stroma are derived from the periocular mesenchyme (POM), which originates from neural crest cells (NCCs), while the stratified corneal epithelium develops from the surface ectoderm. Activating protein-2β (AP-2β) is highly expressed in the POM and important for anterior segment development. Using a mouse model in which AP-2β is conditionally deleted in the NCCs (AP-2β NCC KO), we investigated resulting corneal epithelial abnormalities. Through PAS and IHC staining, we observed structural and phenotypic changes to the epithelium associated with AP-2β deletion. In addition to failure of the mutant epithelium to stratify, we also observed that Keratin-12, a marker of the differentiated epithelium, was absent, and Keratin-15, a limbal and conjunctival marker, was expanded across the central epithelium. Transcription factors PAX6 and P63 were not observed to be differentially expressed between WT and mutant. However, growth factor BMP4 was suppressed in the mutant epithelium. Given the non-NCC origin of the epithelium, we hypothesize that the abnormalities in the AP-2β NCC KO mouse result from changes to regulatory signaling from the POM-derived stroma. Our findings suggest that stromal pathways such as Wnt/β-Catenin signaling may regulate BMP4 expression, which influences cell fate and stratification.
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Abstract
PURPOSE To isolate and characterize an epithelial cell (EC) line from a human donor cornea, which may serve as a reliable test cell line to address biomolecular issues and study the response of corneal epithelium to stressing events and therapeutic treatments. METHODS A corneal button from a donor patient was treated with enzymes to separate the epithelial sheet and to free EC, which were put in tissue culture. ECs were characterized by optic and electronic microscopies, cytokeratins and PAX6 were detected by SDS-PAGE and western immunoblotting, the barrier function was evaluated by transepithelial electric resistance and by the immune detection of membrane junction proteins, and the karyotype was characterized according to the classical methods. RESULTS Morphological analyses returned the picture of classical homogeneous polygonal morphology as expecetd by EC that was maintained over time and several in vitro passages. Transepithelial electric resistance values were characteristic of a typical barrier-forming cell line. The cytokeratin expression pattern was the one expected for corneal EC with a predominance of CK3 and CK5 and different from a human keratocyte cell line. The male karyotype showed 2 trisomies, of chromosomes 8 and 11. CONCLUSIONS All the data so far obtained with the HCE-F cells concur to certify this cell line as a stable, true primary human corneal EC line, which could then be used as a test cell line to study and address the questions concerning the biological response of human corneal epithelium to stressing and/or therapeutic treatments and as a term of comparison for EC derived from pathological corneas.
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Dysfunction of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche in aniridia-associated keratopathy. Ocul Surf 2021; 21:160-173. [PMID: 34102310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Abnormalities in the limbal niche microenvironment have been suggested to be causally involved in aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK), but histological analyses on the limbal structure and composition in AAK are lacking. Here, we investigated morphologic and molecular alterations of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche in human congenital aniridia. METHODS The blind, buphthalmic and painful left eye of a 16-year old girl with congenital aniridia and juvenile glaucoma had to be enucleated because of uncontrolled intraocular pressure. The diagnosis of AAK was based on classical clinical features and partial limbal stem cell deficiency in the superior half. Genetic analysis identified a large heterozygous PAX6 gene deletion encompassing exons 11-15 as well as exon 9 of the neighboring ELP4 gene. Three limbal biopsies were taken from the superior, nasal and temporal regions to isolate and cultivate limbal epithelial progenitor cells and subject them to mRNA expression analyses. The globe was vertically bisected and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Comparative analysis of the superior and inferior limbal zones showed a gradual degradation of palisade structures associated with the transition from a hyperplastic to an attenuated corneal epithelium, inflammatory cell infiltrations and basement membrane irregularities. The clinically unaffected inferior part revealed no distinct stem cell clusters in the preserved palisade region, but a uniform population of hyperproliferative, undifferentiated progenitor cells in the basal/suprabasal layers of limbal and corneal epithelia, which gave rise to maldifferentiated epithelial cells exhibiting a conjunctival/epidermal phenotype and nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation of Pax6. The structure of the limbal niche was fundamentally perturbed, showing marked alterations in extracellular matrix composition, dislocation of atypical melanocytes lacking melanosomes and melanin, aberrant Wnt/β-catenin and retinoic acid signaling, and massive immune cell infiltration. CONCLUSIONS Considering the limitations of a single Case study, the findings suggest that ocular surface alterations in AAK are caused by a primary dysfunction and gradual breakdown of the limbal stem cell niche through Pax6-related effects on both melanogenesis and epithelial differentiation.
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Li M, Huang H, Li L, He C, Zhu L, Guo H, Wang L, Liu J, Wu S, Liu J, Xu T, Mao Z, Cao N, Zhang K, Lan F, Ding J, Yuan J, Liu Y, Ouyang H. Core transcription regulatory circuitry orchestrates corneal epithelial homeostasis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:420. [PMID: 33462242 PMCID: PMC7814021 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20713-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult stem cell identity, plasticity, and homeostasis are precisely orchestrated by lineage-restricted epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory networks. Here, by integrating super-enhancer and chromatin accessibility landscapes, we delineate core transcription regulatory circuitries (CRCs) of limbal stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) and find that RUNX1 and SMAD3 are required for maintenance of corneal epithelial identity and homeostasis. RUNX1 or SMAD3 depletion inhibits PAX6 and induces LSCs to differentiate into epidermal-like epithelial cells. RUNX1, PAX6, and SMAD3 (RPS) interact with each other and synergistically establish a CRC to govern the lineage-specific cis-regulatory atlas. Moreover, RUNX1 shapes LSC chromatin architecture via modulating H3K27ac deposition. Disturbance of RPS cooperation results in cell identity switching and dysfunction of the corneal epithelium, which is strongly linked to various human corneal diseases. Our work highlights CRC TF cooperativity for establishment of stem cell identity and lineage commitment, and provides comprehensive regulatory principles for human stratified epithelial homeostasis and pathogenesis. Corneal epithelium shares similar molecular signatures to other stratified epithelia. Here, the authors map super-enhancers and accessible chromatin in corneal epithelium, identifying a transcription regulatory circuit, including RUNX1, PAX6, and SMAD3, required for corneal epithelial identity and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingsen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaxing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenxi He
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huizhen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxin Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Cao
- Program of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Kang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China.,Center for Biomedicine and Innovations, Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Fei Lan
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Ding
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China. .,Research Units of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Hong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China.
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Ong Tone S, Kocaba V, Böhm M, Wylegala A, White TL, Jurkunas UV. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: The vicious cycle of Fuchs pathogenesis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 80:100863. [PMID: 32438095 PMCID: PMC7648733 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common primary corneal endothelial dystrophy and the leading indication for corneal transplantation worldwide. FECD is characterized by the progressive decline of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) excrescences in Descemet's membrane (DM), called guttae, that lead to corneal edema and loss of vision. FECD typically manifests in the fifth decades of life and has a greater incidence in women. FECD is a complex and heterogeneous genetic disease where interaction between genetic and environmental factors results in cellular apoptosis and aberrant ECM deposition. In this review, we will discuss a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and exogenous factors in inciting oxidative stress, auto(mito)phagy, unfolded protein response, and mitochondrial dysfunction during CEC degeneration. Specifically, we explore the factors that influence cellular fate to undergo apoptosis, senescence, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings will highlight the importance of abnormal CEC-DM interactions in triggering the vicious cycle of FECD pathogenesis. We will also review clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools, and current medical and surgical management options for FECD patients. These new paradigms in FECD pathogenesis present an opportunity to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ong Tone
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Myriam Böhm
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adam Wylegala
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tomas L White
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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25
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Ortiz-Melo MT, Garcia-Murillo MJ, Salazar-Rojas VM, Campos JE, Castro-Muñozledo F. Transcriptional profiles along cell programming into corneal epithelial differentiation. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108302. [PMID: 33098888 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Using the rabbit corneal epithelial cell line RCE1(5T5) as a model, we analyzed three differentiation stages, distinguished on basis to the growth state of cultured cells and after studying the expression of transcription factors such as Oct4, Pax6 and ΔNp63α, selected differentiation markers, and signaling or epigenetic markers such as Notch receptors and Prdm3. Namely, proliferative non-differentiated cells, committed cells, and cells that constitute a stratified epithelium with a limbal epithelial-like structure. RNAseq based transcriptome analysis showed that 4891 genes were differentially expressed among these stages displaying distinctive gene signatures: proliferative cells had 1278 genes as gene signature, and seem to be early epithelial progenitors with an Oct4+, KLF4+, Myc+, ΔNp63α+, ABCG2+, Vimentin+, Zeb1+, VANGL1+, Krt3-, Krt12- phenotype. Committed cells had a gene signature with 417 genes and displayed markers indicative of the beginning of corneal differentiation, and genes characteristic of proliferative cells; we found the possible participation of Six3 and Six4 transcription factors along this stage. The third stage matches with a stratified corneal epithelium (gene signature comprising 979 genes) and is typified by an increase in the expression of WNT10A and NOTCH 2 and 3 signaling and Cux1 transcription factor, besides Pax6, KLF4 or Sox9. The differentiated cells express about 50% of the genes that belong to the Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC). Analysis of the differences between corneal epithelium and epidermis could be crucial to understand the regulatory mechanisms that lead to the expression of the differentiated phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Ortiz-Melo
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apdo. Postal 14-740. México City, 07000, Mexico; Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal 314, 54000, Tlalnepantla, Edo. de México, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio A, 1° Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Maria Jimena Garcia-Murillo
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apdo. Postal 14-740. México City, 07000, Mexico
| | - Víctor Manuel Salazar-Rojas
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal 314, 54000, Tlalnepantla, Edo. de México, Mexico
| | - Jorge E Campos
- Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap. Postal 314, 54000, Tlalnepantla, Edo. de México, Mexico
| | - Federico Castro-Muñozledo
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apdo. Postal 14-740. México City, 07000, Mexico.
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Walker H, Akula M, West-Mays JA. Corneal development: Role of the periocular mesenchyme and bi-directional signaling. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108231. [PMID: 33039457 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cornea is a highly specialized transparent tissue located at the anterior most surface of the eye. It consists of three main layers, the outer stratified squamous epithelium, the inner endothelium, and the intermediate stroma. Formation of these layers during development involves a complex interaction between ectodermal-derived structures, such as the overlying head ectoderm with the periocular mesenchyme (POM), the latter of which is comprised of neural crest cells (NCC) and mesoderm-derived progenitor cells. Regulation of corneal epithelial development, including both epithelial cell fate and stratification, has been shown to depend on numerous bi-directional mesenchymal-epithelial signaling pathways. In this review we pay particular attention to the genes and signaling pathways that involve the POM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydn Walker
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Akula
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Judith A West-Mays
- McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, 1280 Main St. W., L8S 4L8, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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27
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Yu F, Zhang W, Yan C, Yan D, Zhou M, Chen J, Zhao X, Zhu A, Zhou J, Liu H, Sun H, Fu Y. PAX6, modified by SUMOylation, plays a protective role in corneal endothelial injury. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:683. [PMID: 32826860 PMCID: PMC7442823 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02848-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Treating corneal endothelial diseases tends to be challenging as human corneal endothelial cells (CECs) do not proliferate in vivo. The pathogenesis or mechanisms underlying injured CECs need further studies. The abnormal expression of PAX6, which is an essential transcription factor for corneal homeostasis, exhibits corneal endothelial defects. However, the effects of PAX6 protein involved in corneal endothelial wound process are still unknown. Here, we found the upregulated protein levels of PAX6 in human corneal endothelial monolayer after injury; the expression of PAX6 also increased in murine and rat corneal endothelium injury models. Enforced PAX6 expression could alleviate the damages to CECs via regulating permeability by prompting cellular tight junction. In addition, SUMOylation mainly happened on both K53 and K89 residues of 48-kD PAX6 (the longest and main isoform expressed in cornea), and de-SUMOylation promoted the stability of PAX6 protein in vitro. In CECs of SENP1+/− mice, increased SUMOylation levels leading to instability and low expression of PAX6, delayed the repair of CECs after injury. Furthermore, overexpression of PAX6 accelerated the rate of corneal endothelial repair of SENP1+/− mice. Our findings indicate that SENP1-mediated de-SUMOylation improving the stability of PAX6, amplifies the protective effects of PAX6 on corneal endothelial injuries, highlighting potentials of PAX6 and/or SUMOylation to be used as a treatment target for corneal endothelial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Chenxi Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Dan Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Meng Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Junzhao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiangteng Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Aoxue Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huiqing Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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28
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Latta L, Ludwig N, Krammes L, Stachon T, Fries FN, Mukwaya A, Szentmáry N, Seitz B, Wowra B, Kahraman M, Keller A, Meese E, Lagali N, Käsmann-Kellner B. Abnormal neovascular and proliferative conjunctival phenotype in limbal stem cell deficiency is associated with altered microRNA and gene expression modulated by PAX6 mutational status in congenital aniridia. Ocul Surf 2020; 19:115-127. [PMID: 32422284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2020.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate conjunctival cell microRNA (miRNAs) and mRNA expression in relation to observed phenotype of progressive limbal stem cell deficiency in a cohort of subjects with congenital aniridia with known genetic status. METHODS Using impression cytology, bulbar conjunctival cells were sampled from 20 subjects with congenital aniridia and 20 age and sex-matched healthy control subjects. RNA was extracted and miRNA and mRNA analyses were performed using microarrays. Results were related to severity of keratopathy and genetic cause of aniridia. RESULTS Of 2549 miRNAs, 21 were differentially expressed in aniridia relative to controls (fold change ≤ -1.5 or ≥ +1.5). Among these miR-204-5p, an inhibitor of corneal neovascularization, was downregulated 26.8-fold in severely vascularized corneas. At the mRNA level, 539 transcripts were differentially expressed (fold change ≤ -2 or ≥ +2), among these FOSB and FOS were upregulated 17.5 and 9.7-fold respectively, and JUN by 2.9-fold, all being components of the AP-1 transcription factor complex. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment of PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways in aniridia. For several miRNAs and transcripts regulating retinoic acid metabolism, expression levels correlated with keratopathy severity and genetic status. CONCLUSION Strong dysregulation of key factors at the miRNA and mRNA level suggests that the conjunctiva in aniridia is abnormally maintained in a pro-angiogenic and proliferative state, and these changes are expressed in a PAX6 mutation-dependent manner. Additionally, retinoic acid metabolism is disrupted in severe, but not mild forms of the limbal stem cell deficiency in aniridia.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Latta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
| | - N Ludwig
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany; Center for Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - L Krammes
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - T Stachon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - F N Fries
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - A Mukwaya
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - N Szentmáry
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - B Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - B Wowra
- Chair and Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
| | - M Kahraman
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - A Keller
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - E Meese
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - N Lagali
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.
| | - B Käsmann-Kellner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
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29
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Salih M, Shaharuddin B, Abdelrazeg S. A Concise Review on Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering with a Perspective on Ocular Surface Regeneration. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 15:211-218. [DOI: 10.2174/1574888x15666200129145251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Organ and tissue transplantation are limited by the scarcity of donated organs or tissue
sources. The success of transplantation is limited by the risk of disease transmission and immunological-
related rejection. There is a need for new strategies and innovative solutions to make transplantation
readily available, safer and with less complications to increase the success rates. Accelerating progress
in stem cell biology and biomaterials development have pushed tissue and organ engineering to a
higher level. Among stem cells repertoire, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) are gaining interest and
recognized as a cell population of choice. There is accumulating evidence that MSC growth factors, its
soluble and insoluble proteins are involved in several key signaling pathways to promote tissue development,
cellular differentiation and regeneration. MSC as multipotent non-hematopoietic cells with
paracrine factors is advantageous for regenerative therapies. In this review, we discussed and summarized
the important features of MSC including its immunomodulatory properties, mechanism of homing
in the direction of tissue injury, licensing of MSC and the role of MSC soluble factors in cell-free
therapy. Special consideration is highlighted on the rapidly growing research interest on the roles of
MSC in ocular surface regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Salih
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Bakiah Shaharuddin
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Samar Abdelrazeg
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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30
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Keratin 12 mRNA expression could serve as an early corneal marker for limbal explant cultures. Cytotechnology 2020; 72:239-245. [PMID: 32016711 PMCID: PMC7192984 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-020-00373-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This investigation aimed to identify early corneal marker and conjunctival epithelial differentiation through transcriptional analysis of limbal explant cultures and study early differentiation patterns of known corneal and conjunctival differentiation markers. 2 mm punch biopsies of limbal region were obtained from 6 donors of the Lions Cornea Bank Saar-Lorloux/Trier-Westpfalz. Limbal explants were dissected into corneal and conjunctival biopsy sections. Biopsies were placed with epithelial side down into 12 Wells. As soon as the outgrowing cells had reached confluence, they were harvested. mRNA expression of corneal differentiation markers KRT12, KRT3, DSG1, PAX6, ADH7 and ALDH1A1, conjunctival markers KRT19, KRT13 and stem cell marker ABCG2 were measured via qPCR. KRT12 and PAX6 protein expressions were evaluated using Western Blot. Results suggested that KRT12 mRNA expression was significantly higher in outgrowing cells from the corneal side of the biopsies as in those from the conjunctival side (p = 0.0043). There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of other analyzed markers comparing with marker expression of outgrown cells from both limbal biopsies (p > 0.13). KRT12 and PAX6 Western Blot analysis showed no difference in cells harvested from both sides. In conclusion, KRT12 mRNA might be a marker to measure corneal origin of cells from limbal biopsies with unknown composition of corneal and conjunctival progenitor cells. KRT3, DSG1, PAX6, ADH7, ALDH1A1, KRT19, KRT13 and ABCG2 mRNA as well as KRT12 and PAX6 protein expression could not contribute to differentiate corneal from conjunctival cell identity from limbal biopsies.
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31
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Rubelowski AK, Latta L, Katiyar P, Stachon T, Käsmann-Kellner B, Seitz B, Szentmáry N. HCE-T cell line lacks cornea-specific differentiation markers compared to primary limbal epithelial cells and differentiated corneal epithelium. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 258:565-575. [PMID: 31927639 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04563-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Human corneal epithelial cell-transformed (HCE-T) cell line is used as a widely accepted barrier model for pharmacological investigations in the context of eye application. The differentiation of (limbal) corneal epithelial into mature corneal epithelium coincides with the expression of established differentiation markers. If these differentiation mechanisms are disturbed, it will lead to ocular surface disease. In this study, we want to compare the expression of differentiation markers in the HCE-T cell line to differentiated primary epithelial cells (pCECs) and primary limbal epithelial cell (LEC) culture. This is necessary in order to decide whether HCE-T cells could be a tool to study the differentiation process and its regulatory networks in corneal epithelium. METHODS Primary limbal epithelial cells (LECs) for cell culture and primary corneal epithelial cells (pCECs) as differentiated tissue samples were obtained from the limbus or central cornea region of corneal donors. HCE-T cell line was purchased from RIKEN Institute RCB-2280.Expression levels of conjunctival- and corneal-specific keratin and adhesion markers (KRT3, KRT12, KRT13, KRT19, DSG1), stem cell and differentiation markers (PAX6, ABCG2, ADH7, TP63, ALDH1A1), and additional (unvalidated) putative differentiation and stem cell markers (CTSV, SPINK7, DKK1) were analyzed with qPCR. Additionally, KRT3, KRT12, DSG1, and PAX6 protein levels were analyzed with Western blot. RESULTS KRT3, KRT12, DSG1, PAX6, ADH7, and ALDH1A1 mRNA expressions were higher in LECs and magnitudes higher in pCECs compared to HCE-T cells. KRT3, KRT12, PAX6, ALDH1A1, ADH7, TP63, and CTSV mRNAs have shown increasing mRNA expression from HCE-T < HCE-T cultured in keratinocyte serum-free medium (KSFM) < LEC < to pCEC.KRT3 and KRT12 protein expressions were only slightly increased in LEC compared to HCE-T samples, and the strongest signals were seen in pCEC samples. DSG1 protein expression was only detected in pCECs. PAX6 protein expression was hardly detected in HCE-T cells, and no difference could be seen between LECs and pCECs. CONCLUSIONS The HCE-T cell line is even less differentiated than LECs regarding the investigated markers and therefore might also lack the ability to express differentiation markers at protein level. Hence, this cell line is not suitable to study corneal differentiation processes. Primary LECs in the way cultured here are not an ideal system compared to differentiated epithelium in organ culture but should be preferred to HCE-T cells if corneal differentiation markers are investigated. Other cell models or differentiation protocols should be developed in the future to gain new tools for research on ocular surface diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Klara Rubelowski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Lorenz Latta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
| | - Priya Katiyar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Tanja Stachon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | | | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Nóra Szentmáry
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saar, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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32
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Direct Reprogramming Into Corneal Epithelial Cells Using a Transcriptional Network Comprising PAX6, OVOL2, and KLF4. Cornea 2019; 38 Suppl 1:S34-S41. [PMID: 31403532 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In its early stages, an embryo polarizes to form cell subpopulations that subsequently produce specific organ cell types. These cell subpopulations are defined by transcription factors (TFs) that activate or repress specific genes. Although an embryo comprises thousands of TFs, surprisingly few are needed to determine the fate of a given cell. The ectoderm divides into the neuroectoderm and surface ectoderm, the latter of which gives rise to epidermal keratinocytes and corneal epithelial cells (CECs). Meanwhile, neuroectoderm cells give rise to other parts of the eye such as the corneal endothelium and retina. To investigate the regulatory role of TFs in CECs, we overexpressed the "core TFs" (PAX6, OVOL2, and KLF4) in human fibroblasts and found that the cells adopted a CEC-like quality. OVOL2 overexpression was even able to directly induce cells with a neuroectoderm fate toward a surface ectoderm fate, designated "direct reprogramming." Conversely, suppression of OVOL2 or PAX6 expression induced CECs to show qualities consistent with neural lineage cells or epidermal keratinocytes, respectively. This suggests that these core TFs can maintain the CEC phenotype through reciprocal gene regulation. Direct reprogramming has important implications for cell therapies. The potential benefits of cells derived by direct reprogramming compared with induced pluripotent stem cells include the fact that it requires less time than reprogramming a cell back to the pluripotent state and then to another cell type. Further understanding of the reciprocally repressive mechanism of action for core TFs could lead to alternative treatments for regenerative medicine not requiring cell transplantation.
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33
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Sonam S, Srnak JA, Perry KJ, Henry JJ. Molecular markers for corneal epithelial cells in larval vs. adult Xenopus frogs. Exp Eye Res 2019; 184:107-125. [PMID: 30981716 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells (CESCs) and their proliferative progeny, the Transit Amplifying Cells (TACs), are responsible for maintaining the integrity and transparency of the cornea. These stem cells (SCs) are widely used in corneal transplants and ocular surface reconstruction. Molecular markers are essential to identify, isolate and enrich for these cells, yet no definitive CESC marker has been established. An extensive literature survey shows variability in the expression of putative CESC markers among vertebrates; being attributed to species-specific variations, or other differences in developmental stages of these animals, approaches used in these studies and marker specificity. Here, we expanded the search for CESC markers using the amphibian model Xenopus laevis. In previous studies we found that long-term label retaining cells (suggestive of CESCs and TACs) are present throughout the larval basal corneal epithelium. In adult frogs, these cells become concentrated in the peripheral cornea (limbal region). Here, we used immunofluorescence to characterize the expression of nine proteins in the corneas of both Xenopus larvae and adults (post-metamorphic). We found that localization of some markers change between larval and adult stages. Markers such as p63, Keratin 19, and β1-integrin are restricted to basal corneal epithelial cells of the larvae. After metamorphosis their expression is found in basal and intermediate layer cells of the adult frog corneal epithelium. Another protein, Pax6 was expressed in the larval corneas, but surprisingly it was not detected in the adult corneal epithelium. For the first time we report that Tcf7l2 can be used as a marker to differentiate cornea vs. skin in frogs. Tcf7l2 is present only in the frog skin, which differs from reports indicating that the protein is expressed in the human cornea. Furthermore, we identified the transition between the inner, and the outer surface of the adult frog eyelid as a key boundary in terms of marker expression. Although these markers are useful to identify different regions and cellular layers of the frog corneal epithelium, none is unique to CESCs or TACs. Our results confirm that there is no single conserved CESC marker in vertebrates. This molecular characterization of the Xenopus cornea facilitates its use as a vertebrate model to understand the functions of key proteins in corneal homeostasis and wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Sonam
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, 601 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Jennifer A Srnak
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, 601 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Kimberly J Perry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, 601 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Jonathan J Henry
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, 601 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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Hu L, Pu Q, Zhang Y, Ma Q, Li G, Li X. Expansion and maintenance of primary corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells by inhibition of TGFβ receptor I-mediated signaling. Exp Eye Res 2019; 182:44-56. [PMID: 30914160 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling is one of the most important signaling pathways regulating cell behavior in ocular tissues. Its functions are mainly linked to tissue fibrosis and inflammatory responses in ophthalmology. In epithelial cells, however, the growth inhibitory activity of TGFβ was reported in both non-ocular and ocular tissues. Since TGFβ is a bifunctional regulator that either inhibits or stimulates cell proliferation according to the specific context, we examined the effect of inhibition of TGFβ receptor (TβR) I-mediated signaling on primary corneal epithelial cells (CECs) in serum- and feeder-free conditions. The mouse CECs were isolated from the eyeballs of 6-8 weeks old female C57BL/6 mice using dispase and trypsin separately, cultivated in defined Keratinocyte serum-free medium (KSFM) with supplements (the complete medium) without feeder layer. Cells were divided into three groups, those cultured in complete medium additionally supplemented with 10 μM SB-431542, a specific inhibitor of TβR-I, were SB-CECs; those cultured in complete medium additionally supplemented with 10 ng/ml SRI-011381, a TGF-beta signaling agonist, were SRI-CECs; those cultured in complete medium without SB-431542 or SRI-011381 were control CECs. The growth rate and morphology were analyzed by light microscopy. The identity and stemness of cells was investigated through marker staining of p63, inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1), cytokeratin 12 (K12), cytokeratin 14 (K14), PAX6, pSmad3, alpha smooth muscle Actin (αSMA) and E-cadherin (E-cad); Real-time quantitative (RT-PCR) analysis of p63; Western blot analysis of ID1; as well as colony forming assay, sphere forming assay, healing wound in vitro assay and air-lifting interface assay. The results showed SB-CECs subcultured steadily, achieved sustained expansion, and expanded almost thrice faster than control CECs. Expanded SB-CECs exhibited smaller and more compact morphology, up-regulated p63 and ID1, as well as better performed colony-forming capacity, sphere-forming capacity, in vitro wound healing capacity, and the capacity to stratify and differentiate on air-lifting interface. Preliminary tests on human limbal epithelial cells (HLECs) showed the same results as mouse CECs. Interestingly, the ID1 expression pattern was almost identical to p63, the typical marker for corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cell (CESC/CEPC), in cultured CECs and normal corneal sections. Since ID1 has been proven to be regulated negatively by TGFβ signaling in epithelial cells and plays a role in blocking cell differentiation, its derepression by TβR-I inhibitor could be, at least in part, the underlying cause of CESC/CEPC expansion and the synchronously up-regulated expression of p63 in SB-CECs. In conclusion, inhibition of TβR-I-mediated signaling, CESCs/CEPCs achieved efficient long-term expansion in a feeder- and serum-free condition in vitro. And derepression of ID1 could be the underlying cause. Meanwhile, ID1 could serve as a marker for CESC/CEPC. These results may advance the basic and clinical CESC/CEPC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Pu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaoli Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guigang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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35
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Expression of retinoic acid signaling components ADH7 and ALDH1A1 is reduced in aniridia limbal epithelial cells and a siRNA primary cell based aniridia model. Exp Eye Res 2019; 179:8-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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36
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Vicente A, Byström B, Pedrosa Domellöf F. Altered Signaling Pathways in Aniridia-Related Keratopathy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 59:5531-5541. [DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- André Vicente
- Department of Clinical Science, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Berit Byström
- Department of Clinical Science, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fátima Pedrosa Domellöf
- Department of Clinical Science, Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Section for Anatomy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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37
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Menzel-Severing J, Zenkel M, Polisetti N, Sock E, Wegner M, Kruse FE, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U. Transcription factor profiling identifies Sox9 as regulator of proliferation and differentiation in corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10268. [PMID: 29980721 PMCID: PMC6035181 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding transcription factor (TF) regulation of limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LEPCs) may aid in using non-ocular cells to regenerate the corneal surface. This study aimed to identify and characterize TF genes expressed specifically in LEPCs isolated from human donor eyes by laser capture microdissection. Using a profiling approach, preferential limbal expression was found for SoxE and SoxF genes, particularly for Sox9, which showed predominantly cytoplasmic localization in basal LEPCs and nuclear localization in suprabasal and corneal epithelial cells, indicating nucleocytoplasmic translocation and activation during LEPC proliferation and differentiation. Increased nuclear localization of Sox9 was also observed in activated LEPCs following clonal expansion and corneal epithelial wound healing. Knockdown of SOX9 expression in cultured LEPCs by RNAi led to reduced expression of progenitor cell markers, e.g. keratin 15, and increased expression of differentiation markers, e.g. keratin 3. Furthermore, SOX9 silencing significantly suppressed the proliferative capacity of LEPCs and reduced levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3ß), a negative regulator of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Sox9 expression, in turn, was significantly suppressed by treatment of LEPCs with exogenous GSK-3ß inhibitors and enhanced by small molecule inhibitors of Wnt signaling. Our results suggest that Sox9 and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling cooperate in mutually repressive interactions to achieve a balance between quiescence, proliferation and differentiation of LEPCs in the limbal niche. Future molecular dissection of Sox9-Wnt interaction and mechanisms of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of Sox9 may aid in improving the regenerative potential of LEPCs and the reprogramming of non-ocular cells for corneal surface regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Menzel-Severing
- Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Zenkel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Naresh Polisetti
- Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Sock
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Wegner
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friedrich E Kruse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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38
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Sun J, Liu WH, Deng FM, Luo YH, Wen K, Zhang H, Liu HR, Wu J, Su BY, Liu YL. Differentiation of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells into corneal-like epithelial cells driven by PAX6. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:1424-1432. [PMID: 29434727 PMCID: PMC5774412 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal integrity, transparency and vision acuity are maintained by corneal epithelial cells (CECs), which are continuously renewed by corneal limbal stem cells (LSCs). Deficiency of CECs and/or LSCs is associated with numerous ocular diseases. Paired box (PAX)6 is an eye development-associated transcription factor that is necessary for cell fate determination and differentiation of LSCs and CECs. In the present study, the PAX6 gene was introduced into adipose-derived rat mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) to investigate whether PAX6-transfected cells were able to transdifferentiate into corneal-like epithelial cells and to further verify whether the cells were suitable as a cell source for corneal transplantation. The ADMSCs were isolated from the bilateral inguinal region of healthy Sprague Dawley rats. The characteristics of ADMSCs were identified using flow cytometric analysis. After subculture, ADMSCs underwent transfection with recombinant plasmid containing either PAX6-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) complementary (c)DNA or EGFP cDNA (blank plasmid group), followed by selection with G418 and determination of the transfection efficiency. Subsequently, the morphology of the ADMSCs and the expression profiles of corneal-specific markers CK3/12 and epithelial-specific adhesion protein were determined. E-cadherin was detected using immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis at 21 days following transfection. An MTT cell proliferation and a colony formation assay were performed to assess the proliferative activity and clonogenicity of PAX6-transfected ADMSCs. Finally, the PAX6-expressing ADMSCs were transplanted onto the cornea of a rabbits with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). At 21 days after transfection, the ADMSCs with PAX6 transfection exhibited a characteristic flagstone-like appearance with assembled corneal-like epithelial cells, and concomitant prominent expression of the corneal-specific markers cytokeratin 3/12 and E-cadherin. Furthermore, the proliferation and colony formation ability of PAX6-overexpressing ADMSCs was significantly retarded. The transplantation experiment indicated that PAX6-reprogramed ADMSCs attached to and replenished the damaged cornea via formation of stratified corneal epithelium. Taken together, these results suggested that conversion of ADMSCs into corneal-like epithelium may be driven by PAX6 transfection, which makes ADMSCs a promising cell candidate for the treatment of LSCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- Department of Neurobiology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
- Department of Regeneration Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Hua Liu
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Feng-Mei Deng
- Department of Regeneration Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Hui Luo
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Ke Wen
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Rong Liu
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, West China Center of Medical Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Bing-Yin Su
- Department of Regeneration Key Lab of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Lun Liu
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
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39
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Application of CRISPR-Cas9 in eye disease. Exp Eye Res 2017; 161:116-123. [PMID: 28619505 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The system of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated nuclease (Cas)9 is an effective instrument for revising the genome with great accuracy. This system has been widely employed to generate mutants in genomes from plants to human cells. Rapid improvements in Cas9 specificity in eukaryotic cells have opened great potential for the use of this technology as a therapeutic. Herein, we summarize the recent advancements of CRISPR-Cas9 use in research on human cells and animal models, and outline a basic and clinical pipeline for CRISPR-Cas9-based treatments of genetic eye diseases.
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40
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Yoshihara M, Sasamoto Y, Hayashi R, Ishikawa Y, Tsujikawa M, Hayashizaki Y, Itoh M, Kawaji H, Nishida K. High-resolution promoter map of human limbal epithelial cells cultured with keratinocyte growth factor and rho kinase inhibitor. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2845. [PMID: 28588247 PMCID: PMC5460231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02824-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
An in vitro model of corneal epithelial cells (CECs) has been developed to study and treat corneal disorders. Nevertheless, conventional CEC culture supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) results in a loss of CEC characteristics. It has recently been reported that limbal epithelial cells (LECs) cultured with keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and the rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 could maintain the expression of several CEC-specific markers. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of culture media on LECs remains to be elucidated. To elucidate this mechanism, we performed comprehensive gene expression analysis of human LECs cultured with EGF or KGF/Y-27632, by cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE). Here, we found that LECs cultured with KGF and Y-27632 presented a gene expression profile highly similar to that of CECs in vivo. In contrast, LECs cultured with EGF lost the characteristic CEC gene expression profile. We further discovered that CEC-specific PAX6 promoters are highly activated in LECs cultured with KGF and Y-27632. Our results provide strong evidence that LECs cultured with KGF and Y-27632 would be an improved in vitro model in the context of gene expression. These findings will accelerate basic studies of CECs and clinical applications in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Sasamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuhei Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Stem Cells and Applied Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Ishikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Masayoshi Itoh
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.,RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- Division of Genomic Technologies, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. .,RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Saitama, Japan. .,Preventive Medicine and Applied Genomics Unit, RIKEN Advanced Center for Computing and Communication, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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41
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DiCarlo JE, Sengillo JD, Justus S, Cabral T, Tsang SH, Mahajan VB. CRISPR-Cas Genome Surgery in Ophthalmology. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2017; 6:13. [PMID: 28573077 PMCID: PMC5450921 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.6.3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic disease affecting vision can significantly impact patient quality of life. Gene therapy seeks to slow the progression of these diseases by treating the underlying etiology at the level of the genome. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated systems (Cas) represent powerful tools for studying diseases through the creation of model organisms generated by targeted modification and by the correction of disease mutations for therapeutic purposes. CRISPR-Cas systems have been applied successfully to the visual sciences and study of ophthalmic disease - from the modification of zebrafish and mammalian models of eye development and disease, to the correction of pathogenic mutations in patient-derived stem cells. Recent advances in CRISPR-Cas delivery and optimization boast improved functionality that continues to enhance genome-engineering applications in the eye. This review provides a synopsis of the recent implementations of CRISPR-Cas tools in the field of ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. DiCarlo
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jesse D. Sengillo
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Sally Justus
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thiago Cabral
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephen H. Tsang
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vinit B. Mahajan
- Omics Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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