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Grannonico M, Miller DA, Liu M, Krause MA, Savier E, Erisir A, Netland PA, Cang J, Zhang HF, Liu X. Comparative In Vivo Imaging of Retinal Structures in Tree Shrews, Humans, and Mice. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0373-23.2024. [PMID: 38538082 PMCID: PMC10972737 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0373-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodent models, such as mice and rats, are commonly used to examine retinal ganglion cell damage in eye diseases. However, as nocturnal animals, rodent retinal structures differ from primates, imposing significant limitations in studying retinal pathology. Tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) are small, diurnal paraprimates that exhibit superior visual acuity and color vision compared with mice. Like humans, tree shrews have a dense retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and a thick ganglion cell layer (GCL), making them a valuable model for investigating optic neuropathies. In this study, we applied high-resolution visible-light optical coherence tomography to characterize the tree shrew retinal structure in vivo and compare it with that of humans and mice. We quantitatively characterize the tree shrew's retinal layer structure in vivo, specifically examining the sublayer structures within the inner plexiform layer (IPL) for the first time. Next, we conducted a comparative analysis of retinal layer structures among tree shrews, mice, and humans. We then validated our in vivo findings in the tree shrew inner retina using ex vivo confocal microscopy. The in vivo and ex vivo analyses of the shrew retina build the foundation for future work to accurately track and quantify the retinal structural changes in the IPL, GCL, and RNFL during the development and progression of human optic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Grannonico
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - David A Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
| | - Mingna Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Michael A Krause
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Elise Savier
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Alev Erisir
- Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Peter A Netland
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Jianhua Cang
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
- Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Hao F Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
- Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
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Zhang L, Liu W, Wang HY, Qiang W, Wang R, Cui ZL, Zhang ZM. The temporal progression of retinal degeneration and early-stage idebenone treatment in the Pde6b rd1/rd1 mouse model of retinal dystrophy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2019. [PMID: 38263197 PMCID: PMC10805728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52391-y] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor cell death, primarily through apoptosis, related to retinal disorders like retinitis pigmentosa (RP), would result in vision loss. The pathological processes and crucial mutant conditions preceding photoreceptor cell demise are not well understood. This study aims to conduct an in-depth examination of early-stage changes in the widely utilized Pde6brd1/rd1 (rd1) mouse model, which has Pde6b gene mutations representing autosomal recessive RP disorder. We investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of retinal cells, including second-order neurons, during the initial phase of disease progression. Our findings revealed that mitochondrial alterations in rod photoreceptors were present as a predeath mutant state as early as postnatal day 3 (P3). The bipolar and horizontal cells from the rd1 mouse retina exhibited significant morphological changes in response to loss of photoreceptor cells, indicating that second-order neurons rely on these cells for their structures. Subsequent oral administration of idebenone, a mitochondria-protective agent, enhanced retinal function and promoted both photoreceptor cell survival and inner retinal second-order synaptogenesis in rd1 mice at P14. Our findings offer a mechanistic framework, suggesting that mitochondrial damage acts as an early driver for photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic Imaging, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Hai-Yan Wang
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China.
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic Imaging, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China.
| | - Wei Qiang
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic Imaging, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic Imaging, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Zhi-Li Cui
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic Imaging, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital), Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Zuo-Ming Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
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Cole JD, McDaniel JA, Nilak J, Ban A, Rodriguez C, Hameed Z, Grannonico M, Netland PA, Yang H, Provencio I, Liu X. Characterization of neural damage and neuroinflammation in Pax6 small-eye mice. Exp Eye Res 2024; 238:109723. [PMID: 37979905 PMCID: PMC10843716 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109723] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Aniridia is a panocular condition characterized by a partial or complete loss of the iris. It manifests various developmental deficits in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, leading to a progressive vision loss. The homeobox gene PAX6 plays an important role in ocular development and mutations of PAX6 have been the main causative factors for aniridia. In this study, we assessed how Pax6-haploinsufficiency affects retinal morphology and vision of Pax6Sey mice using in vivo and ex vivo metrics. We used mice of C57BL/6 and 129S1/Svlmj genetic backgrounds to examine the variable severity of symptoms as reflected in human aniridia patients. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was observed in Pax6Sey mice starting from post-natal day 20 (P20). Correspondingly, visual acuity showed a steady age-dependent decline in Pax6Sey mice, though these phenotypes were less severe in the 129S1/Svlmj mice. Local retinal damage with layer disorganization was assessed at P30 and P80 in the Pax6Sey mice. Interestingly, we also observed a greater number of activated Iba1+ microglia and GFAP + astrocytes in the Pax6Sey mice than in littermate controls, suggesting a possible neuroinflammatory response to Pax6 deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Cole
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John A McDaniel
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Joelle Nilak
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ashley Ban
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Carlos Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Zuhaad Hameed
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Marta Grannonico
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Peter A Netland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hu Yang
- Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Ignacio Provencio
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Grannonico M, Miller DA, Gao J, McHaney KM, Liu M, Krause MA, Netland PA, Zhang HF, Liu X. Longitudinal Analysis of Retinal Ganglion Cell Damage at Individual Axon Bundle Level in Mice Using Visible-Light Optical Coherence Tomography Fibergraphy. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:10. [PMID: 37163286 PMCID: PMC10179604 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.5.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We developed a new analytic tool based on visible-light optical coherence tomography fibergraphy (vis-OCTF) to longitudinally track individual axon bundle transformation as a new in vivo biomarker for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage. Methods After acute optic nerve crush injury (ONC) in mice, we analyzed four parameters: lateral bundle width, axial bundle height, cross-sectional area, and the shape of individual bundles. We next correlated the morphological changes in RGC axon bundles with RGC soma loss. Results We showed that axon bundles became wider and taller at three days post ONC (pONC), which correlated with about 15% RGC soma loss. At six days pONC, axon bundles showed a significant reduction in lateral width and cross-sectional area, followed by a reduction in bundle height at nine days pONC. Bundle shrinking at nine days pONC correlated with about 68% RGC soma loss. Both experimental and simulated results suggested that the cross-sectional area of individual RGC axon bundles is more sensitive than bundle width and height to indicate RGC soma loss. Conclusions This study is the first to track and quantify individual RGC axon bundles in vivo after ONC injury. Translational Relevance Recognizing RGC loss at its earliest stage is crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, current clinical methods to detect the functional and structural changes in the inner retina are not sensitive enough to directly assess RGC health. In this study, we developed vis-OCTF-based parameters to track RGC damage, making possible to establishing a quantifiable biomarker for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Grannonico
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - David A. Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jingyi Gao
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kara M. McHaney
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mingna Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Michael A. Krause
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Peter A. Netland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hao F. Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Liu X, Zhang H. Characterization of retinal ganglion cell damage at single axon bundle level in mice by visible-light optical coherence tomography fibergraphy. Neural Regen Res 2023. [PMID: 35799531 PMCID: PMC9241432 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.343906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Chauhan P, Kho AM, FitzGerald P, Shibata B, Srinivasan VJ. Subcellular Comparison of Visible-Light Optical Coherence Tomography and Electron Microscopy in the Mouse Outer Retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:10. [PMID: 35943734 PMCID: PMC9379865 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.9.10] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We employed in vivo, 1.0-µm axial resolution visible-light optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ex vivo electron microscopy (EM) to investigate three subcellular features in the mouse outer retina: reflectivity oscillations inner to band 1 (study 1); hyperreflective band 2, attributed to the ellipsoid zone or inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction (study 2); and the hyperreflective retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) within band 4 (study 3). Methods Pigmented (C57BL/6J, n = 10) and albino (BALB/cJ, n = 3) mice were imaged in vivo. Enucleated eyes were processed for light and electron microscopy. Using well-accepted reference surfaces, we compared micrometer-scale axial reflectivity of visible-light OCT with subcellular organization, as revealed by 9449 annotated EM organelles and features across four pigmented eyes. Results In study 1, outer nuclear layer reflectivity peaks coincided with valleys in heterochromatin clump density (−0.34 ± 2.27 µm limits of agreement [LoA]). In study 2, band 2 depth on OCT and IS/OS junction depth on EM agreed (−0.57 ± 0.76 µm LoA), with both having similar distributions. In study 3, RPE electron dense organelle distribution did not agree with reflectivity in C57BL/6J mice, with OCT measures of RPE thickness exceeding those of EM (2.09 ± 0.89 µm LoA). Finally, RPE thickness increased with age in pigmented mice (slope = 0.056 µm/mo; P = 6.8 × 10−7). Conclusions Visible-light OCT bands arise from subcellular organization, enabling new measurements in mice. Quantitative OCT–EM comparisons may be confounded by hydration level, particularly in the OS and RPE. Caution is warranted in generalizing results to other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Chauhan
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, United States
| | - Aaron M Kho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Paul FitzGerald
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Bradley Shibata
- Biological Electron Microscopy Facility, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Vivek J Srinivasan
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, United States
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Dholakia KY, Guevara-Torres A, Feng G, Power D, Schallek J. In Vivo Capillary Structure and Blood Cell Flux in the Normal and Diabetic Mouse Eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:18. [PMID: 35138346 PMCID: PMC8842443 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.2.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize the early structural and functional changes in the retinal microvasculature in response to hyperglycemia in the Ins2Akita mouse. Methods A custom phase-contrast adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope was used to image retinal capillaries of 9 Ins2Akita positive (hyperglycemic) and 9 Ins2Akita negative (euglycemic) mice from postnatal weeks 5 to 18. A 15 kHz point scan was used to image capillaries and measure red blood cell flux at biweekly intervals; measurements were performed manually. Retinal thickness and fundus photos were captured monthly using a commercial scanning laser ophthalmoscope/optical coherence tomography. Retinal thickness was calculated using a custom algorithm. Blood glucose and weight were tracked throughout the duration of the study. Results Elevated blood glucose (>250 mg/dL) was observed at 4 to 5 weeks of age in Ins2Akita mice and remained elevated throughout the study, whereas euglycemic littermates maintained normal glucose levels. There was no significant difference in red blood cell flux, capillary anatomy, lumen diameter, or occurrence of stalled capillaries between hyperglycemic and euglycemic mice between postnatal weeks 5 and 18. Hyperglycemic mice had a thinner retina than euglycemic littermates (p < 0.001), but retinal thickness did not change with duration of hyperglycemia despite glucose levels that were more than twice times normal. Conclusions In early stages of hyperglycemia, retinal microvasculature structure (lumen diameter, capillary anatomy) and function (red blood cell flux, capillary perfusion) were not impaired despite 3 months of chronically elevated blood glucose. These findings suggest that hyperglycemia alone for 3 months does not alter capillary structure or function in profoundly hyperglycemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosha Y Dholakia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Andres Guevara-Torres
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Guanping Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Derek Power
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Jesse Schallek
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
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