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Radmard A, Kumar Srivastava R, Shrestha N, Khan J, Muzaffar S, Athar M, Banga AK. Enhancing topical delivery of ISRIB: Optimizing cream formulations with chemical enhancers and pH adjustment. Int J Pharm 2024; 665:124661. [PMID: 39244069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124661] [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: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Chemical warfare agents, particularly vesicants like lewisite, pose a threat due to their ability to cause skin damage through accidental exposure or deliberate attacks. Lewisite rapidly penetrates the skin, causing inflammation and blistering. This study focuses on developing a cream formulation of a therapeutic agent, called integrated stress response inhibitor (ISRIB), to treat lewisite-induced injuries. Moreover, animal studies demonstrate a molecular target engagement (ISR) and significant efficacy of ISRIB against lewisite-induced cutaneous injury. The goal of this formulation is to enhance the delivery of ISRIB directly to affected skin areas using an oil-in-water cream emulsion system. We investigated various excipients, including oils, surfactants, emollients, and permeation enhancers, to optimize ISRIB's solubility and penetration through the skin. The result of this study indicated that the optimal formulation includes 30 % w/w of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide and Azone® at a pH of 5. 5. It delivered the highest amount of ISRIB into the skin, demonstrating highest skin absorption with no detectable systemic exposure. Additionally, characterization of the cream, including texture analysis, emulsion type, and content uniformity, confirmed its' suitability for topical application. These findings suggest that ISRIB cream formulation is a promising approach for the localized treatment of skin injuries caused by lewisite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Radmard
- Center for Drug Delivery Research, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Ritesh Kumar Srivastava
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Nisha Shrestha
- Center for Drug Delivery Research, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Jasim Khan
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Suhail Muzaffar
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mohammad Athar
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ajay K Banga
- Center for Drug Delivery Research, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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2
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Araj H. Consilience and unity in ocular anterior segment research. Int J Ophthalmol 2024; 17:1173-1183. [PMID: 39026918 PMCID: PMC11246940 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.07.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In his beautiful book, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, the eminent biologist Edward O Wilson, advocates the need for integration and reconciliation across the sciences. He defines consilience as "literally a 'jumping together' of knowledge with a linking of facts ... to create a common groundwork of explanation". It is the premise of this paper that as much as basic biomedical research is in need of data generation using the latest available techniques- unifying available knowledge is just as critical. This involves the necessity to resolve contradictory findings, reduce silos, and acknowledge complexity. We take the cornea and the lens as case studies of our premise. Specifically, in this perspective, we discuss the conflicting and fragmented information on protein aggregation, oxidative damage, and fibrosis. These are fields of study that are integrally tied to anterior segment research. Our goal is to highlight the vital need for Wilson's consilience and unity of knowledge which in turn should lead to enhanced rigor and reproducibility, and most importantly, to greater understanding and not simply knowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houmam Araj
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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3
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Araj H, Worth L, Yeung DT. Elements of successful NIH grant applications. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315735121. [PMID: 38557195 PMCID: PMC11009615 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315735121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Is there a formula for a competitive NIH grant application? The Serenity Prayer may provide one: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the ability to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." But how to tell the difference? In this Perspective, we provide an inclusive roadmap-elements of NIH funding. Collectively, we have over 30 y of peer review experience as NIH Scientific Review Officers in addition to over 30 y of program experience as NIH Program Officers. This article distills our NIH experience. We use Euclid's 13-book landmark, The Elements, as our template to humbly share what we learned. We have three specific aims: inform, guide, and motivate prospective applicants. We also address ways that support diversity and inclusion among applicants and young investigators in biomedical research. The elements we describe come from a wide range of sources. Some themes will be general. Some will be specific. All will be candid. The ultimate goal is a competitive application, serenity, and hopefully both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houmam Araj
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Eye Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD20817
| | - Leroy Worth
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC27709
| | - David T. Yeung
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
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4
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Mishra N, Kant R, Kandhari K, Tewari-Singh N, Anantharam P, Croutch CR, Pantcheva MB, Petrash JM, Araj H, Agarwal C, Agarwal R. Establishing a Dexamethasone Treatment Regimen To Alleviate Sulfur Mustard-Induced Corneal Injuries in a Rabbit Model. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:469-483. [PMID: 37316330 PMCID: PMC10801779 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is an ominous chemical warfare agent. Eyes are extremely susceptible to SM toxicity; injuries include inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization (NV), and vision impairment/blindness, depending on the exposure dosage. Effective countermeasures against ocular SM toxicity remain elusive and are warranted during conflicts/terrorist activities and accidental exposures. We previously determined that dexamethasone (DEX) effectively counters corneal nitrogen mustard toxicity and that the 2-hour postexposure therapeutic window is most beneficial. Here, the efficacy of two DEX dosing frequencies [i.e., every 8 or 12 hours (initiated, as previously established, 2 hours after exposure)] until 28 days after SM exposure was assessed. Furthermore, sustained effects of DEX treatments were observed up to day 56 after SM exposure. Corneal clinical assessments (thickness, opacity, ulceration, and NV) were performed at the day 14, 28, 42, and 56 post-SM exposure time points. Histopathological assessments of corneal injuries (corneal thickness, epithelial degradation, epithelial-stromal separation, inflammatory cell, and blood vessel counts) using H&E staining and molecular assessments (COX-2, MMP-9, VEGF, and SPARC expressions) were performed at days 28, 42, and 56 after SM exposure. Statistical significance was assessed using two-way ANOVA, with Holm-Sidak post hoc pairwise multiple comparisons; significance was established if P < 0.05 (data represented as the mean ± S.E.M.). DEX administration every 8 hours was more potent than every 12 hours in reversing ocular SM injury, with the most pronounced effects observed at days 28 and 42 after SM exposure. These comprehensive results are novel and provide a comprehensive DEX treatment regimen (therapeutic-window and dosing-frequency) for counteracting SM-induced corneal injuries. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The study aims to establish a dexamethasone (DEX) treatment regimen by comparing the efficacy of DEX administration at 12 versus 8 hours initiated 2 hours after exposure. DEX administration every 8 hours was more effective in reversing sulfur mustard (SM)-induced corneal injuries. SM injury reversal during DEX administration (initial 28 days after exposure) and sustained [further 28 days after cessation of DEX administration (i.e., up to 56 days after exposure)] effects were assessed using clinical, pathophysiological, and molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Rama Kant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Kushal Kandhari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Poojya Anantharam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Claire R Croutch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Mina B Pantcheva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - J Mark Petrash
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Houmam Araj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (N.M., R.K., K.K., N.T.-S., C.A., R.A.) and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine (M.B.P., J.M.P.), University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (H.A.)
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5
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Pan J, Pany S, Martinez-Carrasco R, Fini ME. Differential Efficacy of Small Molecules Dynasore and Mdivi-1 for the Treatment of Dry Eye Epitheliopathy or as a Countermeasure for Nitrogen Mustard Exposure of the Ocular Surface. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:506-517. [PMID: 37442618 PMCID: PMC10801785 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001697] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ocular surface comprises the wet mucosal epithelia of the cornea and conjunctiva, the associated glands, and the overlying tear film. Epitheliopathy is the common pathologic outcome when the ocular surface is subjected to oxidative stress. Whether different stresses act via the same or different mechanisms is not known. Dynasore and dyngo-4a, small molecules developed to inhibit the GTPase activity of classic dynamins DNM1, DNM2, and DNM3, but not mdivi-1, a specific inhibitor of DNM1L, protect corneal epithelial cells exposed to the oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). Here we report that, while dyngo-4a is the more potent inhibitor of endocytosis, dynasore is the better cytoprotectant. Dynasore also protects corneal epithelial cells against exposure to high salt in an in vitro model of dysfunctional tears in dry eye. We now validate this finding in vivo, demonstrating that dynasore protects against epitheliopathy in a mouse model of dry eye. Knockdown of classic dynamin DNM2 was also cytoprotective against tBHP exposure, suggesting that dynasore's effect is at least partially on target. Like tBHP and high salt, exposure of corneal epithelial cells to nitrogen mustard upregulated the unfolded protein response and inflammatory markers, but dynasore did not protect against nitrogen mustard exposure. In contrast, mdivi-1 was cytoprotective. Interestingly, mdivi-1 did not inhibit the nitrogen mustard-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines. We conclude that exposure to tBHP or nitrogen mustard, two different oxidative stress agents, cause corneal epitheliopathy via different pathologic pathways. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Results presented in this paper, for the first time, implicate the dynamin DNM2 in ocular surface epitheliopathy. The findings suggest that dynasore could serve as a new topical treatment for dry eye epitheliopathy and that mdivi-1 could serve as a medical countermeasure for epitheliopathy due to nitrogen mustard exposure, with potentially increased efficacy when combined with anti-inflammatory agents and/or UPR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Pan
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine (J.P., S.P., R.M.-C., M.E.F.) and Program in Pharmacology and Drug Development, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (M.E.F.), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Satyabrata Pany
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine (J.P., S.P., R.M.-C., M.E.F.) and Program in Pharmacology and Drug Development, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (M.E.F.), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rafael Martinez-Carrasco
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine (J.P., S.P., R.M.-C., M.E.F.) and Program in Pharmacology and Drug Development, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (M.E.F.), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - M Elizabeth Fini
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine (J.P., S.P., R.M.-C., M.E.F.) and Program in Pharmacology and Drug Development, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (M.E.F.), Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
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6
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Basu SK, Prislovsky A, Lenchik N, Stephenson DJ, Agarwal R, Chalfant CE, Mandal N. Mouse Model of Nitrogen Mustard Ocular Surface Injury Characterization and Sphingolipid Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:742. [PMID: 38255815 PMCID: PMC10815872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020742] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Vesicating chemicals like sulfur mustard (SM) or nitrogen mustard (NM) can cause devastating damage to the eyes, skin, and lungs. Eyes, being the most sensitive, have complicated pathologies that can manifest immediately after exposure (acute) and last for years (chronic). No FDA-approved drug is available to be used as medical counter measures (MCMs) against such injuries. Understanding the pathological mechanisms in acute and chronic response of the eye is essential for developing effective MCMs. Here, we report the clinical and histopathological characterization of a mouse model of NM-induced ocular surface injury (entire surface) developed by treating the eye with 2% (w/v) NM solution for 5 min. Unlike the existing models of specific injury, our model showed severe ocular inflammation, including the eyelids, structural deformity of the corneal epithelium and stroma, and diminished visual and retinal functions. We also observed alterations of the inflammatory markers and their expression at different phases of the injury, along with an activation of acidic sphingomyelinase (aSMase), causing an increase in bioactive sphingolipid ceramide and a reduction in sphingomyelin levels. This novel ocular surface mouse model recapitulated the injuries reported in human, rabbit, and murine SM or NM injury models. NM exposure of the entire ocular surface in mice, which is similar to accidental or deliberate exposure in humans, showed severe ocular inflammation and caused irreversible alterations to the corneal structure and significant vision loss. It also showed an intricate interplay between inflammatory markers over the injury period and alteration in sphingolipid homeostasis in the early acute phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip K. Basu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
| | - Amanda Prislovsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
- Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
| | - Nataliya Lenchik
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
| | - Daniel J. Stephenson
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (D.J.S.); (C.E.C.)
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Charles E. Chalfant
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (D.J.S.); (C.E.C.)
- Research Service, Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Nawajes Mandal
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
- Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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7
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Bosholm CC, Zhu H, Yu P, Cheng K, Murphy SV, McNutt PM, Zhang Y. Therapeutic Benefits of Stem Cells and Exosomes for Sulfur-Mustard-Induced Tissue Damage. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9947. [PMID: 37373093 PMCID: PMC10298660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly toxic chemical agent that causes severe tissue damage, particularly to the eyes, lungs, and skin. Despite advances in treatment, there is a need for more effective therapies for SM-induced tissue injury. Stem cell and exosome therapies are emerging as promising approaches for tissue repair and regeneration. Stem cells can differentiate into multiple cell types and promote tissue regeneration, while exosomes are small vesicles that can deliver therapeutic cargo to target cells. Several preclinical studies demonstrated the potential of stem cell, exosome, or combination therapy for various tissue injury, showing improvements in tissue repairing, inflammation, and fibrosis. However, there are also challenges associated with these therapies, such as the requirement for standardized methods for exosome isolation and characterization, the long-term safety and efficacy and reduced SM-induced tissue injury of these therapies. Stem cell or exosome therapy was used for SM-induced eye and lung injury. Despite the limited data on the use for SM-induced skin injury, this therapy is a promising area of research and may offer new treatment options in the future. In this review, we focused on optimizing these therapies, evaluating their safety and efficacy, and comparing their efficacy to other emerging therapeutic approaches potentially for SM-induced tissue injury in the eye, lung, and skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Christine Bosholm
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (C.C.B.); (H.Z.); (P.Y.); (S.V.M.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Hainan Zhu
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (C.C.B.); (H.Z.); (P.Y.); (S.V.M.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Pengfei Yu
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (C.C.B.); (H.Z.); (P.Y.); (S.V.M.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Kun Cheng
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA;
| | - Sean Vincent Murphy
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (C.C.B.); (H.Z.); (P.Y.); (S.V.M.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Patrick Michael McNutt
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (C.C.B.); (H.Z.); (P.Y.); (S.V.M.); (P.M.M.)
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (C.C.B.); (H.Z.); (P.Y.); (S.V.M.); (P.M.M.)
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8
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Umejiego E, Paramo R, Zafiris A, Mullane E, Bargagna-Mohan P, Mohan R. A corneo-retinal hypercitrullination axis underlies ocular injury to nitrogen mustard. Exp Eye Res 2023; 231:109485. [PMID: 37080381 PMCID: PMC10214858 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The vesicant sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that causes acute and chronic injury to the cornea and proximal anterior segment structures. Despite clinical evidence of SM-exposure causing unexplained retinal deficits, there have been no animal studies conducted to examine the retinal toxicity of this vesciant. The cardinal hallmark of retinal response to stressors or injury is the activation of reactive gliosis, a cellular process largely governed by Müller glia. Previously we showed that corneal exposure to sodium hydroxide elicits rapid induction of reactive gliosis and results in retinal degeneration in a dose-related manner. Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that the vesicant nitrogen mustard (NM), an analog of SM, may also elicit reactive gliosis. To test this idea, we developed a mouse model of NM ocular injury and investigated corneal and retinal effects focusing on citrullination, a posttranslational modification (PTM) of proteins. This PTM was recently linked to alkali injury and has also been shown to occur in retinal degenerative conditions. Here, we demonstrate that corneal exposure to 1% NM causes a synchronous activation of citrullination in both the cornea and retina with hypercitrullination becoming apparent temporally and manifesting with altered cellular expression characteristics. A key finding is that ocular citrullination occurs acutely as early as 1-h post-injury in both the cornea and retina, which underscores a need for expeditious interception of this acute corneal and retinal response. Moreover, exploiting dose response and temporal studies, we uncoupled NM-induced retinal citrullination from its induction of retinal gliosis. Our findings demonstrate that hypercitrullination is a common corneo-retinal mechanism that sensitizes the eye to NM injury and suggests that counteracting hypercitrullination may provide a suitable countermeasure to vesicant injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezigbobiara Umejiego
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Ricky Paramo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Alexander Zafiris
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Elias Mullane
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Paola Bargagna-Mohan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Royce Mohan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
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9
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Ebenezar OO, Roney A, Goswami DG, Petrash JM, Sledge D, Komáromy AM, Liby KT, Tewari-Singh N. Ocular injury progression and cornea histopathology from chloropicrin vapor exposure: Relevant clinical biomarkers in mice. Exp Eye Res 2023; 230:109440. [PMID: 36933694 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109440] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Ocular tissue is highly sensitive to chemical exposures. Chloropicrin (CP), a choking agent employed during World War I and currently a popular pesticide and fumigating agent, is a potential chemical threat agent. Accidental, occupational, or intentional exposure to CP results in severe ocular injury, especially to the cornea; however, studies on ocular injury progression and underlying mechanisms in a relevant in vivo animal model are lacking. This has impaired the development of effective therapies to treat the acute and long-term ocular toxicity of CP. To study the in vivo clinical and biological effects of CP ocular exposure, we tested different CP exposure doses and durations in mice. These exposures will aid in the study of acute ocular injury and its progression as well as identify a moderate dose to develop a relevant rodent ocular injury model with CP. The left eyes of male BALB/c mice were exposed to CP (20% CP for 0.5 or 1 min or 10% CP for 1 min) using a vapor cap, with the right eyes serving as controls. Injury progression was evaluated for 25 days post-exposure. CP-exposure caused a significant corneal ulceration and eyelid swelling which resolved by day 14 post exposure. In addition, CP-exposure caused significant corneal opacity and neovascularization. Development of hydrops (severe corneal edema with corneal bullae) and hyphema (blood accumulation in the anterior chamber) was observed as advanced CP effects. Mice were euthanized at day 25 post-CP-exposure, and the eyes were harvested to further study the corneal injury. Histopathological analyses showed a significant CP-induced decrease in corneal epithelial thickness and increased stromal thickness with more pronounced damage, including stromal fibrosis, edema, neovascularization, trapped epithelial cells, anterior and posterior synechiae, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Loss of the corneal endothelial cells and Descemet's membrane could be associated with the CP-induced corneal edema and hydrops which could lead to long term term pathological conditions. Although exposure to 20% CP for 1 min caused more eyelid swelling, ulceration, and hyphema, similar effects were observed with all CP exposures. These novel findings following CP ocular exposure in a mouse model outline the corneal histopathologic changes that associate with the continuing ocular clinical effects. The data are useful in designing further studies to identify and correlate the clinical and biological markers of CP ocular injury progression with acute and long-term toxic effects on cornea and other ocular tissues. We take a crucial step towards CP ocular injury model development and in pathophysiological studies to identify molecular targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okoyeocha Om Ebenezar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Andrew Roney
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Dinesh G Goswami
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - J Mark Petrash
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Dodd Sledge
- Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - András M Komáromy
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Karen T Liby
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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