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Jentzsch MC, Tsang SH, Koch SF. A New Preclinical Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa Due to Pde6g Deficiency. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2023; 3:100332. [PMID: 37363133 PMCID: PMC10285708 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of inherited blindness, with onset occurring as early as 4 years of age in certain rare but severe forms caused by mutations in the gamma subunit of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6). Studies in humans and mice have shown that RP pathology begins with progressive photoreceptor death, which then drives changes in downstream neurons, neighboring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and vasculature. Here, we present the first detailed analysis of RP disease progression in Pde6g-deficient mice. Design Experimental study of an RP mouse model. Subjects We studied Pde6g-/- and Pde6g+/- mice at the age of 7, 16, 30, 44, and 56 days with n = 2 to 5 per group and time point. Methods Photoreceptor degeneration and retinal remodeling were analyzed in retinal sections by immunofluorescence. Retinal blood vessel degradation was analyzed in flat-mounted retinas immunolabeled for isolectin GS-IB4. Protein expression was measured by immunoblot. Acellular capillaries were assessed in trypsin-digested and hematoxylin-eosin-stained retinas at postnatal day (P) 44. Retinal pigment epithelium cells were delineated in flat-mounted RPE-choroid-sclera by immunolabeling for the cell-adhesion protein β-catenin. Main Outcome Measures Immunofluorescence and morphometry (quantitative analysis of outer nuclear layer, dendrite area, vessel area, acellular vessels, RPE cell size, number of nuclei per RPE cell, RPE cell eccentricity, and RPE cell solidity). Results This novel RP model exhibits early onset and rapid rod degeneration, with the vast majority gone by P16. This pathology leads to retinal remodeling, including changes of inner retinal neurons, early activation of glia cells, degradation of retinal vasculature, and structural abnormalities of the RPE. Conclusions The pathology in our Pde6g-/- mouse model precisely mirrors human RP progression. The results demonstrate the significant role of the gamma subunit in maintaining phosphodiesterase activity and provide new insights into the disease progression due to Pde6g deficiency. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Carmen Jentzsch
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephen H. Tsang
- Jonas Children’s Vision Care, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Susanne Friederike Koch
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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2
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Rasmussen M, Tolone A, Paquet-Durand F, Welinder C, Schwede F, Ekström P. The photoreceptor protective cGMP-analog Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS interacts with cGMP-interactors PKGI, PDE1, PDE6, and PKAI in the degenerating mouse retina. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:935-951. [PMID: 36989379 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The inherited eye disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP) causes the loss of photoreceptors by a still unknown cell death mechanism. During this degeneration, cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) levels become elevated, leading to over-activation of the cGMP-binding protein cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). cGMP analogs selectively modified to have inhibitory actions on PKG have aided in impeding photoreceptor death, and one such cGMP analog is Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS. However, cGMP analogs have previously been shown to interact with numerous targets, so to better understand the therapeutic action of Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS, it is necessary to elucidate its target-selectivity and hence what potential cellular mechanism(s) it may affect within the photoreceptors. Here, we, therefore, applied affinity chromatography together with mass spectrometry to isolate and identify Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS interactors from retinas derived from three different murine RP models (i.e., rd1, rd2, and rd10 mice). Our findings revealed that Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS bound seven known cGMP-binding proteins, including PKG1β, PDE1β, PDE1c, PDE6α, and PKA1α. Furthermore, an additional 28 proteins were found to be associated with Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS. This latter group included MAPK1/3, which is known to connect with cGMP/PKG in other systems. However, in organotypic retinal cultures, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS had no effect on photoreceptor MAPK1/3 expression or activity. To summarize, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS is more target specific compared to regular cGMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Rasmussen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Arianna Tolone
- Insitute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Charlotte Welinder
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Mass Spectrometry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Frank Schwede
- BIOLOG Life Science Institute GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen, Germany
| | - Per Ekström
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden
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3
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Rasmussen M, Zhou J, Schwede F, Ekström P. Enhanced cGMP Interactor Rap Guanine Exchange Factor 4 (EPAC2) Expression and Activity in Degenerating Photoreceptors: A Neuroprotective Response? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094619. [PMID: 35563009 PMCID: PMC9103912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP) leads to photoreceptor degeneration by a yet undefined mechanism(s). In several RP mouse models (i.e., rd mice), a high cyclic GMP (cGMP) level within photoreceptors is detected, suggesting that cGMP plays a role in degeneration. The rap guanine exchange factor 4 (EPAC2) is activated by cyclic AMP (cAMP) and is an accepted cGMP-interacting protein. It is unclear whether and how cGMP interacts with EPAC2 in degenerating photoreceptors; we therefore investigated EPAC2 expression and interactions with cGMP and cAMP in retinas of the rd1 and rd10 models for retinal degeneration. EPAC2 expression in the photoreceptor layer increased significantly during rd1 and rd10 degeneration, and an increase in EPAC2 interactions with cGMP but not cAMP in the rd1 was also seen via a proximity ligation assay on histological sections. Retinal explant cultures revealed that pharmacological inhibition of the EPAC2 activity reduced the photoreceptor layer thickness in the rd10 retina, suggesting that EPAC2 inhibition promotes degeneration. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that high degeneration-related cGMP leads to increased EPAC2 and cGMP interactions, inhibiting EPAC2. By inference, EPAC2 could have neuroprotective capacities that may be exploited in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Rasmussen
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; (J.Z.); (P.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jiaming Zhou
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; (J.Z.); (P.E.)
| | - Frank Schwede
- BIOLOG Life Science Institute GmbH & Co. KG, 28199 Bremen, Germany;
| | - Per Ekström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; (J.Z.); (P.E.)
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4
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Quantitative Optical Coherence Tomography for Longitudinal Monitoring of Postnatal Retinal Development in Developing Mouse Eyes. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12041860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A better study of postnatal retinal development is essential for the in-depth understanding of the nature of the vision system. To date, quantitative analysis of postnatal retinal development is primarily limited to endpoint histological examination. This study is to validate in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) for longitudinal monitoring of postnatal retinal development in developing mouse eyes. OCT images of C57BL/6J mice were recorded from postnatal day (P) 14 to P56. Three-dimensional (3D) frame registration and super averaging were adopted to investigate the fine structure of the retina. Quantitative OCT analysis revealed distinct outer and inner retinal layer changes, corresponding to eye development. At the outer retina, external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) band intensities gradually increased with aging, and the IZ band was detectable by P28. At the inner retina, a hyporeflective layer (HRL) between the nerve fiber layer (NFL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) was observed in developing eyes and gradually disappeared with aging. Further image analysis revealed individual RGCs within the HRL layer of the young mouse retina. However, RGCs were merged with the NFL and the IPL in the aged mouse retina. Moreover, the sub-IPL layer structure was observed to be gradually enhanced with aging. To interpret the observed retinal layer kinetics, a model based on eyeball expansion, cell apoptosis, and retinal structural modification was proposed.
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Brais-Brunet S, Heckel É, Kanniyappan U, Chemtob S, Boudoux C, Joyal JS, Dehaes M. Morphometric and Microstructural Changes During Murine Retinal Development Characterized Using In Vivo Optical Coherence Tomography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:20. [PMID: 34698774 PMCID: PMC8556565 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.13.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop an in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) system capable of imaging the developing mouse retina and its associated morphometric and microstructural changes. Methods Thirty-four wild-type mice (129S1/SvlmJ) were anesthetized and imaged between postnatal (P) day 7 and P21. OCT instrumentation was developed to optimize signal intensity and image quality. Semi-automatic segmentation tools were developed to quantify the retinal thickness of the nerve fiber layer (NFL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and the outer retinal layers (ORL), in addition to the total retina. The retinal maturation was characterized by comparing layer thicknesses between consecutive time points. Results From P7 to P10, the IPL increased significantly, consistent with retinal synaptogenesis. From P10 to P12, the IPL and ORL also increased, which is coherent with synaptic connectivity and photoreceptor maturation. In contrast, during these periods, the INL decreased significantly, consistent with cellular densification and selective apoptotic “pruning” of the tissue during nuclear migration. Thereafter from P12 to P21, the INL continued to thin (significantly from P17 to P21) whereas the other layers remained unchanged. No time-dependent changes were observed in the NFL. Overall, changes in the total retina were attributed to those in the IPL, INL, and ORL. Regions of the retina adjacent to the optic nerve head were thinner than distal regions during maturation. Conclusions Changes in retinal layer thickness are consistent with retinal developmental mechanisms. Accordingly, this report opens new horizons in using our system in the mouse to characterize longitudinally developmental digressions in models of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Brais-Brunet
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada
| | - Émilie Heckel
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Udayakumar Kanniyappan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada
| | - Sylvain Chemtob
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Caroline Boudoux
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Joyal
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Mathieu Dehaes
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Radiology, Radio-oncology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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6
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Tonade D, Kern TS. Photoreceptor cells and RPE contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100919. [PMID: 33188897 PMCID: PMC8113320 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. It has long been regarded as vascular disease, but work in the past years has shown abnormalities also in the neural retina. Unfortunately, research on the vascular and neural abnormalities have remained largely separate, instead of being integrated into a comprehensive view of DR that includes both the neural and vascular components. Recent evidence suggests that the most predominant neural cell in the retina (photoreceptors) and the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) play an important role in the development of vascular lesions characteristic of DR. This review summarizes evidence that the outer retina is altered in diabetes, and that photoreceptors and RPE contribute to retinal vascular alterations in the early stages of the retinopathy. The possible molecular mechanisms by which cells of the outer retina might contribute to retinal vascular damage in diabetes also are discussed. Diabetes-induced alterations in the outer retina represent a novel therapeutic target to inhibit DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deoye Tonade
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Timothy S Kern
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Cleveland, OH, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Long Beach, CA, USA.
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7
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Fu Z, Qiu C, Cagnone G, Tomita Y, Huang S, Cakir B, Kotoda Y, Allen W, Bull E, Akula JD, Joyal JS, Hellström A, Talukdar S, Smith LEH. Retinal glial remodeling by FGF21 preserves retinal function during photoreceptor degeneration. iScience 2021; 24:102376. [PMID: 33937726 PMCID: PMC8079476 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The group of retinal degenerations, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), comprises more than 150 genetic abnormalities affecting photoreceptors. Finding degenerative pathways common to all genetic abnormalities may allow general treatment such as neuroprotection. Neuroprotection may include enhancing the function of cells that directly support photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and Müller glia. Treatment with fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a neuroprotectant, from postnatal week 4-10, during rod and cone loss in P23H mice (an RP model) with retinal degeneration, preserved photoreceptor function and normalized Müller glial cell morphology. Single-cell transcriptomics of retinal cells showed that FGF21 receptor Fgfr1 was specifically expressed in Müller glia/astrocytes. Of all retinal cells, FGF21 predominantly affected genes in Müller glia/astrocytes with increased expression of axon development and synapse formation pathway genes. Therefore, enhancing retinal glial axon and synapse formation with neurons may preserve retinal function in RP and may suggest a general therapeutic approach for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjie Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,The Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chenxi Qiu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Therapeutics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gael Cagnone
- Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Ophthalmology, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Qc H3A 0C4, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Qc H3A 0C4, Canada
| | - Yohei Tomita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bertan Cakir
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yumi Kotoda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - William Allen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Edward Bull
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James D Akula
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jean-Sébastien Joyal
- Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Ophthalmology, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Qc H3A 0C4, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Qc H3A 0C4, Canada
| | - Ann Hellström
- Section for Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Saswata Talukdar
- Cardiometabolic Diseases, Merck Research Laboratories, 33 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lois E H Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Rahimi M, Leahy S, Matei N, Blair NP, Jeong S, Craft CM, Shahidi M. Assessment of inner retinal oxygen metrics and thickness in a mouse model of inherited retinal degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2021; 205:108480. [PMID: 33539865 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mouse is a well-established model of inherited retinal degeneration, displaying photoreceptor degeneration and retinal vasculature damage. The purpose of the current study was to determine alterations in the rate of oxygen delivery from retinal circulation (DO2), the rate of oxygen extraction from the retinal circulation for metabolism (MO2), and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) in rd1 mice. The study was performed in a total of 18 wild type (WT) and 10 rd1 mice at both 3-weeks and 12-weeks of age. Retinal arterial and venous oxygen contents (O2A and O2V) were measured using phosphorescence lifetime imaging. Total retinal blood flow (TRBF) was determined by fluorescence and red-free imaging. DO2 and MO2 were determined as TRBF × O2A and TRBF × (O2A-O2V), respectively. OEF was calculated as MO2/DO2. The thickness of individual retinal layers was measured from histology sections and inner retina (IR) and total retina (TR) thickness were calculated. TRBF, DO2 and MO2 were lower in rd1 mice compared to WT mice (P ≤ 0.001), whereas OEF was not significantly different between rd1 and WT mice (P = 0.4). TRBF and DO2 were lower at 3-weeks of age compared to 12-weeks of age (P ≤ 0.01), while MO2 was not significantly different between age groups (P = 0.4) and OEF was higher at 3-weeks of age compared to 12-weeks of age (P = 0.003). Additionally, the outer and inner retinal cell layer thicknesses were decreased in rd1 mice at 12-weeks of age compared to both age-matched WT mice and rd1 mice at 3-weeks of age (P ≤ 0.02). MO2 was directly correlated with both IR and TR thickness (R ≥ 0.50; P ≤ 0.03, N = 20). The findings indicate that the rate oxygen is supplied by the retinal circulation is decreased and the reduction in oxygen extracted for metabolism is related to retinal cell layer thinning in rd1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Rahimi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sophie Leahy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nathanael Matei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Norman P Blair
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shinwu Jeong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mahnaz Shahidi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Rasmussen M, Welinder C, Schwede F, Ekström P. The cGMP system in normal and degenerating mouse neuroretina: New proteins with cGMP interaction potential identified by a proteomics approach. J Neurochem 2020; 157:2173-2186. [PMID: 33230839 PMCID: PMC8359485 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The hereditary disease Retinitis pigmentosa results in severe vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration by unclear mechanisms. In several disease models, the second messenger cGMP accumulates in the degenerating photoreceptors, where it may over‐activate specific cGMP‐interacting proteins, like cGMP‐dependent protein kinase. Moreover, interventions that counteract the activity of these proteins lead to reduced photoreceptor cell death. Yet there is little or no information whether other than such regular cGMP‐interactors are present in the retina, which we, therefore, investigated in wild‐type and retinal degeneration (rd1, rd10, and rd2) mouse models. An affinity chromatography based proteomics approach that utilized immobilized cGMP analogs was applied to enrich and select for regular and potentially new cGMP‐interacting proteins as identified by mass spectrometry. This approach revealed 12 regular and 10 potentially new retinal cGMP‐interacting proteins (e.g., EPAC2 and CaMKIIα). Several of the latter were found to be expressed in the photoreceptors and to have proximity to cGMP and may thus be of interest when defining prospective therapeutic targets or biomarkers for retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Rasmussen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Welinder
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Frank Schwede
- BIOLOG Life Science Institute GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen, Germany
| | - Per Ekström
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden
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10
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Yücel YH, Cheng F, Cardinell K, Zhou X, Irving H, Gupta N. Age-related decline of lymphatic drainage from the eye: A noninvasive in vivo photoacoustic tomography study. Exp Eye Res 2020; 194:108029. [PMID: 32251650 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We aim to determine whether lymphatic drainage from the eye changes with age. Using quantitative photoacoustic tomography, groups of young and older mice were studied in the live state. 10 CD-1 mice of 2-3 months (5M/5F) were studied in addition to 13 older mice of 12-13 months (6M/7F). In each of 23 mice, near-infrared tracer (a near-infrared dye, QC-1 conjugated with Bovine Serum Albumin) was injected into the right eye, and imaging of ipsilateral cervical lymph nodes was performed with laser pulses at 11 different wavelengths prior to and 20 min, 2, 4 and 6 h after injection. Mean pixel intensities (MPIs) of nodes were calculated at each imaging session. The areas under the curves (AUC) were calculated for both groups of mice and compared using the t-test. The slopes of MPI of each region of interest were compared using the linear mixed model before and after adjusting for sex, body weight and intraocular pressure of the right eye. The mean intraocular pressure of right eyes before injection was similar in older and younger groups (12.77 ± 2.01 mmHg and 12.90 ± 2.38 mmHg, respectively; p = 0.888). In each mouse, the photoacoustic signal was detected in the right cervical lymph nodes at the 2-h time point following tracer injection into the right eye. At the 4 and 6 h imaging times, a steady increase of tracer signal was observed. Areas under the curve in the right cervical nodes were decreased significantly in older mice compared to younger mice (p = 0.007). The slopes of MPI in the nodes were significantly decreased in old mice compared to young mice both before and after adjusting for sex, body weight and intraocular pressure of the right eye (p = 0.003). In conclusion, lymphatic drainage from the eye is significantly reduced in older eyes. This finding suggests that impaired lymphatic clearance of aqueous humor, proteins and antigens from the eye may contribute to age-related disease of the eye such as glaucoma and inflammatory eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeni H Yücel
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), St. Michael's Hospital, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Fang Cheng
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Kirsten Cardinell
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xun Zhou
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hyacinth Irving
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neeru Gupta
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Fu Z, Sun Y, Cakir B, Tomita Y, Huang S, Wang Z, Liu CH, S. Cho S, Britton W, S. Kern T, Antonetti DA, Hellström A, E.H. Smith L. Targeting Neurovascular Interaction in Retinal Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1503. [PMID: 32098361 PMCID: PMC7073081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tightly structured neural retina has a unique vascular network comprised of three interconnected plexuses in the inner retina (and choroid for outer retina), which provide oxygen and nutrients to neurons to maintain normal function. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that neuronal metabolic needs control both normal retinal vascular development and pathological aberrant vascular growth. Particularly, photoreceptors, with the highest density of mitochondria in the body, regulate retinal vascular development by modulating angiogenic and inflammatory factors. Photoreceptor metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation may cause adaptive but ultimately pathological retinal vascular responses, leading to blindness. Here we focus on the factors involved in neurovascular interactions, which are potential therapeutic targets to decrease energy demand and/or to increase energy production for neovascular retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjie Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ye Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Bertan Cakir
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Yohei Tomita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Zhongxiao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Chi-Hsiu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Steve S. Cho
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - William Britton
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
| | - Timothy S. Kern
- Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| | - David A. Antonetti
- Kellogg Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA;
| | - Ann Hellström
- Section for Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden;
| | - Lois E.H. Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Z.F.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.T.); (S.H.); (Z.W.); (C.-H.L.); (S.S.C.); (W.B.)
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Cuenca N, Ortuño-Lizarán I, Sánchez-Sáez X, Kutsyr O, Albertos-Arranz H, Fernández-Sánchez L, Martínez-Gil N, Noailles A, López-Garrido JA, López-Gálvez M, Lax P, Maneu V, Pinilla I. Interpretation of OCT and OCTA images from a histological approach: Clinical and experimental implications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 77:100828. [PMID: 31911236 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have been a technological breakthrough in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of many retinal diseases, thanks to its resolution and its ability to inform of the retinal state in seconds, which gives relevant information about retinal degeneration. In this review, we present an immunohistochemical description of the human and mice retina and we correlate it with the OCT bands in health and pathological conditions. Here, we propose an interpretation of the four outer hyperreflective OCT bands with a correspondence to retinal histology: the first and innermost band as the external limiting membrane (ELM), the second band as the cone ellipsoid zone (EZ), the third band as the outer segment tips phagocytosed by the pigment epithelium (PhaZ), and the fourth band as the mitochondria in the basal portion of the RPE (RPEmitZ). The integrity of these bands would reflect the health of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. Moreover, we describe how the vascular plexuses vary in different regions of the healthy human and mice retina, using OCTA and immunohistochemistry. In humans, four, three, two or one plexuses can be observed depending on the distance from the fovea. Also, specific structures such as vascular loops in the intermediate capillary plexus, or spider-like structures of interconnected capillaries in the deep capillary plexus are found. In mice, three vascular plexuses occupy the whole retina, except in the most peripheral retina where only two plexuses are found. These morphological issues should be considered when assessing a pathology, as some retinal diseases are associated with structural changes in blood vessels. Therefore, the analysis of OCT bands and OCTA vascular plexuses may be complementary for the diagnosis and prognosis of retinal degenerative processes, useful to assess therapeutic approaches, and it is usually correlated to visual acuity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain; Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
| | | | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Agustina Noailles
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa, University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
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Abstract
In humans high quality, high acuity visual experience is mediated by the fovea, a tiny, specialized patch of retina containing the locus of fixation. Despite this, vision restoration strategies are typically developed in animal models without a fovea. While electrical prostheses have been approved by regulators, as yet they have failed to restore high quality, high acuity vision in patients. Approaches under pre-clinical development include regenerative cell therapies, optogenetics and chemical photosensitizers. All retinal vision restoration therapies require reactivation of inner retina that has lost photoreceptor input and that the restored signals can be interpreted at a behavioural level. A greater emphasis on tackling these challenges at the fovea may accelerate progress toward high quality vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette E McGregor
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, New York, USA
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