Quantitative proteomic analysis of scleras in guinea pig exposed to wavelength defocus

Disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism is a putative pathogenesis of Diamond-Blackfan anemia

Energy metabolism in the context of erythropoiesis and related diseases remains largely unexplored. Here, we developed a primary cell model by differentiating hematopoietic stem progenitor cells toward the erythroid lineage and suppressing the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. OXPHOS suppression led to differentiation failure of erythroid progenitors and defects in ribosome biogenesis. Ran GTPase-activating protein 1 (RanGAP1) was identified as a target of mitochondrial OXPHOS for ribosomal defects during erythropoiesis. Overexpression of RanGAP1 largely alleviated erythroid defects resulting from OXPHOS suppression. Coenzyme Q10, an activator of OXPHOS, largely rescued erythroid defects and increased RanGAP1 expression. Patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) exhibited OXPHOS suppression and a concomitant suppression of ribosome biogenesis. RNA-seq analysis implied that the substantial mutation (approximately 10%) in OXPHOS genes accounts for OXPHOS suppression in these patients. Conclusively, OXPHOS disruption and the associated disruptive mitochondrial energy metabolism are linked to the pathogenesis of DBA.

Scleral remodeling during myopia development in mice eyes: a potential role of thrombospondin-1

BACKGROUND

Scleral extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling plays a crucial role in the development of myopia, particularly in ocular axial elongation. Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), also known as TSP-1, is a significant cellular protein involved in matrix remodeling in various tissues. However, the specific role of THBS1 in myopia development remains unclear.

METHOD

We employed the HumanNet database to predict genes related to myopic sclera remodeling, followed by screening and visualization of the predicted genes using bioinformatics tools. To investigate the potential target gene Thbs1, we utilized lens-induced myopia models in male C57BL/6J mice and performed Western blot analysis to detect the expression level of scleral THBS1 during myopia development. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of scleral THBS1 knockdown on myopia development through AAV sub-Tenon's injection. The refractive status and axial length were measured using a refractometer and SD-OCT system.

RESULTS

During lens-induced myopia, THBS1 protein expression in the sclera was downregulated, particularly in the early stages of myopia induction. Moreover, the mice in the THBS1 knockdown group exhibited alterations in myopia development in both refraction and axial length changed compared to the control group. Western blotting analysis confirmed the effectiveness of AAV-mediated knockdown, demonstrating a decrease in COLA1 expression and an increase in MMP9 levels in the sclera.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that sclera THBS1 levels decreased during myopia development and subsequent THBS1 knockdown showed a decrease in scleral COLA1 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that THBS1 plays a role in maintaining the homeostasis of scleral extracellular matrix, and the reduction of THBS1 may promote the remodeling process and then affect ocular axial elongation during myopia progression.

Blue light attenuates TGF-β2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells via autophagy impairment

Background

Pathogenesis of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was related to pathological epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs). It has been reported that blue light could have an effect on EMT. This study aims to elucidate the role and potential mechanism of autophagy in EMT after blue light exposure in LECs.

Methods

HLE-B3 cells were treated with TGF-β2 with different concentration and time to induce EMT as a model of PCO in vitro. Cells were exposed to blue light with or without TGF-β2. The expression levels of EMT-associated markers were analyzed by qRT-PCR, western blotting and cell migration ability was determined by transwell migration assay and wound healing assay. The expressions of autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Rapamycin and chloroquine were utilized in cells for autophagy activation and inhibition.

Results

TGF-β2 induced autophagy activation during EMT progression in HLE-B3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Blue light exposure inhibited TGF-β2-induced EMT characterized by inhibited expression of EMT related markers and reduced migration capacity. Meanwhile, blue light exposure impaired autophagy activated by TGF-β2. Furthermore, Autophagy activation with rapamycin rescued EMT attenuated by blue light. Autophagy inhibition with chloroquine reduced TGF-β2-induced EMT in HLE-B3 cells.

Conclusion

Blue light exposure had inhibited effects on TGF-β2-induced EMT in LECs through autophagy impairment, which provides a new insight on prevention and treatment of PCO.

Retinal Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals the Underlying Mechanism of Disturbed Emmetropization Induced by Wavelength Defocus

PURPOSE

Wavelength signals play a vital role in refractive development. This study aimed to explore the retinal transcriptome signature in these processes.

METHODS

Guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups exposed to white, blue, or green environmental light for eight weeks. Refraction and axial length were evaluated every 4 weeks, and the retinal transcriptome was profiled at 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared with the white group, ocular refraction significantly decreased and ocular axial length significantly extended in the green group whereas these parameters showed opposite trends in the blue group. RNA-sequencing showed that, compared with the white group, 184 and 171 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the blue and green groups, respectively. Among these DEGs, only 31 overlapped. These two sets of DEGs were enriched in distinct biological processes and pathways. There were 268 DEGs between the blue and green groups, which were primarily enriched in the extracellular matrix, and metabolism, receptor activity, and ion binding processes. In addition, nine human genes, including ECEL1, CHRND, SHBG, PRSS56, OVOL1, RDH5, WNT7B, PEBP4, CA12, were identified to be related to myopia development and wavelength response, indicating the potential role of these genes in human wavelength-induced myopia.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we identified retinal targets and pathways involved in the response to wavelength signals in emmetropization.

Component Identification of Phenolic Acids in Cell Suspension Cultures of Saussureainvolucrata and Its Mechanism of Anti-Hepatoma Revealed by TMT Quantitative Proteomics

Saussurea involucrata (S. involucrata) had been reported to have anti-hepatoma function. However, the mechanism is complex and unclear. To evaluate the anti-hepatoma mechanism of S. involucrata comprehensively and make a theoretical basis for the mechanical verification of later research, we carried out this work. In this study, the total phenolic acids from S. involucrata determined by a cell suspension culture (ESPI) was mainly composed of 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, according to the LC-MS analysis. BALB/c nude female mice were injected with HepG2 cells to establish an animal model of liver tumor before being divided into a control group, a low-dose group, a middle-dose group, a high-dose group, and a DDP group. Subsequently, EPSI was used as the intervention drug for mice. Biochemical indicators and differences in protein expression determined by TMT quantitative proteomics were used to resolve the mechanism after the low- (100 mg/kg), middle- (200 mg/kg), and high-dose (400 mg/kg) interventions for 24 days. The results showed that EPSI can not only limit the growth of HepG2 cells in vitro, but also can inhibit liver tumors significantly with no toxicity at high doses in vivo. Proteomics analysis revealed that the upregulated differentially expressed proteins (DE proteins) in the high-dose group were over three times that in the control group. ESPI affected the pathways significantly associated with the protein metabolic process, metabolic process, catalytic activity, hydrolase activity, proteolysis, endopeptidase activity, serine-type endopeptidase activity, etc. The treatment group showed significant differences in the pathways associated with the renin-angiotensin system, hematopoietic cell lineage, etc. In conclusion, ESPI has a significant anti-hepatoma effect and the potential mechanism was revealed.