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Domalpally A, Slater R, Linderman RE, Balaji R, Bogost J, Voland R, Pak J, Blodi BA, Channa R, Fong D, Chew EY. Strong versus Weak Data Labeling for Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in the Measurement of Geographic Atrophy. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2024; 4:100477. [PMID: 38827491 PMCID: PMC11141255 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2024.100477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Purpose To gain an understanding of data labeling requirements to train deep learning models for measurement of geographic atrophy (GA) with fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images. Design Evaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Subjects The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) images were used for training and cross-validation, and GA clinical trial images were used for testing. Methods Training data consisted of 2 sets of FAF images; 1 with area measurements only and no indication of GA location (Weakly labeled) and the second with GA segmentation masks (Strongly labeled). Main Outcome Measures Bland-Altman plots and scatter plots were used to compare GA area measurement between ground truth and AI measurements. The Dice coefficient was used to compare accuracy of segmentation of the Strong model. Results In the cross-validation AREDS2 data set (n = 601), the mean (standard deviation [SD]) area of GA measured by human grader, Weakly labeled AI model, and Strongly labeled AI model was 6.65 (6.3) mm2, 6.83 (6.29) mm2, and 6.58 (6.24) mm2, respectively. The mean difference between ground truth and AI was 0.18 mm2 (95% confidence interval, [CI], -7.57 to 7.92) for the Weakly labeled model and -0.07 mm2 (95% CI, -1.61 to 1.47) for the Strongly labeled model. With GlaxoSmithKline testing data (n = 156), the mean (SD) GA area was 9.79 (5.6) mm2, 8.82 (4.61) mm2, and 9.55 (5.66) mm2 for human grader, Strongly labeled AI model, and Weakly labeled AI model, respectively. The mean difference between ground truth and AI for the 2 models was -0.97 mm2 (95% CI, -4.36 to 2.41) and -0.24 mm2 (95% CI, -4.98 to 4.49), respectively. The Dice coefficient was 0.99 for intergrader agreement, 0.89 for the cross-validation data, and 0.92 for the testing data. Conclusions Deep learning models can achieve reasonable accuracy even with Weakly labeled data. Training methods that integrate large volumes of Weakly labeled images with small number of Strongly labeled images offer a promising solution to overcome the burden of cost and time for data labeling. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitha Domalpally
- A-EYE Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Robert Slater
- A-EYE Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rachel E. Linderman
- A-EYE Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rohit Balaji
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jacob Bogost
- A-EYE Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rick Voland
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jeong Pak
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Barbara A. Blodi
- A-EYE Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Roomasa Channa
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Emily Y. Chew
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Safai A, Froines C, Slater R, Linderman RE, Bogost J, Pacheco C, Voland R, Pak J, Tiwari P, Channa R, Domalpally A. Quantifying Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Comparative Analysis Across 12 Deep Learning Models. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:42. [PMID: 39046755 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.8.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose AI algorithms have shown impressive performance in segmenting geographic atrophy (GA) from fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images. However, selection of artificial intelligence (AI) architecture is an important variable in model development. Here, we explore 12 distinct AI architecture combinations to determine the most effective approach for GA segmentation. Methods We investigated various AI architectures, each with distinct combinations of encoders and decoders. The architectures included three decoders-FPN (Feature Pyramid Network), UNet, and PSPNet (Pyramid Scene Parsing Network)-and serve as the foundation framework for segmentation task. Encoders including EfficientNet, ResNet (Residual Networks), VGG (Visual Geometry Group) and Mix Vision Transformer (mViT) have a role in extracting optimum latent features for accurate GA segmentation. Performance was measured through comparison of GA areas between human and AI predictions and Dice Coefficient (DC). Results The training dataset included 601 FAF images from AREDS2 study and validation included 156 FAF images from the GlaxoSmithKline study. The mean absolute difference between grader measured and AI predicted areas ranged from -0.08 (95% CI = -1.35, 1.19) to 0.73 mm2 (95% CI = -5.75,4.29) and DC between 0.884-0.993. The best-performing models were UNet and FPN frameworks with mViT, and the least-performing models were PSPNet framework. Conclusions The choice of AI architecture impacts GA segmentation performance. Vision transformers with FPN and UNet architectures demonstrate stronger suitability for this task compared to Convolutional Neural Network- and PSPNet-based models. Selecting an AI architecture must be tailored to the specific goals of the project, and developers should consider which architecture is ideal for their project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva Safai
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Depts of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Colin Froines
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Robert Slater
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Rachel E Linderman
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Jacob Bogost
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Caleb Pacheco
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Rickie Voland
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Jeong Pak
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Pallavi Tiwari
- Depts of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Roomasa Channa
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Amitha Domalpally
- A-EYE Research Unit, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- Wisconsin Reading Center, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
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Wu Z, Hodgson LA, Guymer RH. Targeted High-Density Microperimetry Testing of Nascent Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2024; 4:100419. [PMID: 38170082 PMCID: PMC10758950 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Purpose To examine the effectiveness of a targeted high-density microperimetry testing strategy for detecting visual sensitivity abnormalities in eyes with nascent geographic atrophy (nGA) when compared with standard central microperimetry testing. Design Observational study. Participants Three-hundred and twenty-one eyes from 176 individuals with nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Thirty-five eyes from 33 participants underwent targeted high-density microperimetry testing of atrophic lesions (either nGA or geographic atrophy [GA]) within a 1.75° radius (or approximately 1000 μm diameter) region. Another cohort of 286 eyes from 143 participants with bilateral large drusen at baseline underwent standard microperimetry testing of the central 6° radius region at 6-monthly intervals for up to 36 months and thus included eyes that developed nGA and GA over the follow-up. All eyes underwent 2 tests at each visit to evaluate intrasession measurement repeatability. Main Outcome Measures Magnitude of visual sensitivity abnormalities based on mean sensitivity (MS), pointwise sensitivity standard deviation (PSD), and the number of test locations with a threshold of ≤ 10 decibels (dB; or deep defects) in eyes with nGA, compared between eyes that underwent targeted high-density microperimetry testing and standard central microperimetry testing. Results The magnitude of visual sensitivity abnormalities based on MS, PSD and the number of deep defects were all significantly greater in eyes with nGA using targeted, high-density microperimetry testing compared with eyes with nGA using standard central microperimetry testing (all P < 0.001) and were all significantly less than eyes with GA using targeted, high-density microperimetry testing (all P ≤ 0.004). The intrasession coefficient of repeatability, where 95% of the test-retest differences are expected to occur, for MS in eyes with atrophic changes was 0.9 dB with the targeted, high-density microperimetry testing, and 1.8 dB with standard central microperimetry testing. Conclusions Targeted, high-density microperimetry testing enabled the detection of a significantly greater magnitude of visual sensitivity abnormalities in eyes with nGA than standard microperimetry testing. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Wu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lauren A.B. Hodgson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn H. Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Hallam TM, Sharp SJ, Andreadi A, Kavanagh D. Complement factor I: Regulatory nexus, driver of immunopathology, and therapeutic. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152410. [PMID: 37478687 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152410] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Complement factor I (FI) is the nexus for classical, lectin and alternative pathway complement regulation. FI is an 88 kDa plasma protein that circulates in an inactive configuration until it forms a trimolecular complex with its cofactor and substrate whereupon a structural reorganization allows the catalytic triad to cleave its substrates, C3b and C4b. In keeping with its role as the master complement regulatory enzyme, deficiency has been linked to immunopathology. In the setting of complete FI deficiency, a consumptive C3 deficiency results in recurrent infections with encapsulated microorganisms. Aseptic cerebral inflammation and vasculitic presentations are also less commonly observed. Heterozygous mutations in the factor I gene (CFI) have been demonstrated to be enriched in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, albeit with a very low penetrance. Haploinsufficiency of CFI has also been associated with decreased retinal thickness and is a strong risk factor for the development of age-related macular degeneration. Supplementation of FI using plasma purified or recombinant protein has long been postulated, however, technical difficulties prevented progression into clinical trials. It is only using gene therapy that CFI supplementation has reached the clinic with GT005 in phase I/II clinical trials for geographic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Hallam
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, London N7 9AS, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK
| | - S J Sharp
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - A Andreadi
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK
| | - D Kavanagh
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK; NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
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Shen M, Li J, Shi Y, Zhang Q, Liu Z, Zhou H, Lu J, Cheng Y, Chu Z, Zhou X, Liu J, Jiang X, Wang L, Laiginhas R, de Sisternes L, Vanner EA, Feuer WJ, Wang RK, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ. Decreased Central Macular Choriocapillaris Perfusion Correlates With Increased Low Luminance Visual Acuity Deficits. Am J Ophthalmol 2023; 253:1-11. [PMID: 37142175 PMCID: PMC10626399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.04.011] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Correlations between low luminance visual acuity deficits (LLVADs) and central choriocapillaris perfusion deficits were investigated to help explain how increases in LLVAD scores at baseline predict annual growth rates of geographic atrophy (GA). DESIGN Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS Photopic luminance best-corrected visual acuity (PL-BCVA) and low luminance BCVA (LL-BCVA) were measured using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart. LL-BCVA was measured using a 2.0-log unit neutral density filter. LLVADs were calculated as the difference between PL-BCVA and LL-BCVA. Within a fovea-centered 1-mm circle, the percentage of choriocapillaris flow deficits (CC FD%), drusen volume, optical attenuation coefficient (OAC) elevation volume, and outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness were assessed. RESULTS In all 90 eyes (30 normal eyes; 31 drusen-only eyes; 29 non-foveal GA eyes), significant correlations were found between the central CC FD% and PL-BCVA (r = -0.393, P < .001), LL-BCVA (r = -0.534, P < .001), and the LLVAD (r = 0.439, P < .001). Central cube root (cubrt) drusen volume, cubrt OAC elevation volume, and ORL thickness were correlated with PL-BCVA, LL-BCVA, and LLVADs (all P < .05). Stepwise regression models showed that central cubrt OAC elevation volume and ORL thickness were associated with PL-BCVA (R2 = 0.24, P < .05); central CC FD%, cubrt OAC elevation volume, and ORL thickness were associated with LL-BCVA (R2 = 0.44, P < .01); and central CC FD% and ORL thickness were associated with LLVAD (R2 = 0.24, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS The significant correlations between central CC FD% and LLVAD support the hypothesis that the ability of LLVAD to predict the growth of GA is mediated through a decrease in macular choriocapillaris perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jianqing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Yingying Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Research and Development (Q.Z., L.D.), Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, California, USA
| | - Ziyu Liu
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yuxuan Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Zhongdi Chu
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jeremy Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Xiaoshuang Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Rita Laiginhas
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Luis de Sisternes
- Research and Development (Q.Z., L.D.), Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Vanner
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - William J Feuer
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ruikang K Wang
- Department of Bioengineering (Z. L., H.Z., J.L., Y.C., Z.C., X.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Ophthalmology (R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Philip J Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology (M.S., J.L., Y.S., J.L., X.J., L.W., R.L., E.A.V., W.J.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
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Cruz-Pimentel M, Wu L. Complement Inhibitors for Advanced Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Geographic Atrophy): Some Light at the End of the Tunnel? J Clin Med 2023; 12:5131. [PMID: 37568533 PMCID: PMC10420150 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA) affects around 5 million individuals worldwide. Genome-wide, histopathologic, in vitro and animal studies have implicated the activation of the complement system and chronic local inflammation in the pathogenesis of GA. Recently, clinical trials have demonstrated that an intravitreal injection of pegcetacoplan, a C3 inhibitor, and avacincaptad pegol, a C5 inhibitor, both statistically significantly reduce the growth of GA up to 20% in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, the protective effect of both pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad appear to increase with time. However, despite these anatomic outcomes, visual function has not improved as these drugs appear to only slow down the degenerative process. Unexpected adverse events included conversion to exudative NV-AMD with both drugs. Occlusive retinal vasculitis and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy have been reported in pegcetacoplan-treated eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cruz-Pimentel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada;
| | - Lihteh Wu
- Asociados de Macula, Vitreo y Retina de Costa Rica, Primer Piso Torre Mercedes Paseo Colon, San José 10102, Costa Rica
- Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Anisetti B, Stewart MW, Eggenberger ER, Shourav MMI, Youssef H, Elkhair A, Ertekin-Taner N, Meschia JF, Lin MP. Age-related macular degeneration is associated with probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy: A case-control study. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2023; 32:107244. [PMID: 37422928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107244] [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] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal degenerative disorder among older individuals. Amyloid deposits, a hallmark of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. Since amyloid deposits may contribute to the development of both AMD and CAA, we hypothesized that patients with AMD have a higher prevalence of CAA. OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalence of CAA in patients with or without AMD matched for age. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, 1:1 age-matched, case-control study of patients ≥40 years of age at the Mayo Clinic who had undergone both retinal optical coherence tomography and brain MRI from 2011 to 2015. Primary dependent variables were probable CAA, superficial siderosis, and lobar and deep cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). The relationship between AMD and CAA was assessed using multivariable logistic regression and was compared across AMD severity (none vs early vs late AMD). RESULTS Our analysis included 256 age-matched pairs (AMD 126, no AMD 130). Of those with AMD, 79 (30.9%) had early AMD and 47 (19.4%) had late AMD. The mean age was 75±9 years, and there was no significant difference in vascular risk factors between groups. Patients with AMD had a higher prevalence of CAA (16.7% vs 10.0%, p=0.116) and superficial siderosis (15.1% vs 6.2%, p=0.020), but not deep CMB (5.2% vs 6.2%, p=0.426), compared to those without AMD. After adjusting for covariates, having late AMD was associated with increased odds of CAA (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.10-7.27, p=0.031) and superficial siderosis (OR 3.40, 95%CI 1.20-9.65, p=0.022), but not deep CMB (OR 0.7, 95%CI 0.14-3.51, p=0.669). CONCLUSIONS AMD was associated with CAA and superficial siderosis but not deep CMB, consistent with the hypothesis that amyloid deposits play a role in the development of AMD. Prospective studies are needed to determine if features of AMD may serve as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhrugun Anisetti
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Michael W Stewart
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Eric R Eggenberger
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Md Manjurul I Shourav
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Hossam Youssef
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Ahamed Elkhair
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Nilufer Ertekin-Taner
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - James F Meschia
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Michelle P Lin
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States.
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Khalili H, Kashkoli HH, Weyland DE, Pirkalkhoran S, Grabowska WR. Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products for Age-Related Macular Degeneration; Scaffold Fabrication and Delivery Methods. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:620. [PMID: 37111377 PMCID: PMC10146656 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represent a leading cause of blindness, resulting in permanent damage to retinal cells that are essential for maintaining normal vision. Around 12% of people over the age of 65 have some form of retinal degenerative disease. Whilst antibody-based drugs have revolutionised treatment of neovascular AMD, they are only effective at an early stage and cannot prevent eventual progression or allow recovery of previously lost vision. Hence, there is a clear unmet need to find innovative treatment strategies to develop a long-term cure. The replacement of damaged retinal cells is thought to be the best therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with retinal degeneration. Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are a group of innovative and complex biological products including cell therapy medicinal products, gene therapy medicinal products, and tissue engineered products. Development of ATMPs for the treatment of retinal degeneration diseases has become a fast-growing field of research because it offers the potential to replace damaged retinal cells for long-term treatment of AMD. While gene therapy has shown encouraging results, its effectiveness for treatment of retinal disease may be hampered by the body's response and problems associated with inflammation in the eye. In this mini-review, we focus on describing ATMP approaches including cell- and gene-based therapies for treatment of AMD along with their applications. We also aim to provide a brief overview of biological substitutes, also known as scaffolds, that can be used for delivery of cells to the target tissue and describe biomechanical properties required for optimal delivery. We describe different fabrication methods for preparing cell-scaffolds and explain how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) can aid with the process. We predict that combining AI with 3D bioprinting for 3D cell-scaffold fabrication could potentially revolutionise retinal tissue engineering and open up new opportunities for developing innovative platforms to deliver therapeutic agents to the target tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Khalili
- School of Biomedical Science, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | | | | | - Sama Pirkalkhoran
- School of Biomedical Science, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK
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9
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Nhàn NTT, Maidana DE, Yamada KH. Ocular Delivery of Therapeutic Agents by Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Cells 2023; 12:1071. [PMID: 37048144 PMCID: PMC10093283 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides with the ability to translocate through the cell membrane to facilitate their cellular uptake. CPPs can be used as drug-delivery systems for molecules that are difficult to uptake. Ocular drug delivery is challenging due to the structural and physiological complexity of the eye. CPPs may be tailored to overcome this challenge, facilitating cellular uptake and delivery to the targeted area. Retinal diseases occur at the posterior pole of the eye; thus, intravitreal injections are needed to deliver drugs at an effective concentration in situ. However, frequent injections have risks of causing vision-threatening complications. Recent investigations have focused on developing long-acting drugs and drug delivery systems to reduce the frequency of injections. In fact, conjugation with CPP could deliver FDA-approved drugs to the back of the eye, as seen by topical application in animal models. This review summarizes recent advances in CPPs, protein/peptide-based drugs for eye diseases, and the use of CPPs for drug delivery based on systematic searches in PubMed and clinical trials. We highlight targeted therapies and explore the potential of CPPs and peptide-based drugs for eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhàn
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Daniel E. Maidana
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Kaori H. Yamada
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
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10
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Network Pharmacology-Based Identification of Key Targets of Ziyin Mingmu Pills Acting on Age-Related Macular Degeneration. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2023; 2023:5933125. [PMID: 36777624 PMCID: PMC9911245 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5933125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective This study is designed to find out the molecular targets of effective Chinese medicine Ziyin Mingmu pills (ZMPs) in treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) based on network pharmacology and experimental data. Methods A comprehensive network pharmacology strategy that consists of three sequential modules (drug-disease target molecular docking, enrichment analysis, and external verification) was carried out to identify potential targets of ZMPs acting on AMD. Results The active ingredients of ZMPs targeting 66 genes have effects on the process of AMD. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses suggested that response to oxidative stress, regulation of angiogenesis, and lipid and atherosclerosis might serve as the most important signaling pathways in ZMPs for AMD treatment. Combined with the GSE29801 dataset for further analysis, two key genes, EGFR and VEGFA, were identified. Immune infiltration analysis showed that there was a strong association between EGFR and immune cell content. In addition, images were acquired following 24 h in the scratch experiment showed that ZMPs can reduce the percentage of wound healing distance. The Western blot assay found that ZMPs increased the expression of EGFR and decreased the expression of VEGFA. Conclusion This study sheds light on some mechanisms of ZMP therapy for AMD, particularly the effect of ZMP on the oxidative stress in RPE and cell survival and angiogenesis in AMD. We propound ZMPs as a promising strategy to intervene in the process of AMD.
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Shen M, Shi Y, Wang L, Russell JF, Jiang X, Laiginhas R, Iyer P, Trivizki O, Thulliez M, Yoo SH, Rose TP, Habash RG, Amescua G, Feuer WJ, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ. Impact of Cataract Surgery on Low Luminance Visual Acuity Deficit Measurements. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2022; 2:100170. [PMID: 36245760 PMCID: PMC9559759 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The impact of cataract surgery on low luminance visual acuity deficit (LLVAD) measurements was investigated by measuring the LLVAD before and after cataract surgery. Design Prospective, longitudinal study. Participants Patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods Photopic luminance (PL)–best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and low luminance (LL)–BCVA were obtained using the ETDRS chart. Low luminance visual acuity deficit scores were calculated by subtracting the LL-BCVA letter score from the PL-BCVA letter score. To demonstrate the reproducibility of these visual acuity measurements, we used data from drusen-only eyes previously published in the Complement Inhibition with Eculizumab for the Treatment of Nonexudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration (COMPLETE) study. The PL-BCVA, LL-BCVA, and LLVAD measurements obtained at an interval of 3 months in this cohort were used for comparison. In the current study, the impact of cataract surgery on LLVAD measurements was analyzed by comparing the PL-BCVA, LL-BCVA, and LLVAD measurements before and after cataract surgery. Main Outcome Measures The reproducibility of the visual acuity measurements and the changes in LLVAD measurement after cataract surgery. Results In the COMPLETE study, no clinically significant differences were found in the PL-BCVA, LL-BCVA, or LLVAD measurements between baseline and the 3-month follow-up visits with a change of –1.1 letters, –1.3 letters, and 0.1 letters, respectively (P = 0.02, P = 0.11, and P = 0.88, respectively). In the current study, significant increases were found in the PL-BCVA and LL-BCVA measurements, with a change of 7.3 letters and 10.2 letters after cataract surgery (P < 0.001 for both), and a statistically significant decrease in LLVAD measurements was found, with a change of –3.0 letters after cataract surgery (P = 0.002). Conclusions Because of the variable effect of cataracts on LL-BCVA measurements and the significant change in LLVAD measurements after cataract surgery, investigators should be aware that cataract surgery during a trial will have an unpredictable impact on LLVAD measurements, and pseudophakic and phakic patients should be analyzed separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Yingying Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Jonathan F. Russell
- Institute for Vision Research and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Xiaoshuang Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Rita Laiginhas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Prashanth Iyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Omer Trivizki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Marie Thulliez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Sonia H. Yoo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Terri P. Rose
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Ranya G. Habash
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Guillermo Amescua
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - William J. Feuer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Philip J. Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Correspondence: Philip J. Rosenfeld, MD, PhD, Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136.
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12
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Fabre M, Mateo L, Lamaa D, Baillif S, Pagès G, Demange L, Ronco C, Benhida R. Recent Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Therapies. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27165089. [PMID: 36014339 PMCID: PMC9414333 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was described for the first time in the 1840s and is currently the leading cause of blindness for patients over 65 years in Western Countries. This disease impacts the eye’s posterior segment and damages the macula, a retina section with high levels of photoreceptor cells and responsible for the central vision. Advanced AMD stages are divided into the atrophic (dry) form and the exudative (wet) form. Atrophic AMD consists in the progressive atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the outer retinal layers, while the exudative form results in the anarchic invasion by choroidal neo-vessels of RPE and the retina. This invasion is responsible for fluid accumulation in the intra/sub-retinal spaces and for a progressive dysfunction of the photoreceptor cells. To date, the few existing anti-AMD therapies may only delay or suspend its progression, without providing cure to patients. However, in the last decade, an outstanding number of research programs targeting its different aspects have been initiated by academics and industrials. This review aims to bring together the most recent advances and insights into the mechanisms underlying AMD pathogenicity and disease evolution, and to highlight the current hypotheses towards the development of new treatments, i.e., symptomatic vs. curative. The therapeutic options and drugs proposed to tackle these mechanisms are analyzed and critically compared. A particular emphasis has been given to the therapeutic agents currently tested in clinical trials, whose results have been carefully collected and discussed whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Fabre
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Lou Mateo
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Diana Lamaa
- CiTCoM, UMR 8038 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Paris Cité, 4, Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Baillif
- Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital of Nice, 30 Avenue De La Voie Romaine, 06000 Nice, France
| | - Gilles Pagès
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (IRCAN), UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Luc Demange
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
- CiTCoM, UMR 8038 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Paris Cité, 4, Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Cyril Ronco
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Rachid Benhida
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences-Green Process Engineering (CBS-GPE), Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir 43150, Morocco
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (C.R.); (R.B.)
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Senabouth A, Daniszewski M, Lidgerwood GE, Liang HH, Hernández D, Mirzaei M, Keenan SN, Zhang R, Han X, Neavin D, Rooney L, Lopez Sanchez MIG, Gulluyan L, Paulo JA, Clarke L, Kearns LS, Gnanasambandapillai V, Chan CL, Nguyen U, Steinmann AM, McCloy RA, Farbehi N, Gupta VK, Mackey DA, Bylsma G, Verma N, MacGregor S, Watt MJ, Guymer RH, Powell JE, Hewitt AW, Pébay A. Transcriptomic and proteomic retinal pigment epithelium signatures of age-related macular degeneration. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4233. [PMID: 35882847 PMCID: PMC9325891 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31707-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently no treatments for geographic atrophy, the advanced form of age-related macular degeneration. Hence, innovative studies are needed to model this condition and prevent or delay its progression. Induced pluripotent stem cells generated from patients with geographic atrophy and healthy individuals were differentiated to retinal pigment epithelium. Integrating transcriptional profiles of 127,659 retinal pigment epithelium cells generated from 43 individuals with geographic atrophy and 36 controls with genotype data, we identify 445 expression quantitative trait loci in cis that are asssociated with disease status and specific to retinal pigment epithelium subpopulations. Transcriptomics and proteomics approaches identify molecular pathways significantly upregulated in geographic atrophy, including in mitochondrial functions, metabolic pathways and extracellular cellular matrix reorganization. Five significant protein quantitative trait loci that regulate protein expression in the retinal pigment epithelium and in geographic atrophy are identified - two of which share variants with cis- expression quantitative trait loci, including proteins involved in mitochondrial biology and neurodegeneration. Investigation of mitochondrial metabolism confirms mitochondrial dysfunction as a core constitutive difference of the retinal pigment epithelium from patients with geographic atrophy. This study uncovers important differences in retinal pigment epithelium homeostasis associated with geographic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Senabouth
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Maciej Daniszewski
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Grace E Lidgerwood
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Helena H Liang
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Damián Hernández
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Stacey N Keenan
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ran Zhang
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Xikun Han
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Drew Neavin
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Louise Rooney
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | | | - Lerna Gulluyan
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Linda Clarke
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Lisa S Kearns
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | | | - Chia-Ling Chan
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Uyen Nguyen
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Angela M Steinmann
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Rachael A McCloy
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Nona Farbehi
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Vision Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Guy Bylsma
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Vision Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Nitin Verma
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Stuart MacGregor
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Matthew J Watt
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Robyn H Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, The University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Joseph E Powell
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- UNSW Cellular Genomics Futures Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia.
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, The University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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Neuroprotection for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2022; 2:100192. [PMID: 36570623 PMCID: PMC9767822 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Early to intermediate AMD is characterized by the accumulation of lipid- and protein-rich drusen. Late stages of the disease are characterized by the development of choroidal neovascularization, termed "exudative" or "neovascular AMD," or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell and photoreceptor death, termed "geographic atrophy" (GA) in advanced nonexudative AMD. Although we have effective treatments for exudative AMD in the form of anti-VEGF agents, they have no role for patients with GA. Neuroprotection strategies have emerged as a possible way to slow photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss in patients with GA. These approaches include reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of the visual cycle, reduction of toxic molecules, inhibition of pathologic protein activity, prevention of cellular apoptosis or programmed necrosis (necroptosis), inhibition of inflammation, direct activation of neurotrophic factors, delivery of umbilical tissue-derived cells, and RPE replacement. Despite active investigation in this area and significant promise based on preclinical studies, many clinical studies have not yielded successful results. We discuss selected past and current neuroprotection trials for AMD, highlight the lessons learned from these past studies, and discuss our perspective regarding remaining questions that must be answered before neuroprotection can be successfully applied in the field of AMD research.
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Key Words
- AD, Alzheimer disease
- ALA, alpha lipoic acid
- AMD, age-related macular degeneration
- AREDS, Age-Related Eye Disease Study
- AREDS2, Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2
- Age-related macular degeneration
- CFH, complement factor H
- CNTF, ciliary neurotrophic factor
- GA, geographic atrophy
- HTRA1, high-temperature requirement A1
- IOP, intraocular pressure
- Neuroprotection
- RBP, retinol-binding protein
- RGC, retinal ganglion cell
- RIPK3, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- RPE, retinal pigment epithelium
- Retinal degeneration
- VA, visual acuity
- iPSC, induced pluripotent stem cell
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15
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Markan A, Neupane S, Agrawal R, Gupta V. Newer therapeutic agents for retinal diseases. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2022.2030709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Markan
- Advanced Eye Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Swechya Neupane
- Advanced Eye Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Rupesh Agrawal
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Sen Hospital, Novena, Singapore
| | - Vishali Gupta
- Advanced Eye Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
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Landowski M, Bowes Rickman C. Targeting Lipid Metabolism for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Insights from Preclinical Mouse Models. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2021; 38:3-32. [PMID: 34788573 PMCID: PMC8817708 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2021.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in the world with limited therapeutic interventions. Histological, biochemical, genetic, and epidemiological studies strongly implicate dysregulated lipid metabolism in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in AMD pathobiology. However, effective therapies targeting lipid metabolism still need to be identified and developed for this blinding disease. To test lipid metabolism-targeting therapies, preclinical AMD mouse models are needed to establish therapeutic efficacy and the role of lipid metabolism in the development of AMD-like pathology. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of current AMD mouse models available to researchers that could be used to provide preclinical evidence supporting therapies targeting lipid metabolism for AMD. Based on previous studies of AMD mouse models, we discuss strategies to modulate lipid metabolism as well as examples of studies evaluating lipid-targeting therapeutics to restore lipid processing in the RPE. The use of AMD mouse models may lead to worthy lipid-targeting candidate therapies for clinical trials to prevent the blindness caused by AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Landowski
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Catherine Bowes Rickman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Wu Z, Fletcher EL, Kumar H, Greferath U, Guymer RH. Reticular pseudodrusen: A critical phenotype in age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 88:101017. [PMID: 34752916 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), or subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), refer to distinct lesions that occur in the subretinal space. Over the past three decades, their presence in association with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has become increasingly recognized, especially as RPD have become more easily distinguished with newer clinical imaging modalities. There is also an increasing appreciation that RPD appear to be a critical AMD phenotype, where understanding their pathogenesis will provide further insights into the processes driving vision loss in AMD. However, key barriers to understanding the current evidence related to the independent impact of RPD include the heterogeneity in defining their presence, and failure to account for the confounding impact of the concurrent presence and severity of AMD pathology. This review thus critically discusses the current evidence on the prevalence and clinical significance of RPD and proposes a clinical imaging definition of RPD that will help move the field forward in gathering further key knowledge about this critical phenotype. It also proposes a putative mechanism for RPD formation and how they may drive progression to vision loss in AMD, through examining current evidence and presenting novel findings from preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Wu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia; Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Erica L Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Himeesh Kumar
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia; Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ursula Greferath
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robyn H Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia; Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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18
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Impact of Baseline Characteristics on Geographic Atrophy Progression in the FILLY Trial Evaluating the Complement C3 Inhibitor Pegcetacoplan. Am J Ophthalmol 2021; 227:116-124. [PMID: 33675755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of select baseline characteristics on geographic atrophy (GA) progression in eyes receiving intravitreal pegcetacoplan or sham. DESIGN Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, single-masked, sham-controlled trial. METHODS Patients with GA received 15 mg pegcetacoplan monthly or every other month (EOM), or sham injection monthly or EOM for 12 months. Primary efficacy endpoint was change in GA lesion size (square root) from baseline. Post hoc analysis evaluated the effects of age; gender; lesion size, focality, and location (extrafoveal vs foveal); pseudodrusen status; best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); and low-luminance deficit (LLD) on GA progression at Month 12. RESULTS Of 246 randomized patients, 192 with 12-month data were included in this analysis. Overall mean (standard deviation) change in lesion size (mm) was 0.26 (0.17) (P < .01), 0.27 (0.27) (P < .05), and 0.36 (0.21) in the monthly pegcetacoplan (n = 67), EOM pegcetacoplan (n = 58), and sham (n = 67) groups, respectively. In univariate analysis, patients with extrafoveal lesions (P < .001), BCVA ≥20/60 (P = .001), and larger LLD (P = .002) had greater mean changes in lesion size. Multivariate analysis confirmed significant association of extrafoveal lesions (P = .001) and larger LLD (P = .023) with GA progression. Monthly and EOM pegcetacoplan significantly reduced progression (P < .05) when controlling for these risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Extrafoveal lesions and larger LLD are potential risk factors for GA progression. Pegcetacoplan treatment significantly controlled GA progression even after accounting for these risk factors.
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19
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Hu ML, Quinn J, Xue K. Interactions between Apolipoprotein E Metabolism and Retinal Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070635. [PMID: 34210002 PMCID: PMC8305051 DOI: 10.3390/life11070635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial retinal disorder that is a major global cause of severe visual impairment. The development of an effective therapy to treat geographic atrophy, the predominant form of AMD, remains elusive due to the incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis. Central to AMD diagnosis and pathology are the hallmark lipid and proteinaceous deposits, drusen and reticular pseudodrusen, that accumulate in the subretinal pigment epithelium and subretinal spaces, respectively. Age-related changes and environmental stressors, such as smoking and a high-fat diet, are believed to interact with the many genetic risk variants that have been identified in several major biochemical pathways, including lipoprotein metabolism and the complement system. The APOE gene, encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE), is a major genetic risk factor for AMD, with the APOE2 allele conferring increased risk and APOE4 conferring reduced risk, in comparison to the wildtype APOE3. Paradoxically, APOE4 is the main genetic risk factor in Alzheimer’s disease, a disease with features of neuroinflammation and amyloid-beta deposition in common with AMD. The potential interactions of APOE with the complement system and amyloid-beta are discussed here to shed light on their roles in AMD pathogenesis, including in drusen biogenesis, immune cell activation and recruitment, and retinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L. Hu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia;
| | - Joel Quinn
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Correspondence:
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20
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Pathogenic mechanisms contributing to the vulnerability of aging human photoreceptor cells. Eye (Lond) 2021; 35:2917-2929. [PMID: 34079093 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01602-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In human retina, photoreceptor cell death (PCD) is a slow but conspicuous event, which continues with aging. Rods die earlier than cones, the latter continue to alter in a subtle manner until advanced aging. This review summarizes the existing information on age-related changes in photoreceptor cells, especially cones and analyses the possible associated factors. Oxidative and nitrosative stress are involved in photoreceptor alterations, which may stem from light and iron toxicity and other sources. Lipid peroxidation in macular photoreceptor outer segments and mitochondrial aberrations are prominent in aging. It is important to understand how those changes ultimately trigger PCD. The redistribution of calbindin D-28K and long/middle-wavelength-sensitive opsin in the parafoveal and perifoveal cones, anomalies in their somata and axons are strong predictors of their increasing vulnerability with aging. Signs of reduced autophagy, with autophagosomes containing organelle remnants are seen in aging photoreceptor cells. Currently, mechanisms that lead to human PCD are unknown; some observations favour apoptosis as a pathway. Since cones appear to change slowly, there is an opportunity to reverse those changes before they die. Therefore, a full understanding of how cones alter and the molecular pathways they utilize for survival must be the future research goal. Recent approaches to prevent PCD in aging and diseases are highlighted.
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21
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Thomas CN, Sim DA, Lee WH, Alfahad N, Dick AD, Denniston AK, Hill LJ. Emerging therapies and their delivery for treating age-related macular degeneration. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1908-1937. [PMID: 33769566 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the Western world and is characterised in its latter stages by retinal cell death and neovascularisation and earlier stages with the loss of parainflammatory homeostasis. Patients with neovascular AMD (nAMD) are treated with frequent intraocular injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies, which are not only unpopular with patients but carry risks of sight-threatening complications. A minority of patients are unresponsive with no alternative treatment available, and some patients who respond initially eventually develop a tolerance to treatment. New therapeutics with improved delivery methods and sustainability of clinical effects are required, in particular for non-neovascular AMD (90% of cases and no current approved treatments). There are age-related and disease-related changes that occur which can affect ocular drug delivery. Here, we review the latest emerging therapies for AMD, their delivery routes and implications for translating to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe N Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Dawn A Sim
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Wen Hwa Lee
- Action Against AMD, London, UK.,Affordable Medicines Programme, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nada Alfahad
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrew D Dick
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Bristol Medical School and School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alastair K Denniston
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.,Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Birmingham Health Partners Centre for Regulatory Science and Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Health Data Research UK, London, UK
| | - Lisa J Hill
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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22
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Cabral de Guimaraes TA, Daich Varela M, Georgiou M, Michaelides M. Treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration: therapeutic avenues, clinical trials and future directions. Br J Ophthalmol 2021; 106:297-304. [PMID: 33741584 PMCID: PMC8867261 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the developed world. The identification of the central role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD and the introduction of anti-VEGF agents as gold-standard treatment, have drastically changed its prognosis-something yet to be seen in dry AMD. Several therapeutic avenues with a wide variability of targets are currently being investigated in dry AMD. The approaches being investigated to reduce the rate of disease progression include, (1) drugs with antioxidative properties, (2) inhibitors of the complement cascade, (3) neuroprotective agents, (4) visual cycle inhibitors, (5) gene therapy and (6) cell-based therapies. A number of early phase clinical trials have provided promising results, with many more ongoing and anticipated in the near future. In this review, we aim to provide an update of the interventional trials to date and future prospects for the treatment of dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thales Antonio Cabral de Guimaraes
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Malena Daich Varela
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Michalis Georgiou
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, London, UK .,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
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23
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Martinez B, Peplow PV. MicroRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration: advances and limitations. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:440-447. [PMID: 32985463 PMCID: PMC7996036 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.293131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A main cause of vision loss in the elderly is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Among the cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes linked to this disease, inflammation and angiogenesis appear as being crucial in AMD pathogenesis and progression. There are two forms of the disease: dry AMD, accounting for 80-90% of cases, and wet AMD. The disease usually begins as dry AMD associated with retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor degeneration, whereas wet AMD is associated with choroidal neovascularization resulting in severe vision impairment. The new vessels are largely malformed, leading to blood and fluid leakage within the disrupted tissue, which provokes inflammation and scar formation and results in retinal damage and detachment. MicroRNAs are dysregulated in AMD and may facilitate the early detection of the disease and monitoring disease progression. Two recent reviews of microRNAs in AMD had indicated weaknesses or limitations in four earlier investigations. Studies in the last three years have shown considerable progress in overcoming some of these concerns and identifying specific microRNAs as biomarkers for AMD. Further large-scale studies are warranted using appropriate statistical methods to take into account gender and age disparity in the study populations and confounding factors such as smoking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Martinez
- Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Department of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada
| | - Philip V. Peplow
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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24
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Potilinski MC, Tate PS, Lorenc VE, Gallo JE. New insights into oxidative stress and immune mechanisms involved in age-related macular degeneration tackled by novel therapies. Neuropharmacology 2021; 188:108513. [PMID: 33662390 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has increased in the last years. Although anti-VEGF agents have improved the prognosis of exudative AMD, dry AMD has still devastating effects on elderly people vision. Oxidative stress and inflammation are mechanisms involved in AMD pathogenesis and its progression. Molecular pathways involving epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP4) and the nuclear erythroid related factor 2 (Nrf2) are behind oxidative stress in AMD due to their participation in antioxidant cellular pathways. As a consequence of the disbalance produced in the antioxidant mechanisms, there is an activation of innate and adaptative immune response with cell recruitment, changes in complement factors expression, and modification of cellular milieu. Different therapies are being studied to treat dry AMD based on the possible effects on antioxidant molecular pathways or their action on the immune response. There is a wide range of treatments presented in this review, from natural antioxidant compounds to cell and gene therapy, based on their mechanisms. Finally, we hypothesize that alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory molecule that can also modulate antioxidant cellular defenses, could be a good candidate for testing in AMD. This article is part of the special ssue on 'The Quest for Disease-Modifying Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Constanza Potilinski
- Nanomedicine & Vision Lab, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo S Tate
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria E Lorenc
- Nanomedicine & Vision Lab, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan E Gallo
- Nanomedicine & Vision Lab, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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25
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Wang L, Mao X. Role of Retinal Amyloid-β in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Overlapping Mechanisms and Emerging Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2360. [PMID: 33653000 PMCID: PMC7956232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulations have been identified in the retina for neurodegeneration-associated disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Elevated retinal Aβ levels were associated with progressive retinal neurodegeneration, elevated cerebral Aβ accumulation, and increased disease severity with a decline in cognition and vision. Retinal Aβ accumulation and its pathological effects were demonstrated to occur prior to irreversible neurodegeneration, which highlights its potential in early disease detection and intervention. Using the retina as a model of the brain, recent studies have focused on characterizing retinal Aβ to determine its applicability for population-based screening of AD, which warrants a further understanding of how Aβ manifests between these disorders. While current treatments directly targeting Aβ accumulations have had limited results, continued exploration of Aβ-associated pathological pathways may yield new therapeutic targets for preserving cognition and vision. Here, we provide a review on the role of retinal Aβ manifestations in these distinct neurodegeneration-associated disorders. We also discuss the recent applications of retinal Aβ for AD screening and current clinical trial outcomes for Aβ-associated treatment approaches. Lastly, we explore potential future therapeutic targets based on overlapping mechanisms of pathophysiology in AD, glaucoma, and AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Xiaobo Mao
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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26
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Low Luminance Visual Acuity and Low Luminance Deficit in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10020358. [PMID: 33477954 PMCID: PMC7835861 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the relation of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and low luminance visual acuity (LLVA) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) following treatment with either aflibercept or pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP). The study was conducted as a post-hoc analysis of the CLARITY trial in which naïve and PRP treated PDR patients were randomised to receive either aflibercept or PRP. BCVA and LLVA were assessed at baseline and at week 52. Our analyses showed that the BCVA and LLVA correlate well in treatment naïve PDR with an average low luminance deficit of 11.79 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Score (ETDRS) letters. However, LLVA at lower levels of BCVA showed more variance. Post aflibercept therapy, the mean change in BCVA and LLVA at 52 weeks after aflibercept was +2.1 (SD 6.05) letters and +0.39 (SD 5.6) letters, respectively. Similarly, after PRP, it was −2.5 (SD 4.9) letters and −1.9 (SD 8.7) letters, respectively. When comparing treatment arms, BCVA change was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001) whereas LLVA was not (p = 0.11). These findings show that LLVA does not respond as well as BCVA following any treatment for PDR, even though BCVA and LLVA both test foveal function.
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27
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Wood LJ, Jolly JK, Buckley TM, Josan AS, MacLaren RE. Low luminance visual acuity as a clinical measure and clinical trial outcome measure: a scoping review. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:213-223. [PMID: 33403668 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The measurement of standard visual acuity (VA) is the most well-known part of any ophthalmic examination to indicate visual function. Despite this, it is insensitive in detecting early disease changes. Therefore, other visual function tests have been developed including low luminance VA (LLVA) and low luminance deficit (LLD). This scoping literature review aims to summarise the current published applications of LLVA and LLD assessments to evaluate their utility as clinical markers and research outcome measures in a variety of ophthalmic conditions. RECENT FINDINGS Sixty-five peer-reviewed publications were included. LLVA was pioneered for use in geographic atrophy, a subtype of age-related macular degeneration, which remains the mainstay of its clinical application. However, other studies have reported additional useful applications in inherited retinal diseases including rare maculopathies and rod-cone dystrophies. Although there are some variations in testing methodology, use of the standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart with a 2.0 log unit neutral density filter is the most popular approach. The optimal testing luminance is still to be defined. SUMMARY Overall, LLVA is an earlier clinical marker of change in central retinal function than standard VA. It has been shown to be a risk factor for disease progression and a better indicator of a patient's level of everyday visual function. It is inexpensive and simple to implement using readily available standard ophthalmic equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Wood
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jasleen K Jolly
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Mw Buckley
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Amandeep S Josan
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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28
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Kuppermann BD, Patel SS, Boyer DS, Augustin AJ, Freeman WR, Kerr KJ, Guo Q, Schneider S, López FJ. PHASE 2 STUDY OF THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF BRIMONIDINE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM (BRIMO DDS) GENERATION 1 IN PATIENTS WITH GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION. Retina 2021; 41:144-155. [PMID: 32134802 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000002789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Brimonidine Drug Delivery System (Brimo DDS), a biodegradable intravitreal implant, in the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration. METHODS Phase 2, randomized, multicenter, double-masked, 24-month study. Study eyes were treated (Day 1; Month 6 retreatment) with Brimo DDS 132 µg (n = 49), Brimo DDS 264 µg (n = 41), or sham procedure (n = 23). The primary timepoint for efficacy analysis was Month 12. RESULTS Mean GA area growth at Month 12 was 1.78 mm2, 1.59 mm2, and 2.19 mm2 in the Brimo DDS 132 µg, 264 µg, and sham groups, respectively. Geographic atrophy area growth was consistently smaller with Brimo DDS 132 and 264 µg than sham; between-group differences were significant (P ≤ 0.032) at Month 3. In patients with baseline lesion area ≥6 mm2 (two-thirds of patients), GA lesion area and effective radius growth was reduced with Brimo DDS 132 and 264 µg at Month 12 (P ≤ 0.050 vs. sham). Treatment-related adverse events were usually injection procedure-related. CONCLUSION Brimo DDS demonstrated a favorable safety profile and reduced GA lesion area growth at Month 3. Lesion growth at Month 12 was reduced in patients with baseline GA lesion area ≥6 mm2. The results support Phase 3 development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baruch D Kuppermann
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | | | - David S Boyer
- Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Los Angeles, California
| | - Albert J Augustin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Staedtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - William R Freeman
- Jacobs Retina Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California; and
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29
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Therapeutic Options Under Development for Nonneovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Geographic Atrophy. Drugs Aging 2020; 38:17-27. [PMID: 33355716 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-020-00822-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic, multifactorial disease and a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly population in the Western Hemisphere. Among the two major subtypes of AMD, the prevalence of the nonneovascular (dry) type is approximately 85-90% and the neovascular (wet) type is 10-15%. Healthy lifestyle and nutritional supplements of anti-oxidative micronutrients have been shown to delay the progression of dry AMD and lower the risk of development of wet AMD, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections have been shown to improve visual acuity for wet AMD patients. However, to date, there is no approved treatment for geographic atrophy (GA), a debilitating late stage of dry AMD. Thus, this represents a large unmet need in this patient population. This review focuses on the current management and treatment of nonneovascular AMD, the drugs and devices that have been under investigation for the treatment of GA, and the latest clinical trial results. A few therapeutic options have shown initial promising clinical trial results, but failed to show efficacy in larger trials, while others are awaiting future clinical trial results and long-term follow-up to evaluate safety and efficacy.
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30
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Xin G, Zhang M, Zhong Z, Tang L, Feng Y, Wei Z, Li S, Li Y, Zhang J, Zhang B, Zhang M, Rowell N, Chen Z, Niu H, Yu K, Huang W. Ophthalmic Drops with Nanoparticles Derived from a Natural Product for Treating Age-Related Macular Degeneration. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:57710-57720. [PMID: 33320520 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c17296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
There is a continuing, urgent need for an ophthalmic (eye) drop for the clinical therapy of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. Here, we report the first formulation of an eye drop that is effective via autophagy for AMD treatment. This eye drop is based on a single natural product derivative (ACD), which is an amphiphilic molecule containing a 6-aminohexanoate group (H2N(CH2)5COO-). We demonstrate that this eye drop reverses the abnormal angiogenesis induced in a primate model of AMD that has the pathological characteristics close to that of human AMD. The ACD molecule was self-assembled in an aqueous environment leading to nanoparticles (NPs) about 9.0 nm in diameter. These NPs were encapsulated in calcium alginate hydrogel. The resulting eye drop effectively slowed the release of ACD and displayed extended release periods in both simulated blood (pH 7.4) and inflammatory (pH 5.2) environments. We show that the eye drop penetrated both the corneal and blood-eye barriers and reached the fundus. With low cellular toxicity, the drop targeted S1,25D3-membrane-associated rapid response steroid-binding protein (1,25D3-MARRS) promoting autophagy in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the drop inhibited cell migration and tubular formation. On the other hand, when protein 1,25D3-MARRS was knocked down, the eye drop did not exhibit such inhibition functionalities. Our study indicates that the 6-aminohexanoate group on self-assembled NPs encapsulated in hydrogel leads to the positive in vivo outcomes. The present formulation offers a promising approach for clinical treatment of human AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Xin
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Zhihui Zhong
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Li Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yuliang Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Zeliang Wei
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Shiyi Li
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Youping Li
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Junhua Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, P. R. China
| | - Boli Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, P. R. China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Nelson Rowell
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Zhen Chen
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Hai Niu
- College of Mathematics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Kui Yu
- Engineering Research Center in Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Wen Huang
- Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
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Tong Y, Wang S. Not All Stressors Are Equal: Mechanism of Stressors on RPE Cell Degeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:591067. [PMID: 33330470 PMCID: PMC7710875 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.591067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of irreversible blindness among the elderly population. Dysfunction and degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer in the retina underscore the pathogenesis of both dry and wet AMD. Advanced age, cigarette smoke and genetic factors have been found to be the prominent risk factors for AMD, which point to an important role for oxidative stress and aging in AMD pathogenesis. However, the mechanisms whereby oxidative stress and aging lead to RPE cell degeneration are still unclear. As cell senescence and cell death are the major outcomes from oxidative stress and aging, here we review the mechanisms of RPE cell senescence and different kinds of cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, with an aim to clarify how RPE cell degeneration could occur in response to AMD-related stresses, including H2O2, 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), N-retinylidene-N-retinyl-ethanolamine (A2E), Alu RNA and amyloid β (Aβ). Besides those, sodium iodate (NaIO3) induced RPE cell degeneration is also discussed in this review. Although NaIO3 itself is not related to AMD, this line of study would help understand the mechanism of RPE degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Tong
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Shusheng Wang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
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32
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Akyol E, Lotery A. Gene, Cell and Antibody-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Biologics 2020; 14:83-94. [PMID: 32982165 PMCID: PMC7494004 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s252581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Here we discuss antibody, cell and gene-based therapies that are currently available and under investigation for both wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We initially discuss ocular anatomy, AMD modelling as well as the underlying pathophysiology of AMD. The antibody-based trials which have revolutionised the management of wet AMD are reviewed. The latest concepts in antibody therapy for wet AMD such as the port delivery systems, bispecific antibodies, designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPINs) and brolucizumab are explored. Furthermore, the antibody-based trials targeting the complement pathway to reduce progression of geographic atrophy (GA) in dry AMD are discussed. Stem cell therapy and gene therapy are novel treatment modalities with no established clinical use in wet or dry AMD. Here, we discuss their efficacy so far in clinical trials. Their benefits and risk in the treatment of both wet and dry AMD are evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Engin Akyol
- Clinical Neurosciences Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Andrew Lotery
- Clinical Neurosciences Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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33
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Pinheiro L, Faustino C. Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Amyloid-β in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2020; 16:418-452. [PMID: 30907320 DOI: 10.2174/1567205016666190321163438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder linked to protein misfolding and aggregation. AD is pathologically characterized by senile plaques formed by extracellular Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and Intracellular Neurofibrillary Tangles (NFT) formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Extensive synaptic loss and neuronal degeneration are responsible for memory impairment, cognitive decline and behavioral dysfunctions typical of AD. Amyloidosis has been implicated in the depression of acetylcholine synthesis and release, overactivation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and increased intracellular calcium levels that result in excitotoxic neuronal degeneration. Current drugs used in AD treatment are either cholinesterase inhibitors or NMDA receptor antagonists; however, they provide only symptomatic relief and do not alter the progression of the disease. Aβ is the product of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) processing after successive cleavage by β- and γ-secretases while APP proteolysis by α-secretase results in non-amyloidogenic products. According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, Aβ dyshomeostasis results in the accumulation and aggregation of Aβ into soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils. The former are synaptotoxic and can induce tau hyperphosphorylation while the latter deposit in senile plaques and elicit proinflammatory responses, contributing to oxidative stress, neuronal degeneration and neuroinflammation. Aβ-protein-targeted therapeutic strategies are thus a promising disease-modifying approach for the treatment and prevention of AD. This review summarizes recent findings on Aβ-protein targeted AD drugs, including β-secretase inhibitors, γ-secretase inhibitors and modulators, α-secretase activators, direct inhibitors of Aβ aggregation and immunotherapy targeting Aβ, focusing mainly on those currently under clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia Pinheiro
- iMed.ULisboa - Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Célia Faustino
- iMed.ULisboa - Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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34
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Lashkari K, Teague GC, Beattie U, Betts J, Kumar S, McLaughlin MM, López FJ. Plasma biomarkers of the amyloid pathway are associated with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236283. [PMID: 32764794 PMCID: PMC7413518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in which local inflammation and hyperactivity of the complement pathway have been implicated in its pathophysiology. This study explores whether any surrogate biomarkers are specifically associated with GA. Plasma from subjects with GA, intermediate dry AMD and non-AMD control were evaluated in 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 was assayed in a 320-analyte Luminex library. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric and parametric methods (Kruskal-Wallis, principal component analysis, partial least squares and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and univariate ANCOVAs). Bioinformatic analysis was conducted and identified connections to the amyloid pathway. Statistically significant biomarkers identified in Cohort 1 were then re-evaluated in Cohort 2 using individual ELISA and multiplexing. Of 320 analytes in Cohort 1, 273 were rendered measurable, of which 56 were identified as changing. Among these markers, 40 were identified in univariate ANCOVAs. Serum amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) was analyzed by a separate ELISA and included in further analyses. The 40 biomarkers, sAPP and amyloid-β (Aβ) (1–42) (included for comparison) were evaluated in Cohort 2. This resulted in 11 statistically significant biomarkers, including sAPP and Aβ(1–40), but not Aβ(1–42). Other biomarkers identified included serum proteases- tissue plasminogen activator, tumor-associated trypsinogen inhibitor, matrix metalloproteinases 7 and 9, and non-proteases- insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6, AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, omentin, pentraxin-3 and osteopontin. Findings suggest that there is a preferential processing of APP to Aβ(1–40) over Aβ(1–42), and a potential role for the carboxylase activity of the γ-secretase protein, which preferentially splices sAPPβ to Aβ(1–40). Other markers are associated with the breakdown and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, and loss of homeostasis, possibly within the photoreceptor-retinal pigment epithelium-choriocapillaris complex. These data suggest novel disease pathways associated with GA pathogenesis and could provide potential novel targets for treatment of GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kameran Lashkari
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Gianna C. Teague
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ursula Beattie
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joanna Betts
- Alternative Discovery & Development, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Alternative Discovery & Development, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Megan M. McLaughlin
- Alternative Discovery & Development, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Francisco J. López
- Alternative Discovery & Development, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Intracellular amyloid-β disrupts tight junctions of the retinal pigment epithelium via NF-κB activation. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 95:115-122. [PMID: 32795848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Drusen are focal deposits between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane in the retina of patients with age-related macular degeneration. Amyloid-β is one of the important components of drusen, which leads to local inflammation. Furthermore, intracellular amyloid-β disrupts tight junctions of the RPE. However, the intracellular mechanisms linking intracellular amyloid-β and tight-junction disruption are not clear. In this study, intracellular amyloid-β oligomers activated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65, leading to the disorganization of tight junctions of the RPE in mice after subretinal injection of amyloid-β. Amyloid-β also triggered NF-κB activation in the RPE cells in confluent culture, which was inhibited by the suppression of the advanced glycosylation end product-specific receptor. NF-κB inhibition by an IκB kinase inhibitor prevented the suppression of expression of tight-junction proteins, zonula occuludens-1 and occludin in RPE cells. In addition, tight-junction complexes remained intact in the RPE of mice with NF-κB inhibition, although there were intracellular amyloid-β oligomers. These data suggested that NF-κB inhibition might be a therapeutic approach to prevent amyloid-β-mediated tight-junction disruption.
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Veritti D, Sarao V, Samassa F, Danese C, Löwenstein A, Schmidt-Erfurth U, Lanzetta P. State-of-the art pharmacotherapy for non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:773-784. [PMID: 32153203 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1736557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness among the elderly in the industrialized world. While effective treatment is available for neovascular AMD, no therapy is successful for the non-neovascular form. Herein, the authors report the current knowledge on non-neovascular AMD pathogenesis and the promising research on treatments. AREAS COVERED In the present review, the authors summarize the most recent advances in the treatment of non-neovascular AMD and provide an update on current treatment strategies. Evidence available from preclinical and clinical studies and from a selective literature search is reported. EXPERT OPINION When investigating AMD, numerous pathological cascades and alterations of physiological processes have been investigated. It is well-known that AMD is a multifactorial disease, with environmental causes and genetics playing a role. Perturbations in multiple pathogenic pathways have been identified and this led to the development of several molecules directed at specific therapeutic targets. However, despite the huge research effort, the only proven approach so far is oral antioxidant supplementation. We believe that, in addition to successful advancement of promising drugs, further research should be directed at tailoring therapy to specific patient groups, eventually employing a combinational therapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Veritti
- Department of Medicine - Ophthalmology, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - Valentina Sarao
- Department of Medicine - Ophthalmology, University of Udine , Udine, Italy.,Istituto Europeo Di Microchirurgia Oculare (IEMO) , Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Samassa
- Department of Medicine - Ophthalmology, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - Carla Danese
- Department of Medicine - Ophthalmology, University of Udine , Udine, Italy
| | - Anat Löwenstein
- Division of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Paolo Lanzetta
- Department of Medicine - Ophthalmology, University of Udine , Udine, Italy.,Istituto Europeo Di Microchirurgia Oculare (IEMO) , Udine, Italy
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Kam JH, Weinrich TW, Shinhmar H, Powner MB, Roberts NW, Aboelnour A, Jeffery G. Fundamental differences in patterns of retinal ageing between primates and mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12574. [PMID: 31467395 PMCID: PMC6715671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49121-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors have high metabolic demands and age rapidly, undermining visual function. We base our understanding mainly on ageing mice where elevated inflammation, extracellular deposition, including that of amyloid beta, and rod and cone photoreceptor loss occur, but cones are not lost in ageing primate although their function declines, revealing that primate and mouse age differently. We examine ageing primate retinae and show elevated stress but low inflammation. However, aged primates have a >70% reduction in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and a decrease in cytochrome c oxidase. There is a shift in cone mitochondrial positioning and glycolytic activity increases. Bruch’s membrane thickens but unlike in mice, amyloid beta is absent. Hence, reduced ATP may explain cone functional decline in ageing but their retained presence offers the possibility of functional restoration if they can be fuelled appropriately to restore cellular function. This is important because as humans we largely depend on cone function to see and are rarely fully dark adapted. Presence of limited aged inflammation and amyloid beta deposition question some of the therapeutic approaches taken to resolve problems of retinal ageing in humans and the possible lack of success in clinical trials in macular degeneration that have targeted inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimie Hoh Kam
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, EC1V9EL, London, UK
| | - Tobias W Weinrich
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, EC1V9EL, London, UK
| | - Harpreet Shinhmar
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, EC1V9EL, London, UK
| | - Michael B Powner
- City, University of London, Centre of Applied Vision Research, EC1V0HB, London, UK
| | - Nicholas W Roberts
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1TQ, Bristol, UK
| | - Asmaa Aboelnour
- Histology and Cytology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Glen Jeffery
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, EC1V9EL, London, UK.
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Rosenfeld PJ, Feuer WJ. Lessons from Recent Phase III Trial Failures: Don't Design Phase III Trials Based on Retrospective Subgroup Analyses from Phase II Trials. Ophthalmology 2019; 125:1488-1491. [PMID: 30243330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Complement C3 Inhibitor Pegcetacoplan for Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Phase 2 Trial. Ophthalmology 2019; 127:186-195. [PMID: 31474439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 298] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Geographic atrophy (GA), a late stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a major cause of blindness. Even while central visual acuity remains relatively well preserved, GA often causes considerable compromise of visual function and quality of life. No treatment currently exists. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of pegcetacoplan, a complement C3 inhibitor, for treatment of GA. DESIGN Prospective, multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled phase 2 study. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred forty-six patients with GA. METHODS Patients with GA were assigned randomly in a 2:2:1:1 ratio to receive intravitreal injections of 15 mg pegcetacoplan monthly or every other month (EOM) or sham intravitreal injections monthly or EOM for 12 months with follow-up at months 15 and 18. Area and growth of GA were measured using fundus autofluorescence imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary efficacy end point was mean change in square root GA lesion area from baseline to month 12. Secondary outcome measures included mean change from baseline in GA lesion area without the square root transformation, distance of GA lesion from the fovea, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance BCVA, and low-luminance visual acuity deficit. The primary safety end point was the number and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events. RESULTS In patients receiving pegcetacoplan monthly or EOM, the GA growth rate was reduced by 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9-49; P = 0.008) and 20% (95% CI, 0-40; P = 0.067) compared with the sham treatment group. Post hoc analysis showed that the effect was greater in the second 6 months of treatment, with observed reductions of 45% (P = 0.0004) and 33% (P = 0.009) for pegcetacoplan monthly and EOM, respectively. Two cases of culture-positive endophthalmitis and 1 case of culture-negative endophthalmitis occurred in the pegcetacoplan monthly group. New-onset investigator-determined exudative AMD was reported more frequently in pegcetacoplan-treated eyes (18/86 eyes [20.9%] and 7/79 eyes [8.9%] in monthly and EOM groups, respectively) than in sham-treated eyes (1/81 eyes [1.2%]). CONCLUSIONS Local C3 inhibition with pegcetacoplan resulted in statistically significant reductions in the growth of GA compared with sham treatment. Phase 3 studies will define the efficacy and safety profile further.
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40
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En Face Imaging of Geographic Atrophy Using Different Swept-Source OCT Scan Patterns. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:122-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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