1
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Li B, Chang FY, Wan Z, Giauque NA, Addo EK, Bernstein PS. Imaging macular carotenoids and their related proteins in the human retina with confocal resonance Raman and fluorescence microscopy. Exp Eye Res 2024; 247:110043. [PMID: 39151780 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Lutein and zeaxanthin are highly concentrated at the central region of the human retina, forming a distinct yellow spot known as the macula lutea. The delivery and retention of the macular pigment carotenoids in the macula lutea involves many proteins, but their exact roles remain incompletely understood. In our study, we examined the distribution of the twelve known macular carotenoid-related proteins within the human macula and the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) using both fluorescence and Raman modes on our confocal resonance Raman microscope. Additionally, we assessed protein and gene expression through Western blot analysis and a single-cell RNA sequencing database. Our findings revealed that GSTP1, BCO2, and Aster-B exhibited distribution patterns similar to the macular carotenoids, with higher expression levels within the macular region compared to the periphery, while SR-BI and ABCA1 did not exhibit specific distribution patterns within the macula or RPE. Interestingly, LIPC, SR-BI's partner, accumulated specifically in the sub-foveal RPE. All three of these carotenoid transport proteins were found to be highly expressed in the RPE. These results offer valuable insights into the roles these proteins play in the formation of the macula lutea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binxing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA.
| | - Fu-Yen Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Zihe Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Nathan A Giauque
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Emmanuel K Addo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Paul S Bernstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA.
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2
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Arshavsky VY. Vision: A specialized pathway for pigment regeneration in cones. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R726-R728. [PMID: 39106828 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.042] [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: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Vision relies on two types of photoreceptor cells, rods and cones. Rods outnumber cones in the retinas of humans and most other vertebrate species, yet the contribution of cones to our vision is far more impactful than rods. A new study reveals an elegant enzymatic mechanism that favors light perception by cones under daylight conditions when rods are saturated by light and contribute little to useful vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Y Arshavsky
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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3
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Solano YJ, Kiser PD. Double-duty isomerases: a case study of isomerization-coupled enzymatic catalysis. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:703-716. [PMID: 38760195 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.04.007] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Enzymes can usually be unambiguously assigned to one of seven classes specifying the basic chemistry of their catalyzed reactions. Less frequently, two or more reaction classes are catalyzed by a single enzyme within one active site. Two examples are an isomerohydrolase and an isomero-oxygenase that catalyze isomerization-coupled reactions crucial for production of vision-supporting 11-cis-retinoids. In these enzymes, isomerization is obligately paired and mechanistically intertwined with a second reaction class. A handful of other enzymes carrying out similarly coupled isomerization reactions have been described, some of which have been subjected to detailed structure-function analyses. Herein we review these rarefied enzymes, focusing on the mechanistic and structural basis of their reaction coupling with the goal of revealing catalytic commonalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen J Solano
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute - Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
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4
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Sakai D, Maeda T, Maeda A, Yamamoto M, Yokota S, Hirami Y, Nakamura M, Takahashi M, Mandai M, Kurimoto Y. DISCREPANCY BETWEEN FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE ABNORMALITY AND VISUAL FIELD LOSS IN BIETTI CRYSTALLINE DYSTROPHY. Retina 2024; 44:1394-1402. [PMID: 39047130 PMCID: PMC11280442 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000004114] [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] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to explore the potential benefits of retinal pigment epithelium replacement therapy in patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) by assessing the disease pathology with the distinctive relationship between fundus autofluorescence (FAF) abnormality and visual field defect. METHODS Sixteen eyes from 16 patients with BCD and 16 eyes from 16 patients with RHO-associated retinitis pigmentosa were included. Fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and Goldmann perimetry results were retrospectively reviewed and assessed using image analyses. RESULTS In patients with BCD, the FAF abnormality area was not correlated with the overall visual field defect area and median overall visual field defect area (57.5%) was smaller than FAF abnormality area (98.5%). By contrast, the ellipsoid zone width was significantly correlated with the central visual field area (r = 0.806, P < 0.001). In patients with RHO-associated retinitis pigmentosa, the FAF abnormality area and ellipsoid zone width were significantly correlated with the overall visual field defect area (r = 0.833, P < 0.001) and central visual field area (r = 0.887, P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION The FAF abnormality shown in patients with BCD involves retinal pigment epithelium degeneration without complete loss of photoreceptors or visual function. These results suggest that patients with BCD are good candidates for retinal pigment epithelium replacement therapy for preservation of residual visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Sakai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan; and
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Tadao Maeda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
| | - Akiko Maeda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan; and
| | - Midori Yamamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
| | - Satoshi Yokota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan; and
| | - Yasuhiko Hirami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan; and
| | - Makoto Nakamura
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
| | - Masayo Takahashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
| | - Michiko Mandai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan; and
| | - Yasuo Kurimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Japan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan; and
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5
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Lee DH, Han JW, Park H, Hong SJ, Kim CS, Kim YS, Lee IS, Kim GJ. Achyranthis radix Extract Enhances Antioxidant Effect of Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell on Injured Human Ocular Cells. Cells 2024; 13:1229. [PMID: 39056810 PMCID: PMC11274440 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141229] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are major causes of irreversible vision impairment in the elderly. Conventional treatments focus on symptom relief and disease slowdown, often involving surgery, but fall short of providing a cure, leading to substantial vision loss. Regenerative medicine, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), holds promise for ocular disease treatment. This study investigates the synergistic potential of combining placenta-derived MSCs (PD-MSCs) with Achyranthis radix extract (ARE) from Achyranthes japonica to enhance therapeutic outcomes. In a 24-h treatment, ARE significantly increased the proliferative capacity of PD-MSCs and delayed their senescence (* p < 0.05). ARE also enhanced antioxidant capabilities and increased the expression of regeneration-associated genes in an in vitro injured model using chemical damages on human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) (* p < 0.05). These results suggest that ARE-primed PD-MSC have the capability to enhance the activation of genes associated with regeneration in the injured eye via increasing antioxidant properties. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that ARE-primed PD-MSC may serve as an enhanced source for stem cell-based therapy in ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae-Hyun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.-H.L.); (H.P.); (S.J.H.)
| | - Ji Woong Han
- Advanced PLAB, PLABiologics Co., Ltd., Seongnam 13522, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyeri Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.-H.L.); (H.P.); (S.J.H.)
| | - Se Jin Hong
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.-H.L.); (H.P.); (S.J.H.)
| | - Chan-Sik Kim
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea; (C.-S.K.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Young Sook Kim
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea; (C.-S.K.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Ik Soo Lee
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea; (C.-S.K.); (Y.S.K.)
| | - Gi Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (D.-H.L.); (H.P.); (S.J.H.)
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6
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Solano YJ, Everett MP, Dang KS, Abueg J, Kiser PD. Carotenoid cleavage enzymes evolved convergently to generate the visual chromophore. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:779-788. [PMID: 38355721 PMCID: PMC11142922 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01554-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The retinal light response in animals originates from the photoisomerization of an opsin-coupled 11-cis-retinaldehyde chromophore. This visual chromophore is enzymatically produced through the action of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases. Vertebrates require two carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases, β-carotene oxygenase 1 and retinal pigment epithelium 65 (RPE65), to form 11-cis-retinaldehyde from carotenoid substrates, whereas invertebrates such as insects use a single enzyme known as Neither Inactivation Nor Afterpotential B (NinaB). RPE65 and NinaB couple trans-cis isomerization with hydrolysis and oxygenation, respectively, but the mechanistic relationship of their isomerase activities remains unknown. Here we report the structure of NinaB, revealing details of its active site architecture and mode of membrane binding. Structure-guided mutagenesis studies identify a residue cluster deep within the NinaB substrate-binding cleft that controls its isomerization activity. Our data demonstrate that isomerization activity is mediated by distinct active site regions in NinaB and RPE65-an evolutionary convergence that deepens our understanding of visual system diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen J Solano
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michael P Everett
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Kelly S Dang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jude Abueg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA, USA.
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7
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Gölz L, Blanc-Legendre M, Rinderknecht M, Behnstedt L, Coordes S, Reger L, Sire S, Cousin X, Braunbeck T, Baumann L. Development of a Zebrafish Embryo-Based Test System for Thyroid Hormone System Disruption: 3Rs in Ecotoxicological Research. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38804632 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing concern regarding pollutants disrupting the vertebrate thyroid hormone (TH) system, which is crucial for development. Thus, identification of TH system-disrupting chemicals (THSDCs) is an important requirement in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) testing framework. The current OECD approach uses different model organisms for different endocrine modalities, leading to a high number of animal tests. Alternative models compatible with the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) principle are required. Zebrafish embryos, not protected by current European Union animal welfare legislation, represent a promising model. Studies show that zebrafish swim bladder inflation and eye development are affected by THSDCs, and the respective adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) have been established. The present study compared effects of four THSDCs with distinct molecular modes of action: Propylthiouracil (PTU), potassium perchlorate, iopanoic acid, and the TH triiodothyronine (T3) were tested with a protocol based on the OECD fish embryo toxicity test (FET). Effects were analyzed according to the AOP concept from molecular over morphological to behavioral levels: Analysis of thyroid- and eye-related gene expression revealed significant effects after PTU and T3 exposure. All substances caused changes in thyroid follicle morphology of a transgenic zebrafish line expressing fluorescence in thyrocytes. Impaired eye development and swimming activity were observed in all treatments, supporting the hypothesis that THSDCs cause adverse population-relevant changes. Findings thus confirm that the FET can be amended by TH system-related endpoints into an integrated protocol comprising molecular, morphological, and behavioral endpoints for environmental risk assessment of potential endocrine disruptors, which is compatible with the 3Rs principle. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-18. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gölz
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Current affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Maximilian Rinderknecht
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Behnstedt
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sara Coordes
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Reger
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sacha Sire
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, Palavas, France
| | - Xavier Cousin
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, Palavas, France
| | - Thomas Braunbeck
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Baumann
- Aquatic Ecology & Toxicology, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Current affiliation: Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Section Environmental Health & Toxicology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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8
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Andreazzoli M, Longoni B, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Retinoid Synthesis Regulation by Retinal Cells in Health and Disease. Cells 2024; 13:871. [PMID: 38786093 PMCID: PMC11120330 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100871] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vision starts in retinal photoreceptors when specialized proteins (opsins) sense photons via their covalently bonded vitamin A derivative 11cis retinaldehyde (11cis-RAL). The reaction of non-enzymatic aldehydes with amino groups lacks specificity, and the reaction products may trigger cell damage. However, the reduced synthesis of 11cis-RAL results in photoreceptor demise and suggests the need for careful control over 11cis-RAL handling by retinal cells. This perspective focuses on retinoid(s) synthesis, their control in the adult retina, and their role during retina development. It also explores the potential importance of 9cis vitamin A derivatives in regulating retinoid synthesis and their impact on photoreceptor development and survival. Additionally, recent advancements suggesting the pivotal nature of retinoid synthesis regulation for cone cell viability are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biancamaria Longoni
- Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Angeloni
- The Institute of Biorobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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9
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Shastak Y, Pelletier W. Pet Wellness and Vitamin A: A Narrative Overview. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1000. [PMID: 38612239 PMCID: PMC11010875 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The health of companion animals, particularly dogs and cats, is significantly influenced by nutrition, with vitamins playing a crucial role. Vitamin A, in particular, is indispensable, with diverse roles ranging from vision to immune modulation and reproduction. Despite its importance, the metabolism and dietary requirements of vitamin A in companion animals remain complex and not fully understood. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the historical perspective, the digestion, the metabolism, the physiological roles, the deficiency, the excess, and the interactions with other micronutrients of vitamin A in companion animals. Additionally, it highlights future research directions and gaps in our understanding. Insights into the metabolism of vitamin A in companion animals, personalized nutrition strategies based on genetic variability, longitudinal studies tracking the status of vitamin A, and investigations into its immunomodulatory effects are crucial for optimizing pet health and wellness. Furthermore, understanding the stability and bioavailability of vitamin A in pet food formulations is essential for ensuring the provision of adequate micronutrients. Overall, this review underscores the importance of vitamin A in companion animal nutrition and the need for further research to enhance our understanding and to optimize dietary recommendations for pet health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yauheni Shastak
- Nutrition & Health Division, BASF SE, 67063 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
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10
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Merle DA, Kohl S, Reith M, Schäferhoff K, Zuleger T, Stühn L, Stingl K, Kempf M, Kühlewein L, Grasshoff U, Stingl K. An Atypical Mild Phenotype of Autosomal Recessive RPE65-Associated Retinitis Pigmentosa. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:266-271. [PMID: 38508215 DOI: 10.1055/a-2264-5480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- David Adrian Merle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Susanne Kohl
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milda Reith
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karin Schäferhoff
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Theresia Zuleger
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lara Stühn
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Krunoslav Stingl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Kempf
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Kühlewein
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ute Grasshoff
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katarina Stingl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany
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11
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Stingl K, Priglinger C, Herrmann P. RPE65-Associated Retinal Dystrophies: Phenotypes and Treatment Effects with Voretigene Neparvovec. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:259-265. [PMID: 38508214 DOI: 10.1055/a-2227-3671] [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: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Retinal dystrophies linked to the RPE65 gene are mostly fast-progressing retinal diseases, with childhood onset of night blindness and progressive visual loss up to the middle adult age. Rare phenotypes linked to this gene are known with congenital stationary night blindness or slowly progressing retinitis pigmentosa, as well as an autosomal dominant c.1430A>G (p.Asp477Gly) variant. This review gives an overview of the current knowledge of the clinical phenotypes, as well as experience with the efficacy and safety of the approved gene augmentation therapy voretigene neparvovec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Stingl
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäty Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Priglinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Univerity Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Herrmann
- University Eye Hospital, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
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12
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Blasiak J, Pawlowska E, Ciupińska J, Derwich M, Szczepanska J, Kaarniranta K. A New Generation of Gene Therapies as the Future of Wet AMD Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2386. [PMID: 38397064 PMCID: PMC10888617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042386] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease and the most common cause of vision loss in the Western World. In its advanced stage, AMD occurs in two clinically distinguished forms, dry and wet, but only wet AMD is treatable. However, the treatment based on repeated injections with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) antagonists may at best stop the disease progression and prevent or delay vision loss but without an improvement of visual dysfunction. Moreover, it is a serious mental and financial burden for patients and may be linked with some complications. The recent first success of intravitreal gene therapy with ADVM-022, which transformed retinal cells to continuous production of aflibercept, a VEGF antagonist, after a single injection, has opened a revolutionary perspective in wet AMD treatment. Promising results obtained so far in other ongoing clinical trials support this perspective. In this narrative/hypothesis review, we present basic information on wet AMD pathogenesis and treatment, the concept of gene therapy in retinal diseases, update evidence on completed and ongoing clinical trials with gene therapy for wet AMD, and perspectives on the progress to the clinic of "one and done" therapy for wet AMD to replace a lifetime of injections. Gene editing targeting the VEGFA gene is also presented as another gene therapy strategy to improve wet AMD management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz Blasiak
- Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Mazovian Academy in Plock, 09-402 Plock, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Pawlowska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (E.P.); (M.D.); (J.S.)
| | - Justyna Ciupińska
- Clinical Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, H. Bieganski Hospital, 91-347 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Marcin Derwich
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (E.P.); (M.D.); (J.S.)
| | - Joanna Szczepanska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (E.P.); (M.D.); (J.S.)
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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13
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Liu Y, Li M, Zhang M, Yang Z, Chen X, Wu X. Evolution and expression analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenase gene family in Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 257:128475. [PMID: 38029894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128475] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoid cleavage oxygenase (CCO) plays a pivotal role in various biological activities, including antioxidant and immune functions in animals. This paper investigates the evolution and expression of CCO genes based on three chordates and 27 arthropods. Aquatic animals exhibit a higher abundance of CCO genes. Despite this, research on CCO in crustaceans has been notably limited, with a complete absence of any previous studies on the CCO genes for the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). In this study, six CCO genes were identified in the E. sinensis genome database. Results reveal that the evolution of the CCO gene family in Crustacea is primarily characterized by purifying selection, with a preference for employing similar codons. EsCCO1 and EsCCO3 were mainly expressed in the epidermal layer, and EsCCO4 was mainly expressed in the hindgut. Meanwhile, EsCCO5 and EsCCO6 were mainly expressed in the hepatopancreas and endometrium. A notable detail that different EsCCO genes demonstrate distinct expression patterns within various tissues of E. sinensis. The findings of this study offer fundamental insights that could serve as a basis for further exploration into the functions and regulatory mechanisms of CCO genes in crustacean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Mingjie Li
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zonglin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xiaowu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Centre for Research on Environmental Ecology and Fish Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Xugan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Centre for Research on Environmental Ecology and Fish Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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14
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Fischer MD, Simonelli F, Sahni J, Holz FG, Maier R, Fasser C, Suhner A, Stiehl DP, Chen B, Audo I, Leroy BP. Real-World Safety and Effectiveness of Voretigene Neparvovec: Results up to 2 Years from the Prospective, Registry-Based PERCEIVE Study. Biomolecules 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38254722 PMCID: PMC10813228 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010122] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Voretigene neparvovec (VN) is the first available gene therapy for patients with biallelic RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophy who have sufficient viable retinal cells. PERCEIVE is an ongoing, post-authorization, prospective, multicenter, registry-based observational study and is the largest study assessing the real-world, long-term safety and effectiveness of VN. Here, we present the outcomes of 103 patients treated with VN according to local prescribing information. The mean (SD) age was 19.5 (10.85) years, 52 (50.5%) were female, and the mean (SD) duration of the follow up was 0.8 (0.64) years (maximum: 2.3 years). Thirty-five patients (34%) experienced ocular treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), most frequently related to chorioretinal atrophy (n = 13 [12.6%]). Eighteen patients (17.5%; 24 eyes [13.1%]) experienced ocular TEAEs of special interest, including intraocular inflammation and/or infection related to the procedure (n = 7). The mean (SD) changes from baseline in full-field light-sensitivity threshold testing (white light) at month 1, month 6, year 1, and year 2 were -16.59 (13.48) dB (51 eyes), -18.24 (14.62) dB (42 eyes), -15.84 (14.10) dB (10 eyes), and -13.67 (22.62) dB (13 eyes), respectively. The change in visual acuity from baseline was not clinically significant. Overall, the outcomes of the PERCEIVE study are consistent with the findings of VN pivotal clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Dominik Fischer
- Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Jayashree Sahni
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Frank G. Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Rainer Maier
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Christina Fasser
- Retina International, D02 TW98 Dublin, Ireland; Retina Suisse, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Andrea Suhner
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Daniel P. Stiehl
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Bee Chen
- Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, East Hanover, NJ 7936, USA;
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France;
- 15–20 Hôpital National de la Vision, National Rare Disease Center REFERET, INSERM-DGOS CIC1423, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Bart P. Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University & Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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15
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Sulak R, Liu X, Smedowski A. The concept of gene therapy for glaucoma: the dream that has not come true yet. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:92-99. [PMID: 37488850 PMCID: PMC10479832 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.375319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies, despite of being a relatively new therapeutic approach, have a potential to become an important alternative to current treatment strategies in glaucoma. Since glaucoma is not considered a single gene disease, the identified goals of gene therapy would be rather to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells, especially, in intraocular-pressure-independent manner. The most commonly reported type of vector for gene delivery in glaucoma studies is adeno-associated virus serotype 2 that has a high tropism to retinal ganglion cells, resulting in long-term expression and low immunogenic profile. The gene therapy studies recruit inducible and genetic animal models of optic neuropathy, like DBA/2J mice model of high-tension glaucoma and the optic nerve crush-model. Reported gene therapy-based neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells is targeting specific genes translating to growth factors (i.e., brain derived neurotrophic factor, and its receptor TrkB), regulation of apoptosis and neurodegeneration (i.e., Bcl-xl, Xiap, FAS system, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2, Digit3 and Sarm1), immunomodulation (i.e., Crry, C3 complement), modulation of neuroinflammation (i.e., erythropoietin), reduction of excitotoxicity (i.e., CamKIIα) and transcription regulation (i.e., Max, Nrf2). On the other hand, some of gene therapy studies focus on lowering intraocular pressure, by impacting genes involved in both, decreasing aqueous humor production (i.e., aquaporin 1), and increasing outflow facility (i.e., COX2, prostaglandin F2α receptor, RhoA/RhoA kinase signaling pathway, MMP1, Myocilin). The goal of this review is to summarize the current state-of-art and the direction of development of gene therapy strategies for glaucomatous neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Sulak
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adrian Smedowski
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
- GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
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16
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Rozanowska M, Edge R, Land EJ, Navaratnam S, Sarna T, Truscott TG. Scavenging of Cation Radicals of the Visual Cycle Retinoids by Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Taurine, and Melanin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:506. [PMID: 38203675 PMCID: PMC10779001 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010506] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the retina, retinoids involved in vision are under constant threat of oxidation, and their oxidation products exhibit deleterious properties. Using pulse radiolysis, this study determined that the bimolecular rate constants of scavenging cation radicals of retinoids by taurine are smaller than 2 × 107 M-1s-1 whereas lutein scavenges cation radicals of all three retinoids with the bimolecular rate constants approach the diffusion-controlled limits, while zeaxanthin is only 1.4-1.6-fold less effective. Despite that lutein exhibits greater scavenging rate constants of retinoid cation radicals than other antioxidants, the greater concentrations of ascorbate in the retina suggest that ascorbate may be the main protectant of all visual cycle retinoids from oxidative degradation, while α-tocopherol may play a substantial role in the protection of retinaldehyde but is relatively inefficient in the protection of retinol or retinyl palmitate. While the protection of retinoids by lutein and zeaxanthin appears inefficient in the retinal periphery, it can be quite substantial in the macula. Although the determined rate constants of scavenging the cation radicals of retinol and retinaldehyde by dopa-melanin are relatively small, the high concentration of melanin in the RPE melanosomes suggests they can be scavenged if they are in proximity to melanin-containing pigment granules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Rozanowska
- Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Ruth Edge
- Dalton Cumbrian Facility, The University of Manchester, Westlakes Science Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3HA, UK;
| | - Edward J. Land
- The Paterson Institute, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK;
| | - Suppiah Navaratnam
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK;
| | - Tadeusz Sarna
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - T. George Truscott
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Lennard-Jones Building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK;
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17
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Poli G, Demontis GC, Sodi A, Saba A, Rizzo S, Macchia M, Tuccinardi T. An in silico toolbox for the prediction of the potential pathogenic effects of missense mutations in the dimeric region of hRPE65. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2162047. [PMID: 36629452 PMCID: PMC9848331 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2162047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
hRPE65 is a fundamental enzyme of the retinoid visual cycle, and many missense mutations affecting its expression or function are associated with a wide range of diseases. Many hRPE65 missense mutations lack a clear pathogenicity classification or are labelled as VUS. In this context, we recently developed a protocol based on µs-long molecular dynamics simulations to study the potential pathogenic effect of hRPE65 missense mutations. In the present work, the structure-based protocol was integrated with a hRPE65-tailored consensus bioinformatics strategy, named ConPath, that showed high performance in predicting known pathogenic/benign hRPE65 missense mutations. The combined strategy was used to perform a multi-level evaluation of the potential pathogenicity of 13 different hRPE65 VUS, which were classified based on their likelihood of pathogenic effect. The obtained results provide information that may support the reclassification of these VUS and help clinicians evaluate the eligibility for gene therapy of patients diagnosed with such variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Poli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Sodi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Eye Clinic, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Saba
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Molecular Medicine and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Catholic University Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy,Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Neuroscienze, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziano Tuccinardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy,CONTACT Tiziano Tuccinardi Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa, 56126, Italy
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18
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Li Y, Cheng ZX, Luo T, Lyu HB. Therapeutic potential of iron chelators in retinal vascular diseases. Int J Ophthalmol 2023; 16:1899-1910. [PMID: 38028518 PMCID: PMC10626364 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2023.11.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is one of the necessary metal elements in the human body. There are numerous factors that control the balance of iron metabolism, and its storage and transportation mechanisms are intricate. As one of the most energy-intensive tissues in the body, the retina is susceptible to iron imbalance. The occurrence of iron overload in the retina leads to the generation of a significant quantity of reactive oxygen species. This will aggravate local oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions and even lead to ferroptosis, eventually resulting in retinal dysfunction. The blood-retina-retinal barrier is eventually harmed by oxidative stress and elevated inflammation, which are characteristics of retinal vascular disorders. The pathophysiology of retinal vascular disorders may be significantly influenced by iron. Recently, iron-chelating agents have been found to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions in addition to iron chelating. Therefore, iron neutralization is considered to be a new and potentially useful therapeutic strategy. This article reviews the iron overload in retinal vascular diseases and discusses the therapeutic potential of iron-chelating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, the People's Hospital of Jianyang, Chengdu 641400, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, the People's Hospital of Jianyang, Chengdu 641400, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hong-Bin Lyu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
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19
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Stepanova A, Ogorodova N, Kadyshev V, Shchagina O, Kutsev S, Polyakov A. A Molecular Genetic Analysis of RPE65-Associated Forms of Inherited Retinal Degenerations in the Russian Federation. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2056. [PMID: 38002999 PMCID: PMC10671290 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112056] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the RPE65 gene cause the only known form of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) that are prone to gene therapy. The current study is aimed at the evaluation of the prevalence of RPE65-associated retinopathy in the Russian Federation, the characterization of known variants in the RPE65 gene, and the establishment of the specificities of the mutation spectrum in Russian patients. METHODS The analysis was carried out on blood samples obtained from 1053 non-related IRDs patients. The analysis, which consisted of 211 genes, was carried out based on the method of massive parallel sequencing (MPS) for all probands. Variant validation, as well as biallelic status verification, were carried out using direct automated Sanger sequencing. The number of copies of RPE65 exons 1-14 was analyzed with quantitative MLPA using an MRC-Holland SALSA MLPA probemix. RESULTS Out of 1053 non-related patients, a molecular genetic diagnosis of IRDs has been confirmed in 474 cases, including 25 (5.3%) patients with RPE65-associated retinopathy. We detected 26 variants in the RPE65 gene, nine of which have not been previously described in the literature. The most common mutations in the Russian population were c.304G>T/p.(Glu102*), c.370C>T/p.(Arg124*), and c.272G>A/p.(Arg91Gln), which comprised 41.8% of all affected chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS The current study shows that pathogenic variants in the RPE65 gene contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of IRDs and comprise 5.3% of all patients with a confirmed molecular genetic diagnosis. This study allowed for the formation of a cohort for target therapy of the disorder; such therapy has already been carried out for some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stepanova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115478, Russia
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20
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Haider MZ, Sami A, Shafiq M, Anwar W, Ali S, Ali Q, Muhammad S, Manzoor I, Shahid MA, Ali D, Alarifi S. Genome-wide identification and in-silico expression analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenases gene family in Oryza sativa (rice) in response to abiotic stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1269995. [PMID: 37954992 PMCID: PMC10634354 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1269995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Rice constitutes a foundational cereal and plays a vital role in the culinary sector. However, the detriments of abiotic stress on rice quality and productivity are noteworthy. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) hold vital importance as they enable the particular breakdown of carotenoids and significantly contribute towards the growth and response to abiotic stress in rice. Due to the insufficient information regarding rice CCOs and their potential role in abiotic stress, their utilization in stress-resistant genetic breeding remains limited. The current research identified 16 CCO genes within the Oryza sativa japonica group. These OsCCO genes can be bifurcated into three categories based on their conserved sequences: NCEDs (9-Cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases), CCDs (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases) and CCD-like (Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases-like). Conserved motifs were found in the OsCCO gene sequence via MEME analysis and multiple sequence alignment. Stress-related cis-elements were detected in the promoter regions of OsCCOs genes, indicating their involvement in stress response. Additionally, the promoters of these genes had various components related to plant light, development, and hormone responsiveness, suggesting they may be responsive to plant hormones and involved in developmental processes. MicroRNAs play a pivotal role in the regulation of these 16 genes, underscoring their significance in rice gene regulation. Transcriptome data analysis suggests a tissue-specific expression pattern for rice CCOs. Only OsNCED6 and OsNCED10 significantly up-regulated during salt stress, as per RNA seq analyses. CCD7 and CCD8 levels were also higher in the CCD group during the inflorescence growth stage. This provides insight into the function of rice CCOs in abiotic stress response and identifies possible genes that could be beneficial for stress-resistant breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zeshan Haider
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Sami
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shafiq
- Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Waheed Anwar
- Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Ali
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Qurban Ali
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sher Muhammad
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Manzoor
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Adnan Shahid
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL, United States
| | - Daoud Ali
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud Alarifi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Varghese R, Buragohain T, Banerjee I, Mukherjee R, Penshanwar SN, Agasti S, Ramamoorthy S. The apocarotenoid production in microbial biofactories: An overview. J Biotechnol 2023; 374:5-16. [PMID: 37499877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.07.009] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids are a vast group of natural pigments that come in a variety of colors ranging from red to orange. Apocarotenoids are derived from these carotenoids, which are hormones, pigments, retinoids, and volatiles employed in the textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Due to the high commercial value and poor natural host abundance, they are significantly undersupplied. Microbes like Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli act as heterologous hosts for apocarotenoid production. This article briefly reviews categories of apocarotenoids, their biosynthetic pathway commencing from the MVA and MEP, its significance, the tool enzymes for apocarotenoid biosynthesis like CCDs, their biotechnological production in microbial factories, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ressin Varghese
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Tinamoni Buragohain
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ishani Banerjee
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rishyani Mukherjee
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shraddha Naresh Penshanwar
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Swapna Agasti
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Siva Ramamoorthy
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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22
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Shen G, Li Y, Zeng Y, Hong F, Zhang J, Wang Y, Zhang C, Xiang W, Wang J, Fang Z, Qi W, Yang X, Gao G, Zhou T. Kallistatin Deficiency Induces the Oxidative Stress-Related Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: A Novel Protagonist in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:15. [PMID: 37682567 PMCID: PMC10500364 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.12.15] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction induced by oxidative stress-related epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of RPE is the primary underlying mechanism of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Kallistatin (KAL) is a secreted protein with an antioxidative stress effect. However, the relationship between KAL and EMT in RPE has not been determined. Therefore we aimed to explore the impact and mechanism of KAL in oxidative stress-induced EMT of RPE. Methods Sodium iodate (SI) was injected intraperitoneally to construct the AMD rat model and investigate the changes in RPE morphology and KAL expression. KAL knockout rats and KAL transgenic mice were used to explain the effects of KAL on EMT and oxidative stress. In addition, Snail overexpressed adenovirus and si-RNA transfected ARPE19 cells to verify the involvement of Snail in mediating KAL-suppressed EMT of RPE. Results AMD rats induced by SI expressed less KAL in the retina, and KAL knockout rats showed RPE dysfunction spontaneously where EMT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased in RPE. In contrast, KAL overexpression attenuated EMT and ROS levels in RPE, even in TGF-β treatment. Mechanistically, Snail reversed the beneficial effect of KAL on EMT and ROS reduction. Moreover, KAL ameliorated SI-induced AMD-like pathological changes. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that KAL inhibits oxidative stress-induced EMT by downregulating the transcription factor Snail. Herein, KAL knockout rats may be an appropriate animal model for observing spontaneous RPE dysfunction for AMD-like retinopathy, and KAL may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanmei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongcheng Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fuyan Hong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengwei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhong Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Fang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoquan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Gene Manipulation and Biomacromolecular Products, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ti Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- China Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
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23
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Wu J, Sun Z, Zhang DW, Liu HL, Li T, Zhang S, Wu J. Development of a novel prediction model based on protein structure for identifying RPE65-associated inherited retinal disease (IRDs) of missense variants. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15702. [PMID: 37547722 PMCID: PMC10404030 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to develop a prediction model to classify RPE65-mediated inherited retinal disease (IRDs) based on protein secondary structure and to analyze phenotype-protein structure correlations of RPE65 missense variants in a Chinese cohort. Methods Pathogenic or likely pathogenic missense variants of RPE65 were obtained from UniProt, ClinVar, and HGMD databases. The three-dimensional structure of RPE65 was retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and modified with Pymol software. A novel prediction model was developed using LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression to identify RPE65-associated IRDs. A total of 21 Chinese probands with RPE65 variants were collected to analyze phenotype-protein structure correlations of RPE65 missense variants. Results The study found that both pathogenic and population missense variants were associated with structural features of RPE65. Pathogenic variants were linked to sheet, β-sheet, strands, β-hairpins, Fe2+ (iron center), and active site cavity, while population variants were related to helix, loop, helices, and helix-helix interactions. The novel prediction model showed accuracy and confidence in predicting the disease type of RPE65 variants (AUC = 0.7531). The study identified 25 missense variants in Chinese patients, accounting for 72.4% of total mutations. A significant correlation was observed between clinical characteristics of RPE65-associated IRDs and changes in amino acid type, specifically for missense variants of F8 (H68Y, P419S). Conclusion The study developed a novel prediction model based on the protein structure of RPE65 and investigated phenotype-protein structure correlations of RPE65 missense variants in a Chinese cohort. The findings provide insights into the precise diagnosis of RPE65-mutated IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Wu
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongmou Sun
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, United States of America
| | - Dao wei Zhang
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Li Liu
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Li
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenghai Zhang
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Jihong Wu
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
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24
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Kelbsch C, Kempf M, Jung R, Kortüm F, Reith M, Kuehlewein L, Kohl S, Strasser T, Peters T, Wilhelm H, Wilhelm B, Stingl K, Stingl K. Rod and Cone Function Measured Objectively by Chromatic Pupil Campimetry Show a Different Preservation Between Distinct Genotypes in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:18. [PMID: 37578425 PMCID: PMC10431211 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.11.18] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Verifying whether specific genotypes causing retinitis pigmentosa (RP) show differences in the preservation of rod and cone function measured by chromatic pupil campimetry (CPC). Methods Sixty-three RP eyes (37 male, 14-58 years) were measured using CPC with specific photopic and scotopic protocols, and the relative maximal constriction amplitudes and latencies to constriction onset were analyzed per genotype (RP due to variants in EYS, n = 14; PDE6A, n = 10; RPE65, n = 15; USH2A, n = 10; and RPGR, n = 14). Correlation analyses between the pupillary responses were performed with age, full-field stimulus threshold (FST), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for cones and rods, respectively, to the genotype. Results Pupillary responses were most severely reduced in RPE65-RP. Patients with disease-associated variants in EYS and USH2A were accompanied with better-preserved rod function compared with the other subgroups, reaching statistical significance between EYS and RPE65. Cone function was statistically significantly correlated with age in USH2A-RP with an annual decline of 2.4%. Correlations of pupillary responses were found with FST but barely with the ellipsoid zone area in OCT. Latency was significantly more prolonged in RPE65-RP compared with the other genotypes for cones. Conclusions Rod and cone function measured objectively by CPC showed a different preservation between genotypes in RP. However, heterogeneity inside the same genotype was present. CPC data correlated with FST, but structural OCT parameters seem to be limited indicators for photoreceptor function in RP. Prolonged time dynamics for cones in RPE65 mutations suggest an impact on cone processing and might provide additional information in the evaluation of therapy effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Kelbsch
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Kempf
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ronja Jung
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Friederike Kortüm
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Milda Reith
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Laura Kuehlewein
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Kohl
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Torsten Strasser
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Peters
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Wilhelm
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Wilhelm
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Krunoslav Stingl
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Pupil Research Group at the Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Katarina Stingl
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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25
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Feng J, Zhang X, Li R, Zhao P, Han X, Wu Q, Tian Q, Tang G, Song J, Bi H. Widespread Involvement of Acetylation in the Retinal Metabolism of Form-Deprivation Myopia in Guinea Pigs. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:23825-23839. [PMID: 37426266 PMCID: PMC10324097 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Myopia has become the major cause of visual impairment worldwide. Although the pathogenesis of myopia remains controversial, proteomic studies suggest that dysregulation of retinal metabolism is potentially involved in the pathology of myopia. Lysine acetylation of proteins plays a key role in regulating cellular metabolism, but little is known about its role in the form-deprived myopic retina. Hence, a comprehensive analysis of proteomic and acetylomic changes in the retinas of guinea pigs with form-deprivation myopia was performed. In total, 85 significantly differential proteins and 314 significantly differentially acetylated proteins were identified. Notably, the differentially acetylated proteins were markedly enriched in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, retinol metabolism, and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. HK2, HKDC1, PKM, LDH, GAPDH, and ENO1 were the key enzymes in these metabolic pathways with decreased acetylation levels in the form-deprivation myopia group. Altered lysine acetylation of key enzymes in the form-deprived myopic retina might affect the dynamic balance of metabolism in the retinal microenvironment by altering their activity. In conclusion, as the first report on the myopic retinal acetylome, this study provides a reliable basis for further studies on myopic retinal acetylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Feng
- Shandong
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Xiuyan Zhang
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
- Shandong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western
Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
| | - Runkuan Li
- Shandong
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
- Shandong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western
Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
| | - Xudong Han
- School
of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiuxin Wu
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
- Shandong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western
Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
| | - Qingmei Tian
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
- Shandong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western
Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
| | - Guodong Tang
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
- Shandong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western
Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
| | - Jike Song
- Shandong
University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
| | - Hongsheng Bi
- Affiliated
Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
- Shandong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western
Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Diseases, Shandong Academy of Eye Disease Prevention and Therapy, Jinan 250002, Shandong, China
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26
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Bassetto M, Zaluski J, Li B, Zhang J, Badiee M, Kiser PD, Tochtrop GP. Tuning the Metabolic Stability of Visual Cycle Modulators through Modification of an RPE65 Recognition Motif. J Med Chem 2023; 66:8140-8158. [PMID: 37279401 PMCID: PMC10824489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the eye, the isomerization of all-trans-retinal to 11-cis-retinal is accomplished by a metabolic pathway termed the visual cycle that is critical for vision. RPE65 is the essential trans-cis isomerase of this pathway. Emixustat, a retinoid-mimetic RPE65 inhibitor, was developed as a therapeutic visual cycle modulator and used for the treatment of retinopathies. However, pharmacokinetic liabilities limit its further development including: (1) metabolic deamination of the γ-amino-α-aryl alcohol, which mediates targeted RPE65 inhibition, and (2) unwanted long-lasting RPE65 inhibition. We sought to address these issues by more broadly defining the structure-activity relationships of the RPE65 recognition motif via the synthesis of a family of novel derivatives, which were tested in vitro and in vivo for RPE65 inhibition. We identified a potent secondary amine derivative with resistance to deamination and preserved RPE65 inhibitory activity. Our data provide insights into activity-preserving modifications of the emixustat molecule that can be employed to tune its pharmacological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bassetto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California 90822, United States
| | - Jordan Zaluski
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Mohsen Badiee
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Center for Translational Vision Research, School of Medicine, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California 90822, United States
| | - Gregory P Tochtrop
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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27
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Si Z, Zheng Y, Zhao J. The Role of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Phagocytosis and Autophagy. Biomolecules 2023; 13:901. [PMID: 37371481 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes vision loss in the elderly population. Dry AMD leads to the formation of Drusen, while wet AMD is characterized by cell proliferation and choroidal angiogenesis. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a key role in AMD pathogenesis. In particular, helioreceptor renewal depends on outer segment phagocytosis of RPE cells, while RPE autophagy can protect cells from oxidative stress damage. However, when the oxidative stress burden is too high and homeostasis is disturbed, the phagocytosis and autophagy functions of RPE become damaged, leading to AMD development and progression. Hence, characterizing the roles of RPE cell phagocytosis and autophagy in the pathogenesis of AMD can inform the development of potential therapeutic targets to prevent irreversible RPE and photoreceptor cell death, thus protecting against AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibo Si
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Yajuan Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
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28
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Karthikeyan R, Davies WI, Gunhaga L. Non-image-forming functional roles of OPN3, OPN4 and OPN5 photopigments. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2023.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
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29
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Liu Z, Mo F, Dong X, Chen G, Gao J, Zhang J. Progressive degeneration of the retina in Loxl3 mutant mouse model of Stickler syndrome. Dev Biol 2023; 495:54-62. [PMID: 36610533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Stickler syndrome is a multisystem collagenopathy with affected individuals exhibiting a high rate of ocular complications. Lysyl oxidase-like 3 (LOXL3) is a human disease gene candidate with a critical role in catalyzing collagen crosslinking. A homozygous missense variant of LOXL3 was reported in Stickler syndrome with severe myopia. However, the underlying mechanisms of the LOXL3 missense mutation that causes Stickler syndrome are unknown. In this study, a mouse model of Stickler syndrome induced by LOXL3 mutation (c.2027G > A, p.Cys676Try) was obtained using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing techniques. The Loxl3 mutant mice exhibited perinatal death, spinal deformity, and cleft palate, and Loxl3 mutation also induced skeletal dysplasia and progressive visual degeneration. Furthermore, we observed the damage of the bruch's membrane (BrM) and an increase in the levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Rpe65 in the Loxl3 mutant mice. Thus, we provided the critical in vivo evidence that Loxl3 possibly has a pivotal role in maintaining the eye function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Liu
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Fan Mo
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xinyu Dong
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ge Chen
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiangang Gao
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Life Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
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30
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Hofmann KP, Lamb TD. Rhodopsin, light-sensor of vision. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 93:101116. [PMID: 36273969 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The light sensor of vertebrate scotopic (low-light) vision, rhodopsin, is a G-protein-coupled receptor comprising a polypeptide chain with bound chromophore, 11-cis-retinal, that exhibits remarkable physicochemical properties. This photopigment is extremely stable in the dark, yet its chromophore isomerises upon photon absorption with 70% efficiency, enabling the activation of its G-protein, transducin, with high efficiency. Rhodopsin's photochemical and biochemical activities occur over very different time-scales: the energy of retinaldehyde's excited state is stored in <1 ps in retinal-protein interactions, but it takes milliseconds for the catalytically active state to form, and many tens of minutes for the resting state to be restored. In this review, we describe the properties of rhodopsin and its role in rod phototransduction. We first introduce rhodopsin's gross structural features, its evolution, and the basic mechanisms of its activation. We then discuss light absorption and spectral sensitivity, photoreceptor electrical responses that result from the activity of individual rhodopsin molecules, and recovery of rhodopsin and the visual system from intense bleaching exposures. We then provide a detailed examination of rhodopsin's molecular structure and function, first in its dark state, and then in the active Meta states that govern its interactions with transducin, rhodopsin kinase and arrestin. While it is clear that rhodopsin's molecular properties are exquisitely honed for phototransduction, from starlight to dawn/dusk intensity levels, our understanding of how its molecular interactions determine the properties of scotopic vision remains incomplete. We describe potential future directions of research, and outline several major problems that remain to be solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Peter Hofmann
- Institut für Medizinische Physik und Biophysik (CC2), Charité, and, Zentrum für Biophysik und Bioinformatik, Humboldt-Unversität zu Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
| | - Trevor D Lamb
- Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
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31
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Moon J, Ramkumar S, von Lintig J. Genetic tuning of β-carotene oxygenase-1 activity rescues cone photoreceptor function in STRA6-deficient mice. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:798-809. [PMID: 36150025 PMCID: PMC9941828 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina mediate dim light and daylight vision, respectively. Despite their distinctive functions, rod and cone visual pigments utilize the same vitamin A-derived chromophore. To sustain vision, vitamin A precursors must be acquired in the gut, metabolized, and distributed to the eyes. Deficiencies in this pathway in inherited ocular disease states deplete cone photoreceptors from chromophore and eventually lead to cell death, whereas the more abundant rod photoreceptors are less affected. However, pathways that support cone function and survival under such conditions are largely unknown. Using biochemical, histological, and physiological approaches, we herein show that intervention with β-carotene in STRA6-deficient mice improved chromophore supply to cone photoreceptors. Relieving the inherent negative feedback regulation of β-carotene oxygenase-1 activity in the intestine by genetic means further bolstered cone photoreceptor functioning in the STRA6-deficient eyes. A vitamin A-rich diet, however, did not improve cone photoreceptor function in STRA6-deficiency. We provide evidence that the beneficial effect of β-carotene on cones results from favorable serum kinetics of retinyl esters in lipoproteins. The respective alterations in lipoprotein metabolism maintained a steady supply of retinoids to the STRA6-deficient eyes, which ameliorated the competition for chromophore between rod and cone photoreceptors. Together, our study elucidates a cone photoreceptor-survival pathway and unravels an unexpected metabolic connection between the gut and the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Moon
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Srinivasagan Ramkumar
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Johannes von Lintig
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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32
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She K, Liu Y, Zhao Q, Jin X, Yang Y, Su J, Li R, Song L, Xiao J, Yao S, Lu F, Wei Y, Yang Y. Dual-AAV split prime editor corrects the mutation and phenotype in mice with inherited retinal degeneration. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:57. [PMID: 36740702 PMCID: PMC9899767 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prime editor (PE) can edit genomes with almost any intended changes, including all 12 possible types of base substitutions, small insertions and deletions, and their combinations, without the requirement for double strand breaks or exogenous donor templates. PE demonstrates the possibility of correcting a variety of disease-causing mutations and might expand the therapeutic application of gene editing. In this study, PE was optimized based on a dual-adeno-associated virus (AAV) split-intein system in vitro by screening different split sites and split inteins. We found that splitting PE before amino acid 1105(Ser) of SpCas9 with Rma intein resulted in the highest on-target editing. The orientations of pegRNA and nicking sgRNA in the AAV vector were further optimized. To test the in vivo performance of the optimized dual-AAV split-PE3, it was delivered by subretinal injection in rd12 mice with inherited retinal disease Leber congenital amaurosis. The prime editors corrected the pathogenic mutation with up to 16% efficiency in a precise way, with no detectable off-target edits, restored RPE65 expression, rescued retinal and visual function, and preserved photoceptors. Our findings establish a framework for the preclinical development of PE and motivate further testing of PE for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases caused by various mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqin She
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qinyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiliu Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruiting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianlu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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33
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Fei R, Guan S, Duan S, Ge J, Sun T, Sun X. Elucidating Biological Functions of 9- cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase Genes Involved in Seed Dormancy in Paeonia lactiflora. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:710. [PMID: 36840058 PMCID: PMC9967950 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major phytohormone affecting seed dormancy and germination in plants. ABA is synthesized mainly through the C40 carotenoid pathway. In the ABA biosynthesis pathway, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) is a key rate-limiting enzyme that regulates the accumulation and content of ABA. However, the role of the NCED gene in perennial plants with complex seed dormancy remains largely unknown. Here, we cloned two differentially expressed paralogs of herbaceous peony NCED genes, named PlNCED1 and PlNCED2, and further identified their involvement in seed dormancy from perennial herbaceous peony experiencing complex double seed dormancy. The deduced PlNCED amino acid sequences had high sequence homology with NCED sequences from other plants and contained the typical conserved RPE65 domain of the NCED family. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PlNCED1 and PlNCED2 have a close relationship with PoNCED in Paeonia ostii and VvNCED6 in Vitis vinifera, respectively. A subcellular localization assay demonstrated that the PlNCED1 protein resided within the nucleus, while the PlNCED2 protein was located in the cytoplasm, indicating their different roles in the biosynthesis of ABA. Furthermore, the content of endogenous ABA in transgenic calluses showed that PlNCEDs were positively correlated with ABA content. Both PlNCED transgenic Arabidopsis lines and the functional complementation of Arabidopsis NCED mutants found that PlNCEDs promoted seed dormancy and delayed seed germination. These results reveal that PlNCEDs participate in the seed dormancy of herbaceous peony by regulating the accumulation of endogenous ABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riwen Fei
- College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Genetics Breeding and Cultivation of Liaoning Province, College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Shixin Guan
- Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Genetics Breeding and Cultivation of Liaoning Province, College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Siyang Duan
- Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Genetics Breeding and Cultivation of Liaoning Province, College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Jiayuan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Genetics Breeding and Cultivation of Liaoning Province, College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Tianyi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Genetics Breeding and Cultivation of Liaoning Province, College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiaomei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Genetics Breeding and Cultivation of Liaoning Province, College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Forestry, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
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34
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Choudhary M, Malek G. CD68: Potential Contributor to Inflammation and RPE Cell Dystrophy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1415:207-213. [PMID: 37440035 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in the elderly in developed countries. It is a complex, multifactorial, progressive disease with diverse molecular pathways, including inflammation, regulating its pathogenesis. The myeloid marker CD68 is a protein highly expressed in circulating and tissue macrophages. Recent observations of immune markers in human AMD tissues have varied with some finding ectopic RPE cells in advanced AMD and others noting negligible numbers of CD68-positive cells. Additionally, animal models of retinal degeneration have shown upregulation of CD68, in a protective population of retinal microglia. Herein, we review the potential role of CD68 in regulating RPE health and inflammation in the sub-retinal space and discuss observations on its localization in a mouse model that presents with AMD-like features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Choudhary
- Department of Ophthalmology, Albert Eye Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Goldis Malek
- Department of Ophthalmology, Albert Eye Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Albert Eye Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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35
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Stingl K, Kempf M, Jung R, Kortüm F, Righetti G, Reith M, Dimopoulos S, Ott S, Kohl S, Stingl K. Therapy with voretigene neparvovec. How to measure success? Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 92:101115. [PMID: 36096933 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Retinal gene supplementation therapy such as the first approved one, voretigene neparvovec, delivers a functioning copy of the missing gene enabling the protein transcription in retinal cells and restore visual functions. After gene supplementation for the genetic defect, a complex network of functional regeneration is the consequence, whereas the extent is very individualized. Diagnostic and functional testings that have been used routinely by ophthalmologists so far to define the correct diagnosis, cannot be applied in the new context of defining small, sometimes subtle changes in visual functions. New view on retinal diagnostics is needed to understand this processes that define safety and efficacy of the treatment. Not only does vision have many aspects that must be addressed by specific evaluations and imaging techniques, but objective readouts of local retinal function for rods and cones separately have been an unmet need until recently. A reliable test-retest variability is necessary in rare diseases such as inherited retinal dystrophies, because statistics are often not applicable due to a low number of participants. Methods for a reliable individual evaluation of the therapy success are needed. In this manuscript we present an elaboration on retinal diagnostics combining psychophysics (eg. full-field stimulus threshold or dark adapted perimetry) as well as objective measures for local retinal function (eg. photopic and scotopic chromatic pupil campimetry) and retinal imaging for a meaningful workflow to apply in evaluation of the individual success in patients receiving gene therapy for photoreceptor diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krunoslav Stingl
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Melanie Kempf
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Ronja Jung
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Friederike Kortüm
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Giulia Righetti
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Milda Reith
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Spyridon Dimopoulos
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Saskia Ott
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Susanne Kohl
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Katarina Stingl
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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36
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Poli G, Barravecchia I, Demontis GC, Sodi A, Saba A, Rizzo S, Macchia M, Tuccinardi T. Predicting potentially pathogenic effects of hRPE65 missense mutations: a computational strategy based on molecular dynamics simulations. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1765-1772. [PMID: 35726567 PMCID: PMC9225791 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2090547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The human retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65-kDa protein (hRPE65) plays a crucial role within the retinoid visual cycle and several mutations affecting either its expression level or its enzymatic function are associated with inherited retinal diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa. The gene therapy product voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna) has been recently approved for treating hereditary retinal dystrophies; however, the treatment is currently accessible only to patients presenting confirmed biallelic mutations that severely impair hRPE65 function, and many reported hRPE65 missense mutations lack sufficient evidences for proving their pathogenicity. In this context, we developed a computational approach aimed at evaluating the potential pathogenic effect of hRPE65 missense variants located on the dimerisation domain of the protein. The protocol evaluates how mutations may affect folding and conformation stability of this protein region, potentially helping clinicians to evaluate the eligibility for gene therapy of patients diagnosed with this type of hRPE65 variant of uncertain significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Poli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ivana Barravecchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Sodi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Eye Clinic, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Saba
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Molecular Medicine and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Catholic University Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Neuroscienze, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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37
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Optogenetic Therapy for Visual Restoration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315041. [PMID: 36499371 PMCID: PMC9735806 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics. Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype. This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems. Currently, there are various options for each element, all of which have been developed as a product of technological success. In particular, the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins. To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary. In this review, we provide an overview of the advancements in optogenetic therapy for visual restoration, focusing on available options for optogenetic tools and gene delivery methods.
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38
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Bandara S, von Lintig J. Aster la vista: Unraveling the biochemical basis of carotenoid homeostasis in the human retina. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200133. [PMID: 36127289 PMCID: PMC10044510 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids play pivotal roles in vision as light filters and precursor of chromophore. Many vertebrates also display the colorful pigments as ornaments in bare skin parts and feathers. Proteins involved in the transport and metabolism of these lipids have been identified including class B scavenger receptors and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases. Recent research implicates members of the Aster protein family, also known as GRAM domain-containing (GRAMD), in carotenoid metabolism. These multi-domain proteins facilitate the intracellular movement of carotenoids from their site of cellular uptake by scavenger receptors to the site of their metabolic processing by carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases. We provide a model how the coordinated interplay of these proteins and their differential expression establishes carotenoid distribution patterns and function in tissues, with particular emphasis on the human retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepalika Bandara
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Johannes von Lintig
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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39
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Uppal S, Liu T, Galvan E, Gomez F, Tittley T, Poliakov E, Gentleman S, Redmond TM. An inducible amphipathic α-helix mediates subcellular targeting and membrane binding of RPE65. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 6:6/1/e202201546. [PMID: 36265895 PMCID: PMC9585964 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RPE65 retinol isomerase is an indispensable player in the visual cycle between the vertebrate retina and RPE. Although membrane association is critical for RPE65 function, its mechanism is not clear. Residues 107-125 are believed to interact with membranes but are unresolved in all RPE65 crystal structures, whereas palmitoylation at C112 also plays a role. We report the mechanism of membrane recognition and binding by RPE65. Binding of aa107-125 synthetic peptide with membrane-mimicking micellar surfaces induces transition from unstructured loop to amphipathic α-helical (AH) structure but this transition is automatic in the C112-palmitoylated peptide. We demonstrate that the AH significantly affects palmitoylation level, membrane association, and isomerization activity of RPE65. Furthermore, aa107-125 functions as a membrane sensor and the AH as a membrane-targeting motif. Molecular dynamic simulations clearly show AH-membrane insertion, supporting our experimental findings. Collectively, these studies allow us to propose a working model for RPE65-membrane binding, and to provide a novel role for cysteine palmitoylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - T Michael Redmond
- Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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40
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Loss of Hes1 in embryonic stem cells caused developmental disorders in retinal pigment epithelium morphogenesis and specification. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 632:76-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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41
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Tate PS, Marquioni-Ramella MD, Cerchiaro C, Suburo AM. Ilex paraguariensis Extracts Prevent Oxidative Damage in a Mouse Model of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Mol Nutr Food Res 2022; 66:e2100807. [PMID: 35279946 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202100807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a chronic disease of the retina, leads to severe visual loss. AMD affects the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the visual cells (photoreceptors). RPE failure, the first step of this disease, is associated with oxidative stress. Since antioxidants can slow down AMD progression, the intake of foods and drinks rich in antioxidant compounds may reduce retinal damage. Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate, YM) extracts reduce oxidative damage of RPE cells in vitro as shown in previous study. Here, the effects of YM drinking on RPE and photoreceptor survival after oxidative damage with sodium iodate (NaIO3; SI) in a murine AMD model are described. Funduscopy and histology show that YM treatment prevents RPE and photoreceptor damage. YM also increases the expression of NRF2, the master antioxidant gene, and its effectors HO-1 and SOD2. In mice receiving YM and SI, the antioxidant response is larger than in mice receiving YM or SI alone. The YM drink also increases expression of RPE65, a gene that is involved in the functionality and survival of photoreceptors and RPE cells. The results suggest YM can play an important role in the prevention of retinal damage associated with oxidative stress, such as AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo S Tate
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional (IIMT, Universidad Austral-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, B1629AHJ, Argentina
| | - Melisa D Marquioni-Ramella
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional (IIMT, Universidad Austral-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, B1629AHJ, Argentina
| | - Constanza Cerchiaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional (IIMT, Universidad Austral-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, B1629AHJ, Argentina
| | - Angela M Suburo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional (IIMT, Universidad Austral-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, B1629AHJ, Argentina
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