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Sheng X, Zhang C, Zhao J, Xu J, Zhang P, Ding Q, Zhang J. Microvascular destabilization and intricated network of the cytokines in diabetic retinopathy: from the perspective of cellular and molecular components. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:85. [PMID: 38937783 PMCID: PMC11212265 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01269-7] [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: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Microvascular destabilization is the primary cause of the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) breakdown and increased vascular leakage in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Microvascular destabilization results from the combinational effects of increased levels of growth factors and cytokines, involvement of inflammation, and the changed cell-to-cell interactions, especially the loss of endothelial cells and pericytes, due to hyperglycemia and hypoxia. As the manifestation of microvascular destabilization, the fluid transports via paracellular and transcellular routes increase due to the disruption of endothelial intercellular junctional complexes and/or the altered caveolar transcellular transport across the retinal vascular endothelium. With diabetes progression, the functional and the structural changes of the iBRB components, including the cellular and noncellular components, further facilitate and aggravate microvascular destabilization, resulting in macular edema, the neuroretinal damage and the dysfunction of retinal inner neurovascular unit (iNVU). Although there have been considerable recent advances towards a better understanding of the complex cellular and molecular network underlying the microvascular destabilization, some still remain to be fully elucidated. Recent data indicate that targeting the intricate signaling pathways may allow to against the microvascular destabilization. Therefore, efforts have been made to better clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are involved in the microvascular destabilization in DR. In this review, we discuss: (1) the brief introduction of DR and microvascular destabilization; (2) the cellular and molecular components of iBRB and iNVU, and the breakdown of iBRB; (3) the matrix and cell-to-cell contacts to maintain microvascular stabilization, including the endothelial glycocalyx, basement membrane, and various cell-cell interactions; (4) the molecular mechanisms mediated cell-cell contacts and vascular cell death; (5) the altered cytokines and signaling pathways as well as the intricate network of the cytokines involved in microvascular destabilization. This comprehensive review aimed to provide the insights for microvascular destabilization by targeting the key molecules or specific iBRB cells, thus restoring the function and structure of iBRB and iNVU, to treat DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Sheng
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chunmei Zhang
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiwei Zhao
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jianping Xu
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Quanju Ding
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.
- The International Eye Research Institute of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China.
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- C-MER International Eye Care Group, C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, Hong Kong, China.
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Reyes-Ortega P, Rodríguez-Arzate A, Noguez-Imm R, Arnold E, Thébault SC. Contribution of chemical and electrical transmission to the low delta-like intrinsic retinal oscillation in mice: A role for daylight-activated neuromodulators. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 968:176384. [PMID: 38342360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176384] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Basal electroretinogram (ERG) oscillations have shown predictive value for modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes. However, their origin remains unknown. Here, we seek to establish the pharmacological profile of the low delta-like (δ1) wave in the mouse because it shows light sensitivity in the form of a decreased peak frequency upon photopic exposure. Applying neuropharmacological drugs by intravitreal injection, we eliminated the δ1 wave using lidocaine or by blocking all chemical and electrical synapses. The δ1 wave was insensitive to the blockade of photoreceptor input, but was accelerated when all inhibitory or ionotropic inhibitory receptors in the retina were antagonized. The sole blockade of GABAA, GABAB, GABAC, and glycine receptors also accelerated the δ1 wave. In contrast, the gap junction blockade slowed the δ1 wave. Both GABAA receptors and gap junctions contribute to the light sensitivity of the δ1 wave. We further found that the day light-activated neuromodulators dopamine and nitric oxide donors mimicked the effect of photopic exposure on the δ1 wave. All drug effects were validated through light flash-evoked ERG responses. Our data indicate that the low δ-like intrinsic wave detected by the non-photic ERG arises from an inner retinal circuit regulated by inhibitory neurotransmission and nitric oxide/dopamine-sensitive gap junction-mediated communication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ramsés Noguez-Imm
- Laboratorio de Investigación Traslacional en Salud Visual D-13 y, Mexico
| | - Edith Arnold
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Molecular A-14, Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico; CONAHCYT-Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, 76230 Querétaro, Mexico
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Rapp J, Hospach A, Liang P, Schwämmle M, Renz L, Agostini H, Schlunck G, Bucher F. Oncostatin M Reduces Pathological Neovascularization in the Retina Through Müller Cell Activation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:22. [PMID: 38190125 PMCID: PMC10777876 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.22] [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: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Continuous vision loss due to vasoproliferative eye disease still represents an unsolved issue despite anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The impact of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling on retinal angiogenesis and its potential use as a therapeutic target remain controversial. In vitro, oncostatin M (OSM), as a strong STAT3 activator, possesses robust proangiogenic activity. This study investigated to what extent the proangiogenic effects of OSM translate to the in vivo setting of vasoproliferative eye disease. Methods The in vitro effect of OSM on endothelial cells was investigated in the spheroid sprouting assay and through RNA sequencing. The mouse model for oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) was used to evaluate the impact of OSM in vivo. Signaling patterns were measured by western blot and retinal cryosections. Primary Müller cell cultures were used to evaluate the effect of OSM on the Müller cell secretome. Murine retinal vascular endothelial cells were isolated from OIR retinas using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and were used for RNA sequencing. Results Although OSM induced pro-angiogenic responses in vitro, in the OIR model intravitreal injection of OSM reduced retinal neovascularization by 65.2% and vaso-obliteration by 45.5% in Müller cells. Injecting OSM into the vitreous activated the STAT3 signaling pathway in multiple retinal cell types, including Müller cells. In vitro, OSM treatment increased CXCL10 secretion. RNA sequencing of sorted vascular endothelial cells at OIR P17 following OSM treatment indicated downregulation of angiogenesis- and mitosis-associated genes. Conclusions In vivo, OSM reveals a beneficial angiomodulatory effect by activating Müller cells and changing their secretome. The data highlight contradictions between cytokine-induced effects in vitro and in vivo depending on the cell types mediating the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Rapp
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alban Hospach
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Paula Liang
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwämmle
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Renz
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hansjürgen Agostini
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Bucher
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Glass J, Robinson RL, Greenway G, Jones G, Sharma S. Diabetic Müller-Glial-Cell-Specific Il6ra Knockout Mice Exhibit Accelerated Retinal Functional Decline and Thinning of the Inner Nuclear Layer. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:1. [PMID: 38038619 PMCID: PMC10697173 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.15.1] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is implicated in the pathology of diabetic retinopathy (DR). IL-6 trans-signaling via soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) is primarily responsible for its pro-inflammatory functions, whereas cis-signaling via membrane-bound IL-6R is anti-inflammatory. Using a Müller-glial-cell-specific Il6ra-/- mouse, we examined how loss of IL-6 cis-signaling in Müller glial cells (MGCs) affected retinal thinning and electroretinography (ERG) response over 9 months of diabetes. Methods Diabetes was induced in wildtype and knockout mice with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, daily for 5 days). Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), ERG, and fundoscopy/fluorescein angiography (FA) were assessed at 2, 6, and 9 months of diabetes. MGCs and bipolar neurons were examined in retinal tissue sections by immunofluorescence. Results Diabetic MGC Il6ra-/- mice had significantly thinner retinas than diabetic wildtype mice at 2 (-7.6 µm), 6 (-12.0 µm), and 9 months (-5.0 µm) of diabetes, as well as significant thinning of the inner nuclear layer (INL). Diabetic MGC Il6ra-/- mice also showed a reduction in scotopic B-wave amplitude and B-wave/A-wave ratio earlier than wildtype diabetic mice. In retinal sections, we found a decrease in bipolar neuronal marker PKCα only in diabetic MGC Il6ra-/- mice, which was significantly lower than both controls and diabetic wildtype mice. Glutamine synthetase, a Müller cell marker, was reduced in both wildtype and MGC Il6ra-/- diabetic mice compared to their respective controls. Conclusions IL-6 cis-signaling in MGCs contributes to maintenance of the INL in diabetes, and loss of the IL-6 receptor reduces MGC-mediated neuroprotection of bipolar neurons in the diabetic retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Glass
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Rebekah L. Robinson
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Grace Greenway
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Garrett Jones
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Shruti Sharma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
- Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
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Liu Y, Xu Z, Zheng H, Yang J, Wu M, Yang Q, Wang Y, Zong T, Yang X, Xie T, Cai J, Yao Y, Wang X. MiR-423-5p promotes Müller cell activation via targeting NGF signaling in diabetic retinopathy. Life Sci 2023; 334:122217. [PMID: 37925140 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122217] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and one of the major causes of visual impairment and blindness in industrialized countries. The early neuro-glial perturbations, especially retinal Müller cells (rMC) activation, intimately associated with the vascular alterations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in the progression of DR. Here, we aimed to further explore the role and underlying mechanism of miR-423-5p in Müller cell activation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retinal histology, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and biochemical markers were assessed. KEY FINDINGS Our data revealed that the expression of miR-423-5p was significantly increased under high-glucose environment. We also demonstrated that miR-423-5p overexpression markedly accelerated retinal vascular leakage, leukocytosis, and rMC activation. This response was ameliorated in animals pre-treated with the inhibition of miR-423-5p. Specifically, miR-423-5p bound to the nerve growth factor (NGF) 3' UTR region to induce its silencing. NGF inhibition significantly promoted retinal microvascular dysfunction. SIGNIFICANCE These findings demonstrate that miR-423-5p is a critical miRNA that promotes microvascular dysfunction in DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zifan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Haohan Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Meili Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China; Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyi Zong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xusheng Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianhua Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiping Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China; Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, People's Republic of China.
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Bohley M, Dillinger AE, Braunger BM, Tamm ER, Goepferich A. Intravenous injection of cyclosporin A loaded lipid nanocapsules fights inflammation and immune system activation in a mouse model of diabetic retinopathy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:2807-2818. [PMID: 37208562 PMCID: PMC10545584 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01350-7] [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] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation and immune system activation are key pathologic events in the onset and escalation of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Both are driven by cytokines and complement originating from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Despite the RPE's pivotal role, there is no therapeutic tool to specifically interfere with the RPE-related pathomechanism. A therapy that addresses RPE cells and counteracts inflammation and immune response would be of paramount value for the early treatment of DR, where currently are no specific therapies available. Here, we utilized lipoprotein-mimetic lipid nanocapsules to deliver the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) to RPE cells. Using a mouse model of DR that mirrors all pathologic aspects of human DR, we demonstrate that intravenously applied CsA-loaded lipid nanocapsules comprehensively counteract inflammation and immune system activation. One single injection suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, dampened macrophage infiltration, and prevented macrophage and microglia activation in eyes with DR. This work shows that CsA-loaded lipid nanocapsules can offer new avenues for the treatment of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Bohley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany.
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea E Dillinger
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Barbara M Braunger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, 97070, Germany
| | - Ernst R Tamm
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Achim Goepferich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
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Ponce-Mora A, Yuste A, Perini-Villanueva G, Miranda M, Bejarano E. Connexins Biology in the Pathophysiology of Retinal Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1415:229-234. [PMID: 37440038 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Connexins (Cx) are a family of transmembrane proteins that form gap junction intercellular channels that connect neighboring cells. These channels allow the passage of ions and other biomolecules smaller than 1 kDa, thereby synchronizing the cells both electrically and metabolically. Cxs are expressed in all retinal cell types and the diversity of Cx isoforms involved in the assembly of the channels provides a functional syncytium required for visual transduction. In this chapter, we summarize the status of current knowledge regarding Cx biology in retinal tissues and discuss how Cx dysfunction is associated with retinal disease pathophysiology. Although the contribution of Cx deficiency to retinal degeneration is not well understood, recent findings present Cx as a potential therapeutic target. Therefore, we will briefly discuss pharmacological approaches and gene therapies that are being explored to modulate Cx function and fight sight-threatening eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ponce-Mora
- School of Health Sciences and Veterinary School, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Yuste
- School of Health Sciences and Veterinary School, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Giuliana Perini-Villanueva
- Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - María Miranda
- School of Health Sciences and Veterinary School, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eloy Bejarano
- School of Health Sciences and Veterinary School, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain.
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Robinson R, Glass J, Sharma A, Sharma S. Generation and characterization of a Müller-glial-cell-specific Il6ra knockout mouse to delineate the effects of IL-6 trans-signaling in the retina. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17626. [PMID: 36271280 PMCID: PMC9587029 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is implicated in various retinal and vascular complications associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This cytokine functions through two main modalities: classical signaling, in cells expressing the membrane-bound receptor (IL-6Rα); and trans-signaling, possible in most cells through a soluble form of the receptor (sIL-6R). These pathways are considered to be anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory, respectively. Our recent studies in retinal endothelial cells and diabetic mice have shown that inhibiting only IL-6 trans-signaling is sufficient to prevent increased vascular leakage, oxidative stress, and inflammation characteristic of DR. Isolating the specific effects of each signaling pathway, however, remains difficult in cells expressing IL-6Rα that are thus capable of both classical and trans-signaling. Müller glial cells (MGCs), the most abundant retinal macroglial cells, span the entire retinal thickness with vital roles in maintaining retinal homeostasis and regulating the blood-retinal barrier through secreted factors. The specific effects of IL-6 trans-signaling in MGCs remain poorly understood given their responsiveness to both IL-6 signaling modalities. In this study, we addressed these concerns by generating an MGC-specific knockout mouse using Cre-loxP deletion of the Il6ra cytokine-binding region. We assessed transcriptional and translational Il6ra expression to confirm the knockout and characterized the effects of knockout on visual functioning in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Robinson
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, CAII 4139, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Joshua Glass
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, CAII 4139, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, CAII 4139, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shruti Sharma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, CAII 4139, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
- Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
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Bisserier M, Brojakowska A, Saffran N, Rai AK, Lee B, Coleman M, Sebastian A, Evans A, Mills PJ, Addya S, Arakelyan A, Garikipati VNS, Hadri L, Goukassian DA. Astronauts Plasma-Derived Exosomes Induced Aberrant EZH2-Mediated H3K27me3 Epigenetic Regulation of the Vitamin D Receptor. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:855181. [PMID: 35783863 PMCID: PMC9243458 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.855181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are unique stressors in the spaceflight environment. Exposure to such stressors may be associated with adverse effects on astronauts' health, including increased cancer and cardiovascular disease risks. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, i.e., exosomes) play a vital role in intercellular communication and regulate various biological processes contributing to their role in disease pathogenesis. To assess whether spaceflight alters sEVs transcriptome profile, sEVs were isolated from the blood plasma of 3 astronauts at two different time points: 10 days before launch (L-10) and 3 days after return (R+3) from the Shuttle mission. AC16 cells (human cardiomyocyte cell line) were treated with L-10 and R+3 astronauts-derived exosomes for 24 h. Total RNA was isolated and analyzed for gene expression profiling using Affymetrix microarrays. Enrichment analysis was performed using Enrichr. Transcription factor (TF) enrichment analysis using the ENCODE/ChEA Consensus TF database identified gene sets related to the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in AC16 cells treated with R+3 compared to cells treated with L-10 astronauts-derived exosomes. Further analysis of the histone modifications using datasets from the Roadmap Epigenomics Project confirmed enrichment in gene sets related to the H3K27me3 repressive mark. Interestingly, analysis of previously published H3K27me3–chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) ENCODE datasets showed enrichment of H3K27me3 in the VDR promoter. Collectively, our results suggest that astronaut-derived sEVs may epigenetically repress the expression of the VDR in human adult cardiomyocytes by promoting the activation of the PRC2 complex and H3K27me3 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Bisserier
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Agnieszka Brojakowska
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nathaniel Saffran
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amit Kumar Rai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Brooke Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Matthew Coleman
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Aimy Sebastian
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Angela Evans
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Paul J. Mills
- Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sankar Addya
- Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Biology, Russian-Armenian University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Venkata Naga Srikanth Garikipati
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart Lung and Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lahouaria Hadri
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Lahouaria Hadri
| | - David A. Goukassian
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: David A. Goukassian
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Peña JS, Vazquez M. Harnessing the Neuroprotective Behaviors of Müller Glia for Retinal Repair. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2022; 27:169. [PMID: 35748245 PMCID: PMC9639582 DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2706169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Progressive and irreversible vision loss in mature and aging adults creates a health and economic burden, worldwide. Despite the advancements of many contemporary therapies to restore vision, few approaches have considered the innate benefits of gliosis, the endogenous processes of retinal repair that precede vision loss. Retinal gliosis is fundamentally driven by Müller glia (MG) and is characterized by three primary cellular mechanisms: hypertrophy, proliferation, and migration. In early stages of gliosis, these processes have neuroprotective potential to halt the progression of disease and encourage synaptic activity among neurons. Later stages, however, can lead to glial scarring, which is a hallmark of disease progression and blindness. As a result, the neuroprotective abilities of MG have remained incompletely explored and poorly integrated into current treatment regimens. Bioengineering studies of the intrinsic behaviors of MG hold promise to exploit glial reparative ability, while repressing neuro-disruptive MG responses. In particular, recent in vitro systems have become primary models to analyze individual gliotic processes and provide a stepping stone for in vivo strategies. This review highlights recent studies of MG gliosis seeking to harness MG neuroprotective ability for regeneration using contemporary biotechnologies. We emphasize the importance of studying gliosis as a reparative mechanism, rather than disregarding it as an unfortunate clinical prognosis in diseased retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan S. Peña
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey, Piscataway (08854), New Jersey, USA
| | - Maribel Vazquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey, Piscataway (08854), New Jersey, USA
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11
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Liao Q, Gao X. Tribbles homolog 3 contributes to high glucose-induced injury in retinal pigment epithelial cells via binding to growth factor receptor-bound 2. Bioengineered 2022; 13:10386-10398. [PMID: 35465829 PMCID: PMC9161919 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2056315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most typical complication of diabetes, which severely threatens sight. Tribbles homolog 3 (TRB3), a kind of pseudokinase, is discovered to be highly expressed in diabetes and retinas after retinal detachment. TRB3 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells exposed to different concentrations of glucose was tested by RT-qPCR and western blot. Then, cells were induced with 30 mM high glucose (HG) to establish a DR cell model. Following TRB3 knockdown, cell viability estimation employed CCK-8 assay. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were detected by RT-qPCR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured by DCFH-DA assay, and levels of oxidative stress markers were evaluated applying corresponding kits. Cell apoptosis was assayed by TUNEL assay and western blot. Following, the growth factor receptor-bound 2 (GRB2) expression was also examined by RT-qPCR and western blot. The interaction between TRB3 and GRB2 was verified by Co-IP assay. After GRB2 was overexpressed in HG-induced hRPE cells transfected with shRNA-TRB3, functional experiments were conducted again. The results manifested that TRB3 expression was elevated under HG conditions. Deficiency of TRB3 enhanced the viability while alleviated inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in HG-induced hRPE cells. GRB2 was also increased in HG-exposed hRPE cells. Moreover, GRB2 had a strong affinity with TRB3 and positively regulated by TRB3. After GRB2 overexpression, the effects of TRB3 knockdown on HG-stimulated hRPE cells were all reversed. Briefly, this study confirmed the promoting role of TRB3/GRB2 axis in the progression of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chengdu Second People’s Hospital, Chengdu, china
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- College of Management, Beijing Capital Normal University, Beijing
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12
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C-terminal binding protein 2 promotes high-glucose-triggered cell proliferation, angiogenesis and cellular adhesion of human retinal endothelial cell line. Int Ophthalmol 2022; 42:2975-2985. [PMID: 35353294 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02283-9] [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: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The proliferation and angiogenesis of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) are critical for the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR). C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) has multiple biologic functions, but its effect on HRECs under high-glucose (HG) conditions is unclear. METHODS The cell viability, angiogenesis, cellular adhesion and CtBP2 expression levels of HRECs were measured following treatment with different concentrations of glucose. Small interfering CtBP2-targeting RNA, wide-type and function mutant plasmid of CtBP2 were constructed and then were transfected into HRECs to evaluate the effects of CtBP2 on cell functions of HRECs. RESULTS The expression of CtBP2 in HRECs was increased after HG treatment. HG treatment significantly increased cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and decreased relative gene expressions in gap junctions, tight junctions and adherens junctions. After CtBP2 was inhibited via siRNA, the changes induced by HG were partially restored. Conversely, only wild-type CtBP2 could increase cell proliferation and angiogenesis under HG condition. Mechanistically, we also found that CtBP2 exerted its functions to effect HG-induced changes via Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION This study implicates that CtBP2 promotes HG-induced cell proliferation, angiogenesis and cellular adhesion, and CtBP2 might be a potential target in the prevention of DR.
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13
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Zeng X, Peng Y, Wang Y, Kang K. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) activated by forkhead box O4 (FOXO4) down-regulation protects retinal pericytes against high glucose-induced oxidative damage through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling. Bioengineered 2022; 13:6080-6091. [PMID: 35196182 PMCID: PMC8974204 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2031413] [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: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a major cause of blindness among diabetes mellitus patients. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is a novel adipokine which is associated with multiple types of metabolism. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of CTRP3 in high glucose (HG)-induced human retinal pericytes (HRPs). This study set out to assess the influence of CTRP3 on HG-induced HRPs and elucidate the latent regulatory mechanism. RT-qPCR and Western blot were to analyze CTRP3 and forkhead box O4 (FOXO4) expression. Western blot was also utilized to detect the protein levels of apoptosis-related factors and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling-related factors. CCK-8 was to measure cell proliferation while TUNEL assay was to estimate cell apoptosis. Levels of oxidative stress biomarkers including manganese (MnSOD), catalase (CAT) and malonedialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated by the corresponding kits. JASPAR database, ChIP and luciferase reporter assay were to verify the interaction between FOXO4 and CTRP3 promoter. The experimental results uncovered that CTRP3 expression was decreased in HG-stimulated HRPs. Moreover, CTRP3 overexpression strengthened the viability while abrogated the apoptosis and oxidative stress of HG-induced HRPs. Furthermore. FOXO4 was up-regulated in HG-induced HRPs. Besides, FOXO4 bond to CTRP3 promoter and inhibited CTRP3 transcription to modulate the Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway. FOXO4 up-regulation reversed the influence of CTRP3 elevation on the proliferation, apoptosis and oxidative stress of HG-induced HRPs. To be summarized, CTRP3 negatively modulated by FOXO4 prevented HG-induced oxidative damage in DR via modulation of Nrf2/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiuYa Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.,Xiamen Key Laboratory of Genetic Testing, Xiamen, China
| | - YouYuan Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - YanFeng Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.,Xiamen Key Laboratory of Genetic Testing, Xiamen, China
| | - KeMing Kang
- Department of Ophthalmic Fundus Disease, Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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14
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Bisserier M, Saffran N, Brojakowska A, Sebastian A, Evans AC, Coleman MA, Walsh K, Mills PJ, Garikipati VNS, Arakelyan A, Hadri L, Goukassian DA. Emerging Role of Exosomal Long Non-coding RNAs in Spaceflight-Associated Risks in Astronauts. Front Genet 2022; 12:812188. [PMID: 35111205 PMCID: PMC8803151 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.812188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to multiple unique environmental factors, particularly microgravity and ionizing radiation, that can cause a range of harmful health consequences. Over the past decades, increasing evidence demonstrates that the space environment can induce changes in gene expression and RNA processing. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) represent an emerging area of focus in molecular biology as they modulate chromatin structure and function, the transcription of neighboring genes, and affect RNA splicing, stability, and translation. They have been implicated in cancer development and associated with diverse cardiovascular conditions and associated risk factors. However, their role on astronauts' health after spaceflight remains poorly understood. In this perspective article, we provide new insights into the potential role of exosomal lncRNA after spaceflight. We analyzed the transcriptional profile of exosomes isolated from peripheral blood plasma of three astronauts who flew on various Shuttle missions between 1998-2001 by RNA-sequencing. Computational analysis of the transcriptome of these exosomes identified 27 differentially expressed lncRNAs with a Log2 fold change, with molecular, cellular, and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Bisserier
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nathaniel Saffran
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Agnieszka Brojakowska
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aimy Sebastian
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Angela Clare Evans
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Paul J. Mills
- Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Venkata Naga Srikanth Garikipati
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart Lung and Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Bioinformatics Group, The Institute of Molecular Biology, The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Lahouaria Hadri
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - David A. Goukassian
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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15
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Pan S, Chen Y, Yan J, Li F, Chen X, Xu X, Xing H. The emerging roles and mechanisms of exosomal non-coding RNAs in the mutual regulation between adipose tissue and other related tissues in obesity and metabolic diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:975334. [PMID: 36060952 PMCID: PMC9433671 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.975334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes (EXs) are the major types of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of 30-100 nm diameter that can be secreted by most cells to the extracellular environment. EXs transport endogenous cargoes (proteins, lipids, RNAs, etc.) to target cells and thereby triggers the release of these bioactive components, which then play important roles in regulating numerous biological processes under both physiological and pathological conditions. Throughout the studies in recent years, growing evidences have shown that EXs-derived non-coding RNAs (EXs-ncRNAs) are emerging as key players in cell-to-cell communication between adipose tissue and other related tissues in obesity and metabolic diseases. In this review, we will summarize the recent findings about EXs-ncRNAs, especially focus on the following aspects: 1) the biogenesis of EXs and emerging roles of EXs-ncRNAs, 2) the role of EXs-ncRNAs (EXs-miRNAs, EXs-lncRNAs, EXs-circRNAs, etc.) that were secreted by adipose-related tissues in promoting the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature and fully functional adipocytes, and 3) the crosstalk between the adipose tissue derived EXs-ncRNAs and the development of insulin resistance, obesity and various cancers. This review aims to reveal the emerging roles and mechanisms of EXs-ncRNAs in the mutual regulation of adipose tissue and its related tissues in obesity and metabolic diseases, so as to provide references for elucidating the etiology of obesity and related metabolic diseases and screening novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifeng Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Animal Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: Shifeng Pan,
| | - Yongfang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xingyu Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hua Xing
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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16
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Sankaramoorthy A, Roy S. High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis Is Linked to Mitochondrial Connexin 43 Level in RRECs: Implications for Diabetic Retinopathy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113102. [PMID: 34831325 PMCID: PMC8618331 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common causes of vision loss and blindness among the working-age population. High glucose (HG)-induced decrease in mitochondrial connexin 43 (mtCx43) level is known to promote mitochondrial fragmentation, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis in retinal endothelial cells associated with DR. In this study, we investigated whether counteracting HG-induced decrease in mtCx43 level would preserve mitochondrial integrity and prevent apoptosis. Rat retinal endothelial cells (RRECs) were grown in normal (N; 5 mM glucose) or HG (30 mM glucose) medium for 7 days. In parallel, cells grown in HG were transfected with Cx43 plasmid, or empty vector (EV), as control. Western blot (WB) analysis showed a significant decrease in mtCx43 level concomitant with increased cleaved caspase-3, Bax, cleaved PARP, and mitochondrial fragmentation in cells grown in HG condition compared to those grown in N medium. When cells grown in HG were transfected with Cx43 plasmid, mtCx43 level was significantly increased and resulted in reduced cleaved caspase-3, Bax, cleaved PARP and preservation of mitochondrial morphology with a significant decrease in the number of TUNEL-positive cells compared to those grown in HG alone. Findings from the study indicate a novel role for mtCx43 in regulating apoptosis and that maintenance of mtCx43 level could be useful in preventing HG-induced apoptosis by reducing mitochondrial fragmentation associated with retinal vascular cell loss in DR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sayon Roy
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(617)-358-6801; Fax: +1-(617)-638-4177
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17
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Qiu AW, Huang DR, Li B, Fang Y, Zhang WW, Liu QH. IL-17A injury to retinal ganglion cells is mediated by retinal Müller cells in diabetic retinopathy. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1057. [PMID: 34750361 PMCID: PMC8575984 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04350-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common and serious ocular complication, recently has been perceived as a neurovascular inflammatory disease. However, role of adaptive immune inflammation driven by T lymphocytes in DR is not yet well elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the role of interleukin (IL)-17A, a proinflammatory cytokine mainly produced by T lymphocytes, in retinal pathophysiology particularly in retinal neuronal death during DR process. Ins2Akita (Akita) diabetic mice 12 weeks after the onset of diabetes were used as a DR model. IL-17A-deficient diabetic mice were obtained by hybridization of IL-17A-knockout (IL-17A-KO) mouse with Akita mouse. Primarily cultured retinal Müller cells (RMCs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were treated with IL-17A in high-glucose (HG) condition. A transwell coculture of RGCs and RMCs whose IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) gene had been silenced with IL-17RA-shRNA was exposed to IL-17A in HG condition and the cocultured RGCs were assessed on their survival. Diabetic mice manifested increased retinal microvascular lesions, RMC activation and dysfunction, as well as RGC apoptosis. IL-17A-KO diabetic mice showed reduced retinal microvascular impairments, RMC abnormalities, and RGC apoptosis compared with diabetic mice. RMCs expressed IL-17RA. IL-17A exacerbated HG-induced RMC activation and dysfunction in vitro and silencing IL-17RA gene in RMCs abolished the IL-17A deleterious effects. In contrast, RGCs did not express IL-17RA and IL-17A did not further alter HG-induced RGC death. Notably, IL-17A aggravated HG-induced RGC death in the presence of intact RMCs but not in the presence of RMCs in which IL-17RA gene had been knocked down. These findings establish that IL-17A is actively involved in DR pathophysiology and particularly by RMC mediation it promotes RGC death. Collectively, we propose that antagonizing IL-17RA on RMCs may prevent retinal neuronal death and thereby slow down DR progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao-Wang Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, China
| | - Da-Rui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Li
- Women & Children Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-Wei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, China.
| | - Qing-Huai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, China.
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18
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Szarka G, Balogh M, Tengölics ÁJ, Ganczer A, Völgyi B, Kovács-Öller T. The role of gap junctions in cell death and neuromodulation in the retina. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1911-1920. [PMID: 33642359 PMCID: PMC8343308 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision altering diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, myopia, retinal vascular disease, traumatic brain injuries and others cripple many lives and are projected to continue to cause anguish in the foreseeable future. Gap junctions serve as an emerging target for neuromodulation and possible regeneration as they directly connect healthy and/or diseased cells, thereby playing a crucial role in pathophysiology. Since they are permeable for macromolecules, able to cross the cellular barriers, they show duality in illness as a cause and as a therapeutic target. In this review, we take recent advancements in gap junction neuromodulation (pharmacological blockade, gene therapy, electrical and light stimulation) into account, to show the gap junction's role in neuronal cell death and the possible routes of rescuing neuronal and glial cells in the retina succeeding illness or injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Szarka
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Márton Balogh
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ádám J. Tengölics
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alma Ganczer
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Béla Völgyi
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács-Öller
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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19
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Homme RP, Sandhu HS, George AK, Tyagi SC, Singh M. Sustained Inhibition of NF-κB Activity Mitigates Retinal Vasculopathy in Diabetes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:947-964. [PMID: 33640319 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of long-term NF-κB inhibition in mitigating retinal vasculopathy in a type 1 diabetic mouse model (Akita, Ins2Akita). Akita and wild-type (C57BL/6J) male mice, 24 to 26 weeks old, were treated with or without a selective inhibitor of NF-κB, 4-methyl-N1-(3-phenyl-propyl) benzene-1,2-diamine (JSH-23), for 4 weeks. Treatment was given when the mice were at least 24 weeks old. Metabolic parameters, key inflammatory mediators, blood-retinal barrier junction molecules, retinal structure, and function were measured. JSH-23 significantly lowered basal glucose levels and intraocular pressure in Akita. It also mitigated vascular remodeling and microaneurysms significantly. Optical coherence tomography of untreated Akita showed thinning of retinal layers; however, treatment with JSH-23 could prevent it. Electroretinogram demonstrated that A- and B-waves in Akita were significantly smaller than in wild type mice, indicating that JSH-23 intervention prevented loss of retinal function. Protein levels and gene expression of key inflammatory mediators, such as NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2, were decreased after JSH-23 treatment. At the same time, connexin-43 and occludin were maintained. Vision-guided behavior also improved significantly. The results show that reducing inflammation could protect the diabetic retina and its vasculature. Findings appear to have broader implications in treating not only ocular conditions but also other vasculopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubens P Homme
- Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Harpal S Sandhu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; Kentucky Lions Eye Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Akash K George
- Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Suresh C Tyagi
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Mahavir Singh
- Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky.
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20
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Ai X, Yu P, Hou Y, Song X, Luo J, Li N, Lai X, Wang X, Meng X. A review of traditional Chinese medicine on treatment of diabetic retinopathy and involved mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110852. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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21
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Kim D, Lewis CS, Sarthy VP, Roy S. High-Glucose-Induced Rab20 Upregulation Disrupts Gap Junction Intercellular Communication and Promotes Apoptosis in Retinal Endothelial and Müller Cells: Implications for Diabetic Retinopathy. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113710. [PMID: 33227912 PMCID: PMC7699280 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate whether high glucose (HG) alters Rab20 expression and compromises gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and cell survival, retinal cells were studied for altered intracellular trafficking of connexin 43 (Cx43). Retinal endothelial cells (RRECs) and retinal Müller cells (rMCs) were grown in normal (N; 5 mM glucose) or HG (30 mM glucose) medium for seven days. In parallel, cells grown in HG medium were transfected with either Rab20 siRNA or scrambled siRNA as a control. Rab20 and Cx43 expression and their localization and distribution were assessed using Western Blot and immunostaining, respectively. Changes in GJIC activity were assessed using scrape load dye transfer, and apoptosis was identified using differential dye staining assay. In RRECs or rMCs grown in HG medium, Rab20 expression was significantly increased concomitant with a decreased number of Cx43 plaques. Importantly, a significant increase in the number of Cx43 plaques and GJIC activity was observed in cells transfected with Rab20 siRNA. Additionally, Rab20 downregulation inhibited HG-induced apoptosis in RRECs and rMCs. Results indicate HG-mediated Rab20 upregulation decreases Cx43 localization at the cell surface, resulting in compromised GJIC activity. Reducing Rab20 expression could be a useful strategy in preventing HG-induced vascular and Müller cell death associated with diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjoon Kim
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (D.K.); (C.S.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Casey Stottrup Lewis
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (D.K.); (C.S.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Vijay P. Sarthy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Sayon Roy
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (D.K.); (C.S.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-617-358-6801
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22
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Eyre JJ, Williams RL, Levis HJ. A human retinal microvascular endothelial-pericyte co-culture model to study diabetic retinopathy in vitro. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108293. [PMID: 33039459 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This human primary co-culture model using human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hREC) and human retinal pericyte cells (hRP) aims to improve current understanding of the cellular changes occurring in the retinal microvasculature during diabetic retinopathy (DR). Currently, patients often present in clinic with late-stage DR, only when vision becomes impaired. Therefore, new strategies for earlier detection in clinic, combined with novel pharmaceutical and cellular interventions are essential in order to slow or halt the progression of DR from background to sight-threatening stage. This co-culture model can be used as a simple, replicable in vitro tool to discover and assess novel drug therapies and improve fundamental understanding of alterations to cell behaviour in the human retinal microvasculature during DR. hRP and hREC were cultured for up to 21 days in normoxic (20%) or hypoxic (2%) oxygen levels and physiological (5.5 mM) or very high (33 mM) glucose, to maintain a healthy, or induce a diabetic-like phenotype in vitro. Mono- or co-cultured hREC and hRP were seeded 1:1 in healthy (20% oxygen and 5.5 mM glucose) or diabetic-like (2% oxygen and 33 mM glucose) conditions, on either side of untreated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) transwell inserts, and cultured for 21 days. Mono- and co-cultures were analysed for changes in metabolic activity, angiogenic response and junctional protein expression, using immunofluorescence antibody labelling, flow cytometry and multiplex ELISA technology. hRP and hREC were successfully co-cultured, and the glucose and oxygen concentrations selected for the in vitro healthy and diabetic-like conditions were sufficient for cell viability and EC monolayer integrity, with evidence of an angiogenic response in diabetic-like conditions within the 21 day timeframe. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) secretion were all increased, whilst hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), tissue inhibitor for metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion were all reduced in the in vitro diabetic-like conditions. The secretion profile of co-cultures was different to mono-cultures, highlighting the importance of using co-culture models to collect data more reflective of the close relationship between hRP-hREC in vivo. Previous groups have developed useful co-culture models utilising non-human, immortalised or large vessel-sourced cells to explore changes to the vasculature during hypoxia and/or high glucose insult. In this study the use of human primary, retina-specific microvascular cells, mono- and co-cultured, collected over a longer culture period, has enabled detection of changes that may have been missed in previous models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Eyre
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course & Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby St, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| | - Rachel L Williams
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course & Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby St, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| | - Hannah J Levis
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course & Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby St, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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23
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Price GW, Chadjichristos CE, Kavvadas P, Tang SCW, Yiu WH, Green CR, Potter JA, Siamantouras E, Squires PE, Hills CE. Blocking Connexin-43 mediated hemichannel activity protects against early tubular injury in experimental chronic kidney disease. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:79. [PMID: 32450899 PMCID: PMC7249671 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tubulointerstitial fibrosis represents the key underlying pathology of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), yet treatment options remain limited. In this study, we investigated the role of connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannel-mediated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release in purinergic-mediated disassembly of adherens and tight junction complexes in early tubular injury. METHODS Human primary proximal tubule epithelial cells (hPTECs) and clonal tubular epithelial cells (HK2) were treated with Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 (TGF-β1) ± apyrase, or ATPγS for 48 h. For inhibitor studies, cells were co-incubated with Cx43 mimetic Peptide 5, or purinergic receptor antagonists Suramin, A438079 or A804598. Immunoblotting, single-cell force spectroscopy and trans-epithelial electrical resistance assessed protein expression, cell-cell adhesion and paracellular permeability. Carboxyfluorescein uptake and biosensing measured hemichannel activity and real-time ATP release, whilst a heterozygous Cx43+/- mouse model with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) assessed the role of Cx43 in vivo. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry of biopsy material from patients with diabetic nephropathy confirmed increased expression of purinergic receptor P2X7. TGF-β1 increased Cx43 mediated hemichannel activity and ATP release in hPTECs and HK2 cells. The cytokine reduced maximum unbinding forces and reduced cell-cell adhesion, which translated to increased paracellular permeability. Changes were reversed when cells were co-incubated with either Peptide 5 or P2-purinoceptor inhibitors. Cx43+/- mice did not exhibit protein changes associated with early tubular injury in a UUO model of fibrosis. CONCLUSION Data suggest that Cx43 mediated ATP release represents an initial trigger in early tubular injury via its actions on the adherens and tight junction complex. Since Cx43 is highly expressed in nephropathy, it represents a novel target for intervention of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in CKD. Video Abstract In proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs), tight junction proteins, including zona occuludens-1 (ZO-1), contribute to epithelial integrity, whilst the adherens junction protein epithelial (E)-cadherin (ECAD) maintains cell-cell coupling, facilitating connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC) and the direct transfer of small molecules and ions between cells. In disease, such as diabetic nephropathy, the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) binds to its receptor and recruits SMAD2/3 signalling ahead of changes in gene transcription and up-regulation of Cx43-mediated hemichannels (HC). Uncoupled hemichannels permit the release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in to the extracellular space (↑[ATP]e), where ATP binds to the P2X7 purinoreceptor and activates the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing (NLR) protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Inflammation results in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibrosis and tubular injury. A major consequence is further loss of ECAD and reduced stickiness between cells, which can be functionally measured as a decrease in the maximum unbinding force needed to uncouple two adherent cells (Fmax). Loss of ECAD feeds forward to further lessen cell-cell coupling exacerbating the switch from GJIC to HC-mediated release of ATP. Reduction in ZO-1 impedes tight junction effectiveness and decreases trans-epithelial resistance (↓TER), resulting in increased paracellular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth W. Price
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
| | - Christos E. Chadjichristos
- National Institutes for Health and Medical Research Unite Mixte de Recherche S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France
| | - Panagiotis Kavvadas
- National Institutes for Health and Medical Research Unite Mixte de Recherche S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France
| | - Sydney C. W. Tang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wai Han Yiu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Colin R. Green
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joe A. Potter
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
| | - Eleftherios Siamantouras
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
| | - Paul E. Squires
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
| | - Claire E. Hills
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
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24
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Fresta CG, Fidilio A, Caruso G, Caraci F, Giblin FJ, Marco Leggio G, Salomone S, Drago F, Bucolo C. A New Human Blood-Retinal Barrier Model Based on Endothelial Cells, Pericytes, and Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1636. [PMID: 32121029 PMCID: PMC7084779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction represents one of the most significant changes occurring during diabetic retinopathy. We set up a high-reproducible human-based in vitro BRB model using retinal pericytes, retinal astrocytes, and retinal endothelial cells in order to replicate the human in vivo environment with the same numerical ratio and layer order. Our findings showed that high glucose exposure elicited BRB breakdown, enhanced permeability, and reduced the levels of junction proteins such as ZO-1 and VE-cadherin. Furthermore, an increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6) and oxidative stress-related enzymes (iNOS, Nox2) along with an increased production of reactive oxygen species were observed in our triple co-culture paradigm. Finally, we found an activation of immune response-regulating signaling pathways (Nrf2 and HO-1). In conclusion, the present model mimics the closest human in vivo milieu, providing a valuable tool to study the impact of high glucose in the retina and to develop novel molecules with potential effect on diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia G. Fresta
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.G.F.); (G.M.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.F.); (F.C.)
| | | | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.F.); (F.C.)
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy;
| | - Frank J. Giblin
- Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA;
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.G.F.); (G.M.L.); (S.S.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.G.F.); (G.M.L.); (S.S.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.G.F.); (G.M.L.); (S.S.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (C.G.F.); (G.M.L.); (S.S.)
- Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA;
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
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25
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Asymmetric dimethylarginine aggravates blood-retinal barrier breakdown of diabetic retinopathy via inhibition of intercellular communication in retinal pericytes. Amino Acids 2019; 51:1515-1526. [PMID: 31576457 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02788-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Blood-retinal barrier breakdown is the main pathological characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was reported to be elevated in DR patients. In this study, we observed the dynamic profile of ADMA, retinal morphology and permeability of BRB at 2, 4 or 8 week of diabetic rats induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (60 mg/kg) and in cultured rat retinal pericytes pretreated with D-glucose (30 mM) for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days or ADMA (3, 10, 30 μM) for 24, 48 and 72 h, trying to explore the effects of ADMA on blood-retinal barrier in DR. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and the expression of blood-retinal barrier-specific component connexin 43 (Cx43) were examined in diabetic rats or cultured retinal pericytes to elucidate whether ADMA impacted blood-retinal barrier function via damaging Cx43-GJIC. The results showed that with increasing duration of diabetes, the ultrastructure of blood-retinal barrier of diabetic rats appeared cell junction damage, apoptosis of retinal pericytes and breakdown of barrier successively. The increases in retinal permeability, ADMA levels and Cx43 expression, and abnormal GJIC were observed in diabetic rats and retinal pericytes exposed to D-glucose (30 mM). A glucose-like effect was seen using ADMA or another L-arginine analogue NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs) siRNA, implicating that ADMA aggravated the breakdown of blood-retinal barrier via damaging Cx43-GJIC.
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Exosomes and Their Noncoding RNA Cargo Are Emerging as New Modulators for Diabetes Mellitus. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080853. [PMID: 31398847 PMCID: PMC6721737 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes belongs to a group of metabolic disorders characterized by long term high blood glucose levels due to either inadequate production of insulin (Type 1 diabetes, T1DM) or poor response of the recipient cell to insulin (Type 2 diabetes, T2DM). Organ dysfunctions are the main causes of morbidity and mortality due to high glucose levels. Understanding the mechanisms of organ crosstalk may help us improve our basic knowledge and find novel strategies to better treat the disease. Exosomes are part of a newly emerged research area and have attracted a great deal of attention for their capacity to regulate communications between cells. In conditions of diabetes, exosomes play important roles in the pathological processes in both T1DM and T2DM, such as connecting the immune cell response to pancreatic tissue injury, as well as adipocyte stimulation to insulin resistance of skeletal muscle or liver. Furthermore, in recent years, nucleic acids containing exosomes—especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)—have been shown to mainly regulate communications between organs in pathological processes of diabetes, including influencing metabolic signals and insulin signals in target tissues, affecting cell viability, and modulating inflammatory pancreatic cells. Moreover, exosome miRNAs show promise in their use as biomarkers or in treatments for diabetes and diabetic complications. Thus, this paper summarizes the recent work on exosomes related to diabetes as well as the roles of exosomal miRNAs and lncRNAs in diabetic pathology and diagnosis in order to help us better understand the exact roles of exosomes in diabetes development.
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27
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Yang L, Dong C, Tian L, Ji X, Yang L, Li L. Gadolinium Chloride Restores the Function of the Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication between Hepatocytes in a Liver Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3748. [PMID: 31370360 PMCID: PMC6695937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) has been reported to attenuate liver injury caused by a variety of toxicants. Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is thought to be essential in controlling liver homeostasis and pathology. Here we evaluate the effects of GdCl3 on functional GJIC and connexin expression in mouse models and primary hepatocytes. METHODS Mice were administered GdCl3 intraperitoneally the day before a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection or bile duct ligation (BDL) operation. Primary hepatocytes were treated with CCl4 or lipopolysaccharides (LPS), with or without GdCl3. A scrape loading/dye transfer assay was performed to assess the GJIC function. The expression of connexins was examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS CCl4 treatment or the BDL operation led to the dysfunction of GJIC and a down-regulation of Cx32 and Cx26 in injured liver. GdCl3 administration restored GJIC function between hepatocytes by facilitating the transfer of fluorescent dye from one cell into adjacent cells via GJIC, and markedly prevented the decrease of Cx32 and Cx26 in injured liver. In primary hepatocytes, CCl4 or LPS treatment induced an obvious decline of Cx32 and Cx26, whereas GdCl3 pretreatment prevented the down-regulation of connexins. In vivo GdCl3 protected hepatocytes and attenuated the liver inflammation and fibrosis in liver injury mouse models. CONCLUSION GdCl3 administration protects functional GJIC between hepatocytes, and prevents the decrease of connexin proteins at mRNA and protein levels during liver injury, leading to the alleviation of chronic liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chengbin Dong
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaofang Ji
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Liying Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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28
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Song D, Yang D, Powell CA, Wang X. Cell-cell communication: old mystery and new opportunity. Cell Biol Toxicol 2019; 35:89-93. [PMID: 30815784 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-019-09470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dongli Song
- Zhongshan Hospital Institute for Clinical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dawei Yang
- Zhongshan Hospital Institute for Clinical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1232, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Charles A Powell
- Zhongshan Hospital Institute for Clinical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1232, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Zhongshan Hospital Institute for Clinical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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29
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Sweeney M, Foldes G. It Takes Two: Endothelial-Perivascular Cell Cross-Talk in Vascular Development and Disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2018; 5:154. [PMID: 30425990 PMCID: PMC6218412 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2018.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of new blood vessels is a crucial step in the development of any new tissue both during embryogenesis and in vitro models as without sufficient perfusion the tissue will be unable to grow beyond the size where nutrition and oxygenation can be managed by diffusion alone. Endothelial cells are the primary building block of blood vessels and are capable of forming tube like structures independently however they are unable to independently form functional vasculature which is capable of conducting blood flow. This requires support from other structures including supporting perivascular cells and the extracellular matrix. The crosstalk between endothelial cells and perivascular cells is vital in regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis and the consequences when this is disrupted can be seen in a variety of congenital and acquired disease states. This review details the mechanisms of vasculogenesis in vivo during embryogenesis and compares this to currently employed in vitro techniques. It also highlights clinical consequences of defects in the endothelial cell-pericyte cross-talk and highlights therapies which are being developed to target this pathway. Improving the understanding of the intricacies of endothelial-pericyte signaling will inform pathophysiology of multiple vascular diseases and allow the development of effective in vitro models to guide drug development and assist with approaches in tissue engineering to develop functional vasculature for regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Sweeney
- Cardiovascular Division, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabor Foldes
- Cardiovascular Division, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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30
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Abstract
This overview introduces contributions to a special issue on causes of vision loss from diabetes mellitus, focusing on the retina and also the cornea. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common and leading cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Research to detect early symptoms, understand mechanisms leading to diabetic eye disease, and the development of treatments is a highly active research area, with currently about 2000 scientific publication per year. We provide a series of 27 comprehensive reviews and research articles from leading experts in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elizabeth Hartnett
- Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States.
| | - Wolfgang Baehr
- Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States
| | - Yun Z Le
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology and Ophthalmology and Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104-5020, United States
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