1
|
Kirschfink M, Frazer-Abel A, Balogh E, Goseberg S, Weiss N, Prohászka Z. External quality assurance program for diagnostic complement laboratories: evaluation of the results of the past seven years. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368399. [PMID: 38596685 PMCID: PMC11002221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The complement external quality assurance (EQA) program was first organized in 2010 by a group of researchers working in diagnostic complement laboratories. Starting in 2016, INSTAND e.V., a German, non-profit interdisciplinary scientific medical society dedicated to providing expert EQA programs for medical laboratories, started organizing the EQAs for complement diagnostic laboratories together with the same group of experienced scientists and doctors who also work as EQA experts. The aim of the current work is to provide descriptive analysis of the past seven years' complement EQA results and evaluate timeline changes in proficiency testing. Methods Each year, in March and October, blinded samples (normal, pathological) were sent to the participating diagnostic laboratories, where complement parameters were evaluated exactly as in daily routine samples. Since no reference method/target values exist for these parameters, and participants used different units for measurement, the reported results were compared to the stable mean (Algorithm A) of the participants using the same method/measurement units. A reported result was qualified as "passed" if it fell into the 30-50% evaluation/target range around the mean of reported results (depending on the given parameter). Results While the number of participating laboratories has increased in the past years (from around 120 to 347), the number of complement laboratories providing multiple determinations remained mostly unchanged (around 30 worldwide). C3, C4, C1-inhibitor antigen and activity determinations provided the best proficiency results, with >90% passing quotas in the past years, independent of the applied method. Determination of the functional activity of the three activation pathways was good in general, but results showed large variance, especially with the pathological samples. Complement factor C1q and regulators FH and FI are determined by only a few laboratories, with variable outcomes (in general in the 85-90% pass range). Activation products sC5b-9 and Bb were determined in 30 and 10 laboratories, respectively, with typical passing quotas in the 70-90% range, without a clear tendency over the past years. Conclusion With these accumulated data from the past seven years, it is now possible to assess sample-, method-, and evaluation related aspects to further improve proficiency testing and protocolize diagnostic complement determinations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirschfink
- Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Instand eV, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Emese Balogh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Zoltán Prohászka
- Instand eV, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Füst György Complement Diagnostic Laboratory, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vashishtha A, Maina SW, Altman J, Jones G, Lee TJ, Bollinger KE, Ulrich L, Töteberg-Harms M, Estes AJ, Zhi W, Sharma S, Sharma A. Complement System Proteins in the Human Aqueous Humor and Their Association with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1400. [PMID: 37763167 PMCID: PMC10532607 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091400] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study discovers the complement protein profile in the aqueous humor (AH) of human subjects and investigates its association with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) pathogenesis. Among the 32 complement proteins identified, 22 were highly abundant and detected in more than 50% of AH samples. The most predominant active complement proteins in the AH are C3, C4B, C4A, CFB, CFD, and C9. Additionally, the most prevalent complement regulators and receptors include CLU, SERPING1, F2, CFH, CFI, and VTN. Significant alterations in complement proteins were observed in individuals with POAG compared to those with cataracts. Specifically, complement protein F2 was upregulated, while C8G, C6, and CFH were downregulated in POAG samples. Stratification of the samples by race and sex revealed distinct alterations of complement proteins in patients with POAG. In the African American cohort, five complement proteins (C4A, C4B, F2, C7, and C3) were upregulated in POAG compared to cataract patients. In the Caucasian cohort, eight complement proteins (C3, SERPING1, CFI, CLU, CFHR1, C8G, C6, and CFH) were downregulated in the POAG samples compared to the cataract samples. Within the male cohort, three complement proteins (CLU, C6, and CFH) were downregulated in POAG patients compared to those with cataracts. Whereas, within the female cohort, two complement proteins (C4B and F2) were upregulated and one (C8G) downregulated in the POAG samples when compared to cataracts. Discerning these changes in the AH complement protein profile will assist in the development of tailored therapies to modulate the complement system for managing ocular disorders. These insights may also lead to novel biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Vashishtha
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Sharon W. Maina
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Jeremy Altman
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Garrett Jones
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Tae Jin Lee
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Kathryn E. Bollinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.E.B.); (L.U.); (M.T.-H.); (A.J.E.)
| | - Lane Ulrich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.E.B.); (L.U.); (M.T.-H.); (A.J.E.)
| | - Marc Töteberg-Harms
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.E.B.); (L.U.); (M.T.-H.); (A.J.E.)
| | - Amy J. Estes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.E.B.); (L.U.); (M.T.-H.); (A.J.E.)
| | - Wenbo Zhi
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Shruti Sharma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.E.B.); (L.U.); (M.T.-H.); (A.J.E.)
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (S.W.M.); (J.A.); (G.J.); (T.J.L.); (W.Z.); (S.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.E.B.); (L.U.); (M.T.-H.); (A.J.E.)
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hallam TM, Sharp SJ, Andreadi A, Kavanagh D. Complement factor I: Regulatory nexus, driver of immunopathology, and therapeutic. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152410. [PMID: 37478687 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Complement factor I (FI) is the nexus for classical, lectin and alternative pathway complement regulation. FI is an 88 kDa plasma protein that circulates in an inactive configuration until it forms a trimolecular complex with its cofactor and substrate whereupon a structural reorganization allows the catalytic triad to cleave its substrates, C3b and C4b. In keeping with its role as the master complement regulatory enzyme, deficiency has been linked to immunopathology. In the setting of complete FI deficiency, a consumptive C3 deficiency results in recurrent infections with encapsulated microorganisms. Aseptic cerebral inflammation and vasculitic presentations are also less commonly observed. Heterozygous mutations in the factor I gene (CFI) have been demonstrated to be enriched in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, albeit with a very low penetrance. Haploinsufficiency of CFI has also been associated with decreased retinal thickness and is a strong risk factor for the development of age-related macular degeneration. Supplementation of FI using plasma purified or recombinant protein has long been postulated, however, technical difficulties prevented progression into clinical trials. It is only using gene therapy that CFI supplementation has reached the clinic with GT005 in phase I/II clinical trials for geographic atrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T M Hallam
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, London N7 9AS, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK
| | - S J Sharp
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - A Andreadi
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK
| | - D Kavanagh
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK; NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Edmonds R, Steffen V, Honigberg LA, Chang MC. The Role of the Complement Pathway in Clinical Progression of Geographic Atrophy: Analysis of the Phase 3 Chroma and Spectri Trials. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
|
5
|
Alternative Complement Pathway Inhibition by Lampalizumab: Analysis of Data from Chroma and Spectri Phase 3 Clinical Trials. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2023; 3:100286. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
|
6
|
Abstract
Uncontrolled alternative pathway activation is the primary driver of several diseases, and it contributes to the pathogenesis of many others. Consequently, diagnostic tests to monitor this arm of the complement system are increasingly important. Defects in alternative pathway regulation are strong risk factors for disease, and drugs that specifically block the alternative pathway are entering clinical use. A range of diagnostic tests have been developed to evaluate and monitor the alternative pathway, including assays to measure its function, expression of alternative pathway constituents, and activation fragments. Genetic studies have also revealed many disease-associated variants in alternative pathway genes that predict the risk of disease and prognosis. Newer imaging modalities offer the promise of non-invasively detecting and localizing pathologic complement activation. Together, these various tests help in the diagnosis of disease, provide important prognostic information, and can help guide therapy with complement inhibitory drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Thurman
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Veronique Fremeaux-Bacchi
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, European Hospital Georges Pompidou, Department of Immunology Biology and INSERM UMRS1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Team "Inflammation, Complement and Cancer", Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
de Jong S, Tang J, Clark SJ. Age-related macular degeneration: A disease of extracellular complement amplification. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:279-297. [PMID: 36223117 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision impairment in the Western World, and with the aging world population, its incidence is increasing. As of today, for the majority of patients, no treatment exists. Multiple genetic and biochemical studies have shown a strong association with components in the complement system and AMD, and evidence suggests a major role of remodeling of the extracellular matrix underlying the outer blood/retinal barrier. As part of the innate immune system, the complement cascade acts as a first-line defense against pathogens, and upon activation, its amplification loop ensures a strong, rapid, and sustained response. Excessive activation, however, can lead to host tissue damage and cause complement-associated diseases like AMD. AMD patients present with aberrant activation of the alternative pathway, especially in ocular tissues but also on a systemic level. Here, we review the latest findings of complement activation in AMD, and we will discuss in vivo observations made in human tissue, cellular models, the potential synergy of different AMD-associated pathways, and conclude on current clinical trials and the future outlook.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah de Jong
- Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon J Clark
- Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
den Hollander AI, Mullins RF, Orozco LD, Voigt AP, Chen HH, Strunz T, Grassmann F, Haines JL, Kuiper JJW, Tumminia SJ, Allikmets R, Hageman GS, Stambolian D, Klaver CCW, Boeke JD, Chen H, Honigberg L, Katti S, Frazer KA, Weber BHF, Gorin MB. Systems genomics in age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109248. [PMID: 36108770 PMCID: PMC10150562 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Genomic studies in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have identified genetic variants that account for the majority of AMD risk. An important next step is to understand the functional consequences and downstream effects of the identified AMD-associated genetic variants. Instrumental for this next step are 'omics' technologies, which enable high-throughput characterization and quantification of biological molecules, and subsequent integration of genomics with these omics datasets, a field referred to as systems genomics. Single cell sequencing studies of the retina and choroid demonstrated that the majority of candidate AMD genes identified through genomic studies are expressed in non-neuronal cells, such as the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), glia, myeloid and choroidal cells, highlighting that many different retinal and choroidal cell types contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) studies in retinal tissue have identified putative causal genes by demonstrating a genetic overlap between gene regulation and AMD risk. Linking genetic data to complement measurements in the systemic circulation has aided in understanding the effect of AMD-associated genetic variants in the complement system, and supports that protein QTL (pQTL) studies in plasma or serum samples may aid in understanding the effect of genetic variants and pinpointing causal genes in AMD. A recent epigenomic study fine-mapped AMD causal variants by determing regulatory regions in RPE cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-RPE). Another approach that is being employed to pinpoint causal AMD genes is to produce synthetic DNA assemblons representing risk and protective haplotypes, which are then delivered to cellular or animal model systems. Pinpointing causal genes and understanding disease mechanisms is crucial for the next step towards clinical translation. Clinical trials targeting proteins encoded by the AMD-associated genomic loci C3, CFB, CFI, CFH, and ARMS2/HTRA1 are currently ongoing, and a phase III clinical trial for C3 inhibition recently showed a modest reduction of lesion growth in geographic atrophy. The EYERISK consortium recently developed a genetic test for AMD that allows genotyping of common and rare variants in AMD-associated genes. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were applied to quantify AMD genetic risk, and may aid in predicting AMD progression. In conclusion, genomic studies represent a turning point in our exploration of AMD. The results of those studies now serve as a driving force for several clinical trials. Expanding to omics and systems genomics will further decipher function and causality from the associations that have been reported, and will enable the development of therapies that will lessen the burden of AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; AbbVie, Genomics Research Center, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Robert F Mullins
- The University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Andrew P Voigt
- The University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Tobias Strunz
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Jonathan L Haines
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jonas J W Kuiper
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rando Allikmets
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Gregory S Hageman
- Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine, John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Departments of Ophthalmology and Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jef D Boeke
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Langone Health, NY, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Kelly A Frazer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Bernhard H F Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael B Gorin
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Murenu E, Gerhardt MJ, Biel M, Michalakis S. More than meets the eye: The role of microglia in healthy and diseased retina. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1006897. [PMID: 36524119 PMCID: PMC9745050 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1006897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the main resident immune cells of the nervous system and as such they are involved in multiple roles ranging from tissue homeostasis to response to insults and circuit refinement. While most knowledge about microglia comes from brain studies, some mechanisms have been confirmed for microglia cells in the retina, the light-sensing compartment of the eye responsible for initial processing of visual information. However, several key pieces of this puzzle are still unaccounted for, as the characterization of retinal microglia has long been hindered by the reduced population size within the retina as well as the previous lack of technologies enabling single-cell analyses. Accumulating evidence indicates that the same cell type may harbor a high degree of transcriptional, morphological and functional differences depending on its location within the central nervous system. Thus, studying the roles and signatures adopted specifically by microglia in the retina has become increasingly important. Here, we review the current understanding of retinal microglia cells in physiology and in disease, with particular emphasis on newly discovered mechanisms and future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Murenu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Elisa Murenu, ; ; Stylianos Michalakis,
| | | | - Martin Biel
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Elisa Murenu, ; ; Stylianos Michalakis,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kozhevnikova OS, Fursova AZ, Derbeneva AS, Nikulich IF, Tarasov MS, Devyatkin VA, Rumyantseva YV, Telegina DV, Kolosova NG. Association between Polymorphisms in CFH, ARMS2, CFI, and C3 Genes and Response to Anti-VEGF Treatment in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071658. [PMID: 35884963 PMCID: PMC9312436 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. The gold standard of nAMD treatment is intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Genetic factors may influence the response to anti-VEGF therapy and result in a high degree of response variability. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of the polymorphisms in genes related to the complement system (rs2285714-CFI, rs10490924-ARMS2, rs2230199-C3, rs800292-CFH, and rs6677604-CFH) with nAMD its clinical features and optical coherent tomography (OCT) biomarkers of treatment response to anti-VEGF therapy. Genotyping by allele-specific PCR was performed in 193 AMD patients and 147 age-matched controls. A prospective study of the dynamics of changes in OCT biomarkers during aflibercept treatment included 110 treatment-naive patients. Allele T rs10490924 was associated with the increased risk of nAMD. For both rs800292 and rs6677604, carriage of the A allele was protective and decreased the nAMD risk. Associations of rs2230199 with central retinal thickness (CRT) and intraretinal cysts were revealed. The height of pigment epithelium detachment and the height of neuroretinal detachment were significantly higher in carriers of the minor allele of rs2285714, both at baseline and during treatment. The reduction of CRT was associated with higher CRT at baseline and the presence of the T allele of rs2285714. By the end of one-year follow-up the patients homozygous for the minor allele rs2285714 had significantly higher odds of the presence of anastomoses and loops and active neovascular membrane. Furthermore, minor allele carriers had decreased levels of complement factor I level in aqueous humor but not in the plasma, which may be due to the influence of rs2285714 on tissue-specific splicing. Our results suggest that the severity of AMD macular lesions is associated with rs2285714 and rs2230199 polymorphisms, which could be explained by their high regulatory potential. Patients with the minor allele of rs2285714 respond worse to antiangiogenic therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oyuna S. Kozhevnikova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anzhella Zh. Fursova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
- State Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Hospital, St. Nemirovich-Danchenko, 130, 630087 Novosibirsk, Russia;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Pr. Krasny, 52, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Anna S. Derbeneva
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
- State Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Hospital, St. Nemirovich-Danchenko, 130, 630087 Novosibirsk, Russia;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Pr. Krasny, 52, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ida F. Nikulich
- State Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Hospital, St. Nemirovich-Danchenko, 130, 630087 Novosibirsk, Russia;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Pr. Krasny, 52, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail S. Tarasov
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
- State Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Hospital, St. Nemirovich-Danchenko, 130, 630087 Novosibirsk, Russia;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Pr. Krasny, 52, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vasiliy A. Devyatkin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
| | - Yulia V. Rumyantseva
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
| | - Darya V. Telegina
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
| | - Nataliya G. Kolosova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentiev, 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (A.Z.F.); (A.S.D.); (M.S.T.); (V.A.D.); (Y.V.R.); (D.V.T.); (N.G.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Biggs RM, Makou E, Lauder S, Herbert AP, Barlow PN, Katti SK. A Novel Full-Length Recombinant Human Complement Factor H (CFH; GEM103) for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Shows Similar In Vitro Functional Activity to Native CFH. Curr Eye Res 2022; 47:1087-1093. [PMID: 35282732 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2053725] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE GEM103 is a recombinantly produced full-length version of the human complement factor H (CFH) under clinical investigation for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in individuals carrying an AMD risk-associated genetic variant of CFH. This study aimed to investigate the complement pathway-related functions of GEM103 in comparison with those of native human CFH. METHODS Key biological activities of GEM103 and human serum-derived CFH (sdCFH) were compared using four independent functional assays. Assays of C3b binding and C3 convertase decay-accelerating activity (DAA) were performed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Cofactor activity (CA) was measured using 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid as a fluorescent probe of C3b integrity. The abilities of GEM103 and sdCFH to protect sheep erythrocytes from hemolysis by CFH-depleted normal human serum were assessed colorimetrically. RESULTS In multiple SPR-based assays of C3b binding and DAA, the performance of GEM103 was consistently comparable to that of sdCFH across a range of matching concentrations. The EC50 ± SD in the fluorescence-based fluid-phase CA assay was 0.21 ± 0.06 µM for GEM103 compared to 0.20 ± 0.09 µM for sdCFH. In hemolysis assays, the EC50 value of 0.33 ± 0.16 µM for GEM103 versus 0.46 ± 0.06 µM for sdCFH were not significantly different (p = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS GEM103, a recombinant CFH developed by Gemini Therapeutics, shows activity profiles comparable to sdCFH in all complement-related assays employed in this study, suggesting that GEM103 is equivalent to the native glycoprotein in terms of its in vitro functional activity. These results support further study of GEM103 as a potential therapy for AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisavet Makou
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Paul N Barlow
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yang S, Li T, Jia H, Gao M, Li Y, Wan X, Huang Z, Li M, Zhai Y, Li X, Yang X, Wang T, Liang J, Gu Q, Luo X, Qian L, Lu S, Liu J, Song Y, Wang F, Sun X, Yu D. Targeting C3b/C4b and VEGF with a bispecific fusion protein optimized for neovascular age-related macular degeneration therapy. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabj2177. [PMID: 35648811 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj2177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antiangiogenesis therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have revolutionized the treatment of neovascular ocular diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Compelling evidence has implicated the vital role of complement system dysregulation in AMD pathogenesis, implying it as a potential therapeutic strategy for geographic atrophy in dry AMD and to enhance the efficacy of anti-VEGF monotherapies in nAMD. This study reports the preclinical assessment and phase 1 clinical outcomes of a bispecific fusion protein, efdamrofusp alfa (code: IBI302), which is capable of neutralizing both VEGF isoforms and C3b/C4b. Efdamrofusp alfa showed superior efficacy over anti-VEGF monotherapy in a mouse laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model after intravitreal delivery. Dual inhibition of VEGF and the complement activation was found to further inhibit macrophage infiltration and M2 macrophage polarization. Intravitreal efdamrofusp alfa demonstrated favorable safety profiles and exhibited antiangiogenetic efficacy in a nonhuman primate laser-induced CNV model. A phase 1 dose-escalating clinical trial (NCT03814291) was thus conducted on the basis of the preclinical data. Preliminary results showed that efdamrofusp alfa was well tolerated in patients with nAMD. These data suggest that efdamrofusp alfa might be effective for treating nAMD and possibly other complement-related ocular conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Huixun Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Innovent Biologics Inc., Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Xiaoling Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Region, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yuanqi Zhai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiaotong Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jian Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Qing Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xueting Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Lei Qian
- Innovent Biologics Inc., Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Shujie Lu
- Innovent Biologics Inc., Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Junjian Liu
- Innovent Biologics Inc., Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Yanping Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Region, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Dechao Yu
- Innovent Biologics Inc., Suzhou 215000, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kato Y, Oguchi Y, Omori T, Kasai A, Ogasawara M, Sugano Y, Itagaki K, Ojima A, Ishida Y, Machida T, Sekine H, Sekiryu T. Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 and Complement Factor H Polymorphism and Intraocular Complement Activation in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2022; 2:100167. [PMID: 36249678 PMCID: PMC9559761 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the association of risk alleles in complement factor H (CFH) and age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) with complement activation products in the aqueous humor in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) including polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), and pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). Design Prospective, comparative, observational study. Participants Treatment-naïve patients with nAMD and cataract patients as controls. Methods The study included 236 eyes of 236 patients with nAMD and 49 control eyes of 49 patients. Aqueous humor samples were collected from 67 eyes with drusen-associated nAMD, 72 eyes with PCV, 26 eyes with RAP, and 71 eyes with PNV before intravitreal anti-VEGF injection and cataract surgery in the 49 control eyes. Clinical samples were measured for complement component 3a (C3a), C4a, and C5a using a bead-based immunoassay. Genotyping of the ARMS2 A69S (rs10490924), CFH I62V (rs800292), and CFH Y402H (rs1061170) was performed using TaqMan genotyping. Main Outcome Measures The levels of complement activation products (C3a, C4a, and C5a) in the aqueous humor in each genotype of ARMS2 and CFH. Results The C3a level in the aqueous humor was significantly elevated (P = 0.006) in patients with nAMD and the ARMS2 A69S risk allele, whereas the levels of the complement activation products were not associated with CFH I62V and Y402H genotypes. Among the control eyes, no significant differences were seen in any complement activation products for all genetic polymorphisms. The levels of the complement activation products in the aqueous humor of eyes with the nAMD subtypes for each genetic polymorphism did not show significant differences. Conclusions The C3a concentration in the aqueous humor was significantly higher in Japanese nAMD patients with the ARMS2 A69S risk allele, whereas it was not elevated in the patients with CFH I62V. Age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 A69S polymorphism is strongly associated with local complement activation in nAMD patients.
Collapse
|
14
|
Jones AV, MacGregor S, Han X, Francis J, Harris C, Kavanagh D, Lotery A, Waheed N. Evaluating a Causal Relationship between Complement Factor I Protein Level and Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Mendelian Randomization. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2022; 2:100146. [PMID: 35693873 PMCID: PMC9186402 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Importance Risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AAMD) is associated with rare genetic variants in the gene encoding Complement factor I (CFI), which is associated with lower circulating CFI protein levels, but the nature of the relationship is unclear. Objective Can genetic factors be used to infer whether low circulating CFI is associated with AAMD risk? Design Two-sample inverse variance weighted Mendelian Randomisation (MR) was used to evaluate evidence for a relationship between CFI levels and AAMD risk, comparing CFI levels from genetically predefined subsets in AAMD and control cohorts. Setting Published genetic and proteomic data was combined with data from cohorts of Geographic Atrophy (GA) patients in a series of MR analyses. Participants We derived genetic instruments for systemic CFI level in 3,301 healthy European participants in the INTERVAL study. To evaluate a genetic causal odds ratio (OR) for the effect of CFI levels on AAMD risk, we used results from a genome-wide association study of 12,711 AAMD cases and 14,590 European controls from the International AMD Genomics Consortium (IAMDGC), and CFI levels from patients entered into the research studies SCOPE and SIGHT. Results We identified one common CFI variant rs7439493 which was strongly associated with low CFI level, explaining 4.8% of phenotypic variance. Using rs7439493 our MR analysis estimated that AAMD odds increased per standard deviation (SD) decrease in CFI level; OR 1.47 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-1.65, P=2.1×10-10). We identified one rare variant (rs141853578 encoding p.Gly119Arg) which was genome-wide significantly associated with CFI levels after imputation; based on this, a 1 SD decrease in CFI leads to increased AAMD odds of 1.79 (95% CI 1.46-2.19, P=1.9×10-8). The rare variant rs141853578 explained a further 1.7% of phenotypic variance. To benchmark the effect of low CFI levels on AAMD odds using a CFI-specific proteomic assay, we estimated the effect using CFI levels from 24 rs141853578 positive GA patients; each 1 SD (3.5μg/mL) reduction in CFI was associated with 1.67 fold increased odds of AAMD (95% CI 1.40-2.00, P=1.85×10-8). Conclusion and relevance Excellent concordance in direction and effect size derived from rare and common variant calculations provide good genetic evidence for a potentially causal role of lower CFI level increasing AAMD risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy V. Jones
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart MacGregor
- Statistical Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Xikun Han
- Statistical Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Claire Harris
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David Kavanagh
- Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Lotery
- Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Waheed
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Khanani AM, Maturi RK, Bagheri N, Bakall B, Boyer DS, Couvillion SS, Dhoot DS, Holekamp NM, Jamal KN, Marcus DM, Pieramici D, Aziz AA, Patki KC, Bridges WZ, Barone SB. A Phase I, Single Ascending Dose Study of GEM103 (Recombinant Human Complement Factor H) in Patients with Geographic Atrophy. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2022; 2:100154. [PMID: 36249705 PMCID: PMC9559901 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To establish the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of an intravitreal injection of recombinant human complement factor H (CFH), GEM103, in individuals with genetically defined age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA). Design Phase I single ascending-dose, open-label clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT04246866). Participants Twelve individuals 50 years of age or older with a confirmed diagnosis of foveal GA in the study eye. Methods Participants were assigned to the increasing dose cohorts and received 1 50-μl intravitreal injection of GEM103 at doses of 50 μg/eye, 100 μg/eye, 250 μg/eye, or 500 μg/eye; dose escalation was dependent on the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicities. Main Outcome Measures Safety assessments included ocular and systemic adverse events (AEs), ocular examinations, clinical laboratory and vital signs, and serum antidrug antibody levels. Biomarkers, measured in the aqueous humor (AH), included CFH and complement activation biomarkers factor Ba and complement component 3a. Results No dose-limiting toxicities were reported, enabling escalation to the maximum study dose. No anti-GEM103 antidrug antibodies were detected during the study. Four participants experienced AEs; these were nonserious, mild or moderate in severity, and unrelated to GEM103. The AEs in 2 of these participants were related to the intravitreal injection procedure. No clinically significant ophthalmic changes and no ocular inflammation were observed. Visual acuity was maintained and stable throughout the 8-week follow-up period. No choroidal neovascularization occurred. CFH levels increased in a dose-dependent manner after GEM103 administration with supraphysiological levels observed at week 1; levels were more than baseline for 8 weeks or more in all participants receiving single doses of 100 μg or more. Complement activation biomarkers were reduced 7 days after dose administration. Conclusions A single intravitreal administration of GEM103 (up to 500 μg/eye) was well tolerated in individuals with GA. Of the few mild or moderate AEs reported, none were determined to be related to GEM103. No intraocular inflammation or choroidal neovascularization developed. CFH levels in AH were increased and stable for 8 weeks, with pharmacodynamic data suggesting that GEM103 restored complement regulation. These results support further development in a repeat-dose trial in patients with GA with AMD.
Collapse
|
16
|
Marin AI, Poppelaars F, Wagner BD, Palestine AG, Patnaik JL, Holers VM, Frazer-Abel AA, Mathias MT, Manoharan N, Fonteh CN, Mandava N, Lynch AM. Sex and Age-Related Differences in Complement Factors Among Patients With Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:22. [PMID: 35594041 PMCID: PMC9145081 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.5.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an acquired degenerative disease of the retina classified into early, intermediate, and advanced AMD. A key factor in the pathogenesis of AMD is the complement system. The interaction of age and sex with the complement system may affect the risk of developing AMD. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were sex-specific differences in levels of complement factors among patients with the intermediate phenotype of AMD (iAMD) and explore the correlation between age and complement proteins. Methods We studied complement factors in patients with iAMD and controls without AMD. Nonparametric, rank-based linear regressions including a sex by AMD interaction were used to compare levels for each analyte. Correlations between age and complement proteins were evaluated using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results We found significantly higher levels of factor B and factor I in females compared with males with iAMD, whereas no differences were seen in complement levels in male and female controls. The ratios of Ba/factor B, C3a/C3, C4b/C4, and C5a/C5 were not different in males and females with iAMD. Conclusions We demonstrate disparities in a subset of systemic complement factors between females and males with iAMD, but apparent complement turnover as measured by ratios of activation fragments to intact molecules was not different between these groups. The results suggest that complement system levels, including complement regulator factor I, exhibits sex-related differences in patients with iAMD and highlights that stratification by sex might be helpful in the interpretation of clinical trials of anticomplement therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Itzam Marin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Felix Poppelaars
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Brandie D Wagner
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Alan G Palestine
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer L Patnaik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - V Michael Holers
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ashley A Frazer-Abel
- Exsera BioLabs, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Marc T Mathias
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Niranjan Manoharan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cheryl N Fonteh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Naresh Mandava
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anne M Lynch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wagner N, Safaei A, Vogt PA, Gammel MR, Dick HB, Schnichels S, Joachim SC. Coculture of ARPE-19 Cells and Porcine Neural Retina as an Ex Vivo Retinal Model. Altern Lab Anim 2022; 50:27-44. [PMID: 35302924 DOI: 10.1177/02611929221082662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neural retinal organ cultures are used to investigate ocular pathomechanisms. However, these cultures lack the essential retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which are part of the actual in vivo retina. To simulate a more realistic ex vivo model, porcine neural retina explants were cocultured with ARPE-19 cells (ARPE-19 group), which are derived from human RPE. To identify whether the entire cells or just the cell factors are necessary, in a second experimental group, porcine neural retina explants were cultured with medium derived from ARPE-19 cells (medium group). Individually cultured neural retina explants served as controls (control group). After 8 days, all neural retinas were analysed to evaluate retinal thickness, photoreceptors, microglia, complement factors and synapses (n = 6-8 per group). The neural retina thickness in the ARPE-19 group was significantly better preserved than in the control group (p = 0.031). Also, the number of L-cones was higher in the ARPE-19 group, as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the ARPE-19 group displayed an increased presynaptic glutamate uptake (determined via vGluT1 labelling) and enhanced post-synaptic density (determined via PSD-95 labelling). Combined Iba1 and iNOS detection revealed only minor effects of ARPE-19 cells on microglial activity, with a slight downregulation of total microglia activity apparent in the medium group. Likewise, only minor beneficial effects on photoreceptors and synaptic structure were found in the medium group. This novel system offers the opportunity to investigate interactions between the neural retina and RPE cells, and suggests that the inclusion of a RPE feeder layer has beneficial effects on the ex vivo maintenance of neural retina. By modifying the culture conditions, this coculture model allows a better understanding of photoreceptor death and photoreceptor-RPE cell interactions in retinal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Wagner
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, 9142Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Armin Safaei
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, 9142Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Pia A Vogt
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, 9142Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Maurice R Gammel
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, 9142Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - H Burkhard Dick
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, 9142Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Sven Schnichels
- Centre for Ophthalmology Tübingen, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, 9142Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Triggianese P, Di Marino M, Nesi C, Greco E, Modica S, Chimenti MS, Conigliaro P, Mancino R, Nucci C, Cesareo M. Subclinical Signs of Retinal Involvement in Hereditary Angioedema. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225415. [PMID: 34830697 PMCID: PMC8618365 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore retinal abnormalities using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A) in a highly selective cohort of patients with type I hereditary angioedema (HAE). This prospective case-control study included 40 type I HAE patients and 40 age-/sex-matched healthy subjects (HC). All participants underwent SD-OCT-scanning of retinal posterior pole (PP), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), and optic nerve head (ONH). Superficial/deep capillary density was analyzed by OCT-A. A total of 80 eyes from 40 HAE and 40 eyes from HC were evaluated. The pRNFL was thicker in HAE than in HC in nasal superior (p < 0.0001) and temporal quadrants (p = 0.0005 left, p = 0.003 right). The ONH thickness in HAE patients was greater than in HC in the nasal (p = 0.008 left, p = 0.01 right), temporal (p = 0.0005 left, p = 0.003 right), temporal inferior (p = 0.007 left, p = 0.0008 right), and global (p = 0.005 left, p = 0.007 right) scans. Compared to HC, HAE showed a lower capillary density in both superficial (p = 0.001 left, p = 0.006 right) and deep (p = 0.008 left, p = 0.004 right) whole images, and superficial (p = 0.03 left) and deep parafoveal (p = 0.007 left, p = 0.005 right) areas. Our findings documented subclinical retinal abnormalities in type I HAE, supporting a potential role of the retinal assessment by SD-OCT/OCT-A as a useful tool in the comprehensive care of HAE patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Triggianese
- Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of “Medicina dei Sistemi”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (P.T.); (E.G.); (S.M.); (M.S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Matteo Di Marino
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (R.M.); (C.N.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-389-11-24-316
| | - Carolina Nesi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (R.M.); (C.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Greco
- Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of “Medicina dei Sistemi”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (P.T.); (E.G.); (S.M.); (M.S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Stella Modica
- Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of “Medicina dei Sistemi”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (P.T.); (E.G.); (S.M.); (M.S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Maria Sole Chimenti
- Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of “Medicina dei Sistemi”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (P.T.); (E.G.); (S.M.); (M.S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Paola Conigliaro
- Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of “Medicina dei Sistemi”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (P.T.); (E.G.); (S.M.); (M.S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Raffaele Mancino
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (R.M.); (C.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Carlo Nucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (R.M.); (C.N.); (M.C.)
| | - Massimo Cesareo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (R.M.); (C.N.); (M.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
The effect of systemic levels of TNF-alpha and complement pathway activity on outcomes of VEGF inhibition in neovascular AMD. Eye (Lond) 2021; 36:2192-2199. [PMID: 34750590 PMCID: PMC9581945 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives Systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activated complement components affect the risk and/or progression of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study investigated the effect of serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and complement pathway activity on the clinical response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition in neovascular AMD. Methods Sixty-five patients with a new diagnosis of neovascular AMD were observed over a six-month period in a single-centre, longitudinal cohort study. At each visit, the visual acuity score (VAS), central macular thickness (CMT), serum levels of CRP, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8), and complement pathway activity were measured. Participant DNA samples were sequenced for six complement pathway single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AMD. Results A statistically significant difference in VAS was observed for serum levels of TNF-α only: there was a gain in VAS (from baseline) of 1.37 for participants below the 1st quartile of mean concentration compared to a reduction of 2.71 for those above the 3rd quartile. Statistical significance was maintained after Bonferroni correction (P value set at <0.006). No significant differences in CMT were observed. In addition, statistically significant differences, maintained after Bonferroni correction, were observed in serum complement activity for participants with the following SNPs: CFH region (rs1061170), SERPING1 (rs2511989) and CFB (rs641153). Serum complement pathway components did not significantly affect VAS. Conclusions Lower serum TNF-α levels were associated with an increase in visual acuity after anti-VEGF therapy. This suggests that targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines may augment treatment for neovascular AMD.
Collapse
|
20
|
de Jong S, de Breuk A, Volokhina EB, Bakker B, Garanto A, Fauser S, Katti S, Hoyng CB, Lechanteur YTE, van den Heuvel LP, den Hollander AI. Systemic complement levels in patients with age-related macular degeneration carrying rare or low frequency variants in the CFH gene. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:455-470. [PMID: 34508573 PMCID: PMC8825240 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss among the elderly in the Western world. Genetic variants in the complement factor H (CFH) gene are associated with AMD, but the functional consequences of many of these variants are currently unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of 64 rare and low-frequency variants in the CFH gene on systemic levels of factor H (FH) and complement activation marker C3bBbP using plasma samples of 252 carriers and 159 non-carriers. Individuals carrying a heterozygous nonsense, frameshift or missense variant in CFH presented with significantly decreased FH levels and significantly increased C3bBbP levels in plasma compared to non-carrier controls. FH and C3bBbP plasma levels were relatively stable over time in samples collected during follow-up visits. Decreased FH and increased C3bBbP concentrations were observed in carriers compared to non-carriers of CFH variants among different AMD stages, with the exception of C3bBbP levels in advanced AMD stages, which were equally high in carriers and non-carriers. In AMD families, FH levels were decreased in carriers compared to non-carriers, but C3bBbP levels did not differ. Rare variants in the CFH gene can lead to reduced FH levels or reduced FH function as measured by increased C3bBbP levels. The effects of individual variants in the CFH gene reported in this study will improve the interpretation of rare and low-frequency variants observed in AMD patients in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita de Breuk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena B Volokhina
- Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bjorn Bakker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sascha Fauser
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.,F. Hoffmann - La Roche AG, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Carel B Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yara T E Lechanteur
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert P van den Heuvel
- Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rinsky B, Beykin G, Grunin M, Amer R, Khateb S, Tiosano L, Almeida D, Hagbi-Levi S, Elbaz-Hayoun S, Chowers I. Analysis of the Aqueous Humor Proteome in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:18. [PMID: 34406330 PMCID: PMC8374990 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.10.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with altered gene and protein expression in the retina. We characterize the aqueous humor (AH) proteome in AMD to gain insight into the pathogenesis of the disease and identify potential biomarkers. Methods AH was collected from age and gender matched neovascular AMD (nvAMD; n = 10) patients and controls (n = 10). AH was pooled to create two samples (nvAMD and control), followed by intensity-based label-free quantification (MS1). Functional and bioinformatic analysis were then performed. A validation set (20 controls, 15 atrophic AMD and 15 nvAMD) was tested via multiplex ELISA for nine differentially expressed proteins according to the MS1 findings. Results MS1 identified 674 proteins in the AH. 239 proteins were upregulated in nvAMD (nvAMD/control > 2, peptide tags (PT) > 2), and 86 proteins were downregulated (nvAMD/control < 0.5, PT > 2). Functional analysis of proteins upregulated in AMD demonstrated enrichment for platelet degranulation (enrichment score (ES):28.1), negative regulation of endopeptidase activity (ES:18.8), cellular protein metabolic process (ES:11.8), epidermal growth factor-like domain (ES:10.3), sushi/SCR/CCP (ES:10.1), and complement/coagulation cascades (ES:9.2). AMD protein clusters were upregulated for 3/6 (χ2 < 0.05 compared to randomization). Validation via ELISA confirmed MS1 in 2/9 proteins (Clusterin and Serpin A4, P < 0.05), while 3/9 showed differential expression between aAMD and nvAMD (Clusterin, Serpin A4, and TF P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve calculation identified the area under the curve of 0.82 for clusterin as a biomarker for distinction of AMD. Conclusions AH proteomics in AMD patients identified several proteins and functional clusters with altered expression. Further research should confirm if these proteins may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic target for the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Batya Rinsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gala Beykin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michelle Grunin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Radgonde Amer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Samer Khateb
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Liran Tiosano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Diego Almeida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shira Hagbi-Levi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sarah Elbaz-Hayoun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Itay Chowers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Complement Inhibitors in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Potential Therapeutic Option. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:9945725. [PMID: 34368372 PMCID: PMC8346298 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9945725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease, which can culminate in irreversible vision loss and blindness in elderly. Nowadays, there is a big gap between dry AMD and wet AMD on treatment. Accounting for nearly 90% of AMD, dry AMD still lacks effective treatment. Numerous genetic and molecular researches have confirmed the significant role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of AMD, leading to a deeper exploration of complement inhibitors in the treatment of AMD. To date, at least 14 different complement inhibitors have been or are being explored in AMD in almost 40 clinical trials. While most complement inhibitors fail to treat AMD successfully, two of them are effective in inhibiting the rate of GA progression in phase II clinical trials, and both of them successfully entered phase III trials. Furthermore, recently emerging complement gene therapy and combination therapy also offer new opportunities to treat AMD in the future. In this review, we aim to introduce genetic and molecular associations between the complement system and AMD, provide the updated progress in complement inhibitors in AMD on clinical trials, and discuss the challenges and prospects of complement therapeutic strategies in AMD.
Collapse
|
23
|
Kim BJ, Mastellos DC, Li Y, Dunaief JL, Lambris JD. Targeting complement components C3 and C5 for the retina: Key concepts and lingering questions. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100936. [PMID: 33321207 PMCID: PMC8197769 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a major cause of legal blindness, and treatment for the geographic atrophy form of AMD is a significant unmet need. Dysregulation of the complement cascade is thought to be instrumental for AMD pathophysiology. In particular, C3 and C5 are pivotal components of the complement cascade and have become leading therapeutic targets for AMD. In this article, we discuss C3 and C5 in detail, including their roles in AMD, biochemical and structural aspects, locations of expression, and the functions of C3 and C5 fragments. Further, the article critically reviews developing therapeutics aimed at C3 and C5, underscoring the potential effects of broad inhibition of complement at the level of C3 versus more specific inhibition at C5. The relationships of complement biology to the inflammasome and microglia/macrophage activity are highlighted. Concepts of C3 and C5 biology will be emphasized, while we point out questions that need to be settled and directions for future investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Kim
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | | | - Yafeng Li
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John D Lambris
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dhooge PPA, Runhart EH, Li CHZ, de Kat Angelino CM, Hoyng CB, van der Molen RG, den Hollander AI. Systemic complement activation levels in Stargardt disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253716. [PMID: 34170959 PMCID: PMC8232401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Preclinical research provides evidence for the complement system as a potential common pathway in Stargardt disease (STGD1) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leading to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) loss. However, systemic complement activation has not yet been assessed in STGD1 patients. We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study to assess systemic complement activation in STGD1 patients and its association with disease severity. Methods Systemic concentrations of complement component C3 and its degradation product C3d were compared between 80 STGD1 patients and 80 controls that were frequency matched for age and sex. The C3d/C3 ratio was used as parameter of systemic complement activation. Within the STGD1 cohort, we additionally examined the association between the C3d/C3 ratio, demographic and behavioural factors (age, sex, smoking and BMI), and measures of disease severity (age at onset, visual acuity, and area of atrophy). Results The C3d/C3 ratio did not significantly differ between patients (mean C3d/C3 ratio 3.5±1.4) and controls (mean C3d/C3 ratio 3.6±1.0), mean difference -0.156 (p = 0.804, independent samples t-test). The overall effect size was 8% (95% confidence interval, 3–15%). Elevated C3d/C3 ratios (>8.1) were found in three patients who all had a concomitant inflammatory condition at the time of blood draw. Within the patient cohort, C3 levels were associated with sex (mean difference -134, p = 0.001, independent samples t-test) and BMI (correlation coefficient 0.463, p<0.001, Spearman’s Correlation). Conclusions Systemic complement levels were not elevated in STGD1 patients compared to age and sex matched controls and was not associated with STGD1 severity. Considering the continued absent proof of a systemic contribution of the complement system to RPE loss in STGD1 patients, we hypothesize that complement activation in STGD1 is more likely a local process. In light of upcoming complement-targeted therapies, further studies are needed that measure complement levels in the eye of STGD1 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patty P. A. Dhooge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Esmee H. Runhart
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Catherina H. Z. Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie M. de Kat Angelino
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carel B. Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renate G. van der Molen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke I. den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Demirs JT, Yang J, Crowley MA, Twarog M, Delgado O, Qiu Y, Poor S, Rice DS, Dryja TP, Anderson K, Liao SM. Differential and Altered Spatial Distribution of Complement Expression in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:26. [PMID: 34160562 PMCID: PMC8237111 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.7.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway is a major pathogenic mechanism in age-related macular degeneration. We investigated whether locally synthesized complement components contribute to AMD by profiling complement expression in postmortem eyes with and without AMD. Methods AMD severity grade 1 to 4 was determined by analysis of postmortem acquired fundus images and hematoxylin and eosin stained histological sections. TaqMan (donor eyes n = 39) and RNAscope/in situ hybridization (n = 10) were performed to detect complement mRNA. Meso scale discovery assay and Western blot (n = 31) were used to measure complement protein levels. Results The levels of complement mRNA and protein expression were approximately 15- to 100-fold (P < 0.0001–0.001) higher in macular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid tissue than in neural retina, regardless of AMD grade status. Complement mRNA and protein levels were modestly elevated in vitreous and the macular neural retina in eyes with geographic atrophy (GA), but not in eyes with early or intermediate AMD, compared to normal eyes. Alternative and classical pathway complement mRNAs (C3, CFB, CFH, CFI, C1QA) identified by RNAscope were conspicuous in areas of atrophy; in those areas C3 mRNA was observed in a subset of IBA1+ microglia or macrophages. Conclusions We verified that RPE/choroid contains most ocular complement; thus RPE/choroid rather than the neural retina or vitreous is likely to be the key site for complement inhibition to treat GA or earlier stage of the disease. Outer retinal local production of complement mRNAs along with evidence of increased complement activation is a feature of GA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John T Demirs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Junzheng Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Maura A Crowley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Michael Twarog
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Omar Delgado
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Yubin Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Stephen Poor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Dennis S Rice
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Thaddeus P Dryja
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Karen Anderson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Sha-Mei Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Islam R, Islam MM, Nilsson PH, Mohlin C, Hagen KT, Paschalis EI, Woods RL, Bhowmick SC, Dohlman CH, Espevik T, Chodosh J, Gonzalez-Andrades M, Mollnes TE. Combined blockade of complement C5 and TLR co-receptor CD14 synergistically inhibits pig-to-human corneal xenograft induced innate inflammatory responses. Acta Biomater 2021; 127:169-179. [PMID: 33785451 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inadequate supplies of donor corneas have evoked an escalating interest in corneal xenotransplantation. However, innate immune responses contribute significantly to the mechanism of xenograft rejection. We hypothesized that complement component C5 and TLR co-receptor CD14 inhibition would inhibit porcine cornea induced innate immune responses. Therefore, we measured cytokine release in human blood, induced by three forms of corneal xenografts with or without inhibitors. Native porcine cornea (NPC) induced interleukins (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ra), chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β) and other cytokines (TNF, G-CSF, INF-γ, FGF-basic). Decellularized (DPC) and gamma-irradiated cornea (g-DPC) elevated the release of those cytokines. C5-blockade by eculizumab inhibited all the cytokines except G-CSF when induced by NPC. However, C5-blockade failed to reduce DPC and g-DPC induced cytokines. Blockade of CD14 inhibited DPC-induced cytokines except for IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and G-CSF, while it inhibited all of them when induced by g-DPC. Combined blockade of C5 and CD14 inhibited the maximum number of cytokines regardless of the xenograft type. Finally, by using the TLR4 specific inhibitor Eritoran, we showed that TLR4 activation was the basis for the CD14 effect. Thus, blockade of C5, when combined with TLR4 inhibition, may have therapeutic potential in pig-to-human corneal xenotransplantation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bio-engineered corneal xenografts are on the verge of becoming a viable alternative to allogenic human-donor-cornea, but the host's innate immune response is still a critical barrier for graft acceptance. By overruling this barrier, limited graft availability would no longer be an issue for treating corneal diseases. We showed that the xenograft induced inflammation is initiated by the complement system and toll-like receptor activation. Intriguingly, the inflammatory response was efficiently blocked by simultaneously targeting bottleneck molecules in the complement system (C5) and the TLR co-receptor CD14 with pharmaceutical inhibitors. We postulate that a combination of C5 and CD14 inhibition could have a great therapeutic potential to overcome the immunologic barrier in pig-to-human corneal xenotransplantation.
Collapse
|
27
|
Altay L, Lemke J, Schröder-Braunstein J, Gietzelt C, Sitnilska V, Schaub F, Cursiefen C, Enders P, Fauser S. Ocular and systemic complement activation during anti-VEGF treatment and AREDS2 dietary supplementation in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologica 2021; 245:258-264. [PMID: 34034256 DOI: 10.1159/000516885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lebriz Altay
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,
| | - Julia Lemke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Caroline Gietzelt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vasilena Sitnilska
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Friederike Schaub
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Philip Enders
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sascha Fauser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Willrich MAV, Braun KMP, Moyer AM, Jeffrey DH, Frazer-Abel A. Complement testing in the clinical laboratory. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2021; 58:447-478. [PMID: 33962553 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2021.1907297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The complement system is the human's first line of defense against microbial pathogens because of its important housekeeping and infection/inflammation roles. It is composed of a series of soluble and cell-bound proteins that are activated in a cascade effect, similar to the coagulation pathways. There are different pattern recognizing molecules that activate the complement system in response to stimuli or threats, acting through three initiation pathways: classical, lectin, and alternative. All three activation pathways converge at the C3 component and share the terminal pathway. The main outputs of the complement system action are lytic killing of microbes, the release of pro-inflammatory anaphylatoxins, and opsonization of targets. Laboratory testing is relevant in the setting of suspected complement deficiencies, as well as in the emerging number of diseases related to dysregulation (over-activation) of complement. Most common assays measure complement lytic activity and the different complement component concentrations. Specialized testing includes the evaluation of autoantibodies against complement components, activation fragments, and genetic studies. In this review, we cover laboratory testing for complement and the conditions with complement involvement, as well as current challenges in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karin M P Braun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ann M Moyer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David H Jeffrey
- Exsera Biolabs, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ashley Frazer-Abel
- Exsera Biolabs, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kato Y, Oguchi Y, Omori T, Shintake H, Tomita R, Kasai A, Ogasawara M, Sugano Y, Itagaki K, Ojima A, Machida T, Sekine H, Sekiryu T. Complement Activation Products and Cytokines in Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:39. [PMID: 33252634 PMCID: PMC7705396 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.13.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the characteristics of complement activation products and angiogenic cytokines in the aqueous humor in eyes with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods This was a prospective, comparative, observational study. All patients with choroidal neovascularization were classified as PNV without polyps, PNV with polyps (polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy [PCV]), or drusen-associated nAMD according to the presence or absence of pachychoroid features and soft drusen. This study included a total of 105 eyes. Aqueous humor samples were collected from 25 eyes with PNV without polyps, 23 eyes with PCV, and 24 eyes with drusen-associated nAMD before intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection and cataract surgery in 33 control eyes. Clinical samples were measured for complement component 3a (C3a), C4a, C5a, VEGF, and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) using a bead-based immunoassay. Results C3a and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in PCV (P = 0.032 and P = 0.039, respectively) and drusen-associated nAMD (P = 0.01 for both comparisons) than in controls, and no difference was seen in C3a and MCP-1 levels between PNV and controls (P = 0.747 and P = 0.294, respectively). VEGF levels were significantly higher in PNV (P = 0.016), PCV (P = 0.009), and drusen-associated nAMD (P = 0.043) than in controls. In PNV, the VEGF levels elevated without elevated C3a and MCP-1. Conclusions PNV, PCV, and drusen-associated nAMD had significantly distinct profiles of complement activation products and cytokines in the aqueous humor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Kato
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Oguchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tomoko Omori
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shintake
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Tomita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akihito Kasai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masashi Ogasawara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yukinori Sugano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kanako Itagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akira Ojima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Machida
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hideharu Sekine
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuju Sekiryu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Changes in complement activation products after anti-VEGF injection for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration and pachychoroid disease. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8464. [PMID: 33875685 PMCID: PMC8055893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87340-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated changes in the complement system resulting from anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in eyes with age-related choroidal neovascularization (CNV) including neovascular age-related macular degeneration, pachychoroid neovasculopathy, and polypoidal choroidal neovasculopathy. We measured the concentrations of the complement activation products (C3a, C4a), VEGF, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the aqueous humor during intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for CNV. The VEGF level decreased significantly (P < 0.001), while the C3a and C4a levels increased significantly (P < 0.001 for both comparisons) 1 month after two monthly anti-VEGF injections. The VEGF level was correlated with the C3a (R = 0.328, P = 0.007) and C4a (R = − 0.237, P = 0.055) levels at baseline, but the correlation between the VEGF and C3a levels (R = − 0.148, P = 0.242) changed significantly (P = 0.028 by analysis of covariance) after anti-VEGF treatment. The C3a increase after anti-VEGF therapy did not change the visual outcomes in eyes with CNV for 1 year. Dysregulation of the complement system can be induced after anti-VEGF therapy.
Collapse
|
31
|
Wagner BD, Patnaik JL, Palestine AG, Frazer-Abel AA, Baldermann R, Holers VM, Mathias MT, Mandava N, Lynch AM. Association of Systemic Inflammatory Factors with Progression to Advanced Age-related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2021; 29:139-148. [PMID: 33827374 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2021.1910314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. The role of systemic inflammation in AMD remains unclear specifically in patients with intermediate AMD (iAMD). We sought to determine whether systemic inflammation was associated with future iAMD progression.Methods Combinations of 27 circulating inflammatory markers including complement factors, cytokines, chemokines, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were evaluated in iAMD patients recruited into a Colorado AMD registry. Systemic inflammatory markers were combined using principal component analysis. Risk factors for AMD progression were evaluated using Cox regression models.Results This study included 99 subjects with iAMD, 21 of which progressed to advanced AMD. Two principal components (PCs) were identified that contributed to the risk of progression to advanced AMD, after adjusting for age and bilateral reticular pseudodrusen. The strongest associated PC was explained largely by the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα and the anti-inflammatory IL1ra antagonist of IL1. The additional PC was largely explained by IL6, IL8, C3 and factor D in the positive direction and CRP, MCP1, factor B and factor I in the negative direction.Conclusion When evaluated through multivariate analyses, combinations of biomarkers distinguished patients who did and did not progress to future advanced AMD. Increased risk could result from different combinations of analyte levels indicating a complex relationship rather than a simple increase in a few markers. This suggests that studying systemic inflammation in iAMD can provide insights into early pathologic events and potentially identify patients at highest risk for the development of severe AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandie D Wagner
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer L Patnaik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Alan G Palestine
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ashley A Frazer-Abel
- Exsera BioLabs, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rebecca Baldermann
- Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - V Michael Holers
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Marc T Mathias
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Naresh Mandava
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anne M Lynch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Retinal Inflammation, Cell Death and Inherited Retinal Dystrophies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042096. [PMID: 33672611 PMCID: PMC7924201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of retinal disorders that cause progressive and severe loss of vision because of retinal cell death, mainly photoreceptor cells. IRDs include retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common IRD. IRDs present a genetic and clinical heterogeneity that makes it difficult to achieve proper treatment. The progression of IRDs is influenced, among other factors, by the activation of the immune cells (microglia, macrophages, etc.) and the release of inflammatory molecules such as chemokines and cytokines. Upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is found in IRDs. This cytokine may influence photoreceptor cell death. Different cell death mechanisms are proposed, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, excessive activation of calpains, or parthanatos for photoreceptor cell death. Some of these cell death mechanisms are linked to TNFα upregulation and inflammation. Therapeutic approaches that reduce retinal inflammation have emerged as useful therapies for slowing down the progression of IRDs. We focused this review on the relationship between retinal inflammation and the different cell death mechanisms involved in RP. We also reviewed the main anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of IRDs.
Collapse
|
33
|
de Jong S, Gagliardi G, Garanto A, de Breuk A, Lechanteur YTE, Katti S, van den Heuvel LP, Volokhina EB, den Hollander AI. Implications of genetic variation in the complement system in age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 84:100952. [PMID: 33610747 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of vision loss among the elderly in the Western world. While AMD is a multifactorial disease, the complement system was identified as one of the main pathways contributing to disease risk. The strong link between the complement system and AMD was demonstrated by genetic associations, and by elevated complement activation in local eye tissue and in the systemic circulation of AMD patients. Several complement inhibitors have been and are being explored in clinical trials, but thus far with limited success, leaving the majority of AMD patients without treatment options to date. This indicates that there is still a gap of knowledge regarding the functional implications of the complement system in AMD pathogenesis and how to bring these towards clinical translation. Many different experimental set-ups and disease models have been used to study complement activation in vivo and in vitro, and recently emerging patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and genome-editing techniques open new opportunities to study AMD disease mechanisms and test new therapeutic strategies in the future. In this review we provide an extensive overview of methods employed to understand the molecular processes of complement activation in AMD pathogenesis. We discuss the findings, advantages and challenges of each approach and conclude with an outlook on how recent, exciting developments can fill in current knowledge gaps and can aid in the development of effective complement-targeting therapeutic strategies in AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Giuliana Gagliardi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anita de Breuk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Yara T E Lechanteur
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Suresh Katti
- Gemini Therapeutics Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Lambert P van den Heuvel
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elena B Volokhina
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hubens WHG, Beckers HJM, Gorgels TGMF, Webers CAB. Increased ratios of complement factors C3a to C3 in aqueous humor and serum mark glaucoma progression. Exp Eye Res 2021; 204:108460. [PMID: 33493474 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We recently performed a combined analysis of publicly available proteomic studies of aqueous humor (AH) of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). This analysis revealed changes in complement protein concentrations in the AH of progressive POAG patients, which suggested that the complement system may play a role in POAG progression. As the proteomic studies could not provide information on the activity of the complement system, we addressed this question in the current study. METHODS Blood serum and AH were obtained from 30 patients: 10 progressive POAG, 10 stable POAG and, as controls, 10 cataract patients. Glaucoma patients with a visual field Mean Deviation (MD) change of at least 1.0 dB/year were considered progressive; a MD change of less than 0.5 dB/year was considered stable. The ratio between the levels of complement factors C3a and C3 was used as indicator for activation of the complement cascade. The factors were measured with commercially available ELISA kits. RESULTS AH levels of complement factors C3 and C3a did not significantly differ between groups. In serum, complement factor C3 did not differ between groups whereas C3a was significantly elevated in progressive POAG patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). The resulting complement C3a/C3 ratio was significantly higher in progressive POAG patients in both AH (p < 0.05) and serum (p < 0.01), and this ratio significantly correlated between the two body fluids (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between disease progression and C3a/C3 activation ratio both in AH (p < 0.01) and in serum (p < 0.001). The higher the complement C3a/C3 ratio, the faster the disease progression. CONCLUSION Significant increases in AH and serum complement C3a/C3 ratios were observed in progressive POAG patients but not in stable POAG patients. Furthermore, the complement C3a/C3 ratio correlated strongly with the rate of disease progression in both AH and serum. These findings suggest that activation of the complement system plays a role in glaucoma progression and that progressive glaucoma patients may have systemic changes in complement activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W H G Hubens
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Research School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - H J M Beckers
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - T G M F Gorgels
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - C A B Webers
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hallam TM, Marchbank KJ, Harris CL, Osmond C, Shuttleworth VG, Griffiths H, Cree AJ, Kavanagh D, Lotery AJ. Rare Genetic Variants in Complement Factor I Lead to Low FI Plasma Levels Resulting in Increased Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:18. [PMID: 32516404 PMCID: PMC7415286 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.6.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Rare genetic variants in complement factor I (CFI) that cause low systemic levels of the protein (FI) have been reported as a strong risk factor for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study set out to replicate these findings. Methods FI levels were measured by sandwich ELISA in an independent cohort of 276 patients with AMD and 205 elderly controls. Single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping and Sanger sequencing were used to assess genetic variability. Results The median FI level was significantly lower in those individuals with AMD and a rare CFI variant (28.3 µg/mL) compared to those with AMD without a rare CFI variant (38.8 µg/mL, P = 0.004) or the control population with (41.7 µg/mL, P = 0.0085) or without (41.5 µg/mL, P < 0.0001) a rare CFI variant. Thirty-six percent of patients with AMD with a rare CFI variant had levels below the fifth percentile, compared to 6% in controls with CFI variants. Multiple regression analyses revealed a decreased FI level associated with a rare CFI variant was a risk factor for AMD (early or late AMD: odds ratio [OR] 12.05, P = 0.03; early AMD: OR 30.3, P = 0.02; late AMD: OR 10.64, P < 0.01). Additionally, measurement of FI in aqueous humor revealed a large FI concentration gradient between systemic circulation and the eye (∼286-fold). Conclusions Rare genetic variants in CFI causing low systemic FI levels are strongly associated with AMD. The impermeability of the Bruch's membrane to FI will have implications for therapeutic replacement of FI in individuals with CFI variants and low FI levels at risk of AMD.
Collapse
|
36
|
Associations between the Complement System and Choroidal Neovascularization in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249752. [PMID: 33371261 PMCID: PMC7765894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness affecting the elderly in the Western world. The most severe form of AMD, wet AMD (wAMD), is characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and acute vision loss. The current treatment for these patients comprises monthly intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies, but this treatment is expensive, uncomfortable for the patient, and only effective in some individuals. AMD is a complex disease that has strong associations with the complement system. All three initiating complement pathways may be relevant in CNV formation, but most evidence indicates a major role for the alternative pathway (AP) and for the terminal complement complex, as well as certain complement peptides generated upon complement activation. Since the complement system is associated with AMD and CNV, a complement inhibitor may be a therapeutic option for patients with wAMD. The aim of this review is to (i) reflect on the possible complement targets in the context of wAMD pathology, (ii) investigate the results of prior clinical trials with complement inhibitors for wAMD patients, and (iii) outline important considerations when developing a future strategy for the treatment of wAMD.
Collapse
|
37
|
Stravalaci M, Davi F, Parente R, Gobbi M, Bottazzi B, Mantovani A, Day AJ, Clark SJ, Romano MR, Inforzato A. Control of Complement Activation by the Long Pentraxin PTX3: Implications in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:591908. [PMID: 33324220 PMCID: PMC7725797 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.591908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the complement system is central to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Most of the genetic variation associated with AMD resides in complement genes, with the greatest risk associated with polymorphisms in the complement factor H (CFH) gene; factor H (FH) is the major inhibitor of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement that specifically targets C3b and the AP C3 convertase. Long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition molecule that has been proposed to inhibit AP activation via recruitment of FH. Although present in the human retina, if and how PTX3 plays a role in AMD is still unclear. In this work we demonstrated the presence of PTX3 in the human vitreous and studied the PTX3-FH-C3b crosstalk and its effects on complement activation in a model of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). RPE cells cultured in inflammatory AMD-like conditions overexpressed the PTX3 protein, and up-regulated AP activating genes. PTX3 bound RPE cells in a physiological setting, however this interaction was reduced in inflammatory conditions, whereby PTX3 had no complement-inhibiting activity on inflamed RPE. However, on non-cellular surfaces, PTX3 formed a stable ternary complex with FH and C3b that acted as a “hot spot” for complement inhibition. Our findings suggest a protective role for PTX3 in response to complement dysregulation in AMD and point to a novel mechanism of complement regulation by this pentraxin with potential implications in pathology and pharmacology of AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Stravalaci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Davi
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Gobbi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J Day
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J Clark
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mario R Romano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,Eye Center, Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Antonio Inforzato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chen M, Yang N, Lechner J, Toth L, Hogg R, Silvestri G, Chakravarthy U, Xu H. Plasma level of lipocalin 2 is increased in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients, particularly those with macular fibrosis. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2020; 17:35. [PMID: 33292361 PMCID: PMC7666483 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-020-00205-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Previously, we and others have reported higher populations of circulating neutrophils in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL, also known as lipocalin-2, LCN2), an important innate immune mediator, is known to be critically involved in sterile inflammation-mediated organ failure, fibrosis, cancer progression and retinal degeneration. This study investigated the plasma levels of LCN2, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and LCN2/MMP9 complex in different types of nAMD and examined whether the levels were related to patients’ responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy. Results One hundred and seventy-four nAMD patients, including 108 with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV), 32 with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), 23 with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 11 unclassified patients, and 43 healthy controls were recruited to this case-control study. Fifty-eight nAMD patients had macular fibrosis and 110 patients did not. Out of the 174 nAMD patients, 80 patients responded completely, 90 responded partially, and 4 did not respond to the anti-VEGF therapy. The plasma levels of LCN2 in nAMD patients (181.46 ± 73.62 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (152.24 ± 49.55 ng/ml, P = 0.047). However, the difference disappeared after adjusting for age. A positive correlation between plasma level of LCN2 and age was observed in nAMD patients (r = 0.29, P = 0.0002) but not in healthy controls. The plasma level of LCN2 was also positively correlated with circulating neutrophils in nAMD patients (r = 0.34, p = 0.0007) but not in healthy controls (r = 0.057, p = 0.77). No correlation was observed between age and circulating neutrophils. Further analysis of nAMD subtypes uncovered a significantly higher level of LCN2 in patients with macular fibrosis even after adjusting for age. No relationship was observed between plasma levels of LCN2 and patients’ responsiveness to anti-VEGF therapy. The plasma levels of MMP9 and LCN2/MMP9 complex were comparable between nAMD and controls. Conclusions Our results suggest that higher plasma levels of LCN2 in nAMD are related to ageing and increased population of circulating neutrophils. Our results also suggest that higher levels of LCN2 may increase the risk of macular fibrosis in nAMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Chen
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Nan Yang
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Judith Lechner
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Levente Toth
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Ruth Hogg
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | | | - Usha Chakravarthy
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Heping Xu
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Barnum SR, Bubeck D, Schein TN. Soluble Membrane Attack Complex: Biochemistry and Immunobiology. Front Immunol 2020; 11:585108. [PMID: 33240274 PMCID: PMC7683570 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC, a.k.a., sC5b-9 or TCC) is generated on activation of complement and contains the complement proteins C5b, C6, C7, C8, C9 together with the regulatory proteins clusterin and/or vitronectin. sMAC is a member of the MACPF/cholesterol-dependent-cytolysin superfamily of pore-forming molecules that insert into lipid bilayers and disrupt cellular integrity and function. sMAC is a unique complement activation macromolecule as it is comprised of several different subunits. To date no complement-mediated function has been identified for sMAC. sMAC is present in blood and other body fluids under homeostatic conditions and there is abundant evidence documenting changes in sMAC levels during infection, autoimmune disease and trauma. Despite decades of scientific interest in sMAC, the mechanisms regulating its formation in healthy individuals and its biological functions in both health and disease remain poorly understood. Here, we review the structural differences between sMAC and its membrane counterpart, MAC, and examine sMAC immunobiology with respect to its presence in body fluids in health and disease. Finally, we discuss the diagnostic potential of sMAC for diagnostic and prognostic applications and potential utility as a companion diagnostic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Doryen Bubeck
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Tzoumas N, Hallam D, Harris CL, Lako M, Kavanagh D, Steel DHW. Revisiting the role of factor H in age-related macular degeneration: Insights from complement-mediated renal disease and rare genetic variants. Surv Ophthalmol 2020; 66:378-401. [PMID: 33157112 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ophthalmologists are long familiar with the eye showing signs of systemic disease, but the association between age-related macular degeneration and abnormal complement activation, common to several renal disorders, has only recently been elucidated. Although complement activation products were identified in drusen almost three decades ago, it was not until the early 21st century that a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the complement factor H gene was identified as a major heritable determinant of age-related macular degeneration, galvanizing global efforts to unravel the pathogenesis of this common disease. Advances in proteomic analyses and familial aggregation studies have revealed distinctive clinical phenotypes segregated by the functional effects of common and rare genetic variants on the mature protein and its splice variant, factor H-like protein 1. The predominance of loss-of-function, N-terminal mutations implicate age-related macular degeneration as a disease of general complement dysregulation, offering several therapeutic avenues for its modulation. Here, we explore the molecular impact of these mutations/polymorphisms on the ability of variant factor H/factor H-like protein 1 to localize to polyanions, pentraxins, proinflammatory triggers, and cell surfaces across ocular and renal tissues and exert its multimodal regulatory functions and their clinical implications. Finally, we critically evaluate key therapeutic and diagnostic efforts in this rapidly evolving field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Tzoumas
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Dean Hallam
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Claire L Harris
- Complement Therapeutics Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David Kavanagh
- Complement Therapeutics Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David H W Steel
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lynch AM, Wagner BD, Palestine AG, Janjic N, Patnaik JL, Mathias MT, Siringo FS, Mandava N. Plasma Biomarkers of Reticular Pseudodrusen and the Risk of Progression to Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:12. [PMID: 32974084 PMCID: PMC7488626 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.10.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine, using an aptamer-based technology in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD), (1) if there is a difference in plasma levels of 4979 proteins in patients with and without reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), and (2) if plasma levels of proteins are related to time to conversion to advanced AMD. Methods Patients with intermediate AMD and RPD were identified from an AMD registry. Relative concentrations of each protein were log (base 2) transformed and compared between patients with and without RPD using linear regression. A Cox proportional hazards survival model was fit to each aptamer to quantify associations with time to conversion. A pathway analysis was conducted in converters versus non-converters using the Reactome database. Results Of the 109 intermediate AMD patients, 39 had bilateral RPD (36%). Two proteins, TCL1A and CNDP1, were lower in patients in the intermediate AMD group with RPD. Twenty-one patients converted to advanced AMD with a median time to conversion of 25.2 months (range, 2.3-48.5 months) and median follow-up time in non-converters of 26.4 months (range, 0.03-49.7 months). Several proteins (lysozyme C, TFF3, RNAS6, and SAP3) distinguished patients who converted from those who did not convert to advanced AMD. The top conversion pathways included tumor necrosis factors bind their physiological receptors, digestion and absorption, signaling by activin, and signaling by TGF-β family members. Conclusions We identified a protein signature related to RPD, as well as to conversion to advanced AMD. The pathway analysis suggests that dysfunction of critical systemic pathways may have links to conversion to advanced AMD. Translational Relevance Biomarkers identified in plasma likely reflect systemic alterations in protein expression in patients with intermediate AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Lynch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brandie D Wagner
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alan G Palestine
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Jennifer L Patnaik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marc T Mathias
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Frank S Siringo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Naresh Mandava
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Association of imaging biomarkers and local activation of complement in aqueous humor of patients with early forms of age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 259:623-632. [PMID: 32876798 PMCID: PMC7904720 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-020-04910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate a possible correlation between established imaging biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration and local complement system activation, measured in aqueous humor (AH) of patients with early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and controls. Methods This analysis included prospectively acquired AH samples of 106 eyes (35 with early/intermediate AMD, 71 controls). The levels of complement protein 3 (C3), 4 (C4), 5 (C5); activation products of complement factor 3a (C3a) and Ba, C3b/iC3b; complement factors B, D, H, I (CFB, CFD, CFH, CFI); and total protein concentration were analyzed. Quantitative levels of complement factors were correlated to the presence of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), the presence of hyperreflective foci (HRF), and total drusen volume (DV) graded on imaging by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and using Spearman’s rank correlation test. Results DV correlated with C3b/iC3b (r = 0.285; P = 0.034), C3a (r = 0.200; P = 0.047), Ba (r = 0.262; P = 0.009), and C5 (r = 430; P = 0.005), and showed a tendency towards correlation with C3a (r = 0.198; P = 0.057). HRF correlated significantly with C5 (r = 0.388; P = 0.011) and RPD showed a tendency towards correlation with CFB (r = 0.196; P = 0.050). Conclusion In patients with early AMD, HRF and drusen parameters but not RPD show low to fair levels of correlation with local complement activation in patients’ AH. Better understanding of complement activation could provide some insights into the pathogenesis of AMD. Imaging biomarkers could be useful to identify suitable patients for future clinical trials with complement-modulating therapies.
Collapse
|
43
|
Heesterbeek TJ, Lechanteur YTE, Lorés-Motta L, Schick T, Daha MR, Altay L, Liakopoulos S, Smailhodzic D, den Hollander AI, Hoyng CB, de Jong EK, Klevering BJ. Complement Activation Levels Are Related to Disease Stage in AMD. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:18. [PMID: 32176267 PMCID: PMC7401663 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.3.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To study the levels of complement activation in different disease stages of AMD and the influence of genetic polymorphisms in complement genes. Methods We included 797 patients with AMD and 945 controls from the European Genetic Database. Patients were grouped into five AMD stages: early AMD, intermediate AMD, central geographic atrophy, active choroidal neovascularization or inactive choroidal neovascularization. Differences in complement activation, as defined by the systemic C3d/C3 ratio, between AMD stages were evaluated using general linear modeling. In addition, we evaluated the influence of 18 genetic AMD polymorphisms in complement genes and their effect on complement activation. Differences in complement activation between stages were evaluated stratifying by complement associated haplotypes. Results Complement activation levels differed significantly between AMD disease stages. As compared with controls, the C3d/C3 ratio was higher in patients with intermediate AMD (P < 0.001) and central geographic atrophy (P = 0.001). Two polymorphisms in CFH (rs10922109 and rs570618) and one in CFB (rs116503776) were significantly associated with complement activation. The association between AMD disease stage and complement activation was more pronounced in patients with haplotypes associated with the highest complement activation. Conclusions In general, consecutive AMD disease stages showed increasing levels of complement activation, especially in individuals with a genetic burden in complement genes. These findings contribute to the discussion on the pathogenesis of AMD in relation to complement activation and might suggest refinement in patient selection and the optimum window of treatment with complement inhibitors. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
Collapse
|
44
|
Zhang Y, Zhao G. Association Between Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 Variants and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Onset Among Chinese People. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e921584. [PMID: 32485729 PMCID: PMC7291784 DOI: 10.12659/msm.921584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We assessed the potential association between monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) variants (rs1024611 and rs3760396) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) susceptibility among Chinese Han people. Material/Methods Our research included 129 AMD patients and 131 healthy controls. Genotyping for MCP-1 variants was performed in the 2 groups, and genotype and allele distributions were checked between groups by χ2 analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) reflected the potential association between MCP-1 variants and AMD risk. The linkage disequilibrium of polymorphisms was detected using Haploview. Results Significant differences in rs1024611 genotype distributions were detected between the 2 groups, and homozygous carriers with GG genotype had higher AMD incidence (P<0.05, OR=2.650, 95% CI=1.127–6.231). The rs1024611 G allele frequency was significantly higher in AMD patients, suggesting that the G allele promotes AMD onset (P<0.05, OR=1.447, 95% CI=1.013–2.068). Strong linkage disequilibrium was found between rs1024611 and rs3760396, and haplotype Ars1024611–Crs3760396 was significantly associated with decreased risk of AMD (P=0.001, OR=0.502, 95% CI=0.335–0.752). Conclusions MCP-1 rs1024611 variant appears to contribute to risk of AMD in the Chinese Han population, and the interaction of MCP-1 polymorphisms may also influence individual susceptibility to AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Guiqiu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Oguchi Y, Sekiryu T, Omori T, Kato Y, Ogasawara M, Sugano Y, Itagaki K, Ojima A, Machida T, Sekine H. Anaphylatoxin concentration in aqueous and vitreous humor in the eyes with vitreoretinal interface abnormalities. Exp Eye Res 2020; 195:108025. [PMID: 32224205 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The complement system may be activated in the posterior segment of the eye with chorioretinal disease, which may be reflected to the concentration of anaphylatoxins in the aqueous humor. Little is known about the distribution of anaphylatoxins in the aqueous and vitreous humor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of anaphylatoxin concentration in the aqueous and vitreous humor of the eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane or idiopathic macular hole. This was an experimental, observational case series. This study included 43 eyes from 43 patients; 29 eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane, and 14 eyes with idiopathic macular hole. All 43 eyes underwent cataract surgery and vitrectomy. The aqueous and vitreous humor were collected at the surgery. The anaphylatoxin concentrations were measured by using a cytometric beads array, and the respective C3a, C4a, and C5a concentrations were 2.003 ± 0.679 (mean ± standard deviation) ng/ml, 1.389 ± 0.419 ng/ml, and 0.003 ± 0.004 ng/ml in the aqueous humor, and 1.236 ± 0.642 ng/ml, 1.250 ± 0.542 ng/ml, and 0.048 ± 0.069 ng/ml in the vitreous humor. The mean C3a concentration in the aqueous humor was significantly higher than in the vitreous humor in 43 eyes of iMH and iERM (P < 0.001). The mean C4a concentration showed no significant difference between the aqueous humor and vitreous humor (P = 0.282), and the mean C5a in the aqueous humor was significantly lower than in the vitreous humor overall (P < 0.001). The C3a concentration in the aqueous humor strongly correlated with that in the vitreous humor (R = 0.510, P < 0.001). The concentrations of C4a and C5a in the aqueous humor moderately correlated with those in the vitreous humor (C4a; R = 0.356, P = 0.019, C5a; R = 0.464, P = 0.022). In conclusion, the anaphylatoxin concentrations measured by cytometric beads array in the aqueous humor may be associated with those measured in the vitreous humor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuharu Oguchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuju Sekiryu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Tomoko Omori
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kato
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masashi Ogasawara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yukinori Sugano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kanako Itagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akira Ojima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Machida
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hideharu Sekine
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kremlitzka M, Geerlings MJ, de Jong S, Bakker B, Nilsson SC, Fauser S, Hoyng CB, de Jong EK, den Hollander AI, Blom AM. Functional analyses of rare genetic variants in complement component C9 identified in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:2678-2688. [PMID: 29767720 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease of the central retina and the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the western world. The involvement of abnormal complement activation in AMD has been suggested by association of variants in genes encoding complement proteins with disease development. A low-frequency variant (p.P167S) in the complement component C9 (C9) gene was recently shown to be highly associated with AMD; however, its functional outcome remains largely unexplored. In this study, we reveal five novel rare genetic variants (p.M45L, p.F62S, p.G126R, p.T170I and p.A529T) in C9 in AMD patients, and evaluate their functional effects in vitro together with the previously identified (p.R118W and p.P167S) C9 variants. Our results demonstrate that the concentration of C9 is significantly elevated in patients' sera carrying the p.M45L, p.F62S, p.P167S and p.A529T variants compared with non-carrier controls. However, no difference can be observed in soluble terminal complement complex levels between the carrier and non-carrier groups. Comparing the polymerization of the C9 variants we reveal that the p.P167S mutant spontaneously aggregates, while the other mutant proteins (except for C9 p.A529T) fail to polymerize in the presence of zinc. Altered polymerization of the p.F62S and p.P167S proteins associated with decreased lysis of sheep erythrocytes and adult retinal pigment epithelial-19 cells by carriers' sera. Our data suggest that the analyzed C9 variants affect only the secretion and polymerization of C9, without influencing its classical lytic activity. Future studies need to be performed to understand the implications of the altered polymerization of C9 in AMD pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Kremlitzka
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö Sweden
| | - Maartje J Geerlings
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah de Jong
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö Sweden.,Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bjorn Bakker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sara C Nilsson
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö Sweden
| | - Sascha Fauser
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carel B Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eiko K de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Blom
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Omori T, Oguchi Y, Machida T, Kato Y, Ishida Y, Ojima A, Itagaki K, Shintake H, Tomita R, Kasai A, Sugano Y, Ogasawara M, Sekine H, Sekiryu T. Evidence for Activation of Lectin and Classical Pathway Complement Components in Aqueous Humor of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmic Res 2019; 63:252-258. [DOI: 10.1159/000503258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
48
|
Yoon CH, Choi SH, Choi HJ, Lee HJ, Kang HJ, Kim JM, Park CG, Choi K, Kim H, Ahn C, Kim MK. Long-term survival of full-thickness corneal xenografts from α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout miniature pigs in non-human primates. Xenotransplantation 2019; 27:e12559. [PMID: 31566261 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate (a) the long-term survival of corneal grafts from α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout miniature (GTKOm) pigs in non-human primates as a primary outcome and (b) the effect of anti-CD20 antibody on the survival of corneal grafts from GTKOm pigs as a secondary outcome. METHODS Nine rhesus macaques undergoing full-thickness corneal xenotransplantation using GTKOm pigs were systemically administered steroid, basiliximab, intravenous immunoglobulin, and tacrolimus with (CD20 group) or without (control group) anti-CD20 antibody. RESULTS Graft survival was significantly longer (P = .008) in the CD20 group (>375, >187, >187, >83 days) than control group (165, 91, 72, 55, 37 days). When we compared the graft survival time between older (>7- month-old) and younger (≤7-month-old) aged donor recipients, there was no significant difference. Activated B cells were lower in the CD20 group than control group (P = .026). Aqueous humor complement C3a was increased in the control group at last examination (P = .043) and was higher than that in the CD20 group (P = .014). Anti-αGal IgG/M levels were unchanged in both groups. At last examination, anti-non-Gal IgG was increased in the control group alone (P = .013). CONCLUSIONS The GTKOm pig corneal graft achieved long-term survival when combined with anti-CD20 antibody treatment. Inhibition of activated B cells and complement is imperative even when using GTKO pig corneas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Ho Yoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.,Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Hyun Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.,Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyuk Jin Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.,Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lee
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Min Kim
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chung-Gyu Park
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Curie Ahn
- Department of Internal medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mee Kum Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.,Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Rashid K, Akhtar-Schaefer I, Langmann T. Microglia in Retinal Degeneration. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1975. [PMID: 31481963 PMCID: PMC6710350 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a complex tissue with multiple cell layers that are highly ordered. Its sophisticated structure makes it especially sensitive to external or internal perturbations that exceed the homeostatic range. This necessitates the continuous surveillance of the retina for the detection of noxious stimuli. This task is mainly performed by microglia cells, the resident tissue macrophages which confer neuroprotection against transient pathophysiological insults. However, under sustained pathological stimuli, microglial inflammatory responses become dysregulated, often worsening disease pathology. In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies that depict microglial responses in diverse retinal pathologies that have degeneration and chronic immune reactions as key pathophysiological components. We also discuss innovative immunomodulatory therapy strategies that dampen the detrimental immunological responses to improve disease outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Rashid
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Isha Akhtar-Schaefer
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Langmann
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Schröder-Braunstein J, Kirschfink M. Complement deficiencies and dysregulation: Pathophysiological consequences, modern analysis, and clinical management. Mol Immunol 2019; 114:299-311. [PMID: 31421540 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Complement defects are associated with an enhanced risk of a broad spectrum of infectious as well as systemic or local inflammatory and thrombotic disorders. Inherited complement deficiencies have been described for virtually all complement components but can be mimicked by autoantibodies, interfering with the activity of specific complement components, convertases or regulators. While being rare, diseases related to complement deficiencies are often severe with a frequent but not exclusive manifestation during childhood. Whereas defects of early components of the classical pathway significantly increase the risk of autoimmune disorders, lack of components of the terminal pathway as well as of properdin are associated with an enhanced susceptibility to meningococcal infections. The impaired synthesis or function of C1 inhibitor results in the development of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Furthermore, complement dysregulation causes renal disorders such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) or C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) but also age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) results from the combined deficiency of the regulatory complement proteins CD55 and CD59, which is caused by somatic mutation of a common membrane anchor, isolated CD55 or CD59 deficiency is associated with the CHAPLE syndrome and polyneuropathy, respectively. Here, we provide an overview on clinical disorders related to complement deficiencies or dysregulation and describe diagnostic strategies required for their comprehensive molecular characterization - a prerequisite for informed decisions on the therapeutic management of these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jutta Schröder-Braunstein
- University of Heidelberg, Institute of Immunology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kirschfink
- University of Heidelberg, Institute of Immunology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|