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Weiss JS, Afshari NA. Corneal Guttae Alone Do Not Make a Diagnosis of Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol 2024; 264:x-xii. [PMID: 38403097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jayne S Weiss
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Pharmacology, Louisiana State University Eye Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (J.S.W.), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
| | - Natalie A Afshari
- Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, University of California (N.A.A.), San Diego, California, USA
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Shi J, Caldwell J, Sheck L, Tsang B, Alekzander R, Escardo-Paton J, Vincent AL, Spooner C, Heppner P, Danesh-Meyer H, Hull S. Optic neuropathy from hypovitaminosis A in a series of children with severe dietary restrictions. J Paediatr Child Health 2024. [PMID: 39051625 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
AIM Hypovitaminosis A is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, especially in developing nations. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble essential micronutrient that serves vital functions in the visual system and in regulating bone resorption. We report on a series of four children with mixed nutritional and compressive optic neuropathy and provide a review of the literature. METHODS A retrospective observational study of four males (ages 9-12), three with autism spectrum disorder who presented with loss of vision and multiple vitamin deficiencies including hypovitaminosis A. RESULTS Patients presented with unexplained visual loss or a change in visual behaviour. All patients had severely restricted diet comprising of predominantly carbohydrates. Two of the four cases demonstrated optic nerve pallor at initial presentation with marked optic atrophy developing in all patients over time. Electrophysiology available in two patients demonstrated optic nerve dysfunction with preserved retinal function. Extensive investigations revealed profound deficiency in multiple vitamins including vitamin A (<0.1-0.2 μmol/L, normal = 0.9-1.7 μmol/L). Three patients also had low vitamin B12 (90-111 pmol/L, normal = 170-800 pmol/L) with normal folate. All four cases had radiological evidence of skull base thickening indicative of low vitamin A. Genetic testing did not find any relevant pathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS Hypovitaminosis A is a crucial form of nutritional deprivation that results in significant visual loss with potential hyperostosis and optic nerve compression exacerbating nutritional optic neuropathy. Additional micronutrient deficiencies usually co-exist and may contribute. Extra vigilance in vitamin replacement is required of clinicians with patients with autism who have restricted diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Shi
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - James Caldwell
- Radiology, Auckland City Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Leo Sheck
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bobby Tsang
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Paediatrics, Waitemata, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rebecca Alekzander
- Paediatrics, Counties Manukau, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julia Escardo-Paton
- Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea L Vincent
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Claire Spooner
- Paediatric Neurology, Starship Childrens Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Heppner
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Paediatric Neurosurgery, Starship Childrens Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Helen Danesh-Meyer
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Hull
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
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Yan J, Mehta S, Patel K, Dhupar N, Little N, Ong Tone S. Transcription factor 4 promotes increased corneal endothelial cellular migration by altering microtubules in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10276. [PMID: 38704483 PMCID: PMC11069521 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a complex corneal disease characterized by the progressive decline and morphological changes of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) that leads to corneal edema and vision loss. The most common mutation in FECD is an intronic CTG repeat expansion in transcription factor 4 (TCF4) that leads to its altered expression. Corneal endothelial wound healing occurs primarily through cell enlargement and migration, and FECD CECs have been shown to display increased migration speeds. In this study, we aim to determine whether TCF4 can promote cellular migration in FECD CECs. We generated stable CEC lines derived from FECD patients that overexpressed different TCF4 isoforms and investigated epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) expression, morphological analysis and cellular migration speeds. We found that full length TCF4-B isoform overexpression promotes cellular migration in FECD CECs in an EMT-independent manner. RNA-sequencing identified several pathways including the negative regulation of microtubules, with TUBB4A (tubulin beta 4A class IVa) as the top upregulated gene. TUBB4A expression was increased in FECD ex vivo specimens, and there was altered expression of cytoskeleton proteins, tubulin and actin, compared to normal healthy donor ex vivo specimens. Additionally, there was increased acetylation and detyrosination of microtubules in FECD supporting that microtubule stability is altered in FECD and could promote cellular migration. Future studies could be aimed at investigating if targeting the cytoskeleton and microtubules would have therapeutic potential for FECD by promoting cellular migration and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Yan
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Shanti Mehta
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Keya Patel
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Narisa Dhupar
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ness Little
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephan Ong Tone
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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4
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Zhang X, Wang S, Liu S, Du Z, Wu G, Liang Y, Huang Y, Shang X, Hu Y, Zhu Z, Sun W, Zhang X, Yu H. Epidemiologic association and shared genetic architecture between cataract and hearing difficulties among middle-aged and older adults. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:39. [PMID: 38632618 PMCID: PMC11022469 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00601-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related cataract and hearing difficulties are major sensory disorders that often co-exist in the global-wide elderly and have a tangible influence on the quality of life. However, the epidemiologic association between cataract and hearing difficulties remains unexplored, while little is known about whether the two share their genetic etiology. We first investigated the clinical association between cataract and hearing difficulties using the UK Biobank covering 502,543 individuals. Both unmatched analysis (adjusted for confounders) and a matched analysis (one control matched for each patient with cataract according to confounding factors) were undertaken and confirmed that cataract was associated with hearing difficulties (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.98-2.27; OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.86-2.23, respectively). Furthermore, we explored and quantified the shared genetic architecture of these two complex sensory disorders at the common variant level using the bivariate causal mixture model (MiXeR) and conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate method based on the largest available genome-wide association studies of cataract (N = 585,243) and hearing difficulties (N = 323,978). Despite detecting only a negligible genetic correlation, we observe polygenic overlap between cataract and hearing difficulties and identify 6 shared loci with mixed directions of effects. Follow-up analysis of the shared loci implicates candidate genes QKI, STK17A, TYR, NSF, and TCF4 likely contribute to the pathophysiology of cataracts and hearing difficulties. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the presence of epidemiologic association between cataract and hearing difficulties and provides new insights into the shared genetic architecture of these two disorders at the common variant level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiayin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunming Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijing Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanrong Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou First people's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianwen Shang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijun Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoting Zhu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, VIC, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Honghua Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Eye Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Image Analysis and Application, Guangzhou, China.
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Gorman BR, Francis M, Nealon CL, Halladay CW, Duro N, Markianos K, Genovese G, Hysi PG, Choquet H, Afshari NA, Li YJ, Gaziano JM, Hung AM, Wu WC, Greenberg PB, Pyarajan S, Lass JH, Peachey NS, Iyengar SK. A multi-ancestry GWAS of Fuchs corneal dystrophy highlights the contributions of laminins, collagen, and endothelial cell regulation. Commun Biol 2024; 7:418. [PMID: 38582945 PMCID: PMC10998918 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading indication for corneal transplantation, but its molecular etiology remains poorly understood. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of FECD in the Million Veteran Program followed by multi-ancestry meta-analysis with the previous largest FECD GWAS, for a total of 3970 cases and 333,794 controls. We confirm the previous four loci, and identify eight novel loci: SSBP3, THSD7A, LAMB1, PIDD1, RORA, HS3ST3B1, LAMA5, and COL18A1. We further confirm the TCF4 locus in GWAS for admixed African and Hispanic/Latino ancestries and show an enrichment of European-ancestry haplotypes at TCF4 in FECD cases. Among the novel associations are low frequency missense variants in laminin genes LAMA5 and LAMB1 which, together with previously reported LAMC1, form laminin-511 (LM511). AlphaFold 2 protein modeling, validated through homology, suggests that mutations at LAMA5 and LAMB1 may destabilize LM511 by altering inter-domain interactions or extracellular matrix binding. Finally, phenome-wide association scans and colocalization analyses suggest that the TCF4 CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion leads to dysregulation of ion transport in the corneal endothelium and has pleiotropic effects on renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Gorman
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Michael Francis
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Cari L Nealon
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Christopher W Halladay
- Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nalvi Duro
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Kyriacos Markianos
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulio Genovese
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Ophthalmology, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Twins Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hélène Choquet
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Natalie A Afshari
- Shiley Eye Institute, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J Michael Gaziano
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Aging, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana M Hung
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wen-Chih Wu
- Cardiology Section, Medical Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Paul B Greenberg
- Ophthalmology Section, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Saiju Pyarajan
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan H Lass
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Neal S Peachey
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Sudha K Iyengar
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Price DA, Dudasko KN, Hall TA, Price MO, Price FW. Initial results of DMEK combined with cataract surgery and implantation of the light-adjustable lens. J Cataract Refract Surg 2024; 50:270-275. [PMID: 38085175 PMCID: PMC10878463 DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the use of light-adjustable intraocular lenses (LALs) to maximize visual acuity (VA) postoperatively in eyes undergoing combined Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and cataract surgery. SETTING Private practice, tertiary referral center. DESIGN Retrospective review of initial case series. METHODS Patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy had DMEK combined with phacoemulsification and LAL implantation. Lenses were adjusted based on postoperative manifest refraction and locked-in 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Adjustments to the LAL were started after stabilization of refraction at sequential examinations. Outcomes were uncorrected near and distance VA and manifest refraction 3 to 6 months after locking the lens. RESULTS A total of 27 eyes in 17 patients with mean age of 65 years (range 53 to 75 years) were included in this study. 6 eyes (22%) had either a near or intermediate target, and 21 eyes (78%) had a distance target. After lock-in, 57% of eyes with a distance target had uncorrected distance VA (UDVA) of 20/20 or better, 90% were 20/25 or better, and 100% were 20/40 or better. After lens lock-in, 100% of eyes had corrected distance VA (CDVA) of 20/20 or better, 86% had postoperative UDVA the same or better than preoperative CDVA, and 100% of eyes had UDVA within 1 line of the preoperative CDVA. In total, 93% of eyes were within 1 diopter (D) of spherical target, and 93% of eyes had ≤0.5 D of refractive cylinder postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Combining DMEK with LAL implantation provided significantly better UDVA and refractive outcomes than previously reported data on combined implantation of a standard monofocal lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Price
- From the Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price); Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price, Dudasko, M. Price); Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hall, F.W. Price)
| | - Kathleen N. Dudasko
- From the Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price); Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price, Dudasko, M. Price); Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hall, F.W. Price)
| | - Taylor A. Hall
- From the Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price); Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price, Dudasko, M. Price); Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hall, F.W. Price)
| | - Marianne O. Price
- From the Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price); Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price, Dudasko, M. Price); Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hall, F.W. Price)
| | - Francis W. Price
- From the Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price); Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, Indiana (D.A. Price, Dudasko, M. Price); Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hall, F.W. Price)
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7
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Thomasy SM, Leonard BC, Greiner MA, Skeie JM, Raghunathan VK. Squishy matters - Corneal mechanobiology in health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101234. [PMID: 38176611 PMCID: PMC11193890 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Jessica M Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
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Maeno S, Oie Y, Koto R, Nishida N, Yamashita A, Yoshioka M, Kai C, Soma T, Koh S, Yoshihara M, Kawasaki R, Jhanji V, Nakamori M, Tsujikawa M, Nishida K. Comparison of Scheimpflug and Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Parameters for Japanese Patients With Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy With and Without TCF4 Repeat Expansions. Cornea 2024:00003226-990000000-00473. [PMID: 38300219 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cytosine-thymine-guanine trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion in TCF4 and the clinical phenotypes of corneal densitometry or anterior segment morphology in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study included 150 eyes from 75 Japanese consecutive patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Cytosine-thymine-guanine repeat expansion of leukocyte-derived genomic DNA was analyzed through fragment analysis using polymerase chain reaction and triplet repeat primed polymerase chain reaction. Scheimpflug-based densitometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were applied. Corneal densitometry, and corneal and anterior segment morphology parameters were compared between patients with and without TNR expansion of 50 or more (expansion and nonexpansion groups, respectively) using a mixed model. RESULTS The average age of the patients was 66.8 ± 13.0 years, and the modified Krachmer grading scale was 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for 7, 32, 28, 51, 6, and 18 eyes, respectively. Sixteen patients (21%) exhibited ≥50 TNR expansion. No significant differences in sex, age, history of keratoplasty, modified Krachmer grade, and corneal densitometry in either diameter or depth were observed between the 2 groups. No significant differences in anterior segment morphology, including the anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber angle width parameters, were observed using a univariate mixed model, except for central corneal thickness (P = 0.047). However, according to the multivariate mixed model, repeat expansion was not significantly associated with central corneal thickness (P = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS No significant differences in clinical phenotypes were found between Japanese patients having Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy with and without TNR expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayo Maeno
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Oie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryota Koto
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Nozomi Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Arisa Yamashita
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michika Yoshioka
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chifune Kai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Soma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shizuka Koh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Institute for Advanced Academic Research, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Artificial Intelligence Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryo Kawasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Division of Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Vishal Jhanji
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; and
| | - Masayuki Nakamori
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Motokazu Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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9
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Zhang X, Kumar A, Sathe AA, Mootha VV, Xing C. Transcriptomic meta-analysis reveals ERRα-mediated oxidative phosphorylation is downregulated in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295542. [PMID: 38096202 PMCID: PMC10721014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-onset Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a degenerative disease of cornea and the leading indication for corneal transplantation. Genetically, FECD patients can be categorized as with (RE+) or without (RE-) the CTG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the transcription factor 4 gene. The molecular mechanisms underlying FECD remain unclear, though there are plausible pathogenic models proposed for RE+ FECD. METHOD In this study, we performed a meta-analysis on RNA sequencing datasets of FECD corneal endothelium including 3 RE+ datasets and 2 RE- datasets, aiming to compare the transcriptomic profiles of RE+ and RE- FECD. Gene differential expression analysis, co-expression networks analysis, and pathway analysis were conducted. RESULTS There was a striking similarity between RE+ and RE- transcriptomes. There were 1,184 genes significantly upregulated and 1,018 genes significantly downregulated in both RE+ and RE- cases. Pathway analysis identified multiple biological processes significantly enriched in both-mitochondrial functions, energy-related processes, ER-nucleus signaling pathway, demethylation, and RNA splicing were negatively enriched, whereas small GTPase mediated signaling, actin-filament processes, extracellular matrix organization, stem cell differentiation, and neutrophil mediated immunity were positively enriched. The translational initiation process was downregulated in the RE+ transcriptomes. Gene co-expression analysis identified modules with relatively distinct biological processes enriched including downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assembly. The majority of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunit genes, as well as their upstream regulator gene estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA), encoding ERRα, were downregulated in both RE+ and RE- cases, and the expression level of ESRRA was correlated with that of OXPHOS subunit genes. CONCLUSION Meta-analysis increased the power of detecting differentially expressed genes. Integrating differential expression analysis with co-expression analysis helped understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. FECD RE+ and RE- transcriptomic profiles are much alike with the hallmark of downregulation of genes in pathways related to ERRα-mediated OXPHOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunzhi Zhang
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Adwait A. Sathe
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - V. Vinod Mootha
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- O’Donnell School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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10
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Jadhav B, Garg P, van Vugt JJFA, Ibanez K, Gagliardi D, Lee W, Shadrina M, Mokveld T, Dolzhenko E, Martin-Trujillo A, Gies SL, Rocca C, Barbosa M, Jain M, Lahiri N, Lachlan K, Houlden H, Paten B, Veldink J, Tucci A, Sharp AJ. A phenome-wide association study of methylated GC-rich repeats identifies a GCC repeat expansion in AFF3 as a significant cause of intellectual disability. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.03.23289461. [PMID: 37205357 PMCID: PMC10187445 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.23289461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
GC-rich tandem repeat expansions (TREs) are often associated with DNA methylation, gene silencing and folate-sensitive fragile sites and underlie several congenital and late-onset disorders. Through a combination of DNA methylation profiling and tandem repeat genotyping, we identified 24 methylated TREs and investigated their effects on human traits using PheWAS in 168,641 individuals from the UK Biobank, identifying 156 significant TRE:trait associations involving 17 different TREs. Of these, a GCC expansion in the promoter of AFF3 was linked with a 2.4-fold reduced probability of completing secondary education, an effect size comparable to several recurrent pathogenic microdeletions. In a cohort of 6,371 probands with neurodevelopmental problems of suspected genetic etiology, we observed a significant enrichment of AFF3 expansions compared to controls. With a population prevalence that is at least 5-fold higher than the TRE that causes fragile X syndrome, AFF3 expansions represent a significant cause of neurodevelopmental delay.
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11
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Oie Y, Yamaguchi T, Nishida N, Okumura N, Maeno S, Kawasaki R, Jhanji V, Shimazaki J, Nishida K. Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Criteria and Severity Classification for Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea 2023; 42:1590-1600. [PMID: 37603692 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are no defined diagnostic criteria and severity classification for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), which are required for objective standardized assessments. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review of the current diagnosis and severity classification of FECD. METHODS We searched the Ovid MEDLINE and Web of Science databases for studies published until January 13, 2021. We excluded review articles, conference abstracts, editorials, case reports with <5 patients, and letters. RESULTS Among 468 articles identified, we excluded 173 and 165 articles in the first and second screenings, respectively. Among the 130 included articles, 61 (47%) and 99 (76%) mentioned the diagnostic criteria for FECD and described its severity classification, respectively. Regarding diagnosis, slitlamp microscope alone was the most frequently used device in 31 (51%) of 61 articles. Regarding diagnostic findings, corneal guttae alone was the most common parameter [adopted in 23 articles (38%)]. Regarding severity classification, slitlamp microscopes were used in 88 articles (89%). The original or modified Krachmer grading scale was used in 77 articles (78%), followed by Adami's classification in six (6%). Specular microscopes or Scheimpflug tomography were used in four articles (4%) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography in one (1%). CONCLUSIONS FECD is globally diagnosed by the corneal guttae using slitlamp examination, and its severity is predominantly determined by the original or modified Krachmer grading scale. Objective severity grading using Scheimpflug or anterior segment optical coherence tomography can be applied in the future innovative therapies such as cell injection therapy or novel small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Oie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Takefumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Nozomi Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Naoki Okumura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | - Sayo Maeno
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryo Kawasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Vishal Jhanji
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Jun Shimazaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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12
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Sakakura S, Inagaki E, Sayano T, Yamazaki R, Fusaki N, Hatou S, Hirayama M, Tsubota K, Negishi K, Okano H, Shimmura S. Non-apoptotic regulated cell death in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Regen Ther 2023; 24:592-601. [PMID: 38034859 PMCID: PMC10681880 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2023.11.001] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the leading cause of corneal blindness in developed countries. Corneal endothelial cells in FECD are susceptive to oxidative stress, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Oxidative stress causes many forms of cell death including parthanatos, which is characterized by translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus with upregulation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR). Although cell death is an important aspect of FECD, previous reports have often analyzed immortalized cell lines, making the evaluation of cell death difficult. Therefore, we established a new in vitro FECD model to evaluate the pathophysiology of FECD. Methods Corneal endothelial cells were derived from disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used as a source for oxidative stress to mimic the pathophysiology of FECD. We investigated the responses to oxidative stress and the involvement of parthanatos in FECD-corneal endothelial cells. Results Cell death ratio and oxidative stress level were upregulated in FECD with H2O2 treatment compared with non-FECD control, indicating the vulnerability of oxidative stress in FECD. We also found that intracellular PAR, as well as PARP-1 and AIF in the nucleus were upregulated in FECD. Furthermore, PARP inhibition, but not pan-caspase inhibition, rescued cell death, DNA double-strand breaks, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and energy depletion, suggesting that cell death was mainly due to parthanatos. Conclusions We report that parthanatos may be involved in the pathophysiology of FECD and targeting this cell death pathway may be a potential therapeutic approach for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Sakakura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Emi Inagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Tomoko Sayano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Cellusion Inc. 8-6 Nihonbashi-Kobunacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0024, Japan
| | - Risa Yamazaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Noemi Fusaki
- University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Shin Hatou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Cellusion Inc. 8-6 Nihonbashi-Kobunacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0024, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Hirayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuno Negishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Medical Innovation Center, Fujita Health University, Haneda Innovation City Zone A, 1-1-4, Hanedakuko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 144-0041, Japan
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13
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Panthagani J, Suleiman K, Vincent RC, Ong HS, Wallace GR, Rauz S. Conjunctival transcriptomics in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:142-149. [PMID: 37690517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid (OcMMP) is an orphan disease characterized by chronic autoimmune-driven conjunctival inflammation leading to progressive scarring, debilitating symptoms, and blinding sequelae. This feasibility study aims to demonstrate conjunctival genetic transcriptomic analyses as a putative tool for interrogation of pathogenic signaling pathways in OcMMP. METHODS Conjunctival RNA profiling using the NanoString nCounter Human Fibrosis panel was undertaken on RNA extracted from conjunctival swabs obtained from 6 MMP patients (8 eyes; 4 M/2F; median age 78 [range 64-84] years); and 8 age-matched control participants (15 eyes; 3 M/5F; median age 69.5 [range 69-88] years). Data from 770 genes were analyzed with ROSALIND HyperScale architecture and stratified according to the level of clinically visible bulbar conjunctival inflammation. Normalization, fold-changes (≥+1.5-fold or ≤ -1.5-fold) and p-values adjustment (<0.05) using the Benjamini-Hochberg method were calculated. RESULTS 93 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between OcMMP versus controls of which 48 were upregulated, and 45 downregulated. The top 4 upregulated DEGs represented fibrosis (COL3A1, COL1A1, FN1 and THBS1) while the key under-expressed genes (SCIN, HMGS2, XCL1/2) were indicative of ocular surface failure (goblet cell loss, keratinization, vulnerability to secondary infections). Forty-four pathways had a global significance score ≥2, the most significant being those related to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, synthesis, and degradation. These pathways were accentuated in eyes with visible inflammation. CONCLUSIONS NanoString methodology acquired via a simple conjunctival swab identifies profibrotic genes in OcMMP group and differentiates inflamed eyes. Longitudinal sampling and following investigative intervention will further mechanistic insight and development of novel biomarkers to monitor disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Panthagani
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK; Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kusy Suleiman
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK; Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rachel C Vincent
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Hon Shing Ong
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Corneal and External Diseases Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore; Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Graham R Wallace
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Saaeha Rauz
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK; Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK.
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14
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Nealon CL, Halladay CW, Gorman BR, Simpson P, Roncone DP, Canania RL, Anthony SA, Rogers LRS, Leber JN, Dougherty JM, Bailey JNC, Crawford DC, Sullivan JM, Galor A, Wu WC, Greenberg PB, Lass JH, Iyengar SK, Peachey NS. Association Between Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy, Diabetes Mellitus, and Multimorbidity. Cornea 2023; 42:1140-1149. [PMID: 37170406 PMCID: PMC10523841 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003311] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess risk for demographic variables and other health conditions that are associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). METHODS We developed a FECD case-control algorithm based on structured electronic health record data and confirmed accuracy by individual review of charts at 3 Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. This algorithm was applied to the Department of VA Million Veteran Program cohort from whom sex, genetic ancestry, comorbidities, diagnostic phecodes, and laboratory values were extracted. Single-variable and multiple variable logistic regression models were used to determine the association of these risk factors with FECD diagnosis. RESULTS Being a FECD case was associated with female sex, European genetic ancestry, and a greater number of comorbidities. Of 1417 diagnostic phecodes evaluated, 213 had a significant association with FECD, falling in both ocular and nonocular conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM). Five of 69 laboratory values were associated with FECD, with the direction of change for 4 being consistent with DM. Insulin dependency and type 1 DM raised risk to a greater degree than type 2 DM, like other microvascular diabetic complications. CONCLUSIONS Female sex, European ancestry, and multimorbidity increased FECD risk. Endocrine/metabolic clinic encounter codes and altered patterns of laboratory values support DM increasing FECD risk. Our results evoke a threshold model in which the FECD phenotype is intensified by DM and potentially other health conditions that alter corneal physiology. Further studies to better understand the relationship between FECD and DM are indicated and may help identify opportunities for slowing FECD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari L. Nealon
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Christopher W. Halladay
- Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Bryan R. Gorman
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, USA
| | - Piana Simpson
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - David P. Roncone
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Scott A. Anthony
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Jenna N. Leber
- Ophthalmology Section, VA Western NY Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Jessica N. Cooke Bailey
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dana C. Crawford
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jack M. Sullivan
- Ophthalmology Section, VA Western NY Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Research Service, VA Western NY Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology (Ross Eye Institute), University at Buffalo-SUNY, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Anat Galor
- Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Wen-Chih Wu
- Cardiology Section, Medical Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Paul B. Greenberg
- Ophthalmology Section, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Jonathan H. Lass
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Sudha K. Iyengar
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Neal S. Peachey
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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15
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Liu S, Sadan AN, Muthusamy K, Zarouchlioti C, Jedlickova J, Pontikos N, Thaung C, Hardcastle AJ, Netukova M, Skalicka P, Dudakova L, Bunce C, Tuft SJ, Davidson AE, Liskova P. Phenotype and genotype of concurrent keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Acta Ophthalmol 2023; 101:679-686. [PMID: 36883248 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterise the phenotype and genotype of concurrent keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (KC + FECD). METHODS We recruited 20 patients with concurrent KC + FECD for a retrospective observational case series from the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. We compared eight parameters of corneal shape (Pentacam, Oculus) with two groups of age-matched controls who had either isolated keratoconus (KC) or isolated FECD. We genotyped probands for an intronic triplet TCF4 repeat expansion (CTG18.1) and the ZEB1 variant c.1920G >T p.(Gln640His). RESULTS The median age at diagnosis of patients with KC + FECD was 54 (interquartile range 46 to 66) years, with no evidence of KC progression (median follow-up 84 months, range 12 to 120 months). The mean (standard deviation (SD)) of the minimum corneal thickness, 493 (62.7) μm, was greater than eyes with KC, 458 (51.1) μm, but less than eyes with FECD, 590 (55.6) μm. Seven other parameters of corneal shape were more like KC than FECD. Seven (35%) probands with KC + FECD had a TCF4 repeat expansion of ≥50 compared to five controls with isolated FECD. The average of the largest TCF4 expansion in cases with KC + FECD (46 repeats, SD 36 repeats) was similar to the age-matched controls with isolated FECD (36 repeats, SD 28 repeats; p = 0.299). No patient with KC + FECD harboured the ZEB1 variant. CONCLUSIONS The KC + FECD phenotype is consistent with KC but with superimposed stromal swelling from endothelial disease. The proportion of cases with a TCF4 expansion is similar in concurrent KC + FECD and age-matched controls with isolated FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyin Liu
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | | | - Kirithika Muthusamy
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Jana Jedlickova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Caroline Thaung
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Magdalena Netukova
- Eye Clinic, Medical Faculty Charles University, Teaching Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Skalicka
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lubica Dudakova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Catey Bunce
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stephen J Tuft
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Petra Liskova
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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16
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Chan MF, Pan P, Wolfreys FD. Novel Mechanisms Guide Innovative Molecular-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea 2023; 42:929-933. [PMID: 37318135 PMCID: PMC10313750 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Major advances in genomics have dramatically increased our understanding of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and identified diverse genetic causes and associations. Biomarkers derived from these studies have the potential to inform both clinical treatment and yield novel therapeutics for this corneal dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda F. Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Peipei Pan
- Center for Cerebrovascular Research, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Finn D. Wolfreys
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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17
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Tsedilina TR, Sharova E, Iakovets V, Skorodumova LO. Systematic review of SLC4A11, ZEB1, LOXHD1, and AGBL1 variants in the development of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1153122. [PMID: 37441688 PMCID: PMC10333596 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1153122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The pathogenic role of variants in TCF4 and COL8A2 in causing Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is not controversial and has been confirmed by numerous studies. The causal role of other genes, SLC4A11, ZEB1, LOXHD1, and AGBL1, which have been reported to be associated with FECD, is more complicated and less obvious. We performed a systematic review of the variants in the above-mentioned genes in FECD cases, taking into account the currently available population frequency information, transcriptomic data, and the results of functional studies to assess their pathogenicity. Methods Search for articles published in 2005-2022 was performed manually between July 2022 and February 2023. We searched for original research articles in peer-reviewed journals, written in English. Variants in the genes of interest identified in patients with FECD were extracted for the analysis. We classified each presented variant by pathogenicity status according to the ACMG criteria implemented in the Varsome tool. Diagnosis, segregation data, presence of affected relatives, functional analysis results, and gene expression in the corneal endothelium were taken into account. Data on the expression of genes of interest in the corneal endothelium were extracted from articles in which transcriptome analysis was performed. The identification of at least one variant in a gene classified as pathogenic or significantly associated with FECD was required to confirm the causal role of the gene in FECD. Results The analysis included 34 articles with 102 unique ZEB1 variants, 20 articles with 64 SLC4A11 variants, six articles with 26 LOXHD1 variants, and five articles with four AGBL1 variants. Pathogenic status was confirmed for seven SLC4A11 variants found in FECD. No variants in ZEB1, LOXHD1, and AGBL1 genes were classified as pathogenic for FECD. According to the transcriptome data, AGBL1 and LOXHD1 were not expressed in the corneal endothelium. Functional evidence for the association of LOXHD1, and AGBL1 with FECD was conflicting. Conclusion Our analysis confirmed the causal role of SLC4A11 variants in the development of FECD. The causal role of ZEB1, LOXHD1, and AGBL1 variants in FECD has not been confirmed. Further evidence from familial cases and functional analysis is needed to confirm their causal roles in FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Romanovna Tsedilina
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Sharova
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valeriia Iakovets
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Liubov Olegovna Skorodumova
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
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Peachey N, Gorman B, Francis M, Nealon C, Halladay C, Duro N, Markianos K, Genovese G, Hysi P, Choquet H, Afshari N, Li YJ, Gaziano JM, Hung A, Wu WC, Greenberg P, Pyarajan S, Lass J, Iyengar S. Multi-ancestry GWAS of Fuchs corneal dystrophy highlights roles of laminins, collagen, and endothelial cell regulation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2762003. [PMID: 37205546 PMCID: PMC10187421 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2762003/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading indication for corneal transplantation, but its molecular pathophysiology remains poorly understood. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of FECD in the Million Veteran Program (MVP) and meta-analyzed with the previous largest FECD GWAS, finding twelve significant loci (eight novel). We further confirmed the TCF4 locus in admixed African and Hispanic/Latino ancestries, and found an enrichment of European-ancestry haplotypes at TCF4 in FECD cases. Among the novel associations are low frequency missense variants in laminin genes LAMA5 and LAMB1 which, together with previously reported LAMC1, form laminin-511 (LM511). AlphaFold 2 protein modeling suggests that mutations at LAMA5 and LAMB1 may destabilize LM511 by altering inter-domain interactions or extracellular matrix binding. Finally, phenome-wide association scans and co-localization analyses suggest that the TCF4 CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion leads to dysregulation of ion transport in the corneal endothelium and has pleiotropic effects on renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hélène Choquet
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Saiju Pyarajan
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System
| | - Jonathan Lass
- Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center
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Chakraborty M, Jandhyam H, Basak SK, Das S, Alone DP. Intergenic variants, rs1200114 and rs1200108 are genetically associated along with a decreased ATP1B1 expression in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2023; 228:109403. [PMID: 36736852 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related, bilateral corneal condition, characterized by apoptosis of the terminally differentiated endothelial cells. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in the European population in 2017, identified a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1200114 in the intergenic region between long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 970 (LINC00970) and ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit beta 1 (ATP1B1). The major focus of the current study is to understand the genetic association of this intergenic variant, rs1200114 with FECD in the Indian population. Sanger sequencing followed by statistical analysis indicated a significant difference in the allelic frequency between controls and cases (P = 0.01) with the minor allele 'G' of rs1200114 imparting a 1.64 fold increased risk for the disease. Luciferase reporter assay revealed no significant difference in the luciferase activity between allele 'A' and 'G' of rs1200114. However, quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed lower expression of ATP1B1 in FECD subjects compared with controls (P = 0.007). Therefore, to find whether another nearby SNP imparts regulatory effect, tag SNP association analysis was carried out; which revealed a significant association of another SNP, rs1200108, present in the intergenic region between LINC00970 and ATP1B1 with FECD (P = 0.009). The protective allele 'A' of rs1200108 displayed reduced reporter activity as opposed to the risk allele 'G' (P = 0.014). Furthermore, haplotype 'A-A' of rs1200108 - rs1200114 was present at a higher frequency in control subjects, suggesting it as a protective haplotype. Altogether, this study inferred the genetic association of rs1200114 and rs1200108 along with the decreased expression of ATP1B1 related to FECD pathogenesis in the Indian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maynak Chakraborty
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Harithalakshmi Jandhyam
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | | | - Sujata Das
- LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Debasmita Pankaj Alone
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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20
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DNA methylation changes and increased mRNA expression of coagulation proteins, factor V and thrombomodulin in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:62. [PMID: 36773096 PMCID: PMC9922242 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04714-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a disease affecting the corneal endothelium (CE), associated with a cytosine-thymine-guanine repeat expansion at the CTG18.1 locus in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene. It is unknown whether CTG18.1 expansions affect global methylation including TCF4 gene in CE or whether global CE methylation changes at advanced age. Using genome-wide DNA methylation array, we investigated methylation in CE from FECD patients with CTG18.1 expansions and studied the methylation in healthy CE at different ages. The most revealing DNA methylation findings were analyzed by gene expression and protein analysis. 3488 CpGs had significantly altered methylation pattern in FECD though no substantial changes were found in TCF4. The most hypermethylated site was in a predicted promoter of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) gene, and the most hypomethylated site was in a predicted promoter of coagulation factor V (F5 for gene, FV for protein). In FECD, AQP1 mRNA expression was variable, while F5 gene expression showed a ~ 23-fold increase. FV protein was present in both healthy and affected CE. Further gene expression analysis of coagulation factors interacting with FV revealed a ~ 34-fold increase of thrombomodulin (THBD). THBD protein was detected only in CE from FECD patients. Additionally, we observed an age-dependent hypomethylation in elderly healthy CE.Thus, tissue-specific genome-wide and gene-specific methylation changes associated with altered gene expression were discovered in FECD. TCF4 pathological methylation in FECD because of CTG18.1 expansion was ruled out.
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Iulmetova LN, Kulemin NA, Sharova EI. The approach to patient clustering based on the microchip data confined to distinct loci using the combinations of variants. BULLETIN OF RUSSIAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2023.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy is a socially significant hereditary disease. More than a half of cases in the European population are caused by the increased number of trinucleotude repeats in the TCF4 gene. The study was aimed to develop and test the approach of dividing patients into groups based on the chip-based genotyping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) results. The analysis was conducted using FECD Genetics Multi-center Study and AREDs project datasets containing the data of 1721 clinical cases and 2408 control patients. When analyzing the GWAS results, the patients and the control group were divided into two groups by means of hierarchical clustering suggesting that patients with the increased number of repeats in the TCF4 gene are carriers of specific combinations of genomic variants (haplotypes). It was shown that individual variants cannot be used for the molecular genetic stratification of patients with the increased number of repeats in TCF4 due to inconsistent results obtained for the variants. Furthermore, the haplotype-based approach outperformed the SNPs in terms of odds ratio. The paper proposes a method that enables further search for the biologically relevant combinations of genomic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- LN Iulmetova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - NA Kulemin
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - EI Sharova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
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22
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Ting DSJ, Deshmukh R, Ting DSW, Ang M. Big data in corneal diseases and cataract: Current applications and future directions. Front Big Data 2023; 6:1017420. [PMID: 36818823 PMCID: PMC9929069 DOI: 10.3389/fdata.2023.1017420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The accelerated growth in electronic health records (EHR), Internet-of-Things, mHealth, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the recent years have significantly fuelled the interest and development in big data research. Big data refer to complex datasets that are characterized by the attributes of "5 Vs"-variety, volume, velocity, veracity, and value. Big data analytics research has so far benefitted many fields of medicine, including ophthalmology. The availability of these big data not only allow for comprehensive and timely examinations of the epidemiology, trends, characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors of many diseases, but also enable the development of highly accurate AI algorithms in diagnosing a wide range of medical diseases as well as discovering new patterns or associations of diseases that are previously unknown to clinicians and researchers. Within the field of ophthalmology, there is a rapidly expanding pool of large clinical registries, epidemiological studies, omics studies, and biobanks through which big data can be accessed. National corneal transplant registries, genome-wide association studies, national cataract databases, and large ophthalmology-related EHR-based registries (e.g., AAO IRIS Registry) are some of the key resources. In this review, we aim to provide a succinct overview of the availability and clinical applicability of big data in ophthalmology, particularly from the perspective of corneal diseases and cataract, the synergistic potential of big data, AI technologies, internet of things, mHealth, and wearable smart devices, and the potential barriers for realizing the clinical and research potential of big data in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren S. J. Ting
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom,Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom,Academic Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Darren S. J. Ting ✉
| | - Rashmi Deshmukh
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Daniel S. W. Ting
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marcus Ang
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Heckenlaible NJ, Dun C, Prescott C, Eghrari AO, Woreta F, Makary MA, Srikumaran D. Predictors of Receiving Keratoplasty for Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy among Medicare Beneficiaries. Ophthalmology 2023; 130:28-38. [PMID: 35932840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.07.030] [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] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify factors associated with receipt of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in patients with Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age or older with a FECD diagnosis between 2011 and 2019. METHODS The 100% Medicare fee-for-service administrative claims database was queried for treatment-naïve FECD patients. A multivariate logistic regression model including age, race and ethnicity, sex, geography, ocular comorbidities and surgeries, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and socioeconomic status was used to identify factors associated with receipt of EK and PK. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to determine the rate of EK after cataract or complex or other anterior segment surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Factors associated with receipt of an EK or PK, plus rate of EK after cataract or complex or other anterior segment surgery. RESULTS Of 719 066 beneficiaries identified, 31 372 (4.4%) received an EK and 2426 (0.3%) received a PK. In a multivariate analysis, female sex decreased likelihood of both EK and PK (adjusted odds ratio 0.83 [95% confidence interval 0.81-0.85] and 0.84 [0.78-0.92], respectively), while Western residence (1.33 [1.29-1.38]; 1.25 [1.11-1.42]) compared to Southern and history of complex or other anterior segment surgery (1.62 [1.54-1.70]; 5.52 [4.97-6.12]) increased the likelihood of both. Compared to Whites, the likelihood of EK was decreased for Black (0.76 [0.72-0.80]), Asian or Pacific Islander (0.54 [0.48-0.61]), and Hispanic or Latino (0.62 [0.55-0.70]) race and ethnicity, while for the same groups likelihood of PK was increased (for Black 1.32 [1.14-1.53]; Asian/Pacific Islander 1.46 [1.13-1.89]; and Hispanic/Latino 1.62 [1.25-2.11]). Following cataract or complex/other anterior segment surgery, rates of EK were 1.3% and 3.3% at 1 year and 2.3% and 5.6% at 8 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In a multivariate analysis, women beneficiaries are less likely to receive EK or PK for FECD compared with men, whereas non-White beneficiaries are less likely to receive EK and more likely to receive PK compared with White beneficiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas J Heckenlaible
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chen Dun
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christina Prescott
- NYU Langone Eye Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Allen O Eghrari
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Fasika Woreta
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Martin A Makary
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Divya Srikumaran
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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24
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Jalilian I, Muppala S, Ali M, Anderson JD, Phinney B, Salemi M, Wilmarth PA, Murphy CJ, Thomasy SM, Raghunathan V. Cell derived matrices from bovine corneal endothelial cells as a model to study cellular dysfunction. Exp Eye Res 2023; 226:109303. [PMID: 36343671 PMCID: PMC11349083 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive corneal disease that impacts the structure and stiffness of the Descemet's membrane (DM), the substratum for corneal endothelial cells (CECs). These structural alterations of the DM could contribute to the loss of the CECs resulting in corneal edema and blindness. Oxidative stress and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathways have been implicated in endothelial cell loss and endothelial to mesenchymal transition of CECs in FECD. Ascorbic acid (AA) is found at high concentrations in FECD and its impact on CEC survival has been investigated. However, how TGF-β and AA effect the composition and rigidity of the CEC's matrix remains unknown. METHODS In this study, we investigated the effect of AA, TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 on the deposition, ultrastructure, stiffness, and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by primary bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCECs). RESULTS Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy post-decellularization demonstrated a robust deposition and distinct structure of ECM in response to treatments. AFM measurements showed that the modulus of the matrix in BCECs treated with TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 was significantly lower than the controls. There was no difference in the stiffness of the matrix between the AA-treated cell and controls. Gene Ontology analysis of the proteomics results revealed that AA modulates the oxidative stress pathway in the matrix while TGF-β induces the expression of matrix proteins collagen IV, laminin, and lysyl oxidase homolog 1. CONCLUSIONS Molecular pathways identified in this study demonstrate the differential role of soluble factors in the pathogenesis of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Jalilian
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Santoshi Muppala
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Maryam Ali
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Johnathon D Anderson
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Brett Phinney
- Proteomics Core, University of California, Davis Genome Center, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Michelle Salemi
- Proteomics Core, University of California, Davis Genome Center, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Phillip A Wilmarth
- Proteomics Shared Resources, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - VijayKrishna Raghunathan
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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25
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Wren GH, Davies W. X-linked ichthyosis: New insights into a multi-system disorder. SKIN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2022; 2:e179. [PMID: 36479267 PMCID: PMC9720199 DOI: 10.1002/ski2.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Background X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) is a rare genetic condition almostexclusively affecting males; it is characterised by abnormal desquamation and retentionhyperkeratosis, and presents with polygonal brown scales. Most cases resultfrom genetic deletions within Xp22.31 spanning the STS (steroid sulfatase)gene, with the remaining cases resulting from STS-specific mutations. For manyyears it has been recognised that individuals with XLI are at increased risk ofcryptorchidism and corneal opacities. Methods We discuss emerging evidence that such individuals are alsomore likely to be affected by a range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatrictraits, by cardiac arrhythmias, and by rare fibrotic and bleeding-relatedconditions. We consider candidate mechanisms that may confer elevatedlikelihood of these individual conditions, and propose a novel commonbiological risk pathway. Results Understanding the prevalence, nature and co-occurrence ofcomorbidities associated with XLI is critical for ensuring early identificationof symptoms and for providing the most effective genetic counselling andmultidisciplinary care for affected individuals. Conclusion Future work in males with XLI, and in new preclinical andcellular model systems, should further clarify underlying pathophysiologicalmechanisms amenable to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William Davies
- School of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- School of MedicineCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation InstituteCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
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26
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Xu TT, Baratz KH, Fautsch MP, Hodge DO, Mahr MA. Cancer Risk in Patients With Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea 2022; 41:1088-1093. [PMID: 35588167 PMCID: PMC9120714 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to quantify cancer risk in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). METHODS Using the 2014 to 2016 Medicare Limited 5% Data Sets-Carrier Line File, US Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries (aged 65 years or older) with FECD and cancer were identified through International Classification of Diseases , ninth and 10th Revision diagnostic codes from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016. The main outcome measures were odds ratios (ORs) of cancer at various anatomic locations in patients with versus without FECD. RESULTS Of the 1,462,740 Medicare beneficiaries, 15,534 patients (1.1%) had an International Classification of Disease code for FECD. Compared with US Medicare beneficiaries without FECD, patients with FECD were at increased risk for the following malignancies: breast [OR: 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.43; P < 0.001], cutaneous basal cell (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.35-1.49; P < 0.001), cutaneous melanoma (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03-1.40; P = 0.02), cutaneous squamous cell (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.38-1.53; P < 0.001), ovarian (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.48-2.30; P < 0.001), and thyroid (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.04-1.68; P = 0.02). By contrast, FECD cases were at lower odds of having lung (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71-0.93; P = 0.003) and prostate cancer diagnoses (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81-0.96; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Patients with FECD aged 65 years or older may be at increased risk for cancer at several anatomic locations. Follow-up studies are needed to further explore the association of FECD and malignancy, elucidate potential disease mechanisms, and identify genetic and/or environmental risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T. Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - David O. Hodge
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Michael A. Mahr
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Fitzgerald T, Birney E. CNest: A novel copy number association discovery method uncovers 862 new associations from 200,629 whole-exome sequence datasets in the UK Biobank. CELL GENOMICS 2022; 2:100167. [PMID: 36779085 PMCID: PMC9903682 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Copy number variation (CNV) is known to influence human traits, having a rich history of research into common and rare genetic disease, and although CNV is accepted as an important class of genomic variation, progress on copy-number-based genome-wide association studies (GWASs) from next-generation sequencing (NGS) data has been limited. Here we present a novel method for large-scale copy number analysis from NGS data generating robust copy number estimates and allowing copy number GWASs (CN-GWASs) to be performed genome-wide in discovery mode. We provide a detailed analysis in the UK Biobank resource and a specifically designed software package. We use these methods to perform CN-GWAS analysis across 78 human traits, discovering over 800 genetic associations that are likely to contribute strongly to trait distributions. Finally, we compare CNV and SNP association signals across the same traits and samples, defining specific CNV association classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Fitzgerald
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Ewan Birney
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
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28
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Kannabiran C, Chaurasia S, Ramappa M, Mootha VV. Update on the genetics of corneal endothelial dystrophies. Indian J Ophthalmol 2022; 70:2239-2248. [PMID: 35791103 PMCID: PMC9426112 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_992_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of diseases with different modes of inheritance and genetic basis for each dystrophy. The genes associated with these diseases encode transcription factors, structural components of the stroma and Descemet membrane, cell transport proteins, and others. Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is associated with mutations in two genes, OVOL2 and SLC4A11, for dominant and recessive forms of CHED, respectively. Mutations in three genes are known to cause posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD). They are OVOL2 (PPCD1), ZEB1 (PPCD3), and GRHL1 (PPCD4). The PPCD2 locus involving the collagen gene COL8A2 on chromosome 1 is disputed due to insufficient evidence. Mutations in the COL8A2 gene are associated with early-onset Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Several genes have been associated with the more common, late-onset FECD. Alterations in each of these genes occur in a fraction of patients, and the most prevalent genetic alteration in FECD patients across the world is a triplet repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene. Knowledge of the genetics of corneal endothelial dystrophies has considerably advanced within the last decade and has contributed to better diagnosis of these dystrophies as well as opened up the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches based on the molecular mechanisms involved. The functions of genes identified to date provide insights into the pathogenic mechanisms involved in each disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Kannabiran
- Kallam Anji Reddy Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Sunita Chaurasia
- Centre for Rare Eye Diseases and Ocular Genetics; The Cornea Institute; Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Center, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Muralidhar Ramappa
- Centre for Rare Eye Diseases and Ocular Genetics; The Cornea Institute; Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Center, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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29
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Maier PC, Reinhard T. Kataraktoperation beim Vorliegen einer Fuchs-Endotheldystrophie. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:767-774. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1756-5199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungBei Betroffenen mit einer Fuchs-Endotheldystrophie beginnen die Probleme mit den Augen häufig in einem Alter, in dem sich auch schon erste Anzeichen einer Katarakt zeigen. Und umgekehrt
findet man in der augenärztlichen Praxis immer wieder Patient*innen mit einer deutlichen Katarakt und einer Cornea guttata als Nebenbefund. In beiden Situationen stellt sich dann die Frage,
ob zunächst nur eine posteriore lamelläre Keratoplastik (in Deutschland meist als DMEK) bzw. nur eine Kataraktoperation erfolgen oder ob gleich ein kombiniertes Vorgehen (sog.
Triple-Operation) angestrebt werden sollte. Nur bei jungen Betroffenen mit einer fortgeschrittenen Fuchs-Endotheldystrophie ohne jeglichen Hinweis auf eine Katarakt und gut erhaltener
Akkommodation kann, je nach individuellen Gegebenheiten, eine alleinige DMEK sinnvoll sein, in allen anderen Fällen erscheint eine Triple-Operation geeigneter. Dabei erscheint ein
sequenzielles Vorgehen in diesen Situationen weniger angebracht, da sich in zahlreichen Studien zeigte, dass der Verlauf und die Ergebnisse nach einer Triple-Operation mit denen nach einem
sequenziellen Vorgehen vergleichbar sind. Beim Vorliegen einer signifikanten Katarakt und einer Cornea guttata fällt die Entscheidung im Hinblick auf das operative Vorgehen deutlich
schwerer. Hierbei gibt es unterschiedliche Aspekte in der Anamnese sowie den ophthalmologischen Untersuchungen (z. B. zentrale Hornhautdicke, Endothelzelldichte), die einem bei der
Entscheidung helfen können. Soll dann zunächst nur eine Kataraktoperation erfolgen, sollten geeignete Maßnahmen ergriffen werden, um ein möglichst optimales Ergebnis trotz Vorliegen der
Cornea guttata zu erreichen. Im folgenden Beitrag soll auf die wichtigsten prä-, peri- und postoperativen Aspekte im Hinblick auf die bestmögliche operative Versorgung von Betroffenen mit
Fuchs-Endotheldystrophie und Katarakt eingegangen werden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Christian Maier
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Reinhard
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
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Chakraborty M, Das RK, Samal S, Das S, Alone DP. Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy associated risk variant, rs3768617 in LAMC1 shows allele specific binding of GFI1B. Gene 2022; 817:146179. [PMID: 35031421 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the genetic and functional association of an intronic variant of LAMC1, rs3768617 with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in the Indian population. METHODS Blood samples were collected from age and sex matched 356 controls and 120 FECD patients after a detailed assessment via specular microscopy. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyping was done by fluorescence based capillary electrophoresis. The genetic association of rs3768617 polymorphisms was computed by the chi-square (χ2) test. Bioinformatics studies were performed to find the allele specific binding of different transcription factors in the region of rs3768617 and functional evaluation assessed by luciferase assay followed by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP). Immunofluorescence assay was carried out to check for any differential expression of GFI1B between control and FECD endothelium samples. RESULTS SNP rs3768617 {chr1:183123365 (GRCh38.p13)} was found to be genetically associated with FECD in Indian population (p = 2.646 × 10-8). Luciferase assay suggested that the rs3768617 locus has a regulatory role. In silico analysis showed that the transcription factor, GFI1B binds to the risk allele 'G' of rs3768617, but not to the protective allele 'A' which was also experimentally validated by EMSA. High enrichment of DNA flanking the surrounding region of rs3768617 was also found in presence of GFI1B specific antibody in ChIP assay. There was a 0.63 fold decrease in GFI1B expression in FECD affected corneal endothelium compared to control endothelium. CONCLUSIONS The genetic association of rs3768617 in LAMC1 with FECD pathogenesis is mediated by GFI1B, thus finding the functional role of LAMC1 in FECD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maynak Chakraborty
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, HBNI, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Das
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, HBNI, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Sujata Samal
- LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Sujata Das
- LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Debasmita Pankaj Alone
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, HBNI, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India.
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Chen C, Zhang B, Xue J, Li Z, Dou S, Chen H, Wang Q, Qu M, Wang H, Zhang Y, Wan L, Zhou Q, Xie L. Pathogenic Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Diabetic Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:4. [PMID: 35238867 PMCID: PMC8899864 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.3.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Progressive corneal edema and endothelial cell loss represent the major corneal complications observed in diabetic patients after intraocular surgery. However, the underlying pathogenesis and potential treatment remain incompletely understood. Methods We used streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice and db/db type 2 diabetic mice as diabetic animal models. These mice were treated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress agonist thapsigargin; 60-mmHg intraocular pressure (IOP) with the ER stress antagonist 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA); mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1; or reactive oxygen species scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Corneal thickness and endothelial cell density were measured before and after treatment. Human corneal endothelial cells were treated with high glucose with or without 4-PBA. The expression of corneal endothelial- and ER stress–related genes was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were measured with an Agilent Seahorse XFp Analyzer. Results In diabetic mice, the appearance of ER stress preceded morphological changes in the corneal endothelium. The persistent ER stress directly caused corneal edema and endothelial cell loss in normal mice. Pharmacological inhibition of ER stress was sufficient to mitigate corneal edema and endothelial cell loss in both diabetic mice after high IOP treatment. Mechanistically, inhibiting ER stress ameliorated the hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial bioenergetic deficits and improved the barrier and pump functional recovery of the corneal endothelium. When compared with NAC, 4-PBA and SkQ1 exhibited better improvement of corneal edema and endothelial cell loss in diabetic mice. Conclusions Hyperglycemia-induced ER stress contributes to the dysfunction of diabetic corneal endothelium, and inhibiting ER stress may offer therapeutic potential by improving mitochondrial bioenergetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Medical College of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Junfa Xue
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Zongyi Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shengqian Dou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Huilin Chen
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Qun Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mingli Qu
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Huifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Luqin Wan
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lixin Xie
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University, and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China.,Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
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Donau J, Luo H, Virta I, Skupin A, Pushina M, Loeffler J, Haertel FV, Das A, Kurth T, Gerlach M, Lindemann D, Reinach PS, Mergler S, Valtink M. TRPV4 Stimulation Level Regulates Ca2+-Dependent Control of Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Viability and Survival. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12030281. [PMID: 35323756 PMCID: PMC8952823 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12030281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The functional contribution of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) expression in maintaining human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) homeostasis is unclear. Accordingly, we determined the effects of TRPV4 gene and protein overexpression on responses modulating the viability and survival of HCEC. Q-PCR, Western blot, FACS analyses and fluorescence single-cell calcium imaging confirmed TRPV4 gene and protein overexpression in lentivirally transduced 12V4 cells derived from their parent HCEC-12 line. Although TRPV4 overexpression did not alter the baseline transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), its cellular capacitance (Ccl) was larger than that in its parent. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that only the 12V4 cells developed densely packed villus-like protrusions. Stimulation of TRPV4 activity with GSK1016790A (GSK101, 10 µmol/L) induced larger Ca2+ transients in the 12V4 cells than those in the parental HCEC-12. One to ten nmol/L GSK101 decreased 12V4 viability, increased cell death rates and reduced the TEER, whereas 1 µmol/L GSK101 was required to induce similar effects in the HCEC-12. However, the TRPV4 channel blocker RN1734 (1 to 30 µmol/L) failed to alter HCEC-12 and 12V4 morphology, cell viability and metabolic activity. Taken together, TRPV4 overexpression altered both the HCEC morphology and markedly lowered the GSK101 dosages required to stimulate its channel activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Donau
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.D.); (A.S.); (M.P.); (J.L.)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Huan Luo
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (H.L.); (I.V.)
| | - Iiris Virta
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (H.L.); (I.V.)
| | - Annett Skupin
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.D.); (A.S.); (M.P.); (J.L.)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Margarita Pushina
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.D.); (A.S.); (M.P.); (J.L.)
| | - Jana Loeffler
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.D.); (A.S.); (M.P.); (J.L.)
| | - Frauke V. Haertel
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Anupam Das
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Michael Gerlach
- Core Facility Cellular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Dirk Lindemann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Peter S. Reinach
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China;
| | - Stefan Mergler
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (H.L.); (I.V.)
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Monika Valtink
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.D.); (A.S.); (M.P.); (J.L.)
- Equality and Diversity Unit, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (M.V.)
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Moshirfar M, Huynh R, Ellis JH. Cataract surgery and intraocular lens placement in patients with Fuchs corneal dystrophy: a review of the current literature. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2022; 33:21-27. [PMID: 34743088 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is seen in approximately 4% of individuals over the age of 40. With the growing population of adults over the age of 65, ophthalmologists need to be aware of the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative considerations involved in cataract surgery in Fuchs patients. RECENT FINDINGS Management of cataract patients with FECD requires preoperative assessment of endothelial cell size, density, and morphology. Considerations for perioperative endothelial cell loss include patients with hyperopia and shallow anterior chambers, phacoemulsification technique, transfer of ultrasonic energy to the cornea, corneal-protective perioperative agents, as well as thermal and mechanical damage. SUMMARY Ophthalmologists performing cataract surgery on patients with FECD must carefully consider the risks of endothelial cell loss during surgery and minimize the risk of corneal decompensation after surgery. Preoperative management should evaluate the severity of the FECD as well as individual factors such as cataract density, the health and thickness of the cornea, and the anterior chamber depth. Perioperative techniques, adjustments to biometry calculations, and intraocular lens (IOL) selection may help optimize visual outcomes and recovery time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Moshirfar
- Hoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, Draper, Utah, USA
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Rachel Huynh
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - James H Ellis
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Wilson MR, Satapathy S, Jeong S, Fini ME. Clusterin, other extracellular chaperones, and eye disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 89:101032. [PMID: 34896599 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101032] [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: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Proteostasis refers to all the processes that maintain the correct expression level, location, folding and turnover of proteins, essential to organismal survival. Both inside cells and in body fluids, molecular chaperones play key roles in maintaining proteostasis. In this article, we focus on clusterin, the first-recognized extracellular mammalian chaperone, and its role in diseases of the eye. Clusterin binds to and inhibits the aggregation of proteins that are misfolded due to mutations or stresses, clears these aggregating proteins from extracellular spaces, and facilitates their degradation. Clusterin exhibits three main homeostatic activities: proteostasis, cytoprotection, and anti-inflammation. The so-called "protein misfolding diseases" are caused by aggregation of misfolded proteins that accumulate pathologically as deposits in tissues; we discuss several such diseases that occur in the eye. Clusterin is typically found in these deposits, which is interpreted to mean that its capacity as a molecular chaperone to maintain proteostasis is overwhelmed in the disease state. Nevertheless, the role of clusterin in diseases involving such deposits needs to be better defined before therapeutic approaches can be entertained. A more straightforward case can be made for therapeutic use of clusterin based on its proteostatic role as a proteinase inhibitor, as well as its cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. It is likely that clusterin works together in this way with other extracellular chaperones to protect the eye from disease, and we discuss several examples. We end this article by predicting future steps that may lead to development of clusterin as a biological drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Wilson
- Molecular Horizons and the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia.
| | - Sandeep Satapathy
- Molecular Horizons and the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, New South Wales, 2522, Australia.
| | - Shinwu Jeong
- USC Roski Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo Street., Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - M Elizabeth Fini
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine; Program in Pharmacology & Drug Development, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, 800 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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New Therapies for Corneal Endothelial Diseases: 2020 and Beyond. Cornea 2021; 40:1365-1373. [PMID: 34633355 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Penetrating keratoplasty used to be the only surgical technique for the treatment of end-stage corneal endothelial diseases. Improvements in surgical techniques over the past decade have now firmly established endothelial keratoplasty as a safe and effective modality for the treatment of corneal endothelial diseases. However, there is a worldwide shortage of corneal tissue, with more than 50% of the world having no access to cadaveric tissue. Cell injection therapy and tissue-engineered endothelial keratoplasty may potentially offer comparable results as endothelial keratoplasty while maximizing the use of cadaveric donor corneal tissue. Descemet stripping only, Descemet membrane transplantation, and selective endothelial removal are novel therapeutic modalities that take this a step further by relying on endogenous corneal endothelial cell regeneration, instead of allogenic corneal endothelial cell transfer. Gene therapy modalities, including antisense oligonucleotides and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-based gene editing, offer the holy grail of potentially suppressing the phenotypic expression of genetically determined corneal endothelial diseases at the asymptomatic stage. We now stand at the crossroads of exciting developments in medical technologies that will likely revolutionize the way we treat corneal endothelial diseases over the next 2 decades.
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Viberg A, Westin IM, Golovleva I, Byström B. TCF4 trinucleotide repeat expansion in Swedish cases with Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 100:541-548. [PMID: 34644448 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) has been considered a genetically heterogeneous disease but is increasingly associated with the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene. This study investigates the prevalence of the cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG)n repeat expansion in TCF4 among FECD patients in northern Sweden coupled to the phenotype. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 85 FECD cases at different stages. Short tandem repeat PCR and triplet repeat-primed PCR were applied in order to determine TCF4 (CTG)n genotype. RESULTS A (CTG)n repeat expansion (n > 50) in TCF4 was identified in 76 of 85 FECD cases (89.4%) and in four of 102 controls (3.9%). The median (CTG)n repeat length was 81 (IQR 39.3) in mild FECD and 87 (IQR 13.0) in severe FECD (p = 0.01). A higher number of (CTG)n repeats in an expanded TCF4 allele increased the probability of severe FECD. Other ocular surgery was overrepresented in FECD cases without a (CTG)n repeat expansion (44.4%, n = 4) compared with 3.9% (n = 3) in FECD cases with an (CTG)n repeat expansion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION In northern Sweden, the FECD phenotype is associated with (CTG)n expansion in the TCF4 gene, with nearly 90% of patients being hetero- or homozygous for (CTG)n expansion over 50 repeats. Furthermore, the severity of FECD was associated with the repeat length in the TCF4 gene. Ocular surgery might act as an environmental factor explaining the clinical disease in FECD without a repeat expansion in TCF4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Viberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Ophthalmology Umeå University Umeå Sweden
| | - Ida Maria Westin
- Department of Medical Biosciences/Medical and Clinical Genetics Umeå University Umeå Sweden
| | - Irina Golovleva
- Department of Medical Biosciences/Medical and Clinical Genetics Umeå University Umeå Sweden
| | - Berit Byström
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Ophthalmology Umeå University Umeå Sweden
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Simcoe MJ, Khawaja AP, Hysi PG, Hammond CJ. Genome-wide association study of corneal biomechanical properties identifies over 200 loci providing insight into the genetic etiology of ocular diseases. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3154-3164. [PMID: 32716492 PMCID: PMC7645703 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa155] [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: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor are parameters that reflect the dynamic biomechanical properties of the cornea and have been shown to be biomarkers of corneal disease. In this genome-wide association study of over 100 000 participants, we identified over 200 genetic loci, all but eight novel, significantly associated with either one or both of these traits. In addition to providing key insights into the genetic architecture underlying normal corneal function, these results identify many candidate loci in the study of corneal diseases that lead to severe visual impairment. Additionally, using Mendelian randomization, we were able to identify causal relationships between corneal biomechanics and intraocular pressure measurements, which help elucidate the relationship between corneal properties and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Simcoe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kings College London, London, UK, SE1 7EH.,Department of Twins Research and Genetic Epidemiology, Kings College London, London, UK, SE1 7EH.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 9EL
| | - Anthony P Khawaja
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK, EC1V 2PD.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK, CB1 8RN
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kings College London, London, UK, SE1 7EH.,Department of Twins Research and Genetic Epidemiology, Kings College London, London, UK, SE1 7EH.,Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom, WC1N 1EH
| | - Christopher J Hammond
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kings College London, London, UK, SE1 7EH.,Department of Twins Research and Genetic Epidemiology, Kings College London, London, UK, SE1 7EH
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Kuot A, Corbett MA, Mills RA, Snibson G, Wiffen S, Loh R, Burdon KP, Craig JE, Sharma S. Differential gene expression analysis of corneal endothelium indicates involvement of phagocytic activity in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2021; 210:108692. [PMID: 34228965 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive vision impairing disease caused by thickening of Descemet's membrane and gradual degeneration and loss of corneal endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes between FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease. Microarray gene expression analysis was performed on total RNA from FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium-Descemet's membrane (CE-DM) specimens using the Illumina HumanHT-12 v4.0 expression array. RNA from pools of FECD-affected (n = 3 per pool) and individual unaffected (n = 3) specimens was used for comparison. Altered expression of a sub-set of differentially expressed genes was validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in independent specimens. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using InnateDB to reveal functional relationships among the differentially expressed genes and molecular pathways involved in the disease. A total of 16,513 genes were found expressed in the corneal endothelium of which 142 genes were differentially expressed between FECD-affected and unaffected endothelium (log2 fold-change ≥1.5, corrected p-value ≤0.05). Most of the genes were up-regulated (126) and a small proportion down-regulated (16) in affected corneal endothelium. Of the twelve genes prioritised for validation, differential expression of 10 genes, including those ranked 57th and 81st by significance validated by qRT-PCR (8 up-regulated and 2 downregulated, corrected p ≤ 0.05), one gene showed a trend for up-regulation in affected endothelium, consistent with the microarray analysis and another was up-regulated in an independent study indicating robustness of the differential expression dataset. Bioinformatic analysis revealed significant over-representation of differentially expressed genes in extracellular matrix reorganisation, cellular remodelling, immune response, and inflammation. Network analysis showed functional inter-relatedness of the majority of the dysregulated genes and revealed known direct functional relationships between 20 of the genes; many of these genes have roles in macrophage differentiation, phagocytosis and inflammation. This is the second report of microarray gene expression analysis in FECD. This study revealed a set of highly dysregulated genes in the corneal endothelium in FECD. More than a third of the dysregulated genes in the disease have been discovered for the first time and thus are novel. The dysregulated genes strongly suggest the presence of phagocytic cells, most likely immune cells, and inflammation in corneal endothelium in the disease. This study provides a molecular framework for delineating the mechanisms underlying these cellular processes in FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Kuot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Mark A Corbett
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Richard A Mills
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Grant Snibson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Steven Wiffen
- The Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Raymond Loh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Kathryn P Burdon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Shiwani Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.
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39
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van der Heide C, Goar W, Meyer KJ, Alward WLM, Boese EA, Sears NC, Roos BR, Kwon YH, DeLuca AP, Siggs OM, Gonzaga-Jauregui C, Sheffield VC, Wang K, Stone EM, Mullins RF, Anderson MG, Fan BJ, Ritch R, Craig JE, Wiggs JL, Scheetz TE, Fingert JH. Exome-based investigation of the genetic basis of human pigmentary glaucoma. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:477. [PMID: 34174832 PMCID: PMC8235805 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07782-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual disability and blindness. Release of iris pigment within the eye, pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS), can lead to one type of glaucoma known as pigmentary glaucoma. PDS has a genetic component, however, the genes involved with this condition are largely unknown. We sought to discover genes that cause PDS by testing cohorts of patients and controls for mutations using a tiered analysis of exome data. Results Our primary analysis evaluated melanosome-related genes that cause dispersion of iris pigment in mice (TYRP1, GPNMB, LYST, DCT, and MITF). We identified rare mutations, but they were not statistically enriched in PDS patients. Our secondary analyses examined PMEL (previously linked with PDS), MRAP, and 19 other genes. Four MRAP mutations were identified in PDS cases but not in controls (p = 0.016). Immunohistochemical analysis of human donor eyes revealed abundant MRAP protein in the iris, the source of pigment in PDS. However, analysis of MRAP in additional cohorts (415 cases and 1645 controls) did not support an association with PDS. We also did not confirm a link between PMEL and PDS in our cohorts due to lack of reported mutations and similar frequency of the variants in PDS patients as in control subjects. Conclusions We did not detect a statistical enrichment of mutations in melanosome-related genes in human PDS patients and we found conflicting data about the likely pathogenicity of MRAP mutations. PDS may have a complex genetic basis that is not easily unraveled with exome analyses. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07782-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly van der Heide
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Wes Goar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kacie J Meyer
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Wallace L M Alward
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Erin A Boese
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nathan C Sears
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ben R Roos
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Young H Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Adam P DeLuca
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Owen M Siggs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Val C Sheffield
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Edwin M Stone
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Robert F Mullins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Michael G Anderson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City VA Healthcare System, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Bao Jian Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Ritch
- Einhorn Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Janey L Wiggs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Todd E Scheetz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - John H Fingert
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, 3111B Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA52245, USA. .,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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40
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Liu X, Zheng T, Zhao C, Zhang Y, Liu H, Wang L, Liu P. Genetic mutations and molecular mechanisms of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. EYE AND VISION 2021; 8:24. [PMID: 34130750 PMCID: PMC8204469 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-021-00246-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is a hereditary disease and the most frequent cause of corneal transplantation in the worldwide. Its main clinical signs are an accelerated decrease in the number of endothelial cells, thickening of Descemet’s membrane and formation of guttae in the extracellular matrix. The cornea’s ability to maintain stromal dehydration is impaired, causing painful epithelial bullae and loss of vision at the point when the amount of corneal endothelial cells cannot be compensated. At present, apart from corneal transplantation, there is no other effective treatment that prevents blindness. Main text In this review, we first summarized the mutations of COL8A2, TCF4, TCF8, SLC4A11 and AGBL1 genes in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. The molecular mechanisms associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response pathway, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysregulation pathway, apoptosis pathway, mitophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway, RNA toxicity and repeat-associated non-ATG translation, and other pathogenesis, were then explored. Finally, we discussed several potential treatments related to the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, which may be the focus of future research. Conclusions The pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is very complicated. Currently, corneal transplantation is an important method in the treatment of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. It is necessary to continuously explore the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and establish the scientific foundations for the development of next-generation corneal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuerui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Tao Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chuchu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hanruo Liu
- The Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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41
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Uehara H, Zhang X, Pereira F, Narendran S, Choi S, Bhuvanagiri S, Liu J, Ravi Kumar S, Bohner A, Carroll L, Archer B, Zhang Y, Liu W, Gao G, Ambati J, Jun AS, Ambati BK. Start codon disruption with CRISPR/Cas9 prevents murine Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. eLife 2021; 10:e55637. [PMID: 34100716 PMCID: PMC8216720 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A missense mutation of collagen type VIII alpha 2 chain (COL8A2) gene leads to early-onset Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), which progressively impairs vision through the loss of corneal endothelial cells. We demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-based postnatal gene editing achieves structural and functional rescue in a mouse model of FECD. A single intraocular injection of an adenovirus encoding both the Cas9 gene and guide RNA (Ad-Cas9-Col8a2gRNA) efficiently knocked down mutant COL8A2 expression in corneal endothelial cells, prevented endothelial cell loss, and rescued corneal endothelium pumping function in adult Col8a2 mutant mice. There were no adverse sequelae on histology or electroretinography. Col8a2 start codon disruption represents a non-surgical strategy to prevent vision loss in early-onset FECD. As this demonstrates the ability of Ad-Cas9-gRNA to restore the phenotype in adult post-mitotic cells, this method may be widely applicable to adult-onset diseases, even in tissues affected with disorders of non-reproducing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Uehara
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Felipe Pereira
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Siddharth Narendran
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Susie Choi
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Sai Bhuvanagiri
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Jinlu Liu
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Sangeetha Ravi Kumar
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Austin Bohner
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Lara Carroll
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Bonnie Archer
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Yue Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Wei Liu
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Microbiology and Physiological Science Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Jayakrishna Ambati
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Albert S Jun
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Balamurali K Ambati
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
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42
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Walckling M, Waterstradt R, Baltrusch S. Collagen Remodeling Plays a Pivotal Role in Endothelial Corneal Dystrophies. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:1. [PMID: 33259606 PMCID: PMC7718819 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To elucidate the collagen structure in the Descemet membrane (DM) of the human cornea and to characterize its rearrangement in patients with endothelial corneal dystrophies. Methods Corneas from nine human donors and dystrophic DMs removed from 16 affected eyes of 13 patients by endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) were investigated using a correlative RT-qPCR and label-free two-channel multiphoton microscopy (MPM) setup. Although collagen formation was visualized by second harmonic generation, the cellular structure was determined by autofluorescence. Results The DM of the human donor cornea was characterized by a consistent pattern of fine hexagonal collagen structures that form a supportive scaffold for the endothelial cells. Accordingly, network-forming collagens (8A1 and 8A2) but less fibrillar collagens (only 1A2) were expressed. DMEK resulted in significant (P < 0.0001) improvement of best-corrected visual acuity. In the removed dystrophic DMs, MPM analyses revealed collagen rearrangement in addition to loss of endothelial cells and the development of guttae. MPM analyses of the whole patient's DM demonstrated this collagen remodeling in its entirety and facilitated correlation to Scheimpflug corneal tomography. In most DMs a unique honeycomb collagen network was identified, with distinct bundles surrounding the guttae and correlating with expression of fibrillar collagens (1A1). Conversely, some DMs showed either reduced collagen on MPM and RT-qPCR analysis or diffuse thickening and storage of extracellular matrix. Conclusions The collagen structure of the DM and its adaptive remodeling in endothelial corneal dystrophies has been characterized for the first time here and will facilitate individual therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Walckling
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Rica Waterstradt
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Simone Baltrusch
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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43
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Hardcastle AJ, Liskova P, Bykhovskaya Y, McComish BJ, Davidson AE, Inglehearn CF, Li X, Choquet H, Habeeb M, Lucas SEM, Sahebjada S, Pontikos N, Lopez KER, Khawaja AP, Ali M, Dudakova L, Skalicka P, Van Dooren BTH, Geerards AJM, Haudum CW, Faro VL, Tenen A, Simcoe MJ, Patasova K, Yarrand D, Yin J, Siddiqui S, Rice A, Farraj LA, Chen YDI, Rahi JS, Krauss RM, Theusch E, Charlesworth JC, Szczotka-Flynn L, Toomes C, Meester-Smoor MA, Richardson AJ, Mitchell PA, Taylor KD, Melles RB, Aldave AJ, Mills RA, Cao K, Chan E, Daniell MD, Wang JJ, Rotter JI, Hewitt AW, MacGregor S, Klaver CCW, Ramdas WD, Craig JE, Iyengar SK, O'Brart D, Jorgenson E, Baird PN, Rabinowitz YS, Burdon KP, Hammond CJ, Tuft SJ, Hysi PG. A multi-ethnic genome-wide association study implicates collagen matrix integrity and cell differentiation pathways in keratoconus. Commun Biol 2021; 4:266. [PMID: 33649486 PMCID: PMC7921564 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01784-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is characterised by reduced rigidity of the cornea with distortion and focal thinning that causes blurred vision, however, the pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown. It can lead to severe visual morbidity in children and young adults and is a common indication for corneal transplantation worldwide. Here we report the first large scale genome-wide association study of keratoconus including 4,669 cases and 116,547 controls. We have identified significant association with 36 genomic loci that, for the first time, implicate both dysregulation of corneal collagen matrix integrity and cell differentiation pathways as primary disease-causing mechanisms. The results also suggest pleiotropy, with some disease mechanisms shared with other corneal diseases, such as Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. The common variants associated with keratoconus explain 12.5% of the genetic variance, which shows potential for the future development of a diagnostic test to detect susceptibility to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Hardcastle
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Petra Liskova
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Yelena Bykhovskaya
- The Cornea Eye Institute, Beverly Hills, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery and Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bennet J McComish
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Chris F Inglehearn
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation (formerly Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Hélène Choquet
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Mahmoud Habeeb
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sionne E M Lucas
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Srujana Sahebjada
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Anthony P Khawaja
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Manir Ali
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Lubica Dudakova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Skalicka
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bart T H Van Dooren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands
| | | | - Christoph W Haudum
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Endocrinology Lab Platform, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Valeria Lo Faro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Abi Tenen
- Vision Eye Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Stem Cell Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Mark J Simcoe
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Karina Patasova
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Darioush Yarrand
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jie Yin
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Salina Siddiqui
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Aine Rice
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Layal Abi Farraj
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Yii-Der Ida Chen
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation (formerly Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Jugnoo S Rahi
- UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | | | - Jac C Charlesworth
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Carmel Toomes
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Magda A Meester-Smoor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea J Richardson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul A Mitchell
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Kent D Taylor
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation (formerly Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Ronald B Melles
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Anthony J Aldave
- The Jules Stein Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard A Mills
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ke Cao
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elsie Chan
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark D Daniell
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jie Jin Wang
- Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jerome I Rotter
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation (formerly Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Vision Eye Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Stem Cell Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Stuart MacGregor
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wishal D Ramdas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sudha K Iyengar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - David O'Brart
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- St Thomas Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas NHS Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Eric Jorgenson
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Paul N Baird
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yaron S Rabinowitz
- The Cornea Eye Institute, Beverly Hills, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery and Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathryn P Burdon
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Chris J Hammond
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
- St Thomas Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas NHS Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Stephen J Tuft
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK.
- UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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44
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Xu TT, Li YJ, Afshari NA, Aleff RA, Rinkoski TA, Patel SV, Maguire LJ, Edwards AO, Brown WL, Fautsch MP, Wieben ED, Baratz KH. Disease Expression and Familial Transmission of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy With and Without CTG18.1 Expansion. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:17. [PMID: 33444430 PMCID: PMC7814354 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.1.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize inheritance, penetrance, and trinucleotide repeat expansion stability in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Methods One thousand unrelated and related subjects with and without FECD were prospectively recruited. CTG18.1 repeat length (CTG18.1L) was determined via short tandem repeat assay and Southern blotting of leukocyte DNA. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized estimating equation models were employed. Results There were 546 unrelated FECD cases (67.6% female; 70 ± 10 years) and 235 controls (63.8% female; 73 ± 8 years; all ≥ 50 years). CTG18.1 expansion (CTG18.1exp+) was observed in 424 (77.7%) cases and 18 (7.7%) controls (P = 2.48 × 10-44). CTG18.1 expansion was associated with FECD severity (P = 5.62 × 10-7). The family arm of the study included 331 members from 112 FECD-affected families; 87 families were CTG18.1exp+. Autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expression of FECD was observed, regardless of expansion status. FECD penetrance of CTG18.1 expansion increased with age, ranging from 44.4% in the youngest (19-46 years) to 86.2% in the oldest (64-91 years) age quartiles. Among 62 parent-offspring transmissions of CTG18.1exp+, 48 (77.4%) had a change in CTG18.1L ≤ 10 repeats, and eight (12.9%) were ≥50 repeats, including five large expansions (∼1000-2000 repeats) that contracted. Among 44 offspring who did not inherit the CTG18.1exp+ allele, eight (18.2%) exhibited FECD. Conclusions CTG18.1 expansion was highly associated with FECD but demonstrated incomplete penetrance. CTG18.1L instability occurred in a minority of parent-offspring transmissions, with large expansions exhibiting contraction. The observation of FECD without CTG18.1 expansion among family members in CTG18.1exp+ families highlights the complexity of the relationship between the FECD phenotype and CTG18.1 expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T. Xu
- Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Yi-Ju Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Natalie A. Afshari
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Ross A. Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Tommy A. Rinkoski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Sanjay V. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Leo J. Maguire
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Albert O. Edwards
- Oregon Retina Division, Sterling Vision, Eugene, Oregon, United States
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - William L. Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Michael P. Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Eric D. Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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45
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Ong Tone S, Kocaba V, Böhm M, Wylegala A, White TL, Jurkunas UV. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: The vicious cycle of Fuchs pathogenesis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 80:100863. [PMID: 32438095 PMCID: PMC7648733 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common primary corneal endothelial dystrophy and the leading indication for corneal transplantation worldwide. FECD is characterized by the progressive decline of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) excrescences in Descemet's membrane (DM), called guttae, that lead to corneal edema and loss of vision. FECD typically manifests in the fifth decades of life and has a greater incidence in women. FECD is a complex and heterogeneous genetic disease where interaction between genetic and environmental factors results in cellular apoptosis and aberrant ECM deposition. In this review, we will discuss a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and exogenous factors in inciting oxidative stress, auto(mito)phagy, unfolded protein response, and mitochondrial dysfunction during CEC degeneration. Specifically, we explore the factors that influence cellular fate to undergo apoptosis, senescence, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings will highlight the importance of abnormal CEC-DM interactions in triggering the vicious cycle of FECD pathogenesis. We will also review clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools, and current medical and surgical management options for FECD patients. These new paradigms in FECD pathogenesis present an opportunity to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ong Tone
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Myriam Böhm
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adam Wylegala
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tomas L White
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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46
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Jiang X, Dellepiane N, Pairo-Castineira E, Boutin T, Kumar Y, Bickmore WA, Vitart V. Fine-mapping and cell-specific enrichment at corneal resistance factor loci prioritize candidate causal regulatory variants. Commun Biol 2020; 3:762. [PMID: 33311554 PMCID: PMC7732848 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01497-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal resistance factor (CRF) is altered during corneal diseases progression. Genome-wide-association studies (GWAS) indicated potential CRF and disease genetics overlap. Here, we characterise 135 CRF loci following GWAS in 76029 UK Biobank participants. Enrichment of extra-cellular matrix gene-sets, genetic correlation with corneal thickness (70% (SE = 5%)), reported keratoconus risk variants at 13 loci, all support relevance to corneal stroma biology. Fine-mapping identifies a subset of 55 highly likely causal variants, 91% of which are non-coding. Genomic features enrichments, using all associated variants, also indicate prominent regulatory causal role. We newly established open chromatin landscapes in two widely-used human cornea immortalised cell lines using ATAC-seq. Variants associated with CRF were significantly enriched in regulatory regions from the corneal stroma-derived cell line and enrichment increases to over 5 fold for variants prioritised by fine-mapping-including at GAS7, SMAD3 and COL6A1 loci. Our analysis generates many hypotheses for future functional validation of aetiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Jiang
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Nefeli Dellepiane
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Erola Pairo-Castineira
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Thibaud Boutin
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Yatendra Kumar
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Wendy A Bickmore
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK
| | - Veronique Vitart
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH42XU, UK.
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47
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McComish BJ, Sahebjada S, Bykhovskaya Y, Willoughby CE, Richardson AJ, Tenen A, Charlesworth JC, MacGregor S, Mitchell P, Lucas SEM, Mills RA, Mackey DA, Li X, Wang JJ, Jensen RA, Rotter JI, Taylor KD, Hewitt AW, Rabinowitz YS, Baird PN, Craig JE, Burdon KP. Association of Genetic Variation With Keratoconus. JAMA Ophthalmol 2020; 138:174-181. [PMID: 31855235 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.5293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Importance Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea progressively thins and protrudes in a conical shape, severely affecting refraction and vision. It is a major indication for corneal transplant. To discover new genetic loci associated with keratoconus and better understand the causative mechanism of this disease, we performed a genome-wide association study on patients with keratoconus. Objective To identify genetic susceptibility regions for keratoconus in the human genome. Design, Setting, and Participants This study was conducted with data from eye clinics in Australia, the United States, and Northern Ireland. The discovery cohort of individuals with keratoconus and control participants from Australia was genotyped using the Illumina HumanCoreExome single-nucleotide polymorphism array. After quality control and data cleaning, genotypes were imputed against the 1000 Genomes Project reference panel (phase III; version 5), and association analyses were completed using PLINK version 1.90. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms with P < 1.00 × 10-6 were assessed for replication in 3 additional cohorts. Control participants were drawn from the cohorts of the Blue Mountains Eye Study and a previous study of glaucoma. Replication cohorts were from a previous keratoconus genome-wide association study data set from the United States, a cohort of affected and control participants from Australia and Northern Ireland, and a case-control cohort from Victoria, Australia. Data were collected from January 2006 to March 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Associations between keratoconus and 6 252 612 genetic variants were estimated using logistic regression after adjusting for ancestry using the first 3 principal components. Results The discovery cohort included 522 affected individuals and 655 control participants, while the replication cohorts included 818 affected individuals (222 from the United States, 331 from Australia and Northern Ireland, and 265 from Victoria, Australia) and 3858 control participants (2927 from the United States, 229 from Australia and Northern Ireland, and 702 from Victoria, Australia). Two novel loci reached genome-wide significance (defined as P < 5.00 × 10-8), with a P value of 7.46 × 10-9 at rs61876744 in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 2 gene (PNPLA2) on chromosome 11 and a P value of 6.35 × 10-12 at rs138380, 2.2 kb upstream of casein kinase I isoform epsilon gene (CSNK1E) on chromosome 22. One additional locus was identified with a P value less than 1.00 × 10-6 in mastermind-like transcriptional coactivator 2 (MAML2) on chromosome 11 (P = 3.91 × 10-7). The novel locus in PNPLA2 reached genome-wide significance in an analysis of all 4 cohorts (P = 2.45 × 10-8). Conclusions and Relevance In this relatively large keratoconus genome-wide association study, we identified a genome-wide significant locus for keratoconus in the region of PNPLA2 on chromosome 11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bennet J McComish
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Srujana Sahebjada
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yelena Bykhovskaya
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.,Cornea Genetic Eye Institute, Beverly Hills, California.,Board of the Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Colin E Willoughby
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.,Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Abi Tenen
- Vision Eye Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Stem Cell Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jac C Charlesworth
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Paul Mitchell
- Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sionne E M Lucas
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Richard A Mills
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Science, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Jie Jin Wang
- Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard A Jensen
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jerome I Rotter
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Science, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Kent D Taylor
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Science, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yaron S Rabinowitz
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.,Cornea Genetic Eye Institute, Beverly Hills, California.,Board of the Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Paul N Baird
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kathryn P Burdon
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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48
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Bajaj RP, Fliotsos MJ, Pradeep T, Eghrari AO. Peripheral-to-central ratio of Guttae: validity and reliability of an objective method to characterize severity of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 259:685-690. [PMID: 33128674 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-020-04985-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Common methods of measuring severity of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) are limited in objectivity, reliability, or start with a variable baseline that prevents distinguishing healthy from affected eyes. The aim of this study was to describe a method of grading FECD that overcomes these limitations. METHODS Fifteen patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy were included in the study. Guttae were imaged with a slit lamp beam 8 mm tall; the bottom 4 mm half of each image was divided into two equally-sized sections. Guttae were counted by four independent graders blinded to disease severity scores. The peripheral:central guttae ratio was compared to modified Krachmer clinical severity scores. The peripheral:central guttae ratio was compared between mild (severity 0.5-3) versus moderate-to-severe (severity 4-5) disease. Receiver operating characteristics defined optimal ratio cutoffs for mild versus moderate-to-severe disease. RESULTS Increased peripheral guttae and peripheral:central guttae ratio correlated with Krachmer severity (p = 0.021 and p = 0.009, respectively). The difference between mild and moderate-to-severe cases for the peripheral:central guttae ratio was significant (p < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability of total guttae count was high (coefficient = 0.82, p < 0.001). A peripheral:central guttae ratio of 0.16 was the ideal cut-off point (area under the curve = 0.79, sensitivity = 0.78, and specificity = 0.80). CONCLUSION In this pilot study, the peripheral:central ratio of guttae correlates with subjective clinical severity of Fuchs dystrophy. It starts at a common baseline, has good inter-rater reliability, does not require dilation, and can be conducted with a smartphone and slit-lamp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan P Bajaj
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Fliotsos
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tejus Pradeep
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allen O Eghrari
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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49
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Trufanov SV, Fisenko NV. [Molecular genetic aspects of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy pathogenesis]. Vestn Oftalmol 2020; 136:260-267. [PMID: 33063975 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma2020136052260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs' corneal dystrophy (FCD) is a common bilateral non-inflammatory endothelial pathology. It is a multigenic disorder with various expressivity, penetrance and population prevalence. This review discusses corneal endothelium pump function, FCD pathogenesis and its known genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Trufanov
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia
| | - N V Fisenko
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow, Russia
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50
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Lovatt M, Kocaba V, Hui Neo DJ, Soh YQ, Mehta JS. Nrf2: A unifying transcription factor in the pathogenesis of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Redox Biol 2020; 37:101763. [PMID: 33099215 PMCID: PMC7578533 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2), is an oxidative stress induced transcription factor that regulates cytoprotective gene expression. Thus, Nrf2 is essential for cellular redox homeostasis. Loss or dysregulation of Nrf2 expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases, including diseases of the cornea. One of the most common diseases of the cornea in which Nrf2 is implicated is Fuchs' endothelial cornea dystrophy (FECD). FECD is the leading indication for corneal transplantation; and is associated with a loss of corneal endothelial cell (CEC) function. In this review, we propose that Nrf2 is an essential regulator of CEC function. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deficiency of Nrf2 function is a hallmark of FECD. In addition, we advocate that pharmacological targeting of Nrf2 as a possible therapy for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dawn Jing Hui Neo
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Yu Qiang Soh
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
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