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Navarro-Calvo J, Esquiva G, Gómez-Vicente V, Valor LM. MicroRNAs in the Mouse Developing Retina. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032992. [PMID: 36769311 PMCID: PMC9918188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is among the highest organized tissues of the central nervous system. To achieve such organization, a finely tuned regulation of developmental processes is required to form the retinal layers that contain the specialized neurons and supporting glial cells to allow precise phototransduction. MicroRNAs are a class of small RNAs with undoubtful roles in fundamental biological processes, including neurodevelopment of the brain and the retina. This review provides a short overview of the most important findings regarding microRNAs in the regulation of retinal development, from the developmental-dependent rearrangement of the microRNA expression program to the key roles of particular microRNAs in the differentiation and maintenance of retinal cell subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Navarro-Calvo
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Gema Esquiva
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Violeta Gómez-Vicente
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Luis M. Valor
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-965-913-988
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Swierkowska J, Karolak JA, Vishweswaraiah S, Mrugacz M, Radhakrishna U, Gajecka M. Decreased Levels of DNA Methylation in the PCDHA Gene Cluster as a Risk Factor for Early-Onset High Myopia in Young Children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:31. [PMID: 36036911 PMCID: PMC9434983 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.9.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose High myopia (HM), an eye disorder with at least –6.0 diopters refractive error, has a complex etiology with environmental, genetic, and likely epigenetic factors involved. To complement the DNA methylation assessment in children with HM, we analyzed genes that had significantly lower DNA methylation levels. Methods The DNA methylation pattern was studied based on the genome-wide methylation data of 18 Polish children with HM paired with 18 controls. Genes overlapping CG dinucleotides with decreased methylation level in HM cases were assessed by enrichment analyses. From those, genes with CG dinucleotides in promoter regions were further evaluated based on exome sequencing (ES) data of 16 patients with HM from unrelated Polish families, Sanger sequencing data of the studied children, and the RNA sequencing data of human retinal ARPE-19 cells. Results The CG dinucleotide with the most decreased methylation level in cases was identified in a promoter region of PCDHA10 that overlaps intronic regions of PCDHA1–9 of the PCDHA gene cluster in myopia 5q31 locus. Also, two single nucleotide variants, rs200661444, detected in our ES, and rs246073, previously found as associated with a refractive error in a genome-wide association study, were revealed within this gene cluster. Additionally, genes previously linked to ocular phenotypes, myopia-related traits, or loci, including ADAM20, ZFAND6, ETS1, ABHD13, SBSPON, SORBS2, LMOD3, ATXN1, and FARP2, were found to have decreased methylation. Conclusions Alterations in the methylation pattern of specific CG dinucleotides may be associated with early-onset HM, so this could be used to develop noninvasive biomarkers of HM in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justyna A Karolak
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Sangeetha Vishweswaraiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
| | - Malgorzata Mrugacz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Uppala Radhakrishna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
| | - Marzena Gajecka
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Du SW, Palczewski K. MicroRNA regulation of critical retinal pigment epithelial functions. Trends Neurosci 2021; 45:78-90. [PMID: 34753606 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are short, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs that are critical for the control of normal cellular physiology. In the retina, photoreceptors are highly specialized neurons that transduce light into electrical signals. Photoreceptors, however, are unable to process visual stimuli without the support of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE performs numerous functions to aid the retina, including the generation of visual chromophore and metabolic support. Recent work has underscored how microRNAs enable vision through their contributions to RPE functions. This review focuses on the biogenesis and control of microRNAs in rodents and humans, the roles microRNAs play in RPE function and degeneration, and how microRNAs could serve as potential therapeutics and biomarkers for visual diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Du
- Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA.
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Carrella S, Banfi S, Karali M. Sophisticated Gene Regulation for a Complex Physiological System: The Role of Non-coding RNAs in Photoreceptor Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:629158. [PMID: 33537317 PMCID: PMC7848107 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.629158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors (PRs) are specialized neuroepithelial cells of the retina responsible for sensory transduction of light stimuli. In the highly structured vertebrate retina, PRs have a highly polarized modular structure to accommodate the demanding processes of phototransduction and the visual cycle. Because of their function, PRs are exposed to continuous cellular stress. PRs are therefore under pressure to maintain their function in defiance of constant environmental perturbation, besides being part of a highly sophisticated developmental process. All this translates into the need for tightly regulated and responsive molecular mechanisms that can reinforce transcriptional programs. It is commonly accepted that regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), are not only involved but indeed central in conferring robustness and accuracy to developmental and physiological processes. Here we integrate recent findings on the role of regulatory ncRNAs (e.g., miRNAs, lncRNAs, circular RNAs, and antisense RNAs), and of their contribution to PR pathophysiology. We also outline the therapeutic implications of translational studies that harness ncRNAs to prevent PR degeneration and promote their survival and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Carrella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marianthi Karali
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Xu S, Coku A, Muraleedharan CK, Harajli A, Mishulin E, Dahabra C, Choi J, Garcia WJ, Webb K, Birch D, Goetz K, Li W. Mutation Screening in the miR-183/96/182 Cluster in Patients With Inherited Retinal Dystrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:619641. [PMID: 33425925 PMCID: PMC7785829 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.619641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) is a heterogenous blinding eye disease and affects more than 200,000 Americans and millions worldwide. By far, 270 protein-coding genes have been identified to cause IRD when defective. However, only one microRNA (miRNA), miR-204, has been reported to be responsible for IRD when a point-mutation occurs in its seed sequence. Previously, we identified that a conserved, polycistronic, paralogous miRNA cluster, the miR-183/96/182 cluster, is highly specifically expressed in all photoreceptors and other sensory organs; inactivation of this cluster in mice resulted in syndromic IRD with multi-sensory defects. We hypothesized that mutations in the miR-183/96/182 cluster in human cause IRD. To test this hypothesis, we perform mutation screening in the pre-miR-183, -96, -182 in >1000 peripheral blood DNA samples of patients with various forms of IRD. We identified six sequence variants, three in pre-miR-182 and three in pre-miR-96. These variants are in the pre-miRNA-182 or -96, but not in the mature miRNAs, and are unlikely to be the cause of the IRD in these patients. In spite of this, the nature and location of these sequence variants in the pre-miRNAs suggest that some may have impact on the biogenesis and maturation of miR-182 or miR-96 and potential roles in the susceptibility to diseases. Although reporting on negative results so far, our study established a system for mutation screening in the miR-183/96/182 cluster in human for a continued effort to unravel and provides deeper insight into the potential roles of miR-183/96/182 cluster in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunbin Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Ardian Coku
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Chithra K. Muraleedharan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Ali Harajli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Eric Mishulin
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Chafic Dahabra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Joanne Choi
- Class of 2020, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - William J. Garcia
- College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Kaylie Webb
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - David Birch
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Kerry Goetz
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Weifeng Li
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Brunet AA, Fuller-Carter PI, Miller AL, Voigt V, Vasiliou S, Rashwan R, Hunt DM, Carvalho LS. Validating Fluorescent Chrnb4.EGFP Mouse Models for the Study of Cone Photoreceptor Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:28. [PMID: 32879784 PMCID: PMC7442867 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.9.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To validate the application of a known transgenic mouse line with green fluorescent cones (Chrnb4.EGFP) to study cone photoreceptor biology and function in health and disease. Methods Chrnb4.EGFP retinas containing GFP+ cones were compared with retinas without the GFP transgene via immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, electroretinograms, and flow cytometry. The Chrnb4.EGFP line was backcrossed to the mouse models of cone degeneration, Pde6ccpfl1 and Gnat2cpfl3 , generating the new lines Gnat2.GFP and Pde6c.GFP, which were also studied as described. Results GFP expression spanned the length of the cone cell in the Chrnb4.EGFP line, as well as in the novel Gnat2.GFP and Pde6c.GFP lines. The effect of GFP expression showed no significant changes to outer nuclear layer cell death, cone-specific gene expression, and immune response activation. A temporal decrease in GFP expression over time was observed, but GFP fluorescence was still detected through flow cytometry as late as 6 months. Furthermore, a functional analysis of photopic and scotopic electroretinogram responses of the Chrnb4 mouse showed no significant difference between GFP- and GFP+ mice, whereas electroretinogram recordings for the Pde6c.GFP and Gnat2.GFP lines matched previous reports from the original lines. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the Chrnb4.EGFP mouse can be a powerful tool to overcome the limitations of studying cone biology, including the use of this line to study different types of cone degeneration. Translational Relevance This work validates research tools that could potentially offer more reliable preclinical data in the development of treatments for cone-mediated vision loss conditions, shortening the gap to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Brunet
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Annie L. Miller
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Rabab Rashwan
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - David M. Hunt
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Livia S. Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
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Retinal miRNA Functions in Health and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050377. [PMID: 31108959 PMCID: PMC6562649 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The health and function of our visual system relies on accurate gene expression. While many genetic mutations are associated with visual impairment and blindness, we are just beginning to understand the complex interplay between gene regulation and retinal pathologies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are important regulators of gene expression that exert their function through post-transcriptional silencing of complementary mRNA targets. According to recent transcriptomic analyses, certain miRNA species are expressed in all retinal cell types, while others are cell type-specific. As miRNAs play important roles in homeostasis, cellular function, and survival of differentiated retinal cell types, their dysregulation is associated with retinal degenerative diseases. Thus, advancing our understanding of the genetic networks modulated by miRNAs is central to harnessing their potential as therapeutic agents to overcome visual impairment. In this review, we summarize the role of distinct miRNAs in specific retinal cell types, the current knowledge on their implication in inherited retinal disorders, and their potential as therapeutic agents.
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