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Emmerich K, Hageter J, Hoang T, Lyu P, Sharrock AV, Ceisel A, Thierer J, Chunawala Z, Nimmagadda S, Palazzo I, Matthews F, Zhang L, White DT, Rodriguez C, Graziano G, Marcos P, May A, Mulligan T, Reibman B, Saxena MT, Ackerley DF, Qian J, Blackshaw S, Horstick E, Mumm JS. A large-scale CRISPR screen reveals context-specific genetic regulation of retinal ganglion cell regeneration. Development 2024; 151:dev202754. [PMID: 39007397 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202754] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Many genes are known to regulate retinal regeneration after widespread tissue damage. Conversely, genes controlling regeneration after limited cell loss, as per degenerative diseases, are undefined. As stem/progenitor cell responses scale to injury levels, understanding how the extent and specificity of cell loss impact regenerative processes is important. Here, transgenic zebrafish enabling selective retinal ganglion cell (RGC) ablation were used to identify genes that regulate RGC regeneration. A single cell multiomics-informed screen of 100 genes identified seven knockouts that inhibited and 11 that promoted RGC regeneration. Surprisingly, 35 out of 36 genes known and/or implicated as being required for regeneration after widespread retinal damage were not required for RGC regeneration. The loss of seven even enhanced regeneration kinetics, including the proneural factors neurog1, olig2 and ascl1a. Mechanistic analyses revealed that ascl1a disruption increased the propensity of progenitor cells to produce RGCs, i.e. increased 'fate bias'. These data demonstrate plasticity in the mechanism through which Müller glia convert to a stem-like state and context specificity in how genes function during regeneration. Increased understanding of how the regeneration of disease-relevant cell types is specifically controlled will support the development of disease-tailored regenerative therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Emmerich
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute and the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - John Hageter
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Thanh Hoang
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Pin Lyu
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Abigail V Sharrock
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Anneliese Ceisel
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - James Thierer
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Zeeshaan Chunawala
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Saumya Nimmagadda
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Isabella Palazzo
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Frazer Matthews
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Liyun Zhang
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David T White
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Catalina Rodriguez
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Gianna Graziano
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Patrick Marcos
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Adam May
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Tim Mulligan
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Barak Reibman
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Meera T Saxena
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David F Ackerley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Jiang Qian
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute and the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Eric Horstick
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Jeff S Mumm
- Wilmer Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute and the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Raas Q, Wood A, Stevenson TJ, Swartwood S, Liu S, Kannan RM, Kannan S, Bonkowsky JL. Generation and characterization of a zebrafish gain-of-function ACOX1 Mitchell disease model. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1326886. [PMID: 38357503 PMCID: PMC10864527 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1326886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mitchell syndrome is a rare, neurodegenerative disease caused by an ACOX1 gain-of-function mutation (c.710A>G; p.N237S), with fewer than 20 reported cases. Affected patients present with leukodystrophy, seizures, and hearing loss. ACOX1 serves as the rate-limiting enzyme in peroxisomal beta-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids. The N237S substitution has been shown to stabilize the active ACOX1 dimer, resulting in dysregulated enzymatic activity, increased oxidative stress, and glial damage. Mitchell syndrome lacks a vertebrate model, limiting insights into the pathophysiology of ACOX1-driven white matter damage and neuroinflammatory insults. Methods We report a patient presenting with rapidly progressive white matter damage and neurological decline, who was eventually diagnosed with an ACOX1 N237S mutation through whole genome sequencing. We developed a zebrafish model of Mitchell syndrome using transient ubiquitous overexpression of the human ACOX1 N237S variant tagged with GFP. We assayed zebrafish behavior, oligodendrocyte numbers, expression of white matter and inflammatory transcripts, and analysis of peroxisome counts. Results The patient experienced progressive leukodystrophy and died 2 years after presentation. The transgenic zebrafish showed a decreased swimming ability, which was restored with the reactive microglia-targeted antioxidant dendrimer-N-acetyl-cysteine conjugate. The mutants showed no effect on oligodendrocyte counts but did display activation of the integrated stress response (ISR). Using a novel SKL-targeted mCherry reporter, we found that mutants had reduced density of peroxisomes. Conclusions We developed a vertebrate (zebrafish) model of Mitchell syndrome using transient ubiquitous overexpression of the human ACOX1 N237S variant. The transgenic mutants exhibited motor impairment and showed signs of activated ISR, but interestingly, there were no changes in oligodendrocyte counts. However, the mutants exhibited a deficiency in the number of peroxisomes, suggesting a possible shared mechanism with the Zellweger spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Raas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Laboratory of Translational Research for Neurological Disorders, Imagine Institute, Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Austin Wood
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Tamara J. Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Shanna Swartwood
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Suzanne Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Rangaramanujam M. Kannan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sujatha Kannan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joshua L. Bonkowsky
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Hong M, Chong SZ, Goh YY, Tong L. Two-Photon and Multiphoton Microscopy in Anterior Segment Diseases of the Eye. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1670. [PMID: 38338948 PMCID: PMC10855705 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031670] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Two-photon excitation microscopy (TPM) and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy (MPM) are advanced forms of intravital high-resolution functional microscopy techniques that allow for the imaging of dynamic molecular processes and resolve features of the biological tissues of interest. Due to the cornea's optical properties and the uniquely accessible position of the globe, it is possible to image cells and tissues longitudinally to investigate ocular surface physiology and disease. MPM can also be used for the in vitro investigation of biological processes and drug kinetics in ocular tissues. In corneal immunology, performed via the use of TPM, cells thought to be intraepithelial dendritic cells are found to resemble tissue-resident memory T cells, and reporter mice with labeled plasmacytoid dendritic cells are imaged to understand the protective antiviral defenses of the eye. In mice with limbal progenitor cells labeled by reporters, the kinetics and localization of corneal epithelial replenishment are evaluated to advance stem cell biology. In studies of the conjunctiva and sclera, the use of such imaging together with second harmonic generation allows for the delineation of matrix wound healing, especially following glaucoma surgery. In conclusion, these imaging models play a pivotal role in the progress of ocular surface science and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrelynn Hong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore;
- Training and Education Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 168751, Singapore
| | - Shu Zhen Chong
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138632, Singapore;
| | - Yun Yao Goh
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, National Technical University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
| | - Louis Tong
- Corneal and External Diseases Department, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore 168751, Singapore
- Ocular Surface Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Eye Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
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Luo EY, Sugimura RR. Taming microglia: the promise of engineered microglia in treating neurological diseases. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:19. [PMID: 38212785 PMCID: PMC10785527 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03015-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the CNS-resident immune cells, are implicated in many neurological diseases. Nearly one in six of the world's population suffers from neurological disorders, encompassing neurodegenerative and neuroautoimmune diseases, most with dysregulated neuroinflammation involved. Activated microglia become phagocytotic and secret various immune molecules, which are mediators of the brain immune microenvironment. Given their ability to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier in the neuroinflammatory context and their close interaction with neurons and other glial cells, microglia are potential therapeutic delivery vehicles and modulators of neuronal activity. Re-engineering microglia to treat neurological diseases is, thus, increasingly gaining attention. By altering gene expression, re-programmed microglia can be utilized to deliver therapeutics to targeted sites and control neuroinflammation in various neuroinflammatory diseases. This review addresses the current development in microglial engineering, including genetic targeting and therapeutic modulation. Furthermore, we discuss limitations to the genetic engineering techniques and models used to test the functionality of re-engineered microglia, including cell culture and animal models. Finally, we will discuss future directions for the application of engineered microglia in treating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Echo Yongqi Luo
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Rio Ryohichi Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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Mehta NJ, Mehta SN. Nanotechnology in Retinal Disease: Current Concepts and Future Directions. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2024; 40:3-12. [PMID: 38052063 PMCID: PMC10890960 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2023.0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is one of the most complex and extraordinary human organs affected by genetic, metabolic, and degenerative diseases, resulting in blindness for ∼1.3 million people in the United States and over 40 million people worldwide. This translates into a huge loss of productivity, especially among younger patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and diabetic retinopathy. Age-related macular degeneration accounts for 90% of all blindness cases worldwide. The prevalence of this condition is projected to reach over 5 million individuals over the next 3 decades. There are also >20 IRD phenotypes, affecting >2 million people worldwide. Nanobiotechnology uses nanotechnology for biological applications, making use of biological materials either conceptually or directly in the fabrication of new materials. Bionanotechnology, on the other hand, uses molecular biology for the purpose of creating nanostructures (ie, structures with at least 1 dimension <100 nm). Retinal applications of these technologies are developing at a rapid pace. This review includes the most current nanotechnological applications in retinal diagnostics, theranostics, drug delivery, and targeting, including the potential for nonviral vehicles such as liposomes, micelles, and dendrimers, which pose advantages over viral vectors in retinal drug delivery. Furthermore, we discuss current and future applications as surgical adjuncts and in regenerative medicine as they pertain to retinal disease. Structure and function of nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubules, quantum dots, and magnetic nanoparticles, as well as diagnostic technologies such as next-generation DNA sequencing and single-molecule bionanosensing, will also be discussed.
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Acher O, de Abreu MB, Grigoriev A, de Bettignies P, Vilotta M, Nguyên TL. Identifying and fixing in-plane positioning and stability issues on a microscope using machine-readable patterned position scales. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19521. [PMID: 37945927 PMCID: PMC10636118 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46950-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigations of the in-plane positioning capabilities of microscopes using machine-readable encoded patterned scales are presented. The scales have patterns that contain absolute position information, and adequate software accurately determines the in-plane position from the scale images captured by the microscope camera. This makes in-plane positioning experiments simple and fast. The scales and software used in this study are commercially available. We investigated different microscopy systems and found that positioning performance is a system issue that is not determined solely by stage performance. In some cases, our experiments revealed software or hardware glitches that limited the positioning performance, which we easily fixed. We have also shown that it is possible to investigate vibrations using this approach and quantify their impact on image blurring. This is, for example, useful for experimentally determining the settling time after a stage movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Acher
- HORIBA France SAS, 14 Bd Thomas Gobert, 91120, Palaiseau, France.
| | | | | | | | - Maxime Vilotta
- HORIBA France SAS, 455 Avenue Eugène Avinée, 59120, Palaiseau, France
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Emmerich K, Walker SL, Wang G, White DT, Ceisel A, Wang F, Teng Y, Chunawala Z, Graziano G, Nimmagadda S, Saxena MT, Qian J, Mumm JS. Transcriptomic comparison of two selective retinal cell ablation paradigms in zebrafish reveals shared and cell-specific regenerative responses. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010905. [PMID: 37819938 PMCID: PMC10593236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal Müller glia (MG) can act as stem-like cells to generate new neurons in both zebrafish and mice. In zebrafish, retinal regeneration is innate and robust, resulting in the replacement of lost neurons and restoration of visual function. In mice, exogenous stimulation of MG is required to reveal a dormant and, to date, limited regenerative capacity. Zebrafish studies have been key in revealing factors that promote regenerative responses in the mammalian eye. Increased understanding of how the regenerative potential of MG is regulated in zebrafish may therefore aid efforts to promote retinal repair therapeutically. Developmental signaling pathways are known to coordinate regeneration following widespread retinal cell loss. In contrast, less is known about how regeneration is regulated in the context of retinal degenerative disease, i.e., following the loss of specific retinal cell types. To address this knowledge gap, we compared transcriptomic responses underlying regeneration following targeted loss of rod photoreceptors or bipolar cells. In total, 2,531 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with the majority being paradigm specific, including during early MG activation phases, suggesting the nature of the injury/cell loss informs the regenerative process from initiation onward. For example, early modulation of Notch signaling was implicated in the rod but not bipolar cell ablation paradigm and components of JAK/STAT signaling were implicated in both paradigms. To examine candidate gene roles in rod cell regeneration, including several immune-related factors, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to create G0 mutant larvae (i.e., "crispants"). Rod cell regeneration was inhibited in stat3 crispants, while mutating stat5a/b, c7b and txn accelerated rod regeneration kinetics. These data support emerging evidence that discrete responses follow from selective retinal cell loss and that the immune system plays a key role in regulating "fate-biased" regenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Emmerich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Steven L. Walker
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Guohua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David T. White
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Anneliese Ceisel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zeeshaan Chunawala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gianna Graziano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Saumya Nimmagadda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Meera T. Saxena
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeff S. Mumm
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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