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Shayler DW, Stachelek K, Cambier L, Lee S, Bai J, Reid MW, Weisenberger DJ, Bhat B, Aparicio JG, Kim Y, Singh M, Bay M, Thornton ME, Doyle EK, Fouladian Z, Erberich SG, Grubbs BH, Bonaguidi MA, Craft CM, Singh HP, Cobrinik D. Identification and characterization of early human photoreceptor states and cell-state-specific retinoblastoma-related features. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.02.28.530247. [PMID: 38915659 PMCID: PMC11195049 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.28.530247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Human cone photoreceptors differ from rods and serve as the retinoblastoma cell-of-origin, yet the developmental basis for their distinct behaviors is poorly understood. Here, we used deep full-length single-cell RNA-sequencing to distinguish post-mitotic cone and rod developmental states and identify cone-specific features that contribute to retinoblastomagenesis. The analyses revealed early post-mitotic cone- and rod-directed populations characterized by higher THRB or NRL regulon activities, an immature photoreceptor precursor population with concurrent cone and rod gene and regulon expression, and distinct early and late cone and rod maturation states distinguished by maturation-associated declines in RAX regulon activity. Unexpectedly, both L/M cone and rod precursors co-expressed NRL and THRB RNAs, yet they differentially expressed functionally antagonistic NRL and THRB isoforms and prematurely terminated THRB transcripts. Early L/M cone precursors exhibited successive expression of several lncRNAs along with MYCN, which composed the seventh most L/M-cone-specific regulon, and SYK, which contributed to the early cone precursors' proliferative response to RB1 loss. These findings reveal previously unrecognized photoreceptor precursor states and a role for early cone-precursor-intrinsic SYK expression in retinoblastoma initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic W.H. Shayler
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Development, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Stachelek
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cancer Biology and Genomics Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Linda Cambier
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sunhye Lee
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jinlun Bai
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Development, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark W. Reid
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel J. Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bhavana Bhat
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer G. Aparicio
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yeha Kim
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mitali Singh
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maxwell Bay
- Development, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew E. Thornton
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eamon K. Doyle
- Department of Radiology and The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zachary Fouladian
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Development, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephan G. Erberich
- Department of Radiology and The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brendan H. Grubbs
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael A. Bonaguidi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Development, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hardeep P. Singh
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David Cobrinik
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, and Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Salehi S, Schallmayer E, Bandomir N, Kärcher A, Güth JF, Heitel P. Screening of Chelidonium majus isoquinoline alkaloids reveals berberine and chelidonine as selective ligands for the nuclear receptors RORβ and HNF4α, respectively. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300756. [PMID: 38501877 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300756] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The nuclear receptors hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-β (RORβ) are ligand-regulated transcription factors and potential drug targets for metabolic disorders. However, there is a lack of small molecular, selective ligands to explore the therapeutic potential in further detail. Here, we report the discovery of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) isoquinoline alkaloids as nuclear receptor modulators: Berberine is a selective RORβ inverse agonist and modulated target genes involved in the circadian clock, photoreceptor cell development, and neuronal function. The structurally related chelidonine was identified as a ligand for the constitutively active HNF4α receptor, with nanomolar potency in a cellular reporter gene assay. In human liver cancer cells naturally expressing high levels of HNF4α, chelidonine acted as an inverse agonist and downregulated genes associated with gluconeogenesis and drug metabolism. Both berberine and chelidonine are promising tool compounds to further investigate their target nuclear receptors and for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohrab Salehi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Espen Schallmayer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nils Bandomir
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Annette Kärcher
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jan-Frederik Güth
- Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pascal Heitel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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3
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Andreazzoli M, Longoni B, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Retinoid Synthesis Regulation by Retinal Cells in Health and Disease. Cells 2024; 13:871. [PMID: 38786093 PMCID: PMC11120330 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100871] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vision starts in retinal photoreceptors when specialized proteins (opsins) sense photons via their covalently bonded vitamin A derivative 11cis retinaldehyde (11cis-RAL). The reaction of non-enzymatic aldehydes with amino groups lacks specificity, and the reaction products may trigger cell damage. However, the reduced synthesis of 11cis-RAL results in photoreceptor demise and suggests the need for careful control over 11cis-RAL handling by retinal cells. This perspective focuses on retinoid(s) synthesis, their control in the adult retina, and their role during retina development. It also explores the potential importance of 9cis vitamin A derivatives in regulating retinoid synthesis and their impact on photoreceptor development and survival. Additionally, recent advancements suggesting the pivotal nature of retinoid synthesis regulation for cone cell viability are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biancamaria Longoni
- Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Angeloni
- The Institute of Biorobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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Zhang X, Leavey P, Appel H, Makrides N, Blackshaw S. Molecular mechanisms controlling vertebrate retinal patterning, neurogenesis, and cell fate specification. Trends Genet 2023; 39:736-757. [PMID: 37423870 PMCID: PMC10529299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
This review covers recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and specification of the developing retina, with a focus on insights obtained from comparative single cell multiomic analysis. We discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanisms by which extrinsic factors trigger transcriptional changes that spatially pattern the optic cup (OC) and control the initiation and progression of retinal neurogenesis. We also discuss progress in unraveling the core evolutionarily conserved gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that specify early- and late-state retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and neurogenic progenitors and that control the final steps in determining cell identity. Finally, we discuss findings that provide insight into regulation of species-specific aspects of retinal patterning and neurogenesis, including consideration of key outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Patrick Leavey
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Haley Appel
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neoklis Makrides
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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5
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Ulhaq ZS, Okamoto K, Ogino Y, Tse WKF. Dysregulation of Spliceosomes Complex Induces Retinitis Pigmentosa-Like Characteristics in sf3b4-Depleted Zebrafish. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:1223-1233. [PMID: 37263342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The SF3B4 gene encodes a highly conserved protein that plays a critical role in mRNA splicing. Mutations in this gene are known to cause Nager syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. Although SF3B4 expression is detected in the optic vesicle before it is detected in the limb and somite, the role of SF3B4 in the eye is not well understood. This study investigated the function of sf3b4 in the retina by performing transcriptome profiles, immunostaining, and behavioral analysis of sf3b4-/- mutant zebrafish. Results from this study suggest that dysregulation of the spliceosome complex affects not only craniofacial development but also retinogenesis. Zebrafish lacking functional sf3b4 displayed characteristics similar to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), marked by severe retinal pigment epithelium defects and rod degeneration. Pathway analysis revealed altered retinol metabolism and retinoic acid signaling in the sf3b4-/- mutants. Supplementation of retinoic acid rescued key cellular phenotypes observed in the sf3b4-/- mutants, offering potential therapeutic strategies for RP in the future. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the previously unknown role of SF3B4 in retinogenesis and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulvikar Syambani Ulhaq
- Laboratory of Developmental Disorders and Toxicology, Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Research Center for Pre-clinical and Clinical Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency, Republic of Indonesia, Cibinong, Indonesia.
| | - Keigo Okamoto
- Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Developmental Biology, Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukiko Ogino
- Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Developmental Biology, Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - William Ka Fai Tse
- Laboratory of Developmental Disorders and Toxicology, Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Barravecchia I, De Cesari C, Guadagni V, Signore G, Bertolini E, Giannelli SG, Scebba F, Martini D, Pè ME, Broccoli V, Andreazzoli M, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Increasing cell culture density during a developmental window prevents fated rod precursors derailment toward hybrid rod-glia cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6025. [PMID: 37055439 PMCID: PMC10101963 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In proliferating multipotent retinal progenitors, transcription factors dynamics set the fate of postmitotic daughter cells, but postmitotic cell fate plasticity driven by extrinsic factors remains controversial. Transcriptome analysis reveals the concurrent expression by postmitotic rod precursors of genes critical for the Müller glia cell fate, which are rarely generated from terminally-dividing progenitors as a pair with rod precursors. By combining gene expression and functional characterisation in single cultured rod precursors, we identified a time-restricted window where increasing cell culture density switches off the expression of genes critical for Müller glial cells. Intriguingly, rod precursors in low cell culture density maintain the expression of genes of rod and glial cell fate and develop a mixed rod/Muller glial cells electrophysiological fingerprint, revealing rods derailment toward a hybrid rod-glial phenotype. The notion of cell culture density as an extrinsic factor critical for preventing rod-fated cells diversion toward a hybrid cell state may explain the occurrence of hybrid rod/MG cells in the adult retina and provide a strategy to improve engraftment yield in regenerative approaches to retinal degenerative disease by stabilising the fate of grafted rod precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Barravecchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara De Cesari
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Signore
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bertolini
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Vania Broccoli
- San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Gian Carlo Demontis
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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Polyunsaturated Lipids in the Light-Exposed and Prooxidant Retinal Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030617. [PMID: 36978865 PMCID: PMC10044808 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is an oxidative stress-prone tissue due to high content of polyunsaturated lipids, exposure to visible light stimuli in the 400–480 nm range, and high oxygen availability provided by choroidal capillaries to support oxidative metabolism. Indeed, lipids’ peroxidation and their conversion into reactive species promoting inflammation have been reported and connected to retinal degenerations. Here, we review recent evidence showing how retinal polyunsaturated lipids, in addition to oxidative stress and damage, may counteract the inflammatory response triggered by blue light-activated carotenoid derivatives, enabling long-term retina operation despite its prooxidant environment. These two aspects of retinal polyunsaturated lipids require tight control over their synthesis to avoid overcoming their protective actions by an increase in lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress. We review emerging evidence on different transcriptional control mechanisms operating in retinal cells to modulate polyunsaturated lipid synthesis over the life span, from the immature to the ageing retina. Finally, we discuss the antioxidant role of food nutrients such as xanthophylls and carotenoids that have been shown to empower retinal cells’ antioxidant responses and counteract the adverse impact of prooxidant stimuli on sight.
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Arthur P, Muok L, Nathani A, Zeng EZ, Sun L, Li Y, Singh M. Bioengineering Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Organoids and Optic Vesicle-Containing Brain Organoids for Ocular Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:3429. [PMID: 36359825 PMCID: PMC9653705 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal organoids are three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that mimic the retina's spatial and temporal differentiation, making them useful as in vitro retinal development models. Retinal organoids can be assembled with brain organoids, the 3D self-assembled aggregates derived from hPSCs containing different cell types and cytoarchitectures that resemble the human embryonic brain. Recent studies have shown the development of optic cups in brain organoids. The cellular components of a developing optic vesicle-containing organoids include primitive corneal epithelial and lens-like cells, retinal pigment epithelia, retinal progenitor cells, axon-like projections, and electrically active neuronal networks. The importance of retinal organoids in ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy are described in this review. This review highlights current developments in retinal organoid techniques, and their applications in ocular conditions such as disease modeling, gene therapy, drug screening and development. In addition, recent advancements in utilizing extracellular vesicles secreted by retinal organoids for ocular disease treatments are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Arthur
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Laureana Muok
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Aakash Nathani
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Eric Z. Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Mandip Singh
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
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9
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Sanjurjo-Soriano C, Erkilic N, Damodar K, Boukhaddaoui H, Diakatou M, Garita-Hernandez M, Mamaeva D, Dubois G, Jazouli Z, Jimenez-Medina C, Goureau O, Meunier I, Kalatzis V. Retinoic acid delays initial photoreceptor differentiation and results in a highly structured mature retinal organoid. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:478. [PMID: 36114559 PMCID: PMC9482314 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids are a valuable tool for disease modelling and therapeutic development. Many efforts have been made over the last decade to optimise protocols for the generation of organoids that correctly mimic the human retina. Most protocols use common media supplements; however, protocol-dependent variability impacts data interpretation. To date, the lack of a systematic comparison of a given protocol with or without supplements makes it difficult to determine how they influence the differentiation process and morphology of the retinal organoids. METHODS A 2D-3D differentiation method was used to generate retinal organoids, which were cultured with or without the most commonly used media supplements, notably retinoic acid. Gene expression was assayed using qPCR analysis, protein expression using immunofluorescence studies, ultrastructure using electron microscopy and 3D morphology using confocal and biphoton microscopy of whole organoids. RESULTS Retinoic acid delayed the initial stages of differentiation by modulating photoreceptor gene expression. At later stages, the presence of retinoic acid led to the generation of mature retinal organoids with a well-structured stratified photoreceptor layer containing a predominant rod population. By contrast, the absence of retinoic acid led to cone-rich organoids with a less organised and non-stratified photoreceptor layer. CONCLUSIONS This study proves the importance of supplemented media for culturing retinal organoids. More importantly, we demonstrate for the first time that the role of retinoic acid goes beyond inducing a rod cell fate to enhancing the organisation of the photoreceptor layer of the mature organoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Sanjurjo-Soriano
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
| | - Nejla Erkilic
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, Univ Montpellier, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Krishna Damodar
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Hassan Boukhaddaoui
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Michalitsa Diakatou
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Marcela Garita-Hernandez
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daria Mamaeva
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Gregor Dubois
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Zhour Jazouli
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Carla Jimenez-Medina
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Institut de La Vision, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Meunier
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, Univ Montpellier, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Univ Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
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10
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Chen M, Mao X, Huang D, Jing J, Zou W, Mao P, Xue M, Yin W, Cheng R, Gao Y, Hu Y, Yuan S, Liu Q. Somatostatin signalling promotes the differentiation of rod photoreceptors in human pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoid. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13254. [PMID: 35633292 PMCID: PMC9251046 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Stem cell‐derived photoreceptor replacement therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of retinal degenerative disease. The development of 3D retinal organoids has permitted the production of photoreceptors. However, there is no strategy to enrich a specific photoreceptor subtype due to inadequate knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying the photoreceptor fate determination. Hence, our aim is to explore the uncharacterized function of somatostatin signalling in human pluripotent stem cell‐derived photoreceptor differentiation. Materials and Methods 3D retinal organoids were achieved from human embryonic stem cell. The published single‐cell RNA‐sequencing datasets of human retinal development were utilized to further investigate the transcriptional regulation of photoreceptor differentiation. The assays of immunofluorescence staining, lentivirus transfection, real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed. Results We identified that the somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2)‐mediated signalling was essential for rod photoreceptor differentiation at the precursor stage. The addition of the cognate ligand somatostatin in human 3D retinal organoids promoted rod photoreceptor differentiation and inhibited cone photoreceptor production. Furthermore, we found that the genesis of rod photoreceptors was modulated by endogenous somatostatin specifically secreted by developing retinal ganglion cells. Conclusions Our study identified SSTR2 signalling as a novel extrinsic regulator for rod photoreceptor fate determination in photoreceptor precursors, which expands the repertoire of functional signalling pathways in photoreceptor development and sheds light on the optimization of the photoreceptor enrichment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiying Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Darui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Jiaona Jing
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjun Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Peiyao Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengting Xue
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjie Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiwen Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Youjin Hu
- Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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11
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Hussey KA, Hadyniak SE, Johnston RJ. Patterning and Development of Photoreceptors in the Human Retina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:878350. [PMID: 35493094 PMCID: PMC9049932 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.878350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans rely on visual cues to navigate the world around them. Vision begins with the detection of light by photoreceptor cells in the retina, a light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. Photoreceptor types are defined by morphology, gene expression, light sensitivity, and function. Rod photoreceptors function in low-light vision and motion detection, and cone photoreceptors are responsible for high-acuity daytime and trichromatic color vision. In this review, we discuss the generation, development, and patterning of photoreceptors in the human retina. We describe our current understanding of how photoreceptors are patterned in concentric regions. We conclude with insights into mechanisms of photoreceptor differentiation drawn from studies of model organisms and human retinal organoids.
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12
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Kakkassery V, Gemoll T, Kraemer MM, Sauer T, Tura A, Ranjbar M, Grisanti S, Joachim SC, Mergler S, Reinhard J. Protein Profiling of WERI-RB1 and Etoposide-Resistant WERI-ETOR Reveals New Insights into Topoisomerase Inhibitor Resistance in Retinoblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4058. [PMID: 35409416 PMCID: PMC9000009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy resistance is one of the reasons for eye loss in patients with retinoblastoma (RB). RB chemotherapy resistance has been studied in different cell culture models, such as WERI-RB1. In addition, chemotherapy-resistant RB subclones, such as the etoposide-resistant WERI-ETOR cell line have been established to improve the understanding of chemotherapy resistance in RB. The objective of this study was to characterize cell line models of an etoposide-sensitive WERI-RB1 and its etoposide-resistant subclone, WERI-ETOR, by proteomic analysis. Subsequently, quantitative proteomics data served for correlation analysis with known drug perturbation profiles. Methodically, WERI-RB1 and WERI-ETOR were cultured, and prepared for quantitative mass spectrometry (MS). This was carried out in a data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode. The raw SWATH (sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra) files were processed using neural networks in a library-free mode along with machine-learning algorithms. Pathway-enrichment analysis was performed using the REACTOME-pathway resource, and correlated to the molecular signature database (MSigDB) hallmark gene set collections for functional annotation. Furthermore, a drug-connectivity analysis using the L1000 database was carried out to associate the mechanism of action (MOA) for different anticancer reagents to WERI-RB1/WERI-ETOR signatures. A total of 4756 proteins were identified across all samples, showing a distinct clustering between the groups. Of these proteins, 64 were significantly altered (q < 0.05 & log2FC |>2|, 22 higher in WERI-ETOR). Pathway analysis revealed the “retinoid metabolism and transport” pathway as an enriched metabolic pathway in WERI-ETOR cells, while the “sphingolipid de novo biosynthesis” pathway was identified in the WERI-RB1 cell line. In addition, this study revealed similar protein signatures of topoisomerase inhibitors in WERI-ETOR cells as well as ATPase inhibitors, acetylcholine receptor antagonists, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors in the WERI-RB1 cell line. In this study, WERI-RB1 and WERI-ETOR were analyzed as a cell line model for chemotherapy resistance in RB using data-independent MS. Analysis of the global proteome identified activation of “sphingolipid de novo biosynthesis” in WERI-RB1, and revealed future potential treatment options for etoposide resistance in RB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinodh Kakkassery
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (A.T.); (M.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Timo Gemoll
- Section for Translational Surgical Oncology and Biobanking, Department of Surgery, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (T.G.); (T.S.)
| | - Miriam M. Kraemer
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Thorben Sauer
- Section for Translational Surgical Oncology and Biobanking, Department of Surgery, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (T.G.); (T.S.)
| | - Aysegül Tura
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (A.T.); (M.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Mahdy Ranjbar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (A.T.); (M.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany; (A.T.); (M.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Stephanie C. Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Stefan Mergler
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universitaet Berlin, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Augustenberger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Jacqueline Reinhard
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitaetsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany;
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13
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Forouzanfar F, Shojapour M, Aghili ZS, Asgharzade S. Growth Factors as Tools in Photoreceptor Cell Regeneration and Vision Recovery. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 21:573-581. [PMID: 31755378 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666191121103831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Photoreceptor loss is a major cause of blindness around the world. Stem cell therapy offers a new strategy in retina degenerative disease. Retinal progenitors can be derived from embryonic stem cells (ESC) in vitro, but cannot be processed to a mature state. In addition, the adult recipient retina presents a very different environment than the photoreceptor precursor donor. It seems that modulation of the recipient environment by ectopic development regulated growth factors for transplanted cells could generate efficient putative photoreceptors. The purpose of this review article was to investigate the signaling pathway of growth factors including: insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), fibroblast growth factors (FGF), Nerve growth factor (NGF), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Taurin and Retinoic acid (RA) involved in the differentiation of neuroretina cell, like; photoreceptor and retinal progenitor cells. Given the results available in the related literature, the differentiation efficacy of ESCs toward the photoreceptor and retinal neurons and the important role of growth factors in activating signaling pathways such as Akt, Ras/Raf1/ and ERKs also inhibit the ASK1/JNK apoptosis pathway. Manipulating differentiated culture, growth factors can influence photoreceptor transplantation efficiency in retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mana Shojapour
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Aghili
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Samira Asgharzade
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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14
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Singh RK, Nasonkin IO. Limitations and Promise of Retinal Tissue From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Developing Therapies of Blindness. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:179. [PMID: 33132839 PMCID: PMC7513806 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-formation of retinal tissue from pluripotent stem cells generated a tremendous promise for developing new therapies of retinal degenerative diseases, which previously seemed unattainable. Together with use of induced pluripotent stem cells or/and CRISPR-based recombineering the retinal organoid technology provided an avenue for developing models of human retinal degenerative diseases "in a dish" for studying the pathology, delineating the mechanisms and also establishing a platform for large-scale drug screening. At the same time, retinal organoids, highly resembling developing human fetal retinal tissue, are viewed as source of multipotential retinal progenitors, young photoreceptors and just the whole retinal tissue, which may be transplanted into the subretinal space with a goal of replacing patient's degenerated retina with a new retinal "patch." Both approaches (transplantation and modeling/drug screening) were projected when Yoshiki Sasai demonstrated the feasibility of deriving mammalian retinal tissue from pluripotent stem cells, and generated a lot of excitement. With further work and testing of both approaches in vitro and in vivo, a major implicit limitation has become apparent pretty quickly: the absence of the uniform layer of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells, which is normally present in mammalian retina, surrounds photoreceptor layer and develops and matures first. The RPE layer polarize into apical and basal sides during development and establish microvilli on the apical side, interacting with photoreceptors, nurturing photoreceptor outer segments and participating in the visual cycle by recycling 11-trans retinal (bleached pigment) back to 11-cis retinal. Retinal organoids, however, either do not have RPE layer or carry patches of RPE mostly on one side, thus directly exposing most photoreceptors in the developing organoids to neural medium. Recreation of the critical retinal niche between the apical RPE and photoreceptors, where many retinal disease mechanisms originate, is so far unattainable, imposes clear limitations on both modeling/drug screening and transplantation approaches and is a focus of investigation in many labs. Here we dissect different retinal degenerative diseases and analyze how and where retinal organoid technology can contribute the most to developing therapies even with a current limitation and absence of long and functional outer segments, supported by RPE.
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15
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Mahato B, Kaya KD, Fan Y, Sumien N, Shetty RA, Zhang W, Davis D, Mock T, Batabyal S, Ni A, Mohanty S, Han Z, Farjo R, Forster MJ, Swaroop A, Chavala SH. Pharmacologic fibroblast reprogramming into photoreceptors restores vision. Nature 2020; 581:83-88. [PMID: 32376950 PMCID: PMC7469946 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor loss is the final common endpoint in most retinopathies that lead to irreversible blindness, and there are no effective treatments to restore vision1,2. Chemical reprogramming of fibroblasts offers an opportunity to reverse vision loss; however, the generation of sensory neuronal subtypes such as photoreceptors remains a challenge. Here we report that the administration of a set of five small molecules can chemically induce the transformation of fibroblasts into rod photoreceptor-like cells. The transplantation of these chemically induced photoreceptor-like cells (CiPCs) into the subretinal space of rod degeneration mice (homozygous for rd1, also known as Pde6b) leads to partial restoration of the pupil reflex and visual function. We show that mitonuclear communication is a key determining factor for the reprogramming of fibroblasts into CiPCs. Specifically, treatment with these five compounds leads to the translocation of AXIN2 to the mitochondria, which results in the production of reactive oxygen species, the activation of NF-κB and the upregulation of Ascl1. We anticipate that CiPCs could have therapeutic potential for restoring vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biraj Mahato
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Koray Dogan Kaya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yan Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Ritu A Shetty
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Delaney Davis
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Mock
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | - Aiguo Ni
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | - Zongchao Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael J Forster
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sai H Chavala
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
- CIRC Therapeutics, Inc., Dallas, TX, USA.
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16
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Ahmad I, Teotia P, Erickson H, Xia X. Recapitulating developmental mechanisms for retinal regeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 76:100824. [PMID: 31843569 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of specific retinal neurons in diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Currently, there is no therapy to modify the disease-associated degenerative changes. With the advancement in our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate the development of the vertebrate retina, the approach to treat blinding diseases through regenerative medicine appears a near possibility. Recapitulation of developmental mechanisms is critical for reproducibly generating cells in either 2D or 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells for retinal repair and disease modeling. It is the key for unlocking the neurogenic potential of Müller glia in the adult retina for therapeutic regeneration. Here, we examine the current status and potential of the regenerative medicine approach for the retina in the backdrop of developmental mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Ahmad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Pooja Teotia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Helen Erickson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
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17
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Brooks MJ, Chen HY, Kelley RA, Mondal AK, Nagashima K, De Val N, Li T, Chaitankar V, Swaroop A. Improved Retinal Organoid Differentiation by Modulating Signaling Pathways Revealed by Comparative Transcriptome Analyses with Development In Vivo. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:891-905. [PMID: 31631019 PMCID: PMC6895716 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived retinal organoids recapitulate many landmarks of in vivo differentiation but lack functional maturation of distinct cell types, especially photoreceptors. Using comprehensive temporal transcriptome analyses, we show that transcriptome shift from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P10, associated with morphogenesis and synapse formation during mouse retina development, was not evident in organoids, and co-expression clusters with similar patterns included different sets of genes. Furthermore, network analysis identified divergent regulatory dynamics between developing retina in vivo and in organoids, with temporal dysregulation of specific signaling pathways and delayed or reduced expression of genes involved in photoreceptor function(s) and survival. Accordingly, addition of docosahexaenoic acid and fibroblast growth factor 1 to organoid cultures specifically promoted the maturation of photoreceptors, including cones. Our study thus identifies regulatory signals deficient in developing retinal organoids and provides experimental validation by producing a more mature retina in vitro, thereby facilitating investigations in disease modeling and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Brooks
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Holly Y Chen
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ryan A Kelley
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anupam K Mondal
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kunio Nagashima
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Natalia De Val
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Tiansen Li
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vijender Chaitankar
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, 6 Center Drive, MSC0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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18
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Kaya KD, Chen HY, Brooks MJ, Kelley RA, Shimada H, Nagashima K, de Val N, Drinnan CT, Gieser L, Kruczek K, Erceg S, Li T, Lukovic D, Adlakha YK, Welby E, Swaroop A. Transcriptome-based molecular staging of human stem cell-derived retinal organoids uncovers accelerated photoreceptor differentiation by 9-cis retinal. Mol Vis 2019; 25:663-678. [PMID: 31814692 PMCID: PMC6857775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Retinal organoids generated from human pluripotent stem cells exhibit considerable variability during differentiation. Our goals are to assess developmental maturity of the neural retina in vitro and design improved protocols based on objective criteria. METHODS We performed transcriptome analyses of developing retinal organoids from human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines and utilized multiple bioinformatic tools for comparative analysis. Immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and electron microscopy were employed for validation. RESULTS We show that the developmental variability in organoids was reflected in gene expression profiles and could be evaluated by molecular staging with the human fetal and adult retinal transcriptome data. We also demonstrate that the addition of 9-cis retinal, instead of the widely used all-trans retinoic acid, accelerated rod photoreceptor differentiation in organoid cultures, with higher rhodopsin expression and more mature mitochondrial morphology evident by day 120. CONCLUSION Our studies provide an objective transcriptome-based modality for determining the differentiation state of retinal organoids and for comparisons across different stem cell lines and platforms, which should facilitate disease modeling and evaluation of therapies in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray D. Kaya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Holly Y. Chen
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Matthew J. Brooks
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ryan A. Kelley
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Hiroko Shimada
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kunio Nagashima
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD
| | - Natalia de Val
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD
| | - Charles T. Drinnan
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Linn Gieser
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kamil Kruczek
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cell Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab and National Stem Cell Bank – Valencia Node, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Tiansen Li
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dunja Lukovic
- Retinal Degeneration Lab and National Stem Cell Bank – Valencia Node, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yogita K. Adlakha
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, India
| | - Emily Welby
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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19
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Zerti D, Dorgau B, Felemban M, Ghareeb AE, Yu M, Ding Y, Krasnogor N, Lako M. Developing a simple method to enhance the generation of cone and rod photoreceptors in pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids. Stem Cells 2019; 38:45-51. [PMID: 31670434 PMCID: PMC7004057 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy is a promising treatment for irreversible retinal cell death in diverse diseases such as Stargardt's disease, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa. The final impact of all retinal dystrophies is the loss of photoreceptors; hence, there is a pressing need for research into replacement. Seminal work has shown that a simple three-dimensional culture system enables differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to retinal organoids containing large numbers of photoreceptors developing alongside retinal neurons and Müller glia cells in a laminated structure that resembles the native retina. Despite these promising developments, current protocols show different efficiencies across pluripotent stem cells and result in retinal organoids with a mixture of photoreceptor cells at varying maturation states, along with nonphotoreceptor cell types. In this study, we investigated the impact of stage-specific addition of retinoic acid (RA), 9-cis-retinal, 11-cis-retinal, levodopa (l-DOPA), triiodothyronine (T3), and γ-secretase inhibitor ((2S)-N-[(3,5-Difluorophenyl)acetyl]-l-alanyl-2-phenyl]glycine1,1-dimethylethyl ester2L [DAPT]) in the generation of cone and rod photoreceptors. Our results indicate that addition of RA + T3 during days 90 to 120 of differentiation enhanced the generation of rod and S-cone photoreceptor formation, while the combined addition of DAPT from days 28 to 42 with RA during days 30 to 120 of differentiation led to enhanced generation of L/M-cones at the expense of rods. l-DOPA when added together with RA during days 90 to 120 of differentiation also promoted the emergence of S-cones at the expense of rod photoreceptors. Collectively, these data represent an advance in our ability to direct generation of rod and cone photoreceptors in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darin Zerti
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Birthe Dorgau
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Majed Felemban
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Princess Al-Jawhara Center of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders and Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali E Ghareeb
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Min Yu
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Yuchun Ding
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Natalio Krasnogor
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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20
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Akhtar T, Xie H, Khan MI, Zhao H, Bao J, Zhang M, Xue T. Accelerated photoreceptor differentiation of hiPSC-derived retinal organoids by contact co-culture with retinal pigment epithelium. Stem Cell Res 2019; 39:101491. [PMID: 31326746 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2019.101491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal organoids (ROs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells recapitulate the three-dimensional structure of retina, mimic human retinal development, and provide cell sources for pre-clinical retinal transplantation. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is crucial for normal outer retinal physiology, including phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments and secretion of neurotrophic and vasculotrophic growth factors. However, whether ROs-RPE co-culture can improve the differentiation of photoreceptors in ROs in vitro remains unknown. Herein, primary mouse RPE cells were contact co-cultured with ROs at different time points. Our results revealed that the RPE cells accelerated photoreceptor differentiation in ROs, as the cross talk between the RPE and ROs promoted the stage specific expression of photoreceptor markers at different differentiation stages. Thus, we established an improved co-culture system based on modeling of human retina-RPE dynamics during retinogenesis for the evaluation of ocular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasneem Akhtar
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Haohuan Xie
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jin Bao
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Tian Xue
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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Ueda K, Onishi A, Ito SI, Nakamura M, Takahashi M. Generation of three-dimensional retinal organoids expressing rhodopsin and S- and M-cone opsins from mouse stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 495:2595-2601. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.12.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Liu Y, Chen SJ, Li SY, Qu LH, Meng XH, Wang Y, Xu HW, Liang ZQ, Yin ZQ. Long-term safety of human retinal progenitor cell transplantation in retinitis pigmentosa patients. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:209. [PMID: 28962643 PMCID: PMC5622579 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0661-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Retinitis pigmentosa is a common genetic disease that causes retinal degeneration and blindness for which there is currently no curable treatment available. Vision preservation was observed in retinitis pigmentosa animal models after retinal stem cell transplantation. However, long-term safety studies and visual assessment have not been thoroughly tested in retinitis pigmentosa patients. Methods In our pre-clinical study, purified human fetal-derived retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) were transplanted into the diseased retina of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, a model of retinal degeneration. Based on these results, we conducted a phase I clinical trial to establish the safety and tolerability of transplantation of RPCs in eight patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. Patients were studied for 24 months. Results After RPC transplantation in RCS rats, we observed moderate recovery of vision and maintenance of the outer nuclear layer thickness. Most importantly, we did not find tumor formation or immune rejection. In the retinis pigmentosa patients given RPC injections, we also did not observe immunological rejection or tumorigenesis when immunosuppressive agents were not administered. We observed a significant improvement in visual acuity (P < 0.05) in five patients and an increase in retinal sensitivity of pupillary responses in three of the eight patients between 2 and 6 months after the transplant, but this improvement did not appear by 12 months. Conclusion Our study for the first time confirmed the long-term safety and feasibility of vision repair by stem cell therapy in patients blinded by retinitis pigmentosa. Trial registration WHO Trial Registration, ChiCTR-TNRC-08000193. Retrospectively registered on 5 December 2008. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0661-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shao Jun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shi Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ling Hui Qu
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiao Hong Meng
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hai Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhi Qing Liang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zheng Qin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Visual Damage, Regeneration and Repair, Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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The nuclear hormone receptor gene Nr2c1 (Tr2) is a critical regulator of early retina cell patterning. Dev Biol 2017; 429:343-355. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Liu Y, Hu H, Liang M, Xiong Y, Li K, Chen M, Fan Z, Kuang X, Deng F, Liu X, Xu C, Li K, Ge J. Regulated differentiation of WERI-Rb-1 cells into retinal neuron-like cells. Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:1172-1184. [PMID: 28848998 PMCID: PMC5593461 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The encouraging response and improved survival of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients following retinoic acid treatment has rendered differentiation therapy an attractive option in cancer treatment. Given that terminal differentiation represents a considerable barrier in retinoblastoma tumorigenesis and that retinoblastoma has a significantly higher spontaneous degeneration rate compared with other tumors (1,000-fold change), differentiation therapy represents a promising alternative in the treatment of retinoblastoma. However, the full differentiation potential of retinoblastoma still unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the extend differentiation of the classical retinoblastoma cell line WERI-Rb-1 (W-RBCs). Several critical cell signaling pathways and key genes related to cell proliferation and differentiation were comprehensively regulated to control the fate of W-RBCs. Various strategies were applied to optimize simple and time-saving methods to induce W-RBCs into different types of retinal neuron-like cells (RNLCs) in vitro. Further, the tumorigenesis of these differentiated W-RBCs was tested in nude mice in vivo. W-RBCs were found to inherently express both retinal progenitor cell- and embryonic stem cell-related genes or proteins. Moreover, the addition of antagonists of critical cell signals (Wnt, Nodal, BMP4 and Notch), even without atonal bHLH transcription factor 7 gene transfection, could directly induce W-RBCs into RNLCs, and especially into photoreceptor-like and retinal ganglion-like cells. Interestingly, the differentiated cells showed remarkably poorer tumorigenesis in vivo. These findings may offer new insights on the oriented differentiation of W-RBCs into RNLCs with low tumorigenicity and provide potential targets for retinoblastoma differentiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Huiling Hu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518034, P.R. China
| | - Meixin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yunfan Xiong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650000, P.R. China
| | - Kang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Mengfei Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21087, USA
| | - Zhigang Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xielan Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Chaochao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Kaijing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jian Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
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da Silva S, Cepko CL. Fgf8 Expression and Degradation of Retinoic Acid Are Required for Patterning a High-Acuity Area in the Retina. Dev Cell 2017; 42:68-81.e6. [PMID: 28648799 PMCID: PMC5798461 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Species that are highly reliant on their visual system have a specialized retinal area subserving high-acuity vision, e.g., the fovea in humans. Although of critical importance for our daily activities, little is known about the mechanisms driving the development of retinal high-acuity areas (HAAs). Using the chick as a model, we found a precise and dynamic expression pattern of fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8) in the HAA anlage, which was regulated by enzymes that degrade retinoic acid (RA). Transient manipulation of RA signaling, or reduction of Fgf8 expression, disrupted several features of HAA patterning, including photoreceptor distribution, ganglion cell density, and organization of interneurons. Notably, patterned expression of RA signaling components was also found in humans, suggesting that RA also plays a role in setting up the human fovea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana da Silva
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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26
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Zalis MC, Johansson S, Englund-Johansson U. Immunocytochemical Profiling of Cultured Mouse Primary Retinal Cells. J Histochem Cytochem 2017; 65:223-239. [PMID: 28151698 PMCID: PMC5407564 DOI: 10.1369/0022155416689675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary retinal cell cultures and immunocytochemistry are important experimental platforms in ophthalmic research. Translation of retinal cells from their native environment to the in vitro milieu leads to cellular stress, jeopardizing their in vivo phenotype features. Moreover, the specificity and stability of many retinal immunochemical markers are poorly evaluated in retinal cell cultures. Hence, we here evaluated the expression profile of 17 retinal markers, that is, recoverin, rhodopsin, arrestin, Chx10, PKC, DCX, CRALBP, GS, vimentin, TPRV4, RBPMS, Brn3a, β-tubulin III, NeuN, MAP2, GFAP, and synaptophysin. At 7 and 18 days of culture, the marker expression profiles of mouse postnatal retinal cells were compared with their age-matched in vivo retinas. We demonstrate stable in vitro expression of all markers, except for arrestin and CRALBP. Differences in cellular expression and location of some markers were observed, both over time in culture and compared with the age-matched retina. We hypothesize that these differences are likely culture condition dependent. Taken together, we suggest a thorough evaluation of the antibodies in specific culture settings, before extrapolating the in vitro results to an in vivo setting. Moreover, the identification of specific cell types may require a combination of different genes expressed or markers with structural information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina C Zalis
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (MCZ, SJ, UEJ)
| | - Sebastian Johansson
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (MCZ, SJ, UEJ)
| | - Ulrica Englund-Johansson
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (MCZ, SJ, UEJ)
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Mishra S, Peterson K, Yin L, Berger A, Fan J, Wistow G. Accumulation of cholesterol and increased demand for zinc in serum-deprived RPE cells. Mol Vis 2016; 22:1387-1404. [PMID: 28003730 PMCID: PMC5166821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Having observed that confluent ARPE-19 cells (derived from human RPE) survive well in high-glucose serum-free medium (SFM) without further feeding for several days, we investigated the expression profile of RPE cells under the same conditions. METHODS Expression profiles were examined with microarray and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses, followed by western blot analysis of key regulated proteins. The effects of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and zinc supplementation were examined with qPCR. Immunofluorescence was used to localize the LDL receptor and to examine LDL uptake. Cellular cholesterol levels were measured with filipin binding. Expression patterns in primary fetal RPE cells were compared using qPCR. RESULTS Microarray analyses of gene expression in ARPE-19, confirmed with qPCR, showed upregulation of lipid and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways in SFM. At the protein level, the cholesterol synthesis control factor SRBEF2 was activated, and other key lipid synthesis proteins increased. Supplementation of SFM with LDL reversed the upregulation of lipid and cholesterol synthesis genes, but not of cholesterol transport genes. The LDL receptor relocated to the plasma membrane, and LDL uptake was activated by day 5-7 in SFM, suggesting increased demand for cholesterol. Confluent ARPE-19 cells in SFM accumulated intracellular cholesterol, compared with cells supplemented with serum, over 7 days. Over the same time course in SFM, the expression of metallothioneins decreased while the major zinc transporter was upregulated, consistent with a parallel increase in demand for zinc. Supplementation with zinc reversed expression changes for metallothionein genes, but not for other zinc-related genes. Similar patterns of regulation were also seen in primary fetal human RPE cells in SFM. CONCLUSIONS ARPE-19 cells respond to serum deprivation and starvation with upregulation of the lipid and cholesterol pathways, accumulation of intracellular cholesterol, and increased demand for zinc. Similar trends are seen in primary fetal RPE cells. Cholesterol accumulation basal to RPE is a prominent feature of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while dietary zinc is protective. It is conceivable that accumulating defects in Bruch's membrane and dysfunction of the choriocapillaris could impede transport between RPE and vasculature in AMD. Thus, this pattern of response to serum deprivation in RPE-derived cells may have relevance for some aspects of the progression of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghamitra Mishra
- Section on Molecular Structure and Functional Genomics, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Katherine Peterson
- Section on Molecular Structure and Functional Genomics, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lili Yin
- Section on Molecular Structure and Functional Genomics, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Alan Berger
- Lowe Family Genomics Core, Johns Hopkins University - School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jianguo Fan
- Section on Molecular Structure and Functional Genomics, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Graeme Wistow
- Section on Molecular Structure and Functional Genomics, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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28
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Wu N, Wang Y, Yang L, Cho KS. Signaling Networks of Retinal Ganglion Cell Formation and the Potential Application of Stem Cell–Based Therapy in Retinal Degenerative Diseases. Hum Gene Ther 2016; 27:609-20. [PMID: 27466076 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wu
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing, China
| | - Lanbo Yang
- 2 Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kin-Sang Cho
- 2 Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
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Li J, Di C, Jing J, Di Q, Nakhla J, Adamson DC. OTX2 is a therapeutic target for retinoblastoma and may function as a common factor between C-MYC, CRX, and phosphorylated RB pathways. Int J Oncol 2015; 47:1703-10. [PMID: 26397460 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeobox transcription factor orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) plays a critical role in very early neurogenesis, but can become oncogenic when aberrantly expressed later in life. We previously discovered its novel oncogenic role in the malignant childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma and hypothesize an oncogenic role in retinoblastoma. Primary retinoblastoma tumors and cell lines were analyzed by quantitative-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry for OTX2. The effect of modulating OTX2 expression on tumorigenesis was tested pharmacologically and by siRNA. A lentiviral shRNA-engineered vector was used for conditional knockdown studies on tumor growth in vivo. A luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze ATRA's effect on OTX2's promoter. In this study on retinoblastoma, OTX2 was frequently amplified and/or overexpressed in primary tumors and cell lines. Knockdown of OTX2 expression by siRNA or pharmacologic inhibition by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) repressed OTX2 expression and cell proliferation and significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo. Loss of OTX2 expression also resulted in decreased expression of C-MYC and CRX, genes previously implicated in retinoblastoma tumorigenesis. Loss of OTX2 expression increased the phosphorylation of RB, a potential mechanism of modulating cell proliferation. Aberrant expression of OTX2 may contribute to the development of retinoblastoma. OTX2 may serve as a common transcription factor that interlinks multiple tumor-driving pathways. These results also show that OTX2 can be genetically and pharmacologically targeted, providing an exciting new therapeutic option that may be less toxic and more efficacious than current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chunhui Di
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jenny Jing
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Qun Di
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan Nakhla
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David Cory Adamson
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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Suliman T, Novales Flamarique I. Visual pigments and opsin expression in the juveniles of three species of fish (rainbow trout, zebrafish, and killifish) following prolonged exposure to thyroid hormone or retinoic acid. J Comp Neurol 2014; 522:98-117. [PMID: 23818308 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) and retinoic acid (RA) are powerful modulators of photoreceptor differentiation during vertebrate retinal development. In the embryos and young juveniles of salmonid fishes and rodents, TH induces switches in opsin expression within individual cones, a phenomenon that also occurs in adult rodents following prolonged (12 week) hypothyroidism. Whether changes in TH levels also modulate opsin expression in the differentiated retina of fish is unknown. Like TH, RA is essential for retinal development, but its role in inducing opsin switches, if any, has not been studied. Here we investigate the action of TH and RA on single-cone opsin expression in juvenile rainbow trout, zebrafish, and killifish and on the absorbance of visual pigments in rainbow trout and zebrafish. Prolonged TH exposure increased the wavelength of maximum absorbance (λmax ) of the rod and the medium (M, green) and long (L, red) wavelength visual pigments in all fish species examined. However, unlike the opsin switch that occurred following TH exposure in the single cones of small juvenile rainbow trout (alevin), opsin expression in large juvenile rainbow trout (smolt), zebrafish, or killifish remained unchanged. RA did not induce any opsin switches or change the visual pigment absorbance of photoreceptors. Neither ligand altered cone photoreceptor densities. We conclude that RA has no effect on opsin expression or visual pigment properties in the differentiated retina of these fishes. In contrast, TH affected both single-cone opsin expression and visual pigment absorbance in the rainbow trout alevin but only visual pigment absorbance in the smolt and in zebrafish. The latter results could be explained by a combination of opsin switches and chromophore shifts from vitamin A1 to vitamin A2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Suliman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
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Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency causes impaired vision and blindness in millions of children around the world. Previous studies in zebrafish have demonstrated that retinoic acid (RA), the acid form of vitamin A, plays a vital role in early eye development. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of early RA deficiency by treating zebrafish with diethylaminobenzaldehyde (DEAB), a potent inhibitor of the enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) that converts retinal to RA. Zebrafish embryos were treated for 2 h beginning at 9 h postfertilization. Gross morphology and retinal development were examined at regular intervals for 5 days after treatment. The optokinetic reflex (OKR) test, visual background adaptation (VBA) test, and the electroretinogram (ERG) were performed to assess visual function and behavior. Early treatment of zebrafish embryos with 100 μM DEAB (9 h) resulted in reduced eye size, and this microphthalmia persisted through larval development. Retinal histology revealed that DEAB eyes had significant developmental abnormalities but had relatively normal retinal lamination by 5.5 days postfertilization. However, the fish showed neither an OKR nor a VBA response. Further, the retina did not respond to light as measured by the ERG. We conclude that early deficiency of RA during eye development causes microphthalmia as well as other visual defects, and that timing of the RA deficiency is critical to the developmental outcome.
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Analysis on DNA sequence of goat RFRP gene and its possible association with average daily sunshine duration. Mol Biol Rep 2012; 39:9167-77. [PMID: 22733487 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-1789-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Goat RFRP gene was cloned and its mutations were detected in thirteen goat breeds whose reproductive seasonality and litter size were different. Then sequence characteristics were analyzed and association analyses were performed to reveal the relationships between mutations of RFRP gene and average daily sunshine duration, reproductive seasonality as well as litter size in goats. A 4,862 bp DNA fragment of goat RFRP gene was obtained and the complete CDS of 591 bp encodes 196 amino acids, having high homology with that of other mammals. The protein was predicted to be a secreted protein with a signal peptide of 21 amino acids. Moreover, two mutations (A712G, T1493C) in 5' regulatory region and one mutation (A3438T) in exon 2 were detected. The test of genotype distribution in six selective goat breeds showed that there was no uniform significant association between the three polymorphisms and seasonal reproduction. The association just existed in some goat breeds for each locus. Interestingly, however, there was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.830, P = 0.003) between the G allele frequency of the A712G locus and average daily sunshine duration in ten local goat breeds, suggesting that RFRP gene has undergone a selective pressure in sunshine duration and may have indirect relationship with reproductive seasonality in goats. Additionally, no significant difference was found in litter size between genotypes in prolific Jining Grey goats.
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Ballios BG, Clarke L, Coles BLK, Shoichet MS, Van Der Kooy D. The adult retinal stem cell is a rare cell in the ciliary epithelium whose progeny can differentiate into photoreceptors. Biol Open 2012; 1:237-46. [PMID: 23213414 PMCID: PMC3507281 DOI: 10.1242/bio.2012027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-renewing, multipotential retinal stem cells (RSCs) reside in the pigmented ciliary epithelium of the peripheral retina in adult mammals. RSCs can give rise to rhodopsin positive-cells, which can integrate into early postnatal retina, and represent a potentially useful option for cellular therapy. The ability to purify a stem cell population and direct the differentiation toward a particular cell lineage is a challenge facing the application of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Here we use cell sorting to prospectively enrich mouse RSCs based on size, granularity and low expression of P-cadherin and demonstrate that only rare cells with defined properties proliferate to form colonies. We show that clonally-derived mouse and human RSC progeny are multipotent and can differentiate into mature rhodopsin-positive cells with high efficiency using combinations of exogenous culture additives known to influence neural retinal development, including taurine and retinoic acid. This directed RSC differentiation follows the temporal sequence of photoreceptor differentiation in vivo, and the cells exhibit morphology, protein and gene expression consistent with primary cultures of rods in vitro. These results demonstrate that the RSC, an adult stem cell, can be enriched and directed to produce photoreceptors as a first step toward a targeted cell replacement strategy to treat retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Ballios
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle , Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 , Canada
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Stevens CB, Cameron DA, Stenkamp DL. Plasticity of photoreceptor-generating retinal progenitors revealed by prolonged retinoic acid exposure. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2011; 11:51. [PMID: 21878117 PMCID: PMC3189157 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-11-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Retinoic acid (RA) is important for vertebrate eye morphogenesis and is a regulator of photoreceptor development in the retina. In the zebrafish, RA treatment of postmitotic photoreceptor precursors has been shown to promote the differentiation of rods and red-sensitive cones while inhibiting the differentiation of blue- and UV-sensitive cones. The roles played by RA and its receptors in modifying photoreceptor fate remain to be determined. Results Treatment of zebrafish embryos with RA, beginning at the time of retinal progenitor cell proliferation and prior to photoreceptor terminal mitosis, resulted in a significant alteration of rod and cone mosaic patterns, suggesting an increase in the production of rods at the expense of red cones. Quantitative pattern analyses documented increased density of rod photoreceptors and reduced local spacing between rod cells, suggesting rods were appearing in locations normally occupied by cone photoreceptors. Cone densities were correspondingly reduced and cone photoreceptor mosaics displayed expanded and less regular spacing. These results were consistent with replacement of approximately 25% of positions normally occupied by red-sensitive cones, with additional rods. Analysis of embryos from a RA-signaling reporter line determined that multiple retinal cell types, including mitotic cells and differentiating rods and cones, are capable of directly responding to RA. The RA receptors RXRγ and RARαb are expressed in patterns consistent with mediating the effects of RA on photoreceptors. Selective knockdown of RARαb expression resulted in a reduction in endogenous RA signaling in the retina. Knockdown of RARαb also caused a reduced production of rods that was not restored by simultaneous treatments with RA. Conclusions These data suggest that developing retinal cells have a dynamic sensitivity to RA during retinal neurogenesis. In zebrafish RA may influence the rod vs. cone cell fate decision. The RARαb receptor mediates the effects of endogenous, as well as exogenous RA, on rod development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig B Stevens
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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Montana CL, Lawrence KA, Williams NL, Tran NM, Peng GH, Chen S, Corbo JC. Transcriptional regulation of neural retina leucine zipper (Nrl), a photoreceptor cell fate determinant. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:36921-31. [PMID: 21865162 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.279026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor neural retina leucine zipper (Nrl) is a critical determinant of rod photoreceptor cell fate and a key regulator of rod differentiation. Nrl(-/-) rod precursors fail to turn on rod genes and instead differentiate as cones. Furthermore, NRL mutations in humans cause retinitis pigmentosa. Despite the developmental and clinical significance of this gene, little is known about the transcriptional regulation of Nrl itself. In this study, we sought to define the cis- and trans-acting factors responsible for initiation and maintenance of Nrl transcription in the mouse retina. Utilizing a quantitative mouse retinal explant electroporation assay, we discovered a phylogenetically conserved, 30-base pair region immediately upstream of the transcription start site that is required for Nrl promoter activity. This region contains binding sites for the retinal transcription factors CRX, OTX2, and RORβ, and point mutations in these sites completely abolish promoter activity in living retinas. Gel-shift experiments show that CRX, OTX2, and RORβ can bind to the critical region in vitro, whereas ChIP experiments demonstrate binding of CRX and OTX2 to the critical region in vivo. Thus, our results indicate that CRX, OTX2, and RORβ directly regulate Nrl transcription by binding to critical sites within the Nrl promoter. We propose a model in which Nrl expression is primarily initiated by OTX2 and RORβ and later maintained at high levels by CRX and RORβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L Montana
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
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Kautzmann MAI, Kim DS, Felder-Schmittbuhl MP, Swaroop A. Combinatorial regulation of photoreceptor differentiation factor, neural retina leucine zipper gene NRL, revealed by in vivo promoter analysis. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:28247-55. [PMID: 21673114 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.257246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Development and homeostasis require stringent spatiotemporal control of gene expression patterns that are established, to a large extent, by combinatorial action of transcription regulatory proteins. The bZIP transcription factor NRL (neural retina leucine zipper) is critical for rod versus cone photoreceptor cell fate choice during retinal development and acts as a molecular switch to produce rods from postmitotic precursors. Loss of Nrl in mouse leads to a cone-only retina, whereas ectopic expression of Nrl in photoreceptor precursors generates rods. To decipher the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms upstream of Nrl, we identified putative cis-control elements in the Nrl promoter/enhancer region by examining cross-species sequence conservation. Using in vivo transfection of promoter-reporter constructs into the mouse retina, we show that a 0.9-kb sequence upstream of the Nrl transcription initiation site is sufficient to drive reporter gene expression in photoreceptors. We further define a 0.3-kb sequence including a proximal promoter (cluster A1) and an enhancer (cluster B) that can direct rod-specific expression in vivo. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using mouse retinal nuclear extracts, in combination with specific antibodies, demonstrate the binding of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor β (RORβ), cone rod homeobox, orthodenticle homolog 2, and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein to predicted consensus elements within clusters A and B. Our studies demonstrate Nrl as a direct transcriptional target of RORβ and suggest that combinatorial action of multiple regulatory factors modulates the expression of Nrl in developing and mature retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Audrey I Kautzmann
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, NEI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Kashyap B, Frey RA, Stenkamp DL. Ethanol-induced microphthalmia is not mediated by changes in retinoic acid or sonic hedgehog signaling during retinal neurogenesis. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2011; 35:1644-61. [PMID: 21554333 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01511.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microphthalmia (reduced eye size), generally accompanied by vision defects, is a hallmark of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in humans. In zebrafish, embryonic ethanol exposure over the time of retinal neurogenesis also results in microphthalmia. This microphthalmia is in part the consequence of reduced retinal cell differentiation, including photoreceptors. Here we pursue 2 signaling pathways implicated in other aspects of FASD pathogenesis: retinoic acid (RA) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh). METHODS We evaluated markers for RA and Shh signaling within the eyes of embryos treated with ethanol during the period of retinal neurogenesis. We also performed rescue experiments using administration of exogenous RA and microinjection of cholesterol, which augments Shh signaling. RESULTS Using sequential or co-treatments, RA did not rescue ethanol-induced microphthalmia at any concentration tested. In addition, RA itself caused microphthalmia, although the underlying mechanisms were distinct from those of ethanol. Interestingly, RA treatment appeared to recover photoreceptor differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. This may be an independent effect of exogenous RA, as ethanol treatment alone did not alter RA signaling in the eye. Cholesterol injection also did not rescue ethanol-induced microphthalmia at any concentration tested, and ethanol treatments did not alter expression of shh, or of ptc-2, which is normally regulated by Shh signaling. CONCLUSIONS Together these findings indicate that, during the time of retinal neurogenesis, effects of ethanol on eye development are likely independent of the RA and Shh signaling pathways. These studies suggest that FASD intervention strategies based upon augmentation of RA or Shh signaling may not prevent ethanol-induced microphthalmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavani Kashyap
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3015, USA
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Yu SH, Jang YJ, Lee ES, Hwang DY, Jeon CJ. Transplantation of adipose derived stromal cells into the developing mouse eye. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2010; 43:123-30. [PMID: 21245978 PMCID: PMC3015049 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.10015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose derived stromal cells (ADSCs) were transplanted into a developing mouse eye to investigate the influence of a developing host micro environment on integration and differentiation. Green fluorescent protein-expressing ADSCs were transplanted by intraocular injections. The age of the mouse was in the range of 1 to 10 days postnatal (PN). Survival dates ranged from 7 to 28 post transplantation (DPT), at which time immunohistochemistry was performed. The transplanted ADSCs displayed some morphological differentiations in the host eye. Some cells expressed microtubule associated protein 2 (marker for mature neuron), or glial fibrillary acid protein (marker for glial cell). In addition, some cells integrated into the ganglion cell layer. The integration and differentiation of the transplanted ADSCs in the 5 and 10 PN 7 DPT were better than in the host eye the other age ranges. This study was aimed at demonstrating how the age of host micro environment would influence the differentiation and integration of the transplanted ADSCs. However, it was found that the integration and differentiation into the developing retina were very limited when compared with other stem cells, such as murine brain progenitor cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Hee Yu
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, and Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University
| | - Yu-Jin Jang
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, and Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University
| | - Eun-Shil Lee
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, and Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University
| | - Dong-Youn Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University
| | - Chang-Jin Jeon
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, and Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University
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Abstract
Stem cell therapy is widely considered as a therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration. Retinal injury results in permanent visual disturbance or blindness. Repair of such damage by stem cells is one of the most feasible types of central nervous system repair. In this review, we consider how stem cells might be optimized for use as donor cells. We discuss the benefits of stem cells for transplantation in retinal degenerative disease. A wide range of stem cells from different sources is being investigated for the treatment of retinal degeneration. This study reviews the recent and old achievements about stem cells for retinal repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Safari
- Department of Anatomy, Semnan University of Medical Science, Semnan, Iran
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Wang X, Tong Y, Giorgianni F, Beranova-Giorgianni S, Penn JS, Jablonski MM. Cellular retinol binding protein 1 modulates photoreceptor outer segment folding in the isolated eye. Dev Neurobiol 2010; 70:623-35. [PMID: 20506167 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In a previous study, we used differential proteomics to identify retinal proteins whose steady-state levels were altered in an experimental system in which photoreceptor outer segments were improperly folded. We determined that the steady-state level of cellular retinol binding protein 1 (CRBP1) was downregulated in eyes lacking organized outer segments. The purpose of this study was to determine if CRBP1 is a plausible candidate for regulating outer segment assembly. We used Morpholinos to directly test the hypothesis that a decreased level of CRBP1 protein was associated with the misfolding of outer segments. Results from these studies indicate that downregulation of CRBP1 protein resulted in aberrant assembly of outer segments. Because CRBP1 plays a dual role in the retina-retinal recycling and generation of retinoic acid-we evaluated both possibilities. Our data demonstrate that outer segment folding was not modified by 11-cis retinal supplementation, suggesting that CRBP1 influences outer segment assembly through a mechanism unrelated to rhodopsin regeneration. In contrast, retinoic acid is required for the proper organization of nascent outer segment membranes. The localization of CRBP1 within Muller cells and the RPE and its demonstrated role in modulating the proper folding of nascent outer segment membranes through retinoic acid further elucidates the role of these cells in directly influencing photoreceptor physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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41
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Kumar P, Garg R, Bolden G, Pandey KN. Interactive roles of Ets-1, Sp1, and acetylated histones in the retinoic acid-dependent activation of guanylyl cyclase/atrial natriuretic peptide receptor-A gene transcription. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:37521-30. [PMID: 20864529 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.132795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac hormones atrial and brain natriuretic peptides activate guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA), which plays a critical role in reduction of blood pressure and blood volume. Currently, the mechanisms responsible for regulating the Npr1 gene (coding for GC-A/NPRA) transcription are not well understood. The present study was conducted to examine the interactive roles of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), Ets-1, Sp1, and histone acetylation on the transcriptional regulation and function of the Npr1 gene. Deletion analysis of the Npr1 promoter and luciferase assays showed that ATRA enhanced a 16-fold Npr1 promoter activity and greatly stimulated guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity of the receptor protein in both atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-dependent and -independent manner. As confirmed by gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, ATRA enhanced the binding of both Ets-1 and Sp1 to the Npr1 promoter. The retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) was recruited by Ets-1 and Sp1 to form a transcriptional activator complex with their binding sites in the Npr1 promoter. Interestingly, ATRA also increased the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 and enhanced their recruitment to Ets-1 and Sp1 binding sites within the Npr1 promoter. Collectively, the present results demonstrate that ATRA regulates Npr1 gene transcription and GC activity of the receptor by involving the interactive actions of Ets-1, Sp1, and histone acetylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center and School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
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Kling DE, Cavicchio AJ, Sollinger CA, Schnitzer JJ, Kinane TB, Newburg DS. Nitrofen induces apoptosis independently of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) inhibition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 89:223-32. [PMID: 20549697 DOI: 10.1002/bdrb.20247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrofen is a diphenyl ether that induces congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in rodents. Its mechanism of action has been hypothesized as inhibition of the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) enzymes with consequent reduced retinoic acid signaling. METHODS To determine if nitrofen inhibits RALDH enzymes, a reporter gene construct containing a retinoic acid response-element (RARE) was transfected into HEK-293 cells and treated with varying concentrations of nitrofen in the presence of retinaldehyde (retinal). Cell death was characterized by caspace-cleavage microplate assays and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assays. Ex vivo analyses of cell viability were characterized in fetal rat lung explants using Live/Dead staining. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using fluorescent immunohistochemistry with phosphorylated histone and activated caspase antibodies on explant tissues. Nile red staining was used to identify intracellular lipid droplets. RESULTS Nitrofen-induced dose-dependent declines in RARE-reporter gene expression. However, similar reductions were observed in control-reporter constructs suggesting that nitrofen compromised cell viability. These observed declines in cell viability resulted from increased cell death and were confirmed using two independent assays. Ex vivo analyses showed that mesenchymal cells were particularly susceptible to nitrofen-induced apoptosis while epithelial cell proliferation was dramatically reduced in fetal rat lung explants. Nitrofen treatment of these explants also showed profound lipid redistribution, primarily to phagocytes. CONCLUSIONS The observed declines in nitrofen-associated retinoic acid signaling appear to be independent of RALDH inhibition and likely result from nitrofen induced cell death/apoptosis. These results support a cellular apoptotic mechanism of CDH development, independent of RALDH inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Kling
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA.
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Swaroop A, Kim D, Forrest D. Transcriptional regulation of photoreceptor development and homeostasis in the mammalian retina. Nat Rev Neurosci 2010; 11:563-76. [PMID: 20648062 PMCID: PMC11346175 DOI: 10.1038/nrn2880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 377] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the developing vertebrate retina, diverse neuronal subtypes originate from multipotent progenitors in a conserved order and are integrated into an intricate laminated architecture. Recent progress in mammalian photoreceptor development has identified a complex relationship between six key transcription-regulatory factors (RORbeta, OTX2, NRL, CRX, NR2E3 and TRbeta2) that determine rod versus M cone or S cone cell fate. We propose a step-wise 'transcriptional dominance' model of photoreceptor cell fate determination, with the S cone representing the default state of a generic photoreceptor precursor. Elucidation of gene-regulatory networks that dictate photoreceptor genesis and homeostasis will have wider implications for understanding the development of nervous system function and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, Building 6/338, MSC 0610, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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Retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor RORbeta is an early-acting factor in rod photoreceptor development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:17534-9. [PMID: 19805139 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0902425106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rods and cones are morphologically and developmentally distinct photoreceptor types with different functions in vision. Cones mediate daylight and color vision and in most mammals express M and S opsin photopigments for sensitivity to medium-long and short light wavelengths, respectively. Rods mediate dim light vision and express rhodopsin photopigment. The transcription factor networks that direct differentiation of each photoreceptor type are incompletely defined. Here, we report that Rorb(-/-) mice lacking retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor beta lose rods but overproduce primitive S cones that lack outer segments. The phenotype reflects pronounced plasticity between rod and cone lineages and resembles that described for Nrl(-/-) mice lacking neural retina leucine zipper factor. Rorb(-/-) mice lack Nrl expression and reexpression of Nrl in Rorb(-/-) mice converts cones to rod-like cells. Thus, Rorb directs rod development and does so at least in part by inducing the Nrl-mediated pathway of rod differentiation.
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COUP-TFI and -TFII nuclear receptors are expressed in amacrine cells and play roles in regulating the differentiation of retinal progenitor cells. Exp Eye Res 2009; 90:49-56. [PMID: 19766631 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2009.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factors (COUP-TFs) are members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. We have shown that two homologous COUP-TF genes, COUP-TFI and COUP-TFII, are expressed in developing mouse retina with a unique gradient along the dorsal-ventral axis. In this work, we aimed to characterize the detailed expression patterns of COUP-TFs in mature retina. Their functions in retinal progenitor cell differentiation into subtypes of mature retinal cells were also examined. Immunostaining of frozen mouse retinal sections with antibodies against COUP-TFs and markers for retinal subtypes revealed that COUP-TFI and -TFII are expressed in amacrine cells, especially in a glycinergic subtype in mature mouse retina. Forced expression of COUP-TFI and -TFII in mouse retinal explant culture by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer promoted amacrine and cone photoreceptor cell differentiation, whereas that of rod photoreceptors decreased. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were not affected by the perturbation of COUP-TFI and -TFII expression levels. Using the Y79 retinoblastoma cell line, we observed that COUP-TFI and -TFII suppressed the transcriptional activation of the Nrl gene. We then analyzed one another member of COUP-TF transcription factors, COUP-TFgamma, whose structure is relatively distant from those of COUP-TFI and -TFII. It is expressed mainly in horizontal cells and has weak activity in inducing amacrine cells when COUP-TFgamma was ectopically expressed in retinal explants. In summary, we found that COUP-TFI and -TFII play roles in amacrine cell differentiation, and COUP-TFgamma has distinct expression pattern and roles during retinal development.
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Zayas-Santiago A, Derwent JJK. Preservation of intact adult rat photoreceptors in vitro: study of dissociation techniques and the effect of light. Mol Vis 2009; 15:1-9. [PMID: 19137071 PMCID: PMC2614449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 12/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Intact adult photoreceptors in culture can be a valuable tool in the search of therapies for retinal degenerations. The major challenge in this technique is that photoreceptors undergo an alteration in cytoarchitecture and loss of outer segment during the cell culture process. This study compared techniques for the isolation of photoreceptor cells from adult rat retinas to determine which technique yields the highest percent of structurally well preserved cells in vitro. In addition, the role of light exposure during the dissociation and culture process was investigated to minimize photoreceptor cell deformation over time in culture. METHODS Photoreceptor cells from adult rat retinas were isolated and quantified using three dissociation techniques: enzymatic dissociation with gentle pipeting; enzymatic dissociation with gentle pipeting and centrifugation; and non-enzymatic dissociation with gentle pipeting. To evaluate the effect of light exposure on cell deformation, we performed dissociations and cell seeding both in dark- and light-adapted conditions and measured the deformation of photoreceptors over a 12 h period right after dissociation. Cell viability in both conditions was evaluated after 4 and 7 days in culture. Preservation of cell structure in culture was assessed by immunofluorescence labeling of cells with anti-rhodopsin and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear staining. RESULTS An enzymatic technique followed by gentle pipeting or mechanical trituration yielded the highest number of intact elongated photoreceptors right after dissociation. Data suggested that centrifugation after the dissociation contributed to cell deformation immediately after isolation. Immunohistochemistry results showed that cells had deformed into a circular shape by 2 days after seeding. However, photoreceptors isolated in dark conditions maintained their elongated shape, even 7 days after seeding. Performing experiments in dark also promoted a higher number of cells to remain viable with time. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrated the importance of proper isolation techniques to obtain the maximum amount of intact photoreceptor cells. The data suggested that a gentle dissociation technique, consisting of enzymatic treatment followed by moderate pipeting of the retinal tissue, may be the key to obtain a high number of intact or structurally preserved photoreceptors. Furthermore, isolation and cell culture procedures performed under dark conditions may facilitate to maintain high number of elongated photoreceptor cells in vitro.
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Satoh S, Watanabe S. TGIF, a homeodomain transcription factor, regulates retinal progenitor cell differentiation. Exp Eye Res 2008; 87:571-9. [PMID: 18926818 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2008.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2008] [Revised: 09/09/2008] [Accepted: 09/12/2008] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
TG-interacting factor (TGIF) is a TALE homeodomain protein expressed predominantly in the central nervous system and functions as a transcriptional repressor. Several mutations in TGIF have been identified in patients with holoprosencephaly, the most common congenital malformation of the developing human forebrain. However, the precise role of TGIF in neural development is not well understood. We found that TGIF was expressed strongly in the mouse retina during early stages of development, and that its expression gradually decreased as retinal development progressed. In vitro explant cultures of mouse retina mimic the in vivo development of retinal subtypes. Forced expression of TGIF using a retrovirus in explant culture induced the differentiation of amacrine cells from retinal progenitor cells. A TGIF paralog, TGIF2, showed a similar transition in expression during retinal development, and TGIF2 also promoted amacrine cell differentiation in a retinal explant culture system. However, no apparent difference between wild-type and TGIF-knockout mouse retina was observed, suggesting that TGIF and TGIF2 function redundantly in that tissue. Forced expression of TGIF homeodomain (HD)-EnR (repressing) rather than TGIF HD-VP16 (activating) resulted in a phenotype similar to that induced by wild-type TGIF, suggesting that TGIFs may act as transcriptional repressors to induce amacrine genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Satoh
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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Hasenkamp S, Telgmann R, Staessen JA, Hagedorn C, Dördelmann C, Bek M, Brand-Herrmann SM, Brand E. Characterization and functional analyses of the human G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 gene promoter. Hypertension 2008; 52:737-46. [PMID: 18711008 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.108.114512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 is involved in renal sodium handling and blood pressure regulation. Missense variants have already been tested functionally and are associated with hypertension, but no data on promoter analyses are yet available. We scanned 94 hypertensive white subjects for genetic variation and performed promoter reporter gene analyses in HEK293T, COS7, and SaOs-2 cells. Transient transfections with various full lengths and wild-type deletion constructs revealed that 1851 bp of the flanking region and 275 bp of the 5'-untranslated region were sufficient for transcriptional activities and composed a powerful cis-active element in the distal 293 bp. The -1702T and +2T alleles resulted in drastic general reductions of promoter function, whereas an activity increasing effect of +268C was cell type specific. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay, supershift, and cotransfection analyses of transcription factor binding sites predicted in silico (Alibaba2.1/Transfac7) resulted in allele-specific binding patterns of nuclear proteins and identified the participation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein transcription factor family members. The G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 core promoter resides in the first 1851 bp upstream of its transcription start site. The 4 identified genetic variants within this region exert allele-specific impact on both cell type- and stimulation-dependent transcription and may affect the expression balance of renal G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hasenkamp
- University Hospital Muenster, Department of Internal Medicine D, Muenster, Germany
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Regulation of RALDH‐1, RALDH‐3 and CYP26A1 by transcription factors cVax/Vax2 and Tbx5 in the embryonic chick retina. Int J Dev Neurosci 2008; 26:435-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2008.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2008] [Revised: 03/07/2008] [Accepted: 03/07/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Hecker LA, Alcon TC, Honavar VG, Greenlee MHW. Using a seed-network to query multiple large-scale gene expression datasets from the developing retina in order to identify and prioritize experimental targets. Bioinform Biol Insights 2008; 2:401-12. [PMID: 19812791 PMCID: PMC2735966 DOI: 10.4137/bbi.s417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the gene networks that orchestrate the differentiation of retinal progenitors into photoreceptors in the developing retina is important not only due to its therapeutic applications in treating retinal degeneration but also because the developing retina provides an excellent model for studying CNS development. Although several studies have profiled changes in gene expression during normal retinal development, these studies offer at best only a starting point for functional studies focused on a smaller subset of genes. The large number of genes profiled at comparatively few time points makes it extremely difficult to reliably infer gene networks from a gene expression dataset. We describe a novel approach to identify and prioritize from multiple gene expression datasets, a small subset of the genes that are likely to be good candidates for further experimental investigation. We report progress on addressing this problem using a novel approach to querying multiple large-scale expression datasets using a 'seed network' consisting of a small set of genes that are implicated by published studies in rod photoreceptor differentiation. We use the seed network to identify and sort a list of genes whose expression levels are highly correlated with those of multiple seed network genes in at least two of the five gene expression datasets. The fact that several of the genes in this list have been demonstrated, through experimental studies reported in the literature, to be important in rod photoreceptor function provides support for the utility of this approach in prioritizing experimental targets for further experimental investigation. Based on Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway annotations for the list of genes obtained in the context of other information available in the literature, we identified seven genes or groups of genes for possible inclusion in the gene network involved in differentiation of retinal progenitor cells into rod photoreceptors. Our approach to querying multiple gene expression datasets using a seed network constructed from known interactions between specific genes of interest provides a promising strategy for focusing hypothesis-driven experiments using large-scale 'omics' data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Hecker
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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