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Argyriou C, Polosa A, Song JY, Omri S, Steele B, Cécyre B, McDougald DS, Di Pietro E, Bouchard JF, Bennett J, Hacia JG, Lachapelle P, Braverman NE. AAV-mediated PEX1 gene augmentation improves visual function in the PEX1-Gly844Asp mouse model for mild Zellweger spectrum disorder. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:225-240. [PMID: 34703844 PMCID: PMC8516995 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Patients with Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD) commonly present with vision loss due to mutations in PEX genes required for peroxisome assembly and function. Here, we evaluate PEX1 retinal gene augmentation therapy in a mouse model of mild ZSD bearing the murine equivalent (PEX1-p[Gly844Asp]) of the most common human mutation. Experimental adeno-associated virus 8.cytomegalovirus.human PEX1.hemagglutinin (AAV8.CMV.HsPEX1.HA) and control AAV8.CMV.EGFP vectors were administered by subretinal injection in contralateral eyes of early (5-week-old)- or later (9-week-old)-stage retinopathy cohorts. HsPEX1.HA protein was expressed in the retina with no gross histologic side effects. Peroxisomal metabolic functions, assessed by retinal C26:0 lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) levels, were partially normalized after therapeutic vector treatment. Full-field flash electroretinogram (ffERG) analyses at 8 weeks post-injection showed a 2-fold improved retinal response in the therapeutic relative to control vector-injected eyes. ffERG improved by 1.6- to 2.5-fold in the therapeutic vector-injected eyes when each cohort reached 25 weeks of age. At 32 weeks of age, the average ffERG response was double in the therapeutic relative to control vector-injected eyes in both cohorts. Optomotor reflex analyses trended toward improvement. These proof-of-concept studies represent the first application of gene augmentation therapy to treat peroxisome biogenesis disorders and support the potential for retinal gene delivery to improve vision in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Argyriou
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anna Polosa
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ji Yun Song
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samy Omri
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bradford Steele
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruno Cécyre
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Devin S McDougald
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erminia Di Pietro
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph G Hacia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pierre Lachapelle
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nancy E Braverman
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Fang Y, Tschulakow A, Taubitz T, Illing B, Biesemeier A, Julien-Schraermeyer S, Radu RA, Jiang Z, Schraermeyer U. Fundus autofluorescence, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and histology correlations in a Stargardt disease mouse model. FASEB J 2020; 34:3693-3714. [PMID: 31989709 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901784rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Stargardt disease (STGD1), known as inherited retinal dystrophy, is caused by ABCA4 mutations. The pigmented Abca4-/- mouse strain only reflects the early stage of STGD1 since it is devoid of retinal degeneration. This blue light-illuminated pigmented Abca4-/- mouse model presented retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor degeneration which was similar to the advanced STGD1 phenotype. In contrast, wild-type mice showed no RPE degeneration after blue light illumination. In Abca4-/- mice, the acute blue light diminished the mean autofluorescence (AF) intensity in both fundus short-wavelength autofluorescence (SW-AF) and near-infrared autofluorescence (NIR-AF) modalities correlating with reduced levels of bisretinoid-fluorophores. Blue light-induced RPE cellular damage preceded the photoreceptors loss. In late-stage STGD1-like patient and blue light-illuminated Abca4-/- mice, lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin granules were found to contribute to NIR-AF, indicated by the colocalization of lipofuscin-AF and NIR-AF under the fluorescence microscope. In this mouse model, the correlation between in vivo and ex vivo assessments revealed histological characteristics of fundus AF abnormalities. The flecks which are hyper AF in both SW-AF and NIR-AF corresponded to the subretinal macrophages fully packed with pigment granules (lipofuscin, melanin, and melanolipofuscin). This mouse model, which has the phenotype of advanced STGD1, is important to understand the histopathology of Stargardt disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Fang
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Tschulakow
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Preclinical Drug Assessment, STZ Ocutox, Hechingen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Taubitz
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Illing
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Antje Biesemeier
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sylvie Julien-Schraermeyer
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Preclinical Drug Assessment, STZ Ocutox, Hechingen, Germany
| | - Roxana A Radu
- UCLA Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zhichun Jiang
- UCLA Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ulrich Schraermeyer
- Division of Experimental Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Preclinical Drug Assessment, STZ Ocutox, Hechingen, Germany
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Keser V, Lachance JFB, Alam SS, Lim Y, Scarlata E, Kaur A, Zhang TF, Lv S, Lachapelle P, O’Flaherty C, Golden JA, Jerome-Majewska LA. Snap29 mutant mice recapitulate neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities associated with 22q11 and CEDNIK syndrome. Commun Biol 2019; 2:375. [PMID: 31633066 PMCID: PMC6789041 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptosomal-associated protein 29 (SNAP29) encodes a member of the SNARE family of proteins implicated in numerous intracellular protein trafficking pathways. SNAP29 maps to the 22q11.2 region and is deleted in 90% of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). Moreover, bi-allelic SNAP29 mutations in patients are responsible for CEDNIK (cerebral dysgenesis, neuropathy, ichthyosis, and keratoderma) syndrome. A mouse model that recapitulates abnormalities found in these syndromes is essential for uncovering the cellular basis of these disorders. In this study, we report that mice with a loss of function mutation of Snap29 on a mixed CD1;FvB genetic background recapitulate skin abnormalities associated with CEDNIK, and also phenocopy neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities found in CEDNIK and a subset of 22q11.2DS patients. Our work also reveals an unanticipated requirement for Snap29 in male fertility and supports contribution of hemizygosity for SNAP29 to the phenotypic spectrum of abnormalities found in 22q11.2DS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vafa Keser
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | | | | | - Youngshin Lim
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Eleonora Scarlata
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
- Department of Surgery (Urology Division), McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Apinder Kaur
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Tian Fang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Shasha Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Pierre Lachapelle
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Cristian O’Flaherty
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
- Department of Surgery (Urology Division), McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Jeffrey A. Golden
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Loydie A. Jerome-Majewska
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University Health Centre at Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada
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Suspected macular light damage caused by excessive use of smartphone. Chin Med J (Engl) 2019; 132:2013-2014. [PMID: 31356464 PMCID: PMC6708681 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text
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Argyriou C, Polosa A, Cecyre B, Hsieh M, Di Pietro E, Cui W, Bouchard JF, Lachapelle P, Braverman N. A longitudinal study of retinopathy in the PEX1-Gly844Asp mouse model for mild Zellweger Spectrum Disorder. Exp Eye Res 2019; 186:107713. [PMID: 31254513 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Zellweger Spectrum Disorder (ZSD) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in any one of 13 PEX genes whose protein products are required for peroxisome assembly. Retinopathy leading to blindness is one of the major untreatable handicaps faced by patients with ZSD but is not well characterized, and the requirement for peroxisomes in retinal health is unknown. To address this, we examined the progression of retinopathy from 2 to 32 weeks of age in our murine model for the common human PEX1-p.Gly843Asp allele (PEX1-p.Gly844Asp) using electrophysiology, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, biochemistry, and visual function tests. We found that retinopathy in male and female PEX1-G844D mice was marked by an attenuated cone function and abnormal cone morphology early in life, with gradually decreasing rod function. Structural defects at the inner retina occurred later in the form of bipolar cell degradation (between 13 and 32 weeks). Inner segment disorganization and enlarged mitochondria were seen at 32 weeks, while other inner retinal cells appeared preserved. Visual acuity was diminished by 11 weeks of age, while signal transmission from the retina to the brain was relatively intact from 7 to 32 weeks of age. Molecular analyses showed that PEX1-G844D is a subfunctional but stable protein, contrary to human PEX1-G843D. Finally, C26:0 lysophosphatidylcholine was elevated in the PEX1-G844D retina, while phopshoethanolamine plasmalogen lipids were present at normal levels. These characterization studies identify therapeutic endpoints for future preclinical trials, including improving or preserving the electroretinogram response, improving visual acuity, and/or preventing loss of bipolar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Argyriou
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Anna Polosa
- Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Bruno Cecyre
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Pavillon 3744 Jean-Brillant, Bureau 260-39, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1P1, Canada.
| | - Monica Hsieh
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Erminia Di Pietro
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Wei Cui
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Jean-François Bouchard
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Pavillon 3744 Jean-Brillant, Bureau 260-39, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1P1, Canada.
| | - Pierre Lachapelle
- Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada; Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Nancy Braverman
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada; Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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Evidences Suggesting that Distinct Immunological and Cellular Responses to Light Damage Distinguishes Juvenile and Adult Rat Retinas. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112744. [PMID: 31167447 PMCID: PMC6600267 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To unravel the mechanisms behind the higher resistance to light damage of juvenile (JR) versus adult (AR) rats, Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a bright luminous environment of 10, 000 lux. The light-induced retinopathy (LIR) was assessed with histology, electroretinography and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In JR, 2 days of exposure induced the typical LIR, while >3 days added little LIR. IHC revealed a subtle migration of microglia (Iba1 marker) from the inner to the outer retina after 3 days of exposure in JR contrasting with the stronger reaction seen after 1 day in AR. Similarly, in JR, the Müller cells expressed less intense GFAP, CNTF and FGF2 staining compared to AR. Our results suggest that in JR the degree of retinal damage is not proportional to the duration of light exposure (i.e., dose-independent retinopathy), contrasting with the dose-dependent LIR reported in AR. The immature immune system in JR may explain the delayed and/or weaker inflammatory response compared to AR, a finding that would also point to the devastating contribution of the immune system in generating the LIR phenotype, a claim also advanced to explain the pathophysiology of other retinal degenerative disorders such as Age-related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and Retinitis Pigmentosa.
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Yacout SM, Elsawa SF, Gaillard ER. Calf melanin immunomodulates RPE cell attachment to extracellular matrix protein. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 256:1883-1893. [PMID: 30066027 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-4083-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE It is widely accepted that RPE melanin has a protective effect against oxidative damage in RPE cells. It is possible that an additional protective characteristic of melanin is the ability to modulate RPE cell immune response. In this study, in vitro modeling was used to probe the relationship between RPE pigmentation and immune response by monitoring IL-6 expression and secretion in calf melanin pigmented ARPE-19 cells seeded onto glycated extracellular matrix as a stressor. METHODS ARPE-19 cells were left unpigmented or were pigmented with either calf melanin or latex beads, and were then seeded onto RPE-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) or tissue culture-treated plates (no ECM). ECMs were modified by glycation. IL-6 expression was measured using qPCR and IL-6 secretion was determined using an ELISA, both at 30 min and 24 h after seeding. MTT assay was used to quantify cell attachment to glycated matrices 30 min after seeding. In unpigmented ARPE-19 cells, rate of cell attachment to substrate was monitored for 60 min after seeding using a hemacytometer to count unattached cells. Additionally, cell viability was evaluated using the Neutral Red assay 24 h after seeding. RESULTS A significant increase in IL-6 expression was observed in calf melanin pigmented cells versus latex bead and unpigmented controls (p < 0.0001) 30 min after seeding onto ECM. Twenty-four hours after seeding, a significant decrease in IL-6 expression was observed in calf melanin pigmented cells (p < 0.0001) versus controls, implicating down-regulation of the cytokine. Additionally, calf melanin pigmented cell populations showed significant increase in attachment compared to unpigmented controls on either no ECM or unmodified ECM. CONCLUSIONS Pigmentation of RPE cells with calf melanin resulted in significant changes in IL-6 expression regardless of ECM modification, in vitro. These findings suggest that melanin in the RPE may participate in immune response modulation in the retina with particular regard to cell attachment to protein substrates. The results of this study further implicate the role of chemical changes to melanin in regulating inflammation in retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally M Yacout
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Sherine F Elsawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Gaillard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA.
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