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Zhang Z, Gu Q, Chen L, Yuan D, Gu X, Qian H, Xie P, Liu Q, Hu Z. Selective microRNA expression of exosomes from retinal pigment epithelial cells by oxidative stress. Vision Res 2024; 220:108388. [PMID: 38593635 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2024.108388] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The function of exosomal miRNAs (miRs) in retinal degeneration is largely unclear. We were aimed to investigate the functions of exosomes as well as their miRs derived from retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells following exposure to oxidative stress (OS). After the OS by lipopolysaccharide and rotenone on RPE cells, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) were upregulated, along with the decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and upregulated oxidative damage marker 8-OH-dG in RPE cells. RPE-derived exosomes were then isolated, identified, injected into the subretinal space in mice. After subretinal injection, RPE-exosomes after OS not only induced higher ROS level and apoptotic retinal cells, but also elevated IL-1β, IL-6 alongside TNF-α expressions among retina/RPE/choroidal complex. Next, miRs inside the exosomes were sequenced by the next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. NGS revealed that certain miRs were abundant in exosomes, while others were selectively kept by RPE cells. Further, downregulated miRs, like miR-125b-5p, miR-125a-5p, alongside miR-128-3p, and upregulated miR, such as miR-7-5p were validated byRT-qPCR. Finally, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used to find the possible target genes of those selective exosomal miRs. Our results proved that the RPE-derived exosomes after OS selectively express certain miRs, providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University. Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Qinyuan Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University. Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Dongqing Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Xunyi Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Huiming Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
| | - Zizhong Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
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Du SW, Komirisetty R, Lewandowski D, Choi EH, Panas D, Suh S, Tabaka M, Radu RA, Palczewski K. Conditional deletion of miR-204 and miR-211 in murine retinal pigment epithelium results in retinal degeneration. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107344. [PMID: 38705389 PMCID: PMC11140208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107344] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are short, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs that canonically downregulate expression of target genes. The miR family composed of miR-204 and miR-211 is among the most highly expressed miRs in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in both mouse and human and also retains high sequence identity. To assess the role of this miR family in the developed mouse eye, we generated two floxed conditional KO mouse lines crossed to the RPE65-ERT2-Cre driver mouse line to perform an RPE-specific conditional KO of this miR family in adult mice. After Cre-mediated deletion, we observed retinal structural changes by optical coherence tomography; dysfunction and loss of photoreceptors by retinal imaging; and retinal inflammation marked by subretinal infiltration of immune cells by imaging and immunostaining. Single-cell RNA sequencing of diseased RPE and retinas showed potential miR-regulated target genes, as well as changes in noncoding RNAs in the RPE, rod photoreceptors, and Müller glia. This work thus highlights the role of miR-204 and miR-211 in maintaining RPE function and how the loss of miRs in the RPE exerts effects on the neural retina, leading to inflammation and retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Du
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
| | - Ravikiran Komirisetty
- Department of Ophthalmology and UCLA Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dominik Lewandowski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Elliot H Choi
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Damian Panas
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Susie Suh
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Marcin Tabaka
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roxana A Radu
- Department of Ophthalmology and UCLA Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
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Sp S, Mitra RN, Zheng M, Chrispell JD, Wang K, Kwon YS, Weiss ER, Han Z. Gene augmentation for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa using rhodopsin genomic loci nanoparticles in the P23H +/- knock-in murine model. Gene Ther 2023; 30:628-640. [PMID: 36935427 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00394-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is challenged by the dominant inheritance of the mutant genes, which would seemingly require a combination of mutant suppression and wild-type replacement of the appropriate gene. We explore the possibility that delivery of a nanoparticle (NP)-mediated full-length mouse genomic rhodopsin (gRho) or human genomic rhodopsin (gRHO) locus can overcome the dominant negative effects of the mutant rhodopsin in the clinically relevant P23H+/--knock-in heterozygous mouse model. Our results demonstrate that mice in both gRho and gRHO NP-treated groups exhibit significant structural and functional recovery of the rod photoreceptors, which lasted for 3 months post-injection, indicating a promising reduction in photoreceptor degeneration. We performed miRNA transcriptome analysis using next generation sequencing and detected differentially expressed miRNAs as a first step towards identifying miRNAs that could potentially be used as rhodopsin gene expression enhancers or suppressors for sustained photoreceptor rescue. Our results indicate that delivering an intact genomic locus as a transgene has a greater chance of success compared to the use of the cDNA for treatment of this model of adRP, emphasizing the importance of gene augmentation using a gDNA that includes regulatory elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simna Sp
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rajendra N Mitra
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jared D Chrispell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yong-Su Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ellen R Weiss
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zongchao Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Carolina Institute for NanoMedicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Division of Pharmacoengineering & Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Navarro-Calvo J, Esquiva G, Gómez-Vicente V, Valor LM. MicroRNAs in the Mouse Developing Retina. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032992. [PMID: 36769311 PMCID: PMC9918188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina is among the highest organized tissues of the central nervous system. To achieve such organization, a finely tuned regulation of developmental processes is required to form the retinal layers that contain the specialized neurons and supporting glial cells to allow precise phototransduction. MicroRNAs are a class of small RNAs with undoubtful roles in fundamental biological processes, including neurodevelopment of the brain and the retina. This review provides a short overview of the most important findings regarding microRNAs in the regulation of retinal development, from the developmental-dependent rearrangement of the microRNA expression program to the key roles of particular microRNAs in the differentiation and maintenance of retinal cell subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Navarro-Calvo
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Gema Esquiva
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Violeta Gómez-Vicente
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Luis M. Valor
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-965-913-988
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Subramanian R, Sahoo D. Boolean implication analysis of single-cell data predicts retinal cell type markers. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:378. [PMID: 36114457 PMCID: PMC9482279 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04915-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The retina is a complex tissue containing multiple cell types that are essential for vision. Understanding the gene expression patterns of various retinal cell types has potential applications in regenerative medicine. Retinal organoids (optic vesicles) derived from pluripotent stem cells have begun to yield insights into the transcriptomics of developing retinal cell types in humans through single cell RNA-sequencing studies. Previous methods of gene reporting have relied upon techniques in vivo using microarray data, or correlational and dimension reduction methods for analyzing single cell RNA-sequencing data computationally. We aimed to develop a state-of-the-art Boolean method that filtered out noise, could be applied to a wide variety of datasets and lent insight into gene expression over differentiation. Results Here, we present a bioinformatic approach using Boolean implication to discover genes which are retinal cell type-specific or involved in retinal cell fate. We apply this approach to previously published retina and retinal organoid datasets and improve upon previously published correlational methods. Our method improves the prediction accuracy of marker genes of retinal cell types and discovers several new high confidence cone and rod-specific genes. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate the benefits of a Boolean approach that considers asymmetric relationships. We have shown a statistically significant improvement from correlational, symmetric methods in the prediction accuracy of retinal cell-type specific genes. Furthermore, our method contains no cell or tissue-specific tuning and hence could impact other areas of gene expression analyses in cancer and other human diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12859-022-04915-4.
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Gene-independent therapeutic interventions to maintain and restore light sensitivity in degenerating photoreceptors. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 90:101065. [PMID: 35562270 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative retinal diseases are a prime cause of blindness in industrialized countries. In many cases, there are no therapeutic treatments, although they are essential to improve patients' quality of life. A set of disease-causing genes, which primarily affect photoreceptors, has already been identified and is of major interest for developing gene therapies. Nevertheless, depending on the nature and the state of the disease, gene-independent strategies are needed. Various strategies to halt disease progression or maintain function of the retina are under research. These therapeutic interventions include neuroprotection, direct reprogramming of affected photoreceptors, the application of non-coding RNAs, the generation of artificial photoreceptors by optogenetics and cell replacement strategies. During recent years, major breakthroughs have been made such as the first optogenetic application to a blind patient whose visual function partially recovered by targeting retinal ganglion cells. Also, RPE cell transplantation therapies are under clinical investigation and show great promise to improve visual function in blind patients. These cells are generated from human stem cells. Similar therapies for replacing photoreceptors are extensively tested in pre-clinical models. This marks just the start of promising new cures taking advantage of developments in the areas of genetic engineering, optogenetics, and stem-cell research. In this review, we present the recent therapeutic advances of gene-independent approaches that are currently under clinical evaluation. Our main focus is on photoreceptors as these sensory cells are highly vulnerable to degenerative diseases, and are crucial for light detection.
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Ando Y, Keino H, Inoue M, Hirota K, Takahashi H, Sano K, Koto T, Sato T, Takeuchi M, Hirakata A. Circulating Vitreous microRNA as Possible Biomarker in High Myopic Eyes with Macular Hole. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073647. [PMID: 35409006 PMCID: PMC8998168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High myopia is a major cause of irreversible visual impairment globally. In the present study, we investigated the microRNA (miRNA) profile in the vitreous of macular hole (MH) and high myopic MH. We performed miRNA analysis using TaqMan® Low Density Arrays (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) to investigate the circulating vitreous miRNA profile from patients with MH (axial length < 26.5 mm, n = 11) and high myopic MH (axial length ≥ 26.5 mm, n = 11) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The vitreous inflammatory cytokine signature was examined in high myopic MH eyes using a multiplex assay. A miRNA-Array analysis revealed that let-7c was significantly up-regulated and miR-200a was significantly down-regulated in high myopic MH eyes compared to those in MH eyes. The bioinformatics analysis for up-regulated miRNA targeted gene identified 23 pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and several inflammatory signaling pathways, whereas the bioinformatics analysis for down-regulated miRNA targeted genes showed 32 enriched pathways including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT). The levels of inflammatory cytokines including IP-10, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 were significantly higher in the vitreous of high myopic MH eyes. These results suggest that specific miRNAs expressed in the vitreous may be associated with the pathological condition of high myopic MH and the above mentioned miRNAs may contribute to the development of inflammatory status in the vitreous of high myopic eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Ando
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Hiroshi Keino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-422-47-5511
| | - Makoto Inoue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Kazunari Hirota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Hiroyuki Takahashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Kimihiko Sano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Takashi Koto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Tomohito Sato
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan; (T.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Masaru Takeuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan; (T.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Akito Hirakata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.I.); (K.H.); (H.T.); (K.S.); (T.K.); (A.H.)
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Brunet AA, Harvey AR, Carvalho LS. Primary and Secondary Cone Cell Death Mechanisms in Inherited Retinal Diseases and Potential Treatment Options. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020726. [PMID: 35054919 PMCID: PMC8775779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a leading cause of blindness. To date, 260 disease-causing genes have been identified, but there is currently a lack of available and effective treatment options. Cone photoreceptors are responsible for daylight vision but are highly susceptible to disease progression, the loss of cone-mediated vision having the highest impact on the quality of life of IRD patients. Cone degeneration can occur either directly via mutations in cone-specific genes (primary cone death), or indirectly via the primary degeneration of rods followed by subsequent degeneration of cones (secondary cone death). How cones degenerate as a result of pathological mutations remains unclear, hindering the development of effective therapies for IRDs. This review aims to highlight similarities and differences between primary and secondary cone cell death in inherited retinal diseases in order to better define cone death mechanisms and further identify potential treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Brunet
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Lions Eye Institute Ltd., 2 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-423-359-714
| | - Alan R. Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Livia S. Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
- Lions Eye Institute Ltd., 2 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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Identification of small molecule allosteric modulators that act as enhancers/disrupters of rhodopsin oligomerization. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101401. [PMID: 34774799 PMCID: PMC8665362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The elongated cilia of the outer segment of rod and cone photoreceptor cells can contain concentrations of visual pigments of up to 5 mM. The rod visual pigments, G protein–coupled receptors called rhodopsins, have a propensity to self-aggregate, a property conserved among many G protein–coupled receptors. However, the effect of rhodopsin oligomerization on G protein signaling in native cells is less clear. Here, we address this gap in knowledge by studying rod phototransduction. As the rod outer segment is known to adjust its size proportionally to overexpression or reduction of rhodopsin expression, genetic perturbation of rhodopsin cannot be used to resolve this question. Therefore, we turned to high-throughput screening of a diverse library of 50,000 small molecules and used a novel assay for the detection of rhodopsin dimerization. This screen identified nine small molecules that either disrupted or enhanced rhodopsin dimer contacts in vitro. In a subsequent cell-free binding study, we found that all nine compounds decreased intrinsic fluorescence without affecting the overall UV-visible spectrum of rhodopsin, supporting their actions as allosteric modulators. Furthermore, ex vivo electrophysiological recordings revealed that a disruptive, hit compound #7 significantly slowed down the light response kinetics of intact rods, whereas compound #1, an enhancing hit candidate, did not substantially affect the photoresponse kinetics but did cause a significant reduction in light sensitivity. This study provides a monitoring tool for future investigation of the rhodopsin signaling cascade and reports the discovery of new allosteric modulators of rhodopsin dimerization that can also alter rod photoreceptor physiology.
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Rajool Dezfuly A, Safaee A, Salehi H. Therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles' miRNAs on retinal regeneration: a review. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:530. [PMID: 34620234 PMCID: PMC8499475 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02588-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which consist of microvesicles and exosomes, are secreted from all cells to transform vital information in the form of lipids, proteins, mRNAs and small RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Many studies demonstrated that EVs' miRNAs have effects on target cells. Numerous people suffer from the blindness caused by retinal degenerations. The death of retinal neurons is irreversible and creates permanent damage to the retina. In the absence of acceptable cures for retinal degenerative diseases, stem cells and their paracrine agents including EVs have become a promising therapeutic approach. Several studies showed that the therapeutic effects of stem cells are due to the miRNAs of their EVs. Considering the effects of microRNAs in retinal cells development and function and studies which provide the possible roles of mesenchymal stem cells-derived EVs miRNA content on retinal diseases, we focused on the similarities between these two groups of miRNAs that could be helpful for promoting new therapeutic techniques for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rajool Dezfuly
- Department of Anatomical and Molecular Biology Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Azadeh Safaee
- Department of Anatomical and Molecular Biology Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Salehi
- Department of Anatomical and Molecular Biology Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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Hubens WHG, Krauskopf J, Beckers HJM, Kleinjans JCS, Webers CAB, Gorgels TGMF. Small RNA Sequencing of Aqueous Humor and Plasma in Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:24. [PMID: 34156425 PMCID: PMC8237107 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.7.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in aqueous humor (AH) and blood of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients by using small RNA sequencing. These may provide insight into POAG pathophysiology or serve as diagnostic biomarker. Methods AH and plasma of nine POAG patients and 10 cataract control patients were small RNA sequenced on Illumina NovaSeq 6000. Identification of gene transcripts targeted by differentially expressed miRNAs was done with miRWalk and MirPath. These targets were used for pathway analysis and Gene Ontology enrichment. Diagnostic potential was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results We identified 715 miRNAs in plasma and 62 miRNAs in AH. Plasma miRNA profile did not differ between POAG and control. In contrast, in AH, seven miRNAs were differentially expressed. Hsa-miR-30a-3p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-211-5p, and hsa-miR-221-3p were upregulated, whereas hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-451a, and hsa-miR-486-5p were downregulated in POAG. Compared to previous studies, hsa-mir-143-3p, hsa-miR-211-5p, and hsa-miR-221-3p were reported previously, strengthening their involvement in POAG whereas hsa-miR-30a-3p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, and hsa-miR-486-5p are implicated in POAG for the first time. Identified gene transcripts were involved in several pathways, some implicated in glaucoma before (e.g., TGF-β and neurotrophin signaling), whereas others are new (e.g., prolactin and apelin signaling). In respect to diagnostics, AH concentration of hsa-mir-143-3p had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.889. Combined with hsa-miR-221-3p, AUC improved to 0.96. Conclusions Small RNA sequencing identified seven differentially expressed miRNAs in AH of POAG patients. The differentially expressed miRNAs may be useful as POAG biomarkers or could become targets for new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter H G Hubens
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Julian Krauskopf
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Henny J M Beckers
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos C S Kleinjans
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Carroll A B Webers
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Theo G M F Gorgels
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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12
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Zolboot N, Du JX, Zampa F, Lippi G. MicroRNAs Instruct and Maintain Cell Type Diversity in the Nervous System. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:646072. [PMID: 33994943 PMCID: PMC8116551 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.646072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing the diverse cell types that make up the nervous system is essential for understanding how the nervous system is structured and ultimately how it functions. The astonishing range of cellular diversity found in the nervous system emerges from a small pool of neural progenitor cells. These progenitors and their neuronal progeny proceed through sequential gene expression programs to produce different cell lineages and acquire distinct cell fates. These gene expression programs must be tightly regulated in order for the cells to achieve and maintain the proper differentiated state, remain functional throughout life, and avoid cell death. Disruption of developmental programs is associated with a wide range of abnormalities in brain structure and function, further indicating that elucidating their contribution to cellular diversity will be key to understanding brain health. A growing body of evidence suggests that tight regulation of developmental genes requires post-transcriptional regulation of the transcriptome by microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that function by binding to mRNA targets containing complementary sequences and repressing their translation into protein, thereby providing a layer of precise spatial and temporal control over gene expression. Moreover, the expression profiles and targets of miRNAs show great specificity for distinct cell types, brain regions and developmental stages, suggesting that they are an important parameter of cell type identity. Here, we provide an overview of miRNAs that are critically involved in establishing neural cell identities, focusing on how miRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression modulates neural progenitor expansion, cell fate determination, cell migration, neuronal and glial subtype specification, and finally cell maintenance and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norjin Zolboot
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jessica X Du
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Federico Zampa
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Giordano Lippi
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
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13
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Yan K, Niu L, Tian H, Su F, Chen Y. Long Noncoding RNA Maternally Expressed Gene 3 Targets miR-30b and Regulates the AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1/Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway of H2O2-Induced Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in Retinal Ganglion Cells. J BIOMATER TISS ENG 2021. [DOI: 10.1166/jbt.2021.2412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is an important factor affecting retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis. RGC apoptosis is the main pathophysiological feature of visual impairment as a result of glaucoma. Recently, it has been found that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNAs are involved in RGC
apoptosis. Here, the function of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and miR-30b in H2 O2-induced RGC proliferation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress was investigated. The expression levels of MEG3 and miR-30b were detected by RT-PCR; the effects of MEG3 and miR-30b
on the proliferation and apoptosis of RGCs were observed by flow cytometry; the levels of apoptosis-related proteins and AKT/PI3K signal pathway proteins were detected by protein immunoassay; and the regulation of miR-34a by pvt1 was verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments.
The expression of MEG3 and miR-30b increased and decreased significantly in RGCs treated by H2O2. MEG3 expression decreased, apoptosis level-related proteins decreased, the apoptosis rate reduced, and the activity of MDA and SOD decreased. When the expression of miR-34a
was inhibited, the proliferation rate of RGCs increased, the apoptosis rate decreased, and the level of apoptosis-related proteins decreased, which reversed MEG3’s effect on RGC apoptosis and proliferation. Furthermore, pvt1 could bind the miR-30b promoter and regulate it with in
vitro expression and in vivo expression. Besides, we found that miR-30b can regulate the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway and participate in cell apoptosis and hyperplasia in stress response. LncRNA MEG3 targets miR-30b and regulates the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway on H2 O2-induced
cell apoptosis, hyperplasia, and oxidative stress of RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Nursing, Pingdingshan Polytechnic College, Pingdingshan 467001, Henan, PR China
| | - Lin Niu
- Department of Rehabilitation, College of Medical Technology and Engineering, Zhengzhou Railway Vocational and Technical College, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan, PR China
| | - Huili Tian
- Pingdingshan Federation of Persons with Disabilities Low Vision Rehabilitation Centre, Pingdingshan 467000, Henan, PR China
| | - Fanfan Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, Hubei, PR China
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14
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Pawlick JS, Zuzic M, Pasquini G, Swiersy A, Busskamp V. MiRNA Regulatory Functions in Photoreceptors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:620249. [PMID: 33553155 PMCID: PMC7858257 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.620249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression. These small, non-coding RNAs post-transcriptionally silence messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in a sequence-specific manner. In this way, miRNAs control important regulatory functions, also in the retina. If dysregulated, these molecules are involved in several retinal pathologies. For example, several miRNAs have been linked to essential photoreceptor functions, including light sensitivity, synaptic transmission, and modulation of inflammatory responses. Mechanistic miRNA knockout and knockdown studies further linked their functions to degenerative retinal diseases. Of note, the type and timing of genetic manipulation before, during, or after retinal development, is important when studying specific miRNA knockout effects. Within this review, we focus on miR-124 and the miR-183/96/182 cluster, which have assigned functions in photoreceptors in health and disease. As a single miRNA can regulate hundreds of mRNAs, we will also discuss the experimental validation and manipulation approaches to study complex miRNA/mRNA regulatory networks. Revealing these networks is essential to understand retinal pathologies and to harness miRNAs as precise therapeutic and diagnostic tools to stabilize the photoreceptors’ transcriptomes and, thereby, function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sophie Pawlick
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marta Zuzic
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giovanni Pasquini
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anka Swiersy
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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15
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Carrella S, Banfi S, Karali M. Sophisticated Gene Regulation for a Complex Physiological System: The Role of Non-coding RNAs in Photoreceptor Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:629158. [PMID: 33537317 PMCID: PMC7848107 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.629158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors (PRs) are specialized neuroepithelial cells of the retina responsible for sensory transduction of light stimuli. In the highly structured vertebrate retina, PRs have a highly polarized modular structure to accommodate the demanding processes of phototransduction and the visual cycle. Because of their function, PRs are exposed to continuous cellular stress. PRs are therefore under pressure to maintain their function in defiance of constant environmental perturbation, besides being part of a highly sophisticated developmental process. All this translates into the need for tightly regulated and responsive molecular mechanisms that can reinforce transcriptional programs. It is commonly accepted that regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), are not only involved but indeed central in conferring robustness and accuracy to developmental and physiological processes. Here we integrate recent findings on the role of regulatory ncRNAs (e.g., miRNAs, lncRNAs, circular RNAs, and antisense RNAs), and of their contribution to PR pathophysiology. We also outline the therapeutic implications of translational studies that harness ncRNAs to prevent PR degeneration and promote their survival and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Carrella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marianthi Karali
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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16
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Mak HK, Leung CKS. MicroRNA-based therapeutics for optic neuropathy: opportunities and challenges. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1996-1997. [PMID: 33642375 PMCID: PMC8343324 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Heather K Mak
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Christopher K S Leung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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17
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Xu S, Coku A, Muraleedharan CK, Harajli A, Mishulin E, Dahabra C, Choi J, Garcia WJ, Webb K, Birch D, Goetz K, Li W. Mutation Screening in the miR-183/96/182 Cluster in Patients With Inherited Retinal Dystrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:619641. [PMID: 33425925 PMCID: PMC7785829 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.619641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) is a heterogenous blinding eye disease and affects more than 200,000 Americans and millions worldwide. By far, 270 protein-coding genes have been identified to cause IRD when defective. However, only one microRNA (miRNA), miR-204, has been reported to be responsible for IRD when a point-mutation occurs in its seed sequence. Previously, we identified that a conserved, polycistronic, paralogous miRNA cluster, the miR-183/96/182 cluster, is highly specifically expressed in all photoreceptors and other sensory organs; inactivation of this cluster in mice resulted in syndromic IRD with multi-sensory defects. We hypothesized that mutations in the miR-183/96/182 cluster in human cause IRD. To test this hypothesis, we perform mutation screening in the pre-miR-183, -96, -182 in >1000 peripheral blood DNA samples of patients with various forms of IRD. We identified six sequence variants, three in pre-miR-182 and three in pre-miR-96. These variants are in the pre-miRNA-182 or -96, but not in the mature miRNAs, and are unlikely to be the cause of the IRD in these patients. In spite of this, the nature and location of these sequence variants in the pre-miRNAs suggest that some may have impact on the biogenesis and maturation of miR-182 or miR-96 and potential roles in the susceptibility to diseases. Although reporting on negative results so far, our study established a system for mutation screening in the miR-183/96/182 cluster in human for a continued effort to unravel and provides deeper insight into the potential roles of miR-183/96/182 cluster in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunbin Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Ardian Coku
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Chithra K. Muraleedharan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Ali Harajli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Eric Mishulin
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Chafic Dahabra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Joanne Choi
- Class of 2020, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - William J. Garcia
- College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Kaylie Webb
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - David Birch
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Kerry Goetz
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Weifeng Li
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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18
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Circ-ITCH restrains the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting miR-22. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 118:104594. [PMID: 33309614 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most frequent complication of diabetes mellitus, is the principal cause of acquired blindness worldwide. Although the roles of circRNAs have been extensively explored, the detailed physiological and pathological functions of circRNAs in DR are less understood. Here, we studied the biological effects of circ-ITCH in diabetic retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) and explored the underlying mechanisms. As our results shown, the RNA expression of circ-ITCH was significantly lower in RPEs isolated from diabetic rats than they were in those isolated from normal rats. While diabetes induced an increase in MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in RPEs, circ-ITCH overexpression exerted an inhibitory on these increases and knockdown of circ-ITCH reversed the inhibitory. In addition, increased expression of miR-22 in RPEs correlated with diabetes and downregulation of circ-ITCH. Remarkably, in the presence of miR-22 mimics, the effects of circ-ITCH on the MMP-2 and MMP-9 were both antagonized. Collectively, our data supports a cellular signaling cascade in which circ-ITCH-inhibited miR-22 activity modulates the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in DR.
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19
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Srivastava D, Yadav RP, Inamdar SM, Huang Z, Sokolov M, Boyd K, Artemyev NO. Transducin Partners Outside the Phototransduction Pathway. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:589494. [PMID: 33173469 PMCID: PMC7591391 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.589494] [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: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transducin mediates signal transduction in a classical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) phototransduction cascade. Interactions of transducin with the receptor and the effector molecules had been extensively investigated and are currently defined at the atomic level. However, partners and functions of rod transducin α (Gαt 1) and βγ (Gβ1γ1) outside the visual pathway are not well-understood. In particular, light-induced redistribution of rod transducin from the outer segment to the inner segment and synaptic terminal (IS/ST) allows Gαt1 and/or Gβ1γ1 to modulate synaptic transmission from rods to rod bipolar cells (RBCs). Protein-protein interactions underlying this modulation are largely unknown. We discuss known interactors of transducin in the rod IS/ST compartment and potential pathways leading to the synaptic effects of light-dispersed Gαt1 and Gβ1γ1. Furthermore, we show that a prominent non-GPCR guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and a chaperone of Gα subunits, resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8A (Ric-8A) protein, is expressed throughout the retina including photoreceptor cells. Recent structures of Ric-8A alone and in complexes with Gα subunits have illuminated the structural underpinnings of the Ric-8A activities. We generated a mouse model with conditional knockout of Ric-8A in rods in order to begin defining the functional roles of the protein in rod photoreceptors and the retina. Our analysis suggests that Ric-8A is not an obligate chaperone of Gαt1. Further research is needed to investigate probable roles of Ric-8A as a GEF, trafficking chaperone, or a mediator of the synaptic effects of Gαt1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Srivastava
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Ravi P Yadav
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Shivangi M Inamdar
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Maxim Sokolov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Biochemistry and Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Kimberly Boyd
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Nikolai O Artemyev
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
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20
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Tsuji J, Thomson T, Chan E, Brown CK, Oppenheimer J, Bigelow C, Dong X, Theurkauf WE, Weng Z, Schwartz LM. High-resolution analysis of differential gene expression during skeletal muscle atrophy and programmed cell death. Physiol Genomics 2020; 52:492-511. [PMID: 32926651 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00047.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscles can undergo atrophy and/or programmed cell death (PCD) during development or in response to a wide range of insults, including immobility, cachexia, and spinal cord injury. However, the protracted nature of atrophy and the presence of multiple cell types within the tissue complicate molecular analyses. One model that does not suffer from these limitations is the intersegmental muscle (ISM) of the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta. Three days before the adult eclosion (emergence) at the end of metamorphosis, the ISMs initiate a nonpathological program of atrophy that results in a 40% loss of mass. The ISMs then generate the eclosion behavior and initiate a nonapoptotic PCD during the next 30 h. We have performed a comprehensive transcriptomics analysis of all mRNAs and microRNAs throughout ISM development to better understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate atrophy and death. Atrophy involves enhanced protein catabolism and reduced expression of the genes involved in respiration, adhesion, and the contractile apparatus. In contrast, PCD involves the induction of numerous proteases, DNA methylases, membrane transporters, ribosomes, and anaerobic metabolism. These changes in gene expression are largely repressed when insects are injected with the insect steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone, which delays death. The expression of the death-associated proteins may be greatly enhanced by reductions in specific microRNAs that function to repress translation. This study not only provides fundamental new insights into basic developmental processes, it may also represent a powerful resource for identifying potential diagnostic markers and molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Tsuji
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Travis Thomson
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Chan
- Department of Biology, Morrill Science Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Christine K Brown
- Department of Biology, Morrill Science Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | | | - Carol Bigelow
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Xianjun Dong
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - William E Theurkauf
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Lawrence M Schwartz
- Department of Biology, Morrill Science Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
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21
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Kaarniranta K, Pawlowska E, Szczepanska J, Blasiak J. DICER1 in the Pathogenesis of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Alu RNA Accumulation versus miRNA Dysregulation. Aging Dis 2020; 11:851-862. [PMID: 32765950 PMCID: PMC7390522 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
DICER1 deficiency in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was associated with the accumulation of Alu transcripts and implicated in geographic atrophy (GA), a form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease leading to blindness in millions of people. Although the exact mechanism of this association is not fully known, the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, maturation of caspase-1 and disruption in mitochondrial homeostasis in RPE cells were shown as critical for it. DICER1 deficiency results in dysregulation of miRNAs and changes in the expression of many genes important for RPE homeostasis, which may also contribute to AMD. DICER1 deficiency can change the functions of the miR-183/96/182 cluster that regulates photoreceptors and their synaptic transmission. Aging, the main AMD risk factor, is associated with decreased expression of DICER1 and changes in its diurnal pattern that are not synchronized with circadian regulation in the retina. The initial insult inducing DICER1 deficiency in AMD may be oxidative stress, another major risk factor of AMD, but further studies on the role of deficient DICER1 in AMD pathogenesis and its therapeutic potential are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Kaarniranta
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland and Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio 70029, Finland
| | - Elzbieta Pawlowska
- 2Department of Orthodontics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Szczepanska
- 3Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Janusz Blasiak
- 4Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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22
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Sun L, Chen X, Jin Z. Emerging roles of non‐coding RNAs in retinal diseases: A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 48:1085-1101. [PMID: 32519377 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lan‐Fang Sun
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Xue‐Jiao Chen
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Zi‐Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Laboratory Beijing China
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23
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Qiu F, Mao X, Liu P, Wu J, Zhang Y, Sun D, Zhu Y, Gong L, Shao M, Fan K, Chen J, Lu J, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Curia G, Li A, He M. microRNA Deficiency in VIP+ Interneurons Leads to Cortical Circuit Dysfunction. Cereb Cortex 2019; 30:2229-2249. [PMID: 33676371 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically distinct GABAergic interneuron subtypes play diverse roles in cortical circuits. Previous studies revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are differentially expressed in cortical interneuron subtypes, and are essential for the normal migration, maturation, and survival of medial ganglionic eminence-derived interneuron subtypes. How miRNAs function in vasoactive intestinal peptide expressing (VIP+) interneurons derived from the caudal ganglionic eminence remains elusive. Here, we conditionally removed Dicer in postmitotic VIP+ interneurons to block miRNA biogenesis. We found that the intrinsic and synaptic properties of VIP+ interneurons and pyramidal neurons were concordantly affected prior to a progressive loss of VIP+ interneurons. In vivo recording further revealed elevated cortical local field potential power. Mutant mice had a shorter life span but exhibited better spatial working memory and motor coordination. Our results demonstrate that miRNAs are indispensable for the function and survival of VIP+ interneurons, and highlight a key role of VIP+ interneurons in cortical circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Qiu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xingfeng Mao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Penglai Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Jinyun Wu
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Daijing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yueyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ling Gong
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mengmeng Shao
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Keyang Fan
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiangteng Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yubin Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Giulia Curia
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena 41121, Italy.,Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena 41121, Italy
| | - Anan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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24
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García-Llorca A, Aspelund SG, Ogmundsdottir MH, Steingrimsson E, Eysteinsson T. The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) gene and its role in regulating eye function. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15386. [PMID: 31659211 PMCID: PMC6817937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51819-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) gene can cause retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal dysfunction and degeneration. We examined retinal and RPE structure and function in 3 month old mice homo- or heterozygous or compound heterozygous for different Mitf mutations (Mitfmi-vga9/+, Mitfmi-enu22(398)/Mitfmi-enu22(398), MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi) which all have normal eye size with apparently normal eye pigmentation. Here we show that their vision and retinal structures are differentially affected. Hypopigmentation was evident in all the mutants while bright-field fundus images showed yellow spots with non-pigmented areas in the Mitfmi-vga9/+ mice. MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi mice showed large non-pigmented areas. Fluorescent angiography (FA) of all mutants except Mitfmi-vga9/+ mice showed hyperfluorescent areas, whereas FA from both Mitf-Mi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi mice showed reduced capillary network as well as hyperfluorescent areas. Electroretinogram (ERG) recordings show that MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi mice are severely impaired functionally whereas the scotopic and photopic ERG responses of Mitfmi-vga9/+ and Mitfmi-enu22(398)/Mitfmi-enu22(398) mice were not significantly different from wild type mice. Histological sections demonstrated that the outer retinal layers were absent from the MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi blind mutants. Our results show that Mitf mutations affect eye function, even in the heterozygous condition and that the alleles studied can be arranged in an allelic series in this respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea García-Llorca
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegur 16, 101, Reykjavík, Iceland.,Department of Ophthalmology, Landspitali National University Hospital, Eiriksgata 37, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Margret Helga Ogmundsdottir
- Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Eiríkur Steingrimsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Thor Eysteinsson
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegur 16, 101, Reykjavík, Iceland. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Landspitali National University Hospital, Eiriksgata 37, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland.
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25
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Wu KC, Chen XJ, Jin GH, Wang XY, Yang DD, Li YP, Xiang L, Zhang BW, Zhou GH, Zhang CJ, Jin ZB. Deletion of miR-182 Leads to Retinal Dysfunction in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:1265-1274. [PMID: 30924851 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose MicroRNA-182 (miR-182) is abundantly expressed in mammalian retinas; however, the association between miR-182 and retinal function remains unclear. In this study, we explored whether miR-182 contributes to functional decline in retinas using a miR-182 depleted mouse. Methods Electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes at different ages were measured in miR-182 knockout (KO) mice. The thickness and lamination of retinas were assessed using a color fundus camera and high-resolution optical coherence tomography. Expression levels of key photoreceptor-specific genes and the miR-183/96/182 cluster (miR-183C) were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR. RNA sequencing and light-induced damage were carried out to observe the changes in the retinal transcriptome and sensitivity to light damage in the miR-182 KO mice. Results The ERG recording reveals that the ERG response amplitude decreased both at early and later ages when compared with control littermates. The expression of some key photoreceptor-specific genes was down-regulated with deletion of miR-182 in retina. RNA sequencing indicated that some biological processes of visual system were affected, and the numbers of potential target genes of miR-182 were presented in the mouse retina using bioinformatics analysis. The miR-182 KO mice were characterized by progressively losing the outer segment after being treated with light-damage exposure. The thickness and lamination of retina as well as compensatory expression of miR-183C showed no apparent changes in retina of miR-182 KO mice under normal laboratory lighting condition. Conclusions Our findings provided new insights into the relationship between the miR-182 and retinal development and revealed that miR-182 may play a critical role in maintaining retinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Chao Wu
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xue-Jiao Chen
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hui Jin
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Wang
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dan-Dan Yang
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yan-Ping Li
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lue Xiang
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zhang
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Gao-Hui Zhou
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chang-Jun Zhang
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Lab for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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26
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Juźwik CA, S Drake S, Zhang Y, Paradis-Isler N, Sylvester A, Amar-Zifkin A, Douglas C, Morquette B, Moore CS, Fournier AE. microRNA dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases: A systematic review. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 182:101664. [PMID: 31356849 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
While the root causes for individual neurodegenerative diseases are distinct, many shared pathological features and mechanisms contribute to neurodegeneration across diseases. Altered levels of microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs involved in post transcriptional regulation of gene expression, are reported for numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, comparison between diseases to uncover commonly dysregulated microRNAs during neurodegeneration in general is lagging. We performed a systematic review of peer-reviewed publications describing differential microRNA expression in neurodegenerative diseases and related animal models. We compiled the results from studies covering the prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in the literature: Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, age-related macular degeneration, ataxia, dementia, myotonic dystrophy, epilepsy, glaucoma, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and prion disorders. MicroRNAs which were dysregulated most often in these diseases and their models included miR-9-5p, miR-21-5p, the miR-29 family, miR-132-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-223-3p. Common pathways targeted by these predominant miRNAs were identified and revealed great functional overlap across diseases. We also identified a strong role for each microRNA in both the neural and immune components of diseases. microRNAs regulate broad networks of genes and identifying microRNAs commonly dysregulated across neurodegenerative diseases could cultivate novel hypotheses related to common molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille A Juźwik
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Sienna S Drake
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Yang Zhang
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Nicolas Paradis-Isler
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Sylvester
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Alexandre Amar-Zifkin
- McGill University Health Centre- Medical Libraries, 3801 University Street, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Chelsea Douglas
- Program Manager, Plotly Technologies Inc, 5555 Gaspe Avenue #118, Montréal, QC, H2T 2A3, Canada.
| | - Barbara Morquette
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Craig S Moore
- Division of BioMedical Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Alyson E Fournier
- McGill University, Montréal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, room BT-109, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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27
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Genomic non-redundancy of the mir-183/96/182 cluster and its requirement for hair cell maintenance. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10302. [PMID: 31311951 PMCID: PMC6635406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs are important regulators of gene expression. In the retina, the mir-183/96/182 cluster is of particular interest due to its robust expression and studies in which loss of the cluster caused photoreceptor degeneration. However, it is unclear which of the three miRNAs in the cluster are ultimately required in photoreceptors, whether each may have independent, contributory roles, or whether a single miRNA from the cluster compensates for the loss of another. These are important questions that will not only help us to understand the role of these particular miRNAs in the retina, but will deepen our understanding of how clustered microRNAs evolve and operate. To that end, we have developed a complete panel of single, double, and triple mir-183/96/182 mutant zebrafish. While the retinas of all mutant animals were normal, the triple mutants exhibited acute hair cell degeneration which corresponded with impaired swimming and death at a young age. By measuring the penetrance of this phenotype in each mutant line, we determine which of the three miRNAs in the cluster are necessary and/or sufficient to ensure normal hair cell development and function.
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28
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Retinal miRNA Functions in Health and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050377. [PMID: 31108959 PMCID: PMC6562649 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The health and function of our visual system relies on accurate gene expression. While many genetic mutations are associated with visual impairment and blindness, we are just beginning to understand the complex interplay between gene regulation and retinal pathologies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are important regulators of gene expression that exert their function through post-transcriptional silencing of complementary mRNA targets. According to recent transcriptomic analyses, certain miRNA species are expressed in all retinal cell types, while others are cell type-specific. As miRNAs play important roles in homeostasis, cellular function, and survival of differentiated retinal cell types, their dysregulation is associated with retinal degenerative diseases. Thus, advancing our understanding of the genetic networks modulated by miRNAs is central to harnessing their potential as therapeutic agents to overcome visual impairment. In this review, we summarize the role of distinct miRNAs in specific retinal cell types, the current knowledge on their implication in inherited retinal disorders, and their potential as therapeutic agents.
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29
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Aldunate EZ, Di Foggia V, Di Marco F, Hervas LA, Ribeiro JC, Holder DL, Patel A, Jannini TB, Thompson DA, Martinez-Barbera JP, Pearson RA, Ali RR, Sowden JC. Conditional Dicer1 depletion using Chrnb4-Cre leads to cone cell death and impaired photopic vision. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2314. [PMID: 30783126 PMCID: PMC6381178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Irreversible photoreceptor cell death is a major cause of blindness in many retinal dystrophies. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progressive loss of photoreceptor cells remains therefore crucial. Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked with the aetiology of a number of retinal dystrophies. However, their role during the degenerative process remains poorly understood. Loss of cone photoreceptors in the human macula has the greatest impact on sight as these cells provide high acuity vision. Using a Chrnb4-cre; Dicerflox/flox conditional knockout mouse (Dicer CKO) to delete Dicer1 from cone cells, we show that cone photoreceptor cells degenerate and die in the Dicer-deleted retina. Embryonic eye morphogenesis appeared normal in Dicer CKO mice. Cone photoreceptor abnormalities were apparent by 3 weeks of age, displaying either very short or absent outer segments. By 4 months 50% of cones were lost and cone function was impaired as assessed by electroretinography (ERG). RNAseq analysis of the Dicer CKO retina revealed altered expression of genes involved in the visual perception pathway. These data show that loss of Dicer1 leads to early-onset cone cell degeneration and suggest that Dicer1 is essential for cone photoreceptor survival and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Zabala Aldunate
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Valentina Di Foggia
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Fabiana Di Marco
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Laura Abelleira Hervas
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Joana Claudio Ribeiro
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Daniel L Holder
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Aara Patel
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Tommaso B Jannini
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Dorothy A Thompson
- Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Rachael A Pearson
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Robin R Ali
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Jane C Sowden
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
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30
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Anasagasti A, Ezquerra-Inchausti M, Barandika O, Muñoz-Culla M, Caffarel MM, Otaegui D, López de Munain A, Ruiz-Ederra J. Expression Profiling Analysis Reveals Key MicroRNA-mRNA Interactions in Early Retinal Degeneration in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2381-2392. [PMID: 29847644 PMCID: PMC5939684 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) that might play an important role in the etiology of retinal degeneration in a genetic mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (rd10 mice) at initial stages of the disease. Methods miRNAs–mRNA interaction networks were generated for analysis of biological pathways involved in retinal degeneration. Results Of more than 1900 miRNAs analyzed, we selected 19 miRNAs on the basis of (1) a significant differential expression in rd10 retinas compared with control samples and (2) an inverse expression relationship with predicted mRNA targets involved in biological pathways relevant to retinal biology and/or degeneration. Seven of the selected miRNAs have been associated with retinal dystrophies, whereas, to our knowledge, nine have not been previously linked to any disease. Conclusions This study contributes to our understanding of the etiology and progression of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ander Anasagasti
- Neuroscience Area, Sensorial Neurodegeneration Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maitane Ezquerra-Inchausti
- Neuroscience Area, Sensorial Neurodegeneration Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,RETICS OFTARED, National Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain
| | - Olatz Barandika
- Neuroscience Area, Sensorial Neurodegeneration Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maider Muñoz-Culla
- Neuroscience Area, Multiple Sclerosis Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,Spanish Network on Multiple Sclerosis (Red Española de Esclerosis Múltiple)
| | - María M Caffarel
- Oncology Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - David Otaegui
- Neuroscience Area, Multiple Sclerosis Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,Spanish Network on Multiple Sclerosis (Red Española de Esclerosis Múltiple)
| | - Adolfo López de Munain
- Neuroscience Area, Sensorial Neurodegeneration Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain.,Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain.,Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Javier Ruiz-Ederra
- Neuroscience Area, Sensorial Neurodegeneration Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,RETICS OFTARED, National Institute of Health Carlos III, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain
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31
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DICER1 Syndrome: Characterization of the Ocular Phenotype in a Family-Based Cohort Study. Ophthalmology 2018; 126:296-304. [PMID: 30339877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the ocular phenotype of DICER1 syndrome. DESIGN Prospective, single-center, case-control study. PARTICIPANTS One hundred three patients with an identified germline pathogenic DICER1 variant (DICER1 carriers) and 69 family control participants underwent clinical and ophthalmic examination at the National Institutes of Health between 2011 and 2016. METHODS All participants were evaluated with a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and a dilated fundus examination. A subset of patients returned for a more detailed evaluation including spectral-domain OCT, color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, visual field testing, full-field electroretinography, and genetic testing for inherited retinal degenerative diseases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual acuity and examination findings. RESULTS Most DICER1 carriers (97%) maintained a visual acuity of 20/40 or better in both eyes. Twenty-three DICER1 carriers (22%) showed ocular abnormalities compared with 4 family controls (6%; P = 0.005). These abnormalities included retinal pigment abnormalities (n = 6 [5.8%]), increased cup-to-disc ratio (n = 5 [4.9%]), optic nerve abnormalities (n = 2 [1.9%]), epiretinal membrane (n = 2 [1.9%]), and drusen (n = 2 [1.9%]). Overall, we observed a significant difference (P = 0.03) in the rate of retinal abnormalities in DICER1 carriers (n = 11 [11%]) versus controls (n = 1 [1.5%]). One patient demonstrated an unexpected diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa with a novel variant of unknown significance in PRPF31, and 1 showed optic nerve elevation in the setting of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) of unclear cause. Three patients (3%) demonstrated DICER1-related ciliary body medulloepithelioma (CBME), 2 of which were identified during routine examination, a higher rate than that reported previously. CONCLUSIONS Ophthalmologists should be aware of the ophthalmic manifestations of DICER1 syndrome, and individuals and families should be counseled on the potential signs and symptoms. We recommend that children with a germline pathogenic variant in DICER1, especially those younger than 10 years, undergo annual dilated ophthalmic examination, looking for evidence of CBME, signs of increased ICP, and perhaps changes in the retinal pigment epithelium.
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Croizier S, Park S, Maillard J, Bouret SG. Central Dicer-miR-103/107 controls developmental switch of POMC progenitors into NPY neurons and impacts glucose homeostasis. eLife 2018; 7:40429. [PMID: 30311908 PMCID: PMC6203430 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are major negative regulators of energy balance. A distinct developmental property of POMC neurons is that they can adopt an orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) phenotype. However, the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of Pomc progenitors remain unknown. Here, we show that the loss of the microRNA (miRNA)-processing enzyme Dicer in POMC neurons causes metabolic defects, an age-dependent decline in the number of PomcmRNA-expressing cells, and an increased proportion of Pomc progenitors acquiring a NPY phenotype. miRNome microarray screening further identified miR-103/107 as candidates that may be involved in the maturation of Pomc progenitors. In vitro inhibition of miR-103/107 causes a reduction in the number of Pomc-expressing cells and increases the proportion of Pomc progenitors differentiating into NPY neurons. Moreover, in utero silencing of miR-103/107 causes perturbations in glucose homeostasis. Together, these data suggest a role for prenatal miR-103/107 in the maturation of Pomc progenitors and glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Croizier
- The Saban Research Institute, Developmental Neuroscience Program, Diabetes and Obesity Program, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States.,Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Soyoung Park
- The Saban Research Institute, Developmental Neuroscience Program, Diabetes and Obesity Program, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States.,Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Julien Maillard
- The Saban Research Institute, Developmental Neuroscience Program, Diabetes and Obesity Program, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States.,Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, Inserm U1172, Lille 2 University of Health and Law, Lille, France
| | - Sebastien G Bouret
- The Saban Research Institute, Developmental Neuroscience Program, Diabetes and Obesity Program, Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States.,Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, Inserm U1172, Lille 2 University of Health and Law, Lille, France
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Non-coding RNAs in retinal development and function. Hum Genet 2018; 138:957-971. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1931-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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34
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Abstract
The small RNA regulatory molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in the development of most organisms. The expression of many different miRNAs has been described in the developing and mature vertebrate retina. The ability of miRNAs to regulate a diversity of messenger RNA targets allows them to have effects on many different developmental processes, but the functions of only a few miRNAs have been documented to date. Developmental transitions between cell states appear to be particularly sensitive to miRNA loss of function, as evidenced by specific miRNA knockdowns or from global perturbations in miRNA levels (e.g., Dicer deletion). However, we are still in only the very early stages of understanding the range of cellular functions miRNAs control during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
| | - Robert Hindges
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom;
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Gao S, Kahremany S, Zhang J, Jastrzebska B, Querubin J, Petersen-Jones SM, Palczewski K. Retinal-chitosan Conjugates Effectively Deliver Active Chromophores to Retinal Photoreceptor Cells in Blind Mice and Dogs. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 93:438-452. [PMID: 29453250 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.111294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinoid (visual) cycle consists of a series of biochemical reactions needed to regenerate the visual chromophore 11-cis-retinal and sustain vision. Genetic or environmental factors affecting chromophore production can lead to blindness. Using animal models that mimic human retinal diseases, we previously demonstrated that mechanism-based pharmacological interventions can maintain vision in otherwise incurable genetic diseases of the retina. Here, we report that after 9-cis-retinal administration to lecithin:retinol acyltransferase-deficient (Lrat-/- ) mice, the drug was rapidly absorbed and then cleared within 1 to 2 hours. However, when conjugated to form chitosan-9-cis-retinal, this prodrug was slowly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in sustainable plasma levels of 9-cis-retinol and recovery of visual function without causing elevated levels, as occurs with unconjugated drug treatment. Administration of chitosan-9-cis-retinal conjugate intravitreally in retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 retinoid isomerase (RPE65)-deficient dogs improved photoreceptor function as assessed by electroretinography. Functional rescue was dose dependent and maintained for several weeks. Dosing via the gastrointestinal tract in canines was found ineffective, most likely due to peculiarities of vitamin A blood transport in canines. Use of the chitosan conjugate in combination with 11-cis-6-ring-retinal, a locked ring analog of 11-cis-retinal that selectively blocks rod opsin consumption of chromophore while largely sparing cone opsins, was found to prolong cone vision in Lrat-/- mice. Development of such combination low-dose regimens to selectively prolong useful cone vision could not only expand retinal disease treatments to include Leber congenital amaurosis but also the age-related decline in human dark adaptation from progressive retinoid cycle deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songqi Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
| | - Shirin Kahremany
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
| | - Beata Jastrzebska
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
| | - Janice Querubin
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
| | - Simon M Petersen-Jones
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (S.G., S.K., J.Z., B.J., K.P.) and Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (J.Q., S.M.P.-J.)
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36
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Zelinger L, Swaroop A. RNA Biology in Retinal Development and Disease. Trends Genet 2018; 34:341-351. [PMID: 29395379 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For decades, RNA has served in a supporting role between the genetic carrier (DNA) and the functional molecules (proteins). It is finally time for RNA to take center stage in all aspects of biology. The retina provides a unique opportunity to dissect the molecular underpinnings of neuronal diversity and disease. Transcriptome profiles of the retina and its resident cell types have unraveled unique features of the RNA landscape. The discovery of distinct RNA molecules and the recognition that RNA processing is a major cause of retinal neurodegeneration have prompted the design of biomarkers and novel therapeutic paradigms. We review here RNA biology as it pertains to the retina, emphasizing new avenues for investigations in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zelinger
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Budak G, Dash S, Srivastava R, Lachke SA, Janga SC. Express: A database of transcriptome profiles encompassing known and novel transcripts across multiple development stages in eye tissues. Exp Eye Res 2018; 168:57-68. [PMID: 29337142 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Advances in sequencing have facilitated nucleotide-resolution genome-wide transcriptomic profiles across multiple mouse eye tissues. However, these RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) based eye developmental transcriptomes are not organized for easy public access, making any further analysis challenging. Here, we present a new database "Express" (http://www.iupui.edu/∼sysbio/express/) that unifies various mouse lens and retina RNA-seq data and provides user-friendly visualization of the transcriptome to facilitate gene discovery in the eye. We obtained RNA-seq data encompassing 7 developmental stages of lens in addition to that on isolated lens epithelial and fibers, as well as on 11 developmental stages of retina/isolated retinal rod photoreceptor cells from publicly available wild-type mouse datasets. These datasets were pre-processed, aligned, quantified and normalized for expression levels of known and novel transcripts using a unified expression quantification framework. Express provides heatmap and browser view allowing easy navigation of the genomic organization of transcripts or gene loci. Further, it allows users to search candidate genes and export both the visualizations and the embedded data to facilitate downstream analysis. We identified total of >81,000 transcripts in the lens and >178,000 transcripts in the retina across all the included developmental stages. This analysis revealed that a significant number of the retina-expressed transcripts are novel. Expression of several transcripts in the lens and retina across multiple developmental stages was independently validated by RT-qPCR for established genes such as Pax6 and Lhx2 as well as for new candidates such as Elavl4, Rbm5, Pabpc1, Tia1 and Tubb2b. Thus, Express serves as an effective portal for analyzing pruned RNA-seq expression datasets presently collected for the lens and retina. It will allow a wild-type context for the detailed analysis of targeted gene-knockout mouse ocular defect models and facilitate the prioritization of candidate genes from Exome-seq data of eye disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gungor Budak
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University Purdue University, 719 Indiana Ave Ste 319, Walker Plaza Building, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Soma Dash
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Rajneesh Srivastava
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University Purdue University, 719 Indiana Ave Ste 319, Walker Plaza Building, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Salil A Lachke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States; Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - Sarath Chandra Janga
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University Purdue University, 719 Indiana Ave Ste 319, Walker Plaza Building, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 5021 Health Information and Translational Sciences (HITS), 410 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Medical Research and Library Building, 975 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States.
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38
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Barbato S, Marrocco E, Intartaglia D, Pizzo M, Asteriti S, Naso F, Falanga D, Bhat RS, Meola N, Carissimo A, Karali M, Prosser HM, Cangiano L, Surace EM, Banfi S, Conte I. MiR-211 is essential for adult cone photoreceptor maintenance and visual function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17004. [PMID: 29209045 PMCID: PMC5717140 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17331-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that play an important role in the control of fundamental biological processes in both physiological and pathological conditions. Their function in retinal cells is just beginning to be elucidated, and a few have been found to play a role in photoreceptor maintenance and function. MiR-211 is one of the most abundant miRNAs in the developing and adult eye. However, its role in controlling vertebrate visual system development, maintenance and function so far remain incompletely unexplored. Here, by targeted inactivation in a mouse model, we identify a critical role of miR-211 in cone photoreceptor function and survival. MiR-211 knockout (-/-) mice exhibited a progressive cone dystrophy accompanied by significant alterations in visual function. Transcriptome analysis of the retina from miR-211-/- mice during cone degeneration revealed significant alteration of pathways related to cell metabolism. Collectively, this study highlights for the first time the impact of miR-211 function in the retina and significantly contributes to unravelling the role of specific miRNAs in cone photoreceptor function and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Barbato
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Daniela Intartaglia
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Pizzo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Sabrina Asteriti
- Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56123, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Naso
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Danila Falanga
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Rajeshwari S Bhat
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Nicola Meola
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
- Aarhus University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, C.F. Møllers Allé 3 building 1130, 422-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Annamaria Carissimo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Marianthi Karali
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Haydn M Prosser
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Cangiano
- Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy.
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Ivan Conte
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy.
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Sundermeier TR, Sakami S, Sahu B, Howell SJ, Gao S, Dong Z, Golczak M, Maeda A, Palczewski K. MicroRNA-processing Enzymes Are Essential for Survival and Function of Mature Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells in Mice. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:3366-3378. [PMID: 28104803 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.770024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of irreversible vision loss. The neovascular or "wet" form of AMD can be treated to varying degrees with anti-angiogenic drugs, but geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced stage of the more prevalent "dry" form of AMD for which there is no effective treatment. Development of GA has been linked to loss of the microRNA (miRNA)-processing enzyme DICER1 in the mature retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). This loss results in the accumulation of toxic transcripts of Alu transposable elements, which activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and additional downstream pathways that compromise the integrity and function of the RPE. However, it remains unclear whether the loss of miRNA processing and subsequent gene regulation in the RPE due to DICER1 deficiency also contributes to RPE cell death. To clarify the role of miRNAs in RPE cells, we used two different mature RPE cell-specific Cre recombinase drivers to inactivate either Dicer1 or DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 (Dgcr8), thus removing RPE miRNA regulatory activity in mice by disrupting two independent and essential steps of miRNA biogenesis. In contrast with prior studies, we found that the loss of each factor independently led to strikingly similar defects in the survival and function of the RPE and retina. These results suggest that the loss of miRNAs also contributes to RPE cell death and loss of visual function and could affect the pathology of dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marcin Golczak
- Departments of Pharmacology; Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
| | - Akiko Maeda
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Departments of Pharmacology; Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
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40
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Palfi A, Hokamp K, Hauck SM, Vencken S, Millington-Ward S, Chadderton N, Carrigan M, Kortvely E, Greene CM, Kenna PF, Farrar GJ. microRNA regulatory circuits in a mouse model of inherited retinal degeneration. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31431. [PMID: 27527066 PMCID: PMC4985623 DOI: 10.1038/srep31431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNA dysregulation is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative disorders, including those involving the retina. Up-regulation of miR-1/133 and miR-142, and down-regulation of miR-183/96/182 has been described in the RHO-P347S mouse retina, a model for a common form of inherited blindness. High-throughput LC-MS/MS was employed to analyse the protein expression of predicted targets for these miRNAs in RHO-P347S mouse retinas; 133 potential target genes were identified. Pathway over-representation analysis suggests G-protein signaling/visual transduction, and synaptic transmission for miR-1, and transmembrane transport, cell-adhesion, signal transduction and apoptosis for miR-183/96/182 as regulated functions in retina. Validation of miRNA-target mRNA interactions for miR-1, miR-96/182 and miR-96 targeting Ctbp2, Rac1 and Slc6a9, respectively, was demonstrated in vitro. In vivo interaction of miR-183/96/182 and Rac1 mRNA in retina was confirmed using miR-CATCH. Additional miRNAs (including miR-103-3p, miR-9-5p) were both predicted to target Rac1 mRNA and enriched by Rac1-miR-CATCH. Other Rac1-miR-CATCH-enriched miRNAs (including miR-125a/b-5p, miR-378a-3p) were not predicted to target Rac1. Furthermore, levels of ~25% of the retinal Rac1 interactors were determined by LC-MS/MS; expression of Rap1gds1 and Cav1 was elevated. Our data suggest significant utilisation of miRNA-based regulation in retina. Possibly more than 30 miRNAs interact with Rac1 in retina, targeting both UTRs and coding regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpad Palfi
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Karsten Hokamp
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Stefanie M. Hauck
- Research Unit Protein Science, Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Vencken
- Respiratory Research Division, Dept. Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | | | - Naomi Chadderton
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mathew Carrigan
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Elod Kortvely
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Catherine M. Greene
- Respiratory Research Division, Dept. Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Paul F. Kenna
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - G. Jane Farrar
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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41
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Quintero H, Gómez-Montalvo AI, Lamas M. MicroRNA changes through Müller glia dedifferentiation and early/late rod photoreceptor differentiation. Neuroscience 2015; 316:109-21. [PMID: 26708746 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cell-type determination is a complex process driven by the combinatorial effect of extrinsic signals and the expression of transcription factors and regulatory genes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that, generally, inhibit the expression of target genes and have been involved, among other processes, in cell identity acquisition. To search for candidate miRNAs putatively involved in mice rod photoreceptor and Müller glia (MG) identity, we compared miRNA expression profiles between late-stage retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), CD73-immunopositive (CD73+) rods and postnatal MG. We found a close similarity between RPCs and CD73+ miRNA expression profiles but a divergence between CD73+ and MG miRNA signatures. We validated preferentially expressed miRNAs in the CD73+ subpopulation (miR-182, 183, 124a, 9(∗), 181c and 301b(∗)) or MG (miR-143, 145, 214, 199a-5p, 199b(∗), and 29a). Taking advantage of the unique capacity of MG to dedifferentiate into progenitor-like cells that can be differentiated to a rod phenotype in response to external cues, we evaluated changes of selected miRNAs in MG-derived progenitors (MGDP) during neuronal differentiation. We found decreased levels of miR-143 and 145, but increased levels of miR-29a in MGDP. In MGDPs committed to early neuronal lineages we found increased levels of miR-124a and upregulation of miR-124a, 9(∗) and 181c during MGDP acquisition of rod phenotypes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ectopic miR-124 expression is sufficient to enhance early neuronal commitment of MGDP. Our data reveal a dynamic regulation of miRNAs in MGDP through early and late neuronal commitment and miRNAs that could be potential targets to exploit the silent neuronal differentiation capacity of MG in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Quintero
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, CINVESTAV-Sede Sur, México D.F., Mexico
| | - A I Gómez-Montalvo
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, CINVESTAV-Sede Sur, México D.F., Mexico
| | - M Lamas
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, CINVESTAV-Sede Sur, México D.F., Mexico.
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42
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Sundermeier TR, Palczewski K. The impact of microRNA gene regulation on the survival and function of mature cell types in the eye. FASEB J 2015; 30:23-33. [PMID: 26399786 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-279745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple genes, often within the same pathway, fine-tuning expression of key factors and stabilizing gene networks against aberrant fluctuations. The demanding physiologic functions of photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigmented epithelium necessitate precise gene regulation to maintain their homeostasis and function, thus rendering these postmitotic cells vulnerable to premature death in retinal degenerative disorders. Recent studies of the physiologic impact of miRNAs in these cells clearly demonstrate that miRNAs are an essential component of that gene regulation. These important advances provide the foundation for future exploration of miRNA-regulated gene networks in the eye to facilitate the development of miRNA-targeted therapeutics to combat blinding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Sundermeier
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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43
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Histological Characterization of the Dicer1 Mutant Zebrafish Retina. J Ophthalmol 2015; 2015:309510. [PMID: 26124959 PMCID: PMC4466466 DOI: 10.1155/2015/309510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DICER1, a multidomain RNase III endoribonuclease, plays a critical role in microRNA (miRNA) and RNA-interference (RNAi) functional pathways. Loss of Dicer1 affects different developmental processes. Dicer1 is essential for retinal development and maintenance. DICER1 was recently shown to have another function of silencing the toxicity of Alu RNAs in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which are involved in the pathogenesis of age related macular degeneration. In this study, we characterized a Dicer1 mutant fish line, which carries a nonsense mutation (W1457Ter) induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis. Zebrafish DICER1 protein is highly conserved in the evolution. Zebrafish Dicer1 is expressed at the earliest stages of zebrafish development and persists into late developmental stages; it is widely expressed in adult tissues. Homozygous Dicer1 mutant fish (DICER1(W1457Ter/W1457Ter)) have an arrest in early growth with significantly smaller eyes and are dead at 14-18 dpf. Heterozygous Dicer1 mutant fish have similar retinal structure to that of control fish; the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells are normal with no sign of degeneration at the age of 20 months.
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44
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Yang HJ, Ratnapriya R, Cogliati T, Kim JW, Swaroop A. Vision from next generation sequencing: multi-dimensional genome-wide analysis for producing gene regulatory networks underlying retinal development, aging and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2015; 46:1-30. [PMID: 25668385 PMCID: PMC4402139 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Genomics and genetics have invaded all aspects of biology and medicine, opening uncharted territory for scientific exploration. The definition of "gene" itself has become ambiguous, and the central dogma is continuously being revised and expanded. Computational biology and computational medicine are no longer intellectual domains of the chosen few. Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, together with novel methods of pattern recognition and network analyses, has revolutionized the way we think about fundamental biological mechanisms and cellular pathways. In this review, we discuss NGS-based genome-wide approaches that can provide deeper insights into retinal development, aging and disease pathogenesis. We first focus on gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that govern the differentiation of retinal photoreceptors and modulate adaptive response during aging. Then, we discuss NGS technology in the context of retinal disease and develop a vision for therapies based on network biology. We should emphasize that basic strategies for network construction and analyses can be transported to any tissue or cell type. We believe that specific and uniform guidelines are required for generation of genome, transcriptome and epigenome data to facilitate comparative analysis and integration of multi-dimensional data sets, and for constructing networks underlying complex biological processes. As cellular homeostasis and organismal survival are dependent on gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, we believe that network-based biology will provide the foundation for deciphering disease mechanisms and discovering novel drug targets for retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jin Yang
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0610, USA
| | - Rinki Ratnapriya
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0610, USA
| | - Tiziana Cogliati
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0610, USA
| | - Jung-Woong Kim
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0610, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0610, USA.
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45
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Xue Y, Shen SQ, Jui J, Rupp AC, Byrne LC, Hattar S, Flannery JG, Corbo JC, Kefalov VJ. CRALBP supports the mammalian retinal visual cycle and cone vision. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:727-38. [PMID: 25607845 DOI: 10.1172/jci79651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP, encoded by RLBP1) can lead to severe cone photoreceptor-mediated vision loss in patients. It is not known how CRALBP supports cone function or how altered CRALBP leads to cone dysfunction. Here, we determined that deletion of Rlbp1 in mice impairs the retinal visual cycle. Mice lacking CRALBP exhibited M-opsin mislocalization, M-cone loss, and impaired cone-driven visual behavior and light responses. Additionally, M-cone dark adaptation was largely suppressed in CRALBP-deficient animals. While rearing CRALBP-deficient mice in the dark prevented the deterioration of cone function, it did not rescue cone dark adaptation. Adeno-associated virus-mediated restoration of CRALBP expression specifically in Müller cells, but not retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, rescued the retinal visual cycle and M-cone sensitivity in knockout mice. Our results identify Müller cell CRALBP as a key component of the retinal visual cycle and demonstrate that this pathway is important for maintaining normal cone-driven vision and accelerating cone dark adaptation.
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Palczewski K. Chemistry and biology of the initial steps in vision: the Friedenwald lecture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:6651-72. [PMID: 25338686 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual transduction is the process in the eye whereby absorption of light in the retina is translated into electrical signals that ultimately reach the brain. The first challenge presented by visual transduction is to understand its molecular basis. We know that maintenance of vision is a continuous process requiring the activation and subsequent restoration of a vitamin A-derived chromophore through a series of chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Diverse biochemical approaches that identified key proteins and reactions were essential to achieve a mechanistic understanding of these visual processes. The three-dimensional arrangements of these enzymes' polypeptide chains provide invaluable insights into their mechanisms of action. A wealth of information has already been obtained by solving high-resolution crystal structures of both rhodopsin and the retinoid isomerase from pigment RPE (RPE65). Rhodopsin, which is activated by photoisomerization of its 11-cis-retinylidene chromophore, is a prototypical member of a large family of membrane-bound proteins called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). RPE65 is a retinoid isomerase critical for regeneration of the chromophore. Electron microscopy (EM) and atomic force microscopy have provided insights into how certain proteins are assembled to form much larger structures such as rod photoreceptor cell outer segment membranes. A second challenge of visual transduction is to use this knowledge to devise therapeutic approaches that can prevent or reverse conditions leading to blindness. Imaging modalities like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) applied to appropriate animal models as well as human retinal imaging have been employed to characterize blinding diseases, monitor their progression, and evaluate the success of therapeutic agents. Lately two-photon (2-PO) imaging, together with biochemical assays, are revealing functional aspects of vision at a new molecular level. These multidisciplinary approaches combined with suitable animal models and inbred mutant species can be especially helpful in translating provocative cell and tissue culture findings into therapeutic options for further development in animals and eventually in humans. A host of different approaches and techniques is required for substantial progress in understanding fundamental properties of the visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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Sundermeier TR, Jin H, Kleinjan ML, Mustafi D, Licatalosi DD, Palczewski K. Argonaute high-throughput sequencing of RNAs isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation reveals a snapshot of miRNA gene regulation in the mammalian retina. Biochemistry 2014; 53:5831-3. [PMID: 25204418 PMCID: PMC4172207 DOI: 10.1021/bi500966b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence points to roles for miRNA gene regulation in promoting development, function, and cell survival in the mammalian retina. However, little is known regarding which retinal genes are targets of miRNAs. Here, we employed a systematic, nonbiased, biochemical approach to identify targets of miRNA gene regulation in the bovine retina, a common model species for vision research. Using Argonaute high-throughput sequencing of RNAs isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation analysis, we identified 348 high-confidence miRNA target sites within 261 genes. This list was enriched in rod and cone photoreceptor genes and included 28 retinal disease genes, providing further evidence of a role of miRNAs in the pathology of blinding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Sundermeier
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology and ‡Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine , 2109 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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