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Nakano A, Morita A, Arima S, Nagamitsu T, Nakahara T. Role of mammalian target of rapamycin in the formation and progression of retinopathy of prematurity-like vascular abnormalities in neonatal rats. Microvasc Res 2024; 152:104626. [PMID: 37963514 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104626] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a retinal disease that can occur in premature infants, can lead to severe visual impairment. In this study, we examined the preventive and therapeutic effects of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibition on abnormal retinal blood vessels in a rat model of ROP. To induce ROP-like vascular abnormalities, rats were subcutaneously treated with KRN633, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase, on postnatal day 7 (P7) and P8. KRN633-treated (ROP) rats were treated subcutaneously with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin according to preventive and therapeutic protocols, i.e., from P11 to P13 (P11-P13) and from P14 to P20 (P14-P20), respectively. To compare with the effects of VEGF inhibition, KRN633 was administered according to similar protocols. Changes in retinal vasculature, phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (pS6), a downstream indicator of mTORC1 activity, and the proliferative status of vascular cells were evaluated at P14 and P21 using immunohistochemistry. Rapamycin treatment from P11 to P13 prevented increases in arteriolar tortuosity, capillary density, and the number of proliferating vascular cells, and eliminated pS6 immunoreactivity in ROP rats. KRN633 treatment at P11 and P12 (P11/P12) also prevented the appearance of ROP-like retinal blood vessels. Rapamycin treatment from P14 to P20 failed to attenuate arteriolar tortuosity but prevented increases in capillary density and proliferating vascular cell number at the vascular front, but not at the central zone. KRN633 treatment from P14 to P20 significantly reduced abnormalities in the retinal vasculature; however, the effects were inferior to those of KRN633 treatment on P11/P12. These results suggest that activation of the mTORC1 pathway in proliferating endothelial cells contributes to the appearance and progression of ROP-like retinal blood vessels. Therefore, inhibition of mTORC1 may be a promising approach for selectively targeting abnormal retinal blood vessels in ROP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuki Nakano
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Akane Morita
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Shiho Arima
- Department of Organic Synthesis, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tohru Nagamitsu
- Department of Organic Synthesis, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nakahara
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
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Yu Y, Xia LK, Di Y, Nie QZ, Chen XL. Mechanism of piR-1245/PIWI-like protein-2 regulating Janus kinase-2/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway in retinal neovascularization. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1132-1138. [PMID: 36255003 PMCID: PMC9827762 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting retinal neovascularization is the optimal strategy for the treatment of retina-related diseases, but there is currently no effective treatment for retinal neovascularization. P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a type of small non-coding RNA implicated in a variety of diseases. In this study, we found that the expression of piR-1245 and the interacting protein PIWIL2 were remarkably increased in human retinal endothelial cells cultured in a hypoxic environment, and cell apoptosis, migration, tube formation and proliferation were remarkably enhanced in these cells. Knocking down piR-1245 inhibited the above phenomena. After intervention by a p-JAK2 activator, piR-1245 decreased the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. For in vivo analysis, 7-day-old newborn mice were raised in 75 ± 2% hyperoxia for 5 days and then piR-1245 in the retina was knocked down. In these mice, the number of newly formed vessels in the retina was decreased, the expressions of inflammation-related proteins were reduced, the number of apoptotic cells in the retina was decreased, the JAK2/STAT3 pathway was inhibited, and the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor were decreased. Injection of the JAK2 inhibitor JAK2/TYK2-IN-1 into the vitreous cavity inhibited retinal neovascularization in mice and reduced expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor. These findings suggest that piR-1245 activates the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, regulates the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor, and promotes retinal neovascularization. Therefore, piR-1245 may be a new therapeutic target for retinal neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Li-Kun Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu Di
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qing-Zhu Nie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xiao-Long Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China,Correspondence to: Xiao-Long Chen, .
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Huang WQ, Zou Y, Tian Y, Ma XF, Zhou QY, Li ZY, Gong SX, Wang AP. Mammalian Target of Rapamycin as the Therapeutic Target of Vascular Proliferative Diseases: Past, Present, and Future. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2022; 79:444-455. [PMID: 34983907 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a key pathological characteristic of vascular proliferative diseases. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in regulating cell growth, motility, proliferation, and survival, as well as gene expression in response to hypoxia, growth factors, and nutrients. Increasing evidence shows that mTOR also regulates VSMC proliferation in vascular proliferative diseases and that mTOR inhibitors, such as rapamycin, effectively restrain VSMC proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms linking mTOR to vascular proliferative diseases remain elusive. In our review, we summarize the key roles of the mTOR and the recent discoveries in vascular proliferative diseases, focusing on the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibitors to target the mTOR signaling pathway for the treatment of vascular proliferative diseases. In this study, we discuss mTOR inhibitors as promising candidates to prevent VSMC-associated vascular proliferative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qian Huang
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yan Zou
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China ; and
| | - Ying Tian
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Xiao-Feng Ma
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Qin-Yi Zhou
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhen-Yu Li
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Shao-Xin Gong
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ai-Ping Wang
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China
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Tomita Y, Usui-Ouchi A, Nilsson AK, Yang J, Ko M, Hellström A, Fu Z. Metabolism in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:1119. [PMID: 34832995 PMCID: PMC8620873 DOI: 10.3390/life11111119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity is defined as retinal abnormalities that occur during development as a consequence of disturbed oxygen conditions and nutrient supply after preterm birth. Both neuronal maturation and retinal vascularization are impaired, leading to the compensatory but uncontrolled retinal neovessel growth. Current therapeutic interventions target the hypoxia-induced neovessels but negatively impact retinal neurons and normal vessels. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic disturbance is a significant and underexplored risk factor in the disease pathogenesis. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia correlate with the retinal neurovascular dysfunction in infants born prematurely. Nutritional and hormonal supplementation relieve metabolic stress and improve retinal maturation. Here we focus on the mechanisms through which metabolism is involved in preterm-birth-related retinal disorder from clinical and experimental investigations. We will review and discuss potential therapeutic targets through the restoration of metabolic responses to prevent disease development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Tomita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Y.T.); (J.Y.); (M.K.)
| | - Ayumi Usui-Ouchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba 279-0021, Japan;
| | - Anders K. Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 19 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.K.N.); (A.H.)
| | - Jay Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Y.T.); (J.Y.); (M.K.)
| | - Minji Ko
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Y.T.); (J.Y.); (M.K.)
| | - Ann Hellström
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 19 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.K.N.); (A.H.)
| | - Zhongjie Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (Y.T.); (J.Y.); (M.K.)
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