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Lenaers G, Neutzner A, Le Dantec Y, Jüschke C, Xiao T, Decembrini S, Swirski S, Kieninger S, Agca C, Kim US, Reynier P, Yu-Wai-Man P, Neidhardt J, Wissinger B. Dominant optic atrophy: Culprit mitochondria in the optic nerve. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100935. [PMID: 33340656 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is an inherited mitochondrial disease leading to specific degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), thus compromising transmission of visual information from the retina to the brain. Usually, DOA starts during childhood and evolves to poor vision or legal blindness, affecting the central vision, whilst sparing the peripheral visual field. In 20% of cases, DOA presents as syndromic disorder, with secondary symptoms affecting neuronal and muscular functions. Twenty years ago, we demonstrated that heterozygous mutations in OPA1 are the most frequent molecular cause of DOA. Since then, variants in additional genes, whose functions in many instances converge with those of OPA1, have been identified by next generation sequencing. OPA1 encodes a dynamin-related GTPase imported into mitochondria and located to the inner membrane and intermembrane space. The many OPA1 isoforms, resulting from alternative splicing of three exons, form complex homopolymers that structure mitochondrial cristae, and contribute to fusion of the outer membrane, thus shaping the whole mitochondrial network. Moreover, OPA1 is required for oxidative phosphorylation, maintenance of mitochondrial genome, calcium homeostasis and regulation of apoptosis, thus making OPA1 the Swiss army-knife of mitochondria. Understanding DOA pathophysiology requires the understanding of RGC peculiarities with respect to OPA1 functions. Besides the tremendous energy requirements of RGCs to relay visual information from the eye to the brain, these neurons present unique features related to their differential environments in the retina, and to the anatomical transition occurring at the lamina cribrosa, which parallel major adaptations of mitochondrial physiology and shape, in the pre- and post-laminar segments of the optic nerve. Three DOA mouse models, with different Opa1 mutations, have been generated to study intrinsic mechanisms responsible for RGC degeneration, and these have further revealed secondary symptoms related to mitochondrial dysfunctions, mirroring the more severe syndromic phenotypes seen in a subgroup of patients. Metabolomics analyses of cells, mouse organs and patient plasma mutated for OPA1 revealed new unexpected pathophysiological mechanisms related to mitochondrial dysfunction, and biomarkers correlated quantitatively to the severity of the disease. Here, we review and synthesize these data, and propose different approaches for embracing possible therapies to fulfil the unmet clinical needs of this disease, and provide hope to affected DOA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Lenaers
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Angers University and Hospital, Angers, France.
| | - Albert Neutzner
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Yannick Le Dantec
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Angers University and Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Christoph Jüschke
- Human Genetics, Faculty VI - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ting Xiao
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Decembrini
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Swirski
- Human Genetics, Faculty VI - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sinja Kieninger
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cavit Agca
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey; Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ungsoo S Kim
- Kim's Eye Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Pascal Reynier
- MitoLab Team, UMR CNRS 6015 - INSERM U1083, Institut MitoVasc, Angers University and Hospital, Angers, France; Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Neidhardt
- Human Genetics, Faculty VI - School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Holody C, Anfray A, Mast H, Lessard M, Han WH, Carpenter R, Bourque S, Sauvé Y, Lemieux H. Differences in relative capacities of oxidative phosphorylation pathways may explain sex- and tissue-specific susceptibility to vision defects due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrion 2020; 56:102-110. [PMID: 33271347 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2020.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cause and/or contributor to the development and progression of vision defects in many ophthalmologic and mitochondrial diseases. Despite their mechanistic commonality, these diseases exhibit an impressive variety in sex- and tissue-specific penetrance, incidence, and severity. Currently, there is no functional explanation for these differences. We measured the function, relative capacities, and patterns of control of various oxidative phosphorylation pathways in the retina, the eyecup, the extraocular muscles, the optic nerve, and the sciatic nerve of adult male and female rats. We show that the control of mitochondrial respiratory pathways in the visual system is sex- and tissue-specific and that this may be an important factor in determining susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction between these groups. The optic nerve showed a low relative capacity of the NADH pathway, depending on complex I, compared to other tissues relying mainly on mitochondria for energy production. Furthermore, NADH pathway capacity is higher in females compared to males, and this sexual dimorphism occurs only in the optic nerve. Our results propose an explanation for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, a mitochondrial disease more prevalent in males where the principal tissue affected is the optic nerve. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify and provide functional explanations for differences in the occurrence and severity of visual defects between tissues and between sexes. Our results highlight the importance of considering sex- and tissue-specific mitochondrial function in elucidating pathophysiological mechanisms of visual defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Holody
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Women and Children Research Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Dept. of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anaïs Anfray
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Heather Mast
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Martin Lessard
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Woo Hyun Han
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rowan Carpenter
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephane Bourque
- Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Women and Children Research Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Dept. of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yves Sauvé
- Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hélène Lemieux
- Faculty Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Women and Children Research Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Dept. of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Caporali L, Maresca A, Capristo M, Del Dotto V, Tagliavini F, Valentino ML, La Morgia C, Carelli V. Incomplete penetrance in mitochondrial optic neuropathies. Mitochondrion 2017; 36:130-137. [PMID: 28716668 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Incomplete penetrance characterizes the two most frequent inherited optic neuropathies, Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) and dominant optic atrophy (DOA), due to genetic errors in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the nuclear DNA (nDNA), respectively. For LHON, compelling evidence has accumulated on the complex interplay of mtDNA haplogroups and environmental interacting factors, whereas the nDNA remains essentially non informative. However, a compensatory mechanism of activated mitochondrial biogenesis and increased mtDNA copy number, possibly driven by a permissive nDNA background, is documented in LHON; when successful it maintains unaffected the mutation carriers, but in some individuals it might be hampered by tobacco smoking or other environmental factors, resulting in disease onset. In females, mitochondrial biogenesis is promoted and maintained within the compensatory range by estrogens, partially explaining the gender bias in LHON. Concerning DOA, none of the above mechanisms has been fully explored, thus mtDNA haplogroups, environmental factors such as tobacco and alcohol, and further nDNA variants may all participate as protective factors or, on the contrary, favor disease expression and severity. Next generation sequencing, complemented by transcriptomics and proteomics, may provide some answers in the next future, even if the multifactorial model that seems to apply to incomplete penetrance in mitochondrial optic neuropathies remains problematic, and careful stratification of patients will play a key role for data interpretation. The deep understanding of which factors impinge on incomplete penetrance may shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms leading to optic nerve atrophy, on their possible compensation and, thus, on development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Caporali
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Maresca
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Del Dotto
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Tagliavini
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Valentino
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara La Morgia
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy.
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Yarosh W, Monserrate J, Tong JJ, Tse S, Le PK, Nguyen K, Brachmann CB, Wallace DC, Huang T. The molecular mechanisms of OPA1-mediated optic atrophy in Drosophila model and prospects for antioxidant treatment. PLoS Genet 2008; 4:e6. [PMID: 18193945 PMCID: PMC2174975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0040006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2007] [Accepted: 11/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), a nuclear gene encoding a mitochondrial protein, is the most common cause for autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA). The condition is characterized by gradual loss of vision, color vision defects, and temporal optic pallor. To understand the molecular mechanism by which OPA1 mutations cause optic atrophy and to facilitate the development of an effective therapeutic agent for optic atrophies, we analyzed phenotypes in the developing and adult Drosophila eyes produced by mutant dOpa1 (CG8479), a Drosophila ortholog of human OPA1. Heterozygous mutation of dOpa1 by a P-element or transposon insertions causes no discernable eye phenotype, whereas the homozygous mutation results in embryonic lethality. Using powerful Drosophila genetic techniques, we created eye-specific somatic clones. The somatic homozygous mutation of dOpa1 in the eyes caused rough (mispatterning) and glossy (decreased lens and pigment deposition) eye phenotypes in adult flies; this phenotype was reversible by precise excision of the inserted P-element. Furthermore, we show the rough eye phenotype is caused by the loss of hexagonal lattice cells in developing eyes, suggesting an increase in lattice cell apoptosis. In adult flies, the dOpa1 mutation caused an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as well as mitochondrial fragmentation associated with loss and damage of the cone and pigment cells. We show that superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), Vitamin E, and genetically overexpressed human SOD1 (hSOD1) is able to reverse the glossy eye phenotype of dOPA1 mutant large clones, further suggesting that ROS play an important role in cone and pigment cell death. Our results show dOpa1 mutations cause cell loss by two distinct pathogenic pathways. This study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of optic atrophy and demonstrates the promise of antioxidants as therapeutic agents for this condition. Optic atrophies are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a gradual loss of vision, color vision defects, and temporal optic pallor. Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA), a type of optic atrophy, contributes to a large portion of optic atrophy cases. Mutations of the optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) gene are responsible for this condition. Here we describe mutant Drosophila that contain insertions in the Drosophila OPA1 ortholog, dOpa1. Heterozygous mutation causes no discernable eye phenotype, and homozygous mutation results in embryonic lethality. Using the powerful Drosophila genetic techniques, we created eye-specific mutants, giving rise to cells with two mutant copies of dOpa1 only in the Drosophila eye, and found that these eyes were rough (mispatterned) and glossy (decreased lens and pigment deposition). We found that these phenotypes were associated with fragmented mitochondria and were caused by elevated reactive oxygen species. The administration of antioxidants could ameliorate the phenotypes caused by mutation of dOpa1, offering new insight into treatment of this disease.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antioxidants/therapeutic use
- DNA Transposable Elements/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drosophila
- Drosophila Proteins/chemistry
- Drosophila Proteins/genetics
- Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
- Eye/ultrastructure
- GTP Phosphohydrolases/chemistry
- GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics
- GTP Phosphohydrolases/metabolism
- Gene Dosage
- Genes, Dominant
- Genes, Insect
- Genetic Techniques
- Homozygote
- Humans
- Membrane Proteins/chemistry
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutagenesis, Insertional
- Mutation
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/etiology
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/genetics
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/pathology
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/therapy
- Penetrance
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Superoxide Dismutase/therapeutic use
- Vitamin E/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Will Yarosh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Jessica Monserrate
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - James Jiayuan Tong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Tse
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Phung Khanh Le
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Nguyen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Carrie B Brachmann
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Douglas C Wallace
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Taosheng Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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