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Roodnat AW, Callaghan B, Doyle C, Vallabh NA, Atkinson SD, Willoughby CE. Genome-wide RNA sequencing of ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous and normal eyes: Implications for glaucoma management. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307227. [PMID: 38990974 PMCID: PMC11239048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary open angle glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness which is commonly treated with drugs or laser but may require surgery. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts are involved in wound-healing after glaucoma filtration surgery and may compromise a favourable outcome of glaucoma surgery by contributing to fibrosis. To investigate changes in gene expression and key pathways contributing to the glaucomatous state we performed genome-wide RNA sequencing. Human Tenon's ocular fibroblasts were cultured from normal and glaucomatous human donors undergoing eye surgery (n = 12). mRNA was extracted and RNA-Seq performed on the Illumina platform. Differentially expressed genes were identified using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts and edgeR. Changes in biological functions and pathways were determined using Enrichr and clustered using Cytoscape. A total of 5817 genes were differentially expressed between Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from normal versus glaucomatous eyes. Enrichment analysis showed 787 significantly different biological functions and pathways which were clustered into 176 clusters. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous eyes showed signs of fibrosis with fibroblast to myofibroblast transdifferentiation and associated changes in mitochondrial fission, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, proliferation, unfolded protein response, inflammation and apoptosis which may relate to the pathogenesis of glaucoma or the detrimental effects of topical glaucoma therapies. Altered gene expression in glaucomatous Tenon's ocular fibroblasts may contribute to an unfavourable outcome of glaucoma filtration surgery. This work presents a genome-wide transcriptome of glaucomatous versus normal Tenon's ocular fibroblasts which may identify genes or pathways of therapeutic value to improve surgical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton W. Roodnat
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Breedge Callaghan
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chelsey Doyle
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Neeru A. Vallabh
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Insitute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- St. Paul’s Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah D. Atkinson
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Colin E. Willoughby
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Sharif NA. Gene therapies and gene product-based drug candidates for normalizing and preserving tissue functions in animal models of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 94:101218. [PMID: 37976898 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101218] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
More than 76 million people worldwide are afflicted with the neurodegenerative eye diseases described and grouped together as glaucoma. A common feature amongst the many forms of glaucoma is chronically elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) within the anterior chamber of the eye that physically damages the retina, optic nerve and parts of the brain connected with visual perception. The mediators of the contusing raised IOP responsible for such damage and loss of vision include locally released inflammatory agents, tissue remodeling enzymes and infiltrating immune cells which damage the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and eventually kill a significant number of the RGCs. Additional culprits include genetic defects of the patient that involve aberrations in receptors, enzymes and/or endogenous ligands and possible over- or under-production of the latter. Other genetic abnormalities may include issues with signal transduction machinery within key cells of critical tissues in the front (e.g. trabecular meshwork [TM] and Schlemm's canal [SC]) and back of the eye (e.g. retinal ganglion cells and their axons). Genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) coupled with next generation sequencing have provided powerful linkage of certain gene defects and polymorphic variants to the onset and progression of diseases of the tissues involved in fluid dynamics in the TM and SC, and many retinal elements (lamina cribosa, optic nerve head) at the back of the eye which cause ocular hypertension (OHT) and glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON), respectively. Despite the availability of some drugs, fluid drainage microshunts and full surgical techniques to lower and control intraocular pressure, the major modifiable biomarker of open-angle and other forms of glaucoma, their side-effect profiles, less than optimum effectiveness and short duration of action present opportunities to clinically manage the glaucomas with next generation of treatments with high therapeutic indices, including gene therapies. Thus, identification, characterization and deployment of genetic data coupled with traditional drug discovery and novel gene replacement, gene editing and genetic engineering technologies may provide some solutions to the aforementioned problems. These aspects will be discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najam A Sharif
- Eye-APC Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, 169856, Singapore; Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, W2 1PG, UK; Imperial College of Science and Technology, St. Mary's Campus, London, WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Pharmacy Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, 77004, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, 169856, Singapore; Global Research & Development, Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc., Dallas, TX 75207, USA.
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Chen J, Zhang C, Peng J, Tang C, Zhang C, Zhang M, Zou X, Zou Y. Gender-specific lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network to reveal potential genes for primary open-angle glaucoma. Exp Eye Res 2023; 236:109668. [PMID: 37774963 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109668] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investigation of biomarkers may facilitate understanding the mechanisms of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and developing therapeutic targets. This study aimed to identify potential genes based on competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network for POAG. METHODS Based on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we identified differential expressed lncRNAs (DELs), differential expressed miRNAs (DEMis) and differential expressed mRNAs (DEMs) and then constructed a ceRNA network. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified gender-specific genes for gender-associated ceRNA network construction, followed by the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis to screen hub genes and reveal their functions. The expression levels of hub genes were measured in steroid-induced ocular hypertension (SIOH) mice. RESULTS A total of 175 DELs, 727 DEMs and 45 DEMis were screened between control and POAG samples. Seven modules were identified through WGCNA and one module was associated with gender of POAG patients. We discovered 41 gender-specific genes for gender-associated ceRNA construction and then identified 8 genes (NAV3, C1QB, RXRB, P2RY4, ADAM15, VAV3, ZNF207 and TOP1), which were enriched in cell cycle-related pathways and immune-related pathways. C1QB, RXRB, Top1 and ZNF207 were highly interacted with other proteins. The expression levels of NAV3 and C1QB were downregulated in SIOH, while the levels of RXRB, P2RY4, ADAM15, VAV3, ZNF207 and TOP1 were upregulated in SIOH. CONCLUSION This study identifies hub genes associated with the pathogenesis of gender-specific POAG and provides potential biomarkers for POAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China
| | - Chu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China
| | - Jinyan Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China
| | - Cuicui Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China
| | - Chunli Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China
| | - Mengyi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China
| | - Xiulan Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China.
| | - Yuping Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA, No.111, Liuhua Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510010, China.
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Sharif NA. Elevated Intraocular Pressure and Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy: Genes to Disease Mechanisms, Therapeutic Drugs, and Gene Therapies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:870. [PMID: 37375817 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article focuses on the pathogenesis of and genetic defects linked with chronic ocular hypertension (cOHT) and glaucoma. The latter ocular disease constitutes a group of ocular degenerative diseases whose hallmark features are damage to the optic nerve, apoptotic demise of retinal ganglion cells, disturbances within the brain regions involved in visual perception and considerable visual impairment that can lead to blindness. Even though a number of pharmaceuticals, surgical and device-based treatments already exist addressing cOHT associated with the most prevalent of the glaucoma types, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), they can be improved upon in terms of superior efficacy with reduced side-effects and with longer duration of activity. The linkage of disease pathology to certain genes via genome-wide associated studies are illuminating new approaches to finding novel treatment options for the aforementioned ocular disorders. Gene replacement, gene editing via CRISPR-Cas9, and the use of optogenetic technologies may replace traditional drug-based therapies and/or they may augment existing therapeutics for the treatment of cOHT and POAG in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najam A Sharif
- Eye-APC Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX 77004, USA
- Imperial College of Science and Technology, St. Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Suo L, Dai W, Qin X, Li G, Zhang D, Cheng T, Yao T, Zhang C. Screening of primary open-angle glaucoma diagnostic markers based on immune-related genes and immune infiltration. BMC Genom Data 2022; 23:67. [PMID: 36002796 PMCID: PMC9400315 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-022-01072-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) continues to be a poorly understood disease. Although there were multiple researches on the identification of POAG biomarkers, few studies systematically revealed the immune-related cells and immune infiltration of POAG. Bioinformatics analyses of optic nerve (ON) and trabecular meshwork (TM) gene expression data were performed to further elucidate the immune-related genes of POAG and identify candidate target genes for treatment.
Methods
We performed a gene analysis of publicly available microarray data, namely, the GSE27276-GPL2507, GSE2378-GPL8300, GSE9944-GPL8300, and GSE9944-GPL571 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The obtained datasets were used as input for parallel pathway analyses. Based on random forest and support vector machine (SVM) analysis to screen the key genes, significantly changed pathways were clustered into functional categories, and the results were further investigated. CIBERSORT was used to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells in POAG tissues. A network visualizing the differences between the data in the POAG and normal groups was created. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. We divided the differentially expressed mRNAs into upregulated and downregulated groups and predicted the drug targets of the differentially expressed genes through the Connectivity Map (CMap) database.
Results
A total of 49 differentially expressed genes, including 19 downregulated genes and 30 upregulated genes, were detected. Five genes ((Keratin 14) KRT14, (Hemoglobin subunit beta) HBB, (Acyl-CoA Oxidase 2) ACOX2, (Hephaestin) HEPH and Keratin 13 (KRT13)) were significantly changed. The results showed that the expression profiles of drug disturbances, including those for avrainvillamide-analysis-3, cytochalasin-D, NPI-2358, oxymethylone and vinorelbine, were negatively correlated with the expression profiles of disease disturbances. This finding indicated that these drugs may reduce or even reverse the POAG disease state.
Conclusion
This study provides an overview of the processes involved in the molecular pathogenesis of POAG in the ON and TM. The findings provide a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of POAG from the perspective of immunology.
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Sun M, Liu W, Zhou M. ANGPTL7 is transcriptionally regulated by SP1 and modulates glucocorticoid-induced cross-linked actin networks in trabecular meshwork cells via the RhoA/ROCK pathway. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:50. [PMID: 35136015 PMCID: PMC8826420 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00847-3] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of worldwide irreversible blindness. Lowering elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is currently the only effective approach for controlling the progress of glaucoma. Angiopoietin-like 7 (ANGPTL7) takes a key part in elevated outflow resistance of aqueous humor in dysfunctional trabecular meshwork (TM), along with the formation of cross-linked actin networks (CLANs), leading to high IOP. In this study, we explored the role of the ANGPTL7 signaling pathway in CLAN formation. We detected the expression of ANGPTL7 in cultured primary TM cells treated with dexamethasone (DEX) and ethanol as a control using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Actin filaments were revealed by phalloidin staining. ANGPTL7 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was applied to TM cells to examine the effect of ANGPTL7 on DEX-induced CLAN formation. Western blotting was used to assess the effect of ANGPTL7 on the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase/ROCK) signaling pathway. Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were employed to identify the transcription factors of ANGPTL7. Transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) overexpression and silencing were performed to determine their roles in the modulation of ANGPTL7 expression. We found DEX-induced ANGPTL7 expression and stress fiber rearrangement in TM cells. ANGPTL7 knockdown effectively inhibited the formation of CLANs. Moreover, it was involved in the regulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway, further affecting DEX-induced CLAN formation. SP1 was identified as a transcription factor of ANGPTL7 which regulated ANGPTL7 level to mediate CLAN formation through the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. This study contributes to revealing the molecular mechanisms of ANGPTL7 in CLAN formation, which is involved in TM dysfunction and glaucoma pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengsha Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjia Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minwen Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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Martínez-Alberquilla I, Gasull X, Pérez-Luna P, Seco-Mera R, Ruiz-Alcocer J, Crooke A. Neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular trap components: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets for age-related eye diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 74:101553. [PMID: 34971794 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Age-related eye diseases, including dry eye, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, represent a major global health issue based on their increasing prevalence and disabling action. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases will provide novel opportunities to reduce the burden of age-related eye diseases and improve eye health, contributing to sustainable development goals achievement. The impairment of neutrophil extracellular traps formation/degradation processes seems to be one of these mechanisms. These traps formed by a meshwork of DNA and neutrophil cytosolic granule proteins may exacerbate the inflammatory response promoting chronic inflammation, a pivotal cause of age-related diseases. In this review, we describe current findings that suggest the role of neutrophils and their traps in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned age-related eye diseases. Furthermore, we discuss why these cells and their constituents could be biomarkers and therapeutic targets for dry eye, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. We also examine the therapeutic potential of some neutrophil function modulators and provide several recommendations for future research in age-related eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martínez-Alberquilla
- Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Clinical and Experimental Eye Research Group, UCM 971009, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Gasull
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Medical School, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Pérez-Luna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Seco-Mera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Ruiz-Alcocer
- Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Clinical and Experimental Eye Research Group, UCM 971009, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Crooke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Clinical and Experimental Eye Research Group, UCM 971009, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Liesenborghs I, Schouten JS, Kutmon M, Gorgels TG, Evelo CT, Hubens WH, Beckers HJ, Webers CA, Eijssen LM. A systematically derived overview of the non-ubiquitous pathways and genes that define the molecular and genetic signature of the healthy trabecular meshwork. Genomics 2022; 114:110280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Investigation of Key Signaling Pathways Associating miR-204 and Common Retinopathies. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5568113. [PMID: 34646884 PMCID: PMC8505061 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5568113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a large group of small noncoding RNAs that work in multiple cellular pathways. miR-204, as one of the key axes in the development, maintenance, and pathogenesis of the retina, plays several roles by modulating its target genes. This study was aimed at evaluating the target genes of miR-204 involved in the development and progression of common retinopathies such as glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and age-related macular degeneration. In this study, three datasets related to retinopathies (GSE50195, GSE27276, and GSE97508) were selected from Gene Expression Omnibus. miR-204 target genes were isolated from TargeScan. The shares between retinopathy and miR-204 target genes were then categorized. Using Enrichr and STRING, we highlighted the signaling pathways and the relationships between the proteins. SHC1 events in ERBB2, adherent junction's interactions, NGF signaling via TRKA from the plasma membrane, IRF3-mediated activation of type 1 IFN, pathways in upregulated genes and G0 and early G1, RORA-activated gene expression, PERK-regulated gene expression, adherent junction's interactions, and CREB phosphorylation pathways in downregulated genes were identified in glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and age-related macular degeneration. WEE1, SMC2, HMGB1, RRM2, and POLA1 proteins were also observed to be involved in the progression and invasion of retinoblastoma; SLC24A2 and DTX4 in age-related macular degeneration; and EPHB6, EFNB3, and SHC1 in glaucoma. Continuous bioinformatics analysis has shown that miR-204 has a significant presence and expression in retinal tissue, and approximately 293 genes are controlled and regulated by miR-204 in this tissue; also, target genes of miR-204 have the potential to develop various retinopathies; thus, a study of related target genes can provide appropriate treatment strategies in the future.
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Nair KS, Srivastava C, Brown RV, Koli S, Choquet H, Kang HS, Kuo YM, Grimm SA, Sutherland C, Badea A, Johnson GA, Zhao Y, Yin J, Okamoto K, Clark G, Borrás T, Zode G, Kizhatil K, Chakrabarti S, John SWM, Jorgenson E, Jetten AM. GLIS1 regulates trabecular meshwork function and intraocular pressure and is associated with glaucoma in humans. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4877. [PMID: 34385434 PMCID: PMC8361148 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronically elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Dysfunction of the trabecular meshwork (TM), which controls the outflow of aqueous humor (AqH) from the anterior chamber, is the major cause of elevated IOP. Here, we demonstrate that mice deficient in the Krüppel-like zinc finger transcriptional factor GLI-similar-1 (GLIS1) develop chronically elevated IOP. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological analysis reveal that deficiency in GLIS1 expression induces progressive degeneration of the TM, leading to inefficient AqH drainage from the anterior chamber and elevated IOP. Transcriptome and cistrome analyses identified several glaucoma- and extracellular matrix-associated genes as direct transcriptional targets of GLIS1. We also identified a significant association between GLIS1 variant rs941125 and glaucoma in humans (P = 4.73 × 10-6), further supporting a role for GLIS1 into glaucoma etiology. Our study identifies GLIS1 as a critical regulator of TM function and maintenance, AqH dynamics, and IOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Saidas Nair
- Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chitrangda Srivastava
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Robert V Brown
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Swanand Koli
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hélène Choquet
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Hong Soon Kang
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Yien-Ming Kuo
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara A Grimm
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Caleb Sutherland
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alexandra Badea
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Department of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - G Allan Johnson
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Department of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yin Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jie Yin
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Kyoko Okamoto
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Terete Borrás
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gulab Zode
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Simon W M John
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Anton M Jetten
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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Liu A, Wang L, Feng Q, Zhang D, Chen K, Yiming GH, Wang Q, Hong Y, Whelchel A, Zhang X, Li X, Dong L. Low expression of GSTP1 in the aqueous humour of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:3063-3079. [PMID: 33599104 PMCID: PMC7957170 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) is characterized by irreversible neurodegeneration accompanied by visual field defects and high intraocular pressure. Currently, an effective treatment is not available to prevent the progression of POAG, other than treatments to decrease the high intraocular pressure. We performed proteomic analysis of aqueous humour (AH) samples from patients with POAG combined with cataract and patients with cataract to obtain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of POAG and explore potential treatment targets for this condition. Samples were collected from 10 patients with POAG combined with cataract and 10 patients with cataract. Samples from each group were pooled. A high‐resolution, label‐free, liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry‐based quantitative proteomic analysis was performed. In total, 610 proteins were identified in human AH samples from the two groups. A total of 48 up‐regulated proteins and 49 down‐regulated proteins were identified in the POAG combined with cataract group compared with the control group. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed key roles for these proteins in inflammation, immune responses, growth and development, cellular movement and vesicle‐mediated transport in the biological process category. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated the down‐regulated expression of glutathione S‐transferase P (GSTP1) in the glutathione metabolism signalling pathway in the POAG combined with cataract group. Additionally, certain significantly differentially expressed proteins in the proteomic profile were verified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). GSTP1 levels were reduced in the human AH samples from the POAG combined with cataract group, based on the results of ELISA and proteomic profiling. Therefore, GSTP1, a redox‐related marker, may be involved in the pathological process of POAG and may become a treatment target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aihua Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Liming Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Feng
- Ophthalmology Department of People's Hospital of Hotan District, Xinjiang, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Ophthalmology Department of People's Hospital of Hotan District, Xinjiang, China
| | - Kexi Chen
- Ophthalmology Department of People's Hospital of Hotan District, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guli Humaer Yiming
- Ophthalmology Department of People's Hospital of Hotan District, Xinjiang, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaru Hong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Amy Whelchel
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK, USA
| | - Xiaomin Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaorong Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijie Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
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12
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Xiong S, Kumar A, Tian S, Taher EE, Yang E, Kinchington PR, Xia X, Du Y. Stem cell transplantation rescued a primary open-angle glaucoma mouse model. eLife 2021; 10:63677. [PMID: 33506763 PMCID: PMC7864631 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. In this study, we investigated if transplanted stem cells are able to rescue a glaucoma mouse model with transgenic myocilin Y437H mutation and explored the possible mechanisms. Human trabecular meshwork stem cells (TMSCs) were intracamerally transplanted which reduced mouse intraocular pressure, increased outflow facility, protected the retinal ganglion cells and preserved their function. TMSC transplantation also significantly increased the TM cellularity, promoted myocilin secretion from TM cells into the aqueous humor to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, repaired the TM tissue with extracellular matrix modulation and ultrastructural restoration. Co-culturing TMSCs with myocilin mutant TM cells in vitro promoted TMSCs differentiating into phagocytic functional TM cells. RNA sequencing revealed that TMSCs had upregulated genes related to TM regeneration and neuroprotection. Our results uncovered therapeutic potential of TMSCs for curing glaucoma and elucidated possible mechanisms by which TMSCs achieve the treatment effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.,Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, China
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Shenghe Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Eman E Taher
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.,Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Enzhi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Paul R Kinchington
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, China
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
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13
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Vernazza S, Tirendi S, Bassi AM, Traverso CE, Saccà SC. Neuroinflammation in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E3172. [PMID: 33007927 PMCID: PMC7601106 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests oxidative damage and immune response defects are key factors contributing to glaucoma onset. Indeed, both the failure of the trabecular meshwork tissue in the conventional outflow pathway and the neuroinflammation process, which drives the neurodegeneration, seem to be linked to the age-related over-production of free radicals (i.e., mitochondrial dysfunction) and to oxidative stress-linked immunostimulatory signaling. Several previous studies have described a wide range of oxidative stress-related makers which are found in glaucomatous patients, including low levels of antioxidant defences, dysfunction/activation of glial cells, the activation of the NF-κB pathway and the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and so on. However, the intraocular pressure is still currently the only risk factor modifiable by medication or glaucoma surgery. This present review aims to summarize the multiple cellular processes, which promote different risk factors in glaucoma including aging, oxidative stress, trabecular meshwork defects, glial activation response, neurodegenerative insults, and the altered regulation of immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Tirendi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.T.); (A.M.B.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), Italy
| | - Anna Maria Bassi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (S.T.); (A.M.B.)
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R), Italy
| | - Carlo Enrico Traverso
- Clinica Oculistica, DiNOGMI, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS-Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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14
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Liesenborghs I, Eijssen LMT, Kutmon M, Gorgels TGMF, Evelo CT, Beckers HJM, Webers CAB, Schouten JSAG. The Molecular Processes in the Trabecular Meshwork After Exposure to Corticosteroids and in Corticosteroid-Induced Ocular Hypertension. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:24. [PMID: 32305042 PMCID: PMC7401422 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.4.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To identify processes that contribute to corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension and candidate target genes for treatment. Methods A systematic search identified five human microarray datasets investigating the effect of dexamethasone versus a control medium on trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue. After thorough quality control, samples of low quality were removed, and the datasets were integrated. Additionally, a bovine RNA-sequencing dataset allowed to investigate differences in gene expression profiling between cows with and without corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension (responders vs. nonresponders). The obtained datasets were used as input for parallel pathway analyses. Significantly changed pathways were clustered into functional categories and the results were further investigated. A network visualizing the differences between the responders and nonresponders was created. Results Seven functional pathway clusters were found to be significantly changed in TM cells exposed to dexamethasone versus a control medium and in TM cells of responders versus nonresponders: collagen, extracellular matrix, adhesion, WNT-signaling, inflammation, adipogenesis, and glucose metabolism. In addition, cell cycle and senescence were only significantly changed in responders versus nonresponders. The network of the differential gene expression between responders and nonresponders shows many connections between the identified processes via shared genes. Conclusions Nine functional pathway clusters synthesize the molecular response to dexamethasone exposure in TM cells and are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension.
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15
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Pinazo-Durán MD, Muñoz-Negrete FJ, Sanz-González SM, Benítez-Del-Castillo J, Giménez-Gómez R, Valero-Velló M, Zanón-Moreno V, García-Medina JJ. The role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of glaucoma neurodegeneration. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 256:99-124. [PMID: 32958217 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The chapter is a review enclosed in the volume "Glaucoma: A pancitopatia of the retina and beyond." No cure exists for glaucoma. Knowledge on the molecular and cellular alterations underlying glaucoma neurodegeneration (GL-ND) includes innovative and path-breaking research on neuroinflammation and neuroprotection. A series of events involving immune response (IR), oxidative stress and gene expression are occurring during the glaucoma course. Uveitic glaucoma (UG) is a prevalent acute/chronic complication, in the setting of chronic anterior chamber inflammation. Managing the disease requires a team approach to guarantee better results for eyes and vision. Advances in biomedicine/biotechnology are driving a tremendous revolution in ophthalmology and ophthalmic research. New diagnostic and imaging modalities, constantly refined, enable outstanding criteria for delimiting glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Moreover, biotherapies that may modulate or inhibit the IR must be considered among the first-line for glaucoma neuroprotection. This review offers the readers useful and practical information on the latest updates in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D Pinazo-Durán
- Ophthalmic Research Unit "Santiago Grisolía"/FISABIO and Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-biology Group of the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco J Muñoz-Negrete
- Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain; Ophthalmology Department at the University Hospital "Ramón y Cajal" (IRYCIS) and Surgery Department at the Faculty of Medicine, University Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia M Sanz-González
- Ophthalmic Research Unit "Santiago Grisolía"/FISABIO and Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-biology Group of the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Benítez-Del-Castillo
- Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain; Department of Ophthalmology at the Hospital of Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Rafael Giménez-Gómez
- Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain; Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital "Reina Sofia", Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mar Valero-Velló
- Ophthalmic Research Unit "Santiago Grisolía"/FISABIO and Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-biology Group of the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Zanón-Moreno
- Ophthalmic Research Unit "Santiago Grisolía"/FISABIO and Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-biology Group of the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain; International University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José J García-Medina
- Ophthalmic Research Unit "Santiago Grisolía"/FISABIO and Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-biology Group of the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Researchers of the Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research "OFTARED" of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Net RD16/0008/0022, Madrid, Spain; Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital "Morales Meseguer" and Department of Ophthalmology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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