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Stachon T, Latta L, Fries FN, Seitz B, Szentmáry N. Secondary Data Analysis of Inflammation-Related mRNAs in Conjunctival Impression Cytology Samples of Aniridia Patients. Cornea 2024; 43:627-634. [PMID: 38147570 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aniridia is a rare corneal disease that is often associated with aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK). In AAK, the conjunctival tissue crosses the limbal border, forming a corneal pannus that extends into the corneal center. With increasing AAK severity, corneal pannus formation, vascularization, and ocular surface inflammation increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate inflammation-related mRNA expression in conjunctival epithelial cells in AAK and its relationship with AAK severity. METHODS Using impression cytology, bulbar conjunctival cells were sampled from 20 subjects with congenital aniridia and 20 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control subjects. RNA was extracted, and mRNA analyses were performed using microarray, which was evaluated for inflammatory markers. RESULTS In the analyzed aniridia subjects, 70 deregulated mRNAs encoding proinflammatory or antiinflammatory cytokines or factors associated with chronic inflammation, including increased IL-1, IL-8, and MIP3A/CCL20 mRNA. The most downregulated mRNA was TIMP3, and the most upregulated mRNA was Protein c-Fos.Of the 70 mRNAs, 14 inflammation-related genes were altered only in the mild AAK forms, whereas only 2 mRNAs were altered only in the severe AAK forms (TLR4 and PPARG). CONCLUSIONS The expression of numerous proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines is deregulated at the ocular surface of aniridia subjects with mild AAK. Thus, early antiinflammatory treatment may prevent or slow down corneal scarring and pannus formation in aniridia subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Stachon
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Homburg, Saarland, Germany; and
| | - Lorenz Latta
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Homburg, Saarland, Germany; and
| | - Fabian N Fries
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Nóra Szentmáry
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Homburg, Saarland, Germany; and
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Qu S, Sun L, Zhang S, Liu J, Li Y, Liu J, Xu W. An artificially-intelligent cornea with tactile sensation enables sensory expansion and interaction. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7181. [PMID: 37935671 PMCID: PMC10630301 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate an artificially-intelligent cornea that can assume the functions of the native human cornea such as protection, tactile perception, and light refraction, and possesses sensory expansion and interactive functions. These functions are realized by an artificial corneal reflex arc that is constructed to implement mechanical and light information coding, information processing, and the regulation of transmitted light. Digitally-aligned, long and continuous zinc tin oxide (ZTO) semiconductor fabric patterns were fabricated as the active channels of the artificial synapse, which are non-toxic, heavy-metal-free, low-cost, and ensure superior comprehensive optical properties (transmittance >99.89%, haze <0.36%). Precisely-tuned crystal-phase structures of the ZTO fibers enabled reconfigurable synaptic plasticity, which is applicable to encrypted communication and associative learning. This work suggests new strategies for the tuning of synaptic plasticity and the design of visual neuroprosthetics, and has important implications for the development of neuromorphic electronics and for visual restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangda Qu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Song Zhang
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yue Li
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Junchi Liu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
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Romano D, Bremond-Gignac D, Barbany M, Rahman A, Mauring L, Semeraro F, Cursiefen C, Lagali N, Romano V. Artificial iris implantation in congenital aniridia A systematic review. Surv Ophthalmol 2022:S0039-6257(22)00152-7. [PMID: 36379301 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital aniridia is a rare, panocular disorder with a main phenotypic characteristic of a partial or complete absence of the iris existing alongside other ocular morbidities such as cataract, keratopathy, optic nerve and foveal hypoplasia, and nystagmus. The iris abnormality, however, often leads to symptoms such as photophobia, glare, and decreased visual acuity, as well as cosmetic dissatisfaction. Current management options for the iris deficit include colored iris contact lenses, corneal tattooing, and tinted contact lenses. Symptoms arising from small iris defects can be resolved with surgical management using micro-tying suture techniques such as McCannel or Siepser. Currently, larger iris defects can be treated with artificial iris implants. New prosthetic options range from colored intraocular lenses to flexible custom-made silicone iris implants. With a range of therapeutic options available and given the challenges of multiple comorbidities in aniridia, we evaluate the literature relating to the use of artificial iris implants in congenital aniridia, with a focus on the different surgical implantation techniques, the clinical outcomes achieved, complications occurred, and risk of bias of the studies included.
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