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Zhang ZY, Zuo ZY, Liang Y, Zhang SM, Zhang CX, Chi J, Fan B, Li GY. Promotion of axon regeneration and protection on injured retinal ganglion cells by rCXCL2. Inflamm Regen 2023; 43:31. [PMID: 37340465 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-023-00283-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to rescuing injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by stimulating the intrinsic growth ability of damaged RGCs in various retinal/optic neuropathies, increasing evidence has shown that the external microenvironmental factors also play a crucial role in restoring the survival of RGCs by promoting the regrowth of RGC axons, especially inflammatory factors. In this study, we aimed to screen out the underlying inflammatory factor involved in the signaling of staurosporine (STS)-induced axon regeneration and verify its role in the protection of RGCs and the promotion of axon regrowth. METHODS We performed transcriptome RNA sequencing for STS induction models in vitro and analyzed the differentially expressed genes. After targeting the key gene, we verified the role of the candidate factor in RGC protection and promotion of axon regeneration in vivo with two RGC-injured animal models (optic nerve crush, ONC; retinal N-methyl-D-aspartate, NMDA damage) by using cholera toxin subunit B anterograde axon tracing and specific immunostaining of RGCs. RESULTS We found that a series of inflammatory genes expressed upregulated in the signaling of STS-induced axon regrowth and we targeted the candidate CXCL2 gene since the level of the chemokine CXCL2 gene elevated significantly among the top upregulated genes. We further demonstrated that intravitreal injection of rCXCL2 robustly promoted axon regeneration and significantly improved RGC survival in ONC-injured mice in vivo. However, different from its role in ONC model, the intravitreal injection of rCXCL2 was able to simply protect RGCs against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in mouse retina and maintain the long-distance projection of RGC axons, yet failed to promote significant axon regeneration. CONCLUSIONS We provide the first in vivo evidence that CXCL2, as an inflammatory factor, is a key regulator in the axon regeneration and neuroprotection of RGCs. Our comparative study may facilitate deciphering the exact molecular mechanisms of RGC axon regeneration and developing high-potency targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Zhao-Yang Zuo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Yang Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Chun-Xia Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Jing Chi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Bin Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China.
| | - Guang-Yu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China.
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Cheng J, Li X. Development and Application of Activity-based Fluorescent Probes for High-Throughput Screening. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1739-1756. [PMID: 34036907 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210525141728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput screening facilitates the rapid identification of novel hit compounds; however, it remains challenging to design effective high-throughput assays, partially due to the difficulty of achieving sensitivity in the assay techniques. Among the various analytical methods that are used, fluorescence-based assays dominate owing to their high sensitivity and ease of operation. Recent advances in activity-based sensing/imaging have further expanded the availability of fluorescent probes as monitors for high-throughput screening of result outputs. In this study, we have reviewed various activity-based fluorescent probes used in high-throughput screening assays, emphasizing their structure-related working mechanisms. Moreover, we have explored the possibility of the development of additional and better probes to boost hit identification and drug development against various targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
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Cheng WS, Lin IH, Feng KM, Chang ZY, Huang YC, Lu DW. Neuroprotective effects of exogenous erythropoietin in Wistar rats by downregulating apoptotic factors to attenuate N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated retinal ganglion cells death. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0223208. [PMID: 32302311 PMCID: PMC7164594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether exogenous erythropoietin (EPO) administration attenuates N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated excitotoxic retinal damage in Wistar rats. The survival rate of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were investigated by flat mount analysis and flow cytometry. A total of 125 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: negative control, NMDA80 (i.e., 80 nmoles NMDA intravitreally injected), NMDA80 + 10ng EPO, NMDA80 + 50ng EPO, and NMDA80 + 250ng EPO. The NMDA80 + 50ng EPO treatment group was used to evaluate various administrated points (pre-/co-/post- administration of NMDA80). Meanwhile, the transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay of RGCs, the inner plexiform layer (IPL) thickness and the apoptotic signal transduction pathways of μ-calpain, Bax, and caspase 9 were assessed simultaneously using an immunohistochemical method (IHC). When EPO was co-administered with NMDA80, attenuated cell death occurred through the downregulation of the apoptotic indicators: μ-calpain was activated first (peak at ~18hrs), followed by Bax and caspase 9 (peak at ~40hrs). Furthermore, the images of retinal cross sections have clearly demonstrated that thickness of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) was significantly recovered at 40 hours after receiving intravitreal injection with NMDA80 and 50ng EPO. Exogenous EPO may protect RGCs and bipolar cell axon terminals in IPL by downregulating apoptotic factors to attenuate NMDA-mediated excitotoxic retinal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sheng Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Research and Development, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Hung Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kathy Ming Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Yu Chuan Huang
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Research and Development, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Da-Wen Lu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sia PI, Wood JPM, Chidlow G, Casson R. Creatine is Neuroprotective to Retinal Neurons In Vitro But Not In Vivo. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 60:4360-4377. [PMID: 31634394 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the neuroprotective properties of creatine in the retina using in vitro and in vivo models of injury. Methods Two different rat retinal culture systems (one containing retinal ganglion cells [RGC] and one not) were subjected to either metabolic stress, via treatments with the mitochondrial complex IV inhibitor sodium azide, or excitotoxic stress, via treatment with N-methyl-D-aspartate for 24 hours, in the presence or absence of creatine (0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mM). Neuronal survival was assessed by immunolabeling for cell-specific antigens. Putative mechanisms of creatine action were investigated in vitro. Expression of creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes in the rat retina was examined using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The effect of oral creatine supplementation (2%, wt/wt) on retinal and blood creatine levels was determined as well as RGC survival in rats treated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA; 10 nmol) or high IOP-induced ischemia reperfusion. Results Creatine significantly prevented neuronal death induced by sodium azide and NMDA in both culture systems. Creatine administration did not alter cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Inhibition of CK blocked the protective effect of creatine. Retinal neurons, including RGCs, expressed predominantly mitochondrial CK isoforms, while glial cells expressed exclusively cytoplasmic CKs. In vivo, NMDA and ischemia reperfusion caused substantial loss of RGCs. Creatine supplementation led to elevated blood and retinal levels of this compound but did not significantly augment RGC survival in either model. Conclusions Creatine increased neuronal survival in retinal cultures; however, no significant protection of RGCs was evident in vivo, despite elevated levels of this compound being present in the retina after oral supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ikgan Sia
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - John P M Wood
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Glyn Chidlow
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert Casson
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Thomas CN, Berry M, Logan A, Blanch RJ, Ahmed Z. Caspases in retinal ganglion cell death and axon regeneration. Cell Death Discov 2017; 3:17032. [PMID: 29675270 PMCID: PMC5903394 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2017.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGC) are terminally differentiated CNS neurons that possess limited endogenous regenerative capacity after injury and thus RGC death causes permanent visual loss. RGC die by caspase-dependent mechanisms, including apoptosis, during development, after ocular injury and in progressive degenerative diseases of the eye and optic nerve, such as glaucoma, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and multiple sclerosis. Inhibition of caspases through genetic or pharmacological approaches can arrest the apoptotic cascade and protect a proportion of RGC. Novel findings have also highlighted a pyroptotic role of inflammatory caspases in RGC death. In this review, we discuss the molecular signalling mechanisms of apoptotic and inflammatory caspase responses in RGC specifically, their involvement in RGC degeneration and explore their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe N Thomas
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Martin Berry
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ann Logan
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard J Blanch
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zubair Ahmed
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Kim JS, Ha JY, Yang SJ, Son JH. A Novel Non-Apoptotic Role of Procaspase-3 in the Regulation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis Activators. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:347-357. [PMID: 28585712 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The executioner caspase-3 has been proposed as a pharmacological intervention target to preserve degenerating dopaminergic (DA) neurons because apoptotic mechanisms involving caspase-3 contribute, at least in part, to the loss of DA neurons in patients and experimental models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we determined that genetic intervention of caspase-3 was sufficient to prevent cell death against oxidative stress (OS), accompanied by unexpected severe mitochondrial dysfunction. Specifically, as we expected, caspase-3-deficient DA neuronal cells were very significantly resistant to OS-induced cell death, while the activation of the initiator caspase-9 by OS was preserved. Moreover, detailed phenotypic characterization of caspase-3-deficient DA cells revealed severe mitochondrial dysfunction, including an accumulation of damaged mitochondria with a characteristic swollen structure and broken cristae, reduced membrane potential, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and deficits in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzymes. Of great interest, we found that mitochondrial biogenesis was dramatically decreased in caspase-3-deficient DA cells, whereas their capability of mitophagy was normal. In accordance with this observation, caspase-3 gene knock down (KD) resulted in dramatically decreased expression of the key transcriptional activators of mitochondrial biogenesis, such as Tfam and Nrf-1, implicating a non-apoptotic role of procaspase-3 in mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, a prolonged anti-apoptotic intervention targeting caspase-3 should be considered with caution due to the potential adverse effects in mitochondria dynamics resulting from a novel potential functional role of procaspase-3 in mitochondrial biogenesis via regulating the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis activators. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 347-357, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Soo Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Young Ha
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea
| | - Sol-Ji Yang
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin H Son
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea
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Kokona D, Thermos K. Synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids protect retinal neurons from AMPA excitotoxicity in vivo, via activation of CB1 receptors: Involvement of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. Exp Eye Res 2015; 136:45-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Tan C, Hu T, Peng MC, Liu SL, Tong JB, Ouyang W, Le Y. Age of Rats Seriously Affects the Degree of Retinal Damage Induced by Acute High Intraocular Pressure. Curr Eye Res 2014; 40:300-6. [DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2014.922194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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10
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The molecular basis of retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma. Prog Retin Eye Res 2012; 31:152-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2011.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 565] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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