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Rath MF. Homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in development and mature circadian function of the rodent pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12950. [PMID: 38558122 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that are widely known to control developmental processes. This is also the case in the pineal gland, a neuroendocrine brain structure devoted to nighttime synthesis of the hormone melatonin. Thus, in accordance with high prenatal gene expression, knockout studies have identified a specific set of homeobox genes that are essential for development of the pineal gland. However, as a special feature of the pineal gland, homeobox gene expression persists into adulthood, and gene product abundance exhibits 24 h circadian rhythms. Recent lines of evidence show that some homeobox genes even control expression of enzymes catalyzing melatonin synthesis. We here review current knowledge of homeobox genes in the rodent pineal gland and suggest a model for dual functions of homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in developmental and circadian mature neuroendocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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Sun C, Chen S. Disease-causing mutations in genes encoding transcription factors critical for photoreceptor development. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1134839. [PMID: 37181651 PMCID: PMC10172487 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1134839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor development of the vertebrate visual system is controlled by a complex transcription regulatory network. OTX2 is expressed in the mitotic retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and controls photoreceptor genesis. CRX that is activated by OTX2 is expressed in photoreceptor precursors after cell cycle exit. NEUROD1 is also present in photoreceptor precursors that are ready to specify into rod and cone photoreceptor subtypes. NRL is required for the rod fate and regulates downstream rod-specific genes including the orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 which further activates rod-specific genes and simultaneously represses cone-specific genes. Cone subtype specification is also regulated by the interplay of several transcription factors such as THRB and RXRG. Mutations in these key transcription factors are responsible for ocular defects at birth such as microphthalmia and inherited photoreceptor diseases such as Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and allied dystrophies. In particular, many mutations are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, including the majority of missense mutations in CRX and NRL. In this review, we describe the spectrum of photoreceptor defects that are associated with mutations in the above-mentioned transcription factors, and summarize the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic mutations. At last, we deliberate the outstanding gaps in our understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlations and outline avenues for future research of the treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Chi Sun,
| | - Shiming Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Muñoz EM. Microglia in Circumventricular Organs: The Pineal Gland Example. ASN Neuro 2022; 14:17590914221135697. [PMID: 36317305 PMCID: PMC9629557 DOI: 10.1177/17590914221135697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are unique areas within the central nervous system. They serve as a portal for the rest of the body and, as such, lack a blood-brain barrier. Microglia are the primary resident immune cells of the brain parenchyma. Within the CVOs, microglial cells find themselves continuously challenged and stimulated by local and systemic stimuli, even under steady-state conditions. Therefore, CVO microglia in their typical state often resemble the activated microglial forms found elsewhere in the brain as they are responding to pathological conditions or other stressors. In this review, I focus on the dynamics of CVO microglia, using the pineal gland as a specific CVO example. Data related to microglia heterogeneity in both homeostatic and unhealthy environments are presented and discussed, including those recently generated by using advanced single-cell and single-nucleus technology. Finally, perspectives in the CVO microglia field are also included.Summary StatementMicroglia in circumventricular organs (CVOs) continuously adapt to react differentially to the diverse challenges they face. Herein, I discuss microglia heterogeneity in CVOs, including pineal gland. Further studies are needed to better understand microglia dynamics in these unique brain areas. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela M. Muñoz
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos (IHEM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina,Estela M. Muñoz, IHEM-UNCuyo-CONICET, Parque General San Martin, Ciudad de Mendoza, M5502JMA, Mendoza, Argentina.
or
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Xu D, Zhong LT, Cheng HY, Wang ZQ, Chen XM, Feng AY, Chen WY, Chen G, Xu Y. Overexpressing NeuroD1 reprograms Müller cells into various types of retinal neurons. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1124-1131. [PMID: 36255002 PMCID: PMC9827787 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The onset of retinal degenerative disease is often associated with neuronal loss. Therefore, how to regenerate new neurons to restore vision is an important issue. NeuroD1 is a neural transcription factor with the ability to reprogram brain astrocytes into neurons in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that in adult mice, NeuroD1 can reprogram Müller cells, the principal glial cell type in the retina, to become retinal neurons. Most strikingly, ectopic expression of NeuroD1 using two different viral vectors converted Müller cells into different cell types. Specifically, AAV7m8 GFAP681::GFP-ND1 converted Müller cells into inner retinal neurons, including amacrine cells and ganglion cells. In contrast, AAV9 GFAP104::ND1-GFP converted Müller cells into outer retinal neurons such as photoreceptors and horizontal cells, with higher conversion efficiency. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Müller cell conversion induced by AAV9 GFAP104::ND1-GFP displayed clear dose- and time-dependence. These results indicate that Müller cells in adult mice are highly plastic and can be reprogrammed into various subtypes of retinal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Xu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Ting Zhong
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hai-Yang Cheng
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zeng-Qiang Wang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiong-Min Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ai-Ying Feng
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Yi Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China,Correspondence to: Ying Xu, ; Gong Chen, .
| | - Ying Xu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China,Correspondence to: Ying Xu, ; Gong Chen, .
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Kazmierczak de Camargo JP, Prezia GNDB, Shiokawa N, Sato MT, Rosati R, Beate Winter Boldt A. New Insights on the Regulatory Gene Network Disturbed in Central Areolar Choroidal Dystrophy-Beyond Classical Gene Candidates. Front Genet 2022; 13:886461. [PMID: 35656327 PMCID: PMC9152281 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.886461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Central areolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD) is a rare hereditary disease that mainly affects the macula, resulting in progressive and usually profound visual loss. Being part of congenital retinal dystrophies, it may have an autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance and, until now, has no effective treatment. Given the shortage of genotypic information about the disease, this work systematically reviews the literature for CACD-causing genes. Three independent researchers selected 33 articles after carefully searching and filtering the Scielo, Pubmed, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases. Mutations of six genes (PRPH2, GUCA1A, GUCY2D, CDHR1, ABCA4, and TTLL5) are implicated in the monogenic dominant inheritance of CACD. They are functionally related to photoreceptors (either in the phototransduction process, as in the case of GUCY2D, or the recovery of retinal photodegradation in photoreceptors for GUCA1A, or the formation and maintenance of specific structures within photoreceptors for PRPH2). The identified genetic variants do not explain all observed clinical features, calling for further whole-genome and functional studies for this disease. A network analysis with the CACD-related genes identified in the systematic review resulted in the identification of another 20 genes that may influence CACD onset and symptoms. Furthermore, an enrichment analysis allowed the identification of 13 transcription factors and 4 long noncoding RNAs interacting with the products of the previously mentioned genes. If mutated or dysregulated, they may be directly involved in CACD development and related disorders. More than half of the genes identified by bioinformatic tools do not appear in commercial gene panels, calling for more studies about their role in the maintenance of the retina and phototransduction process, as well as for a timely update of these gene panels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanna Nazaré de Barros Prezia
- Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology Applied to Child and Adolescent Health, Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe and Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Naoye Shiokawa
- Retina and Vitreo Consulting Eye Clinic, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Mario Teruo Sato
- Retina and Vitreo Consulting Eye Clinic, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Ophthalmol/Otorhinolaryngology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Roberto Rosati
- Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology Applied to Child and Adolescent Health, Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe and Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Curitiba, Brazil
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Fritzsch B, Martin PR. Vision and retina evolution: how to develop a retina. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 12:240-248. [PMID: 35449767 PMCID: PMC9018162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.03.008] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Early in vertebrate evolution, a single homeobox (Hox) cluster in basal chordates was quadrupled to generate the Hox gene clusters present in extant vertebrates. Here we ask how this expanded gene pool may have influenced the evolution of the visual system. We suggest that a single neurosensory cell type split into ciliated sensory cells (photoreceptors, which transduce light) and retinal ganglion cells (RGC, which project to the brain). In vertebrates, development of photoreceptors is regulated by the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Neurod1 whereas RGC development depends on Atoh7 and related bHLH genes. Lancelet (a basal chordate) does not express Neurod or Atoh7 and possesses a few neurosensory cells with cilia that reach out of the opening of the neural tube. Sea-squirts (Ascidians) do not express Neurod and express a different bHLH gene, Atoh8, that is likely expressed in the anterior vesicle. Recent data indicate the neurosensory cells in lancelets may correspond to three distinct eye fields in ascidians, which in turn may be the basis of the vertebrate retina, pineal and parapineal. In this review we contrast the genetic control of visual structure development in these chordates with that of basal vertebrates such as lampreys and hagfish, and jawed vertebrates. We propose an evolutionary sequence linking whole-genome duplications, initially to a split between photoreceptor and projection neurons (RGC) and subsequently between pineal and lateral eye structures.
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7
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Cao T, Wang J, Wu Y, Wang L, Zhang H. Antiglaucoma Potential of β-Glucogallin Is Mediated by Modulating Mitochondrial Responses in Experimentally Induced Glaucoma. Neuroimmunomodulation 2021; 27:142-151. [PMID: 33571990 DOI: 10.1159/000512992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of phytochemicals for the treatment of various bodily ailments has been in practice since ancient days. Even though in practice, scientific studies on the protective effect of β-glucogallin (BG) against glaucoma is limited. OBJECTIVES In the present study, the in vitro glaucoma model (hydrostatic pressure) using PC12 neuronal cells exposed to BG were used to elucidate its protective effects. METHOD The cultured cells were analyzed for the mitochondrial responses, oxidant-antioxidant status, and expression of caveolin-1, ANGPTL7, the glaucoma markers, and cytokines. RESULTS We demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, ANGPTL7, with altered mitochondrial enzymes in glaucoma cells compared to the control. Moreover, cells predisposed to hydrostatic pressure demonstrated an increase in oxidative stress with augmented (p < 0.01) inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, CXCR4, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and TNF-α. On the other hand, cells pretreated with BG attenuated the reactive oxygen species levels with improved antioxidant enzymes. Simultaneously, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and ANGPTL7 proteins were found attenuated with restored mitochondrial responses in BG pretreated cells. CONCLUSION Thus, the results of the present study demonstrate that the use of BG on retinal cells against relieving the intraocular pressure may be a promising therapeutic for controlling the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China,
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Orthopedic, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Tumour, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Lianfeng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Huiqin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
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Pax6 modulates intra-retinal axon guidance and fasciculation of retinal ganglion cells during retinogenesis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16075. [PMID: 32999322 PMCID: PMC7527980 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72828-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra-retinal axon guidance involves a coordinated expression of transcription factors, axon guidance genes, and secretory molecules within the retina. Pax6, the master regulator gene, has a spatio-temporal expression typically restricted till neurogenesis and fate-specification. However, our observation of persistent expression of Pax6 in mature RGCs led us to hypothesize that Pax6 could play a major role in axon guidance after fate specification. Here, we found significant alteration in intra-retinal axon guidance and fasciculation upon knocking out of Pax6 in E15.5 retina. Through unbiased transcriptome profiling between Pax6fl/fl and Pax6−/− retinas, we revealed the mechanistic insight of its role in axon guidance. Our results showed a significant increase in the expression of extracellular matrix molecules and decreased expression of retinal fate specification and neuron projection guidance molecules. Additionally, we found that EphB1 and Sema5B are directly regulated by Pax6 owing to the guidance defects and improper fasciculation of axons. We conclude that Pax6 expression post fate specification of RGCs is necessary for regulating the expression of axon guidance genes and most importantly for maintaining a conducive ECM through which the nascent axons get guided and fasciculate to reach the optic disc.
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9
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Sun X, Lv H, Zhao P, He J, Cui Q, Wei M, Feng S, Zhu Y. Commutative regulation between endothelial NO synthase and insulin receptor substrate 2 by microRNAs. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:509-520. [PMID: 30295821 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjy055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression is regulated by a number of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, but the effects of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) on eNOS mRNA and the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Our bioinformatic analysis revealed three highly expressed eNOS-targeting miRNAs (miR-15b, miR-16, and miR-30b) in human endothelial cells (ECs). Among the 1103 mRNA targets of these three miRNAs, 15 mRNAs share a common disease association with eNOS. Gene expression and correlation analysis in patients with cardiovascular diseases identified insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) as the most correlated eNOS-ceRNA. The expression levels of eNOS and IRS2 were coincidentally increased by application of laminar shear but reduced with eNOS or IRS2 siRNA transfection in human ECs, which was impeded by Dicer siRNA treatment. Moreover, luciferase reporter assay showed that these three miRNAs directly target the 3'UTR of eNOS and IRS2. Overexpression of these three miRNAs decreased, whereas inhibition of them increased, both mRNA and protein levels of eNOS and IRS2. Functionally, silencing eNOS suppressed the Akt signal pathway, while IRS2 knockdown reduced NO production in ECs. Thus, we identified eNOS and IRS2 as ceRNAs and revealed a novel mechanism explaining the coincidence of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Huizhen Lv
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics and Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jinlong He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics and Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Qinghua Cui
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Minxin Wei
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiqing Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics and Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin, China
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Domènech EB, Andrés R, López-Iniesta MJ, Mirra S, García-Arroyo R, Milla S, Sava F, Andilla J, Loza-Álvarez P, de la Villa P, Gonzàlez-Duarte R, Marfany G. A New Cerkl Mouse Model Generated by CRISPR-Cas9 Shows Progressive Retinal Degeneration and Altered Morphological and Electrophysiological Phenotype. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:14. [PMID: 32658961 PMCID: PMC7425692 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.8.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Close to 100 genes cause retinitis pigmentosa, a Mendelian rare disease that affects 1 out of 4000 people worldwide. Mutations in the ceramide kinase-like gene (CERKL) are a prevalent cause of autosomal recessive cause retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod dystrophy, but the functional role of this gene in the retina has yet to be fully determined. We aimed to generate a mouse model that resembles the phenotypic traits of patients carrying CERKL mutations to undertake functional studies and assay therapeutic approaches. Methods The Cerkl locus has been deleted (around 97 kb of genomic DNA) by gene editing using the CRISPR-Cas9 D10A nickase. Because the deletion of the Cerkl locus is lethal in mice in homozygosis, a double heterozygote mouse model with less than 10% residual Cerkl expression has been generated. The phenotypic alterations of the retina of this new model have been characterized at the morphological and electrophysiological levels. Results This CerklKD/KO model shows retinal degeneration, with a decreased number of cones and progressive photoreceptor loss, poorly stacked photoreceptor outer segment membranes, defective retinal pigment epithelium phagocytosis, and altered electrophysiological recordings in aged retinas. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first Cerkl mouse model to mimic many of the phenotypic traits, including the slow but progressive retinal degeneration, shown by human patients carrying CERKL mutations. This useful model will provide unprecedented insights into the retinal molecular pathways altered in these patients and will contribute to the design of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B. Domènech
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Andrés
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. José López-Iniesta
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Serena Mirra
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocío García-Arroyo
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Milla
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Florentina Sava
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Andilla
- ICFO–The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Loza-Álvarez
- ICFO–The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro de la Villa
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roser Gonzàlez-Duarte
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- DBGen Ocular Genomics, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Marfany
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERER/ISCIII, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- DBGen Ocular Genomics, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Singh RK, Occelli LM, Binette F, Petersen-Jones SM, Nasonkin IO. Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Tissue in the Subretinal Space of the Cat Eye. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:1151-1166. [PMID: 31210100 PMCID: PMC6708274 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To develop biological approaches to restore vision, we developed a method of transplanting stem cell-derived retinal tissue into the subretinal space of a large-eye animal model (cat). Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) were differentiated to retinal organoids in a dish. hESC-derived retinal tissue was introduced into the subretinal space of wild-type cats following a pars plana vitrectomy. The cats were systemically immunosuppressed with either prednisolone or prednisolone plus cyclosporine A. The eyes were examined by fundoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging for adverse effects due to the presence of the subretinal grafts. Immunohistochemistry was done with antibodies to retinal and human markers to delineate graft survival, differentiation, and integration into cat retina. We successfully delivered hESC-derived retinal tissue into the subretinal space of the cat eye. We observed strong infiltration of immune cells in the graft and surrounding tissue in the cats treated with prednisolone. In contrast, we showed better survival and low immune response to the graft in cats treated with prednisolone plus cyclosporine A. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies (STEM121, CALB2, DCX, and SMI-312) revealed large number of graft-derived fibers connecting the graft and the host. We also show presence of human-specific synaptophysin puncta in the cat retina. This work demonstrates feasibility of engrafting hESC-derived retinal tissue into the subretinal space of large-eye animal models. Transplanting retinal tissue in degenerating cat retina will enable rapid development of preclinical in vivo work focused on vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnesh K Singh
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly BioTime Inc.), Carlsbad, California
| | - Laurence M Occelli
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lasing, Michigan
| | - Francois Binette
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly BioTime Inc.), Carlsbad, California
| | - Simon M Petersen-Jones
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lasing, Michigan
| | - Igor O Nasonkin
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly BioTime Inc.), Carlsbad, California
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Langer BE, Roscito JG, Hiller M. REforge Associates Transcription Factor Binding Site Divergence in Regulatory Elements with Phenotypic Differences between Species. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 35:3027-3040. [PMID: 30256993 PMCID: PMC6278867 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msy187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the genomic determinants of morphological differences between species is key to understanding how morphological diversity evolved. While differences in cis-regulatory elements are an important genetic source for morphological evolution, it remains challenging to identify regulatory elements involved in phenotypic differences. Here, we present Regulatory Element forward genomics (REforge), a computational approach that detects associations between transcription factor binding site divergence in putative regulatory elements and phenotypic differences between species. By simulating regulatory element evolution in silico, we show that this approach has substantial power to detect such associations. To validate REforge on real data, we used known binding motifs for eye-related transcription factors and identified significant binding site divergence in vision-impaired subterranean mammals in 1% of all conserved noncoding elements. We show that these genomic regions are significantly enriched in regulatory elements that are specifically active in mouse eye tissues, and that several of them are located near genes, which are required for eye development and photoreceptor function and are implicated in human eye disorders. Thus, our genome-wide screen detects widespread divergence of eye-regulatory elements and highlights regulatory regions that likely contributed to eye degeneration in subterranean mammals. REforge has broad applicability to detect regulatory elements that could be involved in many other phenotypes, which will help to reveal the genomic basis of morphological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn E Langer
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Systems Biology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Juliana G Roscito
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Systems Biology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Hiller
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Systems Biology, Dresden, Germany
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Aldunate EZ, Di Foggia V, Di Marco F, Hervas LA, Ribeiro JC, Holder DL, Patel A, Jannini TB, Thompson DA, Martinez-Barbera JP, Pearson RA, Ali RR, Sowden JC. Conditional Dicer1 depletion using Chrnb4-Cre leads to cone cell death and impaired photopic vision. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2314. [PMID: 30783126 PMCID: PMC6381178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Irreversible photoreceptor cell death is a major cause of blindness in many retinal dystrophies. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progressive loss of photoreceptor cells remains therefore crucial. Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked with the aetiology of a number of retinal dystrophies. However, their role during the degenerative process remains poorly understood. Loss of cone photoreceptors in the human macula has the greatest impact on sight as these cells provide high acuity vision. Using a Chrnb4-cre; Dicerflox/flox conditional knockout mouse (Dicer CKO) to delete Dicer1 from cone cells, we show that cone photoreceptor cells degenerate and die in the Dicer-deleted retina. Embryonic eye morphogenesis appeared normal in Dicer CKO mice. Cone photoreceptor abnormalities were apparent by 3 weeks of age, displaying either very short or absent outer segments. By 4 months 50% of cones were lost and cone function was impaired as assessed by electroretinography (ERG). RNAseq analysis of the Dicer CKO retina revealed altered expression of genes involved in the visual perception pathway. These data show that loss of Dicer1 leads to early-onset cone cell degeneration and suggest that Dicer1 is essential for cone photoreceptor survival and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Zabala Aldunate
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Valentina Di Foggia
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Fabiana Di Marco
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Laura Abelleira Hervas
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Joana Claudio Ribeiro
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Daniel L Holder
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Aara Patel
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Tommaso B Jannini
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Dorothy A Thompson
- Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Rachael A Pearson
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Robin R Ali
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Genetics, London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Jane C Sowden
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
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14
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Coon SL, Fu C, Hartley SW, Holtzclaw L, Mays JC, Kelly MC, Kelley MW, Mullikin JC, Rath MF, Savastano LE, Klein DC. Single Cell Sequencing of the Pineal Gland: The Next Chapter. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:590. [PMID: 31616371 PMCID: PMC6764290 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of pineal cell biology has undergone remarkable development as techniques have become available which allow for sequencing of entire transcriptomes and, most recently, the sequencing of the transcriptome of individual cells. Identification of at least nine distinct cell types in the rat pineal gland has been made possible, allowing identification of the precise cells of origin and expression of transcripts for the first time. Here the history and current state of knowledge generated by these transcriptomic efforts is reviewed, with emphasis on the insights suggested by the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cong Fu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Steven W. Hartley
- Comparative Genomics Analysis Unit, Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lynne Holtzclaw
- Microscopy and Imaging Core, Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph C. Mays
- Institute on Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael C. Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew W. Kelley
- Section on Developmental Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cochlear Development, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James C. Mullikin
- National Institutes of Health Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Martin F. Rath
- Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luis E. Savastano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - David C. Klein
- Office of the Scientific Director, Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: David C. Klein
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15
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Signaling within the pineal gland: A parallelism with the central nervous system. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 95:151-159. [PMID: 30502386 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pineal gland (PG) derives from the neural tube, like the rest of the central nervous system (CNS). The PG is specialized in synthesizing and secreting melatonin in a circadian fashion. The nocturnal elevation of melatonin is a highly conserved feature among species which proves its importance in nature. Here, we review a limited set of intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory elements that have been shown or proposed to influence the PG's melatonin production, as well as pineal ontogeny and homeostasis. Intrinsic regulators include the transcription factors CREB, Pax6 and NeuroD1. In addition, microglia within the PG participate as extrinsic regulators of these functions. We further discuss how these same elements work in other parts of the CNS, and note similarities and differences to their roles in the PG. Since the PG is a relatively well-defined and highly specialized organ within the CNS, we suggest that applying this comparative approach to additional PG regulators may be a useful tool for understanding complex areas of the brain, as well as the influence of the PG in both health and disease, including circadian functions and disorders.
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16
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Vancamp P, Bourgeois NMA, Houbrechts AM, Darras VM. Knockdown of the thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 in chicken retinal precursor cells hampers early retinal development and results in a shift towards more UV/blue cones at the expense of green/red cones. Exp Eye Res 2018; 178:135-147. [PMID: 30273578 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in coordinating brain development in vertebrates. They fine-tune processes like cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation mainly by regulating the transcriptional activity of many essential genes. Regulators of TH availability thereby define the cellular concentration of the bioactive 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, which binds to nuclear TH receptors. One important regulator, the monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8), facilitates cellular TH uptake and is known to be necessary for correct brain development, but data on its potential role during retinal development is lacking. The retinal cyto-architecture has been conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, and we used the chicken embryo to study the need for MCT8 during retinal development. Its external development allows easy manipulation, and MCT8 is abundantly expressed in the retina from early stages onwards. We induced MCT8 knockdown by electroporating a pRFP-MCT8-RNAi vector into the retinal precursor cells (RPCs) at embryonic day 4 (E4), and studied the consequences for early (E6) and late (E18) retinal development. The empty pRFP-RNAi vector was used as a control. RPC proliferation was reduced at E6. This resulted in cellular hypoplasia and a thinner retina at E18 where mainly photoreceptors and horizontal cells were lost, the two predominant cell types that are born around the stage of electroporation. At E6, differentiation into retinal ganglion cells and amacrine cells was delayed. However, since the proportion of a given cell type within the transfected cell population at E18 was similar in knockdown and controls, the partial loss of some cell types was most-likely due to reduced RPC proliferation and not impaired cell differentiation. Photoreceptors displayed delayed migration at first, but had successfully reached the outer nuclear layer at E18. However, they increasingly differentiated into short wavelength-sensitive cones at the expense of medium/long wavelength-sensitive cones, while the proportion of rods was unaltered. Improperly formed sublaminae in the inner plexiform layer additionally suggested defects in synaptogenesis. Altogether, our data echoes effects of hypothyroidism and the loss of some other regulators of TH availability in the developing zebrafish and rodent retina. Therefore, the expression of MCT8 in RPCs is crucial for adequate TH uptake during cell type-specific events in retinal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Vancamp
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nele M A Bourgeois
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne M Houbrechts
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle M Darras
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, Department of Biology, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Dennis DJ, Han S, Schuurmans C. bHLH transcription factors in neural development, disease, and reprogramming. Brain Res 2018; 1705:48-65. [PMID: 29544733 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The formation of functional neural circuits in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) requires that appropriate numbers of the correct types of neuronal and glial cells are generated in their proper places and times during development. In the embryonic CNS, multipotent progenitor cells first acquire regional identities, and then undergo precisely choreographed temporal identity transitions (i.e. time-dependent changes in their identity) that determine how many neuronal and glial cells of each type they will generate. Transcription factors of the basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family have emerged as key determinants of neural cell fate specification and differentiation, ensuring that appropriate numbers of specific neuronal and glial cell types are produced. Recent studies have further revealed that the functions of these bHLH factors are strictly regulated. Given their essential developmental roles, it is not surprising that bHLH mutations and de-regulated expression are associated with various neurological diseases and cancers. Moreover, the powerful ability of bHLH factors to direct neuronal and glial cell fate specification and differentiation has been exploited in the relatively new field of cellular reprogramming, in which pluripotent stem cells or somatic stem cells are converted to neural lineages, often with a transcription factor-based lineage conversion strategy that includes one or more of the bHLH genes. These concepts are reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Dennis
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada
| | - Sisu Han
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N3M5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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18
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Wang X, Gong K, Li H, Wang C, Qu C, Li H. Gene Expression Profiling of the Optic Nerve Head of Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. J Ophthalmol 2017; 2017:6896390. [PMID: 28484645 PMCID: PMC5397728 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6896390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. The pressure-induced axonal injury of the vulnerable ONH has led many researchers to view glaucoma from the perspective of the genetic basis of the angle of the ONH. However, genetic studies on POAG from this perspective are limited. Methods. Microarray dataset GSE45570 of the ONH of healthy individuals and POAG patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. After screening for the DEGs using the limma package, enrichment analysis was performed using DAVID. The DEG interaction network was constructed using cancer spider at BioProfiling.de. Thereafter, DEG-related TFs were predicted using TRANSFAC, and TF-DEG regulatory networks were visualized using Cytoscape. Results. Thirty-one DEGs were identified including 11 upregulated and 20 downregulated DEGs. Thereafter, gene ontology terms of nucleosome assembly, sensory perception and cognition, and pathway of signaling by GPCR were found to be enriched among the DEGs. Furthermore, DEG interaction and TF-DEG networks were constructed. NEUROD1 was present in both the DEG network and the TF-DEG network as the node with the highest degree and was predicted as a marker gene in the ONH of patients with POAG. Conclusion. NEUROD1 may contribute greatly to the ONH of patients with POAG and was found to be involved in eye development and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Hospital of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Ke Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Hospital of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Haiyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Hospital of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Congyi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Hospital of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Chaoyi Qu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Hospital of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, China
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19
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Homma K, Usui S, Kaneda M. Knock-in strategy at 3′-end ofCrxgene by CRISPR/Cas9 system shows the gene expression profiles during human photoreceptor differentiation. Genes Cells 2017; 22:250-264. [DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Homma
- Department of Physiology; Nippon Medical School; 1-25-16 Nezu Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0031 Japan
| | - Sumiko Usui
- Department of Physiology; Nippon Medical School; 1-25-16 Nezu Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0031 Japan
| | - Makoto Kaneda
- Department of Physiology; Nippon Medical School; 1-25-16 Nezu Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0031 Japan
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20
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Ibañez Rodriguez MP, Noctor SC, Muñoz EM. Cellular Basis of Pineal Gland Development: Emerging Role of Microglia as Phenotype Regulator. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167063. [PMID: 27861587 PMCID: PMC5115862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult pineal gland is composed of pinealocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and other interstitial cells that have been described in detail. However, factors that contribute to pineal development have not been fully elucidated, nor have pineal cell lineages been well characterized. We applied systematic double, triple and quadruple labeling of cell-specific markers on prenatal, postnatal and mature rat pineal gland tissue combined with confocal microscopy to provide a comprehensive view of the cellular dynamics and cell lineages that contribute to pineal gland development. The pineal gland begins as an evagination of neuroepithelium in the roof of the third ventricle. The pineal primordium initially consists of radially aligned Pax6+ precursor cells that express vimentin and divide at the ventricular lumen. After the tubular neuroepithelium fuses, the distribution of Pax6+ cells transitions to include rosette-like structures and later, dispersed cells. In the developing gland all dividing cells express Pax6, indicating that Pax6+ precursor cells generate pinealocytes and some interstitial cells. The density of Pax6+ cells decreases across pineal development as a result of cellular differentiation and microglial phagocytosis, but Pax6+ cells remain in the adult gland as a distinct population. Microglial colonization begins after pineal recess formation. Microglial phagocytosis of Pax6+ cells is not common at early stages but increases as microglia colonize the gland. In the postnatal gland microglia affiliate with Tuj1+ nerve fibers, IB4+ blood vessels, and Pax6+ cells. We demonstrate that microglia engulf Pax6+ cells, nerve fibers, and blood vessel-related elements, but not pinealocytes. We conclude that microglia play a role in pineal gland formation and homeostasis by regulating the precursor cell population, remodeling blood vessels and pruning sympathetic nerve fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- María P. Ibañez Rodriguez
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Stephen C. Noctor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EMM); (SCN)
| | - Estela M. Muñoz
- Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM), National University of Cuyo, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
- * E-mail: (EMM); (SCN)
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21
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Yu H, Benitez SG, Jung SR, Farias Altamirano LE, Kruse M, Seo JB, Koh DS, Muñoz EM, Hille B. GABAergic signaling in the rat pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2016; 61:69-81. [PMID: 27019076 PMCID: PMC5489258 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pinealocytes secrete melatonin at night in response to norepinephrine released from sympathetic nerve terminals in the pineal gland. The gland also contains many other neurotransmitters whose cellular disposition, activity, and relevance to pineal function are not understood. Here, we clarify sources and demonstrate cellular actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry of the gland and electrical recording from pinealocytes. GABAergic cells and nerve fibers, defined as containing GABA and the synthetic GAD67, were identified. The cells represent a subset of interstitial cells while the nerve fibers were distinct from the sympathetic innervation. The GABAA receptor subunit α1 was visualized in close proximity of both GABAergic and sympathetic nerve fibers as well as fine extensions among pinealocytes and blood vessels. The GABAB 1 receptor subunit was localized in the interstitial compartment but not in pinealocytes. Electrophysiology of isolated pinealocytes revealed that GABA and muscimol elicit strong inward chloride currents sensitive to bicuculline and picrotoxin, clear evidence for functional GABAA receptors on the surface membrane. Applications of elevated potassium solution or the neurotransmitter acetylcholine depolarized the pinealocyte membrane potential enough to open voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels leading to intracellular calcium elevations. GABA repolarized the membrane and shut off such calcium rises. In 48-72-h cultured intact glands, GABA application neither triggered melatonin secretion by itself nor affected norepinephrine-induced secretion. Thus, strong elements of GABA signaling are present in pineal glands that make large electrical responses in pinealocytes, but physiological roles need to be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijie Yu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sergio G. Benitez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology: Chronobiology Section, Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), School of Medicine, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Seung-Ryoung Jung
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Luz E. Farias Altamirano
- Laboratory of Neurobiology: Chronobiology Section, Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), School of Medicine, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Martin Kruse
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jong-Bae Seo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Duk-Su Koh
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Estela M. Muñoz
- Laboratory of Neurobiology: Chronobiology Section, Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), School of Medicine, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Bertil Hille
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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22
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Castro AE, Benitez SG, Farias Altamirano LE, Savastano LE, Patterson SI, Muñoz EM. Expression and cellular localization of the transcription factor NeuroD1 in the developing and adult rat pineal gland. J Pineal Res 2015; 58:439-51. [PMID: 25752781 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms govern many aspects of mammalian physiology. The daily pattern of melatonin synthesis and secretion is one of the classic examples of circadian oscillations. It is mediated by a class of neuroendocrine cells known as pinealocytes which are not yet fully defined. An established method to evaluate functional and cytological characters is through the expression of lineage-specific transcriptional regulators. NeuroD1 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in the specification and maintenance of both endocrine and neuronal phenotypes. We have previously described developmental and adult regulation of NeuroD1 mRNA in the rodent pineal gland. However, the transcript levels were not influenced by the elimination of sympathetic input, suggesting that any rhythmicity of NeuroD1 might be found downstream of transcription. Here, we describe NeuroD1 protein expression and cellular localization in the rat pineal gland during development and the daily cycle. In embryonic and perinatal stages, protein expression follows the mRNA pattern and is predominantly nuclear. Thereafter, NeuroD1 is mostly found in pinealocyte nuclei in the early part of the night and in cytoplasm during the day, a rhythm maintained into adulthood. Additionally, nocturnal nuclear NeuroD1 levels are reduced after sympathetic disruption, an effect mimicked by the in vivo administration of α- and β-adrenoceptor blockers. NeuroD1 phosphorylation at two sites, Ser(274) and Ser(336) , associates with nuclear localization in pinealocytes. These data suggest that NeuroD1 influences pineal phenotype both during development and adulthood, in an autonomic and phosphorylation-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Analía E Castro
- Laboratory of Neurobiology: Chronobiology Section, Institute of Histology and Embryology of Mendoza (IHEM-CONICET), School of Medicine, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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23
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Orosz O, Czeglédi M, Kántor I, Balogh I, Vajas A, Takács L, Berta A, Losonczy G. Ophthalmological phenotype associated with homozygous null mutation in the NEUROD1 gene. Mol Vis 2015; 21:124-30. [PMID: 25684977 PMCID: PMC4323689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE NEUROD1 is a tissue-specific basic helix loop helix (bHLH) protein involved in the development and maintenance of the endocrine pancreas and neuronal elements. Loss of NEUROD1 causes ataxia, cerebellar hypoplasia, sensorineural deafness, and severe retinal dystrophy in mice. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in NEUROD1 have previously been described as a cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and late-onset diabetes. To date, homozygous loss-of-function NEUROD1 mutations have only been detected in two patients. Both mutations caused permanent neonatal diabetes and severe neurologic defects, including visual impairment. However, a detailed ophthalmological phenotype of this novel syndrome has not yet been reported. Our aim was to characterize the ophthalmological phenotype associated with the previously reported homozygous c.427_428CT mutation in the NEUROD1 gene. METHODS The female patient was investigated on multiple occasions between 2009 (age 14) and 2014 (age 19), including visual acuity testing, automated perimetry, funduscopy, anterior-segment imaging, optical coherence tomography of the posterior pole, standard full-field electroretinography, and fundus-autofluorescence imaging. RESULTS The patient had nyctalopia, blurry vision, and visual field constriction from early childhood. Her best corrected visual acuity ranged between 20/25 and 15/25 during the investigation period. Perimetry showed concentric constriction of the visual field, sparing only the central 30 degrees in both eyes. The anterior segment did not show any morphological changes. Optical coherence tomography revealed total absence of the photoreceptor layer of the retina outside the fovea, where a discoid remnant of cone photoreceptors could be detected. Neither setting of the standard full-field electroretinography could detect any electrical response from the retina. Color fundus photos presented peripheral chorioretinal atrophy and central RPE mottling. A hyperreflective parafoveal ring was detected on fundus autofluorescent photos, a characteristic sign of hereditary retinal dystrophies. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the ophthalmological phenotype associating with a homozygous NEUROD1 null mutation in humans. Our results indicate that the loss of NEUROD1 has similar functional and anatomic consequences in the human retina as those described in mice. The present description can help the diagnosis of future cases and provide clues on the rate of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Orosz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miklós Czeglédi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jósa András Hospital, Nyíregyháza, Hungary
| | - Irén Kántor
- Department of Pediatrics, Jósa András Hospital, Nyíregyháza, Hungary
| | - István Balogh
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Debrecen, Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Vajas
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lili Takács
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - András Berta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gergely Losonczy
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Center, Debrecen, Hungary
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Wang F, Li H, Xu M, Li H, Zhao L, Yang L, Zaneveld JE, Wang K, Li Y, Sui R, Chen R. A homozygous missense mutation in NEUROD1 is associated with nonsyndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 56:150-5. [PMID: 25477324 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Mutations in the same gene can lead to different clinical phenotypes. In this study, we aim to identify novel genotype-phenotype correlations and novel disease genes by analyzing an unsolved autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP) Han Chinese family. METHODS Whole exome sequencing was performed for one proband from the consanguineous ARRP family. Stringent variants filtering and prioritizations were applied to identify the causative mutation. RESULTS A homozygous missense variant, c.724G>A; p.V242I, in NEUROD1 was identified as the most likely cause of disease. This allele perfectly segregates in the family and affects an amino acid, which is highly conserved among mammals. A previous study showed that a homozygous null allele in NEUROD1 causes severe syndromic disease with neonatal diabetes, systematic neurological abnormalities, and early-onset retinal dystrophy. Consistent with these results, our patients who are homozygous for a less severe missense allele presented only late-onset retinal degeneration without any syndromic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS We identified a potential novel genotype-phenotype correlation between NEUROD1 and nonsyndromic ARRP. Our study supports the idea that NEUROD1 is important for maintenance of the retina function and partial loss-of-function mutation in NEUROD1 is likely a rare cause of nonsyndromic ARRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Huajin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mingchu Xu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Lizhu Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jacques E Zaneveld
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Keqing Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Ruifang Sui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program, Houston, Texas, United States
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25
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Can the ‘neuron theory’ be complemented by a universal mechanism for generic neuronal differentiation. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 359:343-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2049-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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26
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Wang Y, Su DW, Gao L, Ding GL, Ni CR, Zhu MH. Effect of NeuroD gene silencing on the migration and invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1. Cell Biochem Biophys 2014; 69:487-94. [PMID: 24464628 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-014-9822-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Lenti-EGFP-NeuroD-miR, RNAi lentiviral expression vector, on the expression level of NeuroD and migration, and invasion of PANC-1 cell line. PANC-1 cells were cultured and cotransfected with Lenti-EGFP-NeuroD-miR and Lenti-GFP. The infection rate of lentivirus was determined by fluorescence. The interfering effection by the expression of NeuroD mRNA in PANC-1 cells was analyzed by real-time PCR after transfected. Biological behavior of PANC-1 cells transinfected was observed, and the migration and invasion were studied by transwell assay. Intrapancreatic allografts model in nude mice was established to observe the effects of NeuroD on tumorigenesis, tumor growth, and invasion in vivo. The expression of NeuroD mRNA decreased significantly after RNAi lentivirus transinfecting PANC-1 cell. The cell's migration and invasion ability decreased obviously as soon as down regulate of NeuroD in PANC-1 cells. Comparing with control group, the tumors were smaller in size and the invasiveness was inhibited after 8 weeks intrapancreatic allografts in nude mice. Lenti-EGFP-NeuroD-miR transfected into PANC-1 cells shows a stable, effective, and especial blocking expression of NeuroD in mRNA level. The RNAi of lentiviral vector target NeuroD can reduce the migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
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27
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Rath MF, Rohde K, Klein DC, Møller M. Homeobox genes in the rodent pineal gland: roles in development and phenotype maintenance. Neurochem Res 2013; 38:1100-12. [PMID: 23076630 PMCID: PMC3570627 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-012-0906-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pineal gland is a neuroendocrine gland responsible for nocturnal synthesis of melatonin. During early development of the rodent pineal gland from the roof of the diencephalon, homeobox genes of the orthodenticle homeobox (Otx)- and paired box (Pax)-families are expressed and are essential for normal pineal development consistent with the well-established role that homeobox genes play in developmental processes. However, the pineal gland appears to be unusual because strong homeobox gene expression persists in the pineal gland of the adult brain. Accordingly, in addition to developmental functions, homeobox genes appear to be key regulators in postnatal phenotype maintenance in this tissue. In this paper, we review ontogenetic and phylogenetic aspects of pineal development and recent progress in understanding the involvement of homebox genes in rodent pineal development and adult function. A working model is proposed for understanding the sequential action of homeobox genes in controlling development and mature circadian function of the mammalian pinealocyte based on knowledge from detailed developmental and daily gene expression analyses in rats, the pineal phenotypes of homebox gene-deficient mice and studies on development of the retinal photoreceptor; the pinealocyte and retinal photoreceptor share features not seen in other tissues and are likely to have evolved from the same ancestral photodetector cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Panum Institute 24.2, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.
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Shalabi A, Fischer C, Korf HW, von Gall C. Melatonin-receptor-1-deficiency affects neurogenic differentiation factor immunoreaction in pancreatic islets and enteroendocrine cells of mice. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 353:483-91. [PMID: 23700151 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1647-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurogenic differentiation factor (NeuroD) is a transcription factor involved in the differentiation of neurons and in the control of energy balance and metabolism. It plays a key role in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Melatonin is an important rhythmic endocrine signal within the circadian system of mammals and modulates insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. In the mouse pars tuberalis, NeuroD mRNA levels show day/night variation, which is independent of the molecular clock gene mPER1 but depends on the functional melatonin receptor 1 (MT1). So far, little is known about the effect of melatonin on NeuroD synthesis in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, NeuroD protein levels and cellular localization were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in pancreatic islets and duodenal enteroendocrine cells of MT1- and mPER1-deficienct mice. In addition, the localization of NeuroD-positive cells was analyzed by double-immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy. In duodenal enteroendocrine cells and pancreatic islets of WT and PER1-deficient mice, NeuroD immunoreaction showed a peak during the early subjective night. In contrast, this peak was absent in MT1-deficent mice. These data suggest that melatonin, by acting on MT1 receptors, affects NeuroD expression in the gastrointestinal tract and thus might contribute to circadian regulation in metabolic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andree Shalabi
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Institut für Anatomie II, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany
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