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Peng ZQ, Guan XH, Yu ZP, Wu J, Han XH, Li MH, Qu XH, Chen ZP, Han XJ, Wang XY. Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells-derived conditioned medium and exosomes alleviate oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration by activating PI3K/Akt/FoxO3 pathway. Exp Eye Res 2024; 244:109919. [PMID: 38729254 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss among the elderly, which is primarily attributed to oxidative stress-induced damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) were considered to be one of the most promising stem cells for clinical application due to their low immunogenicity, tissue repair ability, pluripotent potential and potent paracrine effects. The conditional medium (hAMSC-CM) and exosomes (hAMSC-exo) derived from hAMSC, as mediators of intercellular communication, play an important role in the treatment of retinal diseases, but their effect and mechanism on oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration are not explored. Here, we reported that hAMSC-CM alleviated H2O2-induced ARPE-19 cell death through inhibiting mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway in vitro. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration in mitochondrial morphology, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and elevation of Bax/Bcl2 ratio in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress were efficiently reversed by hAMSC-CM. Moreover, it was found that hAMSC-CM protected cells against oxidative injury via PI3K/Akt/FoxO3 signaling. Intriguingly, exosome inhibitor GW4869 alleviated the inhibitory effect of hAMSC-CM on H2O2-induced decrease in cell viability of ARPE-19 cells. We further demonstrated that hAMSC-exo exerted the similar protective effect on ARPE-19 cells against oxidative damage as hAMSC-CM. Additionally, both hAMSC-CM and hAMSC-exo ameliorated sodium iodate-induced deterioration of RPE and retinal damage in vivo. These results first indicate that hAMSC-CM and hAMSC-exo protect RPE cells from oxidative damage by regulating PI3K/Akt/FoxO3 pathway, suggesting hAMSC-CM and hAMSC-exo will be a promising cell-free therapy for the treatment of AMD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe-Qing Peng
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Xiao-Hui Guan
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, PR China
| | - Zhen-Ping Yu
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, PR China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330052, PR China
| | - Xin-Hao Han
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Ming-Hui Li
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Xin-Hui Qu
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; The Second Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Zhi-Ping Chen
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jian Han
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Yu Wang
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China.
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2
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Qi J, Li H, Du Y, Liu Y, He W, Meng J, Wei L, Zhang K, Lu Y, Zhu X. Circulating Autoantibody Profiling Identifies LIMS1 as a Potential Target for Pathogenic Autoimmunity in pathologic Myopia. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100783. [PMID: 38729610 PMCID: PMC11215957 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
High myopia is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, among which pathologic myopia, characterized by typical myopic macular degeneration, is the most detrimental. However, its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, using a HuProt array, we first initiated a serological autoantibody profiling of high myopia and identified 18 potential autoantibodies, of which anti-LIMS1 autoantibody was validated by a customized focused microarray. Further subgroup analysis revealed its actual relevance to pathologic myopia, rather than simple high myopia without myopic macular degeneration. Mechanistically, anti-LIMS1 autoantibody predominantly belonged to IgG1/IgG2/IgG3 subclasses. Serum IgG obtained from patients with pathologic myopia could disrupt the barrier function of retinal pigment epithelial cells via cytoskeleton disorganization and tight junction component reduction, and also trigger a pro-inflammatory mediator cascade in retinal pigment epithelial cells, which were all attenuated by depletion of anti-LIMS1 autoantibody. Together, these data uncover a previously unrecognized autoimmune etiology of myopic macular degeneration in pathologic myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Qi
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Du
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen He
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqi Meng
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Wei
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Keke Zhang
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Lu
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiangjia Zhu
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Key Laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Zhang SX, Wang JJ, Starr CR, Lee EJ, Park KS, Zhylkibayev A, Medina A, Lin JH, Gorbatyuk M. The endoplasmic reticulum: Homeostasis and crosstalk in retinal health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 98:101231. [PMID: 38092262 PMCID: PMC11056313 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the largest intracellular organelle carrying out a broad range of important cellular functions including protein biosynthesis, folding, and trafficking, lipid and sterol biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and calcium storage and gated release. In addition, the ER makes close contact with multiple intracellular organelles such as mitochondria and the plasma membrane to actively regulate the biogenesis, remodeling, and function of these organelles. Therefore, maintaining a homeostatic and functional ER is critical for the survival and function of cells. This vital process is implemented through well-orchestrated signaling pathways of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is activated when misfolded or unfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, a condition known as ER stress, and functions to restore ER homeostasis thus promoting cell survival. However, prolonged activation or dysregulation of the UPR can lead to cell death and other detrimental events such as inflammation and oxidative stress; these processes are implicated in the pathogenesis of many human diseases including retinal disorders. In this review manuscript, we discuss the unique features of the ER and ER stress signaling in the retina and retinal neurons and describe recent advances in the research to uncover the role of ER stress signaling in neurodegenerative retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal degeneration, achromatopsia and cone diseases, and diabetic retinopathy. In some chapters, we highlight the complex interactions between the ER and other intracellular organelles focusing on mitochondria and illustrate how ER stress signaling regulates common cellular stress pathways such as autophagy. We also touch upon the integrated stress response in retinal degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Finally, we provide an update on the current development of pharmacological agents targeting the UPR response and discuss some unresolved questions and knowledge gaps to be addressed by future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah X Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States.
| | - Josh J Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Christopher R Starr
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, United States; Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Karen Sophia Park
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Assylbek Zhylkibayev
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Andy Medina
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Jonathan H Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, United States; Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Marina Gorbatyuk
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Kang D, Lee YJ, Nam KT, Choi M, Yun C. Hyperreflective foci distribution in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration with subretinal drusenoid deposits. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:2821-2828. [PMID: 37231279 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06127-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the distribution of hyperreflective foci (HRF) in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of 58 dry AMD eyes presenting HRF. The distribution of HRF according to the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study area was analyzed according to the presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). RESULTS We classified 32 eyes and 26 eyes into the dry AMD with SDD group (SDD group) and dry AMD without SDD group (non-SDD group), respectively. The non-SDD group had higher prevalence and density of HRF at the fovea (65.4% and 1.71 ± 1.48) than the SDD group (37.5% and 0.48 ± 0.63, P = 0.035 and P < 0.001, respectively). However, the prevalence and density of HRF in the outer circle area of the SDD group (81.3% and 0.11 ± 0.09) were greater than those of the non-SDD group (53.8% and 0.05 ± 0.06, p = 0.025 and p = 0.004, respectively). The SDD group showed higher prevalence and mean densities of HRF in the superior and temporal area than in the non-SDD group (all, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION HRF distributions in dry AMD varied according to the presence of SDDs. This might support that the degenerative features may be different between dry AMD eyes with and without SDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Young Joo Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki Tae Nam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
| | - Mihyun Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Cheolmin Yun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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5
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Quantitative Autofluorescence in Non-Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020560. [PMID: 36831096 PMCID: PMC9952913 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative autofluorescence (qAF8) level is a presumed surrogate marker of lipofuscin content in the retina. We investigated the changes in the qAF8 levels in non-neovascular AMD. In this prospective cohort study, Caucasians aged ≥50 years with varying severity of non-neovascular AMD in at least one eye and Snellen visual acuity ≥6/18 were recruited. The qAF8 levels were analysed in the middle eight segments of the Delori pattern (HEYEX software, Heidelberg, Germany). The AMD categories were graded using both the Beckman classification and multimodal imaging (MMI) to include the presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD). A total of 353 eyes from 231 participants were analyzed. Compared with the age-matched controls, the qAF8 values decreased in the eyes with AMD (adjusted % difference = -19.7% [95% CI -28.8%, -10.4%]; p < 0.001) and across the AMD categories, (adjusted % differences; Early, -13.1% (-24.4%, -1%), p = 0.04; intermediate AMD (iAMD), -22.9% (-32.3%, -13.1%), p < 0.001; geographic atrophy -25.2% (-38.1%, -10.4%), p = 0.002). On MMI, the qAF8 was reduced in the AMD subgroups relative to the controls, (adjusted % differences; Early, -5.8% (-18.9%, 8.3%); p = 0.40; iAMD, -26.7% (-36.2%, -15.6%); p < 0.001; SDD, -23.7% (-33.6%, -12.2%); p < 0.001; atrophy, -26.7% (-39.3%, -11.3%), p = 0.001). The qAF8 levels declined early in AMD and were not significantly different between the severity levels of non-neovascular AMD, suggesting the early and sustained loss of function of the retinal pigment epithelium in AMD.
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6
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Balaskas K, Glinton S, Keenan TDL, Faes L, Liefers B, Zhang G, Pontikos N, Struyven R, Wagner SK, McKeown A, Patel PJ, Keane PA, Fu DJ. Prediction of visual function from automatically quantified optical coherence tomography biomarkers in patients with geographic atrophy using machine learning. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15565. [PMID: 36114218 PMCID: PMC9481631 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19413-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA) is a vision-threatening manifestation of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness globally. Objective, rapid, reliable, and scalable quantification of GA from optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal scans is necessary for disease monitoring, prognostic research, and clinical endpoints for therapy development. Such automatically quantified biomarkers on OCT are likely to further elucidate structure-function correlation in GA and thus the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease development and progression. In this work, we aimed to predict visual function with machine-learning applied to automatically acquired quantitative imaging biomarkers in GA. A post-hoc analysis of data from a clinical trial and routine clinical care was conducted. A deep-learning automated segmentation model was applied on OCT scans from 476 eyes (325 patients) with GA. A separate machine learning prediction model (Random Forest) used the resultant quantitative OCT (qOCT) biomarkers to predict cross-sectional visual acuity under standard (VA) and low luminance (LLVA). The primary outcome was regression coefficient (r2) and mean absolute error (MAE) for cross-sectional VA and LLVA in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters. OCT parameters were predictive of VA (r2 0.40 MAE 11.7 ETDRS letters) and LLVA (r2 0.25 MAE 12.1). Normalised random forest feature importance, as a measure of the predictive value of the three constituent features of GA; retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-loss, photoreceptor degeneration (PDR), hypertransmission and their locations, was reported both on voxel-level heatmaps and ETDRS-grid subfields. The foveal region (46.5%) and RPE-loss (31.1%) had greatest predictive importance for VA. For LLVA, however, non-foveal regions (74.5%) and PDR (38.9%) were most important. In conclusion, automated qOCT biomarkers demonstrate predictive significance for VA and LLVA in GA. LLVA is itself predictive of GA progression, implying that the predictive qOCT biomarkers provided by our model are also prognostic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Balaskas
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.
| | - S Glinton
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - T D L Keenan
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - L Faes
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - B Liefers
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G Zhang
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - N Pontikos
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - R Struyven
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - S K Wagner
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - A McKeown
- Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - P J Patel
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - P A Keane
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - D J Fu
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical AI Hub, 162 City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
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Jiang Y, Duan LJ, Pi J, Le YZ, Fong GH. Dependence of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Integrity on the NRF2-Heme Oxygenase-1 Axis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:30. [PMID: 36036912 PMCID: PMC9434985 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.9.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tight junctions (TJs) form the structural basis of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) barrier functions. Although oxidative stress contributes to age-related macular degeneration, it is unclear how RPE TJ integrity is controlled by redox balance. In this study, we investigated the protective roles of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2), a transcription factor, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO1), a heme-degrading enzyme encoded by the NRF2 target gene HMOX1. Methods ARPE19 cell cultures and mice, including wild-type, Nrf2−/−, and RPE-specific NRF2-deficient mice, were treated with chemicals that impose oxidative stress or impact heme metabolism. In addition, NRF2 and HO1 expression in ARPE19 cells was knocked down by siRNA. TJ integrity was examined by anti–zonula occludens-1 staining of cultured cells or flatmount RPE tissues from mice. RPE barrier functions were evaluated by transepithelium electrical resistance in ARPE19 cells and immunofluorescence staining for albumin or dextran in eye histological sections. Results TJ structures and RPE barrier functions were compromised due to oxidant exposure and NRF2 deficiency but were rescued by HO1 inducer. Furthermore, treatment with HO1 inhibitor or heme precursor is destructive to TJ structures and RPE barrier properties. Interestingly, both NRF2 and HO1 were upregulated under oxidative stress, probably as an adaptive response to mitigate oxidant-inflicted damages. Conclusions Our data indicate that the NRF2–HO1 axis protects TJ integrity and RPE barrier functions by driving heme degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yida Jiang
- Center for Vascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States
| | - Li-Juan Duan
- Center for Vascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States
| | - Jingbo Pi
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yun-Zheng Le
- Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology, and Ophthalmology and Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Guo-Hua Fong
- Center for Vascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, United States
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8
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McLaughlin T, Medina A, Perkins J, Yera M, Wang JJ, Zhang SX. Cellular stress signaling and the unfolded protein response in retinal degeneration: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:25. [PMID: 35346303 PMCID: PMC8962104 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00528-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The retina, as part of the central nervous system (CNS) with limited capacity for self-reparation and regeneration in mammals, is under cumulative environmental stress due to high-energy demands and rapid protein turnover. These stressors disrupt the cellular protein and metabolic homeostasis, which, if not alleviated, can lead to dysfunction and cell death of retinal neurons. One primary cellular stress response is the highly conserved unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR acts through three main signaling pathways in an attempt to restore the protein homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by various means, including but not limited to, reducing protein translation, increasing protein-folding capacity, and promoting misfolded protein degradation. Moreover, recent work has identified a novel function of the UPR in regulation of cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function, disturbance of which contributes to neuronal degeneration and dysfunction. The role of the UPR in retinal neurons during aging and under disease conditions in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been explored over the past two decades. Each of the disease conditions and their corresponding animal models provide distinct challenges and unique opportunities to gain a better understanding of the role of the UPR in the maintenance of retinal health and function. Method We performed an extensive literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar using the following keywords: unfolded protein response, metabolism, ER stress, retinal degeneration, aging, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy. Results and conclusion We summarize recent advances in understanding cellular stress response, in particular the UPR, in retinal diseases, highlighting the potential roles of UPR pathways in regulation of cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function in retinal neurons. Further, we provide perspective on the promise and challenges for targeting the UPR pathways as a new therapeutic approach in age- and disease-related retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd McLaughlin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Andy Medina
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jacob Perkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Maria Yera
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.,Neuroscience Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Joshua J Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.,Neuroscience Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sarah X Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA. .,Neuroscience Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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9
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Grewal MK, Chandra S, Gurudas S, Rasheed R, Sen P, Menon D, Bird A, Jeffery G, Sivaprasad S. Functional clinical endpoints and their correlations in eyes with AMD with and without subretinal drusenoid deposits-a pilot study. Eye (Lond) 2022; 36:398-406. [PMID: 33750892 PMCID: PMC8807627 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01488-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate functional clinical endpoints and their structural correlations in AMD, with a focus on subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD). METHODS This prospective study enroled 50 participants (11 controls, 17 intermediate AMD (iAMD) with no SDD, 11 iAMD with SDD and 11 non-foveal atrophic AMD). Participants underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low luminance visual acuity (LLVA), low luminance questionnaire (LLQ), scotopic thresholds, rod-intercept time (RIT), photopic flicker electroretinograms and multimodal imaging. Functional and structural relationships were assessed. RESULTS Compared with healthy participants, BCVA, LLVA, scotopic thresholds were depressed, and RIT prolonged in iAMD patients with SDD (p = 0.028, p = 0.045, p = 0.014 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Patients with SDD also had reduced scotopic function and delayed RIT compared to iAMD without SDD (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001). Eyes with SDD and non-foveal atrophy did not differ functionally. Nor did healthy subjects compared with iAMD without SDD. Functional parameters were significantly associated with scotopic thresholds (r = 0.39-0.64). BCVA, LLVA and scotopic thresholds correlated well with ONL volume, ONL thickness and choroidal thickness (r = 0.34-0.61). CONCLUSION Eyes with SDD are surrogate markers of photoreceptor abnormalities comparable with non-central atrophy and should be sub-analysed in clinical trials evaluating potential prophylactic agents to decrease the progression of AMD and may even require different therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjot Kaur Grewal
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK ,grid.439257.e0000 0000 8726 5837NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Shruti Chandra
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK ,grid.439257.e0000 0000 8726 5837NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sarega Gurudas
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rajna Rasheed
- grid.439257.e0000 0000 8726 5837NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Piyali Sen
- grid.439257.e0000 0000 8726 5837NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Deepthy Menon
- grid.439257.e0000 0000 8726 5837NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alan Bird
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Glen Jeffery
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sobha Sivaprasad
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK ,grid.439257.e0000 0000 8726 5837NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
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10
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Zhang D, Robinson K, Washington I. C20D3-Vitamin A Prevents Retinal Pigment Epithelium Atrophic Changes in a Mouse Model. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:8. [PMID: 34878528 PMCID: PMC8662574 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.14.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of vitamin A dimerization to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophic changes. Leading causes of irreversible blindness, including Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), occur as a result of atrophic changes in RPE. The cause of the RPE atrophic changes is not apparent. During the vitamin A cycle, vitamin A dimerizes, leading to vitamin A cycle byproducts, such as vitamin A dimers, in the RPE. Methods To study the consequence of vitamin A dimerization to RPE atrophic changes, we used a rodent model with accelerated vitamin A dimerization, Abca4−/−/Rdh8−/− mice, and the vitamin A analog C20D3-vitamin A to selectively ameliorate the accelerated rate of vitamin A dimerization. Results We show that ameliorating the rate of vitamin A dimerization with C20D3-vitamin A mitigates pathological changes observed in the prodromal phase of the most prevalent retinal degenerative diseases, including fundus autofluorescence changes, dark adaptation delays, and signature RPE atrophic changes. Conclusions Data demonstrate that the dimerization of vitamin A during the vitamin A cycle is sufficient alone to cause the prerequisite RPE atrophic changes thought to be responsible for the leading causes of irreversible blindness and that correcting the dimerization rate with C20D3-vitamin A may be sufficient to prevent the RPE atrophic changes. Translational Relevance Preventing the dimerization of vitamin A with the vitamin A analog C20D3-vitamin A may be sufficient to alter the clinical course of the most prevalent forms of blindness, including Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Columbia University Medical Center, Ophthalmology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kiera Robinson
- Columbia University Medical Center, Ophthalmology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilyas Washington
- Columbia University Medical Center, Ophthalmology, New York, NY, USA.,biOOrg3.14, Buffalo, WY, USA
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11
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Zhang D, Mihai DM, Washington I. Vitamin A cycle byproducts explain retinal damage and molecular changes thought to initiate retinal degeneration. Biol Open 2021; 10:273577. [PMID: 34842275 PMCID: PMC8649638 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the most prevalent retinal diseases, including Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), byproducts of vitamin A form in the retina abnormally during the vitamin A cycle. Despite evidence of their toxicity, whether these vitamin A cycle byproducts contribute to retinal disease, are symptoms, beneficial, or benign has been debated. We delivered a representative vitamin A byproduct, A2E, to the rat's retina and monitored electrophysiological, histological, proteomic, and transcriptomic changes. We show that the vitamin A cycle byproduct is sufficient alone to damage the RPE, photoreceptor inner and outer segments, and the outer plexiform layer, cause the formation of sub-retinal debris, alter transcription and protein synthesis, and diminish retinal function. The presented data are consistent with the theory that the formation of vitamin A byproducts during the vitamin A cycle is neither benign nor beneficial but may be sufficient alone to cause the most prevalent forms of retinal disease. Retarding the formation of vitamin A byproducts could potentially address the root cause of several retinal diseases to eliminate the threat of irreversible blindness for millions of people. Summary: During the vitamin A cycle, byproducts of vitamin A form in the eye. Using a rat model, we show that the byproducts alone can explain several retinal derangements observed in the prodromal phase of human retinal disease. Retarding the formation of these byproducts may address the root cause of the most prevalent retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Columbia University Medical Center, Ophthalmology, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Doina M Mihai
- Columbia University Medical Center, Ophthalmology, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ilyas Washington
- Columbia University Medical Center, Ophthalmology, New York, NY 10032, USA.,biOOrg3.14, Buffalo, WY 82834, USA
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12
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Ashok A, Chaudhary S, Wise AS, Rana NA, McDonald D, Kritikos AE, Lindner E, Singh N. Release of Iron-Loaded Ferritin in Sodium Iodate-Induced Model of Age Related Macular Degeneration: An In-Vitro and In-Vivo Study. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1253. [PMID: 34439501 PMCID: PMC8389213 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the role of iron in sodium iodate (NaIO3)-induced model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in ARPE-19 cells in-vitro and in mouse models in-vivo. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, was exposed to 10 mM NaIO3 for 24 h, and the expression and localization of major iron modulating proteins was evaluated by Western blotting (WB) and immunostaining. Synthesis and maturation of cathepsin-D (cat-D), a lysosomal enzyme, was evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and WB, respectively. For in-vivo studies, C57BL/6 mice were injected with 40 mg/kg mouse body weight of NaIO3 intraperitoneally, and their retina was evaluated after 3 weeks as above. NaIO3 induced a 10-fold increase in ferritin in ARPE-19 cells, which co-localized with LC3II, an autophagosomal marker, and LAMP-1, a lysosomal marker. A similar increase in ferritin was noted in retinal lysates and retinal sections of NaIO3-injected mice by WB and immunostaining. Impaired synthesis and maturation of cat-D was also noted. Accumulated ferritin was loaded with iron, and released from retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells in Perls' and LAMP-1 positive vesicles. NaIO3 impairs lysosomal degradation of ferritin by decreasing the transcription and maturation of cat-D in RPE cells. Iron-loaded ferritin accumulates in lysosomes and is released in lysosomal membrane-enclosed vesicles to the extracellular milieu. Accumulation of ferritin in RPE cells and fusion of ferritin-containing vesicles with adjacent photoreceptor cells is likely to create an iron overload, compromising their viability. Moreover, reduced activity of cat-D is likely to promote accumulation of other cellular debris in lysosomal vesicles, contributing to AMD-like pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Ashok
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Suman Chaudhary
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Aaron S. Wise
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Neil A. Rana
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Dallas McDonald
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Alexander E. Kritikos
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
| | - Ewald Lindner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Neena Singh
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (A.A.); (S.C.); (A.S.W.); (N.A.R.); (D.M.); (A.E.K.)
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13
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Napoli D, Biagioni M, Billeri F, Di Marco B, Orsini N, Novelli E, Strettoi E. Retinal Pigment Epithelium Remodeling in Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105381. [PMID: 34065385 PMCID: PMC8161377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In retinitis pigmentosa (RP), one of many possible genetic mutations causes rod degeneration, followed by cone secondary death leading to blindness. Accumulating evidence indicates that rod death triggers multiple, non-cell-autonomous processes, which include oxidative stress and inflammation/immune responses, all contributing to cone demise. Inflammation relies on local microglia and recruitment of immune cells, reaching the retina through breakdowns of the inner blood retinal barrier (iBRB). Leakage in the inner retina vasculature suggests similarly altered outer BRB, formed by junctions between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which are crucial for retinal homeostasis, immune response, and privilege. We investigated the RPE structural integrity in three models of RP (rd9, rd10, and Tvrm4 mice) by immunostaining for zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), an essential regulatory component of tight junctions. Quantitative image analysis demonstrated discontinuities in ZO-1 profiles in all mutants, despite different degrees of photoreceptor loss. ZO-1 interruption zones corresponded to leakage of in vivo administered, fluorescent dextran through the choroid-RPE interface, demonstrating barrier dysfunction. Dexamethasone, administered to rd10 mice for rescuing cones, also rescued RPE structure. Thus, previously undetected, stereotyped abnormalities occur in the RPE of RP mice; pharmacological targeting of inflammation supports a feedback loop leading to simultaneous protection of cones and the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Napoli
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
- Correspondence: (D.N.); (E.S.); Tel.: +39-0503153157 (E.S.)
| | - Martina Biagioni
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
| | - Federico Billeri
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Di Marco
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
| | - Noemi Orsini
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
- Regional Doctorate School in Neuroscience, Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Novelli
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
| | - Enrica Strettoi
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (F.B.); (B.D.M.); (N.O.); (E.N.)
- Correspondence: (D.N.); (E.S.); Tel.: +39-0503153157 (E.S.)
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14
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Petrash CC, Palestine AG, Canto-Soler MV. Immunologic Rejection of Transplanted Retinal Pigmented Epithelium: Mechanisms and Strategies for Prevention. Front Immunol 2021; 12:621007. [PMID: 34054796 PMCID: PMC8153373 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.621007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Replacement of dysfunctional retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) with grafts derived from stem cells has the potential to improve vision for patients with retinal disorders. In fact, the potential is such that a great number of groups are attempting to realize this therapy through individual strategies with a variety of stem cell products, hosts, immunomodulatory regimen, and techniques to assess the success of their design. Comparing the findings of different investigators is complicated by a number of factors. The immune response varies greatly between xenogeneic and allogeneic transplantation. A unique immunologic environment is created in the subretinal space, the target of RPE grafts. Both functional assessment and imaging techniques used to evaluate transplants are susceptible to erroneous conclusions. Lastly, the pharmacologic regimens used in RPE transplant trials are as numerous and variable as the trials themselves, making it difficult to determine useful results. This review will discuss the causes of these complicating factors, digest the strategies and results from clinical and preclinical studies, and suggest places for improvement in the design of future transplants and investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson C Petrash
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alan G Palestine
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - M Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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15
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Biasella F, Plössl K, Karl C, Weber BHF, Friedrich U. Altered Protein Function Caused by AMD-associated Variant rs704 Links Vitronectin to Disease Pathology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:2. [PMID: 33259607 PMCID: PMC7718807 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Vitronectin, a cell adhesion and spreading factor, is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as it is a major component of AMD-specific extracellular deposits (e.g., soft drusen, subretinal drusenoid deposits). The present study addressed the impact of AMD-associated non-synonymous variant rs704 in the vitronectin-encoding gene VTN on vitronectin functionality. Methods Effects of rs704 on vitronectin expression and processing were analyzed by semi-quantitative sequencing of VTN transcripts from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and from human neural retina, as well as by western blot analyses on heterologously expressed vitronectin isoforms. Binding of vitronectin isoforms to retinal and endothelial cells was analyzed by western blot. Immunofluorescence staining followed extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in cultured RPE cells heterologously expressing the vitronectin isoforms. Adhesion of fluorescently labeled RPE or endothelial cells in dependence of recombinant vitronectin or vitronectin-containing ECM was investigated fluorometrically or microscopically. Tube formation and migration assays addressed effects of vitronectin on angiogenesis-related processes. Results Variant rs704 affected expression, secretion, and processing but not oligomerization of vitronectin. Cell binding and influence on RPE-mediated ECM deposition differed between AMD-risk-associated and non-AMD-risk-associated protein isoforms. Finally, vitronectin affected adhesion and endothelial tube formation. Conclusions The AMD-risk-associated vitronectin isoform exhibits increased expression and altered functionality in cellular processes related to the sub-RPE aspects of AMD pathology. Although further research is required to address the subretinal disease aspects, this initial study supports an involvement of vitronectin in AMD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Biasella
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karolina Plössl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Karl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard H. F. Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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