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Nolan ND, Cui X, Robbings BM, Demirkol A, Pandey K, Wu WH, Hu HF, Jenny LA, Lin CS, Hass DT, Du J, Hurley JB, Tsang SH. CRISPR editing of anti-anemia drug target rescues independent preclinical models of retinitis pigmentosa. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101459. [PMID: 38518771 PMCID: PMC11031380 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common forms of hereditary neurodegeneration. It is caused by one or more of at least 3,100 mutations in over 80 genes that are primarily expressed in rod photoreceptors. In RP, the primary rod-death phase is followed by cone death, regardless of the underlying gene mutation that drove the initial rod degeneration. Dampening the oxidation of glycolytic end products in rod mitochondria enhances cone survival in divergent etiological disease models independent of the underlying rod-specific gene mutations. Therapeutic editing of the prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein gene (PHD2, also known as Egln1) in rod photoreceptors led to the sustained survival of both diseased rods and cones in both preclinical autosomal-recessive and dominant RP models. Adeno-associated virus-mediated CRISPR-based therapeutic reprogramming of the aerobic glycolysis node may serve as a gene-agnostic treatment for patients with various forms of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Nolan
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xuan Cui
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brian M Robbings
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Diabetes Institute, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Aykut Demirkol
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA; Vocational School of Health Services, Uskudar University, 34672 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kriti Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Wen-Hsuan Wu
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hannah F Hu
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Laura A Jenny
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chyuan-Sheng Lin
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology & Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel T Hass
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jianhai Du
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26501, USA
| | - James B Hurley
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology & Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Tan J, Xiao A, Yang L, Tao YL, Shao Y, Zhou Q. Diabetes and high-glucose could upregulate the expression of receptor for activated C kinase 1 in retina. World J Diabetes 2024; 15:519-529. [PMID: 38591093 PMCID: PMC10999037 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i3.519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, leading to visual impairment. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) injury is a key component of the outer blood retinal barrier, and its damage is an important indicator of DR. Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) activates protein kinase C-ε (PKC-ε) to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RPE cells, leading to apoptosis. Therefore, we hypothesize that the activation of RACK1 under hypoxic/high-glucose conditions may promote RPE cell apoptosis by modulating PKC-ε/ROS, thereby disrupting the barrier effect of the outer blood retinal barrier and contributing to the progression of DR. AIM To investigate the role and associated underlying mechanisms of RACK1 in the development of early DR. METHODS In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats and adult RPE cell line-19 (ARPE-19) cells were used as in vivo and in vitro models, respectively, to explore the role of RACK1 in mediating PKC-ε in early DR. Furthermore, the impact of RACK1 on apoptosis and barrier function of RPE cells was also investigated in the former model. RESULTS Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed increased apoptosis and up-regulated expression of RACK1 and PKC-ε proteins in RPE cells following a prolonged modeling. Similarly, ARPE-19 cells exposed to high glucose and hypoxia displayed elevated mRNA and protein levels of RACK1 and PKC-ε, accompanied by an increases in ROS production, apoptosis rate, and monolayer permeability. However, silencing RACK1 significantly downregulated the expression of PKC-ε and ROS, reduced cell apoptosis and permeability, and protected barrier function. CONCLUSION RACK1 plays a significant role in the development of early DR and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for DR by regulating RPE apoptosis and barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ang Xiao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yu-Lin Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yi Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
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Cideciyan AV, Jacobson SG, Ho AC, Swider M, Sumaroka A, Roman AJ, Wu V, Russell RC, Viarbitskaya I, Garafalo AV, Schwartz MR, Girach A. Durable vision improvement after a single intravitreal treatment with antisense oligonucleotide in CEP290-LCA: Replication in two eyes. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2023; 32:101873. [PMID: 37388818 PMCID: PMC10302566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2023.101873] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose An intravitreally injected antisense oligonucleotide, sepofarsen, was designed to modulate splicing within retinas of patients with severe vision loss due to deep intronic c.2991 + 1655A > G variant in the CEP290 gene. A previous report showed vision improvements following a single injection in one eye with unexpected durability lasting at least 15 months. The current study evaluated durability of efficacy beyond 15 months in the previously treated left eye. In addition, peak efficacy and durability were evaluated in the treatment-naive right eye, and re-injection of the left eye 4 years after the first injection. Observations Visual function was evaluated with best corrected standard and low-luminance visual acuities, microperimetry, dark-adapted chromatic perimetry, and full-field sensitivity testing. Retinal structure was evaluated with OCT imaging. At the fovea, all visual function measures and IS/OS intensity of the OCT showed transient improvements peaking at 3-6 months, remaining better than baseline at ∼2 years, and returning to baseline by 3-4 years after each single injection. Conclusions and Importance These results suggest that sepofarsen reinjection intervals may need to be longer than 2 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur V. Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samuel G. Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Allen C. Ho
- Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Malgorzata Swider
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander Sumaroka
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alejandro J. Roman
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vivian Wu
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert C. Russell
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Iryna Viarbitskaya
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra V. Garafalo
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Huang H, Kuang X, Zou Y, Zeng J, Du H, Tang H, Long C, Mao Y, Yu X, Wen C, Yan J, Shen H. MAP4K4 is involved in the neuronal development of retinal photoreceptors. Exp Eye Res 2023; 233:109524. [PMID: 37290629 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109524] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase-4 (MAP4K4) is a potential regulator of photoreceptor development. To investigate the mechanisms underlying MAP4K4 during the neuronal development of retinal photoreceptors, we generated knockout models of C57BL/6j mice in vivo and 661 W cells in vitro. Our findings revealed homozygous lethality and neural tube malformation in mice subjected to Map4k4 DNA ablation, providing evidence for the involvement of MAP4K4 in early stage embryonic neural formation. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that the ablation of Map4k4 DNA led to the vulnerability of photoreceptor neurites during induced neuronal development. By monitoring transcriptional and protein variations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-related factors, we discovered an imbalance in neurogenesis-related factors in Map4k4 -/- cells. Specifically, MAP4K4 promotes jun proto-oncogene (c-JUN) phosphorylation and recruits other factors related to nerve growth, ultimately leading to the robust formation of photoreceptor neurites. These data suggest that MAP4K4 plays a decisive role in regulating the fate of retinal photoreceptors through molecular modulation and contributes to our understanding of vision formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, 412000, China
| | - Xielan Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Biobank of Eye, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yuxiu Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jingshu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Han Du
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Han Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chongde Long
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xinyue Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chaojuan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jianhua Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Huangxuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Biobank of Eye, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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5
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Takata N, Miska JM, Morgan MA, Patel P, Billingham LK, Joshi N, Schipma MJ, Dumar ZJ, Joshi NR, Misharin AV, Embry RB, Fiore L, Gao P, Diebold LP, McElroy GS, Shilatifard A, Chandel NS, Oliver G. Lactate-dependent transcriptional regulation controls mammalian eye morphogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4129. [PMID: 37452018 PMCID: PMC10349100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39672-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian retinal metabolism favors aerobic glycolysis. However, the role of glycolytic metabolism in retinal morphogenesis remains unknown. We report that aerobic glycolysis is necessary for the early stages of retinal development. Taking advantage of an unbiased approach that combines the use of eye organoids and single-cell RNA sequencing, we identify specific glucose transporters and glycolytic genes in retinal progenitors. Next, we determine that the optic vesicle territory of mouse embryos displays elevated levels of glycolytic activity. At the functional level, we show that removal of Glucose transporter 1 and Lactate dehydrogenase A gene activity from developing retinal progenitors arrests eye morphogenesis. Surprisingly, we uncover that lactate-mediated upregulation of key eye-field transcription factors is controlled by the epigenetic modification of histone H3 acetylation through histone deacetylase activity. Our results identify an unexpected bioenergetic independent role of lactate as a signaling molecule necessary for mammalian eye morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomu Takata
- Center for Vascular and Developmental Biology, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jason M Miska
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marc A Morgan
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Priyam Patel
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Leah K Billingham
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Neha Joshi
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Matthew J Schipma
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Zachary J Dumar
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Nikita R Joshi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Alexander V Misharin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ryan B Embry
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Luciano Fiore
- Center for Vascular and Developmental Biology, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Laboratory of Nanomedicine, National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), Av. General Paz 1499, B1650KNA, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Peng Gao
- Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center Metabolomics Core, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lauren P Diebold
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Gregory S McElroy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Navdeep S Chandel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Guillermo Oliver
- Center for Vascular and Developmental Biology, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Chien Y, Hsiao YJ, Chou SJ, Lin TY, Yarmishyn AA, Lai WY, Lee MS, Lin YY, Lin TW, Hwang DK, Lin TC, Chiou SH, Chen SJ, Yang YP. Nanoparticles-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 gene therapy in inherited retinal diseases: applications, challenges, and emerging opportunities. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:511. [DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01717-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractInherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are considered one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. However, the majority of them still lack a safe and effective treatment due to their complexity and genetic heterogeneity. Recently, gene therapy is gaining importance as an efficient strategy to address IRDs which were previously considered incurable. The development of the clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has strongly empowered the field of gene therapy. However, successful gene modifications rely on the efficient delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 components into the complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the human retinal tissue. Intriguing findings in the field of nanoparticles (NPs) meet all the criteria required for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery and have made a great contribution toward its therapeutic applications. In addition, exploiting induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and in vitro 3D retinal organoids paved the way for prospective clinical trials of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in treating IRDs. This review highlights important advances in NP-based gene therapy, the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and iPSC-derived retinal organoids with a focus on IRDs. Collectively, these studies establish a multidisciplinary approach by integrating nanomedicine and stem cell technologies and demonstrate the utility of retina organoids in developing effective therapies for IRDs.
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Gene-independent therapeutic interventions to maintain and restore light sensitivity in degenerating photoreceptors. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 90:101065. [PMID: 35562270 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative retinal diseases are a prime cause of blindness in industrialized countries. In many cases, there are no therapeutic treatments, although they are essential to improve patients' quality of life. A set of disease-causing genes, which primarily affect photoreceptors, has already been identified and is of major interest for developing gene therapies. Nevertheless, depending on the nature and the state of the disease, gene-independent strategies are needed. Various strategies to halt disease progression or maintain function of the retina are under research. These therapeutic interventions include neuroprotection, direct reprogramming of affected photoreceptors, the application of non-coding RNAs, the generation of artificial photoreceptors by optogenetics and cell replacement strategies. During recent years, major breakthroughs have been made such as the first optogenetic application to a blind patient whose visual function partially recovered by targeting retinal ganglion cells. Also, RPE cell transplantation therapies are under clinical investigation and show great promise to improve visual function in blind patients. These cells are generated from human stem cells. Similar therapies for replacing photoreceptors are extensively tested in pre-clinical models. This marks just the start of promising new cures taking advantage of developments in the areas of genetic engineering, optogenetics, and stem-cell research. In this review, we present the recent therapeutic advances of gene-independent approaches that are currently under clinical evaluation. Our main focus is on photoreceptors as these sensory cells are highly vulnerable to degenerative diseases, and are crucial for light detection.
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Renormalization of metabolic coupling treats age-related degenerative disorders: an oxidative RPE niche fuels the more glycolytic photoreceptors. Eye (Lond) 2022; 36:278-283. [PMID: 34974542 PMCID: PMC8807833 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01726-4] [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: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by a dysregulation within the metabolic coupling of the retina, particularly between the glycolytic photoreceptors and the oxidative retina pigment epithelium. This phenomenon of metabolic uncoupling is seen in both aging and retinal degenerative diseases, as well as across a variety of cell types in human biology. Given its crucial role in the health and maintenance of these cell types, the metabolic pathways involved present a suitable area for therapeutic intervention. Herein, this review covers the scope of this delicate metabolic interplay, its dysregulation, how it relates to the retina as well other cell types, and finally concludes with a summary of various strategies aimed at reinstating normal metabolic coupling within the retina, and future directions within the field.
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Cell Type-Selective Loss of Peroxisomal β-Oxidation Impairs Bipolar Cell but Not Photoreceptor Survival in the Retina. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010161. [PMID: 35011723 PMCID: PMC8750404 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration is a common feature in peroxisomal disorders leading to blindness. Peroxisomes are present in the different cell types of the retina; however, their precise contribution to retinal integrity is still unclear. We previously showed that mice lacking the central peroxisomal β-oxidation enzyme, multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2), develop an early onset retinal decay including photoreceptor cell death. To decipher the function of peroxisomal β-oxidation in photoreceptors, we generated cell type selective Mfp2 knockout mice, using the Crx promotor targeting photoreceptors and bipolar cells. Surprisingly, Crx-Mfp2−/− mice maintained photoreceptor length and number until the age of 1 year. A negative electroretinogram was indicative of preserved photoreceptor phototransduction, but impaired downstream bipolar cell signaling from the age of 6 months. The photoreceptor ribbon synapse was affected, containing free-floating ribbons and vesicles with altered size and density. The bipolar cell interneurons sprouted into the ONL and died. Whereas docosahexaenoic acid levels were normal in the neural retina, levels of lipids containing very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were highly increased. Crx-Pex5−/− mice, in which all peroxisomal functions are inactivated in photoreceptors and bipolar cells, developed the same phenotype as Crx-Mfp2−/− mice. In conclusion, the early photoreceptor death in global Mfp2−/− mice is not driven cell autonomously. However, peroxisomal β-oxidation is essential for the integrity of photoreceptor ribbon synapses and of bipolar cells.
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Ratnapriya R, Jacobson SG, Cideciyan AV, English MA, Roman AJ, Sumaroka A, Sheplock R, Swaroop A. A Novel ARL3 Gene Mutation Associated With Autosomal Dominant Retinal Degeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:720782. [PMID: 34485303 PMCID: PMC8416110 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.720782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite major progress in the discovery of causative genes, many individuals and families with inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) remain without a molecular diagnosis. We applied whole exome sequencing to identify the genetic cause in a family with an autosomal dominant IRD. Eye examinations were performed and affected patients were studied with electroretinography and kinetic and chromatic static perimetry. Sequence variants were analyzed in genes (n = 271) associated with IRDs listed on the RetNet database. We applied a stepwise filtering process involving the allele frequency in the control population, in silico prediction tools for pathogenicity, and evolutionary conservation to prioritize the potential causal variant(s). Sanger sequencing and segregation analysis were performed on the proband and other family members. The IRD in this family is expressed as a widespread progressive retinal degeneration with maculopathy. A novel heterozygous variant (c.200A > T) was identified in the ARL3 gene, leading to the substitution of aspartic acid to valine at position 67. The Asp67 residue is evolutionary conserved, and the change p.Asp67Val is predicted to be pathogenic. This variant was segregated in affected members of the family and was absent from an unaffected individual. Two previous reports of a de novo missense mutation in the ARL3 gene, each describing a family with two affected generations, are the only examples to date of autosomal dominant IRD associated with this photoreceptor gene. Our results, identifying a novel pathogenic variant in ARL3 in a four-generation family with a dominant IRD, augment the evidence that the ARL3 gene is another cause of non-syndromic retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinki Ratnapriya
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samuel G. Jacobson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Artur V. Cideciyan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Milton A. English
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Alejandro J. Roman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexander Sumaroka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rebecca Sheplock
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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11
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Sahu B, Chug I, Khanna H. The Ocular Gene Delivery Landscape. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1135. [PMID: 34439800 PMCID: PMC8394578 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The eye is at the forefront of developing therapies for genetic diseases. With the FDA approval of the first gene-therapy drug for a form of congenital blindness, numerous studies have been initiated to develop gene therapies for other forms of eye diseases. These examinations have revealed new information about the benefits as well as restrictions to using drug-delivery routes to the different parts of the eye. In this article, we will discuss a brief history of gene therapy and its importance to the eye and ocular delivery landscape that is currently being investigated, and provide insights into their advantages and disadvantages. Efficient delivery routes and vehicle are crucial for an effective, safe, and longer-lasting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hemant Khanna
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (B.S.); (I.C.)
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12
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Kukhtar D, Rubio-Peña K, Serrat X, Cerón J. Mimicking of splicing-related retinitis pigmentosa mutations in C. elegans allow drug screens and identification of disease modifiers. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:756-765. [PMID: 31919495 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas and the high conservation of the spliceosome components facilitate the mimicking of human pathological mutations in splicing factors of model organisms. The degenerative retinal disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is caused by mutations in distinct types of genes, including missense mutations in splicing factors that provoke RP in an autosomal dominant form (s-adRP). Using CRISPR in Caenorhabditis elegans, we generated mutant strains to mimic s-adRP mutations reported in PRPF8 and SNRNP200. Whereas these inherited mutations are present in heterozygosis in patients, C. elegans allows the maintenance of these mutations as homozygotes, which is advantageous for genetic and drug screens. We found that snrp-200(cer23[V676L]) and prp-8(cer14[H2302del]) display pleiotropic phenotypes, including reduced fertility. However, snrp-200(cer24[S1080L]) and prp-8(cer22[R2303G]) are weak alleles suitable for RNAi screens for identifying genetic interactions, which could uncover potential disease modifiers. We screened a collection of RNAi clones for splicing-related genes and identified three splicing factors: isy-1/ISY1, cyn-15/PPWD1 and mog-2/SNRPA1, whose partial inactivation may modify the course of the disease. Interestingly, these three genes act as modifiers of prp-8(cer22) but not of snrp-200(cer24). Finally, a screen of the strong allele prp-8(cer14) with FDA-approved drugs did not identify molecules capable of alleviating the temperature-sensitive sterility. Instead, we detected drugs, such as dequalinium chloride, which exacerbated the phenotype, and therefore, are potentially harmful to s-adRP patients since they may accelerate the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro Kukhtar
- Modeling human diseases in C. elegans Group. Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karinna Rubio-Peña
- Modeling human diseases in C. elegans Group. Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xènia Serrat
- Modeling human diseases in C. elegans Group. Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julián Cerón
- Modeling human diseases in C. elegans Group. Genes, Disease and Therapy Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Tonade D, Kern TS. Photoreceptor cells and RPE contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100919. [PMID: 33188897 PMCID: PMC8113320 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. It has long been regarded as vascular disease, but work in the past years has shown abnormalities also in the neural retina. Unfortunately, research on the vascular and neural abnormalities have remained largely separate, instead of being integrated into a comprehensive view of DR that includes both the neural and vascular components. Recent evidence suggests that the most predominant neural cell in the retina (photoreceptors) and the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) play an important role in the development of vascular lesions characteristic of DR. This review summarizes evidence that the outer retina is altered in diabetes, and that photoreceptors and RPE contribute to retinal vascular alterations in the early stages of the retinopathy. The possible molecular mechanisms by which cells of the outer retina might contribute to retinal vascular damage in diabetes also are discussed. Diabetes-induced alterations in the outer retina represent a novel therapeutic target to inhibit DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deoye Tonade
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Timothy S Kern
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Cleveland, OH, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Long Beach, CA, USA.
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14
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Hong Y, Liang YP, Chen WQ, You LX, Ni QF, Gao XY, Lin XR. Protective effects of upregulated HO-1 gene against the apoptosis of human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro. Int J Ophthalmol 2021; 14:649-655. [PMID: 34012878 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2021.05.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the protective effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) against H2O2-induced apoptosis in human ARPE-19 cells. METHODS The lentiviral vector expressing HO-1 was prepared and transfected into apoptotic ARPE-19 cells induced by H2O2. Functional experiments including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry (FCM) and mitochondrial membrane potential assay were conducted. RESULTS The ultrastructure of ARPE-19 cells was observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was found that exogenous HO-1 significantly ameliorated H2O2-induced loss of cell viability, apoptosis and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ARPE-19 cells. The overexpression of HO-1 facilitated the transfer of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) from cytoplasm to nucleus, which in turn upregualted expressions HO-1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Furthermore, HO-1 upregulation further inhibited H2O2-induced release of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3). CONCLUSION Exogenous HO-1 protect ARPE-19 cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress by regulating the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, Bcl-2, and caspase-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Hong
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yu-Ping Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Wei-Qi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Liu-Xia You
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qing-Feng Ni
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiu-Yun Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
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15
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Jiang K, Fairless E, Kanda A, Gotoh N, Cogliati T, Li T, Swaroop A. Divergent Effects of HSP70 Overexpression in Photoreceptors During Inherited Retinal Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:25. [PMID: 33107904 PMCID: PMC7594617 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.12.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Disruption of proteostasis is a key event in many neurodegenerative diseases. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) participate in multiple functions associated with intracellular transport and proteostasis. We evaluated the effect of augmented HSP70 expression in mutant photoreceptors of mouse retinal degeneration models to test the hypothesis that failure to sustain HSP70 expression contributes to photoreceptor cell death. Methods We examined HSP70 expression in retinas of wild-type and mutant mice by RNA and protein analysis. A transgenic mouse line, TgCrx-Hspa1a-Flag, was generated to express FLAG-tagged full-length HSP70 protein under control of a 2.3 kb mouse Crx promoter. This line was crossed to three distinct retinal degeneration mouse models. Retinal structure and function were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry, and electroretinography. Results In seven different mouse models of retinal degeneration, we detected transient elevation of endogenous HSP70 expression at early stages, followed by a dramatic reduction as cell death ensues, suggesting an initial adaptive response to cellular stress. Augmented expression of HSP70 in RHOT17M mice, in which mutant rhodopsin is misfolded, marginally improved photoreceptor survival, whereas elevated HSP70 led to more severe retinal degeneration in rd10 mutants that produce a partially functional PDE6B. In Rpgrip1−/− mice that display a ciliary defect, higher HSP70 had no impact on photoreceptor survival or function. Conclusions HSP70 overexpression has divergent effects in photoreceptors determined, at least in part, by the nature of the mutant protein each model carries. Additional investigations on HSP pathways and associated chaperone networks in photoreceptors are needed before designing therapeutic strategies targeting proteostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Jiang
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Elizabeth Fairless
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Atsuhiro Kanda
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Norimoto Gotoh
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Tiziana Cogliati
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Tiansen Li
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration, and Repair Laboratory (NNRL), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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16
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Gene therapy reforms photoreceptor structure and restores vision in NPHP5-associated Leber congenital amaurosis. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2456-2468. [PMID: 33781914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The inherited childhood blindness caused by mutations in NPHP5, a form of Leber congenital amaurosis, results in abnormal development, dysfunction, and degeneration of photoreceptors. A naturally occurring NPHP5 mutation in dogs leads to a phenotype that very nearly duplicates the human retinopathy in terms of the photoreceptors involved, spatial distribution of degeneration, and the natural history of vision loss. We show that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated NPHP5 gene augmentation of mutant canine retinas at the time of active degeneration and peak cell death stably restores photoreceptor structure, function, and vision with either the canine or human NPHP5 transgenes. Mutant cone photoreceptors, which failed to form outer segments during development, reform this structure after treatment. Degenerating rod photoreceptor outer segments are stabilized and develop normal structure. This process begins within 8 weeks after treatment and remains stable throughout the 6-month posttreatment period. In both photoreceptor cell classes mislocalization of rod and cone opsins is minimized or reversed. Retinal function and functional vision are restored. Efficacy of gene therapy in this large animal ciliopathy model of Leber congenital amaurosis provides a path for translation to human treatment.
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17
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Das Y, Swinkels D, Kocherlakota S, Vinckier S, Vaz FM, Wever E, van Kampen AHC, Jun B, Do KV, Moons L, Bazan NG, Van Veldhoven PP, Baes M. Peroxisomal Multifunctional Protein 2 Deficiency Perturbs Lipid Homeostasis in the Retina and Causes Visual Dysfunction in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:632930. [PMID: 33604342 PMCID: PMC7884615 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.632930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients lacking multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2), the central enzyme of the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway, develop retinopathy. This pathway is involved in the metabolism of very long chain (VLCFAs) and polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids, which are enriched in the photoreceptor outer segments (POS). The molecular mechanisms underlying the retinopathy remain, however, elusive. Here, we report that mice with MFP2 inactivation display decreased retinal function already at the age of 3 weeks, which is accompanied by a profound shortening of the photoreceptor outer and inner segments, but with preserved photoreceptor ultrastructure. Furthermore, MFP2 deficient retinas exhibit severe changes in gene expression with downregulation of genes involved in the phototransduction pathway and upregulation of inflammation related genes. Lipid profiling of the mutant retinas revealed a profound reduction of DHA-containing phospholipids. This was likely due to a hampered systemic supply and retinal traffic of this PUFA, although we cannot exclude that the local defect of peroxisomal β-oxidation contributes to this DHA decrease. Moreover, very long chain PUFAs were also reduced, with the exception of those containing ≥ 34 carbons that accumulated. The latter suggests that there is an uncontrollable elongation of retinal PUFAs. In conclusion, our data reveal that intact peroxisomal β-oxidation is indispensable for retinal integrity, most likely by maintaining PUFA homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Das
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniëlle Swinkels
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sai Kocherlakota
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Vinckier
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven-VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédéric M Vaz
- Laboratory of Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pediatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Core Facility Metabolomics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric Wever
- Laboratory of Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pediatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Core Facility Metabolomics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Antoine H C van Kampen
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Biosystems Data Analysis, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bokkyoo Jun
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Khanh V Do
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Lieve Moons
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas G Bazan
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Paul P Van Veldhoven
- Lipid Biochemistry and Protein Interactions (LIPIT), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Myriam Baes
- Laboratory of Cell Metabolism, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Peshenko IV, Olshevskaya EV, Dizhoor AM. GUCY2D mutations in retinal guanylyl cyclase 1 provide biochemical reasons for dominant cone-rod dystrophy but not for stationary night blindness. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18301-18315. [PMID: 33109612 PMCID: PMC7939455 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the GUCY2D gene coding for the dimeric human retinal membrane guanylyl cyclase (RetGC) isozyme RetGC1 cause various forms of blindness, ranging from rod dysfunction to rod and cone degeneration. We tested how the mutations causing recessive congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), recessive Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA1), and dominant cone-rod dystrophy-6 (CORD6) affected RetGC1 activity and regulation by RetGC-activating proteins (GCAPs) and retinal degeneration-3 protein (RD3). CSNB mutations R666W, R761W, and L911F, as well as LCA1 mutations R768W and G982VfsX39, disabled RetGC1 activation by human GCAP1, -2, and -3. The R666W and R761W substitutions compromised binding of GCAP1 with RetGC1 in HEK293 cells. In contrast, G982VfsX39 and L911F RetGC1 retained the ability to bind GCAP1 in cyto but failed to effectively bind RD3. R768W RetGC1 did not bind either GCAP1 or RD3. The co-expression of GUCY2D allelic combinations linked to CSNB did not restore RetGC1 activity in vitro The CORD6 mutation R838S in the RetGC1 dimerization domain strongly dominated the Ca2+ sensitivity of cyclase regulation by GCAP1 in RetGC1 heterodimer produced by co-expression of WT and the R838S subunits. It required higher Ca2+ concentrations to decelerate GCAP-activated RetGC1 heterodimer-6-fold higher than WT and 2-fold higher than the Ser838-harboring homodimer. The heterodimer was also more resistant than homodimers to inhibition by RD3. The observed biochemical changes can explain the dominant CORD6 blindness and recessive LCA1 blindness, both of which affect rods and cones, but they cannot explain the selective loss of rod function in recessive CSNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor V Peshenko
- Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elena V Olshevskaya
- Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander M Dizhoor
- Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
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19
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HDAC inhibition ameliorates cone survival in retinitis pigmentosa mice. Cell Death Differ 2020; 28:1317-1332. [PMID: 33159184 PMCID: PMC8026998 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-00653-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cone photoreceptor cell death in inherited retinal diseases, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), leads to the loss of high acuity and color vision and, ultimately to blindness. In RP, a vast number of mutations perturb the structure and function of rod photoreceptors, while cones remain initially unaffected. Extensive rod loss in advanced stages of the disease triggers cone death by a mechanism that is still largely unknown. Here, we show that secondary cone cell death in animal models for RP is associated with increased activity of histone deacetylates (HDACs). A single intravitreal injection of an HDAC inhibitor at late stages of the disease, when the majority of rods have already degenerated, was sufficient to delay cone death and support long-term cone survival in two mouse models for RP, affected by mutations in the phosphodiesterase 6b gene. Moreover, the surviving cones remained light-sensitive, leading to an improvement in visual function. RNA-seq analysis of protected cones demonstrated that HDAC inhibition initiated multi-level protection via regulation of different pro-survival pathways, including MAPK, PI3K-Akt, and autophagy. This study suggests a unique opportunity for targeted pharmacological protection of secondary dying cones by HDAC inhibition and creates hope to maintain vision in RP patients even in advanced disease stages.
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20
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Yuan ZD, Zhu WN, Liu KZ, Huang ZP, Han YC. Small Molecule Epigenetic Modulators in Pure Chemical Cell Fate Conversion. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:8890917. [PMID: 33144865 PMCID: PMC7596432 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although innovative technologies for somatic cell reprogramming and transdifferentiation provide new strategies for the research of translational medicine, including disease modeling, drug screening, artificial organ development, and cell therapy, recipient safety remains a concern due to the use of exogenous transcription factors during induction. To resolve this problem, new induction approaches containing clinically applicable small molecules have been explored. Small molecule epigenetic modulators such as DNA methylation writer inhibitors, histone methylation writer inhibitors, histone acylation reader inhibitors, and histone acetylation eraser inhibitors could overcome epigenetic barriers during cell fate conversion. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in reprogramming and transdifferentiation of somatic cells with small molecule approaches. In the present review, we systematically discuss recent achievements of pure chemical reprogramming and transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Di Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Grade 19, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Ning Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Grade 19, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke-Zhi Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Grade 19, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhan-Peng Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Chuang Han
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
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21
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Garafalo AV, Cideciyan AV, Héon E, Sheplock R, Pearson A, WeiYang Yu C, Sumaroka A, Aguirre GD, Jacobson SG. Progress in treating inherited retinal diseases: Early subretinal gene therapy clinical trials and candidates for future initiatives. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 77:100827. [PMID: 31899291 PMCID: PMC8714059 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Due to improved phenotyping and genetic characterization, the field of 'incurable' and 'blinding' inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) has moved substantially forward. Decades of ascertainment of IRD patient data from Philadelphia and Toronto centers illustrate the progress from Mendelian genetic types to molecular diagnoses. Molecular genetics have been used not only to clarify diagnoses and to direct counseling but also to enable the first clinical trials of gene-based treatment in these diseases. An overview of the recent reports of gene augmentation clinical trials by subretinal injections is used to reflect on the reasons why there has been limited success in this early venture into therapy. These first-in human experiences have taught that there is a need for advancing the techniques of delivery of the gene products - not only for refining further subretinal trials, but also for evaluating intravitreal delivery. Candidate IRDs for intravitreal gene delivery are then suggested to illustrate some of the disorders that may be amenable to improvement of remaining central vision with the least photoreceptor trauma. A more detailed understanding of the human IRDs to be considered for therapy and the calculated potential for efficacy should be among the routine prerequisites for initiating a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V Garafalo
- Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Elise Héon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Sheplock
- Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alexander Pearson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Caberry WeiYang Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Sumaroka
- Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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22
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Mahato B, Kaya KD, Fan Y, Sumien N, Shetty RA, Zhang W, Davis D, Mock T, Batabyal S, Ni A, Mohanty S, Han Z, Farjo R, Forster MJ, Swaroop A, Chavala SH. Pharmacologic fibroblast reprogramming into photoreceptors restores vision. Nature 2020; 581:83-88. [PMID: 32376950 PMCID: PMC7469946 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor loss is the final common endpoint in most retinopathies that lead to irreversible blindness, and there are no effective treatments to restore vision1,2. Chemical reprogramming of fibroblasts offers an opportunity to reverse vision loss; however, the generation of sensory neuronal subtypes such as photoreceptors remains a challenge. Here we report that the administration of a set of five small molecules can chemically induce the transformation of fibroblasts into rod photoreceptor-like cells. The transplantation of these chemically induced photoreceptor-like cells (CiPCs) into the subretinal space of rod degeneration mice (homozygous for rd1, also known as Pde6b) leads to partial restoration of the pupil reflex and visual function. We show that mitonuclear communication is a key determining factor for the reprogramming of fibroblasts into CiPCs. Specifically, treatment with these five compounds leads to the translocation of AXIN2 to the mitochondria, which results in the production of reactive oxygen species, the activation of NF-κB and the upregulation of Ascl1. We anticipate that CiPCs could have therapeutic potential for restoring vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biraj Mahato
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Koray Dogan Kaya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yan Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Ritu A Shetty
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Delaney Davis
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Mock
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | - Aiguo Ni
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | | | - Zongchao Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael J Forster
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sai H Chavala
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
- CIRC Therapeutics, Inc., Dallas, TX, USA.
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23
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Application of CRISPR Tools for Variant Interpretation and Disease Modeling in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050473. [PMID: 32349249 PMCID: PMC7290804 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies are an assorted group of rare diseases that collectively account for the major cause of visual impairment of genetic origin worldwide. Besides clinically, these vision loss disorders present a high genetic and allelic heterogeneity. To date, over 250 genes have been associated to retinal dystrophies with reported causative variants of every nature (nonsense, missense, frameshift, splice-site, large rearrangements, and so forth). Except for a fistful of mutations, most of them are private and affect one or few families, making it a challenge to ratify the newly identified candidate genes or the pathogenicity of dubious variants in disease-associated loci. A recurrent option involves altering the gene in in vitro or in vivo systems to contrast the resulting phenotype and molecular imprint. To validate specific mutations, the process must rely on simulating the precise genetic change, which, until recently, proved to be a difficult endeavor. The rise of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and its adaptation for genetic engineering now offers a resourceful suite of tools to alleviate the process of functional studies. Here we review the implementation of these RNA-programmable Cas9 nucleases in culture-based and animal models to elucidate the role of novel genes and variants in retinal dystrophies.
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24
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Oxidative Stress, a Crossroad Between Rare Diseases and Neurodegeneration. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9040313. [PMID: 32326494 PMCID: PMC7222183 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9040313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen reactive species and/or reactive nitrogen species in cells and tissues, and the capacity of detoxifying these products, using enzymatic and non-enzymatic components, such as glutathione. Oxidative stress plays roles in several pathological processes in the nervous system, such as neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, ischemic stroke, and neurodegeneration. The concepts of oxidative stress and rare diseases were formulated in the eighties, and since then, the link between them has not stopped growing. The present review aims to expand knowledge in the pathological processes associated with oxidative stress underlying some groups of rare diseases: Friedreich’s ataxia, diseases with neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, Charcot-Marie-Tooth as an example of rare neuromuscular disorders, inherited retinal dystrophies, progressive myoclonus epilepsies, and pediatric drug-resistant epilepsies. Despite the discrimination between cause and effect may not be easy on many occasions, all these conditions are Mendelian rare diseases that share oxidative stress as a common factor, and this may represent a potential target for therapies.
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25
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Shrestha R, Wen YT, Tsai RK. Induced pluripotent stem cells and derivative photoreceptor precursors as therapeutic cells for retinal degenerations. Tzu Chi Med J 2020; 32:101-112. [PMID: 32269941 PMCID: PMC7137374 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_147_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The visual impairment associated with inherited retinal degeneration and age-related degeneration of photoreceptors is causing substantial challenges in finding effective therapies. However, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived therapeutic cells such as photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells provide the ultimate options in the rescue of lost photoreceptors to improve the visual function in end-stage degeneration. Retinal cells derived from iPSC are therapeutic cells that could be promising in the field of cell replacement therapy and regenerative medicine. This review presents an overview of the photoreceptor degeneration, methods of iPSC generation, iPSC in retinal disease modeling, summarizes the photoreceptor differentiation protocols, and challenges remained with photoreceptor cell replacement for the treatment of retinal diseases. Thus, the burden and increased incidence of visual impairment emphasizes the need of novel therapy, where iPSC-derived photoreceptor and RPE cells proved to be promising for curing the retinal dysfunction and act as renovation in approach to improve visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupendra Shrestha
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Institute of Eye Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Tseng Wen
- Institute of Eye Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Kung Tsai
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Institute of Eye Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
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26
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Light Intensity-Dependent Dysregulation of Retinal Reference Genes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 31884627 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The degeneration of photoreceptors is a common hallmark of ocular diseases like retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To experimentally induce photoreceptor degeneration, the light damage paradigm is frequently used. In this study we show that the exposure to high amounts of cool white light (10,000 lux, 1 h) resulted in a more than 11-fold higher apoptotic rate in the retina compared to light exposure with 5000 lux for 30 min. Consequently, exposure to intense light resulted in a significant downregulation of retinal mRNA expression levels of the reference genes Gapdh, Gnb2l, Rpl32, Rps9, Actb, Ubc or Tbp compared to untreated controls. Investigators performing light-induced photoreceptor degeneration should be aware of the fact that higher light intensities will result in a dysregulation of reference genes.
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27
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Sumaroka A, Garafalo AV, Semenov EP, Sheplock R, Krishnan AK, Roman AJ, Jacobson SG, Cideciyan AV. Treatment Potential for Macular Cone Vision in Leber Congenital Amaurosis Due to CEP290 or NPHP5 Mutations: Predictions From Artificial Intelligence. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2551-2562. [PMID: 31212307 PMCID: PMC6586080 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To use supervised machine learning to predict visual function from retinal structure in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and apply these estimates to CEP290- and NPHP5-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) to determine the potential for functional improvement. Methods Patients with RP (n = 20) and LCA due to CEP290 (n = 12) or NPHP5 (n = 6) mutations were studied. A patient with CEP290 mutations but mild retinal degeneration was included. RP patients had cone-mediated macular function. A machine learning technique was used to associate perimetric sensitivities to local structure in RP patients. Models trained on RP data were applied to predict visual function in LCA. Results The RP and LCA patients had comparable retinal structure. RP patients had peak sensitivity at the fovea surrounded by decreasing sensitivity. Machine learning could successfully predict perimetry results from segmented or unsegmented optical coherence tomography (OCT) input. Application of machine learning predictions to LCA within the residual macular island of photoreceptor structure showed differences between predicted and measured sensitivities defining treatment potential. In patients with retained vision, the treatment potential was 4.6 ± 2.9 dB at the fovea but 16.4 ± 4.4 dB at the parafovea. In patients with limited or no vision, the treatment potential was 17.6 ± 9.4 dB. Conclusions Cone vision improvement potential in LCA due to CEP290 or NPHP5 mutations is predictable from retinal structure using a machine learning approach. This should allow individual prediction of the maximal efficacy in clinical trials and guide decisions about dosing. Similar strategies can be used in other retinal degenerations to estimate the extent and location of treatment potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Sumaroka
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Alexandra V Garafalo
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Evelyn P Semenov
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Rebecca Sheplock
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Arun K Krishnan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Alejandro J Roman
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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28
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Sheludchenko VM, Budzinskaya MV, Ronzina IA, Smirnova TV. [Effectiveness of new techniques of intraocular stem cells transplantation in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa]. Vestn Oftalmol 2019; 135:267-271. [PMID: 31691671 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma2019135052267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative retinal disease that leads to blindness. Recently, treatment methods based on new technologies have emerged. Among them is stem cells transplantation (SC). PURPOSE To make a systematic evaluation of the results of control clinical studies of cellular technologies for the treatment of RP. MATERIAL AND METHODS The key words - retinitis pigmentosa, stem cells, control study - were used to search literature databases PubMed (250), WOS (172), MEDLINE (32) for the last 5 years. According to preliminary criteria, 88 articles were selected, according to final criteria - 4 articles. A total of 25 patients with RP were found. Control points of the analysis were: baseline, 3 months and 12 months. Methods of analysis (events): visual acuity (VA) and flash electroretinogram (f-ERG). RESULTS There was no VA increase in 15 (60%) of the blind (or with negligible vision of less than 20/1600 ENDRS) patients, and the f-ERG was unrecordable. In 10 patients (40%), VA improved from 0.1 to 0.4 logMAR and the amplitude of f-ERG increased at about 3 months after injection. At 12 months, the effect returned to the baseline values. CONCLUSION The use of SC transplantation technology in RP helps achieve short-term (up to 3 months) positive changes in VA and f-ERG, which depend on the initial stage of RP and do not remain in the final stage. This evokes a question of repeated use of SC transplantation in the same patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Sheludchenko
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - M V Budzinskaya
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - I A Ronzina
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - T V Smirnova
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
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29
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Sumaroka A, Cideciyan AV, Charng J, Wu V, Powers CA, Iyer BS, Lisi B, Swider M, Jacobson SG. Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa Due to Class B Rhodopsin Mutations: An Objective Outcome for Future Treatment Trials. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215344. [PMID: 31717845 PMCID: PMC6861901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy for adRP due to RHO mutations was recently shown to prevent photoreceptor death in a canine model of Class B disease. Among translational steps to be taken, one is to determine a method to detect efficacy in a human clinical trial. The relatively slow progression of adRP becomes a difficulty for clinical trials requiring an answer to whether there is slowed progression of degeneration in response to therapy. We performed a single-center, retrospective observational study of cross-sectional and longitudinal data. The study was prompted by our identification of a pericentral disease distribution in Class B RHO-adRP. Ultrawide optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were used. Inferior retinal pericentral defects was an early disease feature. Degeneration further inferior in the retina merged with the pericentral defect, which extended into superior retina. In about 70% of patients, there was an asymmetric island of structure with significantly greater superior than inferior ellipsoid zone (EZ) extent. Serial measures of photoreceptor structure by OCT indicated constriction in superior retinal extent within a two-year interval. We conclude that these results should allow early-phase trials of therapy in RHO-adRP to move forward by inclusion of patients with an asymmetric extent of photoreceptor structure and by monitoring therapeutic effects over two years in the superior retina, a reasonable target for subretinal injection.
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30
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Cideciyan AV, Jacobson SG. Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA): Potential for Improvement of Vision. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:1680-1695. [PMID: 31009524 PMCID: PMC6892385 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-26672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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31
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Talib M, van Schooneveld MJ, van Duuren RJG, Van Cauwenbergh C, Ten Brink JB, De Baere E, Florijn RJ, Schalij-Delfos NE, Leroy BP, Bergen AA, Boon CJF. Long-Term Follow-Up of Retinal Degenerations Associated With LRAT Mutations and Their Comparability to Phenotypes Associated With RPE65 Mutations. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2019; 8:24. [PMID: 31448181 PMCID: PMC6703192 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.8.4.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the natural history in patients with LRAT-associated retinal degenerations (RDs), in the advent of clinical trials testing treatment options. Methods A retrospective cohort of 13 patients with LRAT-RDs. Results Twelve patients from a genetic isolate carried a homozygous c.12del mutation. One unrelated patient carried a homozygous c.326G>T mutation. The mean follow-up time was 25.3 years (SD 15.2; range 4.8–53.5). The first symptom was nyctalopia (n = 11), central vision loss (n = 1), or light-gazing (n = 1), and was noticed in the first decade of life. Seven patients (54%) reached low vision (visual acuity < 20/67), four of whom reaching blindness (visual acuity < 20/400), respectively, at mean ages of 49.9 (SE 5.4) and 59.9 (SE 3.1) years. The fundus appearance was variable. Retinal white dots were seen in six patients (46%). Full-field electroretinograms (n = 11) were nondetectable (n = 2; ages 31–60), reduced in a nonspecified pattern (n = 2; ages 11–54), or showed rod–cone (n = 6; ages 38–48) or cone–rod (n = 1; age 29) dysfunction. Optical coherence tomography (n = 4) showed retinal thinning but relative preservation of the (para-)foveal outer retinal layers in the second (n = 1) and sixth decade of life (n = 2), and profound chorioretinal degeneration from the eighth decade of life (n = 1). Conclusions LRAT-associated phenotypes in this cohort were variable and unusual, but generally milder than those seen in RPE65-associated disease, and may be particularly amenable to treatment. The window of therapeutic opportunity can be extended in patients with a mild phenotype. Translational Relevance Knowledge of the natural history of LRAT-RDs is essential in determining the window of opportunity in ongoing and future clinical trials for novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mays Talib
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mary J van Schooneveld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Bartiméus, Diagnostic Center for Complex Visual Disorders, Zeist, the Netherlands
| | - Roos J G van Duuren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline Van Cauwenbergh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jacoline B Ten Brink
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elfride De Baere
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ralph J Florijn
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Bart P Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Electrophysiology, Division of Ophthalmology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arthur A Bergen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN-KNAW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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32
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Argyriou C, Polosa A, Cecyre B, Hsieh M, Di Pietro E, Cui W, Bouchard JF, Lachapelle P, Braverman N. A longitudinal study of retinopathy in the PEX1-Gly844Asp mouse model for mild Zellweger Spectrum Disorder. Exp Eye Res 2019; 186:107713. [PMID: 31254513 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Zellweger Spectrum Disorder (ZSD) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in any one of 13 PEX genes whose protein products are required for peroxisome assembly. Retinopathy leading to blindness is one of the major untreatable handicaps faced by patients with ZSD but is not well characterized, and the requirement for peroxisomes in retinal health is unknown. To address this, we examined the progression of retinopathy from 2 to 32 weeks of age in our murine model for the common human PEX1-p.Gly843Asp allele (PEX1-p.Gly844Asp) using electrophysiology, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, biochemistry, and visual function tests. We found that retinopathy in male and female PEX1-G844D mice was marked by an attenuated cone function and abnormal cone morphology early in life, with gradually decreasing rod function. Structural defects at the inner retina occurred later in the form of bipolar cell degradation (between 13 and 32 weeks). Inner segment disorganization and enlarged mitochondria were seen at 32 weeks, while other inner retinal cells appeared preserved. Visual acuity was diminished by 11 weeks of age, while signal transmission from the retina to the brain was relatively intact from 7 to 32 weeks of age. Molecular analyses showed that PEX1-G844D is a subfunctional but stable protein, contrary to human PEX1-G843D. Finally, C26:0 lysophosphatidylcholine was elevated in the PEX1-G844D retina, while phopshoethanolamine plasmalogen lipids were present at normal levels. These characterization studies identify therapeutic endpoints for future preclinical trials, including improving or preserving the electroretinogram response, improving visual acuity, and/or preventing loss of bipolar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Argyriou
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Anna Polosa
- Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Bruno Cecyre
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Pavillon 3744 Jean-Brillant, Bureau 260-39, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1P1, Canada.
| | - Monica Hsieh
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Erminia Di Pietro
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Wei Cui
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Jean-François Bouchard
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Pavillon 3744 Jean-Brillant, Bureau 260-39, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1P1, Canada.
| | - Pierre Lachapelle
- Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada; Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Nancy Braverman
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada; Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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33
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Broad spectrum metabolomics for detection of abnormal metabolic pathways in a mouse model for retinitis pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res 2019; 184:135-145. [PMID: 30885711 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative disease of the retina that affects approximately 1 million people worldwide. There are multiple genetic causes of this disease, for which, at present, there are no effective therapeutic strategies. In the present report, we utilized broad spectrum metabolomics to identify perturbations in the metabolism of the rd10 mouse, a genetic model for RP that contains a mutation in Pde6β. These data provide novel insights into mechanisms that are potentially critical for retinal degeneration. C57BL/6J and rd10 mice were raised in cyclic light followed by either light or dark adaptation at postnatal day (P) 18, an early stage in the degeneration process. Mice raised entirely in the dark until P18 were also evaluated. After euthanasia, retinas were removed and extracted for analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). Compared to wild type mice, rd10 mice raised in cyclic light or in complete darkness demonstrate significant alterations in retinal pyrimidine and purine nucleotide metabolism, potentially disrupting deoxynucleotide pools necessary for mitochondrial DNA replication. Other metabolites that demonstrate significant increases are the Coenzyme A intermediate, 4'-phosphopantothenate, and acylcarnitines. The changes in these metabolites, identified for the first time in a model of RP, are highly likely to disrupt normal energy metabolism. High levels of nitrosoproline were also detected in rd10 retinas relative to those from wild type mice. These results suggest that nitrosative stress may be involved in retinal degeneration in this mouse model.
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34
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Chen Y, Yang J, Geng H, Li L, Li J, Cheng B, Ma X, Li H, Hou L. Photoreceptor degeneration in microphthalmia ( Mitf) mice: partial rescue by pigment epithelium-derived factor. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:12/1/dmm035642. [PMID: 30651300 PMCID: PMC6361154 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.035642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction and loss of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are hallmarks of retinal degeneration, but the underlying pathogenetic processes are only partially understood. Using mice with a null mutation in the transcription factor gene Mitf, in which RPE deficiencies are associated with retinal degeneration, we evaluated the role of trophic factors secreted by the RPE in retinal homeostasis. In such mice, the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) is as in wild type up to postnatal day 10, but then is progressively reduced, associated with a marked increase in the number of apoptotic cells and a decline in staining for rhodopsin. We show that retinal degeneration and decrease in rhodopsin staining can be prevented partially in three different ways: first, by recombining mutant-derived postnatal retina with postnatal wild-type RPE in tissue explant cultures; second, by adding to cultured mutant retina the trophic factor pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF; also known as SERPINF1), which is normally produced in RPE under the control of Mitf; and third, by treating the eyes of Mitf mutant mice in vivo with drops containing a bioactive PEDF 17-mer peptide. This latter treatment also led to marked increases in a number of rod and cone genes. The results indicate that RPE-derived trophic factors, in particular PEDF, are instrumental in retinal homeostasis, and suggest that PEDF or its bioactive fragments may have therapeutic potential in RPE deficiency-associated retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Huiqin Geng
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Liping Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Jinyang Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Bing Cheng
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Xiaoyin Ma
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Huirong Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Ling Hou
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Vision Science and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
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Weiss S, Cohen L, Ben-Yosef T, Ehrenberg M, Goldenberg-Cohen N. Late diagnosis of Alstrom syndrome in a Yemenite-Jewish child. Ophthalmic Genet 2019; 40:7-11. [PMID: 30600744 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2018.1561900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We describe the ophthalmologic, clinical, and genetic findings in a patient of Yemenite-Jewish origin diagnosed with Alstrom syndrome due to a novel splice-site mutation 10 years after a clinical misdiagnosis of Leber congenital amaurosis. METHODS Ophthalmological evaluations included visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, slit-lamp, and optical coherent tomography. Genetic analyses included whole exome sequencing followed by bioinformatics analysis and segregation analysis. An in vitro splicing assay was used to evaluate the effect of the identified mutation on splicing. Taqman assay was used to determine the need for population screening for the identified mutation. RESULTS Ophthalmologic findings at age 6 were impaired vision, nystagmus, and hyperopia. At age 16 years, the patient presented with obesity, hypothyroidism, and elevated transaminase levels in addition to reduced vision, wandering nystagmus, disc pallor, and degenerative retinal changes. Targeted genetic analysis of ALMS1 revealed a homozygous transversion, c.11544 + 3A>T, suggesting a novel splicing mutation, with elimination of the donor splice site and insertion of 73 nucleotides at the end of exon 16. These changes were validated by Sanger sequencing and co-segregation on family members. CONCLUSIONS Ophthalmologists should be alert to the differential diagnosis of inherited retinal degeneration in young patients who present with impaired vision, especially if systemic symptoms are mild and there is no known family history. In the present case, targeted genetic analysis of a child with a syndromic cone-rod dystrophy yielded a novel splicing mutation in ALMS1 causing Alstrom syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirel Weiss
- a The Krieger Eye Research Laboratory , Felsenstein Medical Research Center , Petach Tikva , Israel.,b Sackler School of Medicine , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Lior Cohen
- b Sackler School of Medicine , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel.,c Raphael Recanati Genetics Institute , Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel , Petach Tikva , Israel
| | - Tamar Ben-Yosef
- d Rappaport Faculty of Medicine , Technion - Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa , Israel
| | - Miriam Ehrenberg
- e Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit , Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel , Petach Tikva , Israel
| | - Nitza Goldenberg-Cohen
- a The Krieger Eye Research Laboratory , Felsenstein Medical Research Center , Petach Tikva , Israel.,d Rappaport Faculty of Medicine , Technion - Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa , Israel
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Campbell LJ, West MC, Jensen AM. A high content, small molecule screen identifies candidate molecular pathways that regulate rod photoreceptor outer segment renewal. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14017. [PMID: 30228302 PMCID: PMC6143611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32336-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The outer segment of the vertebrate rod photoreceptor is a highly modified cilium composed of many discrete membranous discs that are filled with the protein machinery necessary for phototransduction. The unique outer segment structure is renewed daily with growth at the base of the outer segment where new discs are formed and shedding at the distal end where old discs are phagocytized by the retinal pigment epithelium. In order to understand how outer segment renewal is regulated to maintain outer segment length and function, we used a small molecule screening approach with the transgenic (hsp70:HA-mCherryTM) zebrafish, which expresses a genetically-encoded marker of outer segment renewal. We identified compounds with known bioactivity that affect five content areas: outer segment growth, outer segment shedding, clearance of shed outer segment tips, Rhodopsin mislocalization, and differentiation at the ciliary marginal zone. Signaling pathways that are targeted by the identified compounds include cyclooxygenase in outer segment growth, γ-Secretase in outer segment shedding, and mTor in RPE phagocytosis. The data generated by this screen provides a foundation for further investigation of the signaling pathways that regulate photoreceptor outer segment renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah J Campbell
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Megan C West
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Abbie M Jensen
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA. .,Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
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Léger H, Santana E, Leu NA, Smith ET, Beltran WA, Aguirre GD, Luca FC. Ndr kinases regulate retinal interneuron proliferation and homeostasis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12544. [PMID: 30135513 PMCID: PMC6105603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ndr2/Stk38l encodes a protein kinase associated with the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway and is mutated in a naturally-occurring canine early retinal degeneration (erd). To elucidate the retinal functions of Ndr2 and its paralog Ndr1/Stk38, we generated Ndr1 and Ndr2 single knockout mice. Although retinal lamination appeared normal in these mice, Ndr deletion caused a subset of Pax6-positive amacrine cells to proliferate in differentiated retinas, while concurrently decreasing the number of GABAergic, HuD and Pax6-positive amacrine cells. Retinal transcriptome analyses revealed that Ndr2 deletion increased expression of neuronal stress genes and decreased expression of synaptic organization genes. Consistent with the latter, Ndr deletion dramatically reduced levels of Aak1, an Ndr substrate that regulates vesicle trafficking. Our findings indicate that Ndr kinases are important regulators of amacrine and photoreceptor cells and suggest that Ndr kinases inhibit the proliferation of a subset of terminally differentiated cells and modulate interneuron synapse function via Aak1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Léger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Evelyn Santana
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Eliot T Smith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - William A Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Francis C Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Park KS, Xu CL, Cui X, Tsang SH. Reprogramming the metabolome rescues retinal degeneration. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:1559-1566. [PMID: 29332245 PMCID: PMC9377522 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2744-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics studies in the context of ophthalmology have largely focused on identifying metabolite concentrations that characterize specific retinal diseases. Studies involving mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have shown that individuals suffering from retinal diseases exhibit metabolic profiles that markedly differ from those of control individuals, supporting the notion that metabolites may serve as easily identifiable biomarkers for specific conditions. An emerging branch of metabolomics resulting from biomarker studies, however, involves the study of retinal metabolic dysfunction as causes of degeneration. Recent publications have identified a number of metabolic processes-including but not limited to glucose and oxygen metabolism-that, when perturbed, play a role in the degeneration of photoreceptor cells. As a result, such studies have led to further research elucidating methods for prolonging photoreceptor survival in an effort to halt degeneration in its early stages. This review will explore the ways in which metabolomics has deepened our understanding of the causes of retinal degeneration and discuss how metabolomics can be used to prevent retinal degeneration from progressing to its later disease stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Sophia Park
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine L Xu
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xuan Cui
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology, and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D Aguirre
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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40
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BEST1 gene therapy corrects a diffuse retina-wide microdetachment modulated by light exposure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E2839-E2848. [PMID: 29507198 PMCID: PMC5866594 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1720662115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most common forms of monogenic macular degeneration worldwide is caused by dominant or recessive bestrophinopathies associated with mutations in the BEST1 gene. Disease expression is known to start with a retina-wide electrophysiological defect leading to localized vitelliform and atrophic lesions and vision loss. To develop lasting therapies for this incurable disease, there is a need for greater understanding of the early pathophysiology before lesion formation. Here we find that the loss of retinal pigment epithelium apical microvilli and resulting microdetachment of the retina represent the earliest features of canine bestrophinopathies. We show that retinal light exposure expands, and dark adaptation contracts, the microdetachments. Subretinal adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy corrects both the vitelliform lesions and the light-modulated microdetachments. Mutations in the BEST1 gene cause detachment of the retina and degeneration of photoreceptor (PR) cells due to a primary channelopathy in the neighboring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The pathophysiology of the interaction between RPE and PR cells preceding the formation of retinal detachment remains not well-understood. Our studies of molecular pathology in the canine BEST1 disease model revealed retina-wide abnormalities at the RPE-PR interface associated with defects in the RPE microvillar ensheathment and a cone PR-associated insoluble interphotoreceptor matrix. In vivo imaging demonstrated a retina-wide RPE–PR microdetachment, which contracted with dark adaptation and expanded upon exposure to a moderate intensity of light. Subretinal BEST1 gene augmentation therapy using adeno-associated virus 2 reversed not only clinically detectable subretinal lesions but also the diffuse microdetachments. Immunohistochemical analyses showed correction of the structural alterations at the RPE–PR interface in areas with BEST1 transgene expression. Successful treatment effects were demonstrated in three different canine BEST1 genotypes with vector titers in the 0.1-to-5E11 vector genomes per mL range. Patients with biallelic BEST1 mutations exhibited large regions of retinal lamination defects, severe PR sensitivity loss, and slowing of the retinoid cycle. Human translation of canine BEST1 gene therapy success in reversal of macro- and microdetachments through restoration of cytoarchitecture at the RPE–PR interface has promise to result in improved visual function and prevent disease progression in patients affected with bestrophinopathies.
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Olivares-González L, Martínez-Fernández de la Cámara C, Hervás D, Millán JM, Rodrigo R. HIF-1α stabilization reduces retinal degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. FASEB J 2018; 32:2438-2451. [PMID: 29295858 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700985r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of vision due to rod and cone degeneration. Evidence suggests that an inappropriate oxygen level could contribute to its pathogenesis. Rod cell death could increase oxygen concentration, reduce hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) and contribute to cone cell death. The purposes of this study were: 1) to analyze the temporal profile of HIF-1α, its downstream effectors VEGF, endothelin-1 (ET-1), iNOS, and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and neuroinflammation in retinas of the murine model of rd10 ( retinal degeneration 10) mice with RP; 2) to study oxygen bioavailability in these retinas; and 3) to investigate how stabilizing HIF-1α proteins with dimethyloxaloglycine (DMOG), a prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, affects retinal degeneration, neuroinflammation, and antioxidant response in rd10 mice. A generalized down-regulation of HIF-1α and its downstream targets was detected in parallel with reactive gliosis, suggesting high oxygen levels during retinal degeneration. At postnatal d 18, DMOG treatment reduced photoreceptor cell death and glial activation. In summary, retinas of rd10 mice seem to be exposed to a hyperoxic environment even at early stages of degeneration. HIF-1α stabilization could have a temporal neuroprotective effect on photoreceptor cell survival, glial activation, and antioxidant response at early stages of RP.-Olivares-González, L., Martínez-Fernández de la Cámara, C., Hervás, D., Millán, J. M., Rodrigo, R. HIF-1α stabilization reduces retinal degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Olivares-González
- Grupo de Investigación en Biomedicina Molecular, Celular y Genómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - David Hervás
- Unidad de Data Science, Bioestadística y Bioinformática, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain; and
| | - José María Millán
- Grupo de Investigación en Biomedicina Molecular, Celular y Genómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain.,Unidad de Genética, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Regina Rodrigo
- Grupo de Investigación en Biomedicina Molecular, Celular y Genómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
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42
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Patil H, Yoon D, Bhowmick R, Cai Y, Cho KI, Ferreira PA. Impairments in age-dependent ubiquitin proteostasis and structural integrity of selective neurons by uncoupling Ran GTPase from the Ran-binding domain 3 of Ranbp2 and identification of novel mitochondrial isoforms of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2I (ubc9) and Ranbp2. Small GTPases 2017; 10:146-161. [PMID: 28877029 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1356432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ran-binding protein 2 (Ranbp2/Nup358) is a cytoplasmic and peripheral nucleoporin comprised of 4 Ran-GTP-binding domains (RBDs) that are interspersed among diverse structural domains with multifunctional activities. Our prior studies found that the RBD2 and RBD3 of Ranbp2 control mitochondrial motility independently of Ran-GTP-binding in cultured cells, whereas loss of Ran-GTP-binding to RBD2 and RBD3 are essential to support cone photoreceptor development and the survival of mature retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in mice. Here, we uncover that loss of Ran-GTP-binding to RBD3 alone promotes the robust age-dependent increase of ubiquitylated substrates and S1 subunit (Pmsd1) of the 19S cap of the proteasome in the retina and RPE and that such loss in RBD3 also compromises the structural integrity of the outer segment compartment of cone photoreceptors only and without affecting the viability of these neurons. We also found that the E2-ligase and partner of Ranbp2, ubc9, is localized prominently in the mitochondrial-rich ellipsoid compartment of photoreceptors, where Ranbp2 is also known to localize with and modulate the activity of mitochondrial proteins. However, the natures of Ranbp2 and ubc9 isoforms to the mitochondria are heretofore elusive. Subcellular fractionation, co-immunolocalization and immunoaffinity purification of Ranbp2 complexes show that novel isoforms of Ranbp2 and ubc9 with molecular masses distinct from the large Ranbp2 and unmodified ubc9 isoforms localize specifically to the mitochondrial fraction or associate with mitochondrial components, whereas unmodified and SUMOylated Ran GTPase are excluded from the mitochondrial fraction. Further, liposome-mediated intracellular delivery of an antibody against a domain shared by the mitochondrial and nuclear pore isoforms of Ranbp2 causes the profound fragmentation of mitochondria and their delocalization from Ranbp2 and without affecting Ranbp2 localization at the nuclear pores. Collectively, the data support that Ran GTPase-dependent and independent and moonlighting roles of Ranbp2 or domains thereof and ubc9 control selectively age-dependent, neural-type and mitochondrial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemangi Patil
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA
| | - Dosuk Yoon
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA
| | - Reshma Bhowmick
- b Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee , WI , USA
| | - Yunfei Cai
- b Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee , WI , USA
| | - Kyoung-In Cho
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA
| | - Paulo A Ferreira
- a Department of Ophthalmology , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA.,c Department of Pathology , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA
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Kanow MA, Giarmarco MM, Jankowski CS, Tsantilas K, Engel AL, Du J, Linton JD, Farnsworth CC, Sloat SR, Rountree A, Sweet IR, Lindsay KJ, Parker ED, Brockerhoff SE, Sadilek M, Chao JR, Hurley JB. Biochemical adaptations of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium support a metabolic ecosystem in the vertebrate eye. eLife 2017; 6:28899. [PMID: 28901286 PMCID: PMC5617631 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report multiple lines of evidence for a comprehensive model of energy metabolism in the vertebrate eye. Metabolic flux, locations of key enzymes, and our finding that glucose enters mouse and zebrafish retinas mostly through photoreceptors support a conceptually new model for retinal metabolism. In this model, glucose from the choroidal blood passes through the retinal pigment epithelium to the retina where photoreceptors convert it to lactate. Photoreceptors then export the lactate as fuel for the retinal pigment epithelium and for neighboring Müller glial cells. We used human retinal epithelial cells to show that lactate can suppress consumption of glucose by the retinal pigment epithelium. Suppression of glucose consumption in the retinal pigment epithelium can increase the amount of glucose that reaches the retina. This framework for understanding metabolic relationships in the vertebrate retina provides new insights into the underlying causes of retinal disease and age-related vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Kanow
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | | | - Connor Sr Jankowski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Kristine Tsantilas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Abbi L Engel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Jianhai Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, United States
| | - Jonathan D Linton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | | | - Stephanie R Sloat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Austin Rountree
- Department of Medicine, UW Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Ian R Sweet
- Department of Medicine, UW Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Ken J Lindsay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Edward D Parker
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Susan E Brockerhoff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Martin Sadilek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Jennifer R Chao
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - James B Hurley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
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Platón-Corchado M, Barcelona PF, Jmaeff S, Marchena M, Hernández-Pinto AM, Hernández-Sánchez C, Saragovi HU, de la Rosa EJ. p75 NTR antagonists attenuate photoreceptor cell loss in murine models of retinitis pigmentosa. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2922. [PMID: 28703796 PMCID: PMC5550853 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ProNGF signaling through p75NTR has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) comprises a group of inherited retinal dystrophies that causes progressive photoreceptor cell degeneration and death, at a rate dependent on the genetic mutation. There are more than 300 mutations causing RP, and this is a challenge to therapy. Our study was designed to explore a common mechanism for p75NTR in the progression of RP, and assess its potential value as a therapeutic target. The proNGF/p75NTR system is present in the dystrophic retina of the rd10 RP mouse model. Compared with wild-type (WT) retina, the levels of unprocessed proNGF were increased in the rd10 retina at early degenerative stages, before the peak of photoreceptor cell death. Conversely, processed NGF levels were similar in rd10 and WT retinas. ProNGF remained elevated throughout the period of photoreceptor cell loss, correlating with increased expression of α2-macroglobulin, an inhibitor of proNGF processing. The neuroprotective effect of blocking p75NTR was assessed in organotypic retinal cultures from rd10 and RhoP mouse models. Retinal explants treated with p75NTR antagonists showed significantly reduced photoreceptor cell death, as determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and by preservation of the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), where photoreceptor nuclei are located. This effect was accompanied by decreased retinal-reactive gliosis and reduced TNFα secretion. Use of p75NTR antagonist THX-B (1,3-diisopropyl-1-[2-(1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-purin-7-yl)-acetyl]-urea) in vivo in the rd10 and RhoP mouse models, by a single intravitreal or subconjunctival injection, afforded neuroprotection to photoreceptor cells, with preservation of the ONL. This study demonstrates a role of the p75NTR/proNGF axis in the progression of RP, and validates these proteins as therapeutic targets in two different RP models, suggesting utility irrespective of etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo F Barcelona
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sean Jmaeff
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | | | - H Uri Saragovi
- Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Cideciyan AV, Roman AJ, Jacobson SG, Yan B, Pascolini M, Charng J, Pajaro S, Nirenberg S. Developing an Outcome Measure With High Luminance for Optogenetics Treatment of Severe Retinal Degenerations and for Gene Therapy of Cone Diseases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:3211-21. [PMID: 27309625 PMCID: PMC4928698 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-19586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To present stimuli with varied sizes, colors, and patterns over a large range of luminance. Methods The filter bar used in scotopic MP1 was replaced with a custom slide-in tray that introduces light from an external projector driven by an additional computer. MP1 software was modified to provide retinal tracking information to the computer driving the projector. Retinal tracking performance was evaluated by imaging the system input and the output simultaneously with a high-speed video system. Spatial resolution was measured with achromatic and chromatic grating/background combinations over scotopic and photopic ranges. Results The range of retinal illuminance achievable by the modification was up to 6.8 log photopic Trolands (phot-Td); however, in the current work, only a lower range over −4 to +3 log phot-Td was tested in human subjects. Optical magnification was optimized for low-vision testing with gratings from 4.5 to 0.2 cyc/deg. In normal subjects, spatial resolution driven by rods, short wavelength-sensitive (S-) cones, and long/middle wavelength-sensitive (L/M-) cones was obtained by the choice of adapting conditions and wavelengths of grating and background. Data from a patient with blue cone monochromacy was used to confirm mediation. Conclusions The modified MP1 can be developed into an outcome measure for treatments in patients with severe retinal degeneration, very low vision, and abnormal eye movements such as those for whom treatment with optogenetics is planned, as well as for patients with cone disorders such as blue cone monochromacy for whom treatment with gene therapy is planned to improve L/M-cone function above a normal complement of rod and S-cone function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Alejandro J Roman
- Scheie Eye Institute Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Boyuan Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States
| | | | - Jason Charng
- Scheie Eye Institute Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - Sheila Nirenberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States
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Song H, Vijayasarathy C, Zeng Y, Marangoni D, Bush RA, Wu Z, Sieving PA. NADPH Oxidase Contributes to Photoreceptor Degeneration in Constitutively Active RAC1 Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:2864-75. [PMID: 27233035 PMCID: PMC5113981 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-18974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The active form of small GTPase RAC1 is required for activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX), which in turn generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nonphagocytic cells. We explored whether NOX-induced oxidative stress contributes to rod degeneration in retinas expressing constitutively active (CA) RAC1. Methods Transgenic (Tg)–CA-RAC1 mice were given apocynin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), a NOX inhibitor, or vehicle daily for up to 13 weeks. Superoxide production and oxidative damage were assessed by dihydroethidium staining and by protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde levels, respectively. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) cells were counted and electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes measured in Tg-CA-RAC1 mice. Outer nuclear layer cells were counted in wild-type (WT) mice after transfer of CA-Rac1 gene by subretinal injection of AAV8-pOpsin-CA Rac1-GFP. Results Transgenic-CA-RAC1 retinas had significantly fewer photoreceptor cells and more apoptotic ONL cells than WT controls from postnatal week (Pw) 3 to Pw13. Superoxide accumulation and protein and lipid oxidation were increased in Tg-CA-RAC1 retinas and were reduced in mice treated with apocynin. Apocynin reduced the loss of photoreceptors and increased the rod ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes when compared with vehicle-injected transgenic controls. Photoreceptor loss was also observed in regions of adult WT retina transduced with AAV8-pOpsin-CA Rac1-GFP but not in neighboring regions that were not transduced or in AAV8-pOpsin-GFP–transduced retinas. Conclusions Constitutively active RAC1 promotes photoreceptor cell death by oxidative damage that occurs, at least partially, through NOX-induced ROS. Reactive oxygen species are likely involved in multiple forms of retinal degenerations, and our results support investigating RAC1 inhibition as a therapeutic approach that targets this disease pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongman Song
- Section for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Camasamudram Vijayasarathy
- Section for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Yong Zeng
- Section for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Dario Marangoni
- Section for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Ronald A Bush
- Section for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Zhijian Wu
- Ocular Gene Therapy Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Paul A Sieving
- Section for Translational Research on Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States 3National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Heal
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Beltran WA, Cideciyan AV, Boye SE, Ye GJ, Iwabe S, Dufour VL, Marinho LF, Swider M, Kosyk MS, Sha J, Boye SL, Peterson JJ, Witherspoon CD, Alexander JJ, Ying GS, Shearman MS, Chulay JD, Hauswirth WW, Gamlin PD, Jacobson SG, Aguirre GD. Optimization of Retinal Gene Therapy for X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Due to RPGR Mutations. Mol Ther 2017; 25:1866-1880. [PMID: 28566226 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) caused by mutations in the RPGR gene is an early onset and severe cause of blindness. Successful proof-of-concept studies in a canine model have recently shown that development of a corrective gene therapy for RPGR-XLRP may now be an attainable goal. In preparation for a future clinical trial, we have here optimized the therapeutic AAV vector construct by showing that GRK1 (rather than IRBP) is a more efficient promoter for targeting gene expression to both rods and cones in non-human primates. Two transgenes were used in RPGR mutant (XLPRA2) dogs under the control of the GRK1 promoter. First was the previously developed stabilized human RPGR (hRPGRstb). Second was a new full-length stabilized and codon-optimized human RPGR (hRPGRco). Long-term (>2 years) studies with an AAV2/5 vector carrying hRPGRstb under control of the GRK1 promoter showed rescue of rods and cones from degeneration and retention of vision. Shorter term (3 months) studies demonstrated comparable preservation of photoreceptors in canine eyes treated with an AAV2/5 vector carrying either transgene under the control of the GRK1 promoter. These results provide the critical molecular components (GRK1 promoter, hRPGRco transgene) to now construct a therapeutic viral vector optimized for RPGR-XLRP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA.
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shannon E Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Guo-Jie Ye
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Simone Iwabe
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Valerie L Dufour
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Luis Felipe Marinho
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Malgorzata Swider
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mychajlo S Kosyk
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jin Sha
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sanford L Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - James J Peterson
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - C Douglas Witherspoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - John J Alexander
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mark S Shearman
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Chulay
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - William W Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Paul D Gamlin
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
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Zhang X, Biswas L, Tohari AM, Reilly J, Tiano L, Shu X. Coenzyme Q10 as a therapeutic candidate for treating inherited photoreceptor degeneration. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:1979-1981. [PMID: 29323033 PMCID: PMC5784342 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.221152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lincoln Biswas
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - James Reilly
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Luca Tiano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Xinhua Shu
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
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Charng J, Cideciyan AV, Jacobson SG, Sumaroka A, Schwartz SB, Swider M, Roman AJ, Sheplock R, Anand M, Peden MC, Khanna H, Heon E, Wright AF, Swaroop A. Variegated yet non-random rod and cone photoreceptor disease patterns in RPGR-ORF15-associated retinal degeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:5444-5459. [PMID: 27798110 PMCID: PMC6078602 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the ORF15 exon of the RPGR gene cause a common form of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, which often results in severe loss of vision. In dogs and mice, gene augmentation therapy has been shown to arrest the progressive degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. However, the distribution of potentially treatable photoreceptors across the human retinas and the rate of degeneration are not known. Here, we have defined structural and functional features of the disease in 70 individuals with ORF15 mutations. We also correlated the features observed in patients with those of three Rpgr-mutant (Rpgr-ko, Rd9, and Rpgr-cko) mice. In patients, there was pronounced macular disease. Across the retina, rod and cone dysfunction showed a range of patterns and a spectrum of severity between individuals, but a high symmetry was observed between eyes of each individual. Genotype was not related to disease expression. In the Rpgr-ko mice, there were intra-retinal differences in rhodopsin and cone opsin trafficking. In Rd9 and Rpgr-cko mice, retinal degeneration showed inter-ocular symmetry. Longitudinal results in patients revealed localized rod and cone dysfunction with progression rates of 0.8 to 1.3 log per decade in sensitivity loss. Relatively retained rod and cone photoreceptors in mid- and far-peripheral temporal-inferior and nasal-inferior visual field regions should be good targets for future localized gene therapies in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Charng
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Artur V. Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Samuel G. Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Alexander Sumaroka
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Sharon B. Schwartz
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Malgorzata Swider
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Alejandro J. Roman
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Sheplock
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Manisha Anand
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Marc C. Peden
- Retina Associates of Florida, Tampa, Florida, FL, USA
| | - Hemant Khanna
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Elise Heon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alan F. Wright
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, MD, USA
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50
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Zhang L, Du J, Justus S, Hsu CW, Bonet-Ponce L, Wu WH, Tsai YT, Wu WP, Jia Y, Duong JK, Mahajan VB, Lin CS, Wang S, Hurley JB, Tsang SH. Reprogramming metabolism by targeting sirtuin 6 attenuates retinal degeneration. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:4659-4673. [PMID: 27841758 DOI: 10.1172/jci86905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) encompasses a diverse group of Mendelian disorders leading to progressive degeneration of rods and then cones. For reasons that remain unclear, diseased RP photoreceptors begin to deteriorate, eventually leading to cell death and, consequently, loss of vision. Here, we have hypothesized that RP associated with mutations in phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6) provokes a metabolic aberration in rod cells that promotes the pathological consequences of elevated cGMP and Ca2+, which are induced by the Pde6 mutation. Inhibition of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a histone deacetylase repressor of glycolytic flux, reprogrammed rods into perpetual glycolysis, thereby driving the accumulation of biosynthetic intermediates, improving outer segment (OS) length, enhancing photoreceptor survival, and preserving vision. In mouse retinae lacking Sirt6, effectors of glycolytic flux were dramatically increased, leading to upregulation of key intermediates in glycolysis, TCA cycle, and glutaminolysis. Both transgenic and AAV2/8 gene therapy-mediated ablation of Sirt6 in rods provided electrophysiological and anatomic rescue of both rod and cone photoreceptors in a preclinical model of RP. Due to the extensive network of downstream effectors of Sirt6, this study motivates further research into the role that these pathways play in retinal degeneration. Because reprogramming metabolism by enhancing glycolysis is not gene specific, this strategy may be applicable to a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders.
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