1
|
McCall MA. Pig Models in Retinal Research and Retinal Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041296. [PMID: 37553210 PMCID: PMC10982707 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The pig has been used as a large animal model in biomedical research for many years and its use continues to increase because induced mutations phenocopy several inherited human diseases. In addition, they are continuous breeders, can be propagated by artificial insemination, have large litter sizes (on the order of mice), and can be genetically manipulated using all of the techniques that are currently available in mice. The pioneering work of Petters and colleagues set the stage for the use of the pig as a model of inherited retinal disease. In the last 10 years, the pig has become a model of choice where specific disease-causing mutations that are not phenocopied in rodents need to be studied and therapeutic approaches explored. The pig is not only used for retinal eye disease but also for the study of the cornea and lens. This review attempts to show how broad the use of the pig has become and how it has contributed to the assessment of treatments for eye disease. In the last 10 years, there have been several reviews that included the use of the pig in biomedical research (see body of the review) that included information about retinal disease. None directly discuss the use of the pig as an animal model for retinal diseases, including inherited diseases, where a single genetic mutation has been identified or for multifactorial diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Although the pig is used to explore diseases of the cornea and lens, this review focuses on how and why the pig, as a large animal model, is useful for research in neural retinal disease and its treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A McCall
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lewin AS, Smith WC. Gene Therapy for Rhodopsin Mutations. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2022; 12:a041283. [PMID: 35940643 PMCID: PMC9435570 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in RHO, the gene for rhodopsin, account for a large fraction of autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). Patients fall into two clinical classes, those with early onset, pan retinal photoreceptor degeneration, and those who experience slowly progressive disease. The latter class of patients are candidates for photoreceptor-directed gene therapy, while former may be candidates for delivery of light-responsive proteins to interneurons or retinal ganglion cells. Gene therapy for RHO adRP may be targeted to the mutant gene at the DNA or RNA level, while other therapies preserve the viability of photoreceptors without addressing the underlying mutation. Correcting the RHO gene and replacing the mutant RNA show promise in animal models, while sustaining viable photoreceptors has the potential to delay the loss of central vision and may preserve photoreceptors for gene-directed treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfred S Lewin
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - W Clay Smith
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Massengill MT, Lewin AS. Gene Therapy for Rhodopsin-associated Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:79-96. [PMID: 34584046 PMCID: PMC8478325 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
4
|
Kaplan HJ, Wang W, Piri N, Dean DC. Metabolic rescue of cone photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa. Taiwan J Ophthalmol 2021; 11:331-335. [PMID: 35070660 PMCID: PMC8757513 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_46_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) encompasses a group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterized by the primary degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. It is a leading cause of visual disability, with an incidence of ~1 in 7000 persons. Although most RP is nonsyndromic, 20%-30% of patients with RP also have an associated nonocular condition. The gene mutations responsible for RP occur overwhelmingly in rod photoreceptors. Visual loss frequently begins with night blindness in adolescence, followed by concentric visual field loss, reflecting the principal dysfunction of rod photoreceptors. Although the visual disability from rod dysfunction is significant, it is the subsequent loss of central vision later in life due to cone degeneration that is catastrophic. Until recently, the reason for cone dysfunction in RP was unknown. However, it is now recognized that cones degenerate, losing outer segment (OS) synthesis and inner segment (IS) disassembly because of glucose starvation following rod demise. Rod OS phagocytosis by the apical microvilli of retinal pigment epithelium is necessary to transport glucose from the choriocapillaris to the subretinal space. Although cones lose OS with the onset of rod degeneration in RP, regardless of the gene mutation in rods, cone nuclei remain viable for years (i.e. enter cone dormancy) so that therapies aimed at reversing glucose starvation can prevent and/or recover cone function and central vision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Niloofar Piri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li S, Hu Y, Li Y, Hu M, Wang W, Ma Y, Cai Y, Wei M, Yao Y, Wang Y, Dong K, Gu Y, Zhao H, Bao J, Qiu Z, Zhang M, Hu X, Xue T. Generation of nonhuman primate retinitis pigmentosa model by in situ knockout of RHO in rhesus macaque retina. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2021; 66:374-385. [PMID: 36654417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2020.09.008] [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: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a form of inherited retinal degenerative diseases that ultimately involves the macula, which is present in primates but not in the rodents. Therefore, creating nonhuman primate (NHP) models of RP is of critical importance to study its mechanism of pathogenesis and to evaluate potential therapeutic options in the future. Here we applied adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered CRISPR/SaCas9 technology to knockout the RHO gene in the retinae of the adult rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) to investigate the hypothesis whether non-germline mutation of the RHO gene is sufficient to recapitulate RP. Through a series of studies, we were able to demonstrate successful somatic editing of the RHO gene and reduced RHO protein expression. More importantly, the mutant macaque retinae displayed clinical RP phenotypes, including photoreceptor degeneration, retinal thinning, abnormal rod subcellular structures, and reduced photoresponse. Therefore, we suggest somatic editing of the RHO gene is able to phenocopy RP, and the reduced time span in generating NHP mutant accelerates RP research and expands the utility of NHP model for human disease study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouzhen Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yingzhou Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China
| | - Yunqin Li
- Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Min Hu
- Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yuqian Ma
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yuan Cai
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Min Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yichuan Yao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Kunming Primate Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Kai Dong
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yonghao Gu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jin Bao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zilong Qiu
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Xintian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming Primate Research Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650107, China.
| | - Tian Xue
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Eye Center at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Klećkowska-Nawrot JE, Goździewska-Harłajczuk K, Paszta W. Gross anatomy, histological, and histochemical analysis of the eyelids and orbital glands of the neonate pygmy hippopotamus (Suina: Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis, Morton 1849) with reference to its habitat. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:437-455. [PMID: 32445549 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pygmy hippopotamus is phylogenetically related to members of both the Suidae and Cetacea. However, differences in their habitats may have resulted in variation in the anatomy and physiology of the ocular adnexa between these species. Therefore, this study focuses on the identification of accessory organs of the eye, which are typical for the pygmy hippopotamus and are comparable to organs present in mammals related to it. Moreover, the secretions produced by the superficial gland of the third eyelid, the deep gland of the third eyelid and the lacrimal gland were examined, as they ensure eyeball protection. In the upper and lower eyelids, numerous serous glands where identified, which were typical for the pygmy hippopotamus and similar as in the Cetacea. This study enabled to identify additional folds in the eyelids of the pygmy hippopotamus. Lymphoid follicles and diffuse lymphocytes were not found in the lymphoid region in the upper or lower eyelids and the third eyelid, which was most likely caused by the age of the studied hippopotamuses. An accurate histochemical analysis revealed that the secretions of the pygmy hippopotamus are very similar to the Sus scrofa. The structural differences between the pygmy hippopotamus and representatives of Cetacea are most likely caused by the fact that most of Cetacea live in saltwater and are exposed to more frequent fluctuations in water temperature compared to the pygmy hippopotamus, which lives in fresh water and does not lead a migratory lifestyle like the Cetacea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Elżbieta Klećkowska-Nawrot
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Goździewska-Harłajczuk
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Differences in the Response to DNA Double-Strand Breaks between Rod Photoreceptors of Rodents, Pigs, and Humans. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040947. [PMID: 32290532 PMCID: PMC7226979 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing (GE) represents a powerful approach to fight inherited blinding diseases in which the underlying mutations cause the degeneration of the light sensing photoreceptor cells of the retina. Successful GE requires the efficient repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) generated during the treatment. Rod photoreceptors of adult mice have a highly specialized chromatin organization, do not efficiently express a variety of DSB response genes and repair DSBs very inefficiently. The DSB repair efficiency in rods of other species including humans is unknown. Here, we used ionizing radiation to analyze the DSB response in rods of various nocturnal and diurnal species, including genetically modified mice, pigs, and humans. We show that the inefficient repair of DSBs in adult mouse rods does not result from their specialized chromatin organization. Instead, the DSB repair efficiency in rods correlates with the level of Kruppel-associated protein-1 (KAP1) expression and its ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent phosphorylation. Strikingly, we detected robust KAP1 expression and phosphorylation only in human rods but not in rods of other diurnal species including pigs. Hence, our study provides important information about the uniqueness of the DSB response in human rods which needs to be considered when choosing model systems for the development of GE strategies.
Collapse
|
8
|
Lu Q, Scott PA, Vukmanic EV, Kaplan HJ, Dean DC, Li Q. Yap1 is required for maintenance of adult RPE differentiation. FASEB J 2020; 34:6757-6768. [PMID: 32223016 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903234r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear YAP1 plays a critical role in regulation of stem cell proliferation, tissue regeneration, and organ size in many types of epithelia. Due to rapid turnover of most epithelial cell types, the cytoplasmic function of YAP1 in epithelial cells has not been well studied. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a highly polarized epithelial cell type maintained at a senescence state, and offers an ideal cell model to study the active role of YAP1 in maintenance of the adult epithelial phenotype. Here, we show that the cytoplasmic function of YAP1 is essential to maintain adult RPE differentiation. Knockout of Yap1 in the adult mouse RPE caused cell depolarization and tight junction breakdown, and led to inhibition of RPE65 expression, diminishment of RPE pigments, and retraction of microvilli and basal infoldings. These changes in RPE further prompted the loss of adjacent photoreceptor outer segments and photoreceptor death, which eventually led to decline of visual function in older mice between 6 and 12 months of age. Furthermore, nuclear β-catenin and its activity were significantly increased in mutant RPE. These results suggest that YAP1 plays an important role in active inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and is essential for downregulation of β-catenin nuclear activity and prevention of dedifferentiation of adult RPE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingxian Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Patrick A Scott
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Eric V Vukmanic
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Qiutang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Coussa RG, Basali D, Maeda A, DeBenedictis M, Traboulsi EI. Sector retinitis pigmentosa: Report of ten cases and a review of the literature. Mol Vis 2019; 25:869-889. [PMID: 31908405 PMCID: PMC6937219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the genotypes and phenotypes of ten patients with sector retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We also review previously reported mutations associated with sector RP and provide a discussion of possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. METHODS Patients underwent detailed ophthalmologic examinations, fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), as well as visual field and electroretinographic testing. All patients underwent genetic testing to identify the molecular etiology of their disease. RESULTS A total of ten patients were studied. Among these patients, nine had mutations in RHO (c.677T>C; p.Leu226Pro (novel), c.68C>A; p.Pro23His, c.808A>C; p.Ser270Arg, c.44A>G; p.Asn15Ser, and c.325G>A; p.Gly109Arg), and one patient had a mutation in RPGR (c.3092_3093delAG; p.Glu1031Glyfs*47). All patients with missense mutations in RHO had visual acuities (VAs) better than 20/30 and showed a retained foveal ellipsoid zone and overlying retinal structures. The patient with the c.3092_3093delAG deletion in RPGR had VA of 20/60 oculus dexter (OD) and 20/400 oculus sinister (OS), as well as significant foveal thinning and contour atrophy. All patients showed pigmentary changes, or marked atrophy along the inferior arcades, or both. This pattern of degeneration corresponded to hypo- and hyperFAF and superior visual defects. CONCLUSIONS Sector RP is an uncommon form of RP in which only one or two retinal quadrants display clinical pathological signs. The great majority of cases result from mutations in RHO. The present data confirmed previously reported phenotypic manifestations of sector RP. Inferior retinal quadrants are possibly more severely affected due to greater light exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razek Georges Coussa
- Center for Genetic Eye Diseases, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Diana Basali
- Center for Genetic Eye Diseases, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Akiko Maeda
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Meghan DeBenedictis
- Center for Genetic Eye Diseases, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Elias I. Traboulsi
- Center for Genetic Eye Diseases, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Huckenpahler AL, Carroll J, Salmon AE, Sajdak BS, Mastey RR, Allen KP, Kaplan HJ, McCall MA. Noninvasive Imaging and Correlative Histology of Cone Photoreceptor Structure in the Pig Retina. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2019; 8:38. [PMID: 31867139 PMCID: PMC6922271 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.8.6.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate different methods of studying cone photoreceptor structure in wild-type (WT) and transgenic pigs carrying the human rhodopsin P23H mutant gene (TgP23H). METHODS For in vivo imaging, pigs were anesthetized with tiletamine-zolazepam and isoflurane and given lidocaine-bupivacaine retrobulbar injections. Stay sutures and a custom head mount were used to hold and steer the head for adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). Six WT and TgP23H littermates were imaged at postnatal day 30 (P30), P90, and P180 with AOSLO and optical coherence tomography (OCT), and two additional sets of littermates were imaged at P3 and P15 with OCT only. AOSLO imaging and correlative differential interference contrast microscopy were performed on a P240 WT pig and on WT and TgP23H littermates at P30 and P180. RESULTS AOSLO cone density generally underestimates histology density (mean difference ± SD = 24.8% ± 21.4%). The intensity of the outer retinal hyperreflective OCT band attributed to photoreceptors is attenuated in TgP23H pigs at all ages. In contrast, AOSLO images show cones that retain inner and outer segments through P180. At retinal locations outside the visual streak, TgP23H pigs show a heterogeneous degenerating cone mosaic by using two criteria: variable contrast on a split detector AOSLO and high reflectivity on a confocal AOSLO. CONCLUSIONS AOSLO reveals that the cone mosaic is similar to ex vivo histology. Its use as a noninvasive tool will enable observation of morphologic changes that arise in the cone mosaic of TgP23H pigs over time. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE Pigs are widely used for translational studies, and the ability to noninvasively assess cellular changes in the cone mosaic will facilitate more detailed investigations of new retinal disease models as well as outcomes of potential therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison L Huckenpahler
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Joseph Carroll
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Alexander E Salmon
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Benjamin S Sajdak
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca R Mastey
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kenneth P Allen
- Biomedical Resource Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Maureen A McCall
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ju YT, Pan YT, Tu CF, Hsiao J, Lin YH, Yu PJ, Yu PH, Chi CH, Liu IL. Growth and Behavior of Congenitally Anophthalmic Lee-Sung Pigs. Comp Med 2019; 69:212-220. [PMID: 31171049 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-18-000095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Circadian rhythm is usually regulated by the environmental light-dark cycle. Congenitally anophthalmic miniature pigs provide a valuable model for the study of factors affecting circadian rhythms in the absence of visual exposure to the light-dark cycle. This study investigated the growth and daily behavior patterns of Lee-Sung pigs with congenital anophthalmia. Growth in 5 Lee-Sung pigs (LSP) with congenital anophthalmia (LSP-A) and 10 normally developed pigs (LSP-N) was assessed when they were 1 through 6 mo old. Behavioral studies using digital video recording were completed in 6 sexually mature LSP (3 LSP-A and 3 LSP-N). MRI showed that LSP-A lose their vision because of a lack of retinal input and optic chiasm development. LSP-N and LSP-A did not differ in body weight or size at 2, 4, and 6 mo of age. Behavior and activity pattern studies showed that both LSP-A and LSP-N were active mainly during daylight, but LSP-A spent significantly more time exploring their environment during the day (28%) and night (10%) than did LSP-N. This study revealed that growth performance was similar between LSP-A and normal pigs, but their behavior and activity patterns differed. LSP-A showed circadian rhythm abnormalities similar to those in blind humans. This study provides basic data on LSP-A as a model for studying compensatory cross-modal brain plasticity and hormone regulation in the absence of retinal input is deficient and for understanding the role of circadian rhythm regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ten Ju
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Pan
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Jan Hsiao
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ju Yu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Huan Yu
- Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Hwa Chi
- Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Li Liu
- Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abhari S, Eisenback M, Kaplan HJ, Walters E, Prather RS, Scott PA. Anatomic Studies of the Miniature Swine Cornea. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 301:1955-1967. [PMID: 30288945 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The domestic swine eye resembles the human eye both anatomically and physiologically. Xenotransplantation of the swine cornea to humans in need of full keratoplasty shows promise as a potential therapeutic strategy to restore vision in individuals with advanced corneal disease, especially those residing in developing nations. That said, we characterized the morphology of corneas from miniature swine, which are smaller in size, easier to handle, and more cost-effective compared to domestic swine. Eyes (N = 15) were harvested from miniature swine from different age groups: 1 month (N = 3), 2 month (N = 3), 4 month (N = 3), 8 month (N = 3), as well as 24 month old adult domestic swine (N = 3). They were immediately submerged in fixative and processed for histological examination at the light and transmission electron microscopic level. Gross anatomic measurements of the cornea were significantly less (P value ≤ 0.05) in miniature swine versus domestic swine. Corneal strata exhibited morphological characteristics similar to the domestic swine cornea. Adult miniature swine corneas show similar overall corneal thickness at 8 months of age versus domestic swine. Miniature swine exhibit similar corneal morphology with the domestic pig and humans, with the exception of Bowman's layer, which is absent in pigs. Therefore, miniature pigs may be a useful resource of corneal tissue for humans in need of full keratoplasty, as well as serve as a large eye model for ophthalmology residents to develop surgical skills and for development and testing of ocular therapeutic strategies that translate to humans. Anat Rec, 301:1955-1967, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarag Abhari
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Michael Eisenback
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Eric Walters
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.,National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Randall S Prather
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri.,National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Patrick A Scott
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xie W, Zhao M, Tsai SH, Burkes WL, Potts LB, Xu W, Payne HR, Hein TW, Kuo L, Rosa RH. Correlation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography with histology and electron microscopy in the porcine retina. Exp Eye Res 2018; 177:181-190. [PMID: 30120928 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is used as a non-invasive tool for retinal morphological assessment in vivo. Information on the correlation of SD-OCT with retinal histology in the porcine retina, a model resembling the human retina, is limited. Herein, we correlated the hypo- and hyper-reflective bands on SD-OCT with histology of the lamellar architecture and cellular constituents of the porcine retina. SD-OCT images were acquired with the Heidelberg Spectralis HRA + OCT. Histological analysis was performed using epoxy resin embedded tissue and transmission electron microscopy. Photomicrographs from the histologic sections were linearly scaled to correct for tissue shrinkage and correlated with SD-OCT images. SD-OCT images correlated well with histomorphometric data. A hyper-reflective band in the mid-to-outer inner nuclear layer correlated with the presence of abundant mitochondria in horizontal cell processes and adjacent bipolar cells. A concentration of cone nuclei corresponded to a relative hypo-reflective band in the outer portion of the outer nuclear layer. The presence of 3 hyper-reflective bands in the outer retina corresponded to: 1) the external limiting membrane; 2) the cone and rod ellipsoid zones; and 3) the interdigitation zone of photoreceptor outer segments/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) apical cell processes and the RPE. These correlative and normative SD-OCT data may be employed to characterize and assess the in vivo histologic changes in retinal vascular and degenerative diseases and the responses to novel therapeutic interventions in this large animal model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wankun Xie
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program, Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program, Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Shu-Huai Tsai
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - William L Burkes
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Luke B Potts
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program, Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Wenjuan Xu
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - H Ross Payne
- Image Analysis Laboratory, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Travis W Hein
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program, Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Lih Kuo
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program, Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Robert H Rosa
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program, Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Scott PA, de Castro JPF, DeMarco PJ, Ross JW, Njoka J, Walters E, Prather RS, McCall MA, Kaplan HJ. Progression of Pro23His Retinopathy in a Miniature Swine Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2017; 6:4. [PMID: 28316877 PMCID: PMC5354474 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.6.2.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We characterize the progression of retinopathy in Filial 1 (F1) progeny of a transgenic (Tg) founder miniswine exhibiting severe Pro23His (P23H) retinopathy. Methods The F1 TgP23H miniswine progeny were created by crossing TgP23H founder miniswine 53-1 with wild type (WT) inbred miniature swine. Scotopic (rod-driven) and photopic (cone-driven) retinal functions were evaluated in F1 TgP23H and WT littermates using full field electroretinograms (ffERGs) at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months of age, as well as the Tg founder miniswine at 6 years of age. Miniswine were euthanized and their retinas processed for morphologic evaluation at the light and electron microscopic level. Retinal morphology of a 36-month-old Tg miniswine also was examined. Results Wild type littermates reached mature scotopic and photopic retinal function by 3 months, while TgP23H miniswine showed abnormal scotopic ffERGs at the earliest time point, 1 month, and depressed photopic ffERGs after 2 months. Rod and cone photoreceptors (PR) exhibited morphologic abnormalities and dropout from the outer nuclear layer at 1 month, with only a monolayer of cone PR somata remaining after 2 months. The retinas showed progressive neural remodeling of the outer retina that included dendritic retraction of rod bipolar cells and glial seal formation by Müller cells. The TgP23H founder miniswine showed cone PR with relatively intact morphology exclusive to the area centralis. Conclusions The F1 Tg miniswine and the TgP23H founder miniswine exhibit similar retinopathy. Translational Relevance TgP23H miniswine are a useful large-eye model to study pathogenesis and preservation cone PRs in humans with retinitis pigmentosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Scott
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Paul J DeMarco
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jason W Ross
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Josephat Njoka
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Eric Walters
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA ; Department of National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Randall S Prather
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA ; Department of National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Maureen A McCall
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang W, Lee SJ, Scott PA, Lu X, Emery D, Liu Y, Ezashi T, Roberts MR, Ross JW, Kaplan HJ, Dean DC. Two-Step Reactivation of Dormant Cones in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Cell Rep 2016; 15:372-85. [PMID: 27050517 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most retinitis pigmentosa (RP) mutations arise in rod photoreceptor genes, leading to diminished peripheral and nighttime vision. Using a pig model of autosomal-dominant RP, we show glucose becomes sequestered in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and, thus, is not transported to photoreceptors. The resulting starvation for glucose metabolites impairs synthesis of cone visual pigment-rich outer segments (OSs), and then their mitochondrial-rich inner segments dissociate. Loss of these functional structures diminishes cone-dependent high-resolution central vision, which is utilized for most daily tasks. By transplanting wild-type rods, to restore glucose transport, or directly replacing glucose in the subretinal space, to bypass its retention in the RPE, we can regenerate cone functional structures, reactivating the dormant cells. Beyond providing metabolic building blocks for cone functional structures, we show glucose induces thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) to regulate Akt signaling, thereby shunting metabolites toward aerobic glucose metabolism and regenerating cone OS synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Sang Joon Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Patrick A Scott
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Xiaoqin Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Douglas Emery
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Yongqin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Birth Defects Center, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Michael R Roberts
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jason W Ross
- Department of Animal Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Molecular Targets Program, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Birth Defects Center, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kostic C, Arsenijevic Y. Animal modelling for inherited central vision loss. J Pathol 2015; 238:300-10. [PMID: 26387748 PMCID: PMC5063185 DOI: 10.1002/path.4641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Disease-causing variants of a large number of genes trigger inherited retinal degeneration leading to photoreceptor loss. Because cones are essential for daylight and central vision such as reading, mobility, and face recognition, this review focuses on a variety of animal models for cone diseases. The pertinence of using these models to reveal genotype/phenotype correlations and to evaluate new therapeutic strategies is discussed. Interestingly, several large animal models recapitulate human diseases and can serve as a strong base from which to study the biology of disease and to assess the scale-up of new therapies. Examples of innovative approaches will be presented such as lentiviral-based transgenesis in pigs and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-gene transfer into the monkey eye to investigate the neural circuitry plasticity of the visual system. The models reported herein permit the exploration of common mechanisms that exist between different species and the identification and highlighting of pathways that may be specific to primates, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Kostic
- Unit of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Unit of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Biology, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Scott PA, Kaplan HJ, McCall MA. Prenatal Exposure to Curcumin Protects Rod Photoreceptors in a Transgenic Pro23His Swine Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2015; 4:5. [PMID: 26396931 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.4.5.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Rhodopsin localization and rod photoreceptor (PR) morphology is altered in embryonic transgenic (Tg) Pro23His (P23H) miniswine. At birth, the Tg P23H swine retina lacks rod driven signaling. Curcumin, a neuroprotective food additive, has been shown to rescue Tg P23H rat rod PRs and promote normal trafficking of rhodopsin. We tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to curcumin would prevent PR morphological changes in Tg P23H miniswine retinae. METHODS A domestic sow was inseminated with semen from a Tg P23H miniswine founder. Her daily diet was supplemented with curcumin (100 mg/Kg body weight) from embryonic (E) day 80 to E112. The same diet without curcumin was fed to a second inseminated control sow. At E112, 2 days before parturition, both sows were euthanized. Their embryos were harvested, genotyped, and their eyes enucleated and prepared for morphological evaluation. RESULTS In all pigs, we measured mean outer retinal thickness, localization of rhodopsin, and rod PR morphology. Curcumin-treated Tg P23H swine embryonic retinas were similar to WT. Untreated Tg P23H embryonic retinas show significant degenerative effects; their outer retina was thinner, rod PR morphology was abnormal, and rhodopsin was mislocalized to the outer nuclear layer (ONL). CONCLUSIONS These data support a role for curcumin as a neuroprotective agent that prevents/delays morphological abnormalities associated with rod PR degeneration in this Tg P23H swine model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE Curcumin, a Food and Drug Administration-approved dietary supplement, may arrest/delay PR degeneration if ingested by individuals at risk for developing RP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Scott
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Maureen A McCall
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Adekunle AN, Adkins A, Wang W, Kaplan HJ, de Castro JF, Lee SJ, Huie P, Palanker D, McCall M, Pardue MT. Integration of Perforated Subretinal Prostheses With Retinal Tissue. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2015; 4:5. [PMID: 26290776 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.4.4.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the integration of subretinal implants containing full-depth perforations of various widths with rat and pig retina across weeks of implantation. METHODS In transgenic P23H rhodopsin line 1 (TgP23H-1) rats and wild-type (WT) pigs, we examined four subretinal implant designs: solid inactive polymer arrays (IPA), IPAs with 5- or 10-μm wide perforations, and active bipolar photovoltaic arrays (bPVA) with 5-μm perforations. We surgically placed the implants into the subretinal space using an external approach in rats or a vitreoretinal approach in pigs. Implant placement in the subretinal space was verified with optical coherence tomography and retinal perfusion was characterized with fluorescein angiography. Rats were sacrificed 8 or 16 weeks post-implantation (wpi) and pigs 2, 4, or 8 wpi, and retinas evaluated at the light microscopic level. RESULTS Regardless of implant design, retinas of both species showed normal vasculature. In TgP23H-1 retinas implanted with 10-μm perforated IPAs, inner nuclear layer (INL) cells migrated through the perforations by 8 wpi, resulting in significant INL thinning by 16 wpi. Additionally, these retinas showed greater pseudo-rosette formation and fibrosis compared with retinas with solid or 5-μm perforated IPAs. TgP23H-1 retinas with bPVAs showed similar INL migration to retinas with 5-μm perforated IPAs, with less fibrosis and rosette formation. WT pig retina with perforated IPAs maintained photoreceptors, showed no migration, and less pseudo-rosette formation, but more fibrosis compared with implanted TgP23H-1 rat retinas. CONCLUSIONS In retinas with photoreceptor degeneration, solid implants, or those with 5-μm perforations lead to the best biocompatibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Adkins
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Sang Joon Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Ophthalmology, Kosin University, Busan, Korea
| | - Philip Huie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA ; Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Palanker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA ; Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Maureen McCall
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Machelle T Pardue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA ; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chapter 3 - Restoring Vision to the Blind: Gene Therapy for Vision Loss. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2014; 3:5. [PMID: 25653889 PMCID: PMC4314998 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.3.7.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
|
20
|
Abstract
The first transgenic pigs were generated for agricultural purposes about three decades ago. Since then, the micromanipulation techniques of pig oocytes and embryos expanded from pronuclear injection of foreign DNA to somatic cell nuclear transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection-mediated gene transfer, lentiviral transduction, and cytoplasmic injection. Mechanistically, the passive transgenesis approach based on random integration of foreign DNA was developed to active genetic engineering techniques based on the transient activity of ectopic enzymes, such as transposases, recombinases, and programmable nucleases. Whole-genome sequencing and annotation of advanced genome maps of the pig complemented these developments. The full implementation of these tools promises to immensely increase the efficiency and, in parallel, to reduce the costs for the generation of genetically engineered pigs. Today, the major application of genetically engineered pigs is found in the field of biomedical disease modeling. It is anticipated that genetically engineered pigs will increasingly be used in biomedical research, since this model shows several similarities to humans with regard to physiology, metabolism, genome organization, pathology, and aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Gün
- Department of Biotechnology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
- Molecular Biology & Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Histology and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Wilfried A. Kues
- Department of Biotechnology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chapter 2 - Restoring Vision to the Blind: Optogenetics. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2014; 3:4. [PMID: 25653888 PMCID: PMC4314991 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.3.7.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
|
22
|
Fernandez de Castro JP, Scott PA, Fransen JW, Demas J, DeMarco PJ, Kaplan HJ, McCall MA. Cone photoreceptors develop normally in the absence of functional rod photoreceptors in a transgenic swine model of retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:2460-8. [PMID: 24618325 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-13724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Human and swine retinas have morphological and functional similarities. In the absence of primate models, the swine is an attractive model to study retinal function and disease, with its cone-rich visual streak, our ability to manipulate their genome, and the differences in susceptibility of rod and cone photoreceptors to disease. We characterized the normal development of cone function and its subsequent decline in a P23H rhodopsin transgenic (TgP23H) miniswine model of autosomal dominant RP. METHODS Semen from TgP23H miniswine 53-1 inseminated domestic swine and produced TgP23H and Wt hybrid littermates. Retinal function was evaluated using ERGs between postnatal days (P) 14 and 120. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses were recorded to full-field stimuli at several intensities. Retinal morphology was assessed using light and electron microscopy. RESULTS Scotopic retinal function matures in Wt pigs up to P60, but never develops in TgP23H pigs. Wt and TgP23H photopic vision matures similarly up to P30 and diverges at P60 where TgP23H cone vision declines. There are fewer TgP23H RGCs with visually evoked responses at all ages and their response to light is compromised. Photoreceptor morphological changes mirror these functional changes. CONCLUSIONS Lack of early scotopic function in TgP23H swine suggests it as a model of an aggressive form of RP. In this mammalian model of RP, normal cone function develops independent of rod function. Therefore, its retina represents a system in which therapies to rescue cones can be developed to prolong photopic visual function in RP patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Fernandez de Castro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|