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Xue Y, Zhou Y, Cepko CL. Txnip deletions and missense alleles prolong the survival of cones in a retinitis pigmentosa mouse model. eLife 2024; 12:RP90749. [PMID: 38727583 PMCID: PMC11087050 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease in which there is a loss of cone-mediated daylight vision. As there are >100 disease genes, our goal is to preserve cone vision in a disease gene-agnostic manner. Previously we showed that overexpressing TXNIP, an α-arrestin protein, prolonged cone vision in RP mouse models, using an AAV to express it only in cones. Here, we expressed different alleles of Txnip in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a support layer for cones. Our goal was to learn more of TXNIP's structure-function relationships for cone survival, as well as determine the optimal cell type expression pattern for cone survival. The C-terminal half of TXNIP was found to be sufficient to remove GLUT1 from the cell surface, and improved RP cone survival, when expressed in the RPE, but not in cones. Knock-down of HSP90AB1, a TXNIP-interactor which regulates metabolism, improved the survival of cones alone and was additive for cone survival when combined with TXNIP. From these and other results, it is likely that TXNIP interacts with several proteins in the RPE to indirectly support cone survival, with some of these interactions different from those that lead to cone survival when expressed only in cones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlu Xue
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Lingang LaboratoryShanghaiChina
| | - Yimin Zhou
- Lingang LaboratoryShanghaiChina
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteBostonUnited States
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2
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Xue Y, Zhou Y, Cepko CL. Txnip deletions and missense alleles prolong the survival of cones in a retinitis pigmentosa mouse model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.03.551766. [PMID: 38370727 PMCID: PMC10871187 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a prevalent inherited retinal degenerative disease worldwide, affecting 1 in 4,000 people. The disease is characterized by an initial loss of night vision followed by a loss of daylight and color vision. Many of the RP disease genes are expressed in the rod photoreceptors, the cell type that initiates dim light vision. Following loss of rods, the cone photoreceptors, which initiate daylight vision, also are affected and can die leading to total loss of vision. The reasons for loss of cone vision are not entirely clear, but appear to be due to loss of the rods. Previously we showed that overexpressing Txnip, an α-arrestin protein, in mouse models of RP using AAV gene therapy prolonged the survival of RP cones (Xue et al., 2021). At least part of the mechanism for cone survival was a switch in the fuel source, from glucose to lactate. In addition, the mitochondria of cones were both morphologically and functionally improved by delivery of Txnip. We have gone on to test several alleles of Txnip for the ability to prolong cone survival in rd1, a mouse model of RP. In addition, proteins that bind to Txnip and/or have homology to Txnip were tested. Five different deletion alleles of Txnip were expressed in cones or the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). Here we show that the C-terminal half of Txnip (149-397aa) is sufficient to remove GLUT1 from the RPE cell surface, and improved rd1 cone survival when expressed specifically in the RPE. Overexpressing Arrdc4, an α-arrestin that shares 60% similar protein sequence to Txnip, reduced rd1 cone survival. Reduction of the expression of HSP90AB1, a protein that interacts with Txnip and regulates metabolism, improved the survival of rd1 cones alone and was additive for cone survival when combined with Txnip. However, full length Txnip with a single amino acid change, C247S, as we tested in our original study, remains the most highly efficacious form of the gene for cone rescue. The above observations suggest that only a subset of the hypothesized and known activities of Txnip play a role in promoting RP cone survival, and that the activities of Txnip in the RPE differ from those in cone photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlu Xue
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China, 200031
| | - Yimin Zhou
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China, 200031
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China, 201210
| | - Constance L. Cepko
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115
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3
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Mokady D, Charish J, Barretto-Burns P, Grisé KN, Coles BLK, Raab S, Ortin-Martinez A, Müller A, Fasching B, Jain P, Drukker M, van der Kooy D, Steger M. Small-Molecule-Directed Endogenous Regeneration of Visual Function in a Mammalian Retinal Degeneration Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1521. [PMID: 38338800 PMCID: PMC10855388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Degenerative retinal diseases associated with photoreceptor loss are a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, with limited treatment options. Phenotypic profiling coupled with medicinal chemistry were used to develop a small molecule with proliferative effects on retinal stem/progenitor cells, as assessed in vitro in a neurosphere assay and in vivo by measuring Msx1-positive ciliary body cell proliferation. The compound was identified as having kinase inhibitory activity and was subjected to cellular pathway analysis in non-retinal human primary cell systems. When tested in a disease-relevant murine model of adult retinal degeneration (MNU-induced retinal degeneration), we observed that four repeat intravitreal injections of the compound improved the thickness of the outer nuclear layer along with the regeneration of the visual function, as measured with ERG, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity tests. This serves as a proof of concept for the use of a small molecule to promote endogenous regeneration in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphna Mokady
- Endogena Therapeutics, Inc., 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 0B7, Canada (P.B.-B.)
| | - Jason Charish
- Endogena Therapeutics, Inc., 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 0B7, Canada (P.B.-B.)
| | | | - Kenneth N. Grisé
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre Rm 1110, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Brenda L. K. Coles
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre Rm 1110, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Susanne Raab
- Endogena Therapeutics, AG, Binzmuehlestrasse 170 d, CH-8050 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Arturo Ortin-Martinez
- Endogena Therapeutics, Inc., 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 0B7, Canada (P.B.-B.)
| | - Alex Müller
- Endogena Therapeutics, AG, Binzmuehlestrasse 170 d, CH-8050 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Fasching
- Endogena Therapeutics, AG, Binzmuehlestrasse 170 d, CH-8050 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Payal Jain
- Endogena Therapeutics, Inc., 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 0B7, Canada (P.B.-B.)
| | - Micha Drukker
- Endogena Therapeutics, AG, Binzmuehlestrasse 170 d, CH-8050 Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Derek van der Kooy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre Rm 1110, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Matthias Steger
- Endogena Therapeutics, AG, Binzmuehlestrasse 170 d, CH-8050 Zuerich, Switzerland
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4
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Lee EJ, Zheng M, Craft CM, Jeong S. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) are localized in the nucleus of retinal Müller glial cells and modulated by cytokines and oxidative stress. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253915. [PMID: 34270579 PMCID: PMC8284794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the pathology of numerous inflammatory retinal degenerations, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Our previous work revealed that intravitreal injections with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) reduce the progression of rod cell death and inhibit cone cell remodeling that involves reactive gliosis in retinal Müller glial cells (MGCs) in rodent models. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of how TIMP-1 functions in the retina remain to be resolved; however, MGCs are involved in structural homeostasis, neuronal cell survival and death. In the present study, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression patterns were investigated in a human MGC line (MIO-M1) under inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and TNF-α) and oxidative stress (H2O2) conditions. First, both IL-1β and TNF-α, but not H2O2, have a mild in vitro pro-survival effect on MIO-M1 cells. Treatment with either cytokine results in the imbalanced secretion of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. H2O2 treatment has little effect on their secretion. The investigation of their intracellular expression led to interesting observations. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 are both expressed, not only in the cytoplasm, but also inside the nucleus. None of the treatments alters the MMP-9 intracellular distribution pattern. In contrast to MMP-9, TIMP-1 is detected as speckles. Intracellular TIMP-1 aggregation forms in the cytoplasmic area with IL-1β treatment. With H2O2 treatments, the cell morphology changes from cobbles to spindle shapes and the nuclei become larger with increases in TIMP-1 speckles in an H2O2 dose-dependent manner. Two TIMP-1 cell surface receptors, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1) and cluster of differentiation 82 (CD82), are expressed within the nucleus of MIO-M1 cells. Overall, these observations suggest that intracellular TIMP-1 is a target of proinflammatory and oxidative insults in the MGCs. Given the importance of the roles for MGCs in the retina, the functional implication of nuclear TIMP-1 and MMP-9 in MGCs is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jin Lee
- Mary D. Allen Vision Research Laboratory, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | - Mengmei Zheng
- Mary D. Allen Vision Research Laboratory, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- Mary D. Allen Vision Research Laboratory, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Shinwu Jeong
- Mary D. Allen Vision Research Laboratory, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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5
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Di Pierdomenico J, Martínez-Vacas A, Hernández-Muñoz D, Gómez-Ramírez AM, Valiente-Soriano FJ, Agudo-Barriuso M, Vidal-Sanz M, Villegas-Pérez MP, García-Ayuso D. Coordinated Intervention of Microglial and Müller Cells in Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:47. [PMID: 32232352 PMCID: PMC7401701 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.3.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To analyze the role of microglial and Müller cells in the formation of rings of photoreceptor degeneration caused by phototoxicity. Methods Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to light and processed 1, 2, or 3 months later. Retinas were dissected as whole-mounts, immunodetected for microglial cells, Müller cells, and S- and L/M-cones and analyzed using fluorescence, thunder imaging, and confocal microscopy. Cone populations were automatically counted and isodensity maps constructed to document cone topography. Results Phototoxicity causes a significant progressive loss of S- and L/M-cones of up to 68% and 44%, respectively, at 3 months after light exposure (ALE). One month ALE, we observed rings of cone degeneration in the photosensitive area of the superior retina. Two and 3 months ALE, these rings had extended to the central and inferior retina. Within the rings of cone degeneration, there were degenerating cones, often activated microglial cells, and numerous radially oriented processes of Müller cells that showed increased expression of intermediate filaments. Between 1 and 3 months ALE, the rings coalesced, and at the same time the microglial cells resumed a mosaic-like distribution, and there was a decrease of Müller cell gliosis at the areas devoid of cones. Conclusions Light-induced photoreceptor degeneration proceeds with rings of cone degeneration, as observed in inherited retinal degenerations in which cone death is secondary to rod degeneration. The spatiotemporal relationship of cone death microglial cell activation and Müller cell gliosis within the rings of cone degeneration suggests that, although both glial cells are involved in the formation of the rings, they may have coordinated actions and, while microglial cells may be more involved in photoreceptor phagocytosis, Müller cells may be more involved in cone and microglial cell migration, retinal remodeling and glial seal formation.
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6
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Chaudhary R, Scott RAH, Wallace G, Berry M, Logan A, Blanch RJ. Inflammatory and Fibrogenic Factors in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Development. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:23. [PMID: 32742753 PMCID: PMC7357815 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.3.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) occurs in 5%-10% of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment cases and is the principle cause for failure of retinal reattachment surgery. Although there are a number of surgical adjunctive agents available for preventing the development of PVR, all have limited efficacy. Discovering predictive molecular biomarkers to determine the probability of PVR development after retinal reattachment surgery will allow better patient stratification for more targeted drug evaluations. Methods Narrative literature review. Results We provide a summary of the inflammatory and fibrogenic factors found in ocular fluid samples during the development of retinal detachment and PVR and discuss their possible use as molecular PVR predictive biomarkers. Conclusions Studies monitoring the levels of the above factors have found that few if any have predictive biomarker value, suggesting that widening the phenotype of potential factors and a combinatorial approach are required to determine predictive biomarkers for PVR. Translational Relevance The identification of relevant biomarkers relies on an understanding of disease signaling pathways derived from basic science research. We discuss the extent to which those molecules identified as biomarkers and predictors of PVR relate to disease pathogenesis and could function as useful disease predictors. (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ number, UMIN000005604).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishika Chaudhary
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK.,Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Graham Wallace
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Martin Berry
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ann Logan
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard J Blanch
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.,Academic Unit of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
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7
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Kim HS, Vargas A, Eom YS, Li J, Yamamoto KL, Craft CM, Lee EJ. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 enhances rod survival in the rd1 mouse retina. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197322. [PMID: 29742163 PMCID: PMC5942829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an inherited retinal degenerative disease, is characterized by a progressive loss of rod photoreceptors followed by loss of cone photoreceptors. Previously, when tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), a key extracellular matrix (ECM) regulator that binds to and inhibits activation of Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) was intravitreal injected into eyes of a transgenic rhodopsin rat model of RP, S334ter-line3, we discovered cone outer segments are partially protected. In parallel, we reported that a specific MMP9 and MMP2 inhibitor, SB-3CT, interferes with mechanisms leading to rod photoreceptor cell death in an MMP9 dependent manner. Here, we extend our initial rat studies to examine the potential of TIMP1 as a treatment in retinal degeneration by investigating neuroprotective effects in a classic mouse retinal degeneration model, rdPde6b-/- (rd1). The results clearly demonstrate that intravitreal injections of TIMP1 produce extended protection to delay rod photoreceptor cell death. The mean total number of rods in whole-mount retinas was significantly greater in TIMP-treated rd1 retinas (postnatal (P) 30, P35 (P<0.0001) and P45 (P<0.05) than in saline-treated rd1 retinas. In contrast, SB-3CT did not delay rod cell death, leading us to further investigate alternative pathways that do not involve MMPs. In addition to inducing phosphorylated ERK1/2, TIMP1 significantly reduces BAX activity and delays attenuation of the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Physiological responses using scotopic electroretinograms (ERG) reveal b-wave amplitudes from TIMP1-treated retinas are significantly greater than from saline-treated rd1 retinas (P<0.05). In later degenerative stages of rd1 retinas, photopic b-wave amplitudes from TIMP1-treated rd1 retinas are significantly larger than from saline-treated rd1 retinas (P<0.05). Our findings demonstrate that TIMP1 delays photoreceptor cell death. Furthermore, this study provides new insights into how TIMP1 works in the mouse animal model of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwa Sun Kim
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew Vargas
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yun Sung Eom
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Justin Li
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kyra L. Yamamoto
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- MDA Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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8
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LaVail MM, Nishikawa S, Steinberg RH, Naash MI, Duncan JL, Trautmann N, Matthes MT, Yasumura D, Lau-Villacorta C, Chen J, Peterson WM, Yang H, Flannery JG. Phenotypic characterization of P23H and S334ter rhodopsin transgenic rat models of inherited retinal degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2018; 167:56-90. [PMID: 29122605 PMCID: PMC5811379 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We produced 8 lines of transgenic (Tg) rats expressing one of two different rhodopsin mutations in albino Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Three lines were generated with a proline to histidine substitution at codon 23 (P23H), the most common autosomal dominant form of retinitis pigmentosa in the United States. Five lines were generated with a termination codon at position 334 (S334ter), resulting in a C-terminal truncated opsin protein lacking the last 15 amino acid residues and containing all of the phosphorylation sites involved in rhodopsin deactivation, as well as the terminal QVAPA residues important for rhodopsin deactivation and trafficking. The rates of photoreceptor (PR) degeneration in these models vary in proportion to the ratio of mutant to wild-type rhodopsin. The models have been widely studied, but many aspects of their phenotypes have not been described. Here we present a comprehensive study of the 8 Tg lines, including the time course of PR degeneration from the onset to one year of age, retinal structure by light and electron microscopy (EM), hemispheric asymmetry and gradients of rod and cone degeneration, rhodopsin content, gene dosage effect, rapid activation and invasion of the outer retina by presumptive microglia, rod outer segment disc shedding and phagocytosis by the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), and retinal function by the electroretinogram (ERG). The biphasic nature of PR cell death was noted, as was the lack of an injury-induced protective response in the rat models. EM analysis revealed the accumulation of submicron vesicular structures in the interphotoreceptor space during the peak period of PR outer segment degeneration in the S334ter lines. This is likely due to the elimination of the trafficking consensus domain as seen before as with other rhodopsin mutants lacking the C-terminal QVAPA. The 8 rhodopsin Tg lines have been, and will continue to be, extremely useful models for the experimental study of inherited retinal degenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M LaVail
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Shimpei Nishikawa
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Roy H Steinberg
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd., Room 2011, Houston, TX 77204-5060, USA.
| | - Jacque L Duncan
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Nikolaus Trautmann
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Michael T Matthes
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Douglas Yasumura
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA
| | - Cathy Lau-Villacorta
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Jeannie Chen
- Zilka Neurogenetic Institute, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2821, USA.
| | - Ward M Peterson
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - Haidong Yang
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0730, USA.
| | - John G Flannery
- School of Optometry, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-2020, USA.
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9
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Protective effect of clusterin on rod photoreceptor in rat model of retinitis pigmentosa. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182389. [PMID: 28767729 PMCID: PMC5540409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) begins with the death of rod photoreceptors and is slowly followed by a gradual loss of cones and a rearrangement of the remaining retinal neurons. Clusterin is a chaperone protein that protects cells and is involved in various pathophysiological stresses, including retinal degeneration. Using a well-established transgenic rat model of RP (rhodopsin S334ter), we investigated the effects of clusterin on rod photoreceptor survival. To investigate the role of clusterin in S334ter-line3 retinas, Voronoi analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the geometry of rod distribution. Additionally, immunoblot analysis, Bax activation, STAT3 and Akt phosphorylation were used to evaluate the pathway involved in rod cell protection. In this study, clusterin (10μg/ml) intravitreal treatment produced robust preservation of rod photoreceptors in S334ter-line3 retina. The mean number of rods in 1mm2 was significantly greater in clusterin injected RP retinas (postnatal (P) 30, P45, P60, & P75) than in age-matched saline injected RP retinas (P<0.01). Clusterin activated Akt, STAT3 and significantly reduced Bax activity; in addition to inducing phosphorylated STAT3 in Müller cells, which suggests it may indirectly acts on photoreceptors. Thus, clusterin treatment may interferes with mechanisms leading to rod death by suppressing cell death through activation of Akt and STAT3, followed by Bax suppression. Novel insights into the pathway of how clusterin promotes the rod cell survival suggest this treatment may be a potential therapeutic strategy to slow progression of vision loss in human RP.
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10
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Shin JA, Kim HS, Vargas A, Yu WQ, Eom YS, Craft CM, Lee EJ. Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Enhances Rod Survival in the S334ter-line3 Retinitis Pigmentosa Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167102. [PMID: 27893855 PMCID: PMC5125676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common forms of inherited visual loss with the initial degeneration of rod photoreceptors, followed by a progressive cone photoreceptor deterioration. Coinciding with this visual loss, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is reorganized, which alters matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity levels. A potential pathological role of MMPs, MMP-9 in particular, involves an excitotoxicity-mediated physiological response. In the current study, we examine the MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression levels in the rhodopsin S334ter-line3 RP rat model and investigate the impact of treatment with SB-3CT, a specific MMP-9 and MMP-2 inhibitor, on rod cell survival was tested. Retinal MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression levels were quantified by immunoblot analysis from S334ter-line3 rats compared to controls. Gelatinolytic activities of MMP-9 and MMP-2 by zymography were examined. The geometry of rod death was further evaluated using Voronoi analysis. Our results revealed that MMP-9 was elevated while MMP-2 was relatively unchanged when S334ter-line 3 retinas were compared to controls. With SB-3CT treatment, we observed gelatinolytic activity of both MMPs was decreased and diminished clustering associated with rod death, in addition to a robust preservation of rod photoreceptors. These results demonstrate that up-regulation of MMP-9 in retinas of S334ter-line3 are associated with rod death. The application of SB-3CT dramatically interferes with mechanisms leading to apoptosis in an MMP-9-dependent manner. Future studies will determine the feasibility of using SB-3CT as a potential therapeutic strategy to slow progression of vision loss in genetic inherited forms of human RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-A Shin
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Sun Kim
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew Vargas
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Wan-Qing Yu
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Yun Sung Eom
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Yu WQ, Eom YS, Shin JA, Nair D, Grzywacz SXZ, Grzywacz NM, Craft CM, Lee EJ. Reshaping the Cone-Mosaic in a Rat Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa: Modulatory Role of ZO-1 Expression in DL-Alpha-Aminoadipic Acid Reshaping. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151668. [PMID: 26977812 PMCID: PMC4792433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In S334ter-line-3 rat model of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), rod cell death induces the rearrangement of cones into mosaics of rings while the fibrotic processes of Müller cells remodel to fill the center of the rings. In contrast, previous work established that DL-alpha-aminoadipic-acid (AAA), a compound that transiently blocks Müller cell metabolism, abolishes these highly structured cone rings. Simultaneously, adherens-junction associated protein, Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression forms in a network between the photoreceptor segments and Müller cells processes. Thus, we hypothesized that AAA treatment alters the cone mosaic rings by disrupting the distal sealing formed by these fibrotic processes, either directly or indirectly, by down regulating the expression of ZO-1. Therefore, we examined these processes and ZO-1 expression at the outer retina after intravitreal injection of AAA and observed that AAA treatment transiently disrupts the distal glial sealing in RP retina, plus induces cones in rings to become more homogeneous. Moreover, ZO-1 expression is actively suppressed after 3 days of AAA treatment, which coincided with cone ring disruption. Similar modifications of glial sealing and cone distribution were observed after injection of siRNA to inhibit ZO-1 expression. These findings support our hypothesis and provide additional information about the critical role played by ZO-1 in glial sealing and shaping the ring mosaic in RP retina. These studies represent important advancements in the understanding of retinal degeneration's etiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Qing Yu
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Yun Sung Eom
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jung-A Shin
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Divya Nair
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Sara X. Z. Grzywacz
- Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Norberto M. Grzywacz
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., United States of America
- Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., United States of America
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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12
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Fernández-Sánchez L, Lax P, Campello L, Pinilla I, Cuenca N. Astrocytes and Müller Cell Alterations During Retinal Degeneration in a Transgenic Rat Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:484. [PMID: 26733810 PMCID: PMC4686678 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa includes a group of progressive retinal degenerative diseases that affect the structure and function of photoreceptors. Secondarily to the loss of photoreceptors, there is a reduction in retinal vascularization, which seems to influence the cellular degenerative process. Retinal macroglial cells, astrocytes, and Müller cells provide support for retinal neurons and are fundamental for maintaining normal retinal function. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of macroglial changes during retinal degeneration in P23H rats. Methods: Homozygous P23H line-3 rats aged from P18 to 18 months were used to study the evolution of the disease, and SD rats were used as controls. Immunolabeling with antibodies against GFAP, vimentin, and transducin were used to visualize macroglial cells and cone photoreceptors. Results: In P23H rats, increased GFAP labeling in Müller cells was observed as an early indicator of retinal gliosis. At 4 and 12 months of age, the apical processes of Müller cells in P23H rats clustered in firework-like structures, which were associated with ring-like shaped areas of cone degeneration in the outer nuclear layer. These structures were not observed at 16 months of age. The number of astrocytes was higher in P23H rats than in the SD matched controls at 4 and 12 months of age, supporting the idea of astrocyte proliferation. As the disease progressed, astrocytes exhibited a deteriorated morphology and marked hypertrophy. The increase in the complexity of the astrocytic processes correlated with greater connexin 43 expression and higher density of connexin 43 immunoreactive puncta within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of P23H vs. SD rat retinas. Conclusions: In the P23H rat model of retinitis pigmentosa, the loss of photoreceptors triggers major changes in the number and morphology of glial cells affecting the inner retina.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aragon Institute for Health Research, Lozano Blesa University Hospital Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of AlicanteAlicante, Spain; Institute Ramón Margalef, University of AlicanteAlicante, Spain
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13
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Shin JA, Eom YS, Yu WQ, Grzywacz NM, Craft CM, Lee EJ. TIMP-1 affects the spatial distribution of dendritic processes of second-order neurons in a rat model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res 2015; 140:41-52. [PMID: 26277580 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited disorder that may lead to blindness. In the rhodopsin S334ter-line-3 rat model of RP, the death of rods induces spatial rearrangement of cones into regular ring mosaics. Using this model, we discovered that the ring mosaics are restored to a homogeneous distribution upon application of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). In this study, we further investigated the cone migration and spatial distribution of second-order neurons and their connections to cones in the presence or absence of TIMP-1 using immunohistochemistry to identify retinal neurons and their connections with cones. M-opsin cell bodies and their outer segments were evaluated to determine whether TIMP-1 delays the degeneration of outer segments of cones. We observed that during cone rearrangement into ring mosaics in RP retina, dendritic processes of second-order neurons undergo remodeling to maintain their synaptic connections with the cones in the rings. TIMP-1 treatment induced the cones to rearrange and dendritic processes of second-order neurons to return to a more homogeneous spatial distribution. In addition, TIMP-1 treatment protected the outer segments of cones at later stages of retinal degeneration. Our findings clearly demonstrate that despite their dramatic spatial rearrangement, cones and second-order neuron processes maintain their synaptic connections before and after TIMP-1 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-A Shin
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 158-710, South Korea
| | - Yun Sung Eom
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wan-Qing Yu
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Norberto M Grzywacz
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington D.C, USA; Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington D.C, USA
| | - Cheryl Mae Craft
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Department of Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- Mary D. Allen Laboratory for Vision Research, USC Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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