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Engfer ZJ, Lewandowski D, Dong Z, Palczewska G, Zhang J, Kordecka K, Płaczkiewicz J, Panas D, Foik AT, Tabaka M, Palczewski K. Distinct mouse models of Stargardt disease display differences in pharmacological targeting of ceramides and inflammatory responses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2314698120. [PMID: 38064509 PMCID: PMC10723050 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314698120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in many visual cycle enzymes in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can lead to the chronic accumulation of toxic retinoid byproducts, which poison photoreceptors and the underlying RPE if left unchecked. Without a functional ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (ABCA4), there is an elevation of all-trans-retinal and prolonged buildup of all-trans-retinal adducts, resulting in a retinal degenerative disease known as Stargardt-1 disease. Even in this monogenic disorder, there is significant heterogeneity in the time to onset of symptoms among patients. Using a combination of molecular techniques, we studied Abca4 knockout (simulating human noncoding disease variants) and Abca4 knock-in mice (simulating human misfolded, catalytically inactive protein variants), which serve as models for Stargardt-1 disease. We compared the two strains to ascertain whether they exhibit differential responses to agents that affect cytokine signaling and/or ceramide metabolism, as alterations in either of these pathways can exacerbate retinal degenerative phenotypes. We found different degrees of responsiveness to maraviroc, a known immunomodulatory CCR5 antagonist, and to the ceramide-lowering agent AdipoRon, an agonist of the ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 receptors. The two strains also display different degrees of transcriptional deviation from matched WT controls. Our phenotypic comparison of the two distinct Abca4 mutant-mouse models sheds light on potential therapeutic avenues previously unexplored in the treatment of Stargardt disease and provides a surrogate assay for assessing the effectiveness for genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J. Engfer
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
| | - Dominik Lewandowski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
| | - Zhiqian Dong
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
| | - Grazyna Palczewska
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
| | - Katarzyna Kordecka
- Ophthalmic Biology Group, International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw01-224, Poland
| | - Jagoda Płaczkiewicz
- Ophthalmic Biology Group, International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw01-224, Poland
| | - Damian Panas
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw01-224, Poland
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw01-224, Poland
| | - Andrzej T. Foik
- Ophthalmic Biology Group, International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw01-224, Poland
| | - Marcin Tabaka
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw01-224, Poland
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw01-224, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
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Li J, Yang R, Yang H, Chen S, Wang L, Li M, Yang S, Feng Z, Bi J. NCAM regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, EMT, and migration of human melanoma cells via the Src/Akt/mTOR/cofilin signaling pathway. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:1192-1204. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Rui Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Haijie Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Sujuan Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Man Li
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Shaokui Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Zhiwei Feng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
| | - Jiajia Bi
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang Henan China
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Chakravarthy H, Devanathan V. Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Diabetic Retinal Neurodegeneration: Potential Research Avenues and Therapeutic Targets. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 66:445-461. [PMID: 30293228 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1188-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a devastating complication of diabetes with a prevalence rate of 35%, and no effective treatment options. Since the most visible clinical features of DR are microvascular irregularities, therapeutic interventions often attempt to reduce microvascular injury, but only after permanent retinal damage has ensued. However, recent data suggests that diabetes initially affects retinal neurons, leading to neurodegeneration as an early occurrence in DR, before onset of the more noticeable vascular abnormalities. In this review, we delineate the sequence of initiating events leading to retinal degeneration in DR, considering neuronal dysfunction as a primary event. Key molecular mechanisms and potential biomarkers associated with retinal neuronal degeneration in diabetes are discussed. In addition to glial reactivity and inflammation in the diabetic retina, the contribution of neurotrophic factors, cell adhesion molecules, apoptosis markers, and G protein signaling to neurodegenerative pathways warrants further investigation. These studies could complement recent developments in innovative treatment strategies for diabetic retinopathy, such as targeting retinal neuroprotection, promoting neuronal regeneration, and attempts to re-program other retinal cell types into functional neurons. Indeed, several ongoing clinical trials are currently attempting treatment of retinal neurodegeneration by means of such novel therapeutic avenues. The aim of this article is to highlight the crucial role of neurodegeneration in early retinopathy progression, and to review the molecular basis of neuronal dysfunction as a first step toward developing early therapeutic interventions that can prevent permanent retinal damage in diabetes. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02471651, NCT01492400.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshini Chakravarthy
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Transit campus: C/o. Sree Rama Engineering College Campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India
| | - Vasudharani Devanathan
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Transit campus: C/o. Sree Rama Engineering College Campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati, 517507, India.
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