1
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DiCesare SM, Ortega AJ, Collier GE, Daniel S, Thompson KN, McCoy MK, Posner BA, Hulleman JD. GSK3 inhibition reduces ECM production and prevents age-related macular degeneration-like pathology. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e178050. [PMID: 39114980 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.178050] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Malattia Leventinese/Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (ML/DHRD) is an age-related macular degeneration-like (AMD-like) retinal dystrophy caused by an autosomal dominant R345W mutation in the secreted glycoprotein, fibulin-3 (F3). To identify new small molecules that reduce F3 production in retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells, we knocked-in a luminescent peptide tag (HiBiT) into the endogenous F3 locus that enabled simple, sensitive, and high-throughput detection of the protein. The GSK3 inhibitor, CHIR99021 (CHIR), significantly reduced F3 burden (expression, secretion, and intracellular levels) in immortalized RPE and non-RPE cells. Low-level, long-term CHIR treatment promoted remodeling of the RPE extracellular matrix, reducing sub-RPE deposit-associated proteins (e.g., amelotin, complement component 3, collagen IV, and fibronectin), while increasing RPE differentiation factors (e.g., tyrosinase, and pigment epithelium-derived factor). In vivo, treatment of 8-month-old R345W+/+ knockin mice with CHIR (25 mg/kg i.p., 1 mo) was well tolerated and significantly reduced R345W F3-associated AMD-like basal laminar deposit number and size, thereby preventing the main pathological feature in these mice. This is an important demonstration of small molecule-based prevention of AMD-like pathology in ML/DHRD mice and may herald a rejuvenation of interest in GSK3 inhibition for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases, including potentially AMD itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M DiCesare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Antonio J Ortega
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gracen E Collier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Steffi Daniel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Krista N Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa K McCoy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Bruce A Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - John D Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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2
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Georgiou M, Robson AG, Fujinami K, de Guimarães TAC, Fujinami-Yokokawa Y, Daich Varela M, Pontikos N, Kalitzeos A, Mahroo OA, Webster AR, Michaelides M. Phenotyping and genotyping inherited retinal diseases: Molecular genetics, clinical and imaging features, and therapeutics of macular dystrophies, cone and cone-rod dystrophies, rod-cone dystrophies, Leber congenital amaurosis, and cone dysfunction syndromes. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101244. [PMID: 38278208 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101244] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a leading cause of blindness in the working age population and in children. The scope of this review is to familiarise clinicians and scientists with the current landscape of molecular genetics, clinical phenotype, retinal imaging and therapeutic prospects/completed trials in IRD. Herein we present in a comprehensive and concise manner: (i) macular dystrophies (Stargardt disease (ABCA4), X-linked retinoschisis (RS1), Best disease (BEST1), PRPH2-associated pattern dystrophy, Sorsby fundus dystrophy (TIMP3), and autosomal dominant drusen (EFEMP1)), (ii) cone and cone-rod dystrophies (GUCA1A, PRPH2, ABCA4, KCNV2 and RPGR), (iii) predominant rod or rod-cone dystrophies (retinitis pigmentosa, enhanced S-Cone syndrome (NR2E3), Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (CYP4V2)), (iv) Leber congenital amaurosis/early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (GUCY2D, CEP290, CRB1, RDH12, RPE65, TULP1, AIPL1 and NMNAT1), (v) cone dysfunction syndromes (achromatopsia (CNGA3, CNGB3, PDE6C, PDE6H, GNAT2, ATF6), X-linked cone dysfunction with myopia and dichromacy (Bornholm Eye disease; OPN1LW/OPN1MW array), oligocone trichromacy, and blue-cone monochromatism (OPN1LW/OPN1MW array)). Whilst we use the aforementioned classical phenotypic groupings, a key feature of IRD is that it is characterised by tremendous heterogeneity and variable expressivity, with several of the above genes associated with a range of phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Georgiou
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Anthony G Robson
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Thales A C de Guimarães
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Yu Fujinami-Yokokawa
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Malena Daich Varela
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Angelos Kalitzeos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Section of Ophthalmology, King s College London, St Thomas Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Translational Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Andrew R Webster
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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3
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Becker S, L'Ecuyer Z, Jones BW, Zouache MA, McDonnell FS, Vinberg F. Modeling complex age-related eye disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101247. [PMID: 38365085 PMCID: PMC11268458 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101247] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Modeling complex eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma poses significant challenges, since these conditions depend highly on age-related changes that occur over several decades, with many contributing factors remaining unknown. Although both diseases exhibit a relatively high heritability of >50%, a large proportion of individuals carrying AMD- or glaucoma-associated genetic risk variants will never develop these diseases. Furthermore, several environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to and modulate the pathogenesis and progression of AMD and glaucoma. Several strategies replicate the impact of genetic risk variants, pathobiological pathways and environmental and lifestyle factors in AMD and glaucoma in mice and other species. In this review we will primarily discuss the most commonly available mouse models, which have and will likely continue to improve our understanding of the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases. Uncertainties persist whether small animal models can truly recapitulate disease progression and vision loss in patients, raising doubts regarding their usefulness when testing novel gene or drug therapies. We will elaborate on concerns that relate to shorter lifespan, body size and allometries, lack of macula and a true lamina cribrosa, as well as absence and sequence disparities of certain genes and differences in their chromosomal location in mice. Since biological, rather than chronological, age likely predisposes an organism for both glaucoma and AMD, more rapidly aging organisms like small rodents may open up possibilities that will make research of these diseases more timely and financially feasible. On the other hand, due to the above-mentioned anatomical and physiological features, as well as pharmacokinetic and -dynamic differences small animal models are not ideal to study the natural progression of vision loss or the efficacy and safety of novel therapies. In this context, we will also discuss the advantages and pitfalls of alternative models that include larger species, such as non-human primates and rabbits, patient-derived retinal organoids, and human organ donor eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Becker
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Zia L'Ecuyer
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bryan W Jones
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Moussa A Zouache
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Fiona S McDonnell
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Frans Vinberg
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Tan J, Cai S, Luo X, Li Q, Chen Y, Chen Z, Mao Y, Liu G, Yang M, Liu X. Stop codon variant in EFEMP1 is associated with primary open-angle glaucoma due to impaired regulation of aqueous humor outflow. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109859. [PMID: 38467175 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109859] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
It is known that the actin cytoskeleton and its associated cellular interactions in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and juxtacanalicular tissues mainly contribute to the formation of resistance to aqueous outflow of the eye. Fibulin-3, encoded by EFEMP1 gene, has a role in extracellular matrix (ECM) modulation, and interacts with enzymatic ECM regulators, but the effects of fibulin-3 on TM cells has not been explored. Here, we report a stop codon variant (c.T1480C, p.X494Q) of EFEMP1 that co-segregates with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a Chinese pedigree. In the human TM cells, overexpression of wild-type fibulin-3 reduced intracellular actin stress fibers formation and the extracellular fibronectin levels by inhibiting Rho/ROCK signaling. TGFβ1 up-regulated fibulin-3 protein levels in human TM cells by activating Rho/ROCK signaling. In rat eyes, overexpression of wild-type fibulin-3 decreased the intraocular pressure and the fibronectin expression of TM, however, overexpression of mutant fibulin-3 (c.T1480C, p.X494Q) showed opposite effects in cells and rat eyes. Taken together, the EFEMP1 variant may impair the regulatory capacity of fibulin-3 which has a role for modulating the cell contractile activity and ECM synthesis in TM cells, and in turn may maintain normal resistance of aqueous humor outflow. This study contributes to the understanding of the important role of fibulin-3 in TM pathophysiology and provides a new possible POAG therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junkai Tan
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Suping Cai
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaolin Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanbing Chen
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Zijie Chen
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Yukai Mao
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China
| | - Guo Liu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Mingming Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen Research Center for Eye Diseases and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiamen, 361000, Fujian, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
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5
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DiCesare SM, Ortega AJ, Collier GE, Daniel S, Thompson KN, McCoy MK, Posner BA, Hulleman JD. GSK3 inhibition reduces ECM production and prevents age-related macular degeneration-like pathology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.14.571757. [PMID: 38168310 PMCID: PMC10760106 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.14.571757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Malattia Leventinese/Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy (ML/DHRD) is an age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-like retinal dystrophy caused by an autosomal dominant R345W mutation in the secreted glycoprotein, fibulin-3 (F3). To identify new small molecules that reduce F3 production from retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells, we knocked-in a luminescent peptide tag (HiBiT) into the endogenous F3 locus which enabled simple, sensitive, and high throughput detection of the protein. The GSK3 inhibitor, CHIR99021 (CHIR), significantly reduced F3 burden (expression, secretion, and intracellular levels) in immortalized RPE and non-RPE cells. Low-level, long-term CHIR treatment promoted remodeling of the RPE extracellular matrix (ECM), reducing sub-RPE deposit-associated proteins (e.g., amelotin, complement component 3, collagen IV, and fibronectin), while increasing RPE differentiation factors (e.g., tyrosinase, and pigment epithelium derived factor). In vivo, treatment of 8 mo R345W+/+ knockin mice with CHIR (25 mg/kg i.p., 1 mo) was well tolerated and significantly reduced R345W F3-associated AMD-like basal laminar deposit number and size, thereby preventing the main pathological feature in these mice. This is the first demonstration of small molecule-based prevention of AMD-like pathology in ML/DHRD mice and may herald a rejuvenation of interest in GSK3 inhibition for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including, potentially AMD itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M. DiCesare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Antonio J. Ortega
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6 St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
| | - Gracen E. Collier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Steffi Daniel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6 St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
| | - Krista N. Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
| | - Melissa K. McCoy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Bruce A. Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - John D. Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6 St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
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6
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Biasella F, Plössl K, Baird PN, Weber BHF. The extracellular microenvironment in immune dysregulation and inflammation in retinal disorders. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147037. [PMID: 36936905 PMCID: PMC10014728 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147037] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) as well as genetically complex retinal phenotypes represent a heterogenous group of ocular diseases, both on account of their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Therefore, overlaps in clinical features often complicate or even impede their correct clinical diagnosis. Deciphering the molecular basis of retinal diseases has not only aided in their disease classification but also helped in our understanding of how different molecular pathologies may share common pathomechanisms. In particular, these relate to dysregulation of two key processes that contribute to cellular integrity, namely extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis and inflammation. Pathological changes in the ECM of Bruch's membrane have been described in both monogenic IRDs, such as Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD) and Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD), as well as in the genetically complex age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy (DR). Additionally, complement system dysfunction and distorted immune regulation may also represent a common connection between some IRDs and complex retinal degenerations. Through highlighting such overlaps in molecular pathology, this review aims to illuminate how inflammatory processes and ECM homeostasis are linked in the healthy retina and how their interplay may be disturbed in aging as well as in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Biasella
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karolina Plössl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Paul N. Baird
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Paul N. Baird, ; Bernhard H. F. Weber,
| | - Bernhard H. F. Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Paul N. Baird, ; Bernhard H. F. Weber,
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7
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Crowley MA, Garland DL, Sellner H, Banks A, Fan L, Rejtar T, Buchanan N, Delgado O, Xu YY, Jose S, Adams CM, Mogi M, Wang K, Bigelow CE, Poor S, Anderson K, Jaffee BD, Prasanna G, Grosskreutz C, Fernandez-Godino R, Pierce EA, Dryja TP, Liao SM. Complement factor B is critical for sub-RPE deposit accumulation in a model of Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy with features of age-related macular degeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 32:204-217. [PMID: 35943778 PMCID: PMC9840207 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
EFEMP1 R345W is a dominant mutation causing Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy/malattia leventinese (DHRD/ML), a rare blinding disease with clinical pathology similar to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aged Efemp1 R345W/R345W knock-in mice (Efemp1ki/ki) develop microscopic deposits on the basal side of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE), an early feature in DHRD/ML and AMD. Here, we assessed the role of alternative complement pathway component factor B (FB) in the formation of these deposits. RNA-seq analysis of the posterior eyecups revealed increased unfolded protein response, decreased mitochondrial function in the neural retina (by 3 months of age) and increased inflammatory pathways in both neural retina and posterior eyecups (at 17 months of age) of Efemp1ki/ki mice compared with wild-type littermate controls. Proteomics analysis of eye lysates confirmed similar dysregulated pathways as detected by RNA-seq. Complement activation was increased in aged Efemp1ki/ki eyes with an approximately 2-fold elevation of complement breakdown products iC3b and Ba (P < 0.05). Deletion of the Cfb gene in female Efemp1ki/ki mice partially normalized the above dysregulated biological pathway changes and oral dosing of a small molecule FB inhibitor from 10 to 12 months of age reduced sub-RPE deposits by 65% (P = 0.029). In contrast, male Efemp1ki/ki mice had fewer sub-RPE deposits than age-matched females, no elevation of ocular complement activation and no effect of FB inhibition on sub-RPE deposits. The effects of FB deletion or inhibition on Efemp1ki/ki mice supports systemic inhibition of the alternative complement pathway as a potential treatment of dry AMD and DHRD/ML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura A Crowley
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Donita L Garland
- Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Holger Sellner
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angela Banks
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Lin Fan
- Analytical Sciences and Imaging, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Tomas Rejtar
- Analytical Sciences and Imaging, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Natasha Buchanan
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Omar Delgado
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Yong Yao Xu
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Sandra Jose
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Christopher M Adams
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Muneto Mogi
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Karen Wang
- Analytical Sciences and Imaging, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Chad E Bigelow
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Stephen Poor
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | | | - Bruce D Jaffee
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Ganesh Prasanna
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Cynthia Grosskreutz
- Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02319, USA
| | - Rosario Fernandez-Godino
- Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Sha-Mei Liao
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Ophthalmology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 22 Windsor Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Tel: +1-(617)871-4004; Fax: +1-(617)871-5748;
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8
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Molins B, Mesquida M, Adan A. Bioengineering approaches for modelling retinal pathologies of the outer blood-retinal barrier. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101097. [PMID: 35840488 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of the junctional complex of the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB), which is integrated by the close interaction of the retinal pigment epithelium, the Bruch's membrane, and the choriocapillaris, contribute to the loss of neuronal signalling and subsequent vision impairment in several retinal inflammatory disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Reductionist approaches into the mechanisms that underlie such diseases have been hindered by the absence of adequate in vitro models using human cells to provide the 3D dynamic architecture that enables expression of the in vivo phenotype of the oBRB. Conventional in vitro cell models are based on 2D monolayer cellular cultures, unable to properly recapitulate the complexity of living systems. The main drawbacks of conventional oBRB models also emerge from the cell sourcing, the lack of an appropriate Bruch's membrane analogue, and the lack of choroidal microvasculature with flow. In the last years, the advent of organ-on-a-chip, bioengineering, and stem cell technologies is providing more advanced 3D models with flow, multicellularity, and external control over microenvironmental properties. By incorporating additional biological complexity, organ-on-a-chip devices can mirror physiologically relevant properties of the native tissue while offering additional set ups to model and study disease. In this review we first examine the current understanding of oBRB biology as a functional unit, highlighting the coordinated contribution of the different components to barrier function in health and disease. Then we describe recent advances in the use of pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal cells, Bruch's membrane analogues, and co-culture techniques to recapitulate the oBRB. We finally discuss current advances and challenges of oBRB-on-a-chip technologies for disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Molins
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marina Mesquida
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alfredo Adan
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Clínic de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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9
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Collantes ERA, Delfin MS, Fan B, Torregosa JMR, Siguan-Bell C, de Guzman Florcruz NV, Martinez JMD, Masna-Hidalgo BJ, Guzman VPT, Anotado-Flores JF, Levina FD, Hernandez SRC, Collantes AA, Sibulo MC, Rong S, Wiggs JL. EFEMP1 rare variants cause familial juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:240-252. [PMID: 34923728 PMCID: PMC8972201 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) is a severe type of glaucoma with onset before age 40 and dominant inheritance. Using exome sequencing we identified 3 independent families from the Philippines with novel EFEMP1 variants (c.238A>T, p.Asn80Tyr; c.1480T>C, p.Ter494Glnext*29; and c.1429C>T, p.Arg477Cys) co-segregating with disease. Affected variant carriers (N = 34) exhibited severe disease with average age of onset of 16 years and with 76% developing blindness. To investigate functional effects, we transfected COS7 cells with vectors expressing the three novel EFEMP1 variants and showed that all three variants found in JOAG patients caused significant intracellular protein aggregation and retention compared to wild type and also compared to EFEMP1 variants associated with other ocular phenotypes including an early-onset form of macular degeneration, Malattia Leventinese/Doyne's Honeycomb retinal dystrophy. These results suggest that rare EFEMP1 coding variants can cause JOAG through a mechanism involving protein aggregation and retention, and that the extent of intracellular retention correlates with disease phenotype. This is the first report of EFEMP1 variants causing JOAG, expanding the EFEMP1 disease spectrum. Our results suggest that EFEMP1 mutations appear to be a relatively common cause of JOAG in Filipino families, an ethnically diverse population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Ryan A. Collantes
- Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Manuel S. Delfin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Baojian Fan
- Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Justine May R. Torregosa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu Velez General Hospital, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Christine Siguan-Bell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu Velez General Hospital, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Nilo Vincent de Guzman Florcruz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
- Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, East Avenue Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Jose Maria D. Martinez
- Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, East Avenue Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines
| | | | | | | | - Faye D. Levina
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines
| | | | | | | | - Shisong Rong
- Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
| | - Janey L. Wiggs
- Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, USA
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10
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Clarkson-Townsend DA, Douglass AJ, Singh A, Allen RS, Uwaifo IN, Pardue MT. Impacts of high fat diet on ocular outcomes in rodent models of visual disease. Exp Eye Res 2021; 204:108440. [PMID: 33444582 PMCID: PMC7946735 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
High fat diets (HFD) have been utilized in rodent models of visual disease for over 50 years to model the effects of lipids, metabolic dysfunction, and diet-induced obesity on vision and ocular health. HFD treatment can recapitulate the pathologies of some of the leading causes of blindness, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rodent models of visual disease. However, there are many important factors to consider when using and interpreting these models. To synthesize our current understanding of the importance of lipid signaling, metabolism, and inflammation in HFD-driven visual disease processes, we systematically review the use of HFD in mouse and rat models of visual disease. The resulting literature is grouped into three clusters: models that solely focus on HFD treatment, models of diabetes that utilize both HFD and streptozotocin (STZ), and models of AMD that utilize both HFD and genetic models and/or other exposures. Our findings show that HFD profoundly affects vision, retinal function, many different ocular tissues, and multiple cell types through a variety of mechanisms. We delineate how HFD affects the cornea, lens, uvea, vitreous humor, retina, retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), and Bruch's membrane (BM). Furthermore, we highlight how HFD impairs several retinal cell types, including glia (microglia), retinal ganglion cells, bipolar cells, photoreceptors, and vascular support cells (endothelial cells and pericytes). However, there are a number of gaps, limitations, and biases in the current literature. We highlight these gaps and discuss experimental design to help guide future studies. Very little is known about how HFD impacts the lens, ciliary bodies, and specific neuronal populations, such as rods, cones, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and retinal ganglion cells. Additionally, sex bias is an important limitation in the current literature, with few HFD studies utilizing female rodents. Future studies should use ingredient-matched control diets (IMCD), include both sexes in experiments to evaluate sex-specific outcomes, conduct longitudinal metabolic and visual measurements, and capture acute outcomes. In conclusion, HFD is a systemic exposure with profound systemic effects, and rodent models are invaluable in understanding the impacts on visual and ocular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Clarkson-Townsend
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Amber J Douglass
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Anayesha Singh
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA, USA; Emory Center for Ethics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachael S Allen
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ivie N Uwaifo
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Machelle T Pardue
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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11
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Cheng L, Chen C, Guo W, Liu K, Zhao Q, Lu P, Yu F, Xu X. EFEMP1 Overexpression Contributes to Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:547436. [PMID: 33584252 PMCID: PMC7874111 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.547436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness, and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in AMD can lead to serious visual impairment. Gene expression profiling of human ocular tissues have a great potential to reveal the pathophysiology of AMD. This study aimed to identify novel molecular biomarkers and gene expression signatures of AMD. Methods: We analyzed transcriptome profiles in retinal-choroid tissues derived from donor patients with AMD in comparison with those from healthy controls using a publicly available dataset (GSE29801). We focused on the EFEMP1 gene, which was found to be differentially upregulated in AMD, especially in wet AMD eyes. Serological validation analysis was carried out to verify the expression of EFEMP1 in 39 wet AMD patients and 39 age- and gender-matched cataract controls, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We then investigated the role of EFEMP1 in angiogenesis through in vitro experiments involving EFEMP1 overexpression (OE) and knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Results: An increase in EFEMP1 expression was observed in the retinal-choroid tissues of eyes with AMD, which was more significant in wet AMD than in dry AMD. In addition, there was a significant increase in serum fibulin-3 (EFEMP1 encoded protein) concentration in patients with wet AMD compared with that in the controls. Tube formation and proliferation of EFEMP1-OE HUVECs increased significantly, whereas those of EFEMP1 knockdown HUVECs decreased significantly compared with those of the control. Additional extracellular fibulin-3 treatments did not increase tube formation and proliferation of wildtype and EFEMP1 knockdown HUVECs, indicating that the proangiogenic properties of EFEMP1 are of cell origin. We also found that vascular endothelial growth factor expression in HUVECs was upregulated by EFEMP1 overexpression and downregulated by EFEMP1 knockdown. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate EFEMP1 as a novel biomarker for CNV in AMD, providing a new target for the development of wet AMD-directed pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenke Guo
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Lu
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fudong Yu
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
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12
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Grillo SL, Etzel JD, Weber SR, Ondeck C, Wang W, Zhao Y, Barber AJ, Sundstrom JM. Descriptive analysis of Fibulin-3 and the extracellular vesicle marker, Alix, in drusen from a small cohort of postmortem human eyes. Exp Eye Res 2020; 203:108422. [PMID: 33387484 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Fibulin-3 (Fib3) is a secreted glycoprotein that is expressed in the retina and has been associated with drusen formation in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The purpose of this study was to assess whether Fib3 is associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) in drusen from non-diseased and AMD human donors. De-identified sections of human eyes were received from the National Disease Research Institute (NDRI, Philadelphia). Donor eyes were either non-diseased (no known ocular pathology) or had been diagnosed with AMD. Retinal cryostat sections were labeled with primary antibodies targeted to Fib3, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE; a drusen marker), and ALG-2 interacting protein X (Alix, an EV marker) for confocal imaging (Leica TCS SP8). Fib3-positive (Fib3+) puncta were detected on the apical region of the RPE layer and within large AMD drusen. Alix-positive (Alix+) puncta were also detected in a single AMD druse, where a number were Fib3+ and the remaining were Fib3-negative. Similarly, there were Fib3+ puncta that were Alix-negative. Fib3 and Alix also showed a degree of colocalization in the photoreceptor outer segments of the neural retina. Our data suggest that the Alix+ puncta are EV-rich populations that accumulate, together with Fib3, within the drusen matrix during AMD. The EV population is likely heterogeneous, such that there are sub-populations with different cargo content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Grillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Justin D Etzel
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Sarah R Weber
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Cassandra Ondeck
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Yuanjun Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Alistair J Barber
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Jeffrey M Sundstrom
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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13
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Fibulin-3 knockout mice demonstrate corneal dysfunction but maintain normal retinal integrity. J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:1639-1656. [PMID: 32964303 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01974-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fibulin-3 (F3) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein found in basement membranes across the body. An autosomal dominant R345W mutation in F3 causes a macular dystrophy resembling dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), whereas genetic removal of wild-type (WT) F3 protects mice from sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposit formation. These observations suggest that F3 is a protein which can regulate pathogenic sub-RPE deposit formation in the eye. Yet the precise role of WT F3 within the eye is still largely unknown. We found that F3 is expressed throughout the mouse eye (cornea, trabecular meshwork (TM) ring, neural retina, RPE/choroid, and optic nerve). We next performed a thorough structural and functional characterization of each of these tissues in WT and homozygous (F3-/-) knockout mice. The corneal stroma in F3-/- mice progressively thins beginning at 2 months, and the development of corneal opacity and vascularization starts at 9 months, which worsens with age. However, in all other tissues (TM, neural retina, RPE, and optic nerve), gross structural anatomy and functionality were similar across WT and F3-/- mice when evaluated using SD-OCT, histological analyses, electron microscopy, scotopic electroretinogram, optokinetic response, and axonal anterograde transport. The lack of noticeable retinal abnormalities in F3-/- mice was confirmed in a human patient with biallelic loss-of-function mutations in F3. These data suggest that (i) F3 is important for maintaining the structural integrity of the cornea, (ii) absence of F3 does not affect the structure or function of any other ocular tissue in which it is expressed, and (iii) targeted silencing of F3 in the retina and/or RPE will likely be well-tolerated, serving as a safe therapeutic strategy for reducing sub-RPE deposit formation in disease. KEY MESSAGES: • Fibulins are expressed throughout the body at varying levels. • Fibulin-3 has a tissue-specific pattern of expression within the eye. • Lack of fibulin-3 leads to structural deformities in the cornea. • The retina and RPE remain structurally and functionally healthy in the absence of fibulin-3 in both mice and humans.
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14
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Hongisto H, Dewing JM, Christensen DR, Scott J, Cree AJ, Nättinen J, Määttä J, Jylhä A, Aapola U, Uusitalo H, Kaarniranta K, Ratnayaka JA, Skottman H, Lotery AJ. In vitro stem cell modelling demonstrates a proof-of-concept for excess functional mutant TIMP3 as the cause of Sorsby fundus dystrophy. J Pathol 2020; 252:138-150. [PMID: 32666594 DOI: 10.1002/path.5506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD) is a rare autosomal dominant disease of the macula that leads to bilateral loss of central vision and is caused by mutations in the TIMP3 gene. However, the mechanisms by which TIMP3 mutations cause SFD are poorly understood. Here, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigmented epithelial (hiPSC-RPE) cells from three SFD patients carrying TIMP3 p.(Ser204Cys) and three non-affected controls to study disease-related structural and functional differences in the RPE. SFD-hiPSC-RPE exhibited characteristic RPE structure and physiology but showed significantly reduced transepithelial electrical resistance associated with enriched expression of cytoskeletal remodelling proteins. SFD-hiPSC-RPE exhibited basolateral accumulation of TIMP3 monomers, despite no change in TIMP3 gene expression. TIMP3 dimers were observed in both SFD and control hiPSC-RPE, suggesting that mutant TIMP3 dimerisation does not drive SFD pathology. Furthermore, mutant TIMP3 retained matrix metalloproteinase activity. Proteomic profiling showed increased expression of ECM proteins, endothelial cell interactions and angiogenesis-related pathways in SFD-hiPSC-RPE. By contrast, there were no changes in VEGF secretion. However, SFD-hiPSC-RPE secreted higher levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, PDGF and angiogenin. Our findings provide a proof-of-concept that SFD patient-derived hiPSC-RPE mimic mature RPE cells and support the hypothesis that excess accumulation of mutant TIMP3, rather than an absence or deficiency of functional TIMP3, drives ECM and angiogenesis-related changes in SFD. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Hongisto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jennifer M Dewing
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David Rg Christensen
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jennifer Scott
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Angela J Cree
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Janika Nättinen
- SILK, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juha Määttä
- SILK, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Antti Jylhä
- SILK, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ulla Aapola
- SILK, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannu Uusitalo
- SILK, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Tays Eye Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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15
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Bizzari S, El-Bazzal L, Nair P, Younan A, Stora S, Mehawej C, El-Hayek S, Delague V, Mégarbané A. Recessive marfanoid syndrome with herniation associated with a homozygous mutation in Fibulin-3. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 63:103869. [PMID: 32006683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.103869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
We have previously reported on a consanguineous family where 2 siblings, a girl and a boy, presented with tall stature, long and triangular faces, prominent forehead, telecanthus, ptosis, everted lower eyelids, downslanting palpebral fissures, large ears, high arched palate, long arm span, arachnodactyly, advanced bone age, joint laxity, pectus excavatum, inguinal hernia, and myopia, suggestive of a new subtype of connective tissue disorder (Megarbane et al. AJMG, 2012; 158(A)5: 1185-1189). On clinical follow-up, both patients had multiple inguinal, crural, and abdominal herniae, intestinal occlusions, several huge diverticula throughout the gut and the bladder, and rectal prolapse. In addition, the girl had a mild hearing impairment, and the boy a left diaphragmatic hernia. Here we describe the molecular characterization of this disorder using Whole Exome Sequencing, revealing, in both siblings, a novel homozygous missense variant in the EFEMP1 gene, c.163T > C; p.(Cys55Arg) whose homozygous by descent, autosomal recessive transmission was confirmed through segregation analysis by Sanger sequencing. In addition, the girl exhibited a homozygous mutation in the MYO3A gene, c.1370_1371delGA; p.(Arg457Asnfs*25), associated with non-syndromic deafness. The siblings were also found to harbor a homozygous nonsense variant in the VCPKMT gene. We review the literature and discuss our updated clinical and molecular findings that suggest EFEMP1 to be the probable candidate gene implicated in this novel connective tissue disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Bizzari
- Centre for Arab Genomic Studies, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lara El-Bazzal
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Marseille, France
| | - Pratibha Nair
- Centre for Arab Genomic Studies, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | | | | | - André Mégarbané
- Institut Jérôme Lejeune, CRB BioJeL, Paris, France; INOVIE-MENA, Beirut, Lebanon.
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16
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Rahman N, Georgiou M, Khan KN, Michaelides M. Macular dystrophies: clinical and imaging features, molecular genetics and therapeutic options. Br J Ophthalmol 2019; 104:451-460. [PMID: 31704701 PMCID: PMC7147237 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2019-315086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Macular dystrophies (MDs) consist of a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterised by bilateral symmetrical central visual loss. Advances in genetic testing over the last decade have led to improved knowledge of the underlying molecular basis. The developments in high-resolution multimodal retinal imaging have also transformed our ability to make accurate and more timely diagnoses and more sensitive quantitative assessment of disease progression, and allowed the design of optimised clinical trial endpoints for novel therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review was to provide an update on MDs, including Stargardt disease, Best disease, X-linked r etinoschisis, pattern dystrophy, Sorsby fundus dystrophy and autosomal dominant drusen. It highlights the range of innovations in retinal imaging, genotype-phenotype and structure-function associations, animal models of disease and the multiple treatment strategies that are currently in clinical trial or planned in the near future, which are anticipated to lead to significant changes in the management of patients with MDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michalis Georgiou
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.,Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Kamron N Khan
- Ophthalmology Department, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK .,Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL, London, UK
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17
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Fields MA, Del Priore LV, Adelman RA, Rizzolo LJ. Interactions of the choroid, Bruch's membrane, retinal pigment epithelium, and neurosensory retina collaborate to form the outer blood-retinal-barrier. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 76:100803. [PMID: 31704339 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The three interacting components of the outer blood-retinal barrier are the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris, and Bruch's membrane, the extracellular matrix that lies between them. Although previously reviewed independently, this review integrates these components into a more wholistic view of the barrier and discusses reconstitution models to explore the interactions among them. After updating our understanding of each component's contribution to barrier function, we discuss recent efforts to examine how the components interact. Recent studies demonstrate that claudin-19 regulates multiple aspects of RPE's barrier function and identifies a barrier function whereby mutations of claudin-19 affect retinal development. Co-culture approaches to reconstitute components of the outer blood-retinal barrier are beginning to reveal two-way interactions between the RPE and choriocapillaris. These interactions affect barrier function and the composition of the intervening Bruch's membrane. Normal or disease models of Bruch's membrane, reconstituted with healthy or diseased RPE, demonstrate adverse effects of diseased matrix on RPE metabolism. A stumbling block for reconstitution studies is the substrates typically used to culture cells are inadequate substitutes for Bruch's membrane. Together with human stem cells, the alternative substrates that have been designed offer an opportunity to engineer second-generation culture models of the outer blood-retinal barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Fields
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA
| | - Lucian V Del Priore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA
| | - Ron A Adelman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA
| | - Lawrence J Rizzolo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208061, New Haven, CT, 06520-8061, USA; Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT, 06520-8062, USA.
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18
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Song D, Mohammed I, Bhuyan R, Miwa T, Williams AL, Gullipalli D, Sato S, Song Y, Dunaief JL, Song WC. Retinal Basal Laminar Deposits in Complement fH/fP Mouse Model of Dense Deposit Disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:3405-3415. [PMID: 30025090 PMCID: PMC6040236 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Dense deposit disease (DDD) is caused by dysregulation of the alternative pathway of the complement cascade and characterized by electron-dense deposits in the kidney glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and drusen in Bruch's membrane (BrM). Complement factor H (fH) and factor properdin (fP) regulate complement activation; fH inhibits alternative pathway (AP) activation, whereas fP promotes it. We report pathologic changes in eyes of an fH and fP double-mutant mouse, which we previously showed have dense deposits in the GBM and early mortality from nephropathy. Methods fHm/m, fP−/−, and fHm/m/fP−/− mice were generated on a C57BL/6–129J background. Fundus imaging at 8 weeks of age was followed by analysis via light and electron microscopy. Retinal function was assessed by electroretinography (ERG). Complement levels and localization were tested by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Retinas of fHm/m/fP−/− mice treated with intraperitoneal injections of an anti-C5 antibody were compared to those of age- and genotype-matched mice injected with an isotype control antibody. Results fHm/m/fP−/− mice suffered early-onset retinal hypopigmented spots detected using in vivo retinal photography, and histologic examination showed basal laminar deposits (BLamD), degeneration of the photoreceptors, and RPE vacuolization. ERG showed diminished retinal function. The anti-C5 antibody was retina-protective. Conclusions This unique mouse represents a new model of complement-mediated rapid-onset DDD, and could be useful in exploring the pathologic changes associated with BLamD in age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delu Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Imran Mohammed
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Rupak Bhuyan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Takashi Miwa
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Allison Lesher Williams
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Damodar Gullipalli
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sayaka Sato
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Ying Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Wen-Chao Song
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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Curcio CA. Antecedents of Soft Drusen, the Specific Deposits of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, in the Biology of Human Macula. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2018; 59:AMD182-AMD194. [PMID: 30357337 PMCID: PMC6733529 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AMD pathobiology was irreversibly changed by the recent discovery of extracellular cholesterol-containing deposits in the subretinal space, between the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), called subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). SDDs strikingly mirror the topography of rod photoreceptors in human macula, raising the question of whether an equivalent process results in a deposition related to foveal cones. Herein we propose that AMD's pathognomonic lesion-soft drusen and basal linear deposit (BLinD, same material, diffusely distributed)-is the leading candidate. Epidemiologic, clinical, and histologic data suggest that these deposits are most abundant in the central macula, under the fovea. Strong evidence presented in a companion article supports the idea that the dominant ultrastructural component is large apolipoprotein B,E-containing lipoproteins, constitutively secreted by RPE. Lipoprotein fatty acids are dominated by linoleate (implicating diet) rather than docosahexaenoate (implicating photoreceptors); we seek within the retina cellular relationships and dietary drivers to explain soft druse topography. The delivery of xanthophyll pigments to highly evolved and numerous Müller cells in the human fovea, through RPE, is one strong candidate, because Müller cells are the main reservoir of these pigments, which replenish from diet. We propose that the evolution of neuroglial relations and xanthophyll delivery that underlie exquisite human foveal vision came with a price, that is, soft drusen and sequela, long after our reproductive years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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20
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Zayas-Santiago A, Cross SD, Stanton JB, Marmorstein AD, Marmorstein LY. Mutant Fibulin-3 Causes Proteoglycan Accumulation and Impaired Diffusion Across Bruch's Membrane. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017. [PMID: 28622396 PMCID: PMC5477800 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-21720] [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] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The mutation R345W in EFEMP1 (fibulin-3) causes macular degeneration. This study sought to determine whether proteoglycan content and diffusion across Bruch's membrane are altered in Efemp1ki/ki mice carrying this mutation or in Efemp1−/− mice. Methods Proteoglycans in mouse Bruch's membranes were stained with Cupromeronic Blue (CB). Heparan sulfated proteoglycan (HSPG) and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (C/DSPG) distributions were visualized following treatments with chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC) or nitrous acid. Total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) in Bruch's membrane/choroid (BrM/Ch) were measured with dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB). Matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 were examined by immunofluorescence and quantified using Image J. Molecules with different Stokes radius (Rs) were allowed simultaneously to diffuse through mouse BrM/Ch mounted in a modified Ussing chamber. Samples were quantified using gel exclusion chromatography. Results HSPGs and C/DSPGs were markedly increased in Efemp1ki/ki Bruch's membrane, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased, but TIMP-3 was increased. Diffusion across Efemp1ki/ki Bruch's membrane was impaired. In contrast, the proteoglycan amount in Efemp1−/− Bruch's membrane was not significantly different, but the size of proteoglycans was much larger. MMP-2, MMP-3, and TIMP-3 levels were similar to that of Efemp1+/+ mice, but they were localized diffusely in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells instead of Bruch's membrane. Diffusion across Efemp1−/− Bruch's membrane was enhanced. Conclusions Mutant fibulin-3 causes proteoglycan accumulation, reduction of MMP-2 and MMP-9, but increase of TIMP-3, and impairs diffusion across Bruch's membrane. Fibulin-3 ablation results in altered sizes of proteoglycans, altered distributions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-3, and enhances diffusion across Bruch's membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Zayas-Santiago
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
| | - Samuel D Cross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - James B Stanton
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
| | - Alan D Marmorstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Lihua Y Marmorstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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Zhang Y, Cross SD, Stanton JB, Marmorstein AD, Le YZ, Marmorstein LY. Early AMD-like defects in the RPE and retinal degeneration in aged mice with RPE-specific deletion of Atg5 or Atg7. Mol Vis 2017; 23:228-241. [PMID: 28465655 PMCID: PMC5398883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the effects of autophagy deficiency induced by RPE-specific deletion of Atg5 or Atg7 in mice as a function of age. METHODS Conditional knockout mice with a floxed allele of Atg5 or Atg7 were crossed with inducible VMD2-rtTA/Cre transgenic mice. VMD2-directed RPE-specific Cre recombinase expression was induced with doxycycline feeding in the resulting mice. Cre-mediated deletion of floxed Atg5 or Atg7 resulted in RPE-specific inactivation of the Atg5 or Atg7 gene. Plastic and thin retinal sections were analyzed with light and electron microscopy for histological changes. Photoreceptor outer segment (POS) thickness in plastic sections was measured using the Adobe Photoshop CS4 extended ruler tool. Autophagic adaptor p62/SQSTM1 and markers for oxidatively damaged lipids, proteins, and DNA were examined with immunofluorescence staining of cryosections. Fluorescence signals were quantified using Image J software. RESULTS Accumulation of p62/SQSTM1 reflecting autophagy deficiency was observed in the RPE of the Atg5ΔRPE and Atg7ΔRPE mice. 3-nitrotyrosine, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), markers for oxidatively damaged proteins and DNA, were also found to accumulate in the RPE of these mice. We observed retinal degeneration in 35% of the Atg5ΔRPE mice and 45% of the Atg7ΔRPE mice at 8 to 24 months old. Degeneration severity and the number of mice with degeneration increased with age. The mean POS thickness of these mice was 25 µm at 8-12 months, 15 µm at 13-18 months, and 3 µm at 19-24 months, compared to 35 µm, 30 µm, and 24 µm in the wild-type mice, respectively. Early age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-like RPE defects were found in all the Atg5ΔRPE and Atg7ΔRPE mice 13 months old or older, including vacuoles, uneven RPE thickness, diminished basal infoldings, RPE hypertrophy/hypotrophy, pigmentary irregularities, and necrosis. The severity of the RPE defects increased with age and in the mice with retinal degeneration. RPE atrophy and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were occasionally observed in the Atg5ΔRPE and Atg7ΔRPE mice with advanced age. CONCLUSIONS Autophagy deficiency induced by RPE-specific deletion of Atg5 or Atg7 predisposes but does not necessarily drive the development of AMD-like phenotypes or retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - James B. Stanton
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | | | - Yun Zheng Le
- Department of Medicine and Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
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