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Yu H, Shen B, Han R, Zhang Y, Xu S, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Huang P, Huang S, Zhong Y. CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis protects retinal ganglion cells by inhibiting microglia activation in a distal optic nerve trauma model. Inflamm Regen 2024; 44:30. [PMID: 38844990 PMCID: PMC11154987 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-024-00343-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chemokine CX3CL1 has been reported to play an important role in optic nerve protection, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. CX3CR1, the only receptor of CX3CL1, is specifically expressed on retinal microglia, whose activation plays a role in the pathological process of optic nerve injury. This study aimed to evaluate whether CX3CL1 exerts optic neuroprotection by affecting the activation of microglia by combining with CX3CR1. METHODS A mouse model of distal optic nerve trauma (ONT) was used to evaluate the effects of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis on the activation of microglia and survival or axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The activation of microglia, loss of RGCs, and damage to visual function were detected weekly till 4 weeks after modeling. CX3CL1 was injected intravitreally immediately or delayed after injury and the status of microglia and RGCs were examined. RESULTS Increases in microglia activation and optic nerve damage were accompanied by a reduced production of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis after the distal ONT modeling. Both immediate and delayed intravitreal injection of CX3CL1 inhibited microglia activation, promoted survival of RGCs, and improved axonal regenerative capacity. Injection with CX3CL1 was no longer effective after 48 h post ONT. The CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis promotes survival and axonal regeneration, as indicated by GAP43 protein and gene expression, of RGCs by inhibiting the microglial activation after ONT. CONCLUSIONS The CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis could promote survival and axonal regeneration of RGCs by inhibiting the microglial activation after optic nerve injury. The CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis may become a potential target for the treatment of optic nerve injury. Forty-eight hours is the longest time window for effective treatment after injury. The study is expected to provide new ideas for the development of targeted drugs for the repair of optic nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Bingqiao Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Ruiqi Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shushu Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yanzhi Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Shouyue Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Yisheng Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Echium amoenum L. Ethanol Extract Protects Retinal Ganglion Cell after Glutamate and Optic Nerve Crush Injury. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:3631532. [PMID: 36193499 PMCID: PMC9526585 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3631532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of low-cost and effective natural products for treating neuron degenerative diseases have proven to be safe and potentially effective. Echium amoenum L. (Boraginaceae) is an annual herb that grows wildly in Europe and western Asia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective properties of an ethanol extract of E. amoenum L. The effects of E. amoenum L. extract on oxidative stress were measured in the rat R28 retinal precursor cell line. Furthermore, the protective role of the extract on the glutamate-induced and optic nerve crush (ONC) injury-induced cell death were evaluated in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Our results showed that the ethanol extract of E. amoenum L. prevented the glutamate-induced decrease in cell viability and increase in cell death in R28 cells and suppressed the overproduction of ROS induced by glutamate. Moreover, the extract significantly inhibited microglial activation and optic nerve damage induced by ONC injury in mice. In addition, the mechanism was attributed to the ability of the extract to decrease NF-κB pathway activation and its downstream inflammatory cytokine production. In conclusion, E. amoenum L. ethanol extract had a potent neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced and ONC-induced cell death. This is likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Qu X, Zhu K, Li Z, Zhang D, Hou L. The Alteration of M6A-Tagged Transcript Profiles in the Retina of Rats After Traumatic Optic Neuropathy. Front Genet 2021; 12:628841. [PMID: 33664770 PMCID: PMC7920991 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.628841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Messager RNA (mRNA) can be modified in a variety of ways, among which the modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common ones. Recent studies have found that the m6A modification in mRNA could functionally regulate the splicing, localization, translation, and stability of mRNA, which might be closely related to multiple diseases. However, the roles of m6A modification in traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) are unknown. Herein, we detected the expression of m6A-related genes via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and performed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) as well as RNA-sequencing to analyze the alteration profiles of m6A modification after TON. The results showed that the expression of m6A-related genes (METTL3, WTAP, FTO, and ALKBH5) were all upregulated after TON. In all, 2,810 m6A peaks were differentially upregulated and 689 m6A peaks were downregulated. In addition, the hypermethylated and hypomethylated profiles of mRNA transcripts were also identified. To sum up, our study revealed the differentially expressed m6A modification in the early stage of TON, which may provide novel insights into the mechanism and treatment of TON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaixin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenxing Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danfeng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijun Hou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Khan RS, Ross AG, Aravand P, Dine K, Selzer EB, Shindler KS. RGC and Vision Loss From Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Induced by Repetitive Closed Head Trauma Is Dependent on Timing and Force of Impact. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:8. [PMID: 33505775 PMCID: PMC7794277 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.1.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is often caused by blunt head trauma and has no currently effective treatment. Common animal models of TON induced by surgical crush injury are plagued by variability and do not mimic typical mechanisms of TON injury. Traumatic head impact models have recently shown evidence of TON, but the degree of head impact necessary to consistently induce TON is not well characterized, and it is examined here. Methods Traumatic skull impacts to C57BL/6J mice were induced using an electromagnetic controlled impact device. One impact performed at two depths (mild and severe), as well as three and five repetitive impacts with an interconcussion interval of 48 hours, were tested. Optokinetic responses (OKRs) and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss were measured. Results Five repetitive mild impacts significantly decreased OKR scores and RGC numbers compared with control mice 10 weeks after initial impact, with maximal pathology observed by 6 weeks and partial but significant loss present by 3 weeks. One severe impact induced similar TON. Three mild impacts also induced early OKR and RGC loss, but one mild impact did not. Equivalent degrees of TON were induced bilaterally, and a significant correlation was observed between OKR scores and RGC numbers. Conclusions Repetitive, mild closed head trauma in mice induces progressive RGC and vision loss that worsens with increasing impacts. Translational Relevance Results detail a reproducible model of TON that provides a reliable platform for studying potential treatments over a 3- to 6-week time course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reas S Khan
- Department of Ophthalmology, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ahmara G Ross
- Department of Ophthalmology, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Puya Aravand
- Department of Ophthalmology, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kimberly Dine
- Department of Ophthalmology, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Evan B Selzer
- Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Shindler
- Department of Ophthalmology, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Astragalus membranaceus Injection Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells by Regulating the Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Pathway in Experimental Rat Traumatic Optic Neuropathy. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2020:2429843. [PMID: 33381196 PMCID: PMC7762646 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2429843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Activation of the nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling pathway is a potential method of treatment for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss due to traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). The present study aimed to explore the biological effects of injecting Astragalus membranaceus (A. mem) on RGCs in an experimental TON model. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated (SL), model (ML), and A. mem injection (AL). The left eyes of the rats were considered the experimental eyes, and the right eyes served as the controls. AL rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of A. mem (3 mL/kg), whereas ML and SL rats were administered the same volume of normal saline. The TON rat model was induced by optic nerve (ON) transverse quantitative traction. After two-week administration, the number of RGCs was determined using retrograde labeling with Fluoro-Gold. The protein levels of NGF, tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), JNK phosphorylation (p-JNK), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) were assessed using western blotting. The levels of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and NF-κB DNA binding were examined using real-time PCR and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In addition, the concentrations of JNK and p-JNK were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The number of RGCs in ML was found to be significantly decreased (P < 0.01) relative to both AL and SL, together with the downregulation of NGF (P < 0.01), TrkA (P < 0.05), and NF-κB (P < 0.01); upregulation of p75NTR mRNA (P < 0.01); and increased protein levels of JNK (P < 0.05) and p-JNK (P < 0.05). Treatment using A. mem injection significantly preserved the density of RGCs in rats with experimental TON and markedly upregulated the proteins of NGF (P < 0.01), TrkA (P < 0.05), and NF-κB (P < 0.01) and downregulated the mRNA level of p75NTR(P < 0.01), as well as the proteins of JNK (P < 0.05) and p-JNK (P < 0.01). Thus, A. mem injection could reduce RGC death in TON induced by ON transverse quantitative traction by stimulating the NGF signaling pathway.
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Remote Ischemic Post-Conditioning Therapy is Protective in Mouse Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy. Neuromolecular Med 2020; 23:371-382. [PMID: 33185833 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-020-08631-1] [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: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is characterized by visual dysfunction after indirect or direct injury to the optic nerve following blunt head trauma. TON is associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation resulting in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Remote ischemic post-conditioning (RIC) has been shown to enhance endogenous protective mechanisms in diverse disease models including stroke, vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), retinal injury and optic nerve injury. However, the protective mechanisms underlying the improvement of retinal function and RGC survival after RIC treatment remain unclear. Here, we hypothesized that RIC therapy may be protective following TON by preventing RGC death, oxidative insult and inflammation in the mouse retina. To carry out the study, mice were divided in three different groups (Control, TON and TON + RIC). We harvested retinal tissue 5 days after TON induction for western blotting and histochemical analysis. We observed increased TON-induced retinal cell death compared with controls by cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the TON cohort demonstrated increased TUNEL positive cells which were significantly attenuated by RIC. Immunofluorescence data showed that oxidative stress markers dihydroethidium (DHE), NOX-2 and nitrotyrosine expression were elevated in the TON group relative to controls and RIC therapy significantly reduced the expression level of these markers. Next, we found that the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was increased and anti-inflammatory IL-10 was decreased in plasma of TON animals, and RIC therapy reversed this expression level. Interestingly, western blotting of retinal tissue showed that RGC marker Brn3a and tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin), and AMPKα1 expression were downregulated in the TON group compared to controls. However, RIC significantly increased the expression levels of these proteins. Together these data suggest that RIC therapy activates endogenous protective mechanisms which may attenuate TON-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, and improves BRB integrity.
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Bastakis GG, Ktena N, Karagogeos D, Savvaki M. Models and treatments for traumatic optic neuropathy and demyelinating optic neuritis. Dev Neurobiol 2019; 79:819-836. [PMID: 31297983 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pathologies of the optic nerve could result as primary insults in the visual tract or as secondary deficits due to inflammation, demyelination, or compressing effects of the surrounding tissue. The extent of damage may vary from mild to severe, differently affecting patient vision, with the most severe forms leading to complete uni- or bilateral visual loss. The aim of researchers and clinicians in the field is to alleviate the symptoms of these, yet uncurable pathologies, taking advantage of known and novel potential therapeutic approaches, alone or in combinations, and applying them in a limited time window after the insult. In this review, we discuss the epidemiological and clinical profile as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms of two main categories of optic nerve pathologies, namely traumatic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis, focusing on the demyelinating form of the latter. Moreover, we report on the main rodent models mimicking these pathologies or some of their clinical aspects. The current treatment options will also be reviewed and novel approaches will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Niki Ktena
- University of Crete Faculty of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Domna Karagogeos
- University of Crete Faculty of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Savvaki
- University of Crete Faculty of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece
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Li Z, Han K, Zhang D, Chen J, Xu Z, Hou L. The role of long noncoding RNA in traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:1671-1677. [PMID: 31303755 PMCID: PMC6605043 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s206624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a mainly lethal and highly debilitating condition, is increasing worldwide. However, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated and effective therapy is needed. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which form a major class of noncoding RNAs, have emerged as novel targets for regulating physiological functions and mediating numerous neurological diseases. Notably, gene expression profile analyses have demonstrated aberrant changes in lncRNA expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats, mice and human after TBI. lncRNAs may be associated with multiple pathophysiological processes following TBI and might play a crucial role in complications of TBI, such as traumatic optic neuropathy due to the regulation of specific signaling pathways. Some lncRNAs have also been found to be therapeutic targets for motor and cognitive recovery after TBI. lncRNAs may be promising biomarkers for TBI diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction. However, further research isneeded to clarify the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic effects of lncRNAs on TBI. We review the current progress of studies on lncRNAs in TBI to draw more attention to their roles in this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kaiwei Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Danfeng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jigang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijun Hou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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