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Thomasy SM, Leonard BC, Greiner MA, Skeie JM, Raghunathan VK. Squishy matters - Corneal mechanobiology in health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101234. [PMID: 38176611 PMCID: PMC11193890 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Jessica M Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
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Sun KX, Chen YY, Li Z, Zheng SJ, Wan WJ, Ji Y, Hu K. Genipin relieves diabetic retinopathy by down-regulation of advanced glycation end products via the mitochondrial metabolism related signaling pathway. World J Diabetes 2023; 14:1349-1368. [PMID: 37771331 PMCID: PMC10523227 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v14.i9.1349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycation is an important step in aging and oxidative stress, which can lead to endothelial dysfunction and cause severe damage to the eyes or kidneys of diabetics. Inhibition of the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their cell toxicity can be a useful therapeutic strategy in the prevention of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJE) fruit is a selective inhibitor of AGEs. Genipin is an active compound of GJE fruit, which can be employed to treat diabetes. AIM To confirm the effect of genipin, a vital component of GJE fruit, in preventing human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) from AGEs damage in DR, to investigate the effect of genipin in the down-regulation of AGEs expression, and to explore the role of the CHGA/UCP2/glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) signal pathway in this process. METHODS In vitro, cell viability was tested to determine the effects of different doses of glucose and genipin in hRMECs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and tube-forming assay were used to detect the effect of genipin on hRMECs cultured in high glucose conditions. In vivo, streptozotocin (STZ) induced mice were used, and genipin was administered by intraocular injection (IOI). To explore the effect and mechanism of genipin in diabetic-induced retinal dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) assays were performed to explore energy metabolism and oxidative stress damage in high glucose-induced hRMECs and STZ mouse retinas. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to investigate the expression of inflammatory cytokines [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), SCG3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)]. The protein expression of the receptor of AGEs (RAGE) and the mitochondria-related signal molecules CHGA, GLUT1, and UCP2 in high glucose-induced hRMECs and STZ mouse retinas were measured and compared with the genipin-treated group. RESULTS The results of CCK-8 and colony formation assay showed that genipin promoted cell viability in high glucose (30 mmol/L D-Glucose)-induced hRMECs, especially at a 0.4 μmol/L dose for 7 d. Flow cytometry results showed that high glucose can increase apoptosis rate by 30%, and genipin alleviated cell apoptosis in AGEs-induced hRMECs. A high glucose environment promoted ATP, ROS, MMP, and 2-NBDG levels, while genipin inhibited these phenotypic abnormalities in AGEs-induced hRMECs. Furthermore, genipin remarkably reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and NLRP3 and impeded the expression of VEGF and SCG3 in AGEs-damaged hRMECs. These results showed that genipin can reverse high glucose induced damage with regard to cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro, while reducing energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory injury caused by high glucose. In addition, ROS levels and glucose uptake levels were higher in the retina from the untreated eye than in the genipin-treated eye of STZ mice. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and pathway protein in the untreated eye compared with the genipin-treated eye was significantly increased, as measured by Western blot. These results showed that IOI of genipin reduced the expression of CHGA, UCP2, and GLUT1, maintained the retinal structure, and decreased ROS, glucose uptake, and inflammation levels in vivo. In addition, we found that SCG3 expression might have a higher sensitivity in DR than VEGF as a diagnostic marker at the protein level. CONCLUSION Our study suggested that genipin ameliorates AGEs-induced hRMECs proliferation, apoptosis, energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory injury, partially via the CHGA/UCP2/GLUT1 pathway. Control of advanced glycation by IOI of genipin may represent a strategy to prevent severe retinopathy and vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Xin Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yan-Yi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The People’s Hospital of Leshan, Leshan 400000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shi-Jie Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wen-Juan Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yan Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Ke Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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Huertas-Bello M, Cuéllar-Sáenz JA, Rodriguez CN, Cortés-Vecino JA, Navarrete ML, Avila MY, Koudouna E. A Pilot Study to Evaluate Genipin in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis Models: Modulation of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteinases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086904. [PMID: 37108070 PMCID: PMC10138382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious keratitis is a vision-threatening microbial infection. The increasing antimicrobial resistance and the fact that severe cases often evolve into corneal perforation necessitate the development of alternative therapeutics for effective medical management. Genipin, a natural crosslinker, was recently shown to exert antimicrobial effects in an ex vivo model of microbial keratitis, highlighting its potential to serve as a novel treatment for infectious keratitis. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of genipin in an in vivo model of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) keratitis. Clinical scores, confocal microscopy, plate count, and histology were carried out to evaluate the severity of keratitis. To assess the effect of genipin on inflammation, the gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), were evaluated. Genipin treatment alleviated the severity of bacterial keratitis by reducing bacterial load and repressing neutrophil infiltration. The expression of interleukin 1B (IL1B), interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 8 (IL8), interleukin 15 (IL15), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon γ (IFNγ), as well as MMP2 and MMP9, were significantly reduced in genipin-treated corneas. Genipin promoted corneal proteolysis and host resistance to S. aureus and P. aeruginosa infection by suppressing inflammatory cell infiltration, regulating inflammatory mediators, and downregulating the expression of MMP2 and MMP9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Huertas-Bello
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Jerson Andrés Cuéllar-Sáenz
- Grupo de Investigación Parasitología Veterinaria, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Cristian Nicolas Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Jesús Alfredo Cortés-Vecino
- Grupo de Investigación Parasitología Veterinaria, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Myriam Lucia Navarrete
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Marcel Yecid Avila
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Elena Koudouna
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Bogota DC, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Structural Biophysics Group, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
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Donovan C, Sun M, Cogswell D, Margo CE, Avila MY, Espana EM. Genipin increases extracellular matrix synthesis preventing corneal perforation. Ocul Surf 2023; 28:115-123. [PMID: 36871831 PMCID: PMC10440284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.02.003] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal melting and perforation are feared sight-threatening complications of infections, autoimmune disease, and severe burns. Assess the use of genipin in treating stromal melt. METHODS A model for corneal wound healing was created through epithelial debridement and mechanical burring to injure the corneal stromal matrix in adult mice. Murine corneas were then treated with varying concentrations of genipin, a natural occurring crosslinking agent, to investigate the effects that matrix crosslinking using genipin has in wound healing and scar formation. Genipin was used in patients with active corneal melting. RESULTS Corneas treated with higher concentrations of genipin were found to develop denser stromal scarring in a mouse model. In human corneas, genipin promoted stromal synthesis and prevention of continuous melt. Genipin mechanisms of action create a favorable environment for upregulation of matrix synthesis and corneal scarring. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that genipin increases matrix synthesis and inhibits the activation of latent transforming growth factor-β. These findings are translated to patients with severe corneal melting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mei Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, USA
| | | | - Curtis E Margo
- Department of Ophthalmology, USA; Pathology and Cell Biology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Marcel Y Avila
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Edgar M Espana
- Department of Ophthalmology, USA; Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, USA.
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Sun M, Cogswell D, Adams S, Ayoubi Y, Kumar A, Reljic T, Avila MY, Margo CE, Espana EM. Downregulation of collagen XI during late postnatal corneal development is followed by upregulation after injury. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:273967. [PMID: 34854919 PMCID: PMC8767274 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen XI plays a role in nucleating collagen fibrils and in controlling fibril diameter. The aim of this research was to elucidate the role that collagen XI plays in corneal fibrillogenesis during development and following injury. The temporal and spatial expression of collagen XI was evaluated in C57BL/6 wild-type mice. For wound-healing studies in adult mice, stromal injuries were created using techniques that avoid caustic chemicals. The temporal expression and spatial localization of collagen XI was studied following injury in a Col11a1 inducible knockout mouse model. We found that collagen XI expression occurs during early maturation and is upregulated after stromal injury in areas of regeneration and remodeling. Abnormal fibrillogenesis with new fibrils of heterogeneous size and shape occurs after injury in a decreased collagen XI matrix. In conclusion, collagen XI is expressed in the stroma during development and following injury in adults, and is a regulator of collagen fibrillogenesis in regenerating corneal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Sun
- From the Cornea, External Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Devon Cogswell
- From the Cornea, External Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Sheila Adams
- From the Cornea, External Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Yasmin Ayoubi
- From the Cornea, External Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ambuj Kumar
- Research Methodology and Biostatistics Core, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Tea Reljic
- Research Methodology and Biostatistics Core, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Marcel Y. Avila
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota 111321, Colombia
| | - Curtis E. Margo
- From the Cornea, External Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Edgar M. Espana
- From the Cornea, External Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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