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Xiao Z, Zhao J, Ji G, Song X, Xue X, Zhang W, Sha G, Zhou Y, Zhou J, Tian Z, Zhao X, Jiang N. miR-493-5p Silenced by DNA Methylation Promotes Angiogenesis via Exosomes and VEGF-A-Mediated Intracellular Cross-Talk Between ESCC Cells and HUVECs. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:7165-7183. [PMID: 39050873 PMCID: PMC11268713 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s464403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in the tumor microenvironment play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression by participating in intercellular cross-talk. However, the functions of exosomal miRNAs and the mechanisms by which they regulate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) progression are unclear. Methods RNA sequencing and GEO analysis were conducted to identify candidate exosomal miRNAs involved in ESCC development. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of plasma exosomal miR-493-5p. EdU, tube formation and Transwell assays were used to investigate the effects of exosomal miR-493-5p on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A subcutaneous xenograft model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects of miR-493-5p and decitabine (a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor). The relationship between miR-493-5p and SP1/SP3 was revealed via a dual-luciferase reporter assay. A series of rescue assays were subsequently performed to investigate whether SP1/SP3 participate in exosomal miR-493-5p-mediated ESCC angiogenesis. Results We found that miR-493-5p expression was notably reduced in the plasma exosomes of ESCC patients, which showed the high potential value in early ESCC diagnosis. Additionally, miR-493-5p, as a candidate tumor suppressor, inhibited the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs by suppressing the expression of VEGFA and exerted its angiostatic effect via exosomes. Moreover, we found that SP1/SP3 are direct targets of miR-493-5p and that re-expression of SP1/SP3 could reverse the inhibitory effects of miR-493-5p. Further investigation revealed that miR-493-5p expression could be regulated by DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and DNMT3B, and either miR-493-5p overexpression or restoration of miR-493-5p expression with decitabine increased the antitumor effects of bevacizumab. Conclusion Exosomal miR-493-5p is a highly valuable ESCC diagnosis marker and inhibits ESCC-associated angiogenesis. miR-493-5p can be silenced via DNA methylation, and restoration of miR-493-5p expression with decitabine increases the antitumor effects of bevacizumab, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for ESCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohua Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiangfeng Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanhong Ji
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangqing Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xia Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guomeng Sha
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongjia Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongxian Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Chest Cancer, Shandong University, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaogang Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Chest Cancer, Shandong University, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, People’s Republic of China
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Shaw P, Dwivedi SKD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P, Rao G. VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189079. [PMID: 38280470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189079] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Shaw
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Geeta Rao
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Zhang H, Cai C, Li Q, Nie Z, Wang M, Liu Y, Shen W, Song H. Copper oxide nanoparticles suppress retinal angiogenesis via inducing endothelial cell cuproptosis. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2024; 19:597-613. [PMID: 38299352 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) exhibit antitumor activity; however, their potential as an antiangiogenesis agent is unknown. Materials & methods: The antiangiogenesis properties of CuO NPs were evaluated in vitro and in vivo and the underlying mechanism was examined using RNA sequencing and metabolomic analyses. Results: CuO NPs inhibited endothelial cell function in vitro. They also mitigated retinal vasculature development and alleviated pathological retinal angiogenesis in vivo. RNA sequencing and metabolomic analyses revealed that CuO NPs disrupt the tricarboxylic acid cycle and induce cuproptosis, which was further supported by evaluating cuproptosis-related metabolites and proteins. Conclusion: CuO NPs may be an effective antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of retinal angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haorui Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Chang Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Department of Spine Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zheng Nie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Mengzhu Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yongxuan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hongyuan Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
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Zhang Y, Li D, Liu Y, Peng L, Lu D, Wang P, Ke D, Yang H, Zhu X, Ruan C. 3D-bioprinted anisotropic bicellular living hydrogels boost osteochondral regeneration via reconstruction of cartilage-bone interface. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100542. [PMID: 38144040 PMCID: PMC10746383 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2023.100542] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Reconstruction of osteochondral (OC) defects represents an immense challenge due to the need for synchronous regeneration of special stratified tissues. The revolutionary innovation of bioprinting provides a robust method for precise fabrication of tissue-engineered OCs with hierarchical structure; however, their spatial living cues for simultaneous fulfilment of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis to reconstruct the cartilage-bone interface of OC are underappreciated. Here, inspired by natural OC bilayer features, anisotropic bicellular living hydrogels (ABLHs) simultaneously embedding articular cartilage progenitor cells (ACPCs) and bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in stratified layers were precisely fabricated via two-channel extrusion bioprinting. The optimum formulation of the 7% GelMA/3% AlgMA hydrogel bioink was demonstrated, with excellent printability at room temperature and maintained high cell viability. Moreover, the chondrogenic ability of ACPCs and the osteogenic ability of BMSCs were demonstrated in vitro, confirming the inherent differential spatial regulation of ABLHs. In addition, ABLHs exhibited satisfactory synchronous regeneration of cartilage and subchondral bone in vivo. Compared with homogeneous hydrogels, the neo-cartilage and neo-bone in ABLHs were augmented by 23.5% and 20.8%, respectively, and more important, a more harmonious cartilage-bone interface was achieved by ABLHs due to their well-tuned cartilage-bone-vessel crosstalk. We anticipate that such a strategy of tissue-mimetic ABLH by means of bioprinting is capable of spatiotemporal cell-driven regeneration, offering insights into the fabrication of anisotropic living materials for the reconstruction of complex organ defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijian Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Duo Li
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organ Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Liuqi Peng
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organ Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Pinpin Wang
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organ Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dongxu Ke
- Novaprint Therapeutics Suzhou Co., Ltd., Room 605, B1 Building, BioBay, No.218 Xinghu Street, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Xuesong Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Changshun Ruan
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organ Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Hu S, Chen Y, Xie D, Xu K, Fu Y, Chi W, Liu H, Huang J. Nme 2 Cas9-mediated therapeutic editing in inhibiting angiogenesis after wet age-related macular degeneration onset. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1383. [PMID: 37598400 PMCID: PMC10440058 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1383] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly wet AMD characterised by choroidal neovascularization (CNV), is a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) pathway contributes to CNV pathogenesis. Previous gene editing research indicated that disrupting these genes in retinal pigment epithelial cells could have a preventive effect on CNV progression. However, no studies have yet been conducted using gene editing to disrupt VEGF signalling after CNV induction for therapeutic validation, which is critical to the clinical application of wet AMD gene editing therapies. METHOD Here, we employed the single-adeno-associated virus-mediated Nme2 Cas9 to disrupt key molecules in VEGF signalling, Hif1α, Vegfa and Vegfr2 after inducing CNV and estimated their therapeutic effects. RESULTS We found that Nme2 Cas9 made efficient editing in target genes up to 71.8% post 11 days in vivo. And only Nme2 Cas9-Vegfa treatment during the early stage of CNV development reduced the CNV lesion area by 49.5%, compared to the negative control, while Nme2 Cas9-Hif1α or Nme2 Cas9-Vegfr2 treatment did not show therapeutic effect. Besides, no off-target effects were observed in Nme2 Cas9-mediated gene editing in vivo. CONCLUSIONS This study provides proof-of-concept possibility of employing Nme2 Cas9 for potential anti-angiogenesis therapy in wet AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihui Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationState Key Laboratory of BiocontrolSchool of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuxi Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationState Key Laboratory of BiocontrolSchool of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Dongchun Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationState Key Laboratory of BiocontrolSchool of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Kan Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Zhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yunzhao Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Zhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Wei Chi
- The State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology Zhongshan Ophthalmic CenterSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Haiying Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationState Key Laboratory of BiocontrolSchool of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong ProvinceSchool of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Junjiu Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and RegulationState Key Laboratory of BiocontrolSchool of Life SciencesSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong ProvinceSchool of Life Sciences and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Zhang J, Sharma D, Dinabandhu A, Sanchez J, Applewhite B, Jee K, Deshpande M, Flores-Bellver M, Hu MW, Guo C, Salman S, Hwang Y, Anders NM, Rudek MA, Qian J, Canto-Soler MV, Semenza GL, Montaner S, Sodhi A. Targeting hypoxia-inducible factors with 32-134D safely and effectively treats diabetic eye disease in mice. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e163290. [PMID: 37227777 PMCID: PMC10313368 DOI: 10.1172/jci163290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many patients with diabetic eye disease respond inadequately to anti-VEGF therapies, implicating additional vasoactive mediators in its pathogenesis. We demonstrate that levels of angiogenic proteins regulated by HIF-1 and -2 remain elevated in the eyes of people with diabetes despite treatment with anti-VEGF therapy. Conversely, by inhibiting HIFs, we normalized the expression of multiple vasoactive mediators in mouse models of diabetic eye disease. Accumulation of HIFs and HIF-regulated vasoactive mediators in hyperglycemic animals was observed in the absence of tissue hypoxia, suggesting that targeting HIFs may be an effective early treatment for diabetic retinopathy. However, while the HIF inhibitor acriflavine prevented retinal vascular hyperpermeability in diabetic mice for several months following a single intraocular injection, accumulation of acriflavine in the retina resulted in retinal toxicity over time, raising concerns for its use in patients. Conversely, 32-134D, a recently developed HIF inhibitor structurally unrelated to acriflavine, was not toxic to the retina, yet effectively inhibited HIF accumulation and normalized HIF-regulated gene expression in mice and in human retinal organoids. Intraocular administration of 32-134D prevented retinal neovascularization and vascular hyperpermeability in mice. These results provide the foundation for clinical studies assessing 32-134D for the treatment of patients with diabetic eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Deepti Sharma
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aumreetam Dinabandhu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaron Sanchez
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brooks Applewhite
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Jee
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Monika Deshpande
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Miguel Flores-Bellver
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ming-Wen Hu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chuanyu Guo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shaima Salman
- Armstrong Oxygen Biology Research Center; Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering; Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Biological Chemistry, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yousang Hwang
- Armstrong Oxygen Biology Research Center; Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering; Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Biological Chemistry, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicole M. Anders
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology and the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michelle A. Rudek
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology and the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jiang Qian
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - M. Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Gregg L. Semenza
- Armstrong Oxygen Biology Research Center; Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering; Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Biological Chemistry, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Wang J, Song Y, Xie W, Zhao J, Wang Y, Yu W. Therapeutic angiogenesis based on injectable hydrogel for protein delivery in ischemic heart disease. iScience 2023; 26:106577. [PMID: 37192972 PMCID: PMC10182303 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and leads to myocardial necrosis and negative myocardial remodeling, ultimately leading to heart failure. Current treatments include drug therapy, interventional therapy, and surgery. However, some patients with severe diffuse coronary artery disease, complex coronary artery anatomy, and other reasons are unsuitable for these treatments. Therapeutic angiogenesis stimulates the growth of the original blood vessels by using exogenous growth factors to generate more new blood vessels, which provides a new treatment for IHD. However, direct injection of these growth factors can cause a short half-life and serious side effects owing to systemic spread. Therefore, to overcome this problem, hydrogels have been developed for temporally and spatially controlled delivery of single or multiple growth factors to mimic the process of angiogenesis in vivo. This paper reviews the mechanism of angiogenesis, some important bioactive molecules, and natural and synthetic hydrogels currently being applied for bioactive molecule delivery to treat IHD. Furthermore, the current challenges of therapeutic angiogenesis in IHD and its potential solutions are discussed to facilitate real translation into clinical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junke Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 26000, China
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Yancheng Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 26000, China
| | - Wenjie Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, Qingdao, Shandong 26000, China
| | - Jiang Zhao
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 26000, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Wenzhou Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 26003, China
- Corresponding author
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8
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Niaudet C, Jung B, Kuo A, Swendeman S, Bull E, Seno T, Crocker R, Fu Z, Smith LEH, Hla T. Therapeutic activation of endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 by chaperone-bound S1P suppresses proliferative retinal neovascularization. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e16645. [PMID: 36912000 PMCID: PMC10165359 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216645] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), the circulating HDL-bound lipid mediator that acts via S1P receptors (S1PR), is required for normal vascular development. The role of this signaling axis in vascular retinopathies is unclear. Here, we show in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) that endothelial overexpression of S1pr1 suppresses while endothelial knockout of S1pr1 worsens neovascular tuft formation. Furthermore, neovascular tufts are increased in Apom-/- mice which lack HDL-bound S1P while they are suppressed in ApomTG mice which have more circulating HDL-S1P. These results suggest that circulating HDL-S1P activation of endothelial S1PR1 suppresses neovascular pathology in OIR. Additionally, systemic administration of ApoM-Fc-bound S1P or a small-molecule Gi-biased S1PR1 agonist suppressed neovascular tuft formation. Circulating HDL-S1P activation of endothelial S1PR1 may be a key protective mechanism to guard against neovascular retinopathies that occur not only in premature infants but also in diabetic patients and aging people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Niaudet
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Bongnam Jung
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Andrew Kuo
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Steven Swendeman
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Edward Bull
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Takahiro Seno
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Reed Crocker
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Zhongjie Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Lois E H Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Timothy Hla
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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9
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Gui X, Zhang H, Zhang R, Li Q, Zhu W, Nie Z, Zhao J, Cui X, Hao W, Wen X, Shen W, Song H. Exosomes incorporated with black phosphorus quantum dots attenuate retinal angiogenesis via disrupting glucose metabolism. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100602. [PMID: 36942311 PMCID: PMC10024194 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) have shown potential in tumor therapy, however, their anti-angiogenic functions have not been studied. Although BPQDs are easily degraded to non-toxic phosphrous, the reported toxicity, poor stability, and non-selectivity largely limit their further application in medicine. In this study, a vascular targeting, biocompatible, and cell metabolism-disrupting nanoplatform is engineered by incorporating BPQDs into exosomes modified with the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide (BPQDs@RGD-EXO nanospheres, BREs). BREs inhibit endothelial cells (ECs) proliferation, migration, tube formation, and sprouting in vitro. The anti-angiogenic role of BREs in vivo is evaluated using mouse retinal vascular development model and oxygen-induced retinopathy model. Combined RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis reveal that BREs disrupt glucose metabolism, which is further confirmed by evaluating metabolites, ATP production and the c-MYC/Hexokinase 2 pathway. These BREs are promising anti-angiogenic platforms for the treatment of pathological retinal angiogenesis with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Gui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Haorui Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Weiye Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zheng Nie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jiawei Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiao Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Weiju Hao
- University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, PR China
| | - Xudong Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chengdu Integrated TCM&Western Medicine Hospital, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, 610016, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Hongyuan Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, No. 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Corresponding author.
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Foster MJ, Shaia J, Maatouk CM, Urbano CA, Bui MT, Hom GL, Kuo BL, Singh RP, Talcott KE. Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Eyes With Baseline Macular Atrophy on Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023; 54:223-230. [PMID: 36884230 DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20230223-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This study explores the connection between macular atrophy (MA) status at baseline and best visual acuity (BVA) after 5 to 7 years of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections on eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective study included patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration receiving anti-VEGF injections at least twice-yearly for 5+ years at Cole Eye Institute. Analyses of variance and linear regressions explored the connection between MA status, baseline MA intensity, and 5-year BVA change. RESULTS Of 223 included patients, 5-year BVA change was not statistically significant between MA status groups or from baseline. The population's average 7-year BVA change was -6.3 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters. Type and frequency of anti-VEGF injections were comparable between MA status groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION Regardless of MA status, 5- and 7-year BVA change lacked clinical relevance. If receiving regular treatment for 5+ years, patients with baseline MA achieve comparable visual outcomes to those without MA, with similar treatment and visit burdens. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54(X):X-X.].
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11
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Khachigian LM, Liew G, Teo KYC, Wong TY, Mitchell P. Emerging therapeutic strategies for unmet need in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. J Transl Med 2023; 21:133. [PMID: 36810060 PMCID: PMC9942398 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03937-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, such as ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept, brolucizumab and faricimab have revolutionized the clinical management of nAMD. However, there remains an unmet clinical need for new and improved therapies for nAMD, since many patients do not respond optimally, may lose response over time or exhibit sub-optimal durability, impacting on real world effectiveness. Evidence is emerging that targeting VEGF-A alone, as most agents have done until recently, may be insufficient and agents that target multiple pathways (e.g., aflibercept, faricimab and others in development) may be more efficacious. This article reviews issues and limitations that have arisen from the use of existing anti-VEGF agents, and argues that the future may lie in multi-targeted therapies including alternative agents and modalities that target both the VEGF ligand/receptor system as well as other pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levon M. Khachigian
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Gerald Liew
- grid.476921.fCentre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Kelvin Y. C. Teo
- grid.419272.b0000 0000 9960 1711Singapore National Eye Centre and Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tien Y. Wong
- grid.419272.b0000 0000 9960 1711Singapore National Eye Centre and Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Paul Mitchell
- grid.476921.fCentre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
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12
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Fu X, Feng S, Qin H, Yan L, Zheng C, Yao K. Microglia: The breakthrough to treat neovascularization and repair blood-retinal barrier in retinopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1100254. [PMID: 36756614 PMCID: PMC9899825 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1100254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the primary resident retinal macrophages that monitor neuronal activity in real-time and facilitate angiogenesis during retinal development. In certain retinal diseases, the activated microglia promote retinal angiogenesis in hypoxia stress through neurovascular coupling and guide neovascularization to avascular areas (e.g., the outer nuclear layer and macula lutea). Furthermore, continuously activated microglia secrete inflammatory factors and expedite the loss of the blood-retinal barrier which causes irreversible damage to the secondary death of neurons. In this review, we support microglia can be a potential cellular therapeutic target in retinopathy. We briefly describe the relevance of microglia to the retinal vasculature and blood-retinal barrier. Then we discuss the signaling pathway related to how microglia move to their destinations and regulate vascular regeneration. We summarize the properties of microglia in different retinal disease models and propose that reducing the number of pro-inflammatory microglial death and conversing microglial phenotypes from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory are feasible for treating retinal neovascularization and the damaged blood-retinal barrier (BRB). Finally, we suppose that the unique properties of microglia may aid in the vascularization of retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Fu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyu Feng
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Qin
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Yan
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyan Zheng
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Yao
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Kai Yao,
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13
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Cao X, Sanchez JC, Patel TP, Yang Z, Guo C, Malik D, Sopeyin A, Montaner S, Sodhi A. Aflibercept more effectively weans patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration off therapy compared with bevacizumab. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:159125. [PMID: 36413411 PMCID: PMC9843049 DOI: 10.1172/jci159125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDStudies assessing the efficacy of therapies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) have demonstrated that aflibercept may have a longer treatment interval than its less-expensive alternative, bevacizumab. However, whether this benefit justifies the additional cost of aflibercept remains under debate. We have recently reported that a treat-and-extend-pause/monitor approach can be used to successfully wean 31% of patients with nvAMD off anti-VEGF therapy. Here, we examined whether the choice of therapy influences the outcomes of this approach.METHODSIn this retrospective analysis, 122 eyes of 106 patients with nvAMD underwent 3 consecutive monthly injections with either aflibercept (n = 70) or bevacizumab (n = 52), followed by a treat-and-extend protocol, in which the decision to extend the interval between treatments was based on visual acuity, clinical exam, and the presence or absence of fluid on optical coherence tomography. Eyes that remained stable 12 weeks from their prior treatment were given a 6-week trial of holding further treatment, followed by quarterly monitoring. Treatment was resumed for worsening vision, clinical exam, or optical coherence tomography findings.RESULTSAt the end of 1 year, eyes receiving bevacizumab had similar vision but required more injections (8.7 ± 0.3 treatments vs. 7.2 ± 0.3 treatments) compared with eyes receiving aflibercept. However, eyes treated with aflibercept were almost 3 times more likely to be weaned off treatment (43% vs. 15%) compared with eyes treated with bevacizumab at the end of 1 year.CONCLUSIONThese observations expose an advantage of aflibercept over bevacizumab and have important clinical implications for the selection of therapy for patients with nvAMD.FUNDINGThis work was supported by the National Eye Institute, NIH grants R01EY029750 and R01EY025705, Research to Prevent Blindness, the Alcon Young Investigator Award from the Alcon Research Institute, and the Branna and Irving Sisenwein Professorship in Ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Cao
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaron Castillo Sanchez
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tapan P. Patel
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhiyong Yang
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chuanyu Guo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Danyal Malik
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anuoluwapo Sopeyin
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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14
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Usui‐Ouchi A, Eade K, Giles S, Ideguchi Y, Ouchi Y, Aguilar E, Wei G, Marra KV, Berlow RB, Friedlander M. Deletion of Tgfβ signal in activated microglia prolongs hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization enhancing Igf1 expression and retinal leukostasis. Glia 2022; 70:1762-1776. [PMID: 35611927 PMCID: PMC9540888 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Retinal neovascularization (NV) is the major cause of severe visual impairment in patients with ischemic eye diseases. While it is known that retinal microglia contribute to both physiological and pathological angiogenesis, the molecular mechanisms by which these glia regulate pathological NV have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we utilized a retinal microglia-specific Transforming Growth Factor-β (Tgfβ) receptor knock out mouse model and human iPSC-derived microglia to examine the role of Tgfβ signaling in activated microglia during retinal NV. Using a tamoxifen-inducible, microglia-specific Tgfβ receptor type 2 (Tgfβr2) knockout mouse [Tgfβr2 KO (ΔMG)] we show that Tgfβ signaling in microglia actively represses leukostasis in retinal vessels. Furthermore, we show that Tgfβ signaling represses expression of the pro-angiogenic factor, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1), independent of Vegf regulation. Using the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) we show that Tgfβ signaling in activated microglia plays a role in hypoxia-induced NV where a loss in Tgfβ signaling microglia exacerbates and prolongs retinal NV in OIR. Using human iPSC-derived microglia cells in an in vitro assay, we validate the role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (Tgfβ1) in regulating Igf1 expression in hypoxic conditions. Finally, we show that Tgfβ signaling in microglia is essential for microglial homeostasis and that the disruption of Tgfβ signaling in microglia exacerbates retinal NV in OIR by promoting leukostasis and Igf1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Usui‐Ouchi
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of OphthalmologyJuntendo University Urayasu HospitalChibaJapan
| | - Kevin Eade
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- The Lowy Medical Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah Giles
- The Lowy Medical Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yoichiro Ideguchi
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yasuo Ouchi
- Gene Expression LaboratorySalk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Regenerative MedicineChiba University Graduate School of MedicineChibaJapan
| | - Edith Aguilar
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Guoqin Wei
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kyle V. Marra
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rebecca B. Berlow
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Martin Friedlander
- Department of Molecular MedicineThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- The Lowy Medical Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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15
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Ren J, Zhang S, Pan Y, Jin M, Li J, Luo Y, Sun X, Li G. Diabetic retinopathy: Involved cells, biomarkers, and treatments. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:953691. [PMID: 36016568 PMCID: PMC9396039 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.953691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide, is caused by retinal neurovascular unit dysfunction, and its cellular pathology involves at least nine kinds of retinal cells, including photoreceptors, horizontal and bipolar cells, amacrine cells, retinal ganglion cells, glial cells (Müller cells, astrocytes, and microglia), endothelial cells, pericytes, and retinal pigment epithelial cells. Its mechanism is complicated and involves loss of cells, inflammatory factor production, neovascularization, and BRB impairment. However, the mechanism has not been completely elucidated. Drug treatment for DR has been gradually advancing recently. Research on potential drug targets relies upon clear information on pathogenesis and effective biomarkers. Therefore, we reviewed the recent literature on the cellular pathology and the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of DR in terms of blood, protein, and clinical and preclinical drug therapy (including synthesized molecules and natural molecules). This review may provide a theoretical basis for further DR research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Ren
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Yunnan Branch, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Kunming, China
| | - Shuxia Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfeng Pan
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Meiqi Jin
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Kunming, China
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Yun Luo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun , ; Guang Li,
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resource Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun , ; Guang Li,
| | - Guang Li
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Yunnan Branch, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun , ; Guang Li,
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16
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Qin Y, Dinabandhu A, Cao X, Sanchez JC, Jee K, Rodrigues M, Guo C, Zhang J, Vancel J, Menon D, Khan NS, Ma T, Tzeng SY, Daoud Y, Green JJ, Semenza GL, Montaner S, Sodhi A. ANGPTL4 influences the therapeutic response of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration by promoting choroidal neovascularization. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e157896. [PMID: 35653189 PMCID: PMC9310537 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.157896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Most patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss in elderly US citizens, respond inadequately to current therapies targeting a single angiogenic mediator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Here, we report that aqueous fluid levels of a second vasoactive mediator, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), can help predict the response of patients with nvAMD to anti-VEGF therapies. ANGPTL4 expression was higher in patients who required monthly treatment with anti-VEGF therapies compared with patients who could be effectively treated with less-frequent injections. We further demonstrate that ANGPTL4 acts synergistically with VEGF to promote the growth and leakage of choroidal neovascular (CNV) lesions in mice. Targeting ANGPTL4 expression was as effective as targeting VEGF expression for treating CNV in mice, while simultaneously targeting both was more effective than targeting either factor alone. To help translate these findings to patients, we used a soluble receptor that binds to both VEGF and ANGPTL4 and effectively inhibited the development of CNV lesions in mice. Our findings provide an assay that can help predict the response of patients with nvAMD to anti-VEGF monotherapy and suggest that therapies targeting both ANGPTL4 and VEGF will be a more effective approach for the treatment of this blinding disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qin
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Eye Hospital of China Medical University, Key Lens Research Laboratory of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Aumreetam Dinabandhu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuan Cao
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaron Castillo Sanchez
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Jee
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Murilo Rodrigues
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chuanyu Guo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Clinical Research Center, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jordan Vancel
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deepak Menon
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Noore-Sabah Khan
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephany Y. Tzeng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yassine Daoud
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jordan J. Green
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregg L. Semenza
- Department of Genetic Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Oncology
- Department of Radiation Oncology, and
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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17
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Kuo CYJ, Murphy R, Rupenthal ID, Mugisho OO. Correlation between the progression of diabetic retinopathy and inflammasome biomarkers in vitreous and serum – a systematic review. BMC Ophthalmol 2022; 22:238. [PMID: 35624430 PMCID: PMC9145105 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-022-02439-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway has been implicated in Diabetic retinopathy (DR) pathogenesis, but its impact on DR development and progression remains unclear. Therefore, the primary aim of this systematic literature review was to determine the role of the inflammasome in DR development. Furthermore, the secondary aim was to determine whether systemic inflammasome activity can be used to predict DR progression. Studies measuring vitreous and/or serum inflammasome biomarkers in DR patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) were searched systematically using online databases EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science with the last search conducted on 29th of September 2021. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and 20 studies were eligible for narrative analysis. Limitations included the heterogeneity in detection assays used, the small and uneven sample size, a lack of vitreous data in earlier disease stages, and not accounting for patients with other systemic co-morbidities. Analysis showed that inflammasome biomarkers IL-1β and IL-18 increased significantly from non-proliferative DR to proliferative DR in both vitreous and serum, suggesting the inflammasome pathway is activated as DR progresses and that serum inflammasome levels could be explored as potential biomarkers for DR progression.
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18
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Kumar R, Rao GN. Novel Role of Prereplication Complex Component Cell Division Cycle 6 in Retinal Neovascularization. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:407-427. [PMID: 35236105 PMCID: PMC8957605 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317182] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major aim of this study is to investigate whether CDC6 (cell division cycle 6), a replication origin recognition complex component, plays a role in retinal neovascularization, and if so, to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS In this study, we used a variety of approaches including cellular and moleculer biological methodologies as well as global and tissue-specific knockout mice in combination with an oxygen-induced retinopathy model to study the role of CDC6 in retinal neovascularization. RESULTS VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A)-induced CDC6 expression in a time-dependent manner in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, VEGFA-induced CDC6 expression was dependent on PLCβ3 (phospholipase Cβ3)-mediated NFATc1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells c1) activation. Furthermore, while siRNA-mediated depletion of PLCβ3, NFATc1, or CDC6 levels blunted VEGFA-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cell angiogenic events such as proliferation, migration, sprouting, and tube formation, CDC6 overexpression rescued these effects in NFATc1-deficient mouse retinal microvascular endothelial cells. In accordance with these observations, global knockdown of PLCβ3 or endothelial cell-specific deletion of NFATc1 or siRNA-mediated depletion of CDC6 levels substantially inhibited oxygen-induced retinopathy-induced retinal sprouting and neovascularization. In addition, retroviral-mediated overexpression of CDC6 rescued oxygen-induced retinopathy-induced retinal neovascularization from inhibition in PLCβ3 knockout mice and in endothelial cell-specific NFATc1-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS The above observations clearly reveal that PLCβ3-mediated NFATc1 activation-dependent CDC6 expression plays a crucial role in VEGFA/oxygen-induced retinopathy-induced retinal neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
| | - Gadiparthi N Rao
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
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19
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Cao X, Sanchez JC, Dinabandhu A, Guo C, Patel TP, Yang Z, Hu MW, Chen L, Wang Y, Malik D, Jee K, Daoud YJ, Handa JT, Zhang H, Qian J, Montaner S, Sodhi A. Aqueous proteins help predict the response of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration to anti-VEGF therapy. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e144469. [PMID: 34874918 PMCID: PMC8759792 DOI: 10.1172/jci144469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTo reduce the treatment burden for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD), emerging therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are being designed to extend the interval between treatments, thereby minimizing the number of intraocular injections. However, which patients will benefit from longer-acting agents is not clear.MethodsEyes with nvAMD (n = 122) underwent 3 consecutive monthly injections with currently available anti-VEGF therapies, followed by a treat-and-extend protocol. Patients who remained quiescent 12 weeks from their prior treatment entered a treatment pause and were switched to pro re nata (PRN) treatment (based on vision, clinical exam, and/or imaging studies). Proteomic analysis was performed on aqueous fluid to identify proteins that correlate with patients' response to treatment.ResultsAt the end of 1 year, 38 of 122 eyes (31%) entered a treatment pause (≥30 weeks). Conversely, 21 of 122 eyes (17%) failed extension and required monthly treatment at the end of year 1. Proteomic analysis of aqueous fluid identified proteins that correlated with patients' response to treatment, including proteins previously implicated in AMD pathogenesis. Interestingly, apolipoprotein-B100 (ApoB100), a principal component of drusen implicated in the progression of nonneovascular AMD, was increased in treated patients who required less frequent injections. ApoB100 expression was higher in AMD eyes compared with controls but was lower in eyes that develop choroidal neovascularization (CNV), consistent with a protective role. Accordingly, mice overexpressing ApoB100 were partially protected from laser-induced CNV.FundingThis work was supported by the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health grants R01EY029750, R01EY025705, and R01 EY27961; the Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.; the Alcon Research Institute; and Johns Hopkins University through the Robert Bond Welch and Branna and Irving Sisenwein professorships in ophthalmology.ConclusionAqueous biomarkers could help identify patients with nvAMD who may not require or benefit from long-term treatment with anti-VEGF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Cao
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaron Castillo Sanchez
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aumreetam Dinabandhu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry and Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chuanyu Guo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tapan P. Patel
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhiyong Yang
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ming-Wen Hu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lijun Chen
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuefan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Danyal Malik
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Jee
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yassine J. Daoud
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - James T. Handa
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jiang Qian
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry and Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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20
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Zhang L, Zhang SS, Wang KF, Li YH, Xu HJ, Sun KX, Ma S, Leng HM, Chen SZ, Jia WJ, Zhu XJ, Li J. Overexpression of Twist1 in vascular endothelial cells promotes pathological retinal angiogenesis in mice. Zool Res 2022; 43:64-74. [PMID: 34845879 PMCID: PMC8743260 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal angiogenesis is a critical process for normal retinal function. However, uncontrolled angiogenesis can lead to pathological neovascularization (NV), which is closely related to most irreversible blindness-causing retinal diseases. Understanding the molecular basis behind pathological NV is important for the treatment of related diseases. Twist-related protein 1 (TWIST1) is a well-known transcription factor and principal inducer of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in many human cancers. Our previous study showed that Twist1 expression is elevated in pathological retinal NV. To date, however, the role of TWIST1 in retinal pathological angiogenesis remains to be elucidated. To study the role of TWIST1 in pathological retinal NV and identify specific molecular targets for antagonizing pathological NV, we generated an inducible vascular endothelial cell (EC)-specific Twist1 transgenic mouse model ( Tg-Twist1 iEC+ ). Whole-mount retinas from Tg-Twist1 iEC+ mice showed retarded vascular progression and increased vascular density in the front end of the growing retinal vasculature, as well as aneurysm-like pathological retinal NV. Furthermore, overexpression of Twist1 in the ECs promoted cell proliferation but disturbed cell polarity, thus leading to uncontrolled retinal angiogenesis. TWIST1 promoted pathological NV by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inducing the expression of NV formation-related genes, thereby acting as a 'valve' in the regulation of pathological angiogenesis. This study identified the critical role of TWIST1 in retinal pathological NV, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for pathological NV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shan-Shan Zhang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Kai-Fang Wang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Yi-Hui Li
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Hui-Juan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Kuan-Xiang Sun
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Shi Ma
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Hong-Mei Leng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Si-Zhu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Wen-Jing Jia
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xian-Jun Zhu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China. E-mail:
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21
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Fayd'herbe De Maudave A, Leconet W, Toupet K, Constantinides M, Bossis G, de Toledo M, Vialaret J, Hirtz C, Lopez-Noriega A, Jorgensen C, Noël D, Louis-Plence P, Grizot S, Villalba M. Intra-articular delivery of full-length antibodies through the use of an in situ forming depot. J Control Release 2021; 341:578-590. [PMID: 34915070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are large size molecules that have demonstrated high therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases. Despite some excellent results, their intravenous administration results in high plasma concentration. This triggers off-target effects and sometimes poor targeted tissue distribution. To circumvent this issue, we investigated a local controlled-delivery approach using an in situ forming depot technology. Two clinically relevant mAbs, rituximab (RTX) and daratumumab (DARA), were formulated using an injectable technology based on biodegradable PEG-PLA copolymers. The stability and controlled release features of the formulations were investigated. HPLC and mass spectrometry revealed the preservation of the protein structure. In vitro binding of formulated antibodies to their target antigens and to their cellular FcγRIIIa natural killer cell receptor was fully maintained. Furthermore, encapsulated RTX was as efficient as classical intravenous RTX treatment to inhibit the in vivo tumor growth of malignant human B cells in immunodeficient NSG mice. Finally, the intra-articular administration of the formulated mAbs yielded a sustained local release associated with a lower plasma concentration compared to the intra-articular delivery of non-encapsulated mAbs. Our results demonstrate that the utilization of this polymeric technology is a reliable alternative for the local delivery of fully functional clinically relevant mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael Constantinides
- IRMB, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France; IRMB, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christian Jorgensen
- IRMB, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France; IRMB, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Daniele Noël
- IRMB, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France; IRMB, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Martin Villalba
- IRMB, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France; IRMB, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France; IRMB, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Institut Sainte-Catherine, Avignon, France.
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22
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Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factors hypertension, proteinuria, and renal injury: a concise review. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2021; 31:47-56. [PMID: 34750330 DOI: 10.1097/mnh.0000000000000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Nearly 20 years ago, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)inhibitors (VEGFi) were adapted from systemic use from antiangiogenesis roles to intravitreal uses. Initially bevacizumab a murine immunoglobulin was injected 'off label' as a treatment for diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration. Throughout the following decade aflibercept and finally ranibizumab were adapted and obtained Food and Drug Administration approval for intravitreal use. Initially systemic absorption was thought to be quite low after intravitreal injections and was quoted as being 200-fold lower than levels postulated to induce significant VEGF inhibition. Pharmacodynamic studies obtained in 2014 and again in 2017 revealed significant systemic absorption and detectable VEGF inhibition, this has since been confirmed in multiple subsequent studies. RECENT FINDINGS A few case reports of renal dysfunction and glomerular disease related to VEGFi were initially identified. Mixed findings on effects on blood pressure were noted in studies. More recently, 32 cases of de-novo glomerular disease and/or proteinuria exacerbation were identified. New studies have corroborated increased blood pressure, proteinuria exacerbation in patients with pre-existing nephrotic syndrome, and systemic VEGF depletion. Further, the most common lesion of systemic VEGFi nephrotoxicity, thrombotic microangiopathy, has recently been reported by our group. SUMMARY We will review the pharmacokinetic, translational, and epidemiological data that year upon year establish the finite-yet real risk of intravitreal VEGFi.
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23
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Campochiaro PA. Retinal and Choroidal Vascular Diseases: Past, Present, and Future: The 2021 Proctor Lecture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:26. [PMID: 34817536 PMCID: PMC8637787 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.14.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Campochiaro
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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24
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Phadke G, Hanna RM, Ferrey A, Torres EA, Singla A, Kaushal A, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kurtz I, Jhaveri KD. Review of intravitreal VEGF inhibitor toxicity and report of collapsing FSGS with TMA in a patient with age-related macular degeneration. Clin Kidney J 2021; 14:2158-2165. [PMID: 34603693 PMCID: PMC8483684 DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfab066] [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: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor blockade is used for a variety of retinal pathologies. These include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and central retinal vein obstruction. Reports of absorption of intravitreal agents into systemic circulation have increased in number and confirmation of depletion of VEGF has been confirmed. Increasingly there are studies and case reports showing worsening hypertension, proteinuria, renal dysfunction and glomerular disease. The pathognomonic findings of systemic VEGF blockade, thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs), are also being increasingly reported. One lesion that occurs in conjunction with TMAs that has been described is collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (cFSGS). cFSGS has been postulated to occur due to TMA-induced chronic glomerular hypoxia. In this updated review we discuss the mechanistic, pharmacological, epidemiological and clinical evidence of intravitreal VEGF toxicity. We review cases of biopsy-proven toxicity presented by our group and other investigators. We also present the third reported case of cFSGS in the setting of intravitreal VEGF blockade with a chronic TMA component that was crucially found on biopsy. This patient is a 74-year-old nondiabetic male receiving aflibercept for AMD. Of the two prior cases of cFSGS in the setting of VEGF blockade, one had AMD and the other had DME. This case solidifies the finding of cFSGS and its association with chronic TMA as a lesion that may be frequently encountered in patients receiving intravitreal VEGF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Phadke
- Metrolina Nephrology Associates, Charlotte, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Fargo School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Ramy M Hanna
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Antoney Ferrey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Amit Kaushal
- Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, USA.,Department of Medicine, Fargo School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Ira Kurtz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California, Los Angeles, Westwood, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, Westwood, CA, USA
| | - Kenar D Jhaveri
- Northwell Health, Hofstra School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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25
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Cha S, Seo WI, Woo HN, Kim HJ, Lee SHS, Kim J, Choi JS, Park K, Lee JY, Lee BJ, Lee H. AAV expressing an mTOR-inhibiting siRNA exhibits therapeutic potential in retinal vascular disorders by preserving endothelial integrity. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 12:71-81. [PMID: 34431239 PMCID: PMC8727948 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding on previous demonstrations of the therapeutic effects of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) carrying small‐hairpin RNA (shRNA) in downregulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in in vivo retinal vascular disorders, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐stimulated endothelial cells were treated with AAV2‐shmTOR to examine the role of mTOR inhibition in retinal angiogenesis. AAV2‐shmTOR exposure significantly reduced mTOR expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and decreased downstream signaling cascades of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2 under VEGF treatment. Moreover, the angiogenic potential of VEGF was significantly inhibited by AAV2‐shmTOR, which preserved endothelial integrity by maintaining tight junctions between HUVECs. These data thus support previous in vivo studies and provide evidence that AAV2‐shmTOR induces therapeutic effects by inhibiting the neovascularization of endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seho Cha
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea
| | - Won-Il Seo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine: College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Ha-Na Woo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.,Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jong Kim
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea
| | - Steven Hyun Seung Lee
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Kim
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jun-Sub Choi
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea
| | - Keerang Park
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju, Korea
| | - Joo Yong Lee
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Jun Lee
- Department of Veterinary Medicine: College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Heuiran Lee
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Microbiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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26
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A Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody Targeting cKIT Is a Potent Inhibitor of Pathological Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081308. [PMID: 34452268 PMCID: PMC8400730 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor, cKIT, are novel regulators of pathological neovascularization in the eye, which suggests that inhibition of SCF/cKIT signaling may be a novel pharmacological strategy for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of a newly developed fully human monoclonal antibody targeting cKIT, NN2101, in a murine model of neovascular AMD. In hypoxic human endothelial cells, NN2101 substantially inhibited the SCF-induced increase in angiogenesis and activation of the cKIT signaling pathway. In a murine model of neovascular AMD, intravitreal injection of NN2101 substantially inhibited the SCF/cKIT-mediated choroidal neovascularization (CNV), with efficacy comparable to aflibercept, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor. A combined intravitreal injection of NN2101 and aflibercept resulted in an additive therapeutic effect on CNV. NN2101 neither caused ocular toxicity nor interfered with the early retinal vascular development in mice. Ocular pharmacokinetic analysis in rabbits indicated that NN2101 demonstrated a pharmacokinetic profile suitable for intravitreal injection. These findings provide the first evidence of the potential use of the anti-cKIT blocking antibody, NN2101, as an alternative or additive therapeutic for the treatment of neovascular AMD.
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27
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Progranulin deficiency in Iba-1 + myeloid cells exacerbates choroidal neovascularization by perturbation of lysosomal function and abnormal inflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:164. [PMID: 34304733 PMCID: PMC8310601 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02203-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the principal cause of permanent blindness among elderly individuals worldwide. Chronic inflammation in the subretinal space is associated with a progression of exudative AMD. Progranulin (PGRN) is a growth factor secreted from myeloid cells and plays an important role in controlling the lysosomal function. A deficiency in PGRN leads to inflammation of the neurons in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role played by PGRN in the size of the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in laser-induced CNV mice. Methods CNVs were induced in C57BL/6J mice by laser photocoagulation of the retina. The expression of PGRN and the accumulation of Iba-1+ cells around the sites of the CNVs were determined. Grn−/−, Grn+/−, and Grn+/+ mice with laser-induced CNVs were also studied. To evaluate the effect of macrophages on the inflammation, we used a macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) in which the expression of PGRN was knocked down by RNA interference and peritoneal macrophages derived from Grn−/− and Grn+/+ mice. These cells were incubated under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). Results Iba-1+ myeloid cells migrated and accumulated in the photocoagulation-induced CNV areas, and the CNV lesions secreted high levels of PGRN in Grn+/+ mice. The size of the CNVs was larger in Grn−/− mice than in Grn+/− and Grn+/+ mice. In Grn−/− mice, the number of ocular-infiltrating Iba-1+ cells around the CNV was higher, and these cells produced more VEGF-A than the cells in the Grn+/+ mice. PGRN-silencing of RAW264.7 cells led to abnormal activation of the cells. In addition, hypoxic conditions promoted the production of proangiogenic and proinflammatory cytokines from PGRN-deficient macrophages. Interestingly, the expression level of lysosome-associated proteins and the number of activated lysosomes increased in PGRN-deficient macrophages. Conclusions These findings indicate that PGRN deficiency in Iba-1+ cells activates the lysosomal function that then leads to abnormal inflammation. The aberrant activation of Iba-1+ myeloid cells might contribute to the progression of the CNV and the regulation of these cells might be a novel therapeutic target for exudative AMD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02203-1.
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28
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Zhang J, Qin Y, Martinez M, Flores-Bellver M, Rodrigues M, Dinabandhu A, Cao X, Deshpande M, Qin Y, Aparicio-Domingo S, Rui Y, Tzeng SY, Salman S, Yuan J, Scott AW, Green JJ, Canto-Soler MV, Semenza GL, Montaner S, Sodhi A. HIF-1α and HIF-2α redundantly promote retinal neovascularization in patients with ischemic retinal disease. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e139202. [PMID: 34128478 PMCID: PMC8203455 DOI: 10.1172/jci139202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapies targeting VEGF have proven only modestly effective for the treatment of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (PSR), the leading cause of blindness in patients with sickle cell disease. Here, we shift our attention upstream from the genes that promote retinal neovascularization (NV) to the transcription factors that regulate their expression. We demonstrated increased expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in the ischemic inner retina of PSR eyes. Although both HIFs participated in promoting VEGF expression by hypoxic retinal Müller cells, HIF-1 alone was sufficient to promote retinal NV in mice, suggesting that therapies targeting only HIF-2 would not be adequate to prevent PSR. Nonetheless, administration of a HIF-2-specific inhibitor currently in clinical trials (PT2385) inhibited NV in the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. To unravel these discordant observations, we examined the expression of HIFs in OIR mice and demonstrated rapid but transient accumulation of HIF-1α but delayed and sustained accumulation of HIF-2α; simultaneous expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α was not observed. Staggered HIF expression was corroborated in hypoxic adult mouse retinal explants but not in human retinal organoids, suggesting that this phenomenon may be unique to mice. Using pharmacological inhibition or an in vivo nanoparticle-mediated RNAi approach, we demonstrated that inhibiting either HIF was effective for preventing NV in OIR mice. Collectively, these results explain why inhibition of either HIF-1α or HIF-2α is equally effective for preventing retinal NV in mice but suggest that therapies targeting both HIFs will be necessary to prevent NV in patients with PSR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaowu Qin
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mireya Martinez
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Miguel Flores-Bellver
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Murilo Rodrigues
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aumreetam Dinabandhu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuan Cao
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Monika Deshpande
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yu Qin
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Eye Hospital of China Medical University, Key Lens Research Laboratory of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Silvia Aparicio-Domingo
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Yuan Rui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Translational Tissue Engineering Center, and
| | - Stephany Y. Tzeng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Translational Tissue Engineering Center, and
| | - Shaima Salman
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Biological Chemistry, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Adrienne W. Scott
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jordan J. Green
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Translational Tissue Engineering Center, and
| | - M. Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Gregg L. Semenza
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Biological Chemistry, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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29
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Cignarella A, Fadini GP, Bolego C, Trevisi L, Boscaro C, Sanga V, Seccia TM, Rosato A, Rossi GP, Barton M. Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Angiogenesis Inhibitors: Sex Differences and Current Challenges. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:988-1003. [PMID: 33739385 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasoactive molecules, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelins, share cytokine-like activities and regulate endothelial cell (EC) growth, migration and inflammation. Some endothelial mediators and their receptors are targets for currently approved angiogenesis inhibitors, drugs that are either monoclonal antibodies raised towards VEGF, or inhibitors of vascular receptor protein kinases and signaling pathways. Pharmacological interference with the protective functions of ECs results in a similar spectrum of adverse effects. Clinically, the most common side effects of VEGF signaling pathway inhibition include an increase in arterial pressure, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction ultimately causing heart failure, and thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Sex steroids such as androgens, progestins, and estrogen and their receptors (ERα, ERβ, GPER; PR-A, PR-B; AR) have been identified as important modifiers of angiogenesis, and sex differences have been reported for anti-angiogenic drugs. This review article discusses the current challenges clinicians are facing with regard to angiogenesis inhibitor treatments, including the need to consider sex differences affecting clinical efficacy and safety. We also propose areas for future research taking into account the role of sex hormone receptors and sex chromosomes. Development of new sex-specific drugs with improved target and cell-type selectivity likely will open the way personalized medicine in men and women requiring antiangiogenic therapy and result in reduced adverse effects and improved therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gian Paolo Fadini
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Bolego
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Lucia Trevisi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Carlotta Boscaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Viola Sanga
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Venetian Cancer Institute IOV - IRCCS, Padova, Italy.,Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Matthias Barton
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy.,Molecular Internal Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland.,Andreas Grüntzig Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland
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30
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Pan WW, Gardner TW, Harder JL. Integrative Biology of Diabetic Retinal Disease: Lessons from Diabetic Kidney Disease. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1254. [PMID: 33803590 PMCID: PMC8003049 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinal disease (DRD) remains the most common cause of vision loss in adults of working age. Progress on the development of new therapies for DRD has been limited by the complexity of the human eye, which constrains the utility of traditional research techniques, including animal and tissue culture models-a problem shared by those in the field of kidney disease research. By contrast, significant progress in the study of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has resulted from the successful employment of systems biology approaches. Systems biology is widely used to comprehensively understand complex human diseases through the unbiased integration of genetic, environmental, and phenotypic aspects of the disease with the functional and structural manifestations of the disease. The application of a systems biology approach to DRD may help to clarify the molecular basis of the disease and its progression. Acquiring this type of information might enable the development of personalized treatment approaches, with the goal of discovering new therapies targeted to an individual's specific DRD pathophysiology and phenotype. Furthermore, recent efforts have revealed shared and distinct pathways and molecular targets of DRD and DKD, highlighting the complex pathophysiology of these diseases and raising the possibility of therapeutics beneficial to both organs. The objective of this review is to survey the current understanding of DRD pathophysiology and to demonstrate the investigative approaches currently applied to DKD that could promote a more thorough understanding of the structure, function, and progression of DRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren W. Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; (W.W.P.); (T.W.G.)
| | - Thomas W. Gardner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; (W.W.P.); (T.W.G.)
- Department of Internal Medicine (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes), University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Harder
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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31
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Liu Y, Feng M, Cai J, Li S, Dai X, Shan G, Wu S. Repurposing bortezomib for choroidal neovascularization treatment via antagonizing VEGF-A and PDGF-D mediated signaling. Exp Eye Res 2021; 204:108446. [PMID: 33476605 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neoAMD) is the leading cause of blindness in AMD and manifests as choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are the mainstay treatments but with limited efficacy and cause detrimental effects on the retina after long-term application. These disadvantages warrant alternative strategy. Herein, we examined the effect on CNV by intravitreal injection of bortezomib, a reversible proteasome inhibitor, and further dissected the mechanism. Krypton red Laser was used to create CNV model in mice. The angiogenesis volume was assessed in choroidal flat-mount with isolectin GS-IB4 labeling and the leakage was examined with fluorescein fundus angiography. Injection of Borsub inhibited angiogenesis in the CNV model which was dose-dependent; the injection significantly inhibited leakage as well. Furthermore, Borsub injection reduced the contents of VEGF-A, macrophage chemotactic factor 1 (MCP-1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-D but not PDGF-B, examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in choroid/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tissue. These injections also reduced phospho-VEGFR-2 and phospho-PDGFRβ in choroid/RPE tissue examined by immunoblotting. Moreover, Borsub inhibited the recruitment of mural cells or macrophages to laser-injured spots. Injection of Borsub indicated negative effect on scotopic and photopic responses recorded by electroretinogram. Altogether, intravitreal injection of Borsub significantly reduced CNV by antagonizing VEGF-A/Flk-1 and PDGF-D/PDGFRβ pathways without impacting electroretinography parameters. Thus, Borsub may offer an invaluable therapy for the prevention and treatment of neoAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Liu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325003, PR China
| | - Meiling Feng
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325003, PR China
| | - Jingjing Cai
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325003, PR China
| | - Shifeng Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Xufeng Dai
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325003, PR China
| | - Ge Shan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230027, China
| | - Shengzhou Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325003, PR China.
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32
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Lentiviral delivery of co-packaged Cas9 mRNA and a Vegfa-targeting guide RNA prevents wet age-related macular degeneration in mice. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:144-156. [PMID: 33398131 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00656-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic genome editing requires effective and targeted delivery methods. The delivery of Cas9 mRNA using adeno-associated viruses has led to potent in vivo therapeutic efficacy, but can cause sustained Cas9 expression, anti-Cas9 immune responses and off-target edits. Lentiviral vectors have been engineered to deliver nucleases that are expressed transiently, but in vivo evidence of their biomedical efficacy is lacking. Here, we show that the lentiviral codelivery of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 mRNA and expression cassettes that encode a guide RNA that targets vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) is efficacious in a mouse model of wet age-related macular degeneration induced by Vegfa. A single subretinal injection of engineered lentiviruses knocked out 44% of Vegfa in retinal pigment epithelium and reduced the area of choroidal neovascularization by 63% without inducing off-target edits or anti-Cas9 immune responses. Engineered lentiviruses for the transient expression of nucleases may form the basis of new treatments for retinal neovascular diseases.
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33
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An allosteric peptide inhibitor of HIF-1α regulates hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:28297-28306. [PMID: 33106407 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017234117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal neovascularization (NV), a leading cause of vision loss, results from localized hypoxia that stabilizes the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α, enabling the expression of angiogenic factors and genes required to maintain homeostasis under conditions of oxygen stress. HIF transcriptional activity depends on the interaction between its intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain and the transcriptional coactivators CBP/p300. Much effort is currently directed at disrupting protein-protein interactions between disease-associated transcription factors like HIF and their cellular partners. The intrinsically disordered protein CITED2, a direct product of HIF-mediated transcription, functions as a hypersensitive negative regulator that attenuates the hypoxic response by competing allosterically with HIF-1α for binding to CBP/p300. Here, we show that a peptide fragment of CITED2 is taken up by retinal cells and efficiently regulates pathological angiogenesis in murine models of ischemic retinopathy. Both vaso-obliteration (VO) and NV were significantly inhibited in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model following intravitreal injection of the CITED2 peptide. The CITED2 peptide localized to retinal neurons and glia, resulting in decreased expression of HIF target genes. Aflibercept, a commonly used anti-VEGF therapy for retinal neovascular diseases, rescued NV but not VO in OIR. However, a combination of the CITED2 peptide and a reduced dose of aflibercept significantly decreased both NV and VO. In contrast to anti-VEGF agents, the CITED2 peptide can rescue hypoxia-induced retinal NV by modulating the hypoxic response through direct competition with HIF for CBP/p300, suggesting a dual targeting strategy for treatment of ischemic retinal diseases and other neovascular disorders.
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34
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Bosseboeuf E, Raimondi C. Signalling, Metabolic Pathways and Iron Homeostasis in Endothelial Cells in Health, Atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092055. [PMID: 32911833 PMCID: PMC7564205 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells drive the formation of new blood vessels in physiological and pathological contexts such as embryonic development, wound healing, cancer and ocular diseases. Once formed, all vessels of the vasculature system present an endothelial monolayer (the endothelium), lining the luminal wall of the vessels, that regulates gas and nutrient exchange between the circulating blood and tissues, contributing to maintaining tissue and vascular homeostasis. To perform their functions, endothelial cells integrate signalling pathways promoted by growth factors, cytokines, extracellular matrix components and signals from mechanosensory complexes sensing the blood flow. New evidence shows that endothelial cells rely on specific metabolic pathways for distinct cellular functions and that the integration of signalling and metabolic pathways regulates endothelial-dependent processes such as angiogenesis and vascular homeostasis. In this review, we provide an overview of endothelial functions and the recent advances in understanding the role of endothelial signalling and metabolism in physiological processes such as angiogenesis and vascular homeostasis and vascular diseases. Also, we focus on the signalling pathways promoted by the transmembrane protein Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) in endothelial cells, its recently discovered role in regulating mitochondrial function and iron homeostasis and the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and iron in atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
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35
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Fang Y, Kaszuba T, Imoukhuede PI. Systems Biology Will Direct Vascular-Targeted Therapy for Obesity. Front Physiol 2020; 11:831. [PMID: 32760294 PMCID: PMC7373796 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy adipose tissue expansion and metabolism during weight gain require coordinated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. These vascular growth processes rely on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of ligands and receptors (VEGFRs). Several studies have shown that controlling vascular growth by regulating VEGF:VEGFR signaling can be beneficial for treating obesity; however, dysregulated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are associated with several chronic tissue inflammation symptoms, including hypoxia, immune cell accumulation, and fibrosis, leading to obesity-related metabolic disorders. An ideal obesity treatment should minimize adipose tissue expansion and the advent of adverse metabolic consequences, which could be achieved by normalizing VEGF:VEGFR signaling. Toward this goal, a systematic investigation of the interdependency of vascular and metabolic systems in obesity and tools to predict personalized treatment ranges are necessary to improve patient outcomes through vascular-targeted therapies. Systems biology can identify the critical VEGF:VEGFR signaling mechanisms that can be targeted to regress adipose tissue expansion and can predict the metabolic consequences of different vascular-targeted approaches. Establishing a predictive, biologically faithful platform requires appropriate computational models and quantitative tissue-specific data. Here, we discuss the involvement of VEGF:VEGFR signaling in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, adipogenesis, and macrophage specification – key mechanisms that regulate adipose tissue expansion and metabolism. We then provide useful computational approaches for simulating these mechanisms, and detail quantitative techniques for acquiring tissue-specific parameters. Systems biology, through computational models and quantitative data, will enable an accurate representation of obese adipose tissue that can be used to direct the development of vascular-targeted therapies for obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingye Fang
- Imoukhuede Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tomasz Kaszuba
- Imoukhuede Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - P I Imoukhuede
- Imoukhuede Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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36
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Usui-Ouchi A, Usui Y, Kurihara T, Aguilar E, Dorrell MI, Ideguchi Y, Sakimoto S, Bravo S, Friedlander M. Retinal microglia are critical for subretinal neovascular formation. JCI Insight 2020; 5:137317. [PMID: 32437334 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.137317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal subretinal neovascularization is a characteristic of vision-threatening retinal diseases, including macular telangiectasia (MacTel) and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Subretinal neovascular tufts and photoreceptor dysfunction are observed in very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr-/-) mutant mice. These changes mirror those observed in patients with MacTel and RAP, but the pathogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we show that retinal microglia were closely associated with retinal neovascular tufts in Vldlr-/- mice and retinal tissue from patients with MacTel; ablation of microglia/macrophages dramatically prevented formation of retinal neovascular tufts and improved neuronal function, as assessed by electroretinography. Vldlr-/- mice with retinal pigmented epithelium-specific (RPE-specific) Vegfa had greatly reduced subretinal infiltration of microglia/macrophages, subsequently reducing neovascular tufts. These findings highlight the contribution of microglia/macrophages to the pathogenesis of neovascularization, provide valuable clues regarding potential causative cellular mechanisms for subretinal neovascularization in patients with MacTel and RAP and suggest that targeting microglia activation may be a therapeutic option in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Usui-Ouchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Usui
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kurihara
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Edith Aguilar
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Michael I Dorrell
- Lowy Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Yoichiro Ideguchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Susumu Sakimoto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Stephen Bravo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Martin Friedlander
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,Lowy Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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37
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Smith RO, Ninchoji T, Gordon E, André H, Dejana E, Vestweber D, Kvanta A, Claesson-Welsh L. Vascular permeability in retinopathy is regulated by VEGFR2 Y949 signaling to VE-cadherin. eLife 2020; 9:54056. [PMID: 32312382 PMCID: PMC7188482 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Edema stemming from leaky blood vessels is common in eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Whereas therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) can suppress leakage, side-effects include vascular rarefaction and geographic atrophy. By challenging mouse models representing different steps in VEGFA/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-induced vascular permeability, we show that targeting signaling downstream of VEGFR2 pY949 limits vascular permeability in retinopathy induced by high oxygen or by laser-wounding. Although suppressed permeability is accompanied by reduced pathological neoangiogenesis in oxygen-induced retinopathy, similarly sized lesions leak less in mutant mice, separating regulation of permeability from angiogenesis. Strikingly, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin phosphorylation at the Y685, but not Y658, residue is reduced when VEGFR2 pY949 signaling is impaired. These findings support a mechanism whereby VE-cadherin Y685 phosphorylation is selectively associated with excessive vascular leakage. Therapeutically, targeting VEGFR2-regulated VE-cadherin phosphorylation could suppress edema while leaving other VEGFR2-dependent functions intact. The number of people with impaired vision and blindness is increasing in Western society due to the aging population and the increased prevalence of diabetes. This has led to eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy becoming more common. In both these eye diseases, new blood vessels grow in the retina – the light-sensitive part of the eye – to bring oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. However, these new blood vessels are leaky and allow molecules to leave the bloodstream and enter the retinal tissue. This causes the retina to swell and impair a person’s vision. The leaky blood supply also reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to the tissue, resulting in further damage to the retina. When tissues experience low levels of oxygen, cells start making a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (or VEGF for short). Whilst this protein is important for helping form new blood vessels, it also makes these vessels leaky. Current treatments for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy decrease swelling in the eye by blocking the action of VEGF. However, these treatments also cause existing blood vessels and nerve cells to die, leading to irreversible damage. Now, Smith et al. have set out to find whether the effects of VEGF can be blocked without causing further damage to existing cells. To investigate this possibility, the eyes and retinas of mice were treated with a laser or exposed to changing oxygen levels to create injuries that resembled human age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Each of the tested mice had specific mutations in proteins known to interact with VEGF. Fluorescent particles were injected into the bloodstream of the mice to assess how these different mutations affected blood vessel leakage: if fluorescent particles could no longer be detected outside the blood vessels, this suggested that the mutation had stopped the vessels from leaking. Further experiments showed these specific mutations affected leakage and did not prevent new blood vessels from forming. In the future it will be important to see if drugs, rather than mutations, can also decrease the leakiness of blood vessels in the retina. Such chemical compounds could then be tested in mouse experiments. If successful, these drugs might be used to treat patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross O Smith
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Takeshi Ninchoji
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Gordon
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helder André
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabetta Dejana
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,IFOM-IEO Campus Via Adamello, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Anders Kvanta
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Claesson-Welsh
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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