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Lei Z, He‐Lin Z, Hai‐Yan W, Wei J, Ru W, Zhi‐Li C, Qian‐Feng W. Retinitis pigmentosa with iris coloboma due to miR-204 gene variant in a Chinese family. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2024; 12:e2481. [PMID: 38867642 PMCID: PMC11169764 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2481] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the phenotype and genotype of a Chinese family with autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP) accompanied by iris coloboma. METHODS The proband, a 34-year-old male, was examined with his family by using fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), autofluorescence, and full-field electroretinography (ffERG). Genetic analyses were conducted through whole-exome sequencing (WES) to screen for variations. RESULTS Three members of this Chinese family were shown to be bilateral iris coloboma. The male proband and his mother exhibited typical RP feature. The proband's late grandfather had been documented manifestation of iris coloboma. The mode of inheritance was confirmed to be autosomal dominance. Through linkage analysis and WES, a heterozygous variation in the miR-204 gene (n.37C>T), a noncoding RNA gene, was identified in these three members. CONCLUSIONS In this third independent and the first Asian family, the existence of a miR-204 variant associated with RP accompanied by iris coloboma was confirmed. Our findings reinforce the significance of miR-204 as an important factor influencing visual function in the retina. When phenotypes like RP accompanied by iris coloboma in an autosomal-dominant pattern, including in Chinese patients, miR-204 aberrations should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Lei
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic ImagingShaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital)Xi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Zhu He‐Lin
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic ImagingShaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital)Xi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Wang Hai‐Yan
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic ImagingShaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital)Xi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Jia Wei
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic ImagingShaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital)Xi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Wang Ru
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic ImagingShaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital)Xi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Cui Zhi‐Li
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Technology of Ophthalmologic ImagingShaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital)Xi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Wang Qian‐Feng
- Medical College of Optometry and OphthalmologyShandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinanShandongChina
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Brinkmeier ML, Wang SQ, Pittman H, Cheung LY, Prasov L. Myelin regulatory factor ( Myrf ) is a critical early regulator of retinal pigment epithelial development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.26.591281. [PMID: 38746430 PMCID: PMC11092522 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.26.591281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Myelin regulatory factor (Myrf) is a critical transcription factor in early retinal and retinal pigment epithelial development, and human variants in MYRF are a cause for nanophthalmos. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) was performed on Myrf conditional knockout mice ( Rx>Cre Myrf fl/fl ) at 3 developmental timepoints. Myrf was expressed specifically in the RPE, and expression was abrogated in Rx>Cre Myrf fl/fl eyes. scRNAseq analysis revealed a loss of RPE cells at all timepoints resulting from cell death. GO-term analysis in the RPE revealed downregulation of melanogenesis and anatomic structure morphogenesis pathways, which were supported by electron microscopy and histologic analysis. Novel structural target genes including Ermn and Upk3b , along with macular degeneration and inherited retinal disease genes were identified as downregulated, and a strong upregulation of TGFß/BMP signaling and effectors was observed. Regulon analysis placed Myrf downstream of Pax6 and Mitf and upstream of Sox10 in RPE differentiation. Together, these results suggest a strong role for Myrf in the RPE maturation by regulating melanogenesis, cell survival, and cell structure, in part acting through suppression of TGFß signaling and activation of Sox10 . SUMMARY STATEMENT Myrf regulates RPE development, melanogenesis, and is important for cell structure and survival, in part through regulation of Ermn , Upk3b and Sox10, and BMP/TGFb signaling.
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Yang J, Tian M, Li J, Chen Y, Lin S, Ma X, Chen W, Hou L. Induction of human ESC-derived and adult primary multipotent limbal stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells and corneal stromal stem cells. Exp Eye Res 2024; 239:109778. [PMID: 38171475 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109778] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)- and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) therapies are promising alternatives for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases caused by RPE degeneration. The generation of autologous RPE cells from human adult donors, which has the advantage of avoiding immune rejection and teratoma formation, is an alternative cell resource to gain mechanistic insight into and test potential therapies for RPE degenerative diseases. Here, we found that limbal stem cells (LSCs) from hESCs and adult primary human limbus have the potential to produce RPE cells and corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs). We showed that hESC-LSC-derived RPE cells (LSC-RPE) expressed RPE markers, had a phagocytic function, and synthesized tropical factors. Furthermore, during differentiation from LSCs to RPE cells, cells became pigmented, accompanied by a decrease in the level of LSC marker KRT15 and an increase in the level of RPE marker MITF. The Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in LSC-RPE fate transition, promotes MITF expression in the nucleus, and encourages RPE fate transition. In addition, we also showed that primary LSCs (pLSCs) from adult human limbus similar to hESC-LSC could generate RPE cells, which was supported by the co-expression of LSC and RPE cell markers (KRT15/OTX2, KRT15/MITF), suggesting the transition from pLSC to RPE cells, and typical polygonal morphology, melanization, RPE cell marker genes expression (TYR, RPE65), tight junction formation by ZO-1 expression, and the most crucial phagocytotic function. On the other hand, both hESC-LSCs and pLSCs also differentiated into CSSCs (LSC-CSSCs) that expressed stem cell markers (PAX6, NESTIN), presented MSC features, including surface marker expression and trilineage differentiation capability, like those in human CSSCs. Furthermore, the capability of pLSC-CSSC to differentiate into cells expressing keratocyte marker genes (ALDH3A1, PTGDS, PDK4) indicated the potential to induce keratocytes. These results suggest that the adult pLSC is an alternative cell resource, and its application provides a novel potential therapeutic avenue for preventing RPE dysfunction-related retinal degenerative diseases and corneal scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| | - Meiyu Tian
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Jinyang Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Shichao Lin
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaoyin Ma
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Wei Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Ling Hou
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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Gopalakrishnan J, Feistel K, Friedrich BM, Grapin‐Botton A, Jurisch‐Yaksi N, Mass E, Mick DU, Müller R, May‐Simera H, Schermer B, Schmidts M, Walentek P, Wachten D. Emerging principles of primary cilia dynamics in controlling tissue organization and function. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113891. [PMID: 37743763 PMCID: PMC10620770 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113891] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia project from the surface of most vertebrate cells and are key in sensing extracellular signals and locally transducing this information into a cellular response. Recent findings show that primary cilia are not merely static organelles with a distinct lipid and protein composition. Instead, the function of primary cilia relies on the dynamic composition of molecules within the cilium, the context-dependent sensing and processing of extracellular stimuli, and cycles of assembly and disassembly in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. Thereby, primary cilia dynamically integrate different cellular inputs and control cell fate and function during tissue development. Here, we review the recently emerging concept of primary cilia dynamics in tissue development, organization, remodeling, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Gopalakrishnan
- Institute for Human Genetics, Heinrich‐Heine‐UniversitätUniversitätsklinikum DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Kerstin Feistel
- Department of Zoology, Institute of BiologyUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
| | | | - Anne Grapin‐Botton
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU DresdenDresdenGermany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsDresdenGermany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at The University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine of the TU DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Nathalie Jurisch‐Yaksi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular MedicineNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Elvira Mass
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, Developmental Biology of the Immune SystemUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
| | - David U Mick
- Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Center of Human and Molecular Biology (ZHMB)Saarland School of MedicineHomburgGermany
| | - Roman‐Ulrich Müller
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Helen May‐Simera
- Institute of Molecular PhysiologyJohannes Gutenberg‐UniversityMainzGermany
| | - Bernhard Schermer
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Miriam Schmidts
- Pediatric Genetics Division, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineUniversity Hospital FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- CIBSS‐Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling StudiesUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Peter Walentek
- CIBSS‐Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling StudiesUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Renal Division, Internal Medicine IV, Medical CenterUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, Medical FacultyUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
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Leung AM, Rao MB, Raju N, Chung M, Klinger A, Rowe DJ, Li X, Levine EM. A framework to identify functional interactors that contribute to disrupted early retinal development in Vsx2 ocular retardation J mice. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:1338-1362. [PMID: 37259952 PMCID: PMC10689574 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A goal of developmental genetics is to identify functional interactions that underlie phenotypes caused by mutations. We sought to identify functional interactors of Vsx2, which when mutated, disrupts early retinal development. We utilized the Vsx2 loss-of-function mouse, ocular retardation J (orJ), to assess interactions based on principles of positive and negative epistasis as applied to bulk transcriptome data. This was first tested in vivo with Mitf, a target of Vsx2 repression, and then to cultures of orJ retina treated with inhibitors of Retinoid-X Receptors (RXR) to target Rxrg, an up-regulated gene in the orJ retina, and gamma-Secretase, an enzyme required for Notch signaling, a key mediator of retinal proliferation and neurogenesis. RESULTS Whereas Mitf exhibited robust positive epistasis with Vsx2, it only partially accounts for the orJ phenotype, suggesting other functional interactors. RXR inhibition yielded minimal evidence for epistasis between Vsx2 and Rxrg. In contrast, gamma-Secretase inhibition caused hundreds of Vsx2-dependent genes associated with proliferation to deviate further from wild-type, providing evidence for convergent negative epistasis with Vsx2 in regulating tissue growth. CONCLUSIONS Combining in vivo and ex vivo testing with transcriptome analysis revealed quantitative and qualitative characteristics of functional interaction between Vsx2, Mitf, RXR, and gamma-Secretase activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Leung
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Mahesh B. Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Nathan Raju
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Minh Chung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Allison Klinger
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
| | - DiAnna J. Rowe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
| | - Edward M. Levine
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt
University, Nashville TN 37232
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville TN 37232
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Zhang X, Leavey P, Appel H, Makrides N, Blackshaw S. Molecular mechanisms controlling vertebrate retinal patterning, neurogenesis, and cell fate specification. Trends Genet 2023; 39:736-757. [PMID: 37423870 PMCID: PMC10529299 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
This review covers recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling neurogenesis and specification of the developing retina, with a focus on insights obtained from comparative single cell multiomic analysis. We discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanisms by which extrinsic factors trigger transcriptional changes that spatially pattern the optic cup (OC) and control the initiation and progression of retinal neurogenesis. We also discuss progress in unraveling the core evolutionarily conserved gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that specify early- and late-state retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and neurogenic progenitors and that control the final steps in determining cell identity. Finally, we discuss findings that provide insight into regulation of species-specific aspects of retinal patterning and neurogenesis, including consideration of key outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Patrick Leavey
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Haley Appel
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neoklis Makrides
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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7
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Casey MA, Lusk S, Kwan KM. Eye Morphogenesis in Vertebrates. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2023; 9:221-243. [PMID: 37040791 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-100720-111125] [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: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Proper eye structure is essential for visual function: Multiple essential eye tissues must take shape and assemble into a precise three-dimensional configuration. Accordingly, alterations to eye structure can lead to pathological conditions of visual impairment. Changes in eye shape can also be adaptive over evolutionary time. Eye structure is first established during development with the formation of the optic cup, which contains the neural retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and lens. This crucial yet deceptively simple hemispherical structure lays the foundation for all later elaborations of the eye. Building on descriptions of the embryonic eye that started with hand drawings and micrographs, the field is beginning to identify mechanisms driving dynamic changes in three-dimensional cell and tissue shape. A combination of molecular genetics, imaging, and pharmacological approaches is defining connections among transcription factors, signaling pathways, and the intracellular machinery governing the emergence of this crucial structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macaulie A Casey
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; , ,
| | - Sarah Lusk
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; , ,
| | - Kristen M Kwan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; , ,
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8
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Ovadia S, Cui G, Elkon R, Cohen-Gulkar M, Zuk-Bar N, Tuoc T, Jing N, Ashery-Padan R. SWI/SNF complexes are required for retinal pigmented epithelium differentiation and for the inhibition of cell proliferation and neural differentiation programs. Development 2023; 150:dev201488. [PMID: 37522516 PMCID: PMC10482007 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, tissue-specific transcription factors and chromatin remodelers function together to ensure gradual, coordinated differentiation of multiple lineages. Here, we define this regulatory interplay in the developing retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a neuroectodermal lineage essential for the development, function and maintenance of the adjacent retina. We present a high-resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of the developing mouse RPE and the adjacent ocular mesenchyme obtained by geographical position sequencing (Geo-seq) of a single developmental stage of the eye that encompasses young and more mature ocular progenitors. These transcriptomic data, available online, reveal the key transcription factors and their gene regulatory networks during RPE and ocular mesenchyme differentiation. Moreover, conditional inactivation followed by Geo-seq revealed that this differentiation program is dependent on the activity of SWI/SNF complexes, shown here to control the expression and activity of RPE transcription factors and, at the same time, inhibit neural progenitor and cell proliferation genes. The findings reveal the roles of the SWI/SNF complexes in controlling the intersection between RPE and neural cell fates and the coupling of cell-cycle exit and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Ovadia
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Guizhong Cui
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Department of Basic Research, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Ran Elkon
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Mazal Cohen-Gulkar
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Nitay Zuk-Bar
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Tran Tuoc
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University of Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Naihe Jing
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Department of Basic Research, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Kim JM, Min KW, Kim YJ, Smits R, Basler K, Kim JW. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Is Necessary for the Specification but Not the Maintenance of the Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Mol Cells 2023; 46:441-450. [PMID: 37190767 PMCID: PMC10336276 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.0029] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Catenin (Ctnnb1) has been shown to play critical roles in the development and maintenance of epithelial cells, including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Ctnnb1 is not only a component of intercellular junctions in the epithelium, it also functions as a transcriptional regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway. To identify which of its functional modalities is critically involved in mouse RPE development and maintenance, we varied Ctnnb1 gene content and activity in mouse RPE lineage cells and tested their impacts on mouse eye development. We found that a Ctnnb1 double mutant (Ctnnb1dm), which exhibits impaired transcriptional activity, could not replace Ctnnb1 in the RPE, whereas Ctnnb1Y654E, which has reduced affinity for the junctions, could do so. Expression of the constitutively active Ctnnb1∆ex3 mutant also suppressed the development of RPE, instead facilitating a ciliary cell fate. However, the post-mitotic or mature RPE was insensitive to the loss, inactivation, or constitutive activation of Ctnnb1. Collectively, our results suggest that Ctnnb1 should be maintained within an optimal range to specify RPE through transcriptional regulation of Wnt target genes in the optic neuroepithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Myeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Kwang Wook Min
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - You-Joung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Ron Smits
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Konrad Basler
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
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10
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Sokolova N, Zilova L, Wittbrodt J. Unravelling the link between embryogenesis and adult stem cell potential in the ciliary marginal zone: A comparative study between mammals and teleost fish. Cells Dev 2023; 174:203848. [PMID: 37172718 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2023.203848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The discovery and study of adult stem cells have revolutionized regenerative medicine by offering new opportunities for treating various medical conditions. Anamniote stem cells, which retain their full proliferative capacity and full differentiation range throughout their lifetime, harbour a greater potential compared to mammalian adult stem cells, which only exhibit limited stem cell potential. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying these differences is of significant interest. In this review, we examine the similarities and differences of adult retinal stem cells in anamniotes and mammals, from their embryonic stages in the optic vesicle to their residence in the postembryonic retinal stem cell niche, the ciliary marginal zone located in the retinal periphery. In anamniotes, developing precursors of retinal stem cells are exposed to various environmental cues during their migration in the complex morphogenetic remodelling of the optic vesicle to the optic cup. In contrast, their mammalian counterparts in the retinal periphery are primarily instructed by neighbouring tissues once they are in place. We explore the distinct modes of optic cup morphogenesis in mammals and teleost fish and highlight molecular mechanisms governing morphogenesis and stem cells instruction. The review concludes with the molecular mechanisms of ciliary marginal zone formation and offers a perspective on the impact of comparative single cell transcriptomic studies to reveal the evolutionary similarities and differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Sokolova
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Biosciences International Graduate School, Germany
| | - Lucie Zilova
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Germany.
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11
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Chen Y, Wu C, Peng S, Guo D, Ouyang H, Wei Y, Ju R, Ding X, Xie Z, Liu C. Single-Cell Characterization of the Frizzled 5 (Fz5) Mutant Mouse and Human Persistent Fetal Vasculature (PFV). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:8. [PMID: 36867129 PMCID: PMC9988703 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.8] [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] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) is a pathological condition accounting for 4.8% of children's blindness in the United States. However, the PFV cell composition and pathogenetic mechanisms are poorly understood. This study aims to characterize PFV cell composition and associated molecular features and attempts to lay a foundation for further understanding the disease. Methods Immunohistochemistry was conducted to characterize cell types at the tissue level. Single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) was performed on the vitreous cells derived from normal and Fz5 mutant mice at two early postnatal ages and human PFV samples. Bioinformatic tools were used to cluster cells and analyze their molecular features and functions. Results The findings of this study are as follows: (1) a total of 10 defined and one undefined cell types were characterized in both the hyaloid vessel system and PFV by sc-RNAseq and immunohistochemistry; (2) neural crest-derived melanocytes, astrocytes, and fibroblasts were specifically retained in the mutant PFV; (3) Fz5 mutants were found to possess more vitreous cells at early postnatal age 3 but returned to similar levels as the wild type at postnatal age 6; (4) altered phagocytic and proliferation environments and cell-cell interactions were detected in the mutant vitreous; (5) the human PFV samples shared fibroblast, endothelial and macrophage cell types with the mouse, but having distinct immune cells including T cells, NK cells and Neutrophils; and last, (6) some neural crest features were also shared between certain mouse and human vitreous cell types. Conclusions We characterized PFV cell composition and associated molecular features in the Fz5 mutant mice and two human PFV samples. The excessively migrated vitreous cells, intrinsic molecular properties of these cells, phagocytic environment, and cell-cell interactions may together contribute to PFV pathogenesis. Human PFV shares certain cell types and molecular features with the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanzhen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dianlei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhong Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunqiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Boobalan E, Thompson AH, Alur RP, McGaughey DM, Dong L, Shih G, Vieta-Ferrer ER, Onojafe IF, Kalaskar VK, Arno G, Lotery AJ, Guan B, Bender C, Memon O, Brinster L, Soleilhavoup C, Panman L, Badea TC, Minella A, Lopez AJ, Thomasy SM, Moshiri A, Blain D, Hufnagel RB, Cogliati T, Bharti K, Brooks BP. Zfp503/Nlz2 Is Required for RPE Differentiation and Optic Fissure Closure. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:5. [PMID: 36326727 PMCID: PMC9645360 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.12.5] [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: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Uveal coloboma is a congenital eye malformation caused by failure of the optic fissure to close in early human development. Despite significant progress in identifying genes whose regulation is important for executing this closure, mutations are detected in a minority of cases using known gene panels, implying additional genetic complexity. We have previously shown knockdown of znf503 (the ortholog of mouse Zfp503) in zebrafish causes coloboma. Here we characterize Zfp503 knockout (KO) mice and evaluate transcriptomic profiling of mutant versus wild-type (WT) retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid. Methods Zfp503 KO mice were generated by gene targeting using homologous recombination. Embryos were characterized grossly and histologically. Patterns and level of developmentally relevant proteins/genes were examined with immunostaining/in situ hybridization. The transcriptomic profile of E11.5 KO RPE/choroid was compared to that of WT. Results Zfp503 is dynamically expressed in developing mouse eyes, and loss of its expression results in uveal coloboma. KO embryos exhibit altered mRNA levels and expression patterns of several key transcription factors involved in eye development, including Otx2, Mitf, Pax6, Pax2, Vax1, and Vax2, resulting in a failure to maintain the presumptive RPE, as evidenced by reduced melanin pigmentation and its differentiation into a neural retina-like lineage. Comparison of RNA sequencing data from WT and KO E11.5 embryos demonstrated reduced expression of melanin-related genes and significant overlap with genes known to be dynamically regulated at the optic fissure. Conclusions These results demonstrate a critical role of Zfp503 in maintaining RPE fate and optic fissure closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elangovan Boobalan
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Amy H. Thompson
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Ramakrishna P. Alur
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - David M. McGaughey
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Lijin Dong
- Mouse Genetic Engineering Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Grace Shih
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Emile R. Vieta-Ferrer
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Ighovie F. Onojafe
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Vijay K. Kalaskar
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Gavin Arno
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Bin Guan
- Ophthalmic Genetics Laboratory, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Chelsea Bender
- Ophthalmic Genetics Laboratory, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Omar Memon
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Lauren Brinster
- Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of Research Services, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | | | - Lia Panman
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- Retinal Circuit Development and Genetics Unit, Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States,Research and Development Institute, Transilvania University of Brașov, Brașov, Romania,National Center for Brain Research, ICIA, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, România
| | - Andrea Minella
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California–Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Antonio Jacobo Lopez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California–Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Sara M. Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California–Davis, Davis, California, United States,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California–Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Ala Moshiri
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California–Davis, Davis, California, United States
| | - Delphine Blain
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Robert B. Hufnagel
- Ophthalmic Genetics Laboratory, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Tiziana Cogliati
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Brian P. Brooks
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section, Ophthalmic Genetics & Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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13
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Diacou R, Nandigrami P, Fiser A, Liu W, Ashery-Padan R, Cvekl A. Cell fate decisions, transcription factors and signaling during early retinal development. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101093. [PMID: 35817658 PMCID: PMC9669153 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate eyes is a complex process starting from anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral patterning of the anterior neural tube, resulting in the formation of the eye field. Symmetrical separation of the eye field at the anterior neural plate is followed by two symmetrical evaginations to generate a pair of optic vesicles. Next, reciprocal invagination of the optic vesicles with surface ectoderm-derived lens placodes generates double-layered optic cups. The inner and outer layers of the optic cups develop into the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), respectively. In vitro produced retinal tissues, called retinal organoids, are formed from human pluripotent stem cells, mimicking major steps of retinal differentiation in vivo. This review article summarizes recent progress in our understanding of early eye development, focusing on the formation the eye field, optic vesicles, and early optic cups. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies are integrated with classical in vivo genetic and functional studies to uncover a range of cellular mechanisms underlying early eye development. The functions of signal transduction pathways and lineage-specific DNA-binding transcription factors are dissected to explain cell-specific regulatory mechanisms underlying cell fate determination during early eye development. The functions of homeodomain (HD) transcription factors Otx2, Pax6, Lhx2, Six3 and Six6, which are required for early eye development, are discussed in detail. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of early eye development provides insight into the molecular and cellular basis of developmental ocular anomalies, such as optic cup coloboma. Lastly, modeling human development and inherited retinal diseases using stem cell-derived retinal organoids generates opportunities to discover novel therapies for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raven Diacou
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Prithviraj Nandigrami
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Andras Fiser
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Ales Cvekl
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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14
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Fuhrmann S, Ramirez S, Mina Abouda M, Campbell CD. Porcn is essential for growth and invagination of the mammalian optic cup. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1016182. [PMID: 36393832 PMCID: PMC9661423 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1016182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (MAC) are congenital ocular malformations causing 25% of childhood blindness. The X-linked disorder Focal Dermal Hypoplasia (FDH) is frequently associated with MAC and results from mutations in Porcn, a membrane bound O-acyl transferase required for palmitoylation of Wnts to activate multiple Wnt-dependent pathways. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is suppressed in the anterior neural plate for initiation of eye formation and is subsequently required during differentiation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Non-canonical Wnts are critical for early eye formation in frog and zebrafish. However, it is unclear whether this also applies to mammals. We performed ubiquitous conditional inactivation of Porcn in mouse around the eye field stage. In Porcn CKO , optic vesicles (OV) arrest in growth and fail to form an optic cup. Ventral proliferation is significantly decreased in the mutant OV, with a concomitant increase in apoptotic cell death. While pan-ocular transcription factors such as PAX6, SIX3, LHX2, and PAX2 are present, indicative of maintenance of OV identity, regional expression of VSX2, MITF, OTX2, and NR2F2 is downregulated. Failure of RPE differentiation in Porcn CKO is consistent with downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin effector LEF1, starting around 2.5 days after inactivation. This suggests that Porcn inactivation affects signaling later than a potential requirement for Wnts to promote eye field formation. Altogether, our data shows a novel requirement for Porcn in regulating growth and morphogenesis of the OV, likely by controlling proliferation and survival. In FDH patients with ocular manifestations, growth deficiency during early ocular morphogenesis may be the underlying cause for microphthalmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fuhrmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sara Ramirez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mirna Mina Abouda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Clorissa D. Campbell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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15
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Grigoryan EN. Pigment Epithelia of the Eye: Cell-Type Conversion in Regeneration and Disease. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030382. [PMID: 35330132 PMCID: PMC8955580 DOI: 10.3390/life12030382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigment epithelial cells (PECs) of the retina (RPE), ciliary body, and iris (IPE) are capable of altering their phenotype. The main pathway of phenotypic switching of eye PECs in vertebrates and humans in vivo and/or in vitro is neural/retinal. Besides, cells of amphibian IPE give rise to the lens and its derivatives, while mammalian and human RPE can be converted along the mesenchymal pathway. The PECs’ capability of conversion in vivo underlies the lens and retinal regeneration in lower vertebrates and retinal diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy and fibrosis in mammals and humans. The present review considers these processes studied in vitro and in vivo in animal models and in humans. The molecular basis of conversion strategies in PECs is elucidated. Being predetermined onto- and phylogenetically, it includes a species-specific molecular context, differential expression of transcription factors, signaling pathways, and epigenomic changes. The accumulated knowledge regarding the mechanisms of PECs phenotypic switching allows the development of approaches to specified conversion for many purposes: obtaining cells for transplantation, creating conditions to stimulate natural regeneration of the retina and the lens, blocking undesirable conversions associated with eye pathology, and finding molecular markers of pathology to be targets of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora N Grigoryan
- Kol'tsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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16
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Salbaum KA, Shelton ER, Serwane F. Retina organoids: Window into the biophysics of neuronal systems. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:011302. [PMID: 38505227 PMCID: PMC10903499 DOI: 10.1063/5.0077014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
With a kind of magnetism, the human retina draws the eye of neuroscientist and physicist alike. It is attractive as a self-organizing system, which forms as a part of the central nervous system via biochemical and mechanical cues. The retina is also intriguing as an electro-optical device, converting photons into voltages to perform on-the-fly filtering before the signals are sent to our brain. Here, we consider how the advent of stem cell derived in vitro analogs of the retina, termed retina organoids, opens up an exploration of the interplay between optics, electrics, and mechanics in a complex neuronal network, all in a Petri dish. This review presents state-of-the-art retina organoid protocols by emphasizing links to the biochemical and mechanical signals of in vivo retinogenesis. Electrophysiological recording of active signal processing becomes possible as retina organoids generate light sensitive and synaptically connected photoreceptors. Experimental biophysical tools provide data to steer the development of mathematical models operating at different levels of coarse-graining. In concert, they provide a means to study how mechanical factors guide retina self-assembly. In turn, this understanding informs the engineering of mechanical signals required to tailor the growth of neuronal network morphology. Tackling the complex developmental and computational processes in the retina requires an interdisciplinary endeavor combining experiment and theory, physics, and biology. The reward is enticing: in the next few years, retina organoids could offer a glimpse inside the machinery of simultaneous cellular self-assembly and signal processing, all in an in vitro setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elijah R. Shelton
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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17
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Balasubramanian R, Min X, Quinn PMJ, Giudice QL, Tao C, Polanco K, Makrides N, Peregrin J, Bouaziz M, Mao Y, Wang Q, da Costa BL, Buenaventura D, Wang F, Ma L, Tsang SH, Fabre PJ, Zhang X. Phase transition specified by a binary code patterns the vertebrate eye cup. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj9846. [PMID: 34757798 PMCID: PMC8580326 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The developing vertebrate eye cup is partitioned into the neural retina (NR), the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), and the ciliary margin (CM). By single-cell analysis, we showed that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling regulates the CM in its stem cell–like property of self-renewal, differentiation, and survival, which is balanced by an evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling gradient. FGF promotes Wnt signaling in the CM by stabilizing β-catenin in a GSK3β-independent manner. While Wnt signaling converts the NR to either the CM or the RPE depending on FGF signaling, FGF transforms the RPE to the NR or CM dependent on Wnt activity. The default fate of the eye cup is the NR, but synergistic FGF and Wnt signaling promotes CM formation both in vivo and in human retinal organoid. Our study reveals that the vertebrate eye develops through phase transition determined by a combinatorial code of FGF and Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xuanyu Min
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Quentin Lo Giudice
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chenqi Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karina Polanco
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neoklis Makrides
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Peregrin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Bouaziz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yingyu Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Fen Wang
- Center for Cancer Biology and Nutrition, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen H. Tsang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Jonas Children’s Vision Care, and Bernard and Shirley Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Institute of Human Nutrition, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pierre J. Fabre
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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18
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Zilova L, Weinhardt V, Tavhelidse T, Schlagheck C, Thumberger T, Wittbrodt J. Fish primary embryonic pluripotent cells assemble into retinal tissue mirroring in vivo early eye development. eLife 2021; 10:e66998. [PMID: 34252023 PMCID: PMC8275126 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells promise the solution to current challenges in basic and biomedical research. Mammalian organoids are however limited by long developmental time, variable success, and lack of direct comparison to an in vivo reference. To overcome these limitations and address species-specific cellular organization, we derived organoids from rapidly developing teleosts. We demonstrate how primary embryonic pluripotent cells from medaka and zebrafish efficiently assemble into anterior neural structures, particularly retina. Within 4 days, blastula-stage cell aggregates reproducibly execute key steps of eye development: retinal specification, morphogenesis, and differentiation. The number of aggregated cells and genetic factors crucially impacted upon the concomitant morphological changes that were intriguingly reflecting the in vivo situation. High efficiency and rapid development of fish-derived organoids in combination with advanced genome editing techniques immediately allow addressing aspects of development and disease, and systematic probing of impact of the physical environment on morphogenesis and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Zilova
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Venera Weinhardt
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Tinatini Tavhelidse
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Christina Schlagheck
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
- Heidelberg International Biosciences Graduate School HBIGS and HeiKa Graduate School on “Functional Materials”HeidelbergGermany
| | - Thomas Thumberger
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Joachim Wittbrodt
- Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
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19
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Buono L, Corbacho J, Naranjo S, Almuedo-Castillo M, Moreno-Marmol T, de la Cerda B, Sanabria-Reinoso E, Polvillo R, Díaz-Corrales FJ, Bogdanovic O, Bovolenta P, Martínez-Morales JR. Analysis of gene network bifurcation during optic cup morphogenesis in zebrafish. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3866. [PMID: 34162866 PMCID: PMC8222258 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24169-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sight depends on the tight cooperation between photoreceptors and pigmented cells, which derive from common progenitors through the bifurcation of a single gene regulatory network into the neural retina (NR) and retinal-pigmented epithelium (RPE) programs. Although genetic studies have identified upstream nodes controlling these networks, their regulatory logic remains poorly investigated. Here, we characterize transcriptome dynamics and chromatin accessibility in segregating NR/RPE populations in zebrafish. We analyze cis-regulatory modules and enriched transcription factor motives to show extensive network redundancy and context-dependent activity. We identify downstream targets, highlighting an early recruitment of desmosomal genes in the flattening RPE and revealing Tead factors as upstream regulators. We investigate the RPE specification network dynamics to uncover an unexpected sequence of transcription factors recruitment, which is conserved in humans. This systematic interrogation of the NR/RPE bifurcation should improve both genetic counseling for eye disorders and hiPSCs-to-RPE differentiation protocols for cell-replacement therapies in degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Buono
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC/UAM), Seville, Spain
| | - Jorge Corbacho
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | - Silvia Naranjo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | | | | | - Berta de la Cerda
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER (CSIC/US/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Rocío Polvillo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo-CABD (CSIC/UPO/JA), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Ozren Bogdanovic
- Genomics and Epigenetics Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC/UAM), Seville, Spain.
- CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Tangeman JA, Luz-Madrigal A, Sreeskandarajan S, Grajales-Esquivel E, Liu L, Liang C, Tsonis PA, Del Rio-Tsonis K. Transcriptome Profiling of Embryonic Retinal Pigment Epithelium Reprogramming. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060840. [PMID: 34072522 PMCID: PMC8226911 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The plasticity of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been observed during proliferative vitreoretinopathy, a defective repair process during which injured RPE gives rise to fibrosis. In contrast, following injury, the RPE of the embryonic chicken can be reprogrammed to regenerate neural retina in a fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)-dependent manner. To better explore the mechanisms underlying embryonic RPE reprogramming, we used laser capture microdissection to isolate RNA from (1) intact RPE, (2) transiently reprogrammed RPE (t-rRPE) 6 h post-retinectomy, and (3) reprogrammed RPE (rRPE) 6 h post-retinectomy with FGF2 treatment. Using RNA-seq, we observed the acute repression of genes related to cell cycle progression in the injured t-rRPE, as well as up-regulation of genes associated with injury. In contrast, the rRPE was strongly enriched for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-responsive genes and retina development factors, confirming that FGF2 and the downstream MAPK cascade are the main drivers of embryonic RPE reprogramming. Clustering and pathway enrichment analysis was used to create an integrated network of the core processes associated with RPE reprogramming, including key terms pertaining to injury response, migration, actin dynamics, and cell cycle progression. Finally, we employed gene set enrichment analysis to suggest a previously uncovered role for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) machinery in the initiation of embryonic chick RPE reprogramming. The EMT program is accompanied by extensive, coordinated regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) associated factors, and these observations together suggest an early role for ECM and EMT-like dynamics during reprogramming. Our study provides for the first time an in-depth transcriptomic analysis of embryonic RPE reprogramming and will prove useful in guiding future efforts to understand proliferative disorders of the RPE and to promote retinal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared A. Tangeman
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Agustín Luz-Madrigal
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sutharzan Sreeskandarajan
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Erika Grajales-Esquivel
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Chun Liang
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Panagiotis A. Tsonis
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton and Center for Tissue Regeneration and Engineering at the University of Dayton (TREND), Dayton, OH 45469, USA;
| | - Katia Del Rio-Tsonis
- Department of Biology and Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; (J.A.T.); (A.L.-M.); (S.S.); (E.G.-E.); (L.L.); (C.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +513-529-3128; Fax: +513-529-6900
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21
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Vielle A, Park YK, Secora C, Vergara MN. Organoids for the Study of Retinal Development and Developmental Abnormalities. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:667880. [PMID: 34025363 PMCID: PMC8131530 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.667880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cumulative knowledge of retina development has been instrumental in the generation of retinal organoid systems from pluripotent stem cells; and these three-dimensional organoid models, in turn, have provided unprecedented opportunities for retinal research and translational applications, including the ability to model disease in a human setting and to apply these models to the development and validation of therapeutic drugs. In this review article, we examine how retinal organoids can also contribute to our understanding of retinal developmental mechanisms, how this knowledge can be applied to modeling developmental abnormalities, and highlight some of the avenues that remain to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vielle
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Yuna K Park
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Conner Secora
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Aurora, CO, United States.,Master of Science in Modern Human Anatomy Program, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - M Natalia Vergara
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Aurora, CO, United States
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22
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George SM, Lu F, Rao M, Leach LL, Gross JM. The retinal pigment epithelium: Development, injury responses, and regenerative potential in mammalian and non-mammalian systems. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 85:100969. [PMID: 33901682 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diseases that result in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Atrophic (dry) AMD is the most prevalent form of AMD and there are currently no effective therapies to prevent RPE cell death or restore RPE cells lost from AMD. An intriguing approach to treat AMD and other RPE degenerative diseases is to develop therapies focused on stimulating endogenous RPE regeneration. For this to become feasible, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying RPE development, injury responses and regenerative potential is needed. In mammals, RPE regeneration is extremely limited; small lesions can be repaired by the expansion of adjacent RPE cells, but large lesions cannot be repaired as remaining RPE cells are unable to functionally replace lost RPE tissue. In some injury paradigms, RPE cells proliferate but do not regenerate a morphologically normal monolayer, while in others, proliferation is pathogenic and results in further disruption to the retina. This is in contrast to non-mammalian vertebrates, which possess tremendous RPE regenerative potential. Here, we discuss what is known about RPE formation during development in mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates, we detail the processes by which RPE cells respond to injury, and we describe examples of RPE-to-retina and RPE-to-RPE regeneration in non-mammalian vertebrates. Finally, we outline barriers to RPE-dependent regeneration in mammals that could potentially be overcome to stimulate a regenerative response from the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M George
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Fangfang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Mishal Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Lyndsay L Leach
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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23
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Limnios IJ, Chau YQ, Skabo SJ, Surrao DC, O'Neill HC. Efficient differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to retinal pigment epithelium under defined conditions. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:248. [PMID: 33883023 PMCID: PMC8058973 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02316-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a highly prevalent form of blindness caused by loss death of cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Transplantation of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived RPE cells is considered a promising therapy to regenerate cell function and vision. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to develop a rapid directed differentiation method for production of RPE cells from PSC which is rapid, efficient, and fully defined and produces cells suitable for clinical use. DESIGN A protocol for cell growth and differentiation from hESCs was developed to induce differentiation through screening small molecules which regulated a primary stage of differentiation to the eyefield progenitor, and then, a subsequent set of molecules to drive differentiation to RPE cells. Methods for cell plating and maintenance have been optimized to give a homogeneous population of cells in a short 14-day period, followed by a procedure to support maturation of cell function. RESULTS We show here the efficient production of RPE cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) using small molecules in a feeder-free system using xeno-free/defined medium. Flow cytometry at day 14 showed ~ 90% of cells expressed the RPE markers MITF and PMEL17. Temporal gene analysis confirmed differentiation through defined cell intermediates. Mature hESC-RPE cell monolayers exhibited key morphological, molecular, and functional characteristics of the endogenous RPE. CONCLUSION This study identifies a novel cell differentiation process for rapid and efficient production of retinal RPE cells directly from hESCs. The described protocol has utility for clinical-grade cell production for human therapy to treat AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis J Limnios
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia.
| | - Yu-Qian Chau
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia
| | - Stuart J Skabo
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia
| | - Denver C Surrao
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia
| | - Helen C O'Neill
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia.
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24
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Ito A, Ye K, Onda M, Morimoto N, Osakada F. Efficient and robust induction of retinal pigment epithelium cells by tankyrase inhibition regardless of the differentiation propensity of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 552:66-72. [PMID: 33743349 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great promise as a new therapeutic modality for age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt disease. The development of hESC/hiPSC-derived RPE cells as cell-based therapeutic products requires a robust, scalable production for every hiPSC line congruent for patients. However, individual hESC/hiPSC lines show bias in differentiation. Here we report an efficient, robust method that induces RPE cells regardless of the differentiation propensity of the hiPSC lines. Application of the tankyrase inhibitor IWR-1-endo, which potentially inhibits Wnt signaling, promoted retinal differentiation in dissociated hiPSCs under feeder-free, two-dimensional culture conditions. The other tankyrase inhibitor, XAV939, also promoted retinal differentiation. However, Wnt signaling inhibitors, IWP-2 and iCRT3, that target porcupine and β-catenin/TCF, respectively, did not. Further treatment with the GSK3β inhibitor CHIR99021 and FGF receptor inhibitor SU5402 induced hexagonal pigmented cells with phagocytotic ability. Notably, the IWR-1-endo-based differentiation method induced RPE cells even in an hiPSC line that expresses a lower level of the differentiation propensity marker SALL3, which is indicative of resistance to ectoderm differentiation. The present study demonstrated that tankyrase inhibitors cause efficient and robust RPE differentiation, irrespective of the SALL3 expression levels in hiPSC lines. This differentiation method will resolve line-to-line variations of hiPSCs in RPE production and facilitate clinical application and industrialization of RPE cell products for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arisa Ito
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ke Ye
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masanari Onda
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nao Morimoto
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Laboratory of Neural Information Processing, Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Osakada
- Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Laboratory of Neural Information Processing, Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
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25
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O'Hara-Wright M, Gonzalez-Cordero A. Retinal organoids: a window into human retinal development. Development 2020; 147:147/24/dev189746. [PMID: 33361444 PMCID: PMC7774906 DOI: 10.1242/dev.189746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Retinal development and maturation are orchestrated by a series of interacting signalling networks that drive the morphogenetic transformation of the anterior developing brain. Studies in model organisms continue to elucidate these complex series of events. However, the human retina shows many differences from that of other organisms and the investigation of human eye development now benefits from stem cell-derived organoids. Retinal differentiation methods have progressed from simple 2D adherent cultures to self-organising micro-physiological systems. As models of development, these have collectively offered new insights into the previously unexplored early development of the human retina and informed our knowledge of the key cell fate decisions that govern the specification of light-sensitive photoreceptors. Although the developmental trajectories of other retinal cell types remain more elusive, the collation of omics datasets, combined with advanced culture methodology, will enable modelling of the intricate process of human retinogenesis and retinal disease in vitro. Summary: Retinal organoid systems derived from human pluripotent stem cells are micro-physiological systems that offer new insights into previously unexplored human retina development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle O'Hara-Wright
- Stem Cell Medicine Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, 2145, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, 2145, NSW, Australia
| | - Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- Stem Cell Medicine Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, 2145, NSW, Australia .,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, 2145, NSW, Australia
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26
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Sun WR, Ramirez S, Spiller KE, Zhao Y, Fuhrmann S. Nf2 fine-tunes proliferation and tissue alignment during closure of the optic fissure in the embryonic mouse eye. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3373-3387. [PMID: 33075808 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal coloboma represents one of the most common congenital ocular malformations accounting for up to 10% of childhood blindness (~1 in 5000 live birth). Coloboma originates from defective fusion of the optic fissure (OF), a transient gap that forms during eye morphogenesis by asymmetric, ventral invagination. Genetic heterogeneity combined with the activity of developmentally regulated genes suggests multiple mechanisms regulating OF closure. The tumor suppressor and FERM domain protein Neurofibromin 2 (NF2) controls diverse processes in cancer, development and regeneration, via Hippo pathway and cytoskeleton regulation. In humans, NF2 mutations can cause ocular abnormalities, including coloboma, however, its actual role in OF closure is unknown. Using conditional inactivation in the embryonic mouse eye, our data indicate that loss of Nf2 function results in a novel underlying cause for coloboma. In particular, mutant eyes show substantially increased retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) proliferation in the fissure region with concomitant acquisition of RPE cell fate. Cells lining the OF margin can maintain RPE fate ectopically and fail to transition from neuroepithelial to cuboidal shape. In the dorsal RPE of the optic cup, Nf2 inactivation leads to a robust increase in cell number, with local disorganization of the cytoskeleton components F-actin and pMLC2. We propose that RPE hyperproliferation is the primary cause for the observed defects causing insufficient alignment of the OF margins in Nf2 mutants and failure to fuse properly, resulting in persistent coloboma. Our findings indicate that limiting proliferation particularly in the RPE layer is a critical mechanism during OF closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley R Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, VEI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sara Ramirez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, VEI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Kelly E Spiller
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, VEI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, VEI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sabine Fuhrmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, VEI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
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27
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Lidgerwood GE, Senabouth A, Smith-Anttila CJA, Gnanasambandapillai V, Kaczorowski DC, Amann-Zalcenstein D, Fletcher EL, Naik SH, Hewitt AW, Powell JE, Pébay A. Transcriptomic Profiling of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium over Time. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2020; 19:223-242. [PMID: 33307245 PMCID: PMC8602392 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived progenies are immature versions of cells, presenting a potential limitation to the accurate modelling of diseases associated with maturity or age. Hence, it is important to characterise how closely cells used in culture resemble their native counterparts. In order to select appropriate time points of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cultures that reflect native counterparts, we characterised the transcriptomic profiles of the hPSC-derived RPE cells from 1- and 12-month cultures. We differentiated the human embryonic stem cell line H9 into RPE cells, performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of a total of 16,576 cells to assess the molecular changes of the RPE cells across these two culture time points. Our results indicate the stability of the RPE transcriptomic signature, with no evidence of an epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and with the maturing populations of the RPE observed with time in culture. Assessment of Gene Ontology pathways revealed that as the cultures age, RPE cells upregulate expression of genes involved in metal binding and antioxidant functions. This might reflect an increased ability to handle oxidative stress as cells mature. Comparison with native human RPE data confirms a maturing transcriptional profile of RPE cells in culture. These results suggest that long-term in vitro culture of RPE cells allows the modelling of specific phenotypes observed in native mature tissues. Our work highlights the transcriptional landscape of hPSC-derived RPE cells as they age in culture, which provides a reference for native and patient samples to be benchmarked against.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Lidgerwood
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
| | - Anne Senabouth
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Casey J A Smith-Anttila
- Single Cell Open Research Endeavour, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Vikkitharan Gnanasambandapillai
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Dominik C Kaczorowski
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Daniela Amann-Zalcenstein
- Single Cell Open Research Endeavour, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Erica L Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Shalin H Naik
- Single Cell Open Research Endeavour, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
| | - Joseph E Powell
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; UNSW Cellular Genomics Futures Institute, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
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28
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Sharma R, Bose D, Maminishkis A, Bharti K. Retinal Pigment Epithelium Replacement Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Are We There Yet? Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 60:553-572. [PMID: 31914900 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010919-023245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a potential replacement tissue source for degenerative diseases. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding disease triggered by degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer tissue that functionally supports retinal photoreceptors. Recently published clinical and preclinical studies have tested PSC-derived RPE as a potential treatment for AMD. Multiple approaches have been used to manufacture RPE cells, to validate them functionally, to confirm their safety profile, and to deliver them to patients either as suspension or as a monolayer patch. Since most of these studies are at an early regulatory approval stage, the primary outcome has been to determine the safety of RPE transplants in patients. However, preliminary signs of efficacy were observed in a few patients. Here, we review the current progress in the PSC-derived RPE transplantation field and provide a comparative assessment of various approaches under development as potential therapeutics for AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Sharma
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Devika Bose
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
| | - Arvydas Maminishkis
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
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29
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Eintracht J, Toms M, Moosajee M. The Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Model for Developmental Eye Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:265. [PMID: 32973457 PMCID: PMC7468397 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of childhood blindness is attributed to developmental eye disorders, of which 80% have a genetic cause. Eye morphogenesis is tightly regulated by a highly conserved network of transcription factors when disrupted by genetic mutations can result in severe ocular malformation. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are an attractive tool to study early eye development as they are more physiologically relevant than animal models, can be patient-specific and their use does not elicit the ethical concerns associated with human embryonic stem cells. The generation of self-organizing hiPSC-derived optic cups is a major advancement to understanding mechanisms of ocular development and disease. Their development in vitro has been found to mirror that of the human eye and these early organoids have been used to effectively model microphthalmia caused by a VSX2 variant. hiPSC-derived optic cups, retina, and cornea organoids are powerful tools for future modeling of disease phenotypes and will enable a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of many other developmental eye disorders. These models will also provide an effective platform for identifying molecular therapeutic targets and for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Toms
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Eckert P, Knickmeyer MD, Heermann S. In Vivo Analysis of Optic Fissure Fusion in Zebrafish: Pioneer Cells, Basal Lamina, Hyaloid Vessels, and How Fissure Fusion is Affected by BMP. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082760. [PMID: 32316164 PMCID: PMC7215994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colobomata, persistent optic fissures, frequently cause congenital blindness. Here, we focused on optic fissure fusion using in vivo time-lapse imaging in zebrafish. We identified the fusion initiating cells, which we termed “pioneer cells.” Based on morphology, localization, and downregulation of the neuroretinal (NR) precursor marker rx2, these cells could be considered as retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) progenitors. Notably, pioneer cells regain rx2 expression and integrate into the NR after fusion, indicating that they do not belong to the pool of RPE progenitors, supported by the lack of RPE marker expression in pioneer cells. They establish the first cellular contact between the margins in the proximal fissure region and separate the hyaloid artery and vein. After initiation, the fusion site is progressing distally, increasing the distance between the hyaloid artery and vein. A timed BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein) induction, resulting in coloboma, did not alter the morphology of the fissure margins, but it did affect the expression of NR and RPE markers within the margins. In addition, it resulted in a persisting basal lamina and persisting remnants of periocular mesenchyme and hyaloid vasculature within the fissure, supporting the necessity of BMP antagonism within the fissure margins. The hampered fissure fusion had severe effects on the vasculature of the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priska Eckert
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (P.E.); (M.D.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Max D. Knickmeyer
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (P.E.); (M.D.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Heermann
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; (P.E.); (M.D.K.)
- Correspondence:
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31
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Lu Q, Scott PA, Vukmanic EV, Kaplan HJ, Dean DC, Li Q. Yap1 is required for maintenance of adult RPE differentiation. FASEB J 2020; 34:6757-6768. [PMID: 32223016 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903234r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear YAP1 plays a critical role in regulation of stem cell proliferation, tissue regeneration, and organ size in many types of epithelia. Due to rapid turnover of most epithelial cell types, the cytoplasmic function of YAP1 in epithelial cells has not been well studied. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a highly polarized epithelial cell type maintained at a senescence state, and offers an ideal cell model to study the active role of YAP1 in maintenance of the adult epithelial phenotype. Here, we show that the cytoplasmic function of YAP1 is essential to maintain adult RPE differentiation. Knockout of Yap1 in the adult mouse RPE caused cell depolarization and tight junction breakdown, and led to inhibition of RPE65 expression, diminishment of RPE pigments, and retraction of microvilli and basal infoldings. These changes in RPE further prompted the loss of adjacent photoreceptor outer segments and photoreceptor death, which eventually led to decline of visual function in older mice between 6 and 12 months of age. Furthermore, nuclear β-catenin and its activity were significantly increased in mutant RPE. These results suggest that YAP1 plays an important role in active inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and is essential for downregulation of β-catenin nuclear activity and prevention of dedifferentiation of adult RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxian Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Patrick A Scott
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Eric V Vukmanic
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Qiutang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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Eckert P, Knickmeyer MD, Schütz L, Wittbrodt J, Heermann S. Morphogenesis and axis specification occur in parallel during optic cup and optic fissure formation, differentially modulated by BMP and Wnt. Open Biol 2020; 9:180179. [PMID: 30958096 PMCID: PMC6395882 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic cup morphogenesis is an intricate process. Especially, the formation of the optic fissure is not well understood. Persisting optic fissures, termed coloboma, are frequent causes for congenital blindness. Even though the defective fusion of the fissure margins is the most acknowledged reason for coloboma, highly variable morphologies of coloboma phenotypes argue for a diverse set of underlying pathomechanisms. Here, we investigate optic fissure morphogenesis in zebrafish to identify potential morphogenetic defects resulting in coloboma. We show that the formation of the optic fissure depends on tissue flow movements, integrated into the bilateral distal epithelial flow forming the optic cup. On the temporal side, the distal flow translates into a ventral perpendicular flow, shaping the temporal fissure margin. On the nasal side, however, the distal flow is complemented by tissue derived from the optic stalk, shaping the nasal fissure margin. Notably, a distinct population of TGFβ-signalling positive cells is translocated from the optic stalk into both fissure margins. Furthermore, we show that induced BMP signalling as well as Wnt-signalling inhibition result in morphogenetic defects of the optic fissure. Our data also indicate that morphogenesis is crucial for a proper positioning of pre-specified dorsal–ventral optic cup domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priska Eckert
- 1 Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg , 79104 Freiburg , Germany.,2 Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg , Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Max D Knickmeyer
- 1 Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg , 79104 Freiburg , Germany.,2 Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg , Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Lucas Schütz
- 3 Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Joachim Wittbrodt
- 3 Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Stephan Heermann
- 1 Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
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Bhansali P, Cvekl A, Liu W. A distal enhancer that directs Otx2 expression in the retinal pigment epithelium and neuroretina. Dev Dyn 2020; 249:209-221. [PMID: 31658410 PMCID: PMC10518783 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homeodomain transcription factor Otx2 is essential for embryonic development of multiple head tissues, including retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neuroretina. Temporospatial regulation of Otx2 expression is critical for its functions. Molecular dissection of the cis-acting enhancers will help elucidate how Otx2 expression is regulated. RESULTS We comprehensively characterized distal enhancer hs1150 that was previously identified in a high throughput study. We established multiple transgenic mouse lines in which human hs1150, corresponding mouse hs1150, and two highly conserved sub-fragments in the mouse hs1150 were individually fused to a minimal hsp68 promoter to drive reporter expression. We found that hs1150 enhancer directed reporter expression in the RPE, neuroretina, and brain in a developmentally regulated manner. Human hs1150-directed reporter expression largely recapitulated Otx2 expression in the RPE, in the early neuroretina, and to a lesser degree in the early brain. Mouse hs1150, although shorter than human hs1150, exhibited similar enhancer activity, indicating functional conservation of hs1150 enhancer across species. Both of the highly conserved subfragments in mouse hs1150 enhancer directed reporter expression in the early neuroretina, indicating that the hs1150 enhancer has two functional components. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of Otx2 retinal expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punita Bhansali
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ales Cvekl
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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Masaeli E, Forster V, Picaud S, Karamali F, Nasr-Esfahani MH, Marquette C. Tissue engineering of retina through high resolution 3-dimensional inkjet bioprinting. Biofabrication 2020; 12:025006. [PMID: 31578006 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab4a20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian retina contains multiple cellular layers, each carrying out a specific task. Such a controlled organization should be considered as a crucial factor for designing retinal therapies. The maintenance of retinal layered complexity through the use of scaffold-free techniques has recently emerged as a promising approach for clinical ocular tissue engineering. In an attempt to fabricate such layered retinal model, we are proposing herein a unique inkjet bioprinting system applied to the deposition of a photoreceptor cells (PRs) layer on top of a bioprinted retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), in a precise arrangement and without any carrier material. The results showed that, after bioprinting, both RPE and PRs were well positioned in a layered structure and expressed their structural markers, which was further demonstrated by ZO1, MITF, rhodopsin, opsin B, opsin R/G and PNA immunostaining, three days after bioprinting. We also showed that considerable amounts of human vascular endothelial growth factors (hVEGF) were released from the RPE printed layer, which confirmed the formation of a functional RPE monolayer after bioprinting. Microstructures of bioprinted cells as well as phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments by apical RPE microvilli were finally established through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging. In summary, using this carrier-free bioprinting method, it was possible to develop a reasonable in vitro retina model for studying some sight-threatening diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Masaeli
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran. 3d.FAB, Univ Lyon, Université Lyon1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Bat. Lederer, 1 rue Victor Grignard, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
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Ahmad I, Teotia P, Erickson H, Xia X. Recapitulating developmental mechanisms for retinal regeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 76:100824. [PMID: 31843569 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of specific retinal neurons in diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Currently, there is no therapy to modify the disease-associated degenerative changes. With the advancement in our knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate the development of the vertebrate retina, the approach to treat blinding diseases through regenerative medicine appears a near possibility. Recapitulation of developmental mechanisms is critical for reproducibly generating cells in either 2D or 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells for retinal repair and disease modeling. It is the key for unlocking the neurogenic potential of Müller glia in the adult retina for therapeutic regeneration. Here, we examine the current status and potential of the regenerative medicine approach for the retina in the backdrop of developmental mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Ahmad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Pooja Teotia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Helen Erickson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
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Craenen K, Verslegers M, Craeghs L, Quintens R, Janssen A, Coolkens A, Baatout S, Moons L, Benotmane MA. Abnormal retinal pigment epithelium melanogenesis as a major determinant for radiation-induced congenital eye defects. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 91:59-73. [PMID: 31705956 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies highlighted a link between ionizing radiation exposure during neurulation and birth defects such as microphthalmos and anophthalmos. Because the mechanisms underlying these defects remain largely unexplored, we irradiated pregnant C57BL/6J mice (1.0 Gy, X-rays) at embryonic day (E)7.5, followed by histological and gene/protein expression analyses at defined days. Irradiation impaired embryonic development at E9 and we observed a delayed pigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) at E11. In addition, a reduced RNA expression and protein abundance of critical eye-development genes (e.g. Pax6 and Lhx2) was observed. Furthermore, a decreased expression of Mitf, Tyr and Tyrp1 supported the radiation-induced perturbation in RPE pigmentation. Finally, via immunostainings for proliferation (Ki67) and mitosis (phosphorylated histone 3), a decreased mitotic index was observed in the E18 retina after exposure at E7.5. Overall, we propose a plausible etiological model for radiation-induced eye-size defects, with RPE melanogenesis as a major determining factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Craenen
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium; Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61 bus 2464, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Livine Craeghs
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium; Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61 bus 2464, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Ann Janssen
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Amelie Coolkens
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Lieve Moons
- Laboratory of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 61 bus 2464, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mohammed Abderrafi Benotmane
- Radiobiology Unit, Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium.
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Ma X, Li H, Chen Y, Yang J, Chen H, Arnheiter H, Hou L. The transcription factor MITF in RPE function and dysfunction. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 73:100766. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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García-Llorca A, Aspelund SG, Ogmundsdottir MH, Steingrimsson E, Eysteinsson T. The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) gene and its role in regulating eye function. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15386. [PMID: 31659211 PMCID: PMC6817937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51819-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) gene can cause retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal dysfunction and degeneration. We examined retinal and RPE structure and function in 3 month old mice homo- or heterozygous or compound heterozygous for different Mitf mutations (Mitfmi-vga9/+, Mitfmi-enu22(398)/Mitfmi-enu22(398), MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi) which all have normal eye size with apparently normal eye pigmentation. Here we show that their vision and retinal structures are differentially affected. Hypopigmentation was evident in all the mutants while bright-field fundus images showed yellow spots with non-pigmented areas in the Mitfmi-vga9/+ mice. MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi mice showed large non-pigmented areas. Fluorescent angiography (FA) of all mutants except Mitfmi-vga9/+ mice showed hyperfluorescent areas, whereas FA from both Mitf-Mi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi mice showed reduced capillary network as well as hyperfluorescent areas. Electroretinogram (ERG) recordings show that MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi mice are severely impaired functionally whereas the scotopic and photopic ERG responses of Mitfmi-vga9/+ and Mitfmi-enu22(398)/Mitfmi-enu22(398) mice were not significantly different from wild type mice. Histological sections demonstrated that the outer retinal layers were absent from the MitfMi-Wh/+ and MitfMi-Wh/Mitfmi blind mutants. Our results show that Mitf mutations affect eye function, even in the heterozygous condition and that the alleles studied can be arranged in an allelic series in this respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea García-Llorca
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegur 16, 101, Reykjavík, Iceland.,Department of Ophthalmology, Landspitali National University Hospital, Eiriksgata 37, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Margret Helga Ogmundsdottir
- Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Eiríkur Steingrimsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Thor Eysteinsson
- Department of Physiology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegur 16, 101, Reykjavík, Iceland. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Landspitali National University Hospital, Eiriksgata 37, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland.
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Gamm DM, Clark E, Capowski EE, Singh R. The Role of FGF9 in the Production of Neural Retina and RPE in a Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Early Human Retinal Development. Am J Ophthalmol 2019; 206:113-131. [PMID: 31078532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2019.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the production of neural retina (NR) and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in a human pluripotent stem cell model of early retinal development. METHODS Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from an individual with microphthalmia caused by a functional null mutation (R200Q) in visual system homeobox 2 (VSX2), a transcription factor involved in early NR progenitor cell (NRPC) production, and a normal sibling were differentiated along the retinal and forebrain lineages using an established protocol. Quantitative and global gene expression analyses (microarray and RNAseq) were used to investigate endogenous FGF expression profiles in these cultures over time. Based on these results, mutant and control hiPSC cultures were treated exogenously with selected FGFs and subjected to gene and protein expression analyses to determine their effects on RPE and NR production. RESULTS We found that FGF9 and FGF19 were selectively increased in early hiPSC-derived optic vesicles (OVs) when compared to isogenic cultures of hiPSC-derived forebrain neurospheres. Furthermore, these same FGFs were downregulated over time in (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OVs relative to sibling control hiPSC-OVs. Interestingly, long-term supplementation with FGF9, but not FGF19, partially rescued the mutant retinal phenotype of the (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OV model. However, antagonizing FGF9 in wild-type control hiPSCs did not alter OV development. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that FGF9 acts in concert with VSX2 to promote NR differentiation in hiPSC-OVs and has potential to be used to manipulate early retinogenesis and mitigate ocular defects caused by functional loss of VSX2 activity. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
| | - Eric Clark
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Ruchira Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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40
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Valensi M, Goldman G, Marchant D, Van Den Berghe L, Jonet L, Daruich A, Robert MP, Krejci E, Klein C, Mascarelli F, Versaux-Botteri C, Moulin A, Putterman M, Guimiot F, Molina T, Terris B, Brémond-Gignac D, Behar-Cohen F, Abitbol MM. Sostdc1 is expressed in all major compartments of developing and adult mammalian eyes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 257:2401-2427. [PMID: 31529323 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04462-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was conducted in order to study Sostdc1 expression in rat and human developing and adult eyes. METHODS Using the yeast signal sequence trap screening method, we identified the Sostdc1 cDNA encoding a protein secreted by the adult rat retinal pigment epithelium. We determined by in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis Sostdc1 gene and protein expression in developing and postnatal rat ocular tissue sections. We also investigated Sostdc1 immunohistolocalization in developing and adult human ocular tissues. RESULTS We demonstrated a prominent Sostdc1 gene expression in the developing rat central nervous system (CNS) and eyes at early developmental stages from E10.5 days postconception (dpc) to E13 dpc. Specific Sostdc1 immunostaining was also detected in most adult cells of rat ocular tissue sections. We also identified the rat ocular embryonic compartments characterized by a specific Sostdc1 immunohistostaining and specific Pax6, Sox2, Otx2, and Vsx2 immunohistostaining from embryonic stages E10.5 to E13 dpc. Furthermore, we determined the localization of SOSTDC1 immunoreactivity in ocular tissue sections of developing and adult human eyes. Indeed, we detected SOSTDC1 immunostaining in developing and adult human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neural retina (NR) as well as in several developing and adult human ocular compartments, including the walls of choroidal and scleral vessels. Of utmost importance, we observed a strong SOSTDC1 expression in a pathological ocular specimen of type 2 Peters' anomaly complicated by retinal neovascularization as well in the walls ofother pathological extra-ocular vessels. CONCLUSION: As rat Sostdc1 and human SOSTDC1 are dual antagonists of the Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling pathways, these results underscore the potential crucial roles of these pathways and their antagonists, such as Sostdc1 and SOSTDC1, in developing and adult mammalian normal eyes as well as in syndromic and nonsyndromic congenital eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Valensi
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Gabrielle Goldman
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de L'Hôpital Cochin-Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Marchant
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, UFR SMBH, Laboratoire Hypoxie et poumons, Université Paris 13, EA 2363, 93017, Bobigny, France
| | - Loïc Van Den Berghe
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- Inserm UMR 1037, CRCT (Cancer Research Center of Toulouse), 31037, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Jonet
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Alejandra Daruich
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu P Robert
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
- COGnition and Action Group, UMR 8257, CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Eric Krejci
- COGnition and Action Group, UMR 8257, CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Klein
- Centre d'Imagerie Cellulaire et de Cytométrie (CICC), Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, Université Paris Descartes - Paris 5, UMR_S 1138, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Mascarelli
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Claudine Versaux-Botteri
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Moulin
- Département de Pathologie, Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin , 15, avenue de France, 1004, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Putterman
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de l'Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Guimiot
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Foeto-Pathologie, Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré, 48 Boulevard Serrurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Molina
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de l'Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Benoît Terris
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de L'Hôpital Cochin-Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Brémond-Gignac
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Universitaire Cochin-Hôtel-Dieu, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Marc M Abitbol
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France.
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France.
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Shin JY, Son J, Kim WS, Gwak J, Ju BG. Jmjd6a regulates GSK3β RNA splicing in Xenopus laevis eye development. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219800. [PMID: 31361752 PMCID: PMC6667200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219800] [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: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that Jmjd6 plays an important role in gene regulation through its demethylation or hydroxylation activity on histone and transcription factors. In addition, Jmjd6 has been shown to regulate RNA splicing by interaction with splicing factors. In this study, we demonstrated that Jmjd6a is expressed in developing Xenopus laevis eye during optic vesicle formation and retinal layer differentiation stages. Knockdown of Jmjd6a by an antisense morpholino resulted in eye malformation including a deformed retinal layer and no lens formation. We further found down-regulation of gene expression related to eye development such as Rx1, Otx2, and Pax6 in Jmjd6a morpholino injected embryos. Jmjd6 interacts with splicing factor U2AF25 and GSK3β RNA in the anterior region of Xenopus embryos. Knockdown of Jmjd6a led to deletion of GSK3β RNA exon 1 and 2, which resulted in generation of N’-terminal truncated GSK3β protein. This event further caused decreased phosphorylation of β-catenin and subsequently increased β-catenin stability. Therefore, our result may suggest that Jmjd6a plays an important role in Xenopus eye development through regulation of GSK3β RNA splicing and canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Yoon Shin
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeongin Son
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Sun Kim
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jungsug Gwak
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bong-Gun Ju
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
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Mason C, Guillery R. Conversations with Ray Guillery on albinism: linking Siamese cat visual pathway connectivity to mouse retinal development. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 49:913-927. [PMID: 30801828 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In albinism of all species, perturbed melanin biosynthesis in the eye leads to foveal hypoplasia, retinal ganglion cell misrouting, and, consequently, altered binocular vision. Here, written before he died, Ray Guillery chronicles his discovery of the aberrant circuitry from eye to brain in the Siamese cat. Ray's characterization of visual pathway anomalies in this temperature sensitive mutation of tyrosinase and thus melanin synthesis in domestic cats opened the exploration of albinism and simultaneously, a genetic approach to the organization of neural circuitry. I follow this account with a remembrance of Ray's influence on my work. Beginning with my postdoc research with Ray on the cat visual pathway, through my own work on the mechanisms of retinal axon guidance in the developing mouse, Ray and I had a continuous and rich dialogue about the albino visual pathway. I will present the questions Ray posed and clues we have to date on the still-elusive link between eye pigment and the proper balance of ipsilateral and contralateral retinal ganglion cell projections to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Mason
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, Jerome L. Greene Science Center, 3227 Broadway, Room L3-043, Quad 3C, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Ray Guillery
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, Jerome L. Greene Science Center, 3227 Broadway, Room L3-043, Quad 3C, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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Knickmeyer MD, Mateo JL, Eckert P, Roussa E, Rahhal B, Zuniga A, Krieglstein K, Wittbrodt J, Heermann S. TGFβ-facilitated optic fissure fusion and the role of bone morphogenetic protein antagonism. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.170134. [PMID: 29593116 PMCID: PMC5881030 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.170134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The optic fissure is a transient gap in the developing vertebrate eye, which must be closed as development proceeds. A persisting optic fissure, coloboma, is a major cause for blindness in children. Although many genes have been linked to coloboma, the process of optic fissure fusion is still little appreciated, especially on a molecular level. We identified a coloboma in mice with a targeted inactivation of transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2). Notably, here the optic fissure margins must have touched, however failed to fuse. Transcriptomic analyses indicated an effect on remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as an underlying mechanism. TGFβ signalling is well known for its effect on ECM remodelling, but it is at the same time often inhibited by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. Notably, we also identified two BMP antagonists among the downregulated genes. For further functional analyses we made use of zebrafish, in which we found TGFβ ligands expressed in the developing eye, and the ligand binding receptor in the optic fissure margins where we also found active TGFβ signalling and, notably, also gremlin 2b (grem2b) and follistatin a (fsta), homologues of the regulated BMP antagonists. We hypothesized that TGFβ is locally inducing expression of BMP antagonists within the margins to relieve the inhibition from its regulatory capacity regarding ECM remodelling. We tested our hypothesis and found that induced BMP expression is sufficient to inhibit optic fissure fusion, resulting in coloboma. Our findings can likely be applied also to other fusion processes, especially when TGFβ signalling or BMP antagonism is involved, as in fusion processes during orofacial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max D Knickmeyer
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
| | - Juan L Mateo
- Departamento de Informática, Universidad de Oviedo, Jesús Arias de Velasco, Oviedo 33005, Spain
| | - Priska Eckert
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
| | - Eleni Roussa
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
| | - Belal Rahhal
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
| | - Aimee Zuniga
- Developmental Genetics, University of Basel Medical School, Basel CH-4058, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Krieglstein
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
| | | | - Stephan Heermann
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
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44
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Primary Cilium-Mediated Retinal Pigment Epithelium Maturation Is Disrupted in Ciliopathy Patient Cells. Cell Rep 2019; 22:189-205. [PMID: 29298421 PMCID: PMC6166245 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are sensory organelles that protrude from the cell membrane. Defects in the primary cilium cause ciliopathy disorders, with retinal degeneration as a prominent phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), essential for photoreceptor development and function, requires a functional primary cilium for complete maturation and that RPE maturation defects in ciliopathies precede photoreceptor degeneration. Pharmacologically enhanced ciliogenesis in wild-type induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-RPE leads to fully mature and functional cells. In contrast, ciliopathy patient-derived iPSC-RPE and iPSC-RPE with a knockdown of ciliary-trafficking protein remain immature, with defective apical processes, reduced functionality, and reduced adult-specific gene expression. Proteins of the primary cilium regulate RPE maturation by simultaneously suppressing canonical WNT and activating PKCδ pathways. A similar cilium-dependent maturation pathway exists in lung epithelium. Our results provide insights into ciliopathy-induced retinal degeneration, demonstrate a developmental role for primary cilia in epithelial maturation, and provide a method to mature iPSC epithelial cells for clinical applications. May-Simera et al. show that primary cilia regulate the maturation and polarization of human iPSC-RPE, mouse RPE, and human iPSC-lung epithelium through canonical WNT suppression and PKCδ activation. RPE cells derived from ciliopathy patients exhibit defective structure and function. These results provide insights into ciliopathy-induced retinal degeneration.
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45
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Homozygous frameshift mutations in FAT1 cause a syndrome characterized by colobomatous-microphthalmia, ptosis, nephropathy and syndactyly. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1180. [PMID: 30862798 PMCID: PMC6414540 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08547-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A failure in optic fissure fusion during development can lead to blinding malformations of the eye. Here, we report a syndrome characterized by facial dysmorphism, colobomatous microphthalmia, ptosis and syndactyly with or without nephropathy, associated with homozygous frameshift mutations in FAT1. We show that Fat1 knockout mice and zebrafish embryos homozygous for truncating fat1a mutations exhibit completely penetrant coloboma, recapitulating the most consistent developmental defect observed in affected individuals. In human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, the primary site for the fusion of optic fissure margins, FAT1 is localized at earliest cell-cell junctions, consistent with a role in facilitating optic fissure fusion during vertebrate eye development. Our findings establish FAT1 as a gene with pleiotropic effects in human, in that frameshift mutations cause a severe multi-system disorder whereas recessive missense mutations had been previously associated with isolated glomerulotubular nephropathy. Loss of the cadherin FAT1 has been associated with nephropathy and epithelial cell adhesion defects. Here, the authors report five families with a syndromic form of coloboma associated with homozygous frameshift variants in FAT1 and recapitulate the phenotype in mutant mice and zebrafish.
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46
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Hanovice NJ, Leach LL, Slater K, Gabriel AE, Romanovicz D, Shao E, Collery R, Burton EA, Lathrop KL, Link BA, Gross JM. Regeneration of the zebrafish retinal pigment epithelium after widespread genetic ablation. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007939. [PMID: 30695061 PMCID: PMC6368336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a specialized monolayer of pigmented cells within the eye that is critical for maintaining visual system function. Diseases affecting the RPE have dire consequences for vision, and the most prevalent of these is atrophic (dry) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is thought to result from RPE dysfunction and degeneration. An intriguing possibility for treating RPE degenerative diseases like atrophic AMD is the stimulation of endogenous RPE regeneration; however, very little is known about the mechanisms driving successful RPE regeneration in vivo. Here, we developed a zebrafish transgenic model (rpe65a:nfsB-eGFP) that enabled ablation of large swathes of mature RPE. RPE ablation resulted in rapid RPE degeneration, as well as degeneration of Bruch’s membrane and underlying photoreceptors. Using this model, we demonstrate for the first time that zebrafish are capable of regenerating a functional RPE monolayer after RPE ablation. Regenerated RPE cells first appear at the periphery of the RPE, and regeneration proceeds in a peripheral-to-central fashion. RPE ablation elicits a robust proliferative response in the remaining RPE. Subsequently, proliferative cells move into the injury site and differentiate into RPE. BrdU incorporation assays demonstrate that the regenerated RPE is likely derived from remaining peripheral RPE cells. Pharmacological disruption using IWR-1, a Wnt signaling antagonist, significantly reduces cell proliferation in the RPE and impairs overall RPE recovery. These data demonstrate that the zebrafish RPE possesses a robust capacity for regeneration and highlight a potential mechanism through which endogenous RPE regenerate in vivo. Diseases resulting in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and no therapy exists that can replace RPE or restore lost vision. One intriguing possibility is the development of therapies focused on stimulating endogenous RPE regeneration. For this to be possible, we must first gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying RPE regeneration. Here, we develop a transgenic zebrafish system through which we ablate large swathes of mature RPE and demonstrate that zebrafish regenerate RPE after widespread injury. Injury-adjacent RPE proliferate and regenerate RPE, suggesting that they are the source of regenerated tissue. Finally, we demonstrate that Wnt signaling may be involved in RPE regeneration. These findings establish a versatile in vivo model through which the molecular and cellular underpinnings of RPE regeneration can be further characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Hanovice
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lyndsay L. Leach
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kayleigh Slater
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ana E. Gabriel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dwight Romanovicz
- Center for Biomedical Research Support, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Enhua Shao
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Tsinghua University Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Ross Collery
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Edward A. Burton
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kira L. Lathrop
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Brian A. Link
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey M. Gross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the early developmental origins of six ocular tissues: the cornea, lens, ciliary body, iris, neural retina, and retina pigment epithelium. Many of these tissue types are concurrently specified and undergo a complex set of morphogenetic movements that facilitate their structural interconnection. Within the context of vertebrate eye organogenesis, we also discuss the genetic hierarchies of transcription factors and signaling pathways that regulate growth, patterning, cell type specification and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel B Miesfeld
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Nadean L Brown
- Department of Cell Biology & Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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48
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Dupont G, Yilmaz E, Loukas M, Macchi V, De Caro R, Tubbs RS. Human embryonic stem cells: Distinct molecular personalities and applications in regenerative medicine. Clin Anat 2018; 32:354-360. [PMID: 30521112 PMCID: PMC6850663 DOI: 10.1002/ca.23318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The field of stem cell biology is exciting because it provides researchers and clinicians with seemingly unlimited applications for treating many human diseases. Stem cells are a renewable source of pluripotent cells that can differentiate into nearly all human cell types. In this article we focus particularly on human embryonic stem (hES) cells, derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and cultured for expansion while remaining undifferentiated, to explore their unique molecular personalities and clinical applications. The aim of this literature review is to reflect the interest in hES cells and to provide a resource for researchers and clinicians interested in the molecular characteristics of such cells. Clin. Anat. 32:354–360, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Anatomy published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Clinical Anatomists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emre Yilmaz
- Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marios Loukas
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Veronica Macchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Anatomy Institute, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Caro
- Department of Neuroscience, Anatomy Institute, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - R Shane Tubbs
- Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
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49
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Xiong Y, Ji H, You Z, Yao F, Zhou R, Song W, Xia X. Otx2 enhances transdifferentiation of Müller cells-derived retinal stem cells into photoreceptor-like cells. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 23:943-953. [PMID: 30451368 PMCID: PMC6349218 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal Müller glial cells have the potential of neurogenic retinal progenitor cells, and could reprogram into retinal-specific cell types such as photoreceptor cells. How to promote the differentiation of Müller cells into photoreceptor cells represents a promising therapy strategy for retinal degeneration diseases. This study aimed to enhance the transdifferentiation of rat Müller cells-derived retinal stem cells (MC-RSCs) into photoreceptor-like cells and explore the signalling mechanism. We dedifferentiated rat Müller cells into MC-RSCs which were infected with Otx2 overexpression lentivirus or control. The positive rate of photoreceptor-like cells among MC-RSCs treated with Otx2 overexpression lentivirus was significantly higher compared to control. Furthermore, pre-treatment with Crx siRNA, Nrl siRNA, or GSK-3 inhibitor SB-216763 reduced the positive rate of photoreceptor-like cells among MC-RSCs treated with Otx2 overexpression lentivirus. Finally, Otx2 induced photoreceptor precursor cells were injected into subretinal space of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea induced rat model of retinal degeneration and partially recovered retinal degeneration in the rats. In conclusion, Otx2 enhances transdifferentiation of MC-RSCs into photoreceptor-like cells and this is associated with the inhibition of Wnt signalling. Otx2 is a potential target for gene therapy of retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hongpei Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhipeng You
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fei Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weitao Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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50
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Korkka I, Viheriälä T, Juuti-Uusitalo K, Uusitalo-Järvinen H, Skottman H, Hyttinen J, Nymark S. Functional Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels Are Present in Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Stem Cells Transl Med 2018; 8:179-193. [PMID: 30394009 PMCID: PMC6344904 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs important functions for the maintenance of photoreceptors and vision. Malfunctions within the RPE are implicated in several retinal diseases for which transplantations of stem cell‐derived RPE are promising treatment options. Their success, however, is largely dependent on the functionality of the transplanted cells. This requires correct cellular physiology, which is highly influenced by the various ion channels of RPE, including voltage‐gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels. This study investigated the localization and functionality of CaV channels in human embryonic stem cell (hESC)‐derived RPE. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from these cells revealed slowly inactivating L‐type currents comparable to freshly isolated mouse RPE. Some hESC‐RPE cells also carried fast transient T‐type resembling currents. These findings were confirmed by immunostainings from both hESC‐ and mouse RPE that showed the presence of the L‐type Ca2+ channels CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 as well as the T‐type Ca2+ channels CaV3.1 and CaV3.2. The localization of the major subtype, CaV1.3, changed during hESC‐RPE maturation co‐localizing with pericentrin to the base of the primary cilium before reaching more homogeneous membrane localization comparable to mouse RPE. Based on functional assessment, the L‐type Ca2+ channels participated in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor secretion as well as in the phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments in hESC‐RPE. Overall, this study demonstrates that a functional machinery of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels is present in mature hESC‐RPE, which is promising for the success of transplantation therapies. stem cells translational medicine2019;8:179&15
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Affiliation(s)
- Iina Korkka
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Taina Viheriälä
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kati Juuti-Uusitalo
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannele Uusitalo-Järvinen
- Eye Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jari Hyttinen
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Soile Nymark
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
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