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Ávila-Mendoza J, Urban-Sosa VA, Lazcano I, Orozco A, Luna M, Martínez-Moreno CG, Arámburo C. Comparative analysis of Krüppel-like factors expression in the retinas of zebrafish and mice during development and after injury. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 356:114579. [PMID: 38964422 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) have emerged as important transcriptional regulators of various cellular processes, including neural development. Some of them have been described as intrinsic factors involved in axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates. Zebrafish are known for their ability to regenerate several tissues in adulthood, including the CNS, a capability lost during vertebrate evolution and absent in adult mammals. The role that KLFs could play in this differential ability remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the endogenous response of certain KLFs implicated in axon regeneration (KLFs 6, 7, 9, and 13) during retina development and after axon injury. The results showed that the expression of Klfs 6, 7, and 13 decreases in the developing retina of mice but not in zebrafish, while the mRNA levels of Klf9 strongly increase in both species. The response to injury was further analyzed using optic nerve crush (ONC) as a model of lesion. Our analysis during the acute phase (hours) demonstrated an induction of Klfs 6 and 7 expression exclusively in the zebrafish retina, while Klfs 9 and 13 mRNA levels increased in both species. Further analysis of the chronic response (days) showed that mRNA levels of Klf6 transiently increase in the retinas of both zebrafish and mice, whereas those of Klf7 decrease later after optic nerve injury. In addition, the analysis revealed that the expression of Klf9 decreases, while that of Klf13 increases in the retinas of zebrafish in response to optic nerve injury but remains unaltered in mice. Altogether, these findings support the hypothesis that KLFs may play a role in the differential axon regeneration abilities exhibited by fish and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ávila-Mendoza
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
| | - Valeria A Urban-Sosa
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Iván Lazcano
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Aurea Orozco
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Maricela Luna
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Carlos G Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Carlos Arámburo
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro 76230, Mexico.
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He M, Xia M, Yang Q, Chen X, Li H, Xia X. P-aminobenzoic acid promotes retinal regeneration through activation of Ascl1a in zebrafish. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1849-1856. [PMID: 38103253 PMCID: PMC10960302 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.389646] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202408000-00040/figure1/v/2023-12-16T180322Z/r/image-tiff The retina of zebrafish can regenerate completely after injury. Multiple studies have demonstrated that metabolic alterations occur during retinal damage; however to date no study has identified a link between metabolites and retinal regeneration of zebrafish. Here, we performed an unbiased metabolome sequencing in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish to demonstrate the metabolomic mechanism of retinal regeneration. Among the differentially-expressed metabolites, we found a significant decrease in p-aminobenzoic acid in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish. Then, we investigated the role of p-aminobenzoic acid in retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish. Importantly, p-aminobenzoic acid activated Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression, thereby promoting Müller glia reprogramming and division, as well as Müller glia-derived progenitor cell proliferation. Finally, we eliminated folic acid and inflammation as downstream effectors of PABA and demonstrated that PABA had little effect on Müller glia distribution. Taken together, these findings show that PABA contributes to retinal regeneration through activation of Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui He
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Mingfang Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xingyi Chen
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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Tsissios G, Sallese A, Perez-Estrada JR, Tangeman JA, Chen W, Smucker B, Ratvasky SC, Grajales-Esquive EL, Martinez A, Visser KJ, Araus AJ, Wang H, Simon A, Yun MH, Rio-Tsonis KD. Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3603645. [PMID: 38045376 PMCID: PMC10690311 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3603645/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Previous studies indicated that macrophages play a role during lens regeneration in newts, but their function has not been tested experimentally. Methods Here we generated a transgenic newt reporter line in which macrophages can be visualized in vivo. Using this new tool, we analyzed the location of macrophages during lens regeneration. We uncovered early gene expression changes using bulk RNAseq in two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Next, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages, which inhibited lens regeneration in both newt species. Results Macrophage depletion induced the formation of scar-like tissue, an increased and sustained inflammatory response, an early decrease in iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation and a late increase in apoptosis. Some of these phenotypes persisted for at least 100 days and could be rescued by exogenous FGF2. Re-injury alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion and re-started the regeneration process. Conclusions Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages in facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye, helping to resolve fibrosis, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maximina H Yun
- Dresden University of Technology: Technische Universitat Dresden
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Tsissios G, Sallese A, Perez-Estrada JR, Tangeman JA, Chen W, Smucker B, Ratvasky SC, Grajales-Esquivel E, Martinez A, Visser KJ, Araus AJ, Wang H, Simon A, Yun MH, Rio-Tsonis KD. Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.04.543633. [PMID: 37333184 PMCID: PMC10274724 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.04.543633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies indicated that macrophages play a role during lens regeneration in newts, but their function has not been tested experimentally. Here we generated a transgenic newt reporter line in which macrophages can be visualized in vivo. Using this new tool, we analyzed the location of macrophages during lens regeneration. We uncovered early gene expression changes using bulk RNAseq in two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Next, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages, which inhibited lens regeneration in both newt species. Macrophage depletion induced the formation of scar-like tissue, an increased and sustained inflammatory response, an early decrease in iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation and a late increase in apoptosis. Some of these phenotypes persisted for at least 100 days and could be rescued by exogenous FGF2. Re-injury alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion and re-started the regeneration process. Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages in facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye, helping to resolve fibrosis, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tsissios
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Anthony Sallese
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - J Raul Perez-Estrada
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Jared A Tangeman
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Weihao Chen
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Byran Smucker
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Statistics, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Sophia C Ratvasky
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Erika Grajales-Esquivel
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Arielle Martinez
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Kimberly J Visser
- CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alberto Joven Araus
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hui Wang
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Andras Simon
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maximina H Yun
- CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katia Del Rio-Tsonis
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Center for Visual Sciences at Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Cellular Molecular and Structural Biology Program, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
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Amin D, Kuwajima T. Differential Retinal Ganglion Cell Vulnerability, A Critical Clue for the Identification of Neuroprotective Genes in Glaucoma. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2022; 2:905352. [PMID: 38983528 PMCID: PMC11182220 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2022.905352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the neurons in the retina which directly project to the brain and transmit visual information along the optic nerve. Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness, is characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and degeneration of the optic nerve, which is followed by RGC death. Currently, there are no clinical therapeutic drugs or molecular interventions that prevent RGC death outside of IOP reduction. In order to overcome these major barriers, an increased number of studies have utilized the following combined analytical methods: well-established rodent models of glaucoma including optic nerve injury models and transcriptomic gene expression profiling, resulting in the successful identification of molecules and signaling pathways relevant to RGC protection. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of pathological features in a variety of animal models of glaucoma and top differentially expressed genes (DEGs) depending on disease progression, RGC subtypes, retinal regions or animal species. By comparing top DEGs among those different transcriptome profiles, we discuss whether commonly listed DEGs could be defined as potential novel therapeutic targets in glaucoma, which will facilitate development of future therapeutic neuroprotective strategies for treatments of human patients in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwarkesh Amin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Takaaki Kuwajima
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Lu F, Leach LL, Gross JM. mTOR activity is essential for retinal pigment epithelium regeneration in zebrafish. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009628. [PMID: 35271573 PMCID: PMC8939802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays numerous critical roles in maintaining vision and this is underscored by the prevalence of degenerative blinding diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in which visual impairment is caused by progressive loss of RPE cells. In contrast to mammals, zebrafish possess the ability to intrinsically regenerate a functional RPE layer after severe injury. The molecular underpinnings of this regenerative process remain largely unknown yet hold tremendous potential for developing treatment strategies to stimulate endogenous regeneration in the human eye. In this study, we demonstrate that the mTOR pathway is activated in RPE cells post-genetic ablation. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of mTOR activity impaired RPE regeneration, while mTOR activation enhanced RPE recovery post-injury, demonstrating that mTOR activity is essential for RPE regeneration in zebrafish. RNA-seq of RPE isolated from mTOR-inhibited larvae identified a number of genes and pathways dependent on mTOR activity at early and late stages of regeneration; amongst these were components of the immune system, which is emerging as a key regulator of regenerative responses across various tissue and model systems. Our results identify crosstalk between macrophages/microglia and the RPE, wherein mTOR activity is required for recruitment of macrophages/microglia to the RPE injury site. Macrophages/microglia then reinforce mTOR activity in regenerating RPE cells. Interestingly, the function of macrophages/microglia in maintaining mTOR activity in the RPE appeared to be inflammation-independent. Taken together, these data identify mTOR activity as a key regulator of RPE regeneration and link the mTOR pathway to immune responses in facilitating RPE regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - 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
| | - 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
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Leach LL, Fisher GB, Gross JM. Nitroreductase/Metronidazole-Mediated Ablation and a MATLAB Platform (RpEGEN) for Studying Regeneration of the Zebrafish Retinal Pigment Epithelium. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/63658. [PMID: 35311832 PMCID: PMC9036407 DOI: 10.3791/63658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) resides at the back of the eye and performs functions essential for maintaining the health and integrity of adjacent retinal and vascular tissues. At present, the limited reparative capacity of mammalian RPE, which is restricted to small injuries, has hindered progress to understanding in vivo RPE regenerative processes. Here, a detailed methodology is provided to facilitate the study of in vivo RPE repair utilizing the zebrafish, a vertebrate model capable of robust tissue regeneration. This protocol describes a transgenic nitroreductase/metronidazole (NTR/MTZ)-mediated injury paradigm (rpe65a:nfsB-eGFP), which results in ablation of the central two-thirds of the RPE after 24 h treatment with MTZ, with subsequent tissue recovery. Focus is placed on RPE ablations in larval zebrafish and methods for testing the effects of pharmacological compounds on RPE regeneration are also outlined. Generation and validation of RpEGEN, a MATLAB script created to automate quantification of RPE regeneration based on pigmentation, is also discussed. Beyond active RPE repair mechanisms, this protocol can be expanded to studies of RPE degeneration and injury responses as well as the effects of RPE damage on adjacent retinal and vascular tissues, among other cellular and molecular processes. This zebrafish system holds significant promise in identifying genes, networks, and processes that drive RPE regeneration and RPE disease-related mechanisms, with the long-term goal of applying this knowledge to mammalian systems and, ultimately, toward therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsay L. Leach
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
| | - G. Burch Fisher
- Earth Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara
| | - Jeffrey M. Gross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
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