1
|
Kohnen T, Hammond BR. Blue Light Filtration in Intraocular Lenses: Effects on Visual Function and Systemic Health. Clin Ophthalmol 2024; 18:1575-1586. [PMID: 38835885 PMCID: PMC11149638 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s448426] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Blue light-filtering (BLF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) are designed to mimic the healthy natural adult crystalline lens. Studies that evaluated the relative merit of ultraviolet-only IOL design (ie, blocking wavelengths <400 nm) versus BLF IOL design (ie, filtering wavelengths ~400-475 nm in addition to blocking wavelengths <400 nm) on protection and function of the visual system suggest that neither design had a deleterious impact on visual acuity or contrast sensitivity. A BLF design may reduce some aspects of glare, such as veiling and photostress. BLF has been shown in many contexts to improve visual performance under conditions that are stressed by blue light, such as distance vision impaired by short-wave dominant haze. Furthermore, some data (mostly inferential) support the notion that BLF IOLs reduce actinic stress. Biomimetic BLF IOLs represent a conservative approach to IOL design that provides no harm for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, or color vision while improving vision under certain circumstances (eg, glare).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kohnen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Billy R Hammond
- Vision Sciences Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Olivier E, Rat P. Role of Oxysterols in Ocular Degeneration Mechanisms and Involvement of P2X7 Receptor. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1440:277-292. [PMID: 38036885 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-43883-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Ocular degeneration, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, is a major public health challenge, as it affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide and, in its advanced stages, leads to blindness. Ocular degeneration, although it can affect different parts of the eye, shares common characteristics such as oxysterols and the P2X7 receptor. Indeed, oxysterols, which are cholesterol derivatives, are associated with ocular degeneration pathogenesis and trigger inflammation and cell death pathways. Activation of the P2X7 receptor is also linked to ocular degeneration and triggers the same pathways. In age-related macular degeneration, these two key players have been associated, but further studies are needed to extrapolate this interrelationship to other ocular degenerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrice Rat
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, CiTCoM, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jang HY, Cho CS, Shin YM, Kwak J, Sung YH, Kang BC, Kim JH. Isolation and Characterization of the Primary Marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus) Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Cells 2023; 12:1644. [PMID: 37371114 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121644] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Marmosets have emerged as a valuable primate model in ophthalmic research due to their similarity to the human visual system and their potential for generating transgenic models to advance the development of therapies. In this study, we isolated and cultured primary retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells from marmosets to investigate the mechanisms underlying RPE dysfunction in aging and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We confirmed that our culture conditions and materials supported the formation of RPE monolayers with functional tight junctions that closely resembled the in vivo RPE. Since serum has been shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RPE cells, we compared the effects of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with serum-free supplements B27 on transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), cell proliferation, and morphological characteristics. Additionally, we assessed the age-related morphological changes of in vivo and primary RPE cells. Our results indicate that primary marmoset RPE cells exhibit in vivo-like characteristics, while cells obtained from an older donor show evidence of aging, including a failure to form a polarized monolayer, low TER, and delayed cell cycle. In conclusion, our primary marmoset RPE cells provide a reliable in vitro model for developing novel therapeutics for visual-threatening disorders such as AMD, which can be used before animal experiments using marmosets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Young Jang
- Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03082, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Sik Cho
- Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03082, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mi Shin
- Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03082, Republic of Korea
| | - Jina Kwak
- Graduate School of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Experimental Animal Research, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hoon Sung
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong-Cheol Kang
- Graduate School of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Experimental Animal Research, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hun Kim
- Fight Against Angiogenesis-Related Blindness (FARB) Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03082, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ignatova I, Frolov R, Nymark S. The retinal pigment epithelium displays electrical excitability and lateral signal spreading. BMC Biol 2023; 21:84. [PMID: 37069561 PMCID: PMC10111697 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01559-5] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The non-neuronal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) functions in intimate association with retinal photoreceptors, performing a multitude of tasks critical for maintaining retinal homeostasis and collaborating with retinal glial cells to provide metabolic support and ionic buffering. Accordingly, the RPE has recently been shown to display dynamic properties mediated by an array of ion channels usually more characteristic of astrocytes and excitable cells. The recent discovery of canonical voltage-activated Na+ channels in the RPE and their importance for phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments raises a question about their electrogenic function. Here, we performed a detailed electrophysiological analysis related to the functioning of these channels in human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE. RESULTS Our studies examining the electrical properties of the hESC-RPE revealed that its membrane mainly displays passive properties in a broad voltage range, with the exception of depolarization-induced spikes caused by voltage-activated Na+ current (INa). Spike amplitude depended on the availability of INa and spike kinetics on the membrane time constant, and the spikes could be largely suppressed by TTX. Membrane resistance fluctuated rapidly and strongly, repeatedly changing over the course of recordings and causing closely correlated fluctuations in resting membrane potential. In a minority of cells, we found delayed secondary INa-like inward currents characterized by comparatively small amplitudes and slow kinetics, which produced secondary depolarizing spikes. Up to three consecutive delayed inward current waves were detected. These currents could be rapidly and reversibly augmented by applying L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine to diminish influx of calcium and thus increase gap junctional conductance. CONCLUSIONS This work shows, for the first time, that INa and INa-mediated voltage spikes can spread laterally through gap junctions in the monolayer of cells that are traditionally considered non-excitable. Our findings support a potential role of the RPE that goes beyond giving homeostatic support to the retina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Ignatova
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Soile Nymark
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Landowski M, Grindel S, Hao Y, Ikeda S, Bowes Rickman C, Ikeda A. A Protocol to Evaluate and Quantify Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Pathologies in Mouse Models of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/64927. [PMID: 36971449 PMCID: PMC10311451 DOI: 10.3791/64927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a debilitating retinal disorder in aging populations. It is widely believed that dysfunction of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is a key pathobiological event in AMD. To understand the mechanisms that lead to RPE dysfunction, mouse models can be utilized by researchers. It has been established by previous studies that mice can develop RPE pathologies, some of which are observed in the eyes of individuals diagnosed with AMD. Here, we describe a phenotyping protocol to assess RPE pathologies in mice. This protocol includes the preparation and evaluation of retinal cross-sections using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, as well as that of RPE flat mounts by confocal microscopy. We detail the common types of murine RPE pathologies observed by these techniques and ways to quantify them through unbiased methods for statistical testing. As proof of concept, we use this RPE phenotyping protocol to quantify the RPE pathologies observed in mice overexpressing transmembrane protein 135 (Tmem135) and aged wild-type C57BL/6J mice. The main goal of this protocol is to present standard RPE phenotyping methods with unbiased quantitative assessments for scientists using mouse models of AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Landowski
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Samuel Grindel
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Ying Hao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University
| | - Sakae Ikeda
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | | | - Akihiro Ikeda
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Paliwal H, Prajapati BG, Srichana T, Singh S, Patel RJ. Novel Approaches in the Drug Development and Delivery Systems for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020568. [PMID: 36836923 PMCID: PMC9960288 DOI: 10.3390/life13020568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of patients with ocular disorders has increased due to contributing factors such as aging populations, environmental changes, smoking, genetic abnormalities, etc. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the common ocular disorders which may advance to loss of vision in severe cases. The advanced form of AMD is classified into two types, dry (non-exudative) and wet (exudative) AMD. Although several therapeutic approaches are explored for the management of AMD, no approved therapy can substantially slow down the progression of dry AMD into the later stages. The focus of researchers in recent times has been engaged in developing targeted therapeutic products to halt the progression and maintain or improve vision in individuals diagnosed with AMD. The delivery of anti-VEGF agents using intravitreal therapy has found some success in managing AMD, and novel formulation approaches have been introduced in various studies to potentiate the efficacy. Some of the novel approaches, such as hydrogel, microspheres, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, implants, etc. have been discussed. Apart from this, subretinal, suprachoroidal, and port delivery systems have also been investigated for biologics and gene therapies. The unmet potential of approved therapeutic products has contributed to several patent applications in recent years. This review outlines the current treatment options, outcomes of recent research studies, and patent details around the novel drug delivery approach for the treatment of AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Paliwal
- Drug Delivery System Excellence Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shree S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Ganpat University, Kherva, Mehsana 384012, Gujarat, India
| | - Bhupendra Gopalbhai Prajapati
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shree S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Ganpat University, Kherva, Mehsana 384012, Gujarat, India
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +91-9429225025
| | - Teerapol Srichana
- Drug Delivery System Excellence Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Sudarshan Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Ravish J. Patel
- Ramanbhai Patel College of Pharmacy (RPCP), Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand 388421, Gujarat, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Development: Extrapolating Basic Biology to Stem Cell Research. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020310. [PMID: 36830851 PMCID: PMC9952929 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms an important cellular monolayer, which contributes to the normal physiology of the eye. Damage to the RPE leads to the development of degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Apart from acting as a physical barrier between the retina and choroidal blood vessels, the RPE is crucial in maintaining photoreceptor (PR) and visual functions. Current clinical intervention to treat early stages of AMD includes stem cell-derived RPE transplantation, which is still in its early stages of evolution. Therefore, it becomes essential to derive RPEs which are functional and exhibit features as observed in native human RPE cells. The conventional strategy is to use the knowledge obtained from developmental studies using various animal models and stem cell-based exploratory studies to understand RPE biogenies and developmental trajectory. This article emphasises such studies and aims to present a comprehensive understanding of the basic biology, including the genetics and molecular pathways of RPE development. It encompasses basic developmental biology and stem cell-based developmental studies to uncover RPE differentiation. Knowledge of the in utero developmental cues provides an inclusive methodology required for deriving RPEs using stem cells.
Collapse
|
8
|
Dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography allows live imaging of retinal pigment epithelium stress model. Commun Biol 2022; 5:575. [PMID: 35688936 PMCID: PMC9187748 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03479-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases lead to the blindness of millions of people around the world. In case of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) precedes neural dystrophy. But as crucial as understanding both healthy and pathological RPE cell physiology is for those diseases, no current technique allows subcellular in vivo or in vitro live observation of this critical cell layer. To fill this gap, we propose dynamic full-field OCT (D-FFOCT) as a candidate for live observation of in vitro RPE phenotype. In this way, we monitored primary porcine and human stem cell-derived RPE cells in stress model conditions by performing scratch assays. In this study, we quantified wound healing parameters on the stressed RPE, and observed different cell phenotypes, displayed by the D-FFOCT signal. In order to decipher the subcellular contributions to these dynamic profiles, we performed immunohistochemistry to identify which organelles generate the signal and found mitochondria to be the main contributor to D-FFOCT contrast. Altogether, D-FFOCT appears to be an innovative method to follow degenerative disease evolution and could be an appreciated method in the future for live patient diagnostics and to direct treatment choice. Dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography (D-FFOCT) is used for live cell imaging of primary porcine retinal pigment epithelium (ppRPE) cultures and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (hiRPE) cultures, allowing non-invasive realtime access to organelles and cytoskeleton dynamics in RPE cells.
Collapse
|
9
|
Bacci GM, Becherucci V, Marziali E, Sodi A, Bambi F, Caputo R. Treatment of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies with Somatic Cell Therapy Medicinal Product: A Review. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050708. [PMID: 35629375 PMCID: PMC9147057 DOI: 10.3390/life12050708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies and retinal degenerations related to more common diseases (i.e., age-related macular dystrophy) are a major issue and one of the main causes of low vision in pediatric and elderly age groups. Advancement and understanding in molecular biology and the possibilities raised by gene-editing techniques opened a new era for clinicians and patients due to feasible possibilities of treating disabling diseases and the reduction in their complications burden. The scope of this review is to focus on the state-of-the-art in somatic cell therapy medicinal products as the basis of new insights and possibilities to use this approach to treat rare eye diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Maria Bacci
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.M.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Becherucci
- Cell Factory Meyer, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Elisa Marziali
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Andrea Sodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Franco Bambi
- Cell Factory Meyer, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (V.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Roberto Caputo
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.M.); (R.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Potential participation of CTRP6, a complement regulator, in the pathology of age related macular degeneration. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2022; 66:326-334. [PMID: 35397057 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-022-00913-4] [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: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the localized expression of C1q/tumor necrosis factor related protein (CTRP) 6 in human age-related macular degeneration (AMD) retinal tissues. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY DESIGN 4 AMD and 3 non-AMD whole eyes of Caucasian donors were used. Eyecups were excised at Eye Bank CorneaGen, Inc. METHODS To elucidate the effects of CTRP6, C3b was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent-like assay. CFB versus CTRP6 competitive binding assay was applied to clarify the inhibition by CTRP6 of C3bBb complex formation. The cornea, iris, lens, and vitreous were removed and the eyes were cut into a posterior eye-cup including the retina, choroid, and sclera. Six-µm-thick serial sections of frozen samples underwent hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and indirect immunohistochemical staining using primary antibodies, anti-CTRP6, -CTRP5, -CTRP10, -Complement factor H (CFH) and -Clusterin (CLU). Results The two in vitro studies confirmed that CTRP6 has an inhibitory effect on alternative pathways of complement (APC) function and that the molecular target of CTRP6 is the inhibition of the formation of C3bBb. Localized expression for CTRP6 and CFH was found in the drusen of the AMD eyes, both associated with APC inhibition, CLU associated with membrane-attack complex (MAC) inhibition, and CTRP5 associated with retinal degeneration. CONCLUSION The localized expression of CTRP6 in the drusen of AMD eyes may open a new insight into the possible involvement of APC regulatory factors in the pathogenesis of AMD, together with the known CFH so far analyzed solely as an APC inhibitor.
Collapse
|
11
|
Subretinal Implantation of Human Primary RPE Cells Cultured on Nanofibrous Membranes in Minipigs. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030669. [PMID: 35327471 PMCID: PMC8945676 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The development of primary human retinal pigmented epithelium (hRPE) for clinical transplantation purposes on biodegradable scaffolds is indispensable. We hereby report the results of the subretinal implantation of hRPE cells on nanofibrous membranes in minipigs. Methods: The hRPEs were collected from human cadaver donor eyes and cultivated on ultrathin nanofibrous carriers prepared via the electrospinning of poly(L-lactide-co-DL-lactide) (PDLLA). “Libechov” minipigs (12–36 months old) were used in the study, supported by preoperative tacrolimus immunosuppressive therapy. The subretinal implantation of the hRPE-nanofibrous carrier was conducted using general anesthesia via a custom-made injector during standard three-port 23-gauge vitrectomy, followed by silicone oil endotamponade. The observational period lasted 1, 2, 6 and 8 weeks, and included in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retina, as well as post mortem immunohistochemistry using the following antibodies: HNAA and STEM121 (human cell markers); Bestrophin and CRALBP (hRPE cell markers); peanut agglutining (PNA) (cone photoreceptor marker); PKCα (rod bipolar marker); Vimentin, GFAP (macroglial markers); and Iba1 (microglial marker). Results: The hRPEs assumed cobblestone morphology, persistent pigmentation and measurable trans-epithelial electrical resistance on the nanofibrous PDLLA carrier. The surgical delivery of the implants in the subretinal space of the immunosuppressed minipigs was successfully achieved and monitored by fundus imaging and OCT. The implanted hRPEs were positive for HNAA and STEM121 and were located between the minipig’s neuroretina and RPE layers at week 2 post-implantation, which was gradually attenuated until week 8. The neuroretina over the implants showed rosette or hypertrophic reaction at week 6. The implanted cells expressed the typical RPE marker bestrophin throughout the whole observation period, and a gradual diminishing of the CRALBP expression in the area of implantation at week 8 post-implantation was observed. The transplanted hRPEs appeared not to form a confluent layer and were less capable of keeping the inner and outer retinal segments intact. The cone photoreceptors adjacent to the implant scaffold were unchanged initially, but underwent a gradual change in structure after hRPE implantation; the retina above and below the implant appeared relatively healthy. The glial reaction of the transplanted and host retina showed Vimentin and GFAP positivity from week 1 onward. Microglial activation appeared in the retinal area of the transplant early after the surgery, which seemed to move into the transplant area over time. Conclusions: The differentiated hRPEs can serve as an alternative cell source for RPE replacement in animal studies. These cells can be cultivated on nanofibrous PDLLA and implanted subretinally into minipigs using standard 23-gauge vitrectomy and implantation injector. The hRPE-laden scaffolds demonstrated relatively good incorporation into the host retina over an eight-week observation period, with some indication of a gliotic scar formation, and a likely neuroinflammatory response in the transplanted area despite the use of immunosuppression.
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhu XY, Chen YH, Zhang T, Liu SJ, Bai XY, Huang XY, Jiang M, Sun XD. Improvement of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium cell adhesion, maturation, and function through coating with truncated recombinant human vitronectin. Int J Ophthalmol 2021; 14:1160-1167. [PMID: 34414078 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2021.08.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To explore an xeno-free and defined coating substrate suitable for the culture of H9 human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (hES-RPE) cells in vitro, and compare the behaviors and functions of hES-RPE cells on two culture substrates, laminin521 (LN-521) and truncated recombinant human vitronectin (VTN-N). METHODS hES-RPE cells were used in the experiment. The abilities of LN-521 and VTN-N at different concentrations to adhere to hES-RPE cells were compared with a high-content imaging system. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate RPE-specific gene expression levels midway (day 10) and at the end (day 20) of the time course. Cell polarity was observed by immunofluorescent staining for apical and basal markers of the RPE. The phagocytic ability of hES-RPE cells was identified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS The cell adhesion assay showed that the ability of LN-521 to adhere to hES-RPE cells was dose-dependent. With increasing coating concentration, an increasing number of cells attached to the surface of LN-521-coated wells. In contrast, VTN-N presented a strong adhesive ability even at a low concentration. The optimal concentration of LN-521 and VTN-N required to coat and adhesion to hES-RPE cells were 2 and 0.25 µg/cm2, respectively. Furthermore, both LN-521 and VTN-N could facilitate adoption of the desired cobblestone cellular morphology with tight junction and showed polarity by the hES-RPE cells. However, hES-RPE cells cultivated in VTN-N had a greater phagocytic ability, and it took less time for these hES-RPE cells to mature. CONCLUSION VTN-N is a more suitable coating substrate for cultivating hES-RPE cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yue Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yu-Hong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Su-Jun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xin-Yue Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xian-Yu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Mei Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Choudhury R, Bayatti N, Scharff R, Szula E, Tilakaratna V, Udsen MS, McHarg S, Askari JA, Humphries MJ, Bishop PN, Clark SJ. FHL-1 interacts with human RPE cells through the α5β1 integrin and confers protection against oxidative stress. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14175. [PMID: 34239032 PMCID: PMC8266909 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93708-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that underlie the neurosensory retina are essential for the maintenance of photoreceptor cells and hence vision. Interactions between the RPE and their basement membrane, i.e. the inner layer of Bruch's membrane, are essential for RPE cell health and function, but the signals induced by Bruch's membrane engagement, and their contributions to RPE cell fate determination remain poorly defined. Here, we studied the functional role of the soluble complement regulator and component of Bruch's membrane, Factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1). Human primary RPE cells adhered to FHL-1 in a manner that was eliminated by either mutagenesis of the integrin-binding RGD motif in FHL-1 or by using competing antibodies directed against the α5 and β1 integrin subunits. These short-term experiments reveal an immediate protein-integrin interaction that were obtained from primary RPE cells and replicated using the hTERT-RPE1 cell line. Separate, longer term experiments utilising RNAseq analysis of hTERT-RPE1 cells bound to FHL-1, showed an increased expression of the heat-shock protein genes HSPA6, CRYAB, HSPA1A and HSPA1B when compared to cells bound to fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LA). Pathway analysis implicated changes in EIF2 signalling, the unfolded protein response, and mineralocorticoid receptor signalling as putative pathways. Subsequent cell survival assays using H2O2 to induce oxidative stress-induced cell death suggest hTERT-RPE1 cells had significantly greater protection when bound to FHL-1 or LA compared to plastic or FN. These data show a non-canonical role of FHL-1 in protecting RPE cells against oxidative stress and identifies a novel interaction that has implications for ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rawshan Choudhury
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Nadhim Bayatti
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Scharff
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Ewa Szula
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Viranga Tilakaratna
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Maja Søberg Udsen
- Panum Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Selina McHarg
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Janet A Askari
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin J Humphries
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul N Bishop
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Simon J Clark
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK.
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford, UK.
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- University Eye Clinic, Department for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bao X, Zhang Z, Guo Y, Buser C, Kochounian H, Wu N, Li X, He S, Sun B, Ross-Cisneros FN, Sadun AA, Huang L, Zhao M, Fong HKW. Human RGR Gene and Associated Features of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Models of Retina-Choriocapillaris Atrophy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:1454-1473. [PMID: 34022179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease and the most common cause of blindness among the elderly. AMD is characterized by early atrophy of the choriocapillaris and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Although AMD is a multifactorial disease with many environmental and genetic risk factors, a hallmark of the disease is the origination of extracellular deposits, or drusen, between the RPE and Bruch membrane. Human retinal G-protein-coupled receptor (RGR) gene generates an exon-skipping splice variant of RGR-opsin (RGR-d; NP_001012740) that is a persistent component of small and large drusen. Herein, the findings show that abnormal RGR proteins, including RGR-d, are pathogenic in an animal retina with degeneration of the choriocapillaris, RPE, and photoreceptors. A frameshift truncating mutation resulted in severe retinal degeneration with a continuous band of basal deposits along the Bruch membrane. RGR-d produced less severe disease with choriocapillaris and RPE atrophy, including focal accumulation of abnormal RGR-d protein at the basal boundary of the RPE. Degeneration of the choriocapillaris was marked by a decrease in endothelial CD31 protein and choriocapillaris breakdown at the ultrastructural level. Fundus lesions with patchy depigmentation were characteristic of old RGR-d mice. RGR-d was mislocalized in cultured cells and caused a strong cell growth defect. These results uphold the notion of a potential hidden link between AMD and a high-frequency RGR allele.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Bao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Zhaoxia Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California; Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanjiang Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Nancy Wu
- Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan, China
| | - Shikun He
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bin Sun
- Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | | | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California; Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lvzhen Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingwei Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Henry K W Fong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California; University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Manian KV, Galloway CA, Dalvi S, Emanuel AA, Mereness JA, Black W, Winschel L, Soto C, Li Y, Song Y, DeMaria W, Kumar A, Slukvin I, Schwartz MP, Murphy WL, Anand-Apte B, Chung M, Benoit DSW, Singh R. 3D iPSC modeling of the retinal pigment epithelium-choriocapillaris complex identifies factors involved in the pathology of macular degeneration. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:846-862.e8. [PMID: 33784497 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choriocapillaris (CC) complex in the eye is compromised in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and related macular dystrophies (MDs), yet in vitro models of RPE-CC complex that enable investigation of AMD/MD pathophysiology are lacking. By incorporating iPSC-derived cells into a hydrogel-based extracellular matrix, we developed a 3D RPE-CC model that recapitulates key features of both healthy and AMD/MD eyes and provides modular control over RPE and CC layers. Using this 3D RPE-CC model, we demonstrated that both RPE- and mesenchyme-secreted factors are necessary for the formation of fenestrated CC-like vasculature. Our data show that choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and CC atrophy occur in the absence of endothelial cell dysfunction and are not necessarily secondary to drusen deposits underneath RPE cells, and CC atrophy and/or CNV can be initiated systemically by patient serum or locally by mutant RPE-secreted factors. Finally, we identify FGF2 and matrix metalloproteinases as potential therapeutic targets for AMD/MDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kannan V Manian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Chad A Galloway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Sonal Dalvi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Anthony A Emanuel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Jared A Mereness
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA; Department of Orthopedics and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Whitney Black
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Lauren Winschel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Celia Soto
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Yuanhui Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - William DeMaria
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Akhilesh Kumar
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Igor Slukvin
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Michael P Schwartz
- NSF Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - William L Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Bela Anand-Apte
- Department of Ophthalmic Research, Cole Eye Institute and Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Mina Chung
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Danielle S W Benoit
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA; Department of Orthopedics and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642 USA; UR Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Materials Science Program, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester, NY 14620, USA
| | - Ruchira Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; Department of Orthopedics and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA; UR Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Rochester, NY 14620, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Baiula M, Caligiana A, Bedini A, Zhao J, Santino F, Cirillo M, Gentilucci L, Giacomini D, Spampinato S. Leukocyte Integrin Antagonists as a Novel Option to Treat Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:617836. [PMID: 33584300 PMCID: PMC7878375 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.617836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex multifactorial degenerative disease that leads to irreversible blindness. AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the main cellular type affected in dry AMD. RPE cells form a monolayer between the choroid and the neuroretina and are in close functional relationship with photoreceptors; moreover, RPE cells are part of the blood retina barrier that is disrupted in ocular diseases such as AMD. During ocular inflammation lymphocytes and macrophages are recruited, contact RPE and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in AMD pathogenesis. The interaction between RPE and immune cells is mediated by leukocyte integrins, heterodimeric transmembrane receptors, and adhesion molecules, including VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Within this frame, this study aimed to characterize RPE-leukocytes interaction and to investigate any potentially beneficial effects induced by integrin antagonists (DS-70, MN27 and SR714), developed in previous studies. ARPE-19 cells were co-cultured for different incubation times with Jurkat cells and apoptosis and necrosis levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. Moreover, we measured the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and the expression of adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. We found that RPE-lymphocyte interaction increased apoptosis and necrosis levels in RPE cells and the expression of IL-1β. This interaction was mediated by the binding of α4β1 and αLβ2 integrins to VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, respectively. The blockade of RPE-lymphocyte interaction with blocking antibodies highlighted the pivotal role played by integrins. Therefore, α4β1 and αLβ2 integrin antagonists were employed to disrupt RPE-lymphocyte crosstalk. Small molecule integrin antagonists proved to be effective in reducing RPE cell death and expression of IL-1β, demonstrating that integrin antagonists could protect RPE cells from detrimental effects induced by the interaction with immune cells recruited to the retina. Overall, the leukocyte integrin antagonists employed in the present study may represent a novel opportunity to develop new drugs to fight dry AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Baiula
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Caligiana
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Bedini
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Junwei Zhao
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Santino
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Cirillo
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Gentilucci
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daria Giacomini
- Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Compounds, Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Santi Spampinato
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Specilization School of Hospital Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Biasella F, Plössl K, Karl C, Weber BHF, Friedrich U. Altered Protein Function Caused by AMD-associated Variant rs704 Links Vitronectin to Disease Pathology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:2. [PMID: 33259607 PMCID: PMC7718807 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Vitronectin, a cell adhesion and spreading factor, is suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as it is a major component of AMD-specific extracellular deposits (e.g., soft drusen, subretinal drusenoid deposits). The present study addressed the impact of AMD-associated non-synonymous variant rs704 in the vitronectin-encoding gene VTN on vitronectin functionality. Methods Effects of rs704 on vitronectin expression and processing were analyzed by semi-quantitative sequencing of VTN transcripts from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and from human neural retina, as well as by western blot analyses on heterologously expressed vitronectin isoforms. Binding of vitronectin isoforms to retinal and endothelial cells was analyzed by western blot. Immunofluorescence staining followed extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in cultured RPE cells heterologously expressing the vitronectin isoforms. Adhesion of fluorescently labeled RPE or endothelial cells in dependence of recombinant vitronectin or vitronectin-containing ECM was investigated fluorometrically or microscopically. Tube formation and migration assays addressed effects of vitronectin on angiogenesis-related processes. Results Variant rs704 affected expression, secretion, and processing but not oligomerization of vitronectin. Cell binding and influence on RPE-mediated ECM deposition differed between AMD-risk-associated and non-AMD-risk-associated protein isoforms. Finally, vitronectin affected adhesion and endothelial tube formation. Conclusions The AMD-risk-associated vitronectin isoform exhibits increased expression and altered functionality in cellular processes related to the sub-RPE aspects of AMD pathology. Although further research is required to address the subretinal disease aspects, this initial study supports an involvement of vitronectin in AMD pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Biasella
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karolina Plössl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Karl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard H. F. Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Touitou Y, Point S. Effects and mechanisms of action of light-emitting diodes on the human retina and internal clock. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:109942. [PMID: 32758719 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
White light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will likely become the most used lighting devices worldwide in the future because of their very low prices over the course of their long lifespans which can be up to several tens of thousands of hours. The expansion of LED use in both urban and domestic lighting has prompted questions regarding their possible health effects, because the light that they provide is potentially high in the harmful blue band (400-500 nm) of the visible light spectrum. Research on the potential effects of LEDs and their blue band on human health has followed three main directions: 1) examining their retinal phototoxicity; 2) examining disruption of the internal clock, i.e., an out-of-sync clock, in shift workers and night workers, including the accompanying health issues, most concerningly an increased relative risk of cancer; and 3) examining risky, inappropriate late-night use of smartphones and consoles among children and adolescents. Here, we document the recognized or potential health issues associated with LED lighting together with their underlying mechanisms of action. There is so far no evidence that LED lighting is deleterious to human retina under normal use. However, exposure to artificial light at night is a new source of pollution because it affects the circadian clock. Blue-rich light, including cold white LEDs, should be considered a new endocrine disruptor, because it affects estrogen secretion and has unhealthful consequences in women, as demonstrated to occur via a complex mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yvan Touitou
- Unité de Chronobiologie, Fondation A. de Rothschild, 75019, Paris, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang M, So KF, Lam WC, Lo ACY. Novel Programmed Cell Death as Therapeutic Targets in Age-Related Macular Degeneration? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197279. [PMID: 33019767 PMCID: PMC7582463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe visual loss among the elderly. AMD patients are tormented by progressive central blurring/loss of vision and have limited therapeutic options to date. Drusen accumulation causing retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell damage is the hallmark of AMD pathogenesis, in which oxidative stress and inflammation are the well-known molecular mechanisms. However, the underlying mechanisms of how RPE responds when exposed to drusen are still poorly understood. Programmed cell death (PCD) plays an important role in cellular responses to stress and the regulation of homeostasis and diseases. Apart from the classical apoptosis, recent studies also discovered novel PCD pathways such as pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, which may contribute to RPE cell death in AMD. This evidence may yield new treatment targets for AMD. In this review, we summarized and analyzed recent advances on the association between novel PCD and AMD, proposing PCD’s role as a therapeutic new target for future AMD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.Y.); (K.-F.S.)
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.Y.); (K.-F.S.)
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Ching Lam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.Y.); (K.-F.S.)
- Correspondence: (W.C.L.); (A.C.Y.L.)
| | - Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (M.Y.); (K.-F.S.)
- Correspondence: (W.C.L.); (A.C.Y.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
De Bruyne S, Van den Broecke C, Vrielinck H, Khelifi S, De Wever O, Bracke K, Huizing M, Boston N, Himpe J, Speeckaert M, Vral A, Van Dorpe J, Van Aken E, Delanghe JR. Fructosamine-3-Kinase as a Potential Treatment Option for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092869. [PMID: 32899850 PMCID: PMC7565857 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Since advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD through various lines of evidence, we investigated the potential of fructosamine-3-kinase (FN3K) in the disruption of retinal AGEs, drusenoid material and drusenoid lesions in patients with AMD. AGE-type autofluorescence was measured to evaluate the effects of FN3K on glycolaldehyde-induced AGE-modified neural porcine retinas and unmodified human neural retinas. Eye pairs from cigarette-smoke- and air-exposed mice were treated and evaluated histologically. Automated optical image analysis of human tissue sections was performed to compare control- and FN3K-treated drusen and near-infrared (NIR) microspectroscopy was performed to examine biochemical differences. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to evaluate the effect of FN3K on drusenoid deposits after treatment of post-mortem human eyes. FN3K treatment provoked a significant decrease (41%) of AGE-related autofluorescence in the AGE-modified porcine retinas. Furthermore, treatment of human neural retinas resulted in significant decreases of autofluorescence (−24%). FN3K-treated murine eyes showed less drusenoid material. Pairwise comparison of drusen on tissue sections revealed significant changes in color intensity after FN3K treatment. NIR microspectroscopy uncovered clear spectral differences in drusenoid material (Bruch’s membrane) and drusen after FN3K treatment. Ex vivo treatment strongly reduced size of subretinal drusenoid lesions on OCT imaging (up to 83%). In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time a potential role of FN3K in the disruption of AGE-related retinal autofluorescence, drusenoid material and drusenoid lesions in patients with AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sander De Bruyne
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.B.); (J.H.); (J.V.D.)
| | | | - Henk Vrielinck
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (H.V.); (S.K.)
| | - Samira Khelifi
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (H.V.); (S.K.)
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (O.D.W.); (A.V.)
| | - Ken Bracke
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Manon Huizing
- Biobank, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; (M.H.); (N.B.)
| | - Nezahat Boston
- Biobank, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; (M.H.); (N.B.)
| | - Jonas Himpe
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.B.); (J.H.); (J.V.D.)
| | - Marijn Speeckaert
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.B.); (M.S.)
- Research Foundation Flanders, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Vral
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (O.D.W.); (A.V.)
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.B.); (J.H.); (J.V.D.)
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Elisabeth Van Aken
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence: (E.V.A.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Joris R. Delanghe
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.B.); (J.H.); (J.V.D.)
- Correspondence: (E.V.A.); (J.R.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Somasundaran S, Constable IJ, Mellough CB, Carvalho LS. Retinal pigment epithelium and age-related macular degeneration: A review of major disease mechanisms. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020; 48:1043-1056. [PMID: 32710488 PMCID: PMC7754492 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive degenerative disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly population. Degeneration/dysregulation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a supportive monolayer of cells underlying the photoreceptors, is commonly seen in patients with AMD. While treatment exists for the neovascular/wet form of AMD, there is currently no cure for the non‐exudative/dry form of AMD, making it imperative to understand the pathogenesis of this disease. Although our understanding of the aetiology of AMD has increased over the years, the underlying disease mechanism has not yet been identified, mainly due to the multifactorial nature of this disease. Herein, we review some of the commonly proposed degeneration pathways of RPE cells and their role in the pathogenesis of AMD; including activation of the complement cascade, oxidative stress‐induced cell death mechanisms, dysfunctional mitochondria and the role of crystallins in AMD disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Somasundaran
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science/Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian J Constable
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science/Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Carla B Mellough
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science/Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Livia S Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science/Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. MEDICINES 2020; 7:medicines7040016. [PMID: 32231088 PMCID: PMC7235782 DOI: 10.3390/medicines7040016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older patients. The macula accumulates drusen with loss of retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptors. Abnormal subretinal neovascularization is absent. There is no effective drug therapy for dry AMD and a large proportion of patients progress to legal blindness from macular atrophy. The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS) was conducted to assess the effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) on dry AMD and other retinal and optic nerve diseases. Methods: Thirty-two eyes were treated with BMSC per the protocols in SCOTS. Provision of BMSCs in Arm 1 was via retrobulbar (RB), sub-tenons (ST) and intravenous (IV); Arm 2 via intravitreal, RB, ST and IV; Arm 3 via subretinal and IV. Patient age averaged 78 years old and ranged from 69 to 90. Visual acuity preoperatively ranged from counting fingers to 20/50-2 with an average preoperative LogMAR of 1.125. Results: Following treatment, 20 of 32 (63%) of eyes experienced improvement in visual acuity averaging 27.6% on LogMAR and ranging from 2.5% to 44.6%. The mean improvement in LogMAR was 0.963 with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.42. The visual acuity remained stable in 34% of treated eyes. One eye continued to worsen as a consequence of disease progression. The results showed high statistical significance with p ≤ 0.001. The procedures were conducted safely, and no complications were observed. Conclusion: Treatment of dry AMD with BMSC using the protocols developed in the SCOTS clinical trial has shown statistically significant clinical benefit improving visual acuity and potentially delaying visual loss in the disease.
Collapse
|
23
|
Safety and Efficacy of Subretinally Administered Palucorcel for Geographic Atrophy of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Phase 2b Study. Ophthalmol Retina 2019; 4:384-393. [PMID: 32033908 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate safety and successful use of a novel subretinal delivery system and suprachoroidal surgical approach and safety and activity of human umbilical tissue-derived cells (palucorcel) via a novel delivery system in patients with geographic atrophy (GA). DESIGN Multicenter, open-label phase 2b study. PARTICIPANTS Participants were 55 to 90 years with GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/80 to 20/800. Exclusion criteria included neovascular AMD in the intervention eye, glaucoma with intraocular pressure of 25 mmHg or more, or other significant ophthalmologic conditions. METHODS Participants received a subretinal injection of palucorcel, 3.0 × 105 cells in 50 μl, using the custom-designed delivery system and surgical procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), immunologic assessments, and ophthalmologic evaluations. Efficacy was evaluated as change in mean number of BCVA letters from baseline, proportion of participants gaining 15 BCVA letters or more, and growth rate of GA lesions at 12 months. RESULTS Surgery and palucorcel administration were performed in 21 participants at 8 sites by 8 different surgeons. At baseline, median total area of GA was 13.4 mm2 and median BCVA was 43 letters in the intervention eye. Eye-related AEs occurred in 76% of participants (16/21), including conjunctival hemorrhage (n = 5), retinal hemorrhage (n = 4), and vitreous floaters (n = 4). Most AEs were mild and resolved within 1 month. No serious AEs, no retinal detachment or perforation, and no significant changes in intraocular pressure occurred. At month 12, mean change in BCVA from baseline was -5.9 letters correct (standard deviation, 13.0 letters correct) in the intervention eye and -3.7 letters correct (standard deviation, 9.0 letters correct) in the fellow eye. No participants showed improvement of 15 letters or more in the intervention eye, and 3 participants lost more than 15 letters by month 1. No apparent effect of treatment was observed. CONCLUSIONS Palucorcel was delivered successfully to the targeted subretinal site using a novel delivery system and suprachoroidal approach for most participants; however, improvement in GA area, retardation of growth, or visual acuity were not demonstrated.
Collapse
|
24
|
Loss of NAMPT in aging retinal pigment epithelium reduces NAD + availability and promotes cellular senescence. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:1306-1323. [PMID: 29905535 PMCID: PMC6046249 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs numerous functions critical to retinal health and visual function. RPE senescence is a hallmark of aging and degenerative retinal disease development. Here, we evaluated the temporal expression of key nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-biosynthetic genes and associated levels of NAD+, a principal regulator of energy metabolism and cellular fate, in mouse RPE. NAD+ levels declined with age and correlated directly with decreased nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) expression, increased expression of senescence markers (p16INK4a, p21Waf/Cip1, ApoJ, CTGF and β-galactosidase) and significant reductions in SIRT1 expression and activity. We simulated in vitro the age-dependent decline in NAD+ and the related increase in RPE senescence in human (ARPE-19) and mouse primary RPE using the NAMPT inhibitor FK866 and demonstrated the positive impact of NAD+-enhancing therapies on RPE cell viability. This, we confirmed in vivo in the RPE of mice injected sub-retinally with FK866 in the presence or absence of nicotinamide mononucleotide. Our data confirm the importance of NAD+ to RPE cell biology normally and in aging and demonstrate the potential utility of therapies targeting NAMPT and NAD+ biosynthesis to prevent or alleviate consequences of RPE senescence in aging and/or degenerative retinal diseases in which RPE dysfunction is a crucial element.
Collapse
|
25
|
The effect of complement factor B gene variation on age-related macular degeneration in Iranian patients. J Curr Ophthalmol 2019; 31:292-297. [PMID: 31528764 PMCID: PMC6742754 DOI: 10.1016/j.joco.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine the possible association of rs4151667 (L9H) complement factor B (CFB) gene with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The L9H is one of the functional variations of the CFB. CFB gene encodes the most important protein of the complement system. Methods Two hundred sixty-six patients with AMD and 194 unrelated age/sex-matched controls were genotyped for CFB gene (rs4151667) using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. All research subjects were selected from three regions of Iran (Tehran, Tabriz, and Gonabad). Results The results showed a significant difference between the frequency of non-TT genotype in total patients and controls [odds ratio (OR) = 0.424, P = 0.038]. The analysis for each studied region showed that in patients originating from the Gonabad population, the frequency of TT and non-TT genotypes between patients and the control group were significantly different (OR = 2.894, P = 0.046 for TT genotype and OR = 0.346, P = 0.026 for non-TT genotype). In patients originating from Tabriz population, TT and non-TT genotypes and A allele revealed considerably different frequencies between the patient and control groups (OR = 3.043, P = 0.017; OR = 0.329, P = 0.013 and OR = 0.347, P = 0.048, respectively). Analysis of patients from Tehran also showed that there was a significant difference in the frequency of TT genotype between patients and controls (OR = 2.168, P = 0.04). Conclusions The results of the current study indicated a possible protective role for non-TT genotype in L9H variation CFB gene against AMD in a sample of the Iranian population. The region segregation results showed that TT genotype might be a risk factor for susceptibility to AMD.
Collapse
|
26
|
Automation of human pluripotent stem cell differentiation toward retinal pigment epithelial cells for large-scale productions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10646. [PMID: 31337830 PMCID: PMC6650487 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47123-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction or death of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is involved in some forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa and in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since there is no cure for most patients affected by these diseases, the transplantation of RPE cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represents an attractive therapeutic alternative. First attempts to transplant hPSC-RPE cells in AMD and Stargardt patients demonstrated the safety and suggested the potential efficacy of this strategy. However, it also highlighted the need to upscale the production of the cells to be grafted in order to treat the millions of potential patients. Automated cell culture systems are necessary to change the scale of cell production. In the present study, we developed a protocol amenable for automation that combines in a sequential manner Nicotinamide, Activin A and CHIR99021 to direct the differentiation of hPSCs into RPE cells. This novel differentiation protocol associated with the use of cell culture robots open new possibilities for the production of large batches of hPSC-RPE cells while maintaining a high cell purity and functionality. Such methodology of cell culture automation could therefore be applied to various differentiation processes in order to generate the material suitable for cell therapy.
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang H, Huang J, Li Z, Qin G, Zhang N, Hai T, Hong Q, Zheng Q, Zhang Y, Song R, Yao J, Cao C, Zhao J, Zhou Q. Rescuing ocular development in an anophthalmic pig by blastocyst complementation. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 10:emmm.201808861. [PMID: 30446498 PMCID: PMC6284517 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201808861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine-derived xenogeneic sources for transplantation are a promising alternative strategy for providing organs for treatment of end-stage organ failure in human patients because of the shortage of human donor organs. The recently developed blastocyst or pluripotent stem cell (PSC) complementation strategy opens a new route for regenerating allogenic organs in miniature pigs. Since the eye is a complicated organ with highly specialized constituent tissues derived from different primordial cell lineages, the development of an intact eye from allogenic cells is a challenging task. Here, combining somatic cell nuclear transfer technology (SCNT) and an anophthalmic pig model (MITF L 247S/L247S), allogenic retinal pigmented epithelium cells (RPEs) were retrieved from an E60 chimeric fetus using blastocyst complementation. Furthermore, all structures were successfully regenerated in the intact eye from the injected donor blastomeres. These results clearly demonstrate that not only differentiated functional somatic cells but also a disabled organ with highly specialized constituent tissues can be generated from exogenous blastomeres when delivered to pig embryos with an empty organ niche. This system may also provide novel insights into ocular organogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaojiao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zechen Li
- College of Life Sciences Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Guosong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tang Hai
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianlong Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiantao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruigao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunwei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China .,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China .,Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Chintalapudi SR, Wang X, Wang X, Shi Y, Kocak M, Palamoor M, Davis RN, Hollingsworth TJ, Jablonski MM. NA3 glycan: a potential therapy for retinal pigment epithelial deficiency. FEBS J 2019; 286:4876-4888. [PMID: 31322324 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common type of AMD, yet there is no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapy. This disease is characterized by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) insufficiency, primarily in the macula, which affects the structure and physiology of photoreceptors and ultimately, visual function. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of a naturally derived small molecule glycan therapeutic-asialo-, tri-antennary complex-type N-glycan (NA3)-in two distinct preclinical models of atrophic AMD. In RPE-deprived Xenopus laevis tadpole eyes, NA3 supported normal retinal ultrastructure. In RCS rats, NA3 supported fully functioning visual integrity. Furthermore, structural analyses revealed that NA3 prevented photoreceptor outer segment degeneration, pyknosis of the outer nuclear layer, and reactive gliosis of Müller cells (MCs). It also promoted maturation of adherens junctions between MC and photoreceptors. Our results demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of a naturally derived small molecular glycan therapeutic-NA3-in two unique preclinical models with RPE insufficiency. These data suggest that NA3 glycan therapy may provide a new therapeutic avenue in the prevention and/or treatment of retinal diseases such as atrophic AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumana R Chintalapudi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - XiangDi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - XiaoFei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yunfeng Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mehmet Kocak
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mallika Palamoor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Raven N Davis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - T J Hollingsworth
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Monica M Jablonski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Owen LA, Shakoor A, Morgan DJ, Hejazi AA, McEntire MW, Brown JJ, Farrer LA, Kim I, Vitale A, DeAngelis MM. The Utah Protocol for Postmortem Eye Phenotyping and Molecular Biochemical Analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:1204-1212. [PMID: 30924847 PMCID: PMC6440527 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Current understanding of local disease pathophysiology in AMD is limited. Analysis of the human disease-affected tissue is most informative, as gene expression, expressed quantitative trait loci, microenvironmental, and epigenetic changes can be tissue, cell type, and location specific. Development of a novel translational treatment and prevention strategies particularly for earlier forms of AMD are needed, although access to human ocular tissue analysis is challenging. We present a standardized protocol to study rapidly processed postmortem donor eyes for molecular biochemical and genomic studies. Methods We partnered with the Utah Lions Eye Bank to obtain donor human eyes, blood, and vitreous, within 6 hours postmortem. Phenotypic analysis was performed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and color fundus photography. Macular and extramacular tissues were immediately isolated, and the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium/choroid from each specimen were separated and preserved. Ocular disease phenotype was analyzed using clinically relevant grading criteria by a group of four ophthalmologists incorporating data from SD-OCT retinal images, fundus photographs, and medical records. Results The use of multimodal imaging leads to greater resolution of retinal pathology, allowing greater phenotypic rigor for both interobserver phenotype and known clinical diagnoses. Further, our analysis resulted in excellent quality RNA, which demonstrated appropriate tissue segregation. Conclusions The Utah protocol is a standardized methodology for analysis of disease mechanisms in AMD. It uniquely allows for simultaneous rigorous phenotypic, molecular biochemical, and genomic analysis of both systemic and local tissues. This better enables the development of disease biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leah A. Owen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Akbar Shakoor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Denise J. Morgan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Andre A. Hejazi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | | | - Jared J. Brown
- Utah Lions Eye Bank, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Lindsay A. Farrer
- Departments of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Neurology, Ophthalmology, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Ivana Kim
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Albert Vitale
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Margaret M. DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Aboutaleb Kadkhodaeian H, Salati A, Lashay A. High efficient differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells into retinal pigment epithelium-like cells in medium containing small molecules inducers with a simple method. Tissue Cell 2019; 56:52-59. [PMID: 30736904 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The induction of retinal pigmented epithelium cells (RPE) is one of the most important objectives in research focused on treating retinal degenerative diseases. The present study aims to differentiate human adipose stem cells (hADSCs) into RPE cells for replacement therapies in cases of retinal degenerative diseases. METHODS Lipoaspirate-derived human adipose stem cells (LA-hADSCs) were obtained from abdominal samples and examined by immunocytochemistry for the expression of mesenchymal adipose stem cell markers. RPE cells were also obtained from human samples and cultured to be used as control after being examined for the expression of their designated markers. hADSCs differentiated into RPE cells after 80 days using chemical inducers in one steps. The differentiated cells were then compared to control cells in marker expression. The differentiated cells were also examined under a scanning electron microscope for the presence of apical microvilli and cell connection. RESULTS Cultured hADSCs at the fourth passage was shown to express the surface markers CD90 (98 ± 2%), CD11b (96 ± 3%), and CD105 (95 ± 4%). The RPE cells obtained from human samples expressed the marker RPE65 quite well. 80 days after differentiation, the previously hADSCs expressed both RPE65 (100%) and CRALBP (96 ± 1%) and were thus significantly similar to the RPE cells obtained from human samples. Morphologically, differentiated cells appeared to have epithelial and cytoplasmic pigment granules. Observations using a scanning electron microscope recorded clear connections among the differentiated RPE cells and revealed apical microvilli. CONCLUSION Human adipose stem cells can differentiate into retinal pigmented epithelium cells, which can be used in cell replacement therapy for degenerative diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Aboutaleb Kadkhodaeian
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Amir Salati
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Alireza Lashay
- Farabi Eye Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cell Therapy for Retinal Dystrophies: From Cell Suspension Formulation to Complex Retinal Tissue Bioengineering. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:4568979. [PMID: 30809263 PMCID: PMC6364130 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4568979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration is an irreversible phenomenon caused by various disease conditions including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). During the course of these diseases, photoreceptors (PRs) are susceptible to degeneration due to their malfunctions or to a primary dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Once lost, these cells could not be endogenously regenerated in humans, and cell therapy to replace the lost cells is one of the promising strategies to recover vision. Depending on the nature of the primary defect and the stage of the disease, RPE cells, PRs, or both might be transplanted to achieve therapeutic effects. We describe in this review the current knowledge and recent progress to develop such approaches. The different cell sources proposed for cell therapy including human pluripotent stem cells are presented with their advantages and limits. Another critical aspect described herein is the pharmaceutical formulation of the end product to be delivered into the eye of patients. Finally, we also outline the future research directions in order to develop a complex multilayered retinal tissue for end-stage patients.
Collapse
|
32
|
Pavan B, Dalpiaz A. Retinal pigment epithelial cells as a therapeutic tool and target against retinopathies. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1672-1679. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
33
|
Mohlin C, Sandholm K, Kvanta A, Ekdahl KN, Johansson K. A model to study complement involvement in experimental retinal degeneration. Ups J Med Sci 2018; 123:28-42. [PMID: 29436895 PMCID: PMC5901466 DOI: 10.1080/03009734.2018.1431744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complement system (CS) plays a role in the pathogenesis of a number of ocular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, uveitis, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Given that many of the complex eye-related degenerative diseases have limited treatment opportunities, we aimed to mimic the in vivo retinal degenerative process by developing a relevant co-culture system. METHOD AND MATERIALS The adult porcine retina was co-cultured with the spontaneously arising human retinal pigment epithelial cells-19 (ARPE-19). RESULTS Inflammatory activity was found after culture and included migrating microglial cells, gliosis, cell death, and CS activation (demonstrated by a minor increase in the secreted anaphylotoxin C3a in co-culture). CS components, including C1q, C3, C4, soluble C5b-9, and the C5a receptor, were expressed in the retina and/or ARPE cells after culture. C1q, C3, and CS regulators such as C4 binding protein (C4BP), factor H (CFH), and factor I (CFI) were secreted after culture. DISCUSSION Thus, our research indicates that this co-culturing system may be useful for investigations of the CS and its involvement in experimental neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Mohlin
- Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Science, Linnaeus Center of Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- CONTACT Camilla Mohlin Linnaeus Center of Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Sandholm
- Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Science, Linnaeus Center of Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Anders Kvanta
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Ophthalmology and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina N. Ekdahl
- Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Science, Linnaeus Center of Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kjell Johansson
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Balagholi S, Alizadeh S, Bagheri A, Amizadeh Y, Rezaei Kanavi M. The effects of platelet gel on cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2017. [PMID: 28632489 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2017.2103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The positive role of platelet gel (PG) in tissue regeneration is well known, however, other characteristics of PG still remain to be determined. We investigated cellular and molecular changes in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells when treated with different concentrations of PG named PG1, PG2, and PG3. hRPE cells were isolated from donor eyes of two newborn children, within 24 hours after their death. The cells were treated with three concentrations of PG for 7 days: 3 × 104/ml (PG1), 6 × 104/ml (PG2), and 9 × 104/ml (PG3). Fetal bovine serum was used as a control. Immunocytochemistry was performed with anti-RPE65 (H-85), anti-Cytokeratin 8/18 (NCL-5D3), and anti-PAX6 antibody. We used MTT assay to determine cell viability. Gene expressions of PAX6, MMP2, RPE65, ACTA2, MKI67, MMP9, and KDR were analyzed using real-time PCR. A significant increase in viability was observed for PG3-treated cells compared to control (p = 0.044) and compared to PG1 group (p = 0.027), on day 7. Cellular elongation together with dendritiform extensions were observed in PG-treated cells on days 1 and 3, while epithelioid morphology was observed on day 7. All cells were immunoreactive for RPE65, cytokeratin 8/18, and PAX6. No significant change was observed in the expression of MKI67 and PAX6, but the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, ACTA2, and KDR were significantly higher in PG2-treated cells compared to controls (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that increased concentration of PG and extended exposure time have positive effects on viability of hRPE cells. PG may be useful for hRPE cell encapsulation in retinal cell replacement therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Balagholi
- Department of Hematology, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Cabrera AC, Melo E, Roth D, Topp A, Delobel F, Stucki C, Chen CY, Jakob P, Banfai B, Dunkley T, Schilling O, Huber S, Iacone R, Petrone P. HtrA1 activation is driven by an allosteric mechanism of inter-monomer communication. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14804. [PMID: 29093542 PMCID: PMC5666011 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14208-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The human protease family HtrA is responsible for preventing protein misfolding and mislocalization, and a key player in several cellular processes. Among these, HtrA1 is implicated in several cancers, cerebrovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration. Currently, HtrA1 activation is not fully characterized and relevant for drug-targeting this protease. Our work provides a mechanistic step-by-step description of HtrA1 activation and regulation. We report that the HtrA1 trimer is regulated by an allosteric mechanism by which monomers relay the activation signal to each other, in a PDZ-domain independent fashion. Notably, we show that inhibitor binding is precluded if HtrA1 monomers cannot communicate with each other. Our study establishes how HtrA1 trimerization plays a fundamental role in proteolytic activity. Moreover, it offers a structural explanation for HtrA1-defective pathologies as well as mechanistic insights into the degradation of complex extracellular fibrils such as tubulin, amyloid beta and tau that belong to the repertoire of HtrA1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Cortes Cabrera
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Esther Melo
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Doris Roth
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Topp
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frederic Delobel
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Stucki
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chia-Yi Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Jakob
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Balazs Banfai
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Soladis GmbH, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tom Dunkley
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sylwia Huber
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Iacone
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paula Petrone
- Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED). Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Barcelonabeta Brain Research Center, Fundacion Pascual Maragall. Carrer de Wellington, 30, 08005, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Westenskow PD. Nicotinamide: a novel treatment for age-related macular degeneration? Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:86. [PMID: 29167807 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.10.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
37
|
McGill TJ, Bohana-Kashtan O, Stoddard JW, Andrews MD, Pandit N, Rosenberg-Belmaker LR, Wiser O, Matzrafi L, Banin E, Reubinoff B, Netzer N, Irving C. Long-Term Efficacy of GMP Grade Xeno-Free hESC-Derived RPE Cells Following Transplantation. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2017. [PMID: 28626601 PMCID: PMC5472365 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.6.3.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction underlies the retinal degenerative process in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and thus RPE cell replacement provides an optimal treatment target. We characterized longitudinally the efficacy of RPE cells derived under xeno-free conditions from clinical and xeno-free grade human embryonic stem cells (OpRegen) following transplantation into the subretinal space of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. Methods Postnatal (P) day 20 to 25 RCS rats (n = 242) received a single subretinal injection of 25,000 (low)-, 100,000 (mid)-, or 200,000 (high)-dose xeno-free RPE cells. BSS+ (balanced salt solution) (vehicle) and unoperated eyes served as controls. Optomotor tracking (OKT) behavior was used to quantify functional efficacy. Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate photoreceptor rescue and transplanted cell survival at 60, 100, 150, and 200 days of age. Results OKT was rescued in a dose-dependent manner. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) was significantly thicker in cell-treated eyes than controls up to P150. Transplanted RPE cells were identified in both the subretinal space and integrated into the host RPE monolayer in animals of all age groups, and often contained internalized photoreceptor outer segments. No pathology was observed. Conclusions OpRegen RPE cells survived, rescued visual function, preserved rod and cone photoreceptors long-term in the RCS rat. Thus, these data support the use of OpRegen RPE cells for the treatment of human RPE cell disorders including AMD. Translational Relevance Our novel xeno-free RPE cells minimize concerns of animal derived contaminants while providing a promising prospective therapy to the diseased retina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor J McGill
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, OHSU, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Stoddard
- Department of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, OHSU, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Michael D Andrews
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA
| | - Neelay Pandit
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Ofer Wiser
- Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd., Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Eyal Banin
- Center for Retinal and Macular Degenerations, Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin Reubinoff
- The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Sidney and Judy Swartz Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.,The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nir Netzer
- Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd., Jerusalem, Israel
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Liu L, Zhou X, Kuang X, Long C, Liu W, Tang Y, Liu H, He J, Huang Z, Fan Y, Zhang Q, Shen H. The inhibition of NOTCH2 reduces UVB-induced damage in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:730-736. [PMID: 28560393 PMCID: PMC5482198 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly. The pathogenesis of dry AMD remains indistinct and the mechanism of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells death in dry AMD is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functions of Notch signaling in ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage of RPE cells. It was identified that, in RPE cells, UVB increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced cell apoptosis. In addition, UVB activated Notch signaling in a dose dependent manner. Surprisingly, NOTCH2, but not NOTCH1, was demonstrated to be the major Notch receptor in RPE cells. Under normal conditions, the inhibition of NOTCH2 reduced cell growth and cell migration, but had no impact on intracellular ROS and cell apoptosis. However, in the presence of UVB, the inhibition of NOTCH2, but not NOTCH1, attenuated intracellular ROS and cell apoptosis. The function of Notch signaling involved in UVB damage of RPE cells may not only be significant to understanding the pathogenesis of AMD (especially dry AMD), but also useful for designing effective therapeutic agents for dry AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xielan Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Chongde Long
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Huijun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jia He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Zixin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yuting Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qingjiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Huangxuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Canto-Soler V, Flores-Bellver M, Vergara MN. Stem Cell Sources and Their Potential for the Treatment of Retinal Degenerations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:ORSFd1-9. [PMID: 27116661 PMCID: PMC6892419 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-19127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells offer unprecedented opportunities for the development of strategies geared toward the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. A variety of cellular sources have been investigated for various potential clinical applications, including tissue regeneration, disease modeling, and screening for non–cell-based therapeutic agents. As the field transitions from more than a decade of preclinical research to the first phase I/II clinical trials, we provide a concise overview of the stem cell sources most commonly used, weighing their therapeutic potential on the basis of their technical strengths/limitations, their ethical implications, and the extent of the progress achieved to date. This article serves as a framework for further in-depth analyses presented in the following chapters of this Special Issue.
Collapse
|
40
|
Association between light at night, melatonin secretion, sleep deprivation, and the internal clock: Health impacts and mechanisms of circadian disruption. Life Sci 2017; 173:94-106. [PMID: 28214594 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) results in a disruption of the circadian system, which is deleterious to health. In industrialized countries, 75% of the total workforce is estimated to have been involved in shift work and night work. Epidemiologic studies, mainly of nurses, have revealed an association between sustained night work and a 50-100% higher incidence of breast cancer. The potential and multifactorial mechanisms of the effects include the suppression of melatonin secretion by ALAN, sleep deprivation, and circadian disruption. Shift and/or night work generally decreases the time spent sleeping, and it disrupts the circadian time structure. In the long run, this desynchronization is detrimental to health, as underscored by a large number of epidemiological studies that have uncovered elevated rates of several diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular risks, obesity, mood disorders and age-related macular degeneration. It amounts to a public health issue in the light of the very substantial number of individuals involved. The IARC has classified shift work in group 2A of "probable carcinogens to humans" since "they involve a circadian disorganization". Countermeasures to the effects of ALAN, such as melatonin, bright light, or psychotropic drugs, have been proposed as a means to combat circadian clock disruption and improve adaptation to shift and night work. We review the evidence for the ALAN impacts on health. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of an in-depth mechanistic understanding to combat the detrimental properties of exposure to ALAN and develop strategies of prevention.
Collapse
|
41
|
Miyagishima KJ, Wan Q, Miller SS, Bharti K. A basis for comparison: sensitive authentication of stem cell derived RPE using physiological responses of intact RPE monolayers. STEM CELL AND TRANSLATIONAL INVESTIGATION 2017; 4:e1497. [PMID: 28286868 PMCID: PMC5341611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of highly specialized cells that help maintain the chemical composition of its surrounding subretinal and choroidal extracellular spaces. Retinal cells (photoreceptors in particular), RPE, and choroidal endothelial cells together help ensure a homeostatically stable metabolic environment with exquisitely sensitive functional responses to light. Aging and disease of the RPE impairs its supportive functions contributing to the progressive loss of photoreceptors and vision. The prevalence of RPE associated retinal degenerations has prompted researchers to develop new therapies aimed at replacing the affected RPE with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) or embryonic stem cell (ESC) derived RPE. Despite recent attempts to characterize stem cell derived RPE and to truly authenticate RPE for clinical applications, there remains a significant unmet need to explore the heterogeneity resulting from donor to donor variation as well as the variations inherent in the current processes of cell manufacture. Additionally, it remains unknown whether the starting cell type influences the resulting RPE phenotype following reprogramming and differentiation. To address these questions, we performed a comprehensive evaluation (genomic, structural, and functional) of 15 iPSC derived RPE originating from different donors and tissues and compiled a reference data set for the authentication of iPSC-derived RPE and RPE derived from other stem cell sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoharu J. Miyagishima
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Qin Wan
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sheldon S. Miller
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Fontaine V, Monteiro E, Brazhnikova E, Lesage L, Balducci C, Guibout L, Feraille L, Elena PP, Sahel JA, Veillet S, Lafont R. Norbixin Protects Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Cells and Photoreceptors against A2E-Mediated Phototoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167793. [PMID: 27992460 PMCID: PMC5161507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E, a toxic by-product of the visual pigment cycle) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a major cause of visual impairment in the elderly. Photooxidation of A2E results in retinal pigment epithelium degeneration followed by that of associated photoreceptors. Present treatments rely on nutrient supplementation with antioxidants. 9’-cis-Norbixin (a natural diapocarotenoid, 97% purity) was prepared from Bixa orellana seeds. It was first evaluated in primary cultures of porcine retinal pigment epithelium cells challenged with A2E and illuminated with blue light, and it provided an improved photo-protection as compared with lutein or zeaxanthin. In Abca4-/-Rdh8-/- mice (a model of dry AMD), intravitreally-injected norbixin maintained the electroretinogram and protected photoreceptors against light damage. In a standard rat blue-light model of photodamage, norbixin was at least equally as active as phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, a free radical spin-trap. Chronic experiments performed with Abca4-/-Rdh8-/- mice treated orally for 3 months with norbixin showed a reduced A2E accumulation in the retina. Norbixin appears promising for developing an oral treatment of macular degeneration. A drug candidate (BIO201) with 9’-cis-norbixin as the active principle ingredient is under development, and its potential will be assessed in a forthcoming clinical trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Fontaine
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Elodie Monteiro
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris, France
| | - Elena Brazhnikova
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris, France
| | - Laëtitia Lesage
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris, France
| | - Christine Balducci
- Biophytis, Parc BIOCITECH, 102 Avenue Gaston Roussel, Romainville, France
| | - Louis Guibout
- Biophytis, Parc BIOCITECH, 102 Avenue Gaston Roussel, Romainville, France
| | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Veillet
- Biophytis, Parc BIOCITECH, 102 Avenue Gaston Roussel, Romainville, France
| | - René Lafont
- Biophytis, Parc BIOCITECH, 102 Avenue Gaston Roussel, Romainville, France
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Breyer MD, Look AT, Cifra A. From bench to patient: model systems in drug discovery. Dis Model Mech 2016; 8:1171-4. [PMID: 26438689 PMCID: PMC4610244 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.023036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Model systems, including laboratory animals, microorganisms, and cell- and tissue-based systems, are central to the discovery and development of new and better drugs for the treatment of human disease. In this issue, Disease Models & Mechanisms launches a Special Collection that illustrates the contribution of model systems to drug discovery and optimisation across multiple disease areas. This collection includes reviews, Editorials, interviews with leading scientists with a foot in both academia and industry, and original research articles reporting new and important insights into disease therapeutics. This Editorial provides a summary of the collection's current contents, highlighting the impact of multiple model systems in moving new discoveries from the laboratory bench to the patients' bedsides. Drug Discovery Collection: This Editorial introduces the new DMM Special Collection entitled ‘From bench to patient: model systems in drug discovery’, providing a summary of its contents and highlighting the impact of multiple model systems in moving new discoveries from bench to patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 01864, USA
| | - Alessandra Cifra
- Disease Models & Mechanisms, The Company of Biologists, Bidder Building, Station Road, Histon, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9LF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Miyagishima KJ, Wan Q, Corneo B, Sharma R, Lotfi MR, Boles NC, Hua F, Maminishkis A, Zhang C, Blenkinsop T, Khristov V, Jha BS, Memon OS, D'Souza S, Temple S, Miller SS, Bharti K. In Pursuit of Authenticity: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium for Clinical Applications. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 5:1562-1574. [PMID: 27400791 PMCID: PMC5070511 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2016-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For effective treatment, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) must recapitulate the physiology of native human RPE cells. A set of physiologically relevant functional assays that assess the polarized functional activity and maturation state of the intact RPE monolayer is provided. The study data show that donor-to-donor variability exceeds the tissue-to-tissue variability for a given donor and provides, for the first time, criteria necessary to identify iPSC-RPE cells most suitable for clinical application. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be efficiently differentiated into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), offering the possibility of autologous cell replacement therapy for retinal degeneration stemming from RPE loss. The generation and maintenance of epithelial apical-basolateral polarity is fundamental for iPSC-derived RPE (iPSC-RPE) to recapitulate native RPE structure and function. Presently, no criteria have been established to determine clonal or donor based heterogeneity in the polarization and maturation state of iPSC-RPE. We provide an unbiased structural, molecular, and physiological evaluation of 15 iPSC-RPE that have been derived from distinct tissues from several different donors. We assessed the intact RPE monolayer in terms of an ATP-dependent signaling pathway that drives critical aspects of RPE function, including calcium and electrophysiological responses, as well as steady-state fluid transport. These responses have key in vivo counterparts that together help determine the homeostasis of the distal retina. We characterized the donor and clonal variation and found that iPSC-RPE function was more significantly affected by the genetic differences between different donors than the epigenetic differences associated with different starting tissues. This study provides a reference dataset to authenticate genetically diverse iPSC-RPE derived for clinical applications. Significance The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is essential for maintaining visual function. RPE derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-RPE) offer a promising cell-based transplantation therapy for slowing or rescuing RPE-induced visual function loss. For effective treatment, iPSC-RPE must recapitulate the physiology of native human RPE. A set of physiologically relevant functional assays are provided that assess the polarized functional activity and maturation state of the intact RPE monolayer. The present data show that donor-to-donor variability exceeds the tissue-to-tissue variability for a given donor and provides, for the first time, criteria necessary to identify iPSC-RPE most suitable for clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoharu J Miyagishima
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Qin Wan
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Barbara Corneo
- Columbia Stem Cell Core Facility, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ruchi Sharma
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mostafa R Lotfi
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Fang Hua
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Arvydas Maminishkis
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Congxiao Zhang
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy Blenkinsop
- Department of Development and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vladimir Khristov
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Balendu S Jha
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Omar S Memon
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sunita D'Souza
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | - Sheldon S Miller
- Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Unit on Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Basic experimental stem cell research has opened up the possibility of many diverse clinical applications; however, translation to clinical trials has been restricted to only a few diseases. To broaden this clinical scope, pluripotent stem cell derivatives provide a uniquely scalable source of functional differentiated cells that can potentially repair damaged or diseased tissues to treat a wide spectrum of diseases and injuries. However, gathering sound data on their distribution, longevity, function and mechanisms of action in host tissues is imperative to realizing their clinical benefit. The large-scale availability of treatments involving pluripotent stem cells remains some years away, because of the long and demanding regulatory pathway that is needed to ensure their safety.
Collapse
|
46
|
Shafaie S, Hutter V, Cook MT, Brown MB, Chau DYS. In Vitro Cell Models for Ophthalmic Drug Development Applications. Biores Open Access 2016; 5:94-108. [PMID: 27158563 PMCID: PMC4845647 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2016.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering is a rapidly expanding field that aims to establish feasible techniques to fabricate biologically equivalent replacements for diseased and damaged tissues/organs. Emerging from this prospect is the development of in vitro representations of organs for drug toxicity assessment. Due to the ever-increasing interest in ocular drug delivery as a route for administration as well as the rise of new ophthalmic therapeutics, there is a demand for physiologically accurate in vitro models of the eye to assess drug delivery and safety of new ocular medicines. This review summarizes current existing ocular models and highlights the important factors and limitations that need to be considered during their use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Shafaie
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Postgraduate Medicine, The Research Center in Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Hutter
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Postgraduate Medicine, The Research Center in Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Michael T Cook
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Postgraduate Medicine, The Research Center in Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Marc B Brown
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Postgraduate Medicine, The Research Center in Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.; MedPharm Ltd., Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - David Y S Chau
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Postgraduate Medicine, The Research Center in Topical Drug Delivery and Toxicology, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
The Endocannabinoid System in the Retina: From Physiology to Practical and Therapeutic Applications. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:2916732. [PMID: 26881099 PMCID: PMC4736597 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2916732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most prevalent drugs used in industrialized countries. The main effects of Cannabis are mediated by two major exogenous cannabinoids: ∆9-tetrahydroxycannabinol and cannabidiol. They act on specific endocannabinoid receptors, especially types 1 and 2. Mammals are endowed with a functional cannabinoid system including cannabinoid receptors, ligands, and enzymes. This endocannabinoid signaling pathway is involved in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions with a main role in the biology of the central nervous system. As the retina is a part of the central nervous system due to its embryonic origin, we aim at providing the relevance of studying the endocannabinoid system in the retina. Here, we review the distribution of the cannabinoid receptors, ligands, and enzymes in the retina and focus on the role of the cannabinoid system in retinal neurobiology. This review describes the presence of the cannabinoid system in critical stages of retinal processing and its broad involvement in retinal neurotransmission, neuroplasticity, and neuroprotection. Accordingly, we support the use of synthetic cannabinoids as new neuroprotective drugs to prevent and treat retinal diseases. Finally, we argue for the relevance of functional retinal measures in cannabis users to evaluate the impact of cannabis use on human retinal processing.
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common form of irreversible blindness in the industrially developed world, can present years before a patient begins to lose vision. For most of these patients, AMD never progresses past its early stages to the advanced forms that are principally responsible for the vast majority of vision loss. Advanced AMD can manifest as either an advanced avascular form known as geographic atrophy (GA) marked by regional retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death or as an advanced form known as neovascular AMD marked by the intrusion of fragile new blood vessels into the normally avascular retina. Physicians have several therapeutic interventions available to combat neovascular AMD, but GA has no approved effective therapies as of yet. In this chapter, we will discuss the current strategies for limiting dry AMD in patients. We will also discuss previous attempts at pharmacological intervention that were tested in a clinical setting and consider reasons why these putative therapeutics did not perform successfully in large-scale trials. Despite the number of unsuccessful past trials, new pharmacological interventions may succeed. These future therapies may aid millions of AMD patients worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles B Wright
- Physiology and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Jayakrishna Ambati
- Physiology and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ilmarinen T, Hiidenmaa H, Kööbi P, Nymark S, Sorkio A, Wang JH, Stanzel BV, Thieltges F, Alajuuma P, Oksala O, Kataja M, Uusitalo H, Skottman H. Ultrathin Polyimide Membrane as Cell Carrier for Subretinal Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143669. [PMID: 26606532 PMCID: PMC4659637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the suitability of ultrathin and porous polyimide (PI) membrane as a carrier for subretinal transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) -derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in rabbits. The in vivo effects of hESC-RPE cells were analyzed by subretinal suspension injection into Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. Rat eyes were analyzed with electroretinography (ERG) and histology. After analyzing the surface and permeability properties of PI, subretinal PI membrane transplantations with and without hESC-RPE were performed in rabbits. The rabbits were followed for three months and eyes analyzed with fundus photography, ERG, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histology. Animals were immunosuppressed with cyclosporine the entire follow-up time. In dystrophic RCS rats, ERG and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness showed some rescue after hESC-RPE injection. Cells positive for human antigen were found in clusters under the retina 41 days post-injection but not anymore after 105 days. In rabbits, OCT showed good placement of the PI. However, there was loss of pigmentation on the hESC-RPE-PI over time. In the eyes with PI alone, no obvious signs of inflammation or retinal atrophy were observed. In the presence of hESC-RPE, mononuclear cell infiltration and retinal atrophy were observed around the membranes. The porous ultrathin PI membrane was well-tolerated in the subretinal space and is a promising scaffold for RPE transplantation. However, the rejection of the transplanted cells seems to be a major problem and the given immunosuppression was insufficient for reduction of xenograft induced inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Ilmarinen
- BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Peeter Kööbi
- Department of Ophthalmology, SILK, University of Tampere and Tays Eye Center, Tampere, Finland
| | - Soile Nymark
- Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering and BioMediTech, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anni Sorkio
- BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jing-Huan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, SILK, University of Tampere and Tays Eye Center, Tampere, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hannu Uusitalo
- Department of Ophthalmology, SILK, University of Tampere and Tays Eye Center, Tampere, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| |
Collapse
|