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Zhou X, Zhao L, Wang C, Sun W, Jia B, Li D, Fu J. Diverse functions and pathogenetic role of Crumbs in retinopathy. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:290. [PMID: 38802833 PMCID: PMC11129452 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The Crumbs protein (CRB) family plays a crucial role in maintaining the apical-basal polarity and integrity of embryonic epithelia. The family comprises different isoforms in different animals and possesses diverse structural, localization, and functional characteristics. Mutations in the human CRB1 or CRB2 gene may lead to a broad spectrum of retinal dystrophies. Various CRB-associated experimental models have recently provided mechanistic insights into human CRB-associated retinopathies. The knowledge obtained from these models corroborates the importance of CRB in retinal development and maintenance. Therefore, complete elucidation of these models can provide excellent therapeutic prospects for human CRB-associated retinopathies. In this review, we summarize the current animal models and human-derived models of different CRB family members and describe the main characteristics of their retinal phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuebin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Liangliang Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Chenguang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Jinling Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China.
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2
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Buck TM, Quinn PMJ, Pellissier LP, Mulder AA, Jongejan A, Lu X, Boon N, Koot D, Almushattat H, Arendzen CH, Vos RM, Bradley EJ, Freund C, Mikkers HMM, Boon CJF, Moerland PD, Baas F, Koster AJ, Neefjes J, Berlin I, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. CRB1 is required for recycling by RAB11A+ vesicles in human retinal organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1793-1810. [PMID: 37541258 PMCID: PMC10545476 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRB1 gene mutations can cause early- or late-onset retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, or maculopathy. Recapitulating human CRB1 phenotypes in animal models has proven challenging, necessitating the development of alternatives. We generated human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids of patients with retinitis pigmentosa caused by biallelic CRB1 mutations and evaluated them against autologous gene-corrected hiPSCs and hiPSCs from healthy individuals. Patient organoids show decreased levels of CRB1 and NOTCH1 expression at the retinal outer limiting membrane. Proximity ligation assays show that human CRB1 and NOTCH1 can interact via their extracellular domains. CRB1 patient organoids feature increased levels of WDFY1+ vesicles, fewer RAB11A+ recycling endosomes, decreased VPS35 retromer complex components, and more degradative endolysosomal compartments relative to isogenic control organoids. Taken together, our data demonstrate that patient-derived retinal organoids enable modeling of retinal degeneration and highlight the importance of CRB1 in early endosome maturation receptor recycling in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilo M Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M J Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Epidemiology & Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Xuefei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Koot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Hind Almushattat
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier M Vos
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands
| | - Edward J Bradley
- Department of Genome Analysis, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Freund
- Leiden University Medical Center hiPSC Hotel, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Harald M M Mikkers
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Center hiPSC Hotel, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1000 AE, the Netherlands
| | - Perry D Moerland
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Epidemiology & Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Baas
- Department of Genome Analysis, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics/LDGA, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Ilana Berlin
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands.
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3
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Boon N, Lu X, Andriessen CA, Moustakas I, Buck TM, Freund C, Arendzen CH, Böhringer S, Mei H, Wijnholds J. AAV-mediated gene augmentation therapy of CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids restores the histological and transcriptional retinal phenotype. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1123-1137. [PMID: 37084726 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis are inherited retinal dystrophies that can be caused by mutations in the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene. CRB1 is required for organizing apical-basal polarity and adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller glial cells. CRB1 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into CRB1 retinal organoids that showed diminished expression of variant CRB1 protein observed by immunohistochemical analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed impact on, among others, the endosomal pathway and cell adhesion and migration in CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids compared with isogenic controls. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated hCRB2 or hCRB1 gene augmentation in Müller glial and photoreceptor cells partially restored the histological phenotype and transcriptomic profile of CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids. Altogether, we show proof-of-concept that AAV.hCRB1 or AAV.hCRB2 treatment improved the phenotype of CRB1 patient-derived retinal organoids, providing essential information for future gene therapy approaches for patients with mutations in the CRB1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Xuefei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte A Andriessen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thilo M Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Freund
- hiPSC Hotel, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Arendzen
- hiPSC Hotel, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan Böhringer
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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4
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Martis RM, Knight LJ, Acosta ML, Black J, Ng R, Ji LCL, Donaldson PJ, Lim JCH. Early onset of age-related changes in the retina of cystine/glutamate antiporter knockout mice. Exp Eye Res 2023; 227:109364. [PMID: 36586548 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109364] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
To determine the role of the cystine/glutamate antiporter on retinal structure and function, retinas of C57Bl/6J wild-type and xCT knockout mice, lacking the xCT subunit of the cystine/glutamate antiporter were examined from 6 weeks to 12 months of age. Fundoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and whole mount retinal autofluorescence imaging were used to visualise age-related retinal spots. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunolabelling was used to assess retinal stress. Retinal function was evaluated using full-field and focal electroretinograms. Examinations revealed retinal spots in both wild-type and xCT knockout mice with the number of spots greater at 9 months in the knockout compared to wild-type. OCT confirmed these discrete spots were located at the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-photoreceptor junction and did not label with drusen markers. Whole mount lambda scans of the 9 month xCT knockout retinas revealed that the photoreceptor autofluorescence matched the spots, suggesting these spots were retinal debris. GFAP labelling was increased in knockout retinas compared to wild-type indicative of retinal stress, and the discrete spots were associated with migration of microglia/macrophages to the RPE-retina intersection. OCT revealed that the superior retina was thinner at 9 months in knockout compared to wild-type mice due to changes to the outer nuclear and photoreceptor layers. While global retinal function was not affected by loss of xCT, focal changes in retinal function were detected in areas where spots were present. Tother these results suggest that the xCT KO mice exhibit features of accelerated ageing and suggests that this mouse model may be useful for studying the underlying cellular pathways in retinal ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renita Maria Martis
- Dept. Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Luis James Knight
- Dept. Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Monica L Acosta
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joanna Black
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert Ng
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Paul James Donaldson
- Dept. Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Ching-Hsia Lim
- Dept. Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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Martínez-Gil N, Maneu V, Kutsyr O, Fernández-Sánchez L, Sánchez-Sáez X, Sánchez-Castillo C, Campello L, Lax P, Pinilla I, Cuenca N. Cellular and molecular alterations in neurons and glial cells in inherited retinal degeneration. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:984052. [PMID: 36225228 PMCID: PMC9548552 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.984052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple gene mutations have been associated with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Despite the spectrum of phenotypes caused by the distinct mutations, IRDs display common physiopathology features. Cell death is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vertebrate retina has several attributes that make this tissue vulnerable to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance. The high energy demands and active metabolism in retinal cells, as well as their continuous exposure to high oxygen levels and light-induced stress, reveal the importance of tightly regulated homeostatic processes to maintain retinal function, which are compromised in pathological conditions. In addition, the subsequent microglial activation and gliosis, which triggers the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, trophic factors, and other molecules, further worsen the degenerative process. As the disease evolves, retinal cells change their morphology and function. In disease stages where photoreceptors are lost, the remaining neurons of the retina to preserve their function seek out for new synaptic partners, which leads to a cascade of morphological alterations in retinal cells that results in a complete remodeling of the tissue. In this review, we describe important molecular and morphological changes in retinal cells that occur in response to oxidative stress and the inflammatory processes underlying IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carla Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Aragón Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Surgery, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Isabel Pinilla,
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- *Correspondence: Nicolás Cuenca,
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Weatherly SM, Collin GB, Charette JR, Stone L, Damkham N, Hyde LF, Peterson JG, Hicks W, Carter GW, Naggert JK, Krebs MP, Nishina PM. Identification of Arhgef12 and Prkci as genetic modifiers of retinal dysplasia in the Crb1rd8 mouse model. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009798. [PMID: 35675330 PMCID: PMC9212170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the apicobasal polarity gene CRB1 lead to diverse retinal diseases, such as Leber congenital amaurosis, cone-rod dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa (with and without Coats-like vasculopathy), foveal retinoschisis, macular dystrophy, and pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy. Limited correlation between disease phenotypes and CRB1 alleles, and evidence that patients sharing the same alleles often present with different disease features, suggest that genetic modifiers contribute to clinical variation. Similarly, the retinal phenotype of mice bearing the Crb1 retinal degeneration 8 (rd8) allele varies with genetic background. Here, we initiated a sensitized chemical mutagenesis screen in B6.Cg-Crb1rd8/Pjn, a strain with a mild clinical presentation, to identify genetic modifiers that cause a more severe disease phenotype. Two models from this screen, Tvrm266 and Tvrm323, exhibited increased retinal dysplasia. Genetic mapping with high-throughput exome and candidate-gene sequencing identified causative mutations in Arhgef12 and Prkci, respectively. Epistasis analysis of both strains indicated that the increased dysplastic phenotype required homozygosity of the Crb1rd8 allele. Retinal dysplastic lesions in Tvrm266 mice were smaller and caused less photoreceptor degeneration than those in Tvrm323 mice, which developed an early, large diffuse lesion phenotype. At one month of age, Müller glia and microglia mislocalization at dysplastic lesions in both modifier strains was similar to that in B6.Cg-Crb1rd8/Pjn mice but photoreceptor cell mislocalization was more extensive. External limiting membrane disruption was comparable in Tvrm266 and B6.Cg-Crb1rd8/Pjn mice but milder in Tvrm323 mice. Immunohistological analysis of mice at postnatal day 0 indicated a normal distribution of mitotic cells in Tvrm266 and Tvrm323 mice, suggesting normal early development. Aberrant electroretinography responses were observed in both models but functional decline was significant only in Tvrm323 mice. These results identify Arhgef12 and Prkci as modifier genes that differentially shape Crb1-associated retinal disease, which may be relevant to understanding clinical variability and underlying disease mechanisms in humans. Inherited eye diseases affect roughly 1:1,000 individuals worldwide. Although these diseases are often linked to variants of a single gene, it is increasingly recognized that a second variant in other genes may modify disease characteristics, including age of onset, severity, and lesion appearance. Identifying such modifier genes in humans is difficult. In this study, two modifiers of a gene associated with retinal damage leading to childhood blindness in humans (CRB1) were identified in mice. Retinal damage caused by Crb1 mutation alone was less severe than in the presence of Arhgef12 or Prkci mutations. Furthermore, the modifier gene mutations caused retinal damage only in the presence of the Crb1 mutation. Our results point to a role of mouse Crb1 and the modifying effects of Arhgef12 and Prkci in a biological network that controls adhesive interactions between cells. The variation in disease severity, lesion appearance, and visual responses in these mice provide a dramatic example of modifier gene influence. This work may lead to an improved understanding of the molecular basis of CRB1-associated retinal disease, with possible relevance to diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gayle B. Collin
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | | | - Lisa Stone
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Nattaya Damkham
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Siriraj Center of Excellence for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lillian F. Hyde
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | | | - Wanda Hicks
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | | | | | - Mark P. Krebs
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MPK); (PMN)
| | - Patsy M. Nishina
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MPK); (PMN)
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Möller-Kerutt A, Rodriguez-Gatica JE, Wacker K, Bhatia R, Siebrasse JP, Boon N, Van Marck V, Boor P, Kubitscheck U, Wijnholds J, Pavenstädt H, Weide T. Crumbs2 Is an Essential Slit Diaphragm Protein of the Renal Filtration Barrier. J Am Soc Nephrol 2021; 32:1053-1070. [PMID: 33687977 PMCID: PMC8259666 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2020040501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crumbs2 is expressed at embryonic stages as well as in the retina, brain, and glomerular podocytes. Recent studies identified CRB2 mutations as a novel cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). METHODS To study the function of Crb2 at the renal filtration barrier, mice lacking Crb2 exclusively in podocytes were generated. Gene expression and histologic studies as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze these Crb2podKO knockout mice and their littermate controls. Furthermore, high-resolution expansion microscopy was used to investigate Crb2 distribution in murine glomeruli. For pull-down experiments, live cell imaging, and transcriptome analyses, cell lines were applied that inducibly express fluorescent protein-tagged CRB2 wild type and mutants. RESULTS Crb2podKO mice developed proteinuria directly after birth that preceded a prominent development of disordered and effaced foot processes, upregulation of renal injury and inflammatory markers, and glomerulosclerosis. Pull-down assays revealed an interaction of CRB2 with Nephrin, mediated by their extracellular domains. Expansion microscopy showed that in mice glomeruli, Crb2 and Nephrin are organized in adjacent clusters. SRNS-associated CRB2 protein variants and a mutant that lacks a putative conserved O-glycosylation site were not transported to the cell surface. Instead, mutants accumulated in the ER, showed altered glycosylation pattern, and triggered an ER stress response. CONCLUSIONS Crb2 is an essential component of the podocyte's slit diaphragm, interacting with Nephrin. Loss of slit diaphragm targeting and increasing ER stress are pivotal factors for onset and progression of CRB2-related SRNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Möller-Kerutt
- Internal Medicine D, Department of Molecular Nephrology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Juan E. Rodriguez-Gatica
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karin Wacker
- Internal Medicine D, Department of Molecular Nephrology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Rohan Bhatia
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Siebrasse
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nanda Boon
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Van Marck
- Gerhard-Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany,The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Kubitscheck
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hermann Pavenstädt
- Internal Medicine D, Department of Molecular Nephrology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Thomas Weide
- Internal Medicine D, Department of Molecular Nephrology, University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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Clark BS, Miesfeld JB, Flinn MA, Collery RF, Link BA. Dynamic Polarization of Rab11a Modulates Crb2a Localization and Impacts Signaling to Regulate Retinal Neurogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:608112. [PMID: 33634099 PMCID: PMC7900515 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.608112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Interkinetic nuclear migration (IKNM) is the process in which pseudostratified epithelial nuclei oscillate from the apical to basal surface and in phase with the mitotic cycle. In the zebrafish retina, neuroepithelial retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) increase Notch activity with apical movement of the nuclei, and the depth of nuclear migration correlates with the probability that the next cell division will be neurogenic. This study focuses on the mechanisms underlying the relationships between IKNM, cell signaling, and neurogenesis. In particular, we have explored the role IKNM has on endosome biology within RPCs. Through genetic manipulation and live imaging in zebrafish, we find that early (Rab5-positive) and recycling (Rab11a-positive) endosomes polarize in a dynamic fashion within RPCs and with reference to nuclear position. Functional analyses suggest that dynamic polarization of recycling endosomes and their activity within the neuroepithelia modulates the subcellular localization of Crb2a, consequently affecting multiple signaling pathways that impact neurogenesis including Notch, Hippo, and Wnt activities. As nuclear migration is heterogenous and asynchronous among RPCs, Rab11a-affected signaling within the neuroepithelia is modulated in a differential manner, providing mechanistic insight to the correlation of IKNM and selection of RPCs to undergo neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S Clark
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Joel B Miesfeld
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Michael A Flinn
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Ross F Collery
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Brian A Link
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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9
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Geusz RJ, Wang A, Chiou J, Lancman JJ, Wetton N, Kefalopoulou S, Wang J, Qiu Y, Yan J, Aylward A, Ren B, Dong PDS, Gaulton KJ, Sander M. Pancreatic progenitor epigenome maps prioritize type 2 diabetes risk genes with roles in development. eLife 2021; 10:e59067. [PMID: 33544077 PMCID: PMC7864636 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk affect gene regulation in metabolically relevant tissues, such as pancreatic islets. Here, we investigated contributions of regulatory programs active during pancreatic development to T2D risk. Generation of chromatin maps from developmental precursors throughout pancreatic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) identifies enrichment of T2D variants in pancreatic progenitor-specific stretch enhancers that are not active in islets. Genes associated with progenitor-specific stretch enhancers are predicted to regulate developmental processes, most notably tissue morphogenesis. Through gene editing in hESCs, we demonstrate that progenitor-specific enhancers harboring T2D-associated variants regulate cell polarity genes LAMA1 and CRB2. Knockdown of lama1 or crb2 in zebrafish embryos causes a defect in pancreas morphogenesis and impairs islet cell development. Together, our findings reveal that a subset of T2D risk variants specifically affects pancreatic developmental programs, suggesting that dysregulation of developmental processes can predispose to T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Geusz
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
- Biomedical Graduate Studies Program, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Allen Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Joshua Chiou
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Biomedical Graduate Studies Program, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Joseph J Lancman
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteSan DiegoUnited States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Nichole Wetton
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Samy Kefalopoulou
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Jinzhao Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Yunjiang Qiu
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Jian Yan
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Anthony Aylward
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Bing Ren
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer ResearchSan DiegoUnited States
| | - P Duc Si Dong
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteSan DiegoUnited States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Kyle J Gaulton
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
| | - Maike Sander
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San DiegoSan DiegoUnited States
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative MedicineSan DiegoUnited States
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10
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Gogia N, Chimata AV, Deshpande P, Singh A, Singh A. Hippo signaling: bridging the gap between cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:643-652. [PMID: 33063715 PMCID: PMC8067938 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.295273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, regulation of organ size requires a balance between cell proliferation, growth and cell death. Dysregulation of these fundamental processes can cause a variety of diseases. Excessive cell proliferation results in cancer whereas excessive cell death results in neurodegenerative disorders. Many signaling pathways known-to-date have a role in growth regulation. Among them, evolutionarily conserved Hippo signaling pathway is unique as it controls both cell proliferation and cell death by a variety of mechanisms during organ sculpture and development. Neurodegeneration, a complex process of progressive death of neuronal population, results in fatal disorders with no available cure to date. During normal development, cell death is required for sculpting of an organ. However, aberrant cell death in neuronal cell population can result in neurodegenerative disorders. Hippo pathway has gathered major attention for its role in growth regulation and cancer, however, other functions like its role in neurodegeneration are also emerging rapidly. This review highlights the role of Hippo signaling in cell death and neurodegenerative diseases and provide the information on the chemical inhibitors employed to block Hippo pathway. Understanding Hippo mediated cell death mechanisms will aid in development of reliable and effective therapeutic strategies in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Gogia
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Aditi Singh
- Medical Candidate, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Amit Singh
- Department of Biology; Premedical Program; Center for Tissue Regeneration and Engineering at Dayton (TREND); The Integrative Science and Engineering Center, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH; Center for Genomic Advocacy (TCGA), Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA
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11
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Buck TM, Wijnholds J. Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors (rAAV)-Vector Elements in Ocular Gene Therapy Clinical Trials and Transgene Expression and Bioactivity Assays. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4197. [PMID: 32545533 PMCID: PMC7352801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies and optic neuropathies cause chronic disabling loss of visual function. The development of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) gene therapies in all disease fields have been promising, but the translation to the clinic has been slow. The safety and efficacy profiles of rAAV are linked to the dose of applied vectors. DNA changes in the rAAV gene cassette affect potency, the expression pattern (cell-specificity), and the production yield. Here, we present a library of rAAV vectors and elements that provide a workflow to design novel vectors. We first performed a meta-analysis on recombinant rAAV elements in clinical trials (2007-2020) for ocular gene therapies. We analyzed 33 unique rAAV gene cassettes used in 57 ocular clinical trials. The rAAV gene therapy vectors used six unique capsid variants, 16 different promoters, and six unique polyadenylation sequences. Further, we compiled a list of promoters, enhancers, and other sequences used in current rAAV gene cassettes in preclinical studies. Then, we give an update on pro-viral plasmid backbones used to produce the gene therapy vectors, inverted terminal repeats, production yield, and rAAV safety considerations. Finally, we assess rAAV transgene and bioactivity assays applied to cells or organoids in vitro, explants ex vivo, and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilo M. Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Tait CM, Chinnaiya K, Manning E, Murtaza M, Ashton JP, Furley N, Hill CJ, Alves CH, Wijnholds J, Erdmann KS, Furley A, Rashbass P, Das RM, Storey KG, Placzek M. Crumbs2 mediates ventricular layer remodelling to form the spinal cord central canal. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000470. [PMID: 32150534 PMCID: PMC7108746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In the spinal cord, the central canal forms through a poorly understood process termed dorsal collapse that involves attrition and remodelling of pseudostratified ventricular layer (VL) cells. Here, we use mouse and chick models to show that dorsal ventricular layer (dVL) cells adjacent to dorsal midline Nestin(+) radial glia (dmNes+RG) down-regulate apical polarity proteins, including Crumbs2 (CRB2) and delaminate in a stepwise manner; live imaging shows that as one cell delaminates, the next cell ratchets up, the dmNes+RG endfoot ratchets down, and the process repeats. We show that dmNes+RG secrete a factor that promotes loss of cell polarity and delamination. This activity is mimicked by a secreted variant of Crumbs2 (CRB2S) which is specifically expressed by dmNes+RG. In cultured MDCK cells, CRB2S associates with apical membranes and decreases cell cohesion. Analysis of Crb2F/F/Nestin-Cre+/- mice, and targeted reduction of Crb2/CRB2S in slice cultures reveal essential roles for transmembrane CRB2 (CRB2TM) and CRB2S on VL cells and dmNes+RG, respectively. We propose a model in which a CRB2S-CRB2TM interaction promotes the progressive attrition of the dVL without loss of overall VL integrity. This novel mechanism may operate more widely to promote orderly progenitor delamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M Tait
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Kavitha Chinnaiya
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Manning
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mariyam Murtaza
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - John-Paul Ashton
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Furley
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J Hill
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kai S Erdmann
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Furley
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Penny Rashbass
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Raman M Das
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Kate G Storey
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Marysia Placzek
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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13
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Quinn PM, Wijnholds J. Retinogenesis of the Human Fetal Retina: An Apical Polarity Perspective. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E987. [PMID: 31795518 PMCID: PMC6947654 DOI: 10.3390/genes10120987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Crumbs complex has prominent roles in the control of apical cell polarity, in the coupling of cell density sensing to downstream cell signaling pathways, and in regulating junctional structures and cell adhesion. The Crumbs complex acts as a conductor orchestrating multiple downstream signaling pathways in epithelial and neuronal tissue development. These pathways lead to the regulation of cell size, cell fate, cell self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, migration, mitosis, and apoptosis. In retinogenesis, these are all pivotal processes with important roles for the Crumbs complex to maintain proper spatiotemporal cell processes. Loss of Crumbs function in the retina results in loss of the stratified appearance resulting in retinal degeneration and loss of visual function. In this review, we begin by discussing the physiology of vision. We continue by outlining the processes of retinogenesis and how well this is recapitulated between the human fetal retina and human embryonic stem cell (ESC) or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids. Additionally, we discuss the functionality of in utero and preterm human fetal retina and the current level of functionality as detected in human stem cell-derived organoids. We discuss the roles of apical-basal cell polarity in retinogenesis with a focus on Leber congenital amaurosis which leads to blindness shortly after birth. Finally, we discuss Crumbs homolog (CRB)-based gene augmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M.J. Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Sahu MR, Mondal AC. The emerging role of Hippo signaling in neurodegeneration. J Neurosci Res 2019; 98:796-814. [PMID: 31705587 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration refers to the complex process of progressive degeneration or neuronal apoptosis leading to a set of incurable and debilitating conditions. Physiologically, apoptosis is important in proper growth and development. However, aberrant and unrestricted apoptosis can lead to a variety of degenerative conditions including neurodegenerative diseases. Although dysregulated apoptosis has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, the triggers and molecular mechanisms underlying such untimely and faulty apoptosis are still unknown. Hippo signaling pathway is one such apoptosis-regulating mechanism that has remained evolutionarily conserved from Drosophila to mammals. This pathway has gained a lot of attention for its tumor-suppressing task, but recent studies have emphasized the soaring role of this pathway in inflaming neurodegeneration. In addition, strategies promoting inactivation of this pathway have aided in the rescue of neurons from anomalous apoptosis. So, a thorough understanding of the relationship between the Hippo pathway and neurodegeneration may serve as a guide for the development of therapy for various degenerative diseases. The current review focuses on the mechanism of the Hippo signaling pathway, its upstream and downstream regulatory molecules, and its role in the genesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. The recent efforts employing the Hippo pathway components as targets for checking neurodegeneration have also been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Ranjan Sahu
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Amal Chandra Mondal
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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15
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Cho SH, Nahar A, Kim JH, Lee M, Kozmik Z, Kim S. Targeted deletion of Crb1/Crb2 in the optic vesicle models key features of leber congenital amaurosis 8. Dev Biol 2019; 453:141-154. [PMID: 31145883 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The Crb1 and 2 (Crumbs homolog 1 & 2) genes encode large, single-pass transmembrane proteins essential for the apicobasal polarity and adhesion of epithelial cells. Crb1 mutations cause degenerative retinal diseases in humans, including Leber congenital amaurosis type 8 (LCA8) and retinitis pigmentosa type 12 (RP12). In LCA8, impaired photoreceptor development and/or survival is thought to cause blindness during early infancy, whereas, in RP12, progressive photoreceptor degeneration damages peripheral vision later in life. There are multiple animal models of RP12 pathology, but no experimental model of LCA8 recapitulates the full spectrum of its pathological features. To generate a mouse model of LCA8 and identify the functions of Crb1/2 in developing ocular tissues, we used an mRx-Cre driver to generate allelic combinations that enabled conditional gene ablation from the optic vesicle stage. In this series only Crb1/2 double knockout (dKO) mice exhibited characteristics of human LCA8 disease: locally thickened retina with spots devoid of cells, aberrant positioning of retinal cells, severely disrupted lamination, and depigmented retinal-pigmented epithelium. Retinal defects antedated E12.5, which is far earlier than the stage at which photoreceptor cells mainly differentiate. Most remarkably, Crb1/Crb2 dKO showed a severely attenuated electroretinogram at the eye opening stage. These results suggest that human LCA8 can be modeled in the mouse by simultaneously ablating Crb1/2 from the beginning of eye development. Importantly, they also indicate that LCA8 is caused by malfunction of retinal progenitor cells during early ocular development rather than by defective photoreceptor-Muller glial interaction, a mechanism proposed for RP12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Hee Cho
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
| | - Ankur Nahar
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Ji Hyang Kim
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Matthew Lee
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Seonhee Kim
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
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16
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Alves CH, Boon N, Mulder AA, Koster AJ, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. CRB2 Loss in Rod Photoreceptors Is Associated with Progressive Loss of Retinal Contrast Sensitivity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174069. [PMID: 31438467 PMCID: PMC6747345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Variations in the Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene are associated with a wide variety of autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies, including early onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). CRB1 belongs to the Crumbs family, which in mammals includes CRB2 and CRB3. Here, we studied the specific roles of CRB2 in rod photoreceptor cells and whether ablation of CRB2 in rods exacerbates the Crb1-disease. Therefore, we assessed the morphological, retinal, and visual functional consequences of specific ablation of CRB2 from rods with or without concomitant loss of CRB1. Our data demonstrated that loss of CRB2 in mature rods resulted in RP. The retina showed gliosis and disruption of the subapical region and adherens junctions at the outer limiting membrane. Rods were lost at the peripheral and central superior retina, while gross retinal lamination was preserved. Rod function as measured by electroretinography was impaired in adult mice. Additional loss of CRB1 exacerbated the retinal phenotype leading to an early reduction of the dark-adapted rod photoreceptor a-wave and reduced contrast sensitivity from 3-months-of-age, as measured by optokinetic tracking reflex (OKT) behavior testing. The data suggest that CRB2 present in rods is required to prevent photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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17
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Quinn PM, Mulder AA, Henrique Alves C, Desrosiers M, de Vries SI, Klooster J, Dalkara D, Koster AJ, Jost CR, Wijnholds J. Loss of CRB2 in Müller glial cells modifies a CRB1-associated retinitis pigmentosa phenotype into a Leber congenital amaurosis phenotype. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:105-123. [PMID: 30239717 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in the human Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene lead to an array of retinal dystrophies including early onset of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in children. To investigate the physiological roles of CRB1 and CRB2 in retinal Müller glial cells (MGCs), we analysed mouse retinas lacking both proteins in MGC. The peripheral retina showed a faster progression of dystrophy than the central retina. The central retina showed retinal folds, disruptions at the outer limiting membrane, protrusion of photoreceptor nuclei into the inner and outer segment layers and ingression of photoreceptor nuclei into the photoreceptor synaptic layer. The peripheral retina showed a complete loss of the photoreceptor synapse layer, intermingling of photoreceptor nuclei within the inner nuclear layer and ectopic photoreceptor cells in the ganglion cell layer. Electroretinography showed severe attenuation of the scotopic a-wave at 1 month of age with responses below detection levels at 3 months of age. The double knockout mouse retinas mimicked a phenotype equivalent to a clinical LCA phenotype due to loss of CRB1. Localization of CRB1 and CRB2 in non-human primate (NHP) retinas was analyzed at the ultrastructural level. We found that NHP CRB1 and CRB2 proteins localized to the subapical region adjacent to adherens junctions at the outer limiting membrane in MGC and photoreceptors. Our data suggest that loss of CRB2 in MGC aggravates the CRB1-associated RP-like phenotype towards an LCA-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aat A Mulder
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mélissa Desrosiers
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, UMR_S INSERM, CNRS, UMR, Paris, France
| | - Sharon I de Vries
- Department of Axonal Signaling, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Klooster
- Department of Retina Signal Processing, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, UMR_S INSERM, CNRS, UMR, Paris, France
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina R Jost
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Quinn PM, Alves CH, Klooster J, Wijnholds J. CRB2 in immature photoreceptors determines the superior-inferior symmetry of the developing retina to maintain retinal structure and function. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:3137-3153. [PMID: 29893966 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian apical-basal determinant Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) plays a crucial role in retinal structure and function by the maintenance of adherens junctions between photoreceptors and Müller glial cells. Patients with mutations in the CRB1 gene develop retinal dystrophies, including early-onset retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. Previously, we showed that Crb1 knockout mice developed a slow-progressing retinal phenotype at foci in the inferior retina, although specific ablation of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors leads to an early-onset phenotype throughout the retina. Here, we conditionally disrupted one or both alleles of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors, on a genetic background lacking Crb1, and studied the retinal dystrophies thereof. Our data showed that disruption of one allele of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors caused a substantial aggravation of the Crb1 phenotype in the entire inferior retina. The photoreceptor layer showed early-onset progressive thinning limited to the inferior retina, although the superior retina maintained intact. Surprisingly, disruption of both alleles of Crb2 in immature photoreceptors further aggravated the phenotype. Throughout the retina, photoreceptor synapses were disrupted and photoreceptor nuclei intermingled with nuclei of the inner nuclear layer. In the superior retina, the ganglion cell layer appeared thicker because of ectopic nuclei of photoreceptors. In conclusion, the data suggest that CRB2 is required to maintain retinal progenitor and photoreceptor cell adhesion and prevent photoreceptor ingression into the immature inner retina. We hypothesize, from these animal models, that decreased levels of CRB2 in immature photoreceptors adjust retinitis pigmentosa because of the loss of CRB1 into Leber congenital amaurosis phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Klooster
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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19
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Chen X, Jiang C, Yang D, Sun R, Wang M, Sun H, Xu M, Zhou L, Chen M, Xie P, Yan B, Liu Q, Zhao C. CRB2 mutation causes autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res 2018; 180:164-173. [PMID: 30593785 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common form of inherited retinal dystrophies, exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity. The crumbs homolog 2 (CRB2) protein, together with CRB1 and CRB3, belongs to the Crumbs family. Given that CRB1 mutations account for 4% of RP cases, the role of CRB2 mutations in RP etiology has long been hypothesized but never confirmed. Herein, we report the identification of CRB2 as a novel RP causative gene in a Chinese consanguineous family and have analyzed its pathogenic effects. Comprehensive ophthalmic and systemic evaluations confirmed the clinical diagnosis of the two patients in this family as RP. WES revealed a homozygous missense mutation, CRB2 p.R1249G, to segregate the RP phenotype, which was highly conserved among multiple species. In vitro cellular study revealed that this mutation not only interrupted the stability of the transcribed CRB2 mRNA and the encoded CRB2 protein, but also interfered with the wild type CRB2 mRNA/protein and decreased their expression. This mutation was also shown to trigger epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, thus impairing regular RPE phagocytosis and induce RPE degeneration and apoptosis. Thus, we conclude that CRB2 p.R1249G mutation causes RP via accelerating EMT, dysfunction and loss of RPE cells, and establish CRB2 as a novel Crumbs family member associated with non-syndromic RP. We provide important hints for understanding of CRB2 defects and retinopathy, and for the involvement of EMT of RPE cells in RP pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Daidi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ruxu Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 211406, China
| | - Luyin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Mingkang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Biao Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China.
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20
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Hazime K, Malicki JJ. Apico-basal Polarity Determinants Encoded by crumbs Genes Affect Ciliary Shaft Protein Composition, IFT Movement Dynamics, and Cilia Length. Genetics 2017; 207:1041-1051. [PMID: 28882989 PMCID: PMC5676222 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most obvious manifestations of polarity in epithelia is the subdivision of the cell surface by cell junctions into apical and basolateral domains. crumbs genes are among key regulators of this form of polarity. Loss of crumbs function disrupts the apical cell junction belt and crumbs overexpression expands the apical membrane size. Crumbs proteins contain a single transmembrane domain and localize to cell junction area at the apical surface of epithelia. In some tissues, they are also found in cilia. To test their role in ciliogenesis, we investigated mutant phenotypes of zebrafish crumbs genes. In zebrafish, mutations of three crumbs genes, oko meduzy/crb2a, crb3a, and crb2b, affect cilia length in a subset of tissues. In oko meduzy (ome), this is accompanied by accumulation of other Crumbs proteins in the ciliary compartment. Moreover, intraflagellar transport (IFT) particle components accumulate in the ciliary shaft of ome;crb3a double mutants. Consistent with the above, Crb3 knockdown in mammalian cells affects the dynamics of IFT particle movement. These findings reveal crumbs-dependent mechanisms that regulate the localization of ciliary proteins, including Crumbs proteins themselves, and show that crumbs genes modulate intraflagellar transport and cilia elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khodor Hazime
- Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Jarema J Malicki
- Bateson Centre, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
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21
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Boudreau-Pinsonneault C, Cayouette M. Cell lineage tracing in the retina: Could material transfer distort conclusions? Dev Dyn 2017. [PMID: 28643368 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies reported the transfer of fluorescent labels between grafted and host cells after transplantation of photoreceptor precursor cells in the mouse retina. While clearly impacting the interpretation of transplantation studies in the retina, the potential impact of material transfer in other experimental paradigms using cell-specific labels remains uncertain. Here, we briefly review the evidence supporting material transfer in transplantation studies and discuss whether it might influence retinal cell lineage tracing experiments in developmental and regeneration studies. We also propose ways to control for the possible confounding occurrence of label exchange in such experiments. Developmental Dynamics 247:10-17, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Boudreau-Pinsonneault
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Cayouette
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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22
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Quinn PM, Pellissier LP, Wijnholds J. The CRB1 Complex: Following the Trail of Crumbs to a Feasible Gene Therapy Strategy. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:175. [PMID: 28424578 PMCID: PMC5380682 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Once considered science fiction, gene therapy is rapidly becoming scientific reality, targeting a growing number of the approximately 250 genes linked to hereditary retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa and Leber's congenital amaurosis. Powerful new technologies have emerged, leading to the development of humanized models for testing and screening these therapies, bringing us closer to the goal of personalized medicine. These tools include the ability to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create a “retina-in-a-dish” model and the self-formed ectodermal autonomous multi-zone, which can mimic whole eye development. In addition, highly specific gene-editing tools are now available, including the CRISPR/Cas9 system and the recently developed homology-independent targeted integration approach, which allows gene editing in non-dividing cells. Variants in the CRB1 gene have long been associated with retinopathies, and more recently the CRB2 gene has also been shown to have possible clinical relevance with respect to retinopathies. In this review, we discuss the role of the CRB protein complex in patients with retinopathy. In addition, we discuss new opportunities provided by stem cells and gene-editing tools, and we provide insight into how the retinal therapeutic pipeline can be improved. Finally, we discuss the current state of adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy and how it can be applied to treat retinopathies associated with mutations in CRB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Quinn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Unité Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR85, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR-7247, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation, Université François RabelaisNouzilly, France
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeiden, Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdam, Netherlands
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23
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Chen Y, Brooks MJ, Gieser L, Swaroop A, Palczewski K. Transcriptome profiling of NIH3T3 cell lines expressing opsin and the P23H opsin mutant identifies candidate drugs for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. Pharmacol Res 2016; 115:1-13. [PMID: 27838510 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian cells are commonly employed in screening assays to identify active compounds that could potentially affect the progression of different human diseases including retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a class of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration with compromised vision. Using transcriptome analysis, we compared NIH3T3 cells expressing wildtype (WT) rod opsin with a retinal disease-causing single P23H mutation. Surprisingly, heterologous expression of WT opsin in NIH3T3 cells caused more than a 2-fold change in 783 out of 16,888 protein coding transcripts. The perturbed genes encoded extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, cytoskeleton proteins, glycoproteins and metalloproteases involved in cell adhesion, morphology and migration. A different set of 347 transcripts was either up- or down-regulated when the P23H mutant opsin was expressed suggesting an altered molecular perturbation compared to WT opsin. Transcriptome perturbations elicited by drug candidates aimed at mitigating the effects of the mutant protein revealed that different drugs targeted distinct molecular pathways that resulted in a similar phenotype selected by a cell-based high-throughput screen. Thus, transcriptome profiling can provide essential information about the therapeutic potential of a candidate drug to restore normal gene expression in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
| | - Matthew J Brooks
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Linn Gieser
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory (N-NRL), National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Pharmacology, Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States.
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24
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Slavotinek AM. The Family of Crumbs Genes and Human Disease. Mol Syndromol 2016; 7:274-281. [PMID: 27867342 DOI: 10.1159/000448109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The family of vertebrate Crumbs proteins, homologous to Drosophila Crumbs (Crb), share large extracellular domains with epidermal growth factor-like repeats and laminin-globular domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short intracellular C-terminus containing a single membrane proximal 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin-binding domain and PSD-95/Discs large/ZO-1-binding motifs. There are 3 Crb genes in humans - Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1), Crumbs homolog-2 (CRB2), and Crumbs homolog-3 (CRB3). Bilallelic loss-of-function mutations in CRB1 cause visual impairment, with Leber's congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa, whereas CRB2 mutations are associated with raised maternal serum and amniotic fluid alpha feto-protein levels, ventriculomegaly/hydrocephalus, and renal disease, ranging from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis to congenital Finnish nephrosis. CRB3 has not yet been associated with human disease. In this review, we summarize the phenotypic findings associated with deleterious sequence variants in CRB1 and CRB2. We discuss the mutational spectrum, animal models of loss of function for both genes and speculate on the likely mechanisms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Slavotinek
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif., USA
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25
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Jaron R, Rosenfeld N, Zahdeh F, Carmi S, Beni-Adani L, Doviner V, Picard E, Segel R, Zeligson S, Carmel L, Renbaum P, Levy-Lahad E. Expanding the phenotype of CRB2 mutations - A new ciliopathy syndrome? Clin Genet 2016; 90:540-544. [PMID: 26925547 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recessive CRB2 mutations were recently reported to cause both steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome and prenatal onset ventriculomegaly with kidney disease. We report two Ashkenazi Jewish siblings clinically diagnosed with ciliopathy. Both presented with severe congenital hydrocephalus and mild urinary tract anomalies. One affected sibling also has lung hypoplasia and heart defects. Exome sequencing and further CRB2 analysis revealed that both siblings are compound heterozygotes for CRB2 mutations p.N800K and p.Gly1036Alafs*43, and heterozygous for a deleterious splice variant in the ciliopathy gene TTCB21. CRB2 is a polarity protein which plays a role in ciliogenesis and ciliary function. Biallelic CRB2 mutations in animal models result in phenotypes consistent with ciliopathy. This report expands the phenotype of CRB2 mutations to include lung hypoplasia and uretero-pelvic renal anomalies, and confirms cardiac malformation as a feature. We suggest that CRB2-associated disease is a new ciliopathy syndrome with possible digenic/triallelic inheritance, as observed in other ciliopathies. Clinically, CRB2 should be assessed when ciliopathy is suspected, especially in Ashkenazi Jews, where we found that p.N800K carrier frequency is 1 of 64. Patients harboring CRB2 mutations should be tested for the complete range of ciliopathy manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jaron
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - N Rosenfeld
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - F Zahdeh
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Hereditary Research Lab, Life Sciences Department, Bethlehem University, Bethlehem, Israel
| | - S Carmi
- Braun School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - L Beni-Adani
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.,Pediatric Neurology Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - V Doviner
- Department of Pathology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - E Picard
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.,Pediatric Pulmonary Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - R Segel
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S Zeligson
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - L Carmel
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - P Renbaum
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - E Levy-Lahad
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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26
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Dudok JJ, Murtaza M, Henrique Alves C, Rashbass P, Wijnholds J. Crumbs 2 prevents cortical abnormalities in mouse dorsal telencephalon. Neurosci Res 2016; 108:12-23. [PMID: 26802325 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The formation of a functionally integrated nervous system is dependent on a highly organized sequence of events that includes timely division and differentiation of progenitors. Several apical polarity proteins have been shown to play crucial roles during neurogenesis, however, the role of Crumbs 2 (CRB2) in cortical development has not previously been reported. Here, we show that conditional ablation of Crb2 in the murine dorsal telencephalon leads to defects in the maintenance of the apical complex. Furthermore, within the mutant dorsal telencephalon there is premature expression of differentiation proteins. We examined the physiological function of Crb2 on wild type genetic background as well as on background lacking Crb1. Telencephalon lacking CRB2 resulted in reduced levels of PALS1 and CRB3 from the apical complex, an increased number of mitotic cells and expanded neuronal domain. These defects are transient and therefore only result in rather mild cortical abnormalities. We show that CRB2 is required for maintenance of the apical polarity complex during development of the cortex and regulation of cell division, and that loss of CRB2 results in cortical abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus J Dudok
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariyam Murtaza
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - C Henrique Alves
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pen Rashbass
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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27
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Paniagua AE, Herranz-Martín S, Jimeno D, Jimeno ÁM, López-Benito S, Carlos Arévalo J, Velasco A, Aijón J, Lillo C. CRB2 completes a fully expressed Crumbs complex in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14504. [PMID: 26404741 PMCID: PMC4585915 DOI: 10.1038/srep14504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRB proteins CRB1, CRB2 and CRB3 are members of the cell polarity complex Crumbs in mammals that together with Scribble and Par complexes stablish the polarity of a variety of cell types. Although many members of the Crumbs complex proteins are expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and even though the mRNA of CRB2 has been detected in ARPE-19 cells and in the RPE/Choroid, to date no CRB protein has yet been found in this tissue. To investigate this possibility, we generated an antibody that specifically recognize the mouse CRB2 protein, and we demonstrate the expression of CRB2 in mouse RPE. Confocal analysis shows that CRB2 is restricted to the apicolateral membrane of RPE cells, and more precisely, in the tight junctions. Our study identified CRB2 as the member of the CRB protein family that is present together with the rest of the components of the Crumbs complex in the RPE apico-lateral cell membrane. Considering that the functions of CRB proteins are decisive in the establishment and maintenance of cell-cell junctions in several epithelial-derived cell types, we believe that these findings are a relevant starting point for unraveling the functions that CRB2 might perform in the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio E Paniagua
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Saúl Herranz-Martín
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - David Jimeno
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ángela M Jimeno
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Saray López-Benito
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Arévalo
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Almudena Velasco
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José Aijón
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Concepción Lillo
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León, IBSAL, Cell Biology and Pathology, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
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28
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Ueki Y, Wilken MS, Cox KE, Chipman LB, Bermingham-McDonogh O, Reh TA. A transient wave of BMP signaling in the retina is necessary for Müller glial differentiation. Development 2015; 142:533-43. [PMID: 25605781 PMCID: PMC4302996 DOI: 10.1242/dev.118745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The primary glial cells in the retina, the Müller glia, differentiate from retinal progenitors in the first postnatal week. CNTF/LIF/STAT3 signaling has been shown to promote their differentiation; however, another key glial differentiation signal, BMP, has not been examined during this period of Müller glial differentiation. In the course of our analysis of the BMP signaling pathway, we observed a transient wave of Smad1/5/8 signaling in the inner nuclear layer at the end of the first postnatal week, from postnatal day (P) 5 to P9, after the end of neurogenesis. To determine the function of this transient wave, we blocked BMP signaling during this period in vitro or in vivo, using either a BMP receptor antagonist or noggin (Nog). Either treatment leads to a reduction in expression of the Müller glia-specific genes Rlbp1 and Glul, and the failure of many of the Müller glia to repress the bipolar/photoreceptor gene Otx2. These changes in normal Müller glial differentiation result in permanent disruption of the retina, including defects in the outer limiting membrane, rosette formation and a reduction in functional acuity. Our results thus show that Müller glia require a transient BMP signal at the end of neurogenesis to fully repress the neural gene expression program and to promote glial gene expression. Summary: BMP signalling is transiently activated in the postnatal mouse retina to terminate the neurogenic program and promote the expression of glial-specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Ueki
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew S Wilken
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kristen E Cox
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Laura B Chipman
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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29
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Pellissier LP, Quinn PM, Alves CH, Vos RM, Klooster J, Flannery JG, Heimel JA, Wijnholds J. Gene therapy into photoreceptors and Müller glial cells restores retinal structure and function in CRB1 retinitis pigmentosa mouse models. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:3104-18. [PMID: 25701872 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Crumbs-homologue-1 (CRB1) gene lead to severe recessive inherited retinal dystrophies. Gene transfer therapy is the most promising cure for retinal dystrophies and has primarily been applied for recessive null conditions via a viral gene expression vector transferring a cDNA encoding an enzyme or channel protein, and targeting expression to one cell type. Therapy for the human CRB1 disease will be more complex, as CRB1 is a structural and signaling transmembrane protein present in three cell classes: Müller glia, cone and rod photoreceptors. In this study, we applied CRB1 and CRB2 gene therapy vectors in Crb1-retinitis pigmentosa mouse models at mid-stage disease. We tested if CRB expression restricted to Müller glial cells or photoreceptors or co-expression in both is required to recover retinal function. We show that targeting both Müller glial cells and photoreceptors with CRB2 ameliorated retinal function and structure in Crb1 mouse models. Surprisingly, targeting a single cell type or all cell types with CRB1 reduced retinal function. We show here the first pre-clinical studies for CRB1-related eye disorders using CRB2 vectors and initial elucidation of the cellular mechanisms underlying CRB1 function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - John G Flannery
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA and
| | - J Alexander Heimel
- Department of Cortical Structure & Function, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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30
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Pellissier LP, Lundvig DMS, Tanimoto N, Klooster J, Vos RM, Richard F, Sothilingam V, Garcia Garrido M, Le Bivic A, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. CRB2 acts as a modifying factor of CRB1-related retinal dystrophies in mice. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:3759-71. [PMID: 24565864 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the CRB1 gene lead to retinal dystrophies ranging from Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) to early-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP), due to developmental defects or loss of adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller glia cells, respectively. Whereas over 150 mutations have been found, no clear genotype-phenotype correlation has been established. Mouse Crb1 knockout retinas show a mild phenotype limited to the inferior quadrant, whereas Crb2 knockout retinas display a severe degeneration throughout the retina mimicking the phenotype observed in RP patients associated with CRB1 mutations. Crb1Crb2 double mutant retinas have severe developmental defects similar to the phenotype observed in LCA patients associated with CRB1 mutations. Therefore, CRB2 is a candidate modifying gene of human CRB1-related retinal dystrophy. In this study, we studied the cellular localization of CRB1 and CRB2 in human retina and tested the influence of the Crb2 gene allele on Crb1-retinal dystrophies in mice. We found that in contrast to mice, in the human retina CRB1 protein was expressed at the subapical region in photoreceptors and Müller glia cells, and CRB2 only in Müller glia cells. Genetic ablation of one allele of Crb2 in heterozygote Crb1(+/-) retinas induced a mild retinal phenotype, but in homozygote Crb1 knockout mice lead to an early and severe phenotype limited to the entire inferior retina. Our data provide mechanistic insight for CRB1-related LCA and RP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Naoyuki Tanimoto
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | - Jan Klooster
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam 1105 BA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Fabrice Richard
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7288, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Case 907, Marseille, Cedex 09 13288, France
| | - Vithiyanjali Sothilingam
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | - Marina Garcia Garrido
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
| | - André Le Bivic
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, UMR 7288, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Case 907, Marseille, Cedex 09 13288, France
| | - Mathias W Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany and
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31
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Establishment of transgenic lines to monitor and manipulate Yap/Taz-Tead activity in zebrafish reveals both evolutionarily conserved and divergent functions of the Hippo pathway. Mech Dev 2014; 133:177-88. [PMID: 24560909 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of Hippo pathway signaling during vertebrate development transgenic zebrafish lines were generated and validated to dynamically monitor and manipulate Yap/Taz-Tead activity. Spatial and temporal analysis of Yap/Taz-Tead activity suggested the importance of Hippo signaling during cardiac precursor migration and other developmental processes. When the transcriptional co-activators, Yap and Taz were restricted from interacting with DNA-binding Tead transcription factors through expression of a dominant negative transgene, cardiac precursors failed to migrate completely to the midline resulting in strong cardia bifida. Yap/Taz-Tead activity reporters also allowed us to investigate upstream and downstream factors known to regulate Hippo signaling output in Drosophila. While Crumbs mutations in Drosophila eye disc epithelia increase nuclear translocation and activity of Yorkie (the fly homolog of Yap/Taz), zebrafish crb2a mutants lacked nuclear Yap positive cells and down-regulated Yap/Taz-Tead activity reporters in the eye epithelia, despite the loss of apical-basal cell polarity in those cells. However, as an example of evolutionary conservation, the Tondu-domain containing protein Vestigial-like 4b (Vgll4b) was found to down-regulate endogenous Yap/Taz-Tead activity in the retinal pigment epithelium, similar to Drosophila Tgi in imaginal discs. In conclusion, the Yap/Taz-Tead activity reporters revealed the dynamics of Yap/Taz-Tead signaling and novel insights into Hippo pathway regulation for vertebrates. These studies highlight the utility of this transgenic tool-suite for ongoing analysis into the mechanisms of Hippo pathway regulation and the consequences of signaling output.
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Alves CH, Pellissier LP, Wijnholds J. The CRB1 and adherens junction complex proteins in retinal development and maintenance. Prog Retin Eye Res 2014; 40:35-52. [PMID: 24508727 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The early developing retinal neuroepithelium is composed of multipotent retinal progenitor cells that differentiate in a time specific manner, giving rise to six major types of neuronal and one type of glial cells. These cells migrate and organize in three distinct nuclear layers divided by two plexiform layers. Apical and adherens junction complexes have a crucial role in this process by the establishment of polarity and adhesion. Changes in these complexes disturb the spatiotemporal aspects of retinogenesis, leading to retinal degeneration resulting in mild or severe impairment of retinal function and vision. In this review, we summarize the mouse models for the different members of the apical and adherens junction protein complexes and describe the main features of their retinal phenotypes. The knowledge acquired from the different mutant animals for these proteins corroborate their importance in retina development and maintenance of normal retinal structure and function. More recently, several studies have tried to unravel the connection between the apical proteins, important cellular signaling pathways and their relation in retina development. Still, the mechanisms by which these proteins function remain largely unknown. Here, we hypothesize how the mammalian apical CRB1 complex might control retinogenesis and prevents onset of Leber congenital amaurosis or retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celso Henrique Alves
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Neuromedical Genetics, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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33
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Alves CH, Pellissier LP, Vos RM, Garcia Garrido M, Sothilingam V, Seide C, Beck SC, Klooster J, Furukawa T, Flannery JG, Verhaagen J, Seeliger MW, Wijnholds J. Targeted ablation of Crb2 in photoreceptor cells induces retinitis pigmentosa. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:3384-401. [PMID: 24493795 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene is mutated in autosomal recessive Leber congenital amaurosis and early-onset retinitis pigmentosa. In mammals, the Crumbs family is composed of: CRB1, CRB2, CRB3A and CRB3B. Recently, we showed that removal of mouse Crb2 from retinal progenitor cells, and consequent removal from Müller glial and photoreceptor cells, results in severe and progressive retinal degeneration with concomitant loss of retinal function that mimics retinitis pigmentosa due to mutations in the CRB1 gene. Here, we studied the effects of cell-type-specific loss of CRB2 from the developing mouse retina using targeted conditional deletion of Crb2 in photoreceptors or Müller cells. We analyzed the consequences of targeted loss of CRB2 in the adult mouse retina using adeno-associated viral vectors encoding Cre recombinase and short hairpin RNA against Crb2. In vivo retinal imaging by means of optical coherence tomography on retinas lacking CRB2 in photoreceptors showed progressive thinning of the photoreceptor layer and cellular mislocalization. Electroretinogram recordings under scotopic conditions showed severe attenuation of the a-wave, confirming the degeneration of photoreceptors. Retinas lacking CRB2 in developing photoreceptors showed early onset of abnormal lamination, whereas retinas lacking CRB2 in developing Müller cells showed late onset retinal disorganization. Our data suggest that in the developing retina, CRB2 has redundant functions in Müller glial cells, while CRB2 has essential functions in photoreceptors. Our data suggest that short-term loss of CRB2 in adult mouse photoreceptors, but not in Müller glial cells, causes sporadic loss of adhesion between photoreceptors and Müller cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marina Garcia Garrido
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | - Vithiyanjali Sothilingam
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | - Christina Seide
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | - Susanne C Beck
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
| | | | - Takahisa Furukawa
- Institute for Protein Research & CREST-JST, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan Department of Developmental Biology, Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Osaka, Japan and
| | - John G Flannery
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Department of Neuroregeneration, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathias W Seeliger
- Division of Ocular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen D-72076, Germany
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