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Wang Y, Snell A, Dyka FM, Colvin ER, Ildefonso C, Ash JD, Lobanova ES. Overexpression of Nfe2l1 increases proteasome activity and delays vision loss in a preclinical model of human blindness. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd5479. [PMID: 37450596 PMCID: PMC10348684 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add5479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Proteasomes are the central proteolytic machines that are critical for breaking down most of the damaged and abnormal proteins in human cells. Although universally applicable drugs are not yet available, the stimulation of proteasomal activity is being analyzed as a proof-of-principle strategy to increase cellular resistance to a broad range of proteotoxic stressors. These approaches have included the stimulation of proteasomes through the overexpression of individual proteasome subunits, phosphorylation, or conformational changes induced by small molecules or peptides. In contrast to these approaches, we evaluated a transcription-driven increase in the total proteasome pool to enhance the proteolytic capacity of degenerating retinal neurons. We show that overexpression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-like 1 (Nfe2l1) transcription factor stimulated proteasome biogenesis and activity, improved the clearance of the ubiquitin-proteasomal reporter, and delayed photoreceptor neuron loss in a preclinical mouse model of human blindness caused by misfolded proteins. The findings highlight Nfe2l1 as an emerging therapeutic target to treat neurodegenerative diseases linked to protein misfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Aaron Snell
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Frank M. Dyka
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Colvin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Cristhian Ildefonso
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John D. Ash
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Ekaterina S. Lobanova
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Wang Y, Lobanova ES. Methods for In Vivo Characterization of Proteostasis in the Mouse Retina. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1415:383-387. [PMID: 37440061 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies connect inherited and age-related retinal degenerations with changes in the regulation of proteostasis. Here, we describe technical aspects of existing assays allowing to assess the status of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), changes in autophagy, and protein translation in mouse retina in vivo. These methods are helpful for the development and testing approaches to modulate proteostasis and delay vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ekaterina S Lobanova
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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3
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Kolesnikov AV, Lobysheva E, Gnana-Prakasam JP, Kefalov VJ, Kisselev OG. Regulation of rod photoreceptor function by farnesylated G-protein γ-subunits. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272506. [PMID: 35939447 PMCID: PMC9359561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G-protein transducin, Gt, is a key signal transducer and amplifier in retinal rod and cone photoreceptor cells. Despite similar subunit composition, close amino acid identity, and identical posttranslational farnesylation of their Gγ subunits, rods and cones rely on unique Gγ1 (Gngt1) and Gγc (Gngt2) isoforms, respectively. The only other farnesylated G-protein γ-subunit, Gγ11 (Gng11), is expressed in multiple tissues but not retina. To determine whether Gγ1 regulates uniquely rod phototransduction, we generated transgenic rods expressing Gγ1, Gγc, or Gγ11 in Gγ1-deficient mice and analyzed their properties. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting demonstrated the robust expression of each transgenic Gγ in rod cells and restoration of Gαt1 expression, which is greatly reduced in Gγ1-deficient rods. Electroretinography showed restoration of visual function in all three transgenic Gγ1-deficient lines. Recordings from individual transgenic rods showed that photosensitivity impaired in Gγ1-deficient rods was also fully restored. In all dark-adapted transgenic lines, Gαt1 was targeted to the outer segments, reversing its diffuse localization found in Gγ1-deficient rods. Bright illumination triggered Gαt1 translocation from the rod outer to inner segments in all three transgenic strains. However, Gαt1 translocation in Gγ11 transgenic mice occurred at significantly dimmer background light. Consistent with this, transretinal ERG recordings revealed gradual response recovery in moderate background illumination in Gγ11 transgenic mice but not in Gγ1 controls. Thus, while farnesylated Gγ subunits are functionally active and largely interchangeable in supporting rod phototransduction, replacement of retina-specific Gγ isoforms by the ubiquitous Gγ11 affects the ability of rods to adapt to background light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Kolesnikov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Elena Lobysheva
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jaya P. Gnana-Prakasam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Vladimir J. Kefalov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Oleg G. Kisselev
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Vats A, Xi Y, Feng B, Clinger OD, St Leger AJ, Liu X, Ghosh A, Dermond CD, Lathrop KL, Tochtrop GP, Picaud S, Chen Y. Non-retinoid chaperones improve rhodopsin homeostasis in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. JCI Insight 2022; 7:153717. [PMID: 35472194 PMCID: PMC9220944 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.153717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodopsin-associated (RHO-associated) retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a progressive retinal disease that currently has no cure. RHO protein misfolding leads to disturbed proteostasis and the death of rod photoreceptors, resulting in decreased vision. We previously identified nonretinoid chaperones of RHO, including YC-001 and F5257-0462, by small-molecule high-throughput screening. Here, we profile the chaperone activities of these molecules toward the cell-surface level of 27 RP-causing human RHO mutants in NIH3T3 cells. Furthermore, using retinal explant culture, we show that YC-001 improves retinal proteostasis by supporting RHO homeostasis in RhoP23H/+ mouse retinae, which results in thicker outer nuclear layers (ONL), indicating delayed photoreceptor degeneration. Interestingly, YC-001 ameliorated retinal immune responses and reduced the number of microglia/macrophages in the RhoP23H/+ retinal explants. Similarly, F5257-0462 also protects photoreceptors in RhoP23H/+ retinal explants. In vivo, intravitreal injection of YC-001 or F5257-0462 microparticles in PBS shows that F5257-0462 has a higher efficacy in preserving photoreceptor function and delaying photoreceptor death in RhoP23H/+ mice. Collectively, we provide proof of principle that nonretinoid chaperones are promising drug candidates in treating RHO-associated RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Vats
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Yibo Xi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Bing Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Owen D Clinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Anthony J St Leger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Xujie Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Archisha Ghosh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Chase D Dermond
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Kira L Lathrop
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Gregory P Tochtrop
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States of America
| | - Serge Picaud
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
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Sen M, Al-Amin M, Kicková E, Sadeghi A, Puranen J, Urtti A, Caliceti P, Salmaso S, Arango-Gonzalez B, Ueffing M. Retinal neuroprotection by controlled release of a VCP inhibitor from self-assembled nanoparticles. J Control Release 2021; 339:307-320. [PMID: 34606936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in rhodopsin lead to its misfolding resulting in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). Pharmacological inhibition of the ATP-driven chaperone valosin-containing protein (VCP), a molecular checkpoint for protein quality control, slows down retinal degeneration in animal models. However, poor water-solubility of VCP inhibitors poses a challenge to their clinical translation as intravitreal injections for retinal treatment. In order to enable the delivery of VCP inhibitors, we have developed and investigated two formulations for the VCP inhibitor ML240. Nanoformulations of ML240 were obtained by using amphiphilic polymers methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)5kDa-cholane (mPEG5kDa-cholane) and methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)5kDa-cholesterol (mPEG5kDa-cholesterol). Both formulations increased the water-solubility of ML240 by two orders of magnitude and prolonged the drug released over ten days. In addition, encapsulation of ML240 in mPEG5kDa-cholane showed superior photoreceptor protection at lower drug concentrations, normalized rhodopsin localization, and alleviated inflammatory microglial responses in an ex vivo rat model of retinal degeneration. The study demonstrates the potential of VCP inhibitor nanoformulations to treat adRP, a pharmacologically orphan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Sen
- Centre for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Md Al-Amin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Eva Kicková
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Amir Sadeghi
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jooseppi Puranen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arto Urtti
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paolo Caliceti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Salmaso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Blanca Arango-Gonzalez
- Centre for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Centre for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Xu L, Brown EE, Santiago CP, Keuthan CJ, Lobanova E, Ash JD. Retinal homeostasis and metformin-induced protection are not affected by retina-specific Pparδ knockout. Redox Biol 2020; 37:101700. [PMID: 32863184 PMCID: PMC7767733 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of three nuclear hormone receptors (PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ) that are known to regulate expression of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress genes. Given their role in reducing oxidative stress in a variety of tissues, these genes are likely important for retinal homeostasis. This hypothesis has been further supported by recent studies suggesting that PPAR-activating drugs are protective against retinal degenerations. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of PPARδ in the neuroretina. RNA-seq data show that Pparα and Pparδ are both expressed in the retina, but that Pparδ is expressed at 4-fold higher levels. Single-cell RNAseq data show that Pparδ is broadly expressed in all retinal cell types. To determine the importance of Pparδ to the retina, we generated retina-specific Pparδ knockout mice. We found that deletion of Pparδ had a minimal effect on retinal function or morphology out to 12 months of age and did not increase retinal sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by exposure to bright light. While data show that PPARδ levels were increased by the drug metformin, PPARδ was not necessary for metformin-induced protection from light damage. These data suggest that Pparδ either has a redundant function with Pparα or is not essential for normal neuroretina function or resistance to oxidative stress. PPARδ is not essential for neuroretinal development or retinal structure or function. Deletion of PPARδ in the neuroretina does not enhance degeneration due to light-induced damage. Metformin-induced neuroprotection is not mediated by PPARδ activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Emily E Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Clayton P Santiago
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Casey J Keuthan
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ekaterina Lobanova
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 32610, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - John D Ash
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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