Bioinformatics analysis to identify the differentially expressed genes of glaucoma

The aim of the present study was to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with glaucoma and investigate the changing patterns of the expression of these genes. The GSE2378 gene microarray data of glaucoma was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which included seven normal samples and eight glaucoma astrocyte samples. Taking into account the corresponding associations between the probe ID and gene symbols, the DEGs were identified prior to and subsequent to the summation of probe level values using the Limma package in R language, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses. Interaction networks of the DEGs were constructed using the Biomolecular Interaction Network Database, and cluster analysis of the genes in the networks was performed using ClusterONE. Subsequent to the summation of probe value, a total of 223 genes were identified as DEGs between the normal and glaucoma samples, including 74 downregulated and 149 upregulated genes. In addition, the DEGs were found to be associated with several functions, including response to wounding, extracellular region part and calcium ion binding. The most significantly enriched pathways were complement and coagulation cascades, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction. Furthermore, interaction networks were constructed of the DEGs prior to and subsequent to the summation of probe values, and HNF4A and CEBPD were identified as hub genes. Additionally, 37 and 31 GO terms were identified to be enriched in the two DEGs of the networks prior to and subsequent to summation, respectively. The results indicated the identified genes associated with ECM as important, and the CEBPD gene was considered to be a critical gene in glaucoma. The findings of the present study offer a potential reference value in further investigations of glaucoma at the gene level.

Induction of interleukin-6 in human retinal epithelial cells by an attenuated Herpes simplex virus vector requires viral replication and NFkappaB activation

Gene delivery has potential for treating ocular disease and a number of delivery systems have been tested in animal models. However, several viral vectors have been shown to trigger undesirable transient inflammatory responses in the eye. Previously, it was shown that an attenuated Herpes simplex virus vector (hrR3) transduced numerous cell types in the anterior and posterior segments of monkey eyes, but this was accompanied by inflammation. In the retina, retinal pigment epithelial cells were the predominant cell type transduced by hrR3. IL-6 is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine and may play a role in the response to the hrR3 vector. Infection of human ARPE-19 cells with hrR3 resulted in increased IL-6 expression and secretion 3-4h post-infection. In the presence of acyclovir (70 microM) or in cells infected with UV-inactivated hrR3, IL-6 was not up-regulated indicating viral replication was required. Expression of the HSV-1 alpha and beta genes may be necessary but was not sufficient for NF-kappaB activation and IL-6 up-regulation. The translocation of NF-kappaB into the nucleus also occurred between 3 and 4h post-infection, coincident with increased IL-6 expression. Inhibition of NF-kappaB translocation by an Adenovirus vector expressing a dominant negative IkappaB (AdIkappaBam) inhibited IL-6 up-regulation, indicating that NF-kappaB plays a role in increasing IL-6 expression in APRE-19 cells. The hrR3 virus lacks viral ribonucleotide reductase (RR) activity, thus RR is not required for NF-kappaB activation or IL-6 up-regulation in ARPE-19 cells.

Enhancing trabecular outflow by disrupting the actin cytoskeleton, increasing uveoscleral outflow with prostaglandins, and understanding the pathophysiology of presbyopia interrogating Mother Nature: asking why, asking how, recognizing the signs, following the trail

Several major areas of work by the author and his international collaborators are reviewed. (1) The ciliary muscle in the non-human primate eye was disinserted at the scleral spur. Pilocarpine was then ineffective in increasing outflow facility, indicating that ciliary muscle contraction mediated the IOP-lowering effect of muscarinic cholinergics. (2) Compounds such as cytochalasins, H-7 and latrunculin A/B, which alter the actin cytoskeleton, cellular contractility and cellular adhesions in cultured trabecular meshwork cells, relaxed trabecular pathway cells and consequently the meshwork itself so as to decrease IOP and enhance trabecular outflow facility in non-human primates. Gene transfer approaches utilizing C3 and caldesmon over-expression by viral vectors to target specific steps in the cellular contractility/cytoskeleton/cell adhesion cascades characteristically altered trabecular meshwork cell morphology and increased outflow facility in organ-cultured anterior segments. (3) Prostaglandin F(2alpha) analogues enhanced matrix metalloproteinase production by ciliary muscle cells and scleral fibroblasts, leading to remodeling of the extracellular matrix of the ciliary muscle and sclera and consequently to increased uveoscleral outflow and decreased IOP in primates. (4) The rhesus monkey was an excellent model for human presbyopia, losing the accommodative response to cholinergic stimulation in the same timeframe relative to lifespan. No changes were found in ciliary muscle enzymes involved in acetylcholine biosynthesis or degradation or in muscarinic receptor numbers or affinity. Contractility of isolated ciliary muscle did not diminish with age, but posterior ciliary muscle attachments stiffened, suggesting a possible role in restricting muscle and consequently lens movement during accommodation. A model to reproducibly stimulate accommodation through central stimulation of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus was developed. Goniovideography and ultrasound biomicroscopic techniques allowed real-time recording and analysis of the accommodation-relevant structures. Surgical ablation of the intraocular structures involved in the accommodation response has led to further understanding of their roles and changes with age related to presbyopia. (5) Global collaborations such as those involved in these studies will be essential in the future, as science becomes "bigger".