1
|
Araj H. Consilience and unity in ocular anterior segment research. Int J Ophthalmol 2024; 17:1173-1183. [PMID: 39026918 PMCID: PMC11246940 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.07.01] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In his beautiful book, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, the eminent biologist Edward O Wilson, advocates the need for integration and reconciliation across the sciences. He defines consilience as "literally a 'jumping together' of knowledge with a linking of facts ... to create a common groundwork of explanation". It is the premise of this paper that as much as basic biomedical research is in need of data generation using the latest available techniques- unifying available knowledge is just as critical. This involves the necessity to resolve contradictory findings, reduce silos, and acknowledge complexity. We take the cornea and the lens as case studies of our premise. Specifically, in this perspective, we discuss the conflicting and fragmented information on protein aggregation, oxidative damage, and fibrosis. These are fields of study that are integrally tied to anterior segment research. Our goal is to highlight the vital need for Wilson's consilience and unity of knowledge which in turn should lead to enhanced rigor and reproducibility, and most importantly, to greater understanding and not simply knowing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houmam Araj
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fujimoto T, Inoue-Mochita M, Inoue T. A ROCK inhibitor suppresses the transforming growth factor-beta-2-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition in Schlemm's canal endothelial cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9655. [PMID: 37316554 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36808-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the normal eye, most of the aqueous humor drains through the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC). The concentration of transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) is increased in the aqueous humor of primary open angle glaucoma patients. TGF-β2 increases outflow resistance by affecting the TM and SC, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of SC cells is involved in these changes. Here, we investigated the effect of a ROCK inhibitor on TGF-β2-induced EndMT in SC cells. The ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 suppressed the TGF-β2-induced increase in the trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TER) and proliferation of SC cells. Y-27632 suppressed the expression of α-SMA, N-cadherin, and Snail, which are upregulated by TGF-β2. Moreover, TGF-β2 decreased mRNA levels of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 and increased those of the BMP antagonist gremlin (GREM1), but Y-27632 significantly suppressed these changes. Y-27632 also inhibited TGF-β2-induced phosphorylation of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). BMP4 and the p-38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 suppressed the TGF-β2-induced TER elevation in SC cells. Moreover, SB203580 suppressed TGF-β2-induced upregulation of fibronectin, Snail, and GREM1. These results indicate that a ROCK inhibitor inhibited the TGF-β2-induced EndMT in SC cells, implying the involvement of p38 MAPK and BMP4 signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Fujimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
| | - Miyuki Inoue-Mochita
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Inoue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rad LM, Yumashev AV, Hussen BM, Jamad HH, Ghafouri-Fard S, Taheri M, Rostami S, Niazi V, Hajiesmaeili M. Therapeutic Potential of Microvesicles in Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine of Ocular Diseases With an Especial Focus on Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Microvesicles. Front Genet 2022; 13:847679. [PMID: 35422841 PMCID: PMC9001951 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.847679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
These days, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), because of immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic abilities, are known as inevitable factors in regenerative medicine and cell therapy in different diseases such as ocular disorder. Moreover, researchers have indicated that exosome possess an essential potential in the therapeutic application of ocular disease. MSC-derived exosome (MSC-DE) have been identified as efficient as MSCs for treatment of eye injuries due to their small size and rapid diffusion all over the eye. MSC-DEs easily transfer their ingredients such as miRNAs, proteins, and cytokines to the inner layer in the eye and increase the reconstruction of the injured area. Furthermore, MSC-DEs deliver their immunomodulatory cargos in inflamed sites and inhibit immune cell migration, resulting in improvement of autoimmune uveitis. Interestingly, therapeutic effects were shown only in animal models that received MSC-DE. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic potential of MSCs and MSC-DE in cell therapy and regenerative medicine of ocular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Moallemi Rad
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Alexey V Yumashev
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq.,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Hazha Hadayat Jamad
- Department of Biology, College of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Samaneh Rostami
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciecnes, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Vahid Niazi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Hajiesmaeili
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Critical Care Quality Improvement Research Center, Loghman Hakin Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Factors Affecting Posterior Capsule Opacification in the Development of Intraocular Lens Materials. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060860. [PMID: 34200928 PMCID: PMC8230425 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the most common complication arising from the corrective surgery used to treat cataract patients. PCO arises when lens epithelial cells (LEC) residing in the capsular bag post-surgery undergo hyper-proliferation and transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, migrating from the posterior capsule over the visual axis of the newly implanted intraocular lens (IOL). The developmental pathways underlying PCO are yet to be fully understood and the current literature is contradictory regarding the impact of the recognised risk factors of PCO. The aim of this review is firstly to collate the known biochemical pathways that lead to PCO development, providing an up-to-date chronological overview from surgery to established PCO formation. Secondly, the risk factors of PCO are evaluated, focussing on the impact of IOLs’ properties. Finally, the latest experimental model designs used in PCO research are discussed to demonstrate the ongoing development of clinical PCO models, the efficacy of newly developed IOL technology, and potential therapeutic interventions. This review will contribute to current PCO literature by presenting an updated overview of the known developmental pathways of PCO, an evaluation of the impact of the risk factors underlying its development, and the latest experimental models used to investigate PCO. Furthermore, the review should provide developmental routes for research into the investigation of potential therapeutic interventions and improvements in IOL design in the aid of preventing PCO for new and existing patients.
Collapse
|
5
|
Decorin inhibits glucose-induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis via suppressing p22phox-p38 MAPK signaling pathway. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0224251. [PMID: 32339204 PMCID: PMC7185589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the effect of decorin on oxidative stress and apoptosis of human lens epithelial (HLE) cells under high glucose condition. METHODS HLE cell line (HLEB3) was incubated in normal glucose (5.5 mM) or high glucose (60 mM) medium. Decorin (50 nM) was applied 2 hours before high glucose medium was added. Apoptosis detection was executed by flow cytometry and western blotting (analysis of bcl-2 and bax). Oxidative stress level was measured by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, the expression of p22phox of HLE cells and human lens anterior capsules were detected by western blotting. Small interfering RNA transfection to p22phox and p38 MAPK was also carried out on HLEB3. RESULTS High glucose caused HLE cells oxidative stress and apoptosis exhibiting the increase of apoptotic cells and ROS production and decrease of bcl-2/bax ratio, GSH/GSSG ration and SOD activity. P22phox and phospho-p38 MAPK were upregulated in high glucose treated HLEB3 cells. Knocking down p22phox or p38 by siRNAs can reduce high glucose induced cell apoptosis and oxidative stress level. Silencing p22phox by siRNA can downregulate the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Decorin can inhibit the apoptosis, oxidative stress level and the induction of p22phox and phospho-p38 of HLEB3 induced by high glucose. Furthermore, the expression of p22phox and p38 were found significantly increased in lens anterior capsules of diabetic cataract patients compared to that of normal age-related cataract patients. CONCLUSIONS Results showed that p22phox-p38 pathway may be participated in high glucose induced lens epithelial cell injury, decorin may inhibit the high glucose induced apoptosis and oxidative stress injury by suppressing this pathway in part.
Collapse
|
6
|
Current Trends and Future Perspective of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Exosomes in Corneal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122853. [PMID: 31212734 PMCID: PMC6627168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The corneal functions (transparency, refractivity and mechanical strength) deteriorate in many corneal diseases but can be restored after corneal transplantation (penetrating and lamellar keratoplasties). However, the global shortage of transplantable donor corneas remains significant and patients are subject to life-long risk of immune response and graft rejection. Various studies have shown the differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into various corneal cell types. With the unique properties of immunomodulation, anti-angiogenesis and anti-inflammation, they offer the advantages in corneal reconstruction. These effects are widely mediated by MSC differentiation and paracrine signaling via exosomes. Besides the cell-free nature of exosomes in circumventing the problems of cell-fate control and tumorigenesis, the vesicle content can be genetically modified for optimal therapeutic affinity. The pharmacology and toxicology, xeno-free processing with sustained delivery, scale-up production in compliant to Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, and cost-effectiveness are the current foci of research. Routes of administration via injection, topical and/or engineered bioscaffolds are also explored for its applicability in treating corneal diseases.
Collapse
|