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Shen S, Zhang Y. Restoration of corneal epithelial barrier function: A possible target for corneal neovascularization. Ocul Surf 2024; 34:38-49. [PMID: 38901546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2024.06.003] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is the second leading common cause of vision impairment worldwide and is a blinding pathological alteration brought on by ocular trauma, infection, and other factors. There are some limitations in the treatment of CoNV, hence it's critical to look into novel therapeutic targets. The corneal epithelial barrier, which is the initial barrier of the ocular surface, is an important structure that shields the eye from changes in the internal environment or invasion by the external environment. This study sought to collate evidence on the regulation of corneal epithelial barrier injury on the activation of vascular endothelial cells (VECs), basement membrane (BM) degradation, differentiation, migration, and proliferation of VECs, vascular maturation and stability, and other key processes in CoNV, so as to provide a novel concept for CoNV therapy targeting corneal epithelial barrier repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitong Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130041, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130041, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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2
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Buonfiglio F, Wasielica-Poslednik J, Pfeiffer N, Gericke A. Diabetic Keratopathy: Redox Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Prospects. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:120. [PMID: 38247544 PMCID: PMC10812573 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010120] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus, the most prevalent endocrine disorder, not only impacts the retina but also significantly involves the ocular surface. Diabetes contributes to the development of dry eye disease and induces morphological and functional corneal alterations, particularly affecting nerves and epithelial cells. These changes manifest as epithelial defects, reduced sensitivity, and delayed wound healing, collectively encapsulated in the context of diabetic keratopathy. In advanced stages of this condition, the progression to corneal ulcers and scarring further unfolds, eventually leading to corneal opacities. This critical complication hampers vision and carries the potential for irreversible visual loss. The primary objective of this review article is to offer a comprehensive overview of the pathomechanisms underlying diabetic keratopathy. Emphasis is placed on exploring the redox molecular pathways responsible for the aberrant structural changes observed in the cornea and tear film during diabetes. Additionally, we provide insights into the latest experimental findings concerning potential treatments targeting oxidative stress. This endeavor aims to enhance our understanding of the intricate interplay between diabetes and ocular complications, offering valuable perspectives for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Buonfiglio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (J.W.-P.); (N.P.)
| | | | | | - Adrian Gericke
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (J.W.-P.); (N.P.)
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Ebrahim AS, Carion TW, Ebrahim T, Win J, Kani H, Wang Y, Stambersky A, Ibrahim AS, Sosne G, Berger EA. A Novel Combination Therapy Tβ4/VIP Protects against Hyperglycemia-Induced Changes in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:974. [PMID: 37998149 PMCID: PMC10669755 DOI: 10.3390/bios13110974] [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] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, the majority of adult diabetic patients develop visually debilitating corneal complications, including impaired wound healing. Unfortunately, there is limited treatment for diabetes-induced corneal damage. The current project investigates a novel, peptide-based combination therapy, thymosin beta-4 and vasoactive intestinal peptide (Tβ4/VIP), against high-glucose-induced damage to the corneal epithelium. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used for real-time monitoring of barrier function and wound healing of human corneal epithelial cells maintained in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± Tβ4 (0.1%) and VIP (5 nM). Barrier integrity was assessed by resistance, impedance, and capacitance measurements. For the wound healing assay, cell migration was also monitored. Corneal epithelial tight junction proteins (ZO-1, ZO-2, occludin, and claudin-1) were assessed to confirm our findings. Barrier integrity and wound healing were significantly impaired under high-glucose conditions. However, barrier function and cell migration significantly improved with Tβ4/VIP treatment. These findings were supported by high-glucose-induced downregulation of tight junction proteins that were effectively maintained similar to normal levels when treated with Tβ4/VIP. These results strongly support the premise that Tβ4 and VIP work synergistically to protect corneal epithelial cells against hyperglycemia-induced damage. In addition, this work highlights the potential for significant translational impact regarding the treatment of diabetic patients and associated complications of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Shukkur Ebrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Thomas W. Carion
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Thanzeela Ebrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Jeff Win
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Hussein Kani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Ashten Stambersky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Ahmed S. Ibrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Gabriel Sosne
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Elizabeth A. Berger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
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4
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Liang W, Huang L, Whelchel A, Yuan T, Ma X, Cheng R, Takahashi Y, Karamichos D, Ma JX. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) regulates wound healing and mitochondrial metabolism in the cornea. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217576120. [PMID: 36943878 PMCID: PMC10068757 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217576120] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes can result in impaired corneal wound healing. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in diabetic complications. However, the regulation of mitochondria function in the diabetic cornea and its impacts on wound healing remain elusive. The present study aimed to explore the molecular basis for the disturbed mitochondrial metabolism and subsequent wound healing impairment in the diabetic cornea. Seahorse analysis showed that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is a major source of ATP production in human corneal epithelial cells. Live corneal biopsy punches from type 1 and type 2 diabetic mouse models showed impaired mitochondrial functions, correlating with impaired corneal wound healing, compared to nondiabetic controls. To approach the molecular basis for the impaired mitochondrial function, we found that Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α (PPARα) expression was downregulated in diabetic human corneas. Even without diabetes, global PPARα knockout mice and corneal epithelium-specific PPARα conditional knockout mice showed disturbed mitochondrial function and delayed wound healing in the cornea, similar to that in diabetic corneas. In contrast, fenofibrate, a PPARα agonist, ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and enhanced wound healing in the corneas of diabetic mice. Similarly, corneal epithelium-specific PPARα transgenic overexpression improved mitochondrial function and enhanced wound healing in the cornea. Furthermore, PPARα agonist ameliorated the mitochondrial dysfunction in primary human corneal epithelial cells exposed to diabetic stressors, which was impeded by siRNA knockdown of PPARα, suggesting a PPARα-dependent mechanism. These findings suggest that downregulation of PPARα plays an important role in the impaired mitochondrial function in the corneal epithelium and delayed corneal wound healing in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Liang
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou350000, China
| | - Amy Whelchel
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104
| | - Tian Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
| | - Xiang Ma
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
| | - Rui Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
| | - Yusuke Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Division of Research and Innovation, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX76107
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX76107
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX76107
| | - Jian-Xing Ma
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC27157
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Cosert KM, Kim S, Jalilian I, Chang M, Gates BL, Pinkerton KE, Van Winkle LS, Raghunathan VK, Leonard BC, Thomasy SM. Metallic Engineered Nanomaterials and Ocular Toxicity: A Current Perspective. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050981. [PMID: 35631569 PMCID: PMC9145553 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The ocular surface, comprised of the transparent cornea, conjunctiva, and protective tear film, forms a protective barrier defending deeper structures of the eye from particulate matter and mechanical trauma. This barrier is routinely exposed to a multitude of naturally occurring and engineered nanomaterials (ENM). Metallic ENMs are particularly ubiquitous in commercial products with a high risk of ocular exposure, such as cosmetics and sunscreens. Additionally, there are several therapeutic uses for metallic ENMs owing to their attractive magnetic, antimicrobial, and functionalization properties. The increasing commercial and therapeutic applications of metallic ENMs come with a high risk of ocular exposure with poorly understood consequences to the health of the eye. While the toxicity of metallic ENMs exposure has been rigorously studied in other tissues and organs, further studies are necessary to understand the potential for adverse effects and inform product usage for individuals whose ocular health may be compromised by injury, disease, or surgical intervention. This review provides an update of current literature on the ocular toxicity of metallic ENMs in vitro and in vivo, as well as the risks and benefits of therapeutic applications of metallic ENMs in ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M. Cosert
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
| | - Soohyun Kim
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
| | - Iman Jalilian
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
| | - Maggie Chang
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
| | - Brooke L. Gates
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
| | - Kent E. Pinkerton
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.E.P.); (L.S.V.W.)
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Laura S. Van Winkle
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.E.P.); (L.S.V.W.)
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Vijay Krishna Raghunathan
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA;
- The Ocular Surface Institute, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Brian C. Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
| | - Sara M. Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.M.C.); (S.K.); (I.J.); (M.C.); (B.L.G.); (B.C.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-530-752-0926
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Unravelling Novel Roles of Salivary Exosomes in the Regulation of Human Corneal Stromal Cell Migration and Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084330. [PMID: 35457149 PMCID: PMC9024472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Salivary exosomes have demonstrated vast therapeutic and diagnostic potential in numerous diseases. This study pioneers previously unexplored roles of SE in the context of corneal wound healing by utilizing primary corneal stromal cells from healthy (HCFs), type I diabetes mellitus (T1DMs), type II DM (T2DMs), and keratoconus (HKCs) subjects. Purified, healthy human SEs carrying tetraspanins CD9+, CD63+, and CD81+ were utilized. Scratch and cell migration assays were performed after 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h following SE stimulation (5 and 25 µg/mL). Significantly slower wound closure was observed at 6 and 12 h in HCFs with 5 μg/mL SE and T1DMs with 5 and 25 μg/mL SE. All wounds were closed by 24-hour, post-wounding. HKCs, T1DMs, and T2DMs with 25µg/mL SE exhibited a significant upregulation of cleaved vimentin compared to controls. Thrombospondin 1 was significantly upregulated in HCFs, HKCs, and T2DMs with 25 µg/mL SE. Lastly, HKCs, T1DMs, and T2DMs exhibited a significant downregulation of fibronectin with 25 μg/mL SE. Whether SEs can be utilized to clinical settings in restoring corneal defects is unknown. This is the first-ever study exploring the role of SEs in corneal wound healing. While the sample size was small, results are highly novel and provide a strong foundation for future studies.
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Wang F, Wang D, Song M, Zhou Q, Liao R, Wang Y. MiRNA-155-5p Reduces Corneal Epithelial Permeability by Remodeling Epithelial Tight Junctions during Corneal Wound Healing. Curr Eye Res 2019; 45:904-913. [PMID: 31852252 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2019.1707229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal epithelial cells play a vital role in the function of the cornea by forming a physical barrier to protect the eye from invasion by external pathogenic agents. A recent study showed that miR-155 promotes cutaneous wound healing. However, its function in corneal epithelial wound healing is unknown. The present study examined whether miR-155-5p reduces corneal epithelial permeability by remodeling epithelial tight junctions during corneal wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat corneal wounds were produced by removing the central corneal epithelium with a blunt scalpel blade under a dissecting microscope. One eye of each rat was treated with topical miR-155-5p, and the other eye was treated with topical agomir negative control for 3 days before and after corneal epithelial wounding. Corneal epithelial permeability was assessed by the macromolecular osmosis method. Expression of zona occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin, and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) were detected by Western blot. Human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells were cultured in the upper chamber of Transwell filters, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) was measured using a voltohmmeter. The distribution of ZO-1 and occludin in HCE cells treated with miR-155-5p was determined by immunofluorescence. RESULTS miR-155-5p significantly promoted the repair of corneal epithelial injury and reduced the permeability of the corneal epithelium. It significantly decreased expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC and increased expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin in corneal epithelial cells during corneal wound healing. miR-155-5p significantly increased TER, decreased MLCK expression and MLC phosphorylation, increased ZO-1 and occludin expression, and promoted anchoring of tight junction proteins in the cell membrane and remodeling in HEC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that miR-155-5p reduced corneal permeability and accelerated the recovery of corneal epithelial wounds by decreasing the expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC and by remodeling tight junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China.,Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China
| | - Duomei Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China
| | - Meng Song
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China
| | - Rongfeng Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, Anhui Medical University , Hefei, Anhui, P.R.China
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Jiang QW, Kaili D, Freeman J, Lei CY, Geng BC, Tan T, He JF, Shi Z, Ma JJ, Luo YH, Chandler H, Zhu H. Diabetes inhibits corneal epithelial cell migration and tight junction formation in mice and human via increasing ROS and impairing Akt signaling. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:1205-1211. [PMID: 30867543 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0223-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal wounds usually heal quickly; but diabetic patients have more fragile corneas and experience delayed and painful healing. In the present study, we compared the healing capacity of corneal epithelial cells (CECs) between normal and diabetic conditions and the potential mechanisms. Primary murine CEC derived from wild-type and diabetic (db/db) mice, as well as primary human CEC were prepared. Human CEC were exposed to high glucose (30 mM) to mimic diabetic conditions. Cell migration and proliferation were assessed using Scratch test and MTT assays, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the cells was measured using dichlorofluorescein reagent. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression levels of Akt. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression were used to determine tight junction integrity. We found that the diabetic CEC displayed significantly slower cell proliferation and migration compared with the normal CEC from both mice and humans. Furthermore, ROS production was markedly increased in CEC grown under diabetic conditions. Treatment with an antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, 100 μM) significantly decreased ROS production and increased wound healing in diabetic CEC. Barrier function was significantly reduced in both diabetic mouse and human CEC, while NAC treatment mitigated these effects. We further showed that Akt signaling was impaired in diabetic CEC, which was partially improved by NAC treatment. These results show that diabetic conditions lead to delayed wound-healing capacity of CEC and impaired tight junction formation in both mice and human. Increased ROS production and inhibited Akt signaling may contribute to this outcome, implicating these as potential targets for treating corneal wounds in diabetic patients.
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An Update on Corneal Biomechanics and Architecture in Diabetes. J Ophthalmol 2019; 2019:7645352. [PMID: 31275634 PMCID: PMC6589322 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7645352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, we have witnessed substantial progress in our understanding of corneal biomechanics and architecture. It is well known that diabetes is a systemic metabolic disease that causes chronic progressive damage in the main organs of the human body, including the eyeball. Although the main and most widely recognized ocular effect of diabetes is on the retina, the structure of the cornea (the outermost and transparent tissue of the eye) can also be affected by the poor glycemic control characterizing diabetes. The different corneal structures (epithelium, stroma, and endothelium) are affected by specific complications of diabetes. The development of new noninvasive diagnostic technologies has provided a better understanding of corneal tissue modifications. The objective of this review is to describe the advances in the knowledge of the corneal alterations that diabetes can induce.
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10
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Bu Y, Shih KC, Kwok SS, Chan YK, Lo ACY, Chan TCY, Jhanji V, Tong L. Experimental modeling of cornea wound healing in diabetes: clinical applications and beyond. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2019; 7:e000779. [PMID: 31803484 PMCID: PMC6887488 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of blindness in working age populations worldwide. While much of the focus for public health has been on secondary prevention in sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy, the cornea, including its epithelium and nerves, represents a major site of damage by chronic hyperglycemia. On injury, the diabetic cornea exhibits a delayed wound-healing response, as well as an altered ocular surface immune response. This suggests a potential association between the dysfunctional wound healing response and altered inflammation on the ocular surface. However, the presence of potential confounders makes this association difficult to investigate in human epidemiological studies. Thus, we turn to animal diabetic models for a better understanding. In this review, 20 original studies, published between 2008 and 2018, describe in vivo and in vitro models of diabetic cornea disease. We compared different models of diabetic cornea wound healing and discussed the relative strengths and drawbacks of each model. A number of molecular and cellular components involved in the corneal wound healing response that are altered in the presence of diabetes have been identified in the reviewed studies. Particularly, altered corneal epithelial protein concentrations of lumician and occludin were detected in diabetic eyes compared with controls. Additionally, the importance of IL-1β in modulating the inflammatory response after corneal injury in patients with diabetes and controls was further elucidated. Meanwhile, abnormal P2×7 receptor localization and decreased corneal sub-basal nerve density in diabetic eyes were shown to contribute to altered corneal nerve signaling after injury and thus affecting the wound healing response. Finally, the discovery of the therapeutic effects of topically administered aloe vera, Serpine 1, Resolvin D1 (RvD1), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn in diabetic animal models of cornea epithelial and nerve injury provide encouraging evidence for the future availability of effective treatment for diabetic keratopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashan Bu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Sum Sum Kwok
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yau Kei Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Vishal Jhanji
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Louis Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
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11
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Shi J, Barakat M, Chen D, Chen L. Bicellular Tight Junctions and Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123862. [PMID: 30518037 PMCID: PMC6321209 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bicellular tight junctions (TJs) are intercellular junctions comprised of a variety of transmembrane proteins including occludin, claudins, and junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs) as well as intracellular scaffold proteins such as zonula occludens (ZOs). TJs are functional, intercellular structures that form a barrier between adjacent cells, which constantly seals and unseals to control the paracellular passage of molecules. They are primarily present in the epithelial and endothelial cells of all tissues and organs. In addition to their well-recognized roles in maintaining cell polarity and barrier functions, TJs are important regulators of signal transduction, which modulates cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, as well as some components of the immune response and homeostasis. A vast breadth of research data is available on TJs, but little has been done to decipher their specific roles in wound healing, despite their primary distribution in epithelial and endothelial cells, which are essential contributors to the wound healing process. Some data exists to indicate that a better understanding of the functions and significance of TJs in healing wounds may prove crucial for future improvements in wound healing research and therapy. Specifically, recent studies demonstrate that occludin and claudin-1, which are two TJ component proteins, are present in migrating epithelial cells at the wound edge but are absent in chronic wounds. This indicates that functional TJs may be critical for effective wound healing. A tremendous amount of work is needed to investigate their roles in barrier function, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, scar formation, and in the interactions between epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells both in the acute wound healing process and in non-healing wounds. A more thorough understanding of TJs in wound healing may shed new light on potential research targets and reveal novel strategies to enhance tissue regeneration and improve wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhe Shi
- Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - May Barakat
- Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Dandan Chen
- Colgate-Palmolive Company, Piscataway, NJ 08855, USA.
| | - Lin Chen
- Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Abstract
Background Dry eye is a common problem that affects many people worldwide, reducing quality of life and impacting daily activities. A qualitative approach often used in medicine and other disciplines is used to evaluate how people with dry eye cope with this impact. Methods Six focus group sessions were conducted at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), premises of an eye research institute. These focus groups consist of a spectrum of dry eye sufferers (30 women, 8 men, aged 61 ± 11.8 years). Standard methods of coding followed by determination of themes were adhered to. Where classification was difficult, consensus was made between 3 assessors. Results Audio-recorded transcripts were coded in 10 themes by 3 assessors independently. Four of the themes involved traditional measures such as lid warming, cleansing, lubrication and oral dietary supplements. The other themes discovered were Traditional Chinese Medicine, modification of eye-care habits (e.g. wearing sunglasses), environmental humidity, lifestyle (e.g. sleeping habits), psychological attitude, and lastly sharing and communication. Conclusion Holistic coping strategies were found to be prominent in dry eye sufferers from these focus groups, and people tend to find personalised ways of coping with the impact of dry eye on daily living. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12886-018-0671-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Yeo
- Ocular Surface Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis Tong
- Ocular Surface Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore. .,Cornea and External Eye Disease Service, Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore, Singapore. .,Eye Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Volksdorf T, Heilmann J, Eming SA, Schawjinski K, Zorn-Kruppa M, Ueck C, Vidal-Y-Sy S, Windhorst S, Jücker M, Moll I, Brandner JM. Tight Junction Proteins Claudin-1 and Occludin Are Important for Cutaneous Wound Healing. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:1301-1312. [PMID: 28412298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tight junction (TJ) proteins are known to be involved in proliferation and differentiation. These processes are essential for normal skin wound healing. Here, we investigated the TJ proteins claudin-1 and occludin in ex vivo skin wound healing models and tissue samples of acute and chronic human wounds and observed major differences in localization/expression of these proteins, with chronic wounds often showing a loss of the proteins at the wound margins and/or in the regenerating epidermis. Knockdown experiments in primary human keratinocytes showed that decreased claudin-1 expression resulted in significantly impaired scratch wound healing, with delayed migration and reduced proliferation. Activation of AKT pathway was significantly attenuated after claudin-1 knockdown, and protein levels of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 were reduced. For occludin, down-regulation had no impact on wound healing in normal scratch assays, but after subjecting the cells to mechanical stress, which is normally present in wounds, wound healing was impaired. For both proteins we show that most of these actions are independent from the formation of barrier-forming TJ structures, thus demonstrating nonbarrier-related functions of TJ proteins in the skin. However, for claudin-1 effects on scratch wound healing were more pronounced when TJs could form. Together, our findings provide evidence for a role of claudin-1 and occludin in epidermal regeneration with potential clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Volksdorf
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janina Heilmann
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine A Eming
- Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schawjinski
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Zorn-Kruppa
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Ueck
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Vidal-Y-Sy
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Windhorst
- Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Jücker
- Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingrid Moll
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johanna M Brandner
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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