1
|
Nwagbo U, Parvez S, Maschek JA, Bernstein PS. Elovl4b knockout zebrafish as a model for ocular very-long-chain PUFA deficiency. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100518. [PMID: 38342437 PMCID: PMC10940177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100518] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Very-long-chain PUFAs (VLC-PUFAs) are a group of lipids with chain lengths >24 carbons, and the ELOVL4 (elongation of very-long-chain FA-4) enzyme is responsible for vertebrate VLC-PUFA biosynthesis. Studies on the role of VLC-PUFAs in vision have been hindered because of the need for adequate animal models to capture the global loss of VLC-PUFAs. Since homozygous Elovl4 ablation is lethal in neonatal mice because of catastrophic drying from the loss of their protective skin barrier, we established a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of Elovl4 ablation. We generated Elovl4b KO zebrafish by creating a 56-bp deletion mutation in exon 2 of the Elovl4b gene using CRISPR-Cas9. We used GC-MS and LC-MS/MS to analyze the VLC-PUFA and lipid profiles from wild-type and Elovl4b KO fish eyes. We also performed histology and visual-behavioral tests. We found that heterozygous and homozygous Elovl4b KO zebrafish eyes had altered lipid profiles and a significantly lower C30 to C36 VLC-PUFA abundance than wild-type fish. Moreover, Elovl4b+/- and Elovl4b-/- KO larvae had significantly lower motor activity in response to light-dark cycles than their age-matched controls. Elovl4b-/- adult fish showed no obvious differences in gross retinal morphology and lamination compared with wild type, except for the presence of lipid droplets within the retinal pigment epithelial cell layer of Elovl4b-/- fish. Our data indicate that the loss of Elovl4b in zebrafish changes ocular lipid profiles and leads to visual abnormalities and subtle retinal changes. These findings highlight the use of zebrafish as a model for VLC-PUFA depletion and ELOVL4-related dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uzoamaka Nwagbo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Saba Parvez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - J Alan Maschek
- Metabolomics Core, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paul S Bernstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rodwell V, Patil M, Kuht HJ, Neuhauss SCF, Norton WHJ, Thomas MG. Zebrafish Optokinetic Reflex: Minimal Reporting Guidelines and Recommendations. BIOLOGY 2023; 13:4. [PMID: 38275725 PMCID: PMC10813647 DOI: 10.3390/biology13010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Optokinetic reflex (OKR) assays in zebrafish models are a valuable tool for studying a diverse range of ophthalmological and neurological conditions. Despite its increasing popularity in recent years, there are no clear reporting guidelines for the assay. Following reporting guidelines in research enhances reproducibility, reduces bias, and mitigates underreporting and poor methodologies in published works. To better understand optimal reporting standards for an OKR assay in zebrafish, we performed a systematic literature review exploring the animal, environmental, and technical factors that should be considered. Using search criteria from three online databases, a total of 109 research papers were selected for review. Multiple crucial factors were identified, including larval characteristics, sample size, fixing method, OKR set-up, distance of stimulus, detailed stimulus parameters, eye recording, and eye movement analysis. The outcome of the literature analysis highlighted the insufficient information provided in past research papers and the lack of a systematic way to present the parameters related to each of the experimental factors. To circumvent any future errors and champion robust transparent research, we have created the zebrafish optokinetic (ZOK) reflex minimal reporting guideline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Rodwell
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Manjiri Patil
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Helen J. Kuht
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | | | - William H. J. Norton
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Mervyn G. Thomas
- Ulverscroft Eye Unit, School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xiang L, Yang QL, Xie BT, Zeng HY, Ding LJ, Rao FQ, Yan T, Lu F, Chen Q, Huang XF. Dysregulated Arginine Metabolism Is Linked to Retinal Degeneration in Cep250 Knockout Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:2. [PMID: 37656476 PMCID: PMC10479211 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.12.2] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Degeneration of retinal photoreceptors is frequently observed in diverse ciliopathy disorders, and photoreceptor cilium gates the molecular trafficking between the inner and the outer segment (OS). This study aims to generate a homozygous global Cep250 knockout (KO) mouse and study the resulting phenotype. Methods We used Cep250 KO mice and untargeted metabolomics to uncover potential mechanisms underlying retinal degeneration. Long-term follow-up studies using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinography (ERG) were performed. Results OCT and ERG results demonstrated gradual thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and progressive attenuation of the scotopic ERG responses in Cep250-/- mice. More TUNEL signal was observed in the ONL of these mice. Immunostaining of selected OS proteins revealed mislocalization of these proteins in the ONL of Cep250-/- mice. Interestingly, untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed arginine-related metabolic pathways were altered and enriched in Cep250-/- mice. Mis-localization of a key protein in the arginine metabolism pathway, arginase 1 (ARG1), in the ONL of KO mice further supports this model. Moreover, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based retinal knockdown of Arg1 led to similar architectural and functional alterations in wild-type retinas. Conclusions Altogether, these results suggest that dysregulated arginine metabolism contributes to retinal degeneration in Cep250-/- mice. Our findings provide novel insights that increase understanding of retinal degeneration in ciliopathy disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lue Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiao-Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin-Tao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui-Yi Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liu-Jun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng-Qin Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiu-Feng Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Merkley MB, Soriano D, Jones KL, Summers JA. The Effects of Nitric Oxide on Choroidal Gene Expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.16.545343. [PMID: 37398322 PMCID: PMC10312785 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.16.545343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as an important biological mediator that controls several physiological functions, and evidence is now emerging that this molecule may play a significant role in the postnatal control of ocular growth and myopia development. We therefore sought to understand the role that nitric oxide plays in visually-guided ocular growth in order to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of this process. Methods Choroids were incubated in organ culture in the presence of the NO donor, PAPA-NONOate (1.5 mM). Following RNA extraction, bulk RNA-seq was used to quantify and compare choroidal gene expression in the presence and absence of PAPA-NONOate. We used bioinformatics to identify enriched canonical pathways, predicted diseases and functions, and regulatory effects of NO in the choroid. Results Upon treatment of normal chick choroids with the NO donor, PAPA-NONOate, we identified a total of 837 differentially expressed genes (259 upregulated genes, 578 down-regulated genes) compared with untreated controls. Among these, the top five upregulated genes were LSMEM1, STEAP4, HSPB9, and CCL19, and the top five down-regulated genes were CDCA3, SMC2, a novel gene (ENSALGALG00000050836), an uncharacterized gene (LOC107054158), and SPAG5. Bioinformatics predicted that NO treatment will activate pathways involved in cell and organismal death, necrosis, and cardiovascular system development, and inhibit pathways involved in cell proliferation, cell movement, and gene expression. Conclusions The findings reported herein may provide insight into possible effects of NO in the choroid during visually regulated eye growth, and help to identify targeted therapies for the treatment of myopia and other ocular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makenzie B Merkley
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States
| | - Diana Soriano
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
| | | | - Jody A Summers
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Giffen KP, Li Y, Liu H, Zhao XC, Zhang CJ, Shen RJ, Wang T, Janesick A, Chen BB, Gong SS, Kachar B, Jin ZB, He DZ. Mutation of SLC7A14 causes auditory neuropathy and retinitis pigmentosa mediated by lysosomal dysfunction. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk0942. [PMID: 35394837 PMCID: PMC8993119 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk0942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomes contribute to cellular homeostasis via processes including macromolecule degradation, nutrient sensing, and autophagy. Defective proteins related to lysosomal macromolecule catabolism are known to cause a range of lysosomal storage diseases; however, it is unclear whether mutations in proteins involved in homeostatic nutrient sensing mechanisms cause syndromic sensory disease. Here, we show that SLC7A14, a transporter protein mediating lysosomal uptake of cationic amino acids, is evolutionarily conserved in vertebrate mechanosensory hair cells and highly expressed in lysosomes of mammalian cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) and retinal photoreceptors. Autosomal recessive mutation of SLC7A14 caused loss of IHCs and photoreceptors, leading to presynaptic auditory neuropathy and retinitis pigmentosa in mice and humans. Loss-of-function mutation altered protein trafficking and increased basal autophagy, leading to progressive cell degeneration. This study implicates autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction in syndromic hearing and vision loss in mice and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberlee P. Giffen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Beijing Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Huizhan Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Xiao-Chang Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chang-Jun Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ren-Juan Shen
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Tianying Wang
- Beijing Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Amanda Janesick
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bo-Bei Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Shu-Sheng Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Bechara Kachar
- Laboratory of Cell Structure and Dynamics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing 100730, China
| | - David Z. He
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hong Y, Luo Y. Zebrafish Model in Ophthalmology to Study Disease Mechanism and Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080716. [PMID: 34451814 PMCID: PMC8400593 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual impairment and blindness are common and seriously affect people’s work and quality of life in the world. Therefore, the effective therapies for eye diseases are of high priority. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an alternative vertebrate model as a useful tool for the mechanism elucidation and drug discovery of various eye disorders, such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, photoreceptor degeneration, etc. The genetic and embryonic accessibility of zebrafish in combination with a behavioral assessment of visual function has made it a very popular model in ophthalmology. Zebrafish has also been widely used in ocular drug discovery, such as the screening of new anti-angiogenic compounds or neuroprotective drugs, and the oculotoxicity test. In this review, we summarized the applications of zebrafish as the models of eye disorders to study disease mechanism and investigate novel drug treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yan Luo
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-020-87335931
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Crouzier L, Diez C, Richard EM, Cubedo N, Barbereau C, Rossel M, Delaunay T, Maurice T, Delprat B. Loss of Pde6a Induces Rod Outer Segment Shrinkage and Visual Alterations in pde6aQ70X Mutant Zebrafish, a Relevant Model of Retinal Dystrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:675517. [PMID: 34095146 PMCID: PMC8173125 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.675517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common forms of inherited retinal degeneration with 1/4,000 people being affected. The vision alteration primarily begins with rod photoreceptor degeneration, then the degenerative process continues with cone photoreceptor death. Variants in 71 genes have been linked to RP. One of these genes, PDE6a is responsible for RP43. To date no treatment is available and patients suffer from pronounced visual impairment in early childhood. We used the novel zebrafish pde6aQ70X mutant, generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea at the European Zebrafish Resource Centre, to better understand how PDE6a loss of function leads to photoreceptor alteration. Interestingly, zebrafish pde6aQ70X mutants exhibited impaired visual function at 5 dpf as evidenced by the decrease in their visual motor response (VMR) compared to pde6aWT larvae. This impaired visual function progressed with time and was more severe at 21 dpf. These modifications were associated with an alteration of rod outer segment length at 5 and 21 dpf. In summary, these findings suggest that rod outer segment shrinkage due to Pde6a deficiency begins very early in zebrafish, progresses with time. The zebrafish pde6aQ70X mutant represents an ideal model of RP to screen relevant active small molecules that will block the progression of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Crouzier
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Camille Diez
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Nicolas Cubedo
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vassalli QA, Colantuono C, Nittoli V, Ferraioli A, Fasano G, Berruto F, Chiusano ML, Kelsh RN, Sordino P, Locascio A. Onecut Regulates Core Components of the Molecular Machinery for Neurotransmission in Photoreceptor Differentiation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:602450. [PMID: 33816460 PMCID: PMC8012850 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.602450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor cells (PRC) are neurons highly specialized for sensing light stimuli and have considerably diversified during evolution. The genetic mechanisms that underlie photoreceptor differentiation and accompanied the progressive increase in complexity and diversification of this sensory cell type are a matter of great interest in the field. A role of the homeodomain transcription factor Onecut (Oc) in photoreceptor cell formation is proposed throughout multicellular organisms. However, knowledge of the identity of the Oc downstream-acting factors that mediate specific tasks in the differentiation of the PRC remains limited. Here, we used transgenic perturbation of the Ciona robusta Oc protein to show its requirement for ciliary PRC differentiation. Then, transcriptome profiling between the trans-activation and trans-repression Oc phenotypes identified differentially expressed genes that are enriched in exocytosis, calcium homeostasis, and neurotransmission. Finally, comparison of RNA-Seq datasets in Ciona and mouse identifies a set of Oc downstream genes conserved between tunicates and vertebrates. The transcription factor Oc emerges as a key regulator of neurotransmission in retinal cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quirino Attilio Vassalli
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Colantuono
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Nittoli
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Ferraioli
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Fasano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Berruto
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Chiusano
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Department of Agriculture, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Robert Neil Kelsh
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Sordino
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Locascio
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Guo R, Li F, Lu M, Ge K, Gan L, Sheng D. LIM Homeobox 9 knockdown by morpholino does not affect zebrafish retinal development. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio.056382. [PMID: 33579692 PMCID: PMC7969587 DOI: 10.1242/bio.056382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
LIM homeobox 9 (Lhx9) is a member of the LIM homeodomain transcription factor family, which expresses and functions in various vertebrate tissues, such as the gonads and pineal gland. Previous studies on lhx9 in zebrafish have mainly focused on the brain. However, little is known about the expression pattern of lhx9 during embryogenesis. Here, we detected lhx9 expression in zebrafish embryos using whole-mount in situ hybridization and found lhx9 expressed in heart, pectoral fin, and retina during their development in zebrafish. We then detailed the expression of lhx9 in retinal development. To further investigate the function of Lhx9 in retinogenesis, we performed morpholino (MO) knockdown experiments and found that upon lhx9 knockdown by MO, larvae presented normal eye development, retinal neural development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and responses to light stimulus. We not only elaborated the expression pattern of lhx9 in zebrafish embryogenesis, but we also demonstrated that lhx9 knockdown by morpholino does not affect the zebrafish retinal development, and our study provides data for further understanding of the role of Lhx9 in zebrafish retinal development. Summary:lhx9 is expressed in the development of the zebrafish heart, pectoral fin, and retina, but lhx9 knockdown by morpholino does not affect zebrafish retinal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Guo
- Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311100 Zhejiang, China.,College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310013 Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311100 Zhejiang, China
| | - Minxia Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311100 Zhejiang, China
| | - Kangkang Ge
- Hangzhou jingbai biotechnology Co, LTD., Hangzhou 310004 Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Gan
- Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311100 Zhejiang, China .,College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310013 Zhejiang, China
| | - Donglai Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311100 Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Elovl2 Is Required for Robust Visual Function in Zebrafish. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122583. [PMID: 33276584 PMCID: PMC7761535 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play critical roles in membrane stability and cell signaling within the retina. ELOVL2 (Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids-Like 2), an elongase involved in the synthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), has recently been implicated in regulating aging in the mammalian retina. In this work, we characterize the expression and function of elovl2 in the retina development in embryonic zebrafish. Whole mount in situ hybridization shows elovl2 is expressed in the Muller glia in embryonic and adult zebrafish. Lipidomics analysis of elovl2 crispants whole embryos at day 2 and eyes at day 7 demonstrated significant changes in lipids composition, especially on the level of lipids containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Histological analysis of zebrafish lacking elovl2 revealed increased retinal thickness compared to controls at day 7 without gross disruptions of the retinal architecture. Finally, elovl2 crispants showed differences in the visual motor reflex light off (VMR-OFF) at day 7 compared to controls. In sum, inactivation of elovl2 in zebrafish embryos caused changes in lipid composition and in visual behavior, further confirming the important role of LC-PUFAs in healthy vision.
Collapse
|
11
|
Li YP, Liu H, Jin ZB. Generation of three human iPSC lines from a retinitis pigmentosa family with SLC7A14 mutation. Stem Cell Res 2020; 49:102075. [PMID: 33207307 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2020.102075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutation in SLC7A14 gene causes autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP). Here we describe the generation and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines of RP patient with SLC7A14 mutation and his healthy parents. hiPSCs were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) reprogrammed with integration-free plasmids including the reprogramming factors OCT3/4, SOX2, MYC and KLF4. All the established hiPSC lines showed normal karyotype, pluripotency and differentiation capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ping Li
- Laboratory of Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cassar S, Dunn C, Ramos MF. Zebrafish as an Animal Model for Ocular Toxicity Testing: A Review of Ocular Anatomy and Functional Assays. Toxicol Pathol 2020; 49:438-454. [PMID: 33063651 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320964748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Xenobiotics make their way into organisms from diverse sources including diet, medication, and pollution. Our understanding of ocular toxicities from xenobiotics in humans, livestock, and wildlife is growing thanks to laboratory animal models. Anatomy and physiology are conserved among vertebrate eyes, and studies with common mammalian preclinical species (rodent, dog) can predict human ocular toxicity. However, since the eye is susceptible to toxicities that may not involve a histological correlate, and these species rely heavily on smell and hearing to navigate their world, discovering visual deficits can be challenging with traditional animal models. Alternative models capable of identifying functional impacts on vision and requiring minimal amounts of chemical are valuable assets to toxicology. Human and zebrafish eyes are anatomically and functionally similar, and it has been reported that several common human ocular toxicants cause comparable toxicity in zebrafish. Vision develops rapidly in zebrafish; the tiny larvae rely on visual cues as early as 4 days, and behavioral responses to those cues can be monitored in high-throughput fashion. This article describes the comparative anatomy of the zebrafish eye, the notable differences from the mammalian eye, and presents practical applications of this underutilized model for assessment of ocular toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Cassar
- Preclinical Safety, 419726AbbVie, Inc, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christina Dunn
- Preclinical Safety, 419726AbbVie, Inc, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|