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Zhang JJ, Cao ZF, Zhou BT, Yang JH, Li Z, Lin S, Chen XL, Zhang NW, Ye Q, Ma X, Zhu YH. Abnormal function of EPHA2/p.R957P mutant in congenital cataract. Int J Ophthalmol 2024; 17:1007-1017. [PMID: 38895685 PMCID: PMC11144770 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.06.04] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM To identify genetic defects in a Chinese family with congenital posterior polar cataracts and assess the pathogenicity. METHODS A four-generation Chinese family affected with autosomal dominant congenital cataract was recruited. Nineteen individuals took part in this study including 5 affected and 14 unaffected individuals. Sanger sequencing targeted hot-spot regions of 27 congenital cataract-causing genes for variant discovery. The pathogenicity of the variant was evaluated by the guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and InterVar software. Confocal microscopy was applied to detect the subcellular localization of fluorescence-labeled ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2). Co-immunoprecipitation assay was implemented to estimate the interaction between EphA2 and other lens membrane proteins. The mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting assay, respectively. The cell migration was analyzed by wound healing assay. Zebrafish model was generated by ectopic expression of human EPHA2/p.R957P mutant to demonstrate whether the mutant could cause lens opacity in vivo. RESULTS A novel missense and pathogenic variant c.2870G>C was identified in the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain of EPHA2. Functional studies demonstrated the variant's impact: reduced EPHA2 protein expression, altered subcellular localization, and disrupted interactions with other lens membrane proteins. This mutant notably enhanced human lens epithelial cell migration, and induced a central cloudy region and roughness in zebrafish lenses with ectopic expression of human EPHA2/p.R957P mutant under differential interference contrast (DIC) optics. CONCLUSION Novel pathogenic c.2870G>C variant of EPHA2 in a Chinese congenital cataract family contributes to disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zong-Fu Cao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100000, China
- National Human Genetic Resources Center, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Bi-Ting Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ju-Hua Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Department of Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shuang Lin
- Department of Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiao-Le Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Nan-Wen Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qin Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100000, China
- National Human Genetic Resources Center, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yi-Hua Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University; Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology; Fujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian Province, China
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Zhao W, Chen S, Lu B, Wu D, Gu Y, Hao S, Sheng F, Xu Y, Han Y, Chen R, Zhou L, Fu Q, Yao K. Upregulation of EphA2 is associated with apoptosis in response to H 2O 2 and UV radiation-induced cataracts. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 747:109756. [PMID: 37714253 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109756] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we examine the role of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2 (EphA2) in the apoptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) in H2O2 and UV radiation-induced cataracts. We treated SRA01/04 cells with H2O2 or ultraviolet (UV) radiation to create a cataract cell model. We constructed a cataract lens model by exposing mice to UV radiation. We used CCK8 assays, Annexin V-FITC analysis, and immunohistochemical staining to explore proliferation and apoptosis of the cataract model. Thereafter, we used quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis, Western blot assays, and immunofluorescence to determine gene and protein expression levels. We also employed Crispr/Cas9 gene editing to create an EphA2 knockout in SRA01/04 cells. Results: H2O2 or UV radiation induced SRA01/04 cells showed EphA2 gene upregulation. CCK8 and apoptosis assays showed that EphA2 over-expression (OE) reduced epithelial cell apoptosis, but knockout of EphA2 induced it in response to H2O2 and UV radiation, respectively. Mutation of the EphA2 protein kinase domain (c.2003G > A, p. G668D) had a limited effect on cell apoptosis. In vivo, the EphA2 protein level increased in the lenses of UV-treated mice. Our results showed that EphA2 was upregulated in SRA01/04 cells in response to H2O2 and UV radiation. Mutation of the EphA2 protein kinase domain (c.2003G > A, p. G668D) had a limited effect on H2O2 and UV radiation-induced cell apoptosis. We confirmed this change with an experiment on UV-treated mice. The present study established a novel association between EphA2 and LEC apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuying Chen
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bing Lu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Wu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuzhou Gu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shengjie Hao
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feiyin Sheng
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yili Xu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Han
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rongrong Chen
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Optometry, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiuli Fu
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ke Yao
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Xu LJ, Wang HN, Zhou H, Li SY, Li F, Miao Y, Lei B, Sun XH, Gao F, Wang Z. EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling induced Müller cell gliosis and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in experimental glaucoma. Brain Res 2023; 1801:148204. [PMID: 36529265 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148204] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous work showed that ephrinA3/EphA4 forward signaling contributed to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage in experimental glaucoma. Since up-regulated patterns of ephrinA3 and EphA4 were observed in Müller cells and RGCs, an EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling may exist in Müller cells of chronic ocular hypertension (COH) retina. We investigated effects of EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling activation on Müller cells in COH retina. Intravitreal injection of the ephrinA3 agonist EphA4-Fc increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in normal retinas, suggestive of Müller cell gliosis, which was confirmed in purified cultured Müller cells treated with EphA4-Fc. These effects were mediated by intracellular STAT3 signaling pathway as phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) levels and ratios of p-STAT3/STAT3 were significantly increased in both COH retinas and EphA4-Fc intravitreally injected retinas, as well as in EphA4-Fc treated purified cultured Müller cells. The increase of GFAP protein levels in EphA4-Fc-injected retinas and EphA4-Fc treated purified cultured Müller cells could be partially eliminated by stattic, a selective STAT3 blocker. Co-immunoprecipitation results testified to the presence of interaction between ephrinA3 and STAT3/p-STAT3. In addition, intravitreal injection of EphA4-Fc or EphA4-Fc treatment of cultured Müller cells significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, intravitreal injection of EphA4-Fc increased the number of apoptotic RGCs, which could be reversed by the tyrosine kinase blocker PP2. Overall, EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling may induce Müller cell gliosis and increases release of pro-inflammatory factors, which could contribute to RGC death in glaucoma. Inhibition of EphA4/ephrinA3 signaling may provide an effective neuroprotection in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Hong-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Han Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Shu-Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Fang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yanying Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Bo Lei
- Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Xing-Huai Sun
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Zhongfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Mapping the Universe of Eph Receptor and Ephrin Ligand Transcripts in Epithelial and Fiber Cells of the Eye Lens. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203291. [PMID: 36291158 PMCID: PMC9600312 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The eye lens is a transparent, ellipsoid organ in the anterior chamber of the eye that is required for fine focusing of light onto the retina to transmit a clear image. Cataracts, defined as any opacity in the lens, remains the leading cause of blindness in the world. Recent studies in humans and mice indicate that Eph–ephrin bidirectional signaling is important for maintaining lens transparency. Specifically, mutations and polymorphisms in the EphA2 receptor and the ephrin-A5 ligand have been linked to congenital and age-related cataracts. It is unclear what other variants of Ephs and ephrins are expressed in the lens or whether there is preferential expression in epithelial vs. fiber cells. We performed a detailed analysis of Eph receptor and ephrin ligand mRNA transcripts in whole mouse lenses, epithelial cell fractions, and fiber cell fractions using a new RNA isolation method. We compared control samples with EphA2 knockout (KO) and ephrin-A5 KO samples. Our results revealed the presence of transcripts for 12 out of 14 Eph receptors and 8 out of 8 ephrin ligands in various fractions of lens cells. Using specific primer sets, RT-PCR, and sequencing, we verified the variant of each gene that is expressed, and we found two epithelial-cell-specific genes. Surprisingly, we also identified one Eph receptor variant that is expressed in KO lens fibers but is absent from control lens fibers. We also identified one low expression ephrin variant that is only expressed in ephrin-A5 control samples. These results indicate that the lens expresses almost all Ephs and ephrins, and there may be many receptor–ligand pairs that play a role in lens homeostasis.
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Patel SD, Anand D, Motohashi H, Katsuoka F, Yamamoto M, Lachke SA. Deficiency of the bZIP transcription factors Mafg and Mafk causes misexpression of genes in distinct pathways and results in lens embryonic developmental defects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:981893. [PMID: 36092713 PMCID: PMC9459095 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.981893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of the small Maf proteins Mafg and Mafk cause multiple defects, namely, progressive neuronal degeneration, cataract, thrombocytopenia and mid-gestational/perinatal lethality. Previous data shows Mafg -/-:Mafk +/- compound knockout (KO) mice exhibit cataracts age 4-months onward. Strikingly, Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- double KO mice develop lens defects significantly early in life, during embryogenesis, but the pathobiology of these defects is unknown, and is addressed here. At embryonic day (E)16.5, the epithelium of lens in Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- animals appears abnormally multilayered as demonstrated by E-cadherin and nuclear staining. Additionally, Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- lenses exhibit abnormal distribution of F-actin near the "fulcrum" region where epithelial cells undergo apical constriction prior to elongation and reorientation as early differentiating fiber cells. To identify the underlying molecular changes, we performed high-throughput RNA-sequencing of E16.5 Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- lenses and identified a cohort of differentially expressed genes that were further prioritized using stringent filtering criteria and validated by RT-qPCR. Several key factors associated with the cytoskeleton, cell cycle or extracellular matrix (e.g., Cdk1, Cdkn1c, Camsap1, Col3a1, Map3k12, Sipa1l1) were mis-expressed in Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- lenses. Further, the congenital cataract-linked extracellular matrix peroxidase Pxdn was significantly overexpressed in Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- lenses, which may cause abnormal cell morphology. These data also identified the ephrin signaling receptor Epha5 to be reduced in Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- lenses. This likely contributes to the Mafg -/-:Mafk -/- multilayered lens epithelium pathology, as loss of an ephrin ligand, Efna5 (ephrin-A5), causes similar lens defects. Together, these findings uncover a novel early function of Mafg and Mafk in lens development and identify their new downstream regulatory relationships with key cellular factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaili D. Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Deepti Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Hozumi Motohashi
- Department of Gene Expression Regulation, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Fumiki Katsuoka
- Department of Integrative Genomics, Tohoku University Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Salil A. Lachke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States,Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States,*Correspondence: Salil A. Lachke,
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