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Juliar BA, Stanaway IB, Sano F, Fu H, Smith KD, Akilesh S, Scales SJ, El Saghir J, Bhatraju PK, Liu E, Yang J, Lin J, Eddy S, Kretzler M, Zheng Y, Himmelfarb J, Harder JL, Freedman BS. Interferon-γ induces combined pyroptotic angiopathy and APOL1 expression in human kidney disease. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114310. [PMID: 38838223 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevated interferon (IFN) signaling is associated with kidney diseases including COVID-19, HIV, and apolipoprotein-L1 (APOL1) nephropathy, but whether IFNs directly contribute to nephrotoxicity remains unclear. Using human kidney organoids, primary endothelial cells, and patient samples, we demonstrate that IFN-γ induces pyroptotic angiopathy in combination with APOL1 expression. Single-cell RNA sequencing, immunoblotting, and quantitative fluorescence-based assays reveal that IFN-γ-mediated expression of APOL1 is accompanied by pyroptotic endothelial network degradation in organoids. Pharmacological blockade of IFN-γ signaling inhibits APOL1 expression, prevents upregulation of pyroptosis-associated genes, and rescues vascular networks. Multiomic analyses in patients with COVID-19, proteinuric kidney disease, and collapsing glomerulopathy similarly demonstrate increased IFN signaling and pyroptosis-associated gene expression correlating with accelerated renal disease progression. Our results reveal that IFN-γ signaling simultaneously induces endothelial injury and primes renal cells for pyroptosis, suggesting a combinatorial mechanism for APOL1-mediated collapsing glomerulopathy, which can be targeted therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Juliar
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ian B Stanaway
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Fumika Sano
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Hongxia Fu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Bloodworks Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Plurexa, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kelly D Smith
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Shreeram Akilesh
- Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Suzie J Scales
- Department of Immunology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jamal El Saghir
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pavan K Bhatraju
- Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Esther Liu
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Johnson Yang
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jennie Lin
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sean Eddy
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Matthias Kretzler
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ying Zheng
- Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jonathan Himmelfarb
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jennifer L Harder
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Benjamin S Freedman
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Plurexa, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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2
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Ambler WG, Kaplan MJ. Vascular damage in systemic lupus erythematosus. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:251-265. [PMID: 38172627 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00797-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Vascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although comorbid cardiovascular risk factors are frequently present in patients with SLE, they do not explain the high burden of premature vascular disease. Profound innate and adaptive immune dysregulation seems to be the primary driver of accelerated vascular damage in SLE. In particular, evidence suggests that dysregulation of type 1 interferon (IFN-I) and aberrant neutrophils have key roles in the pathogenesis of vascular damage. IFN-I promotes endothelial dysfunction directly via effects on endothelial cells and indirectly via priming of immune cells that contribute to vascular damage. SLE neutrophils are vasculopathic in part because of their increased ability to form immunostimulatory neutrophil extracellular traps. Despite improvements in clinical care, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality among patients with SLE, and treatments that improve vascular outcomes are urgently needed. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of vascular injury in inflammatory conditions such as SLE could also have implications for common cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, and may ultimately lead to personalized therapeutic approaches to the prevention and treatment of this potentially fatal complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- William G Ambler
- Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mariana J Kaplan
- Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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3
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Datta S, Antonio BM, Zahler NH, Theile JW, Krafte D, Zhang H, Rosenberg PB, Chaves AB, Muoio DM, Zhang G, Silas D, Li G, Soldano K, Nystrom S, Ferreira D, Miller SE, Bain JR, Muehlbauer MJ, Ilkayeva O, Becker TC, Hohmeier HE, Newgard CB, Olabisi OA. APOL1-mediated monovalent cation transport contributes to APOL1-mediated podocytopathy in kidney disease. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e172262. [PMID: 38227370 PMCID: PMC10904047 DOI: 10.1172/jci172262] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Two coding variants of apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), called G1 and G2, explain much of the excess risk of kidney disease in African Americans. While various cytotoxic phenotypes have been reported in experimental models, the proximal mechanism by which G1 and G2 cause kidney disease is poorly understood. Here, we leveraged 3 experimental models and a recently reported small molecule blocker of APOL1 protein, VX-147, to identify the upstream mechanism of G1-induced cytotoxicity. In HEK293 cells, we demonstrated that G1-mediated Na+ import/K+ efflux triggered activation of GPCR/IP3-mediated calcium release from the ER, impaired mitochondrial ATP production, and impaired translation, which were all reversed by VX-147. In human urine-derived podocyte-like epithelial cells (HUPECs), we demonstrated that G1 caused cytotoxicity that was again reversible by VX-147. Finally, in podocytes isolated from APOL1 G1 transgenic mice, we showed that IFN-γ-mediated induction of G1 caused K+ efflux, activation of GPCR/IP3 signaling, and inhibition of translation, podocyte injury, and proteinuria, all reversed by VX-147. Together, these results establish APOL1-mediated Na+/K+ transport as the proximal driver of APOL1-mediated kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somenath Datta
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Hengtao Zhang
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul B. Rosenberg
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alec B. Chaves
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deborah M. Muoio
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Guofang Zhang
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel Silas
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Guojie Li
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karen Soldano
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah Nystrom
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Davis Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sara E. Miller
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - James R. Bain
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael J. Muehlbauer
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Olga Ilkayeva
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas C. Becker
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hans-Ewald Hohmeier
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christopher B. Newgard
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Opeyemi A. Olabisi
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute and Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Lecordier L, Heo P, Graversen JH, Hennig D, Skytthe MK, Cornet d'Elzius A, Pincet F, Pérez-Morga D, Pays E. Apolipoproteins L1 and L3 control mitochondrial membrane dynamics. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113528. [PMID: 38041817 PMCID: PMC10765320 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113528] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoproteins L1 and L3 (APOLs) are associated at the Golgi with the membrane fission factors phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase-IIIB (PI4KB) and non-muscular myosin 2A. Either APOL1 C-terminal truncation (APOL1Δ) or APOL3 deletion (APOL3-KO [knockout]) reduces PI4KB activity and triggers actomyosin reorganization. We report that APOL3, but not APOL1, controls PI4KB activity through interaction with PI4KB and neuronal calcium sensor-1 or calneuron-1. Both APOLs are present in Golgi-derived autophagy-related protein 9A vesicles, which are involved in PI4KB trafficking. Like APOL3-KO, APOL1Δ induces PI4KB dissociation from APOL3, linked to reduction of mitophagy flux and production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. APOL1 and APOL3, respectively, can interact with the mitophagy receptor prohibitin-2 and the mitophagosome membrane fusion factor vesicle-associated membrane protein-8 (VAMP8). While APOL1 conditions PI4KB and APOL3 involvement in mitochondrion fission and mitophagy, APOL3-VAMP8 interaction promotes fusion between mitophagosomal and endolysosomal membranes. We propose that APOL3 controls mitochondrial membrane dynamics through interactions with the fission factor PI4KB and the fusion factor VAMP8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Lecordier
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Paul Heo
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, 75005 Paris, France; Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, INSERM U1266, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Jonas H Graversen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Dorle Hennig
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Maria Kløjgaard Skytthe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | | | - Frédéric Pincet
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Cité, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Pérez-Morga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium; Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Etienne Pays
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium.
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Pell J, Nagata S, Menon MC. Nonpodocyte Roles of APOL1 Variants: An Evolving Paradigm. KIDNEY360 2023; 4:e1325-e1331. [PMID: 37461136 PMCID: PMC10550003 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000216] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Since the seminal discovery of the trypanolytic, exonic variants in apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) and their association with kidney disease in individuals of recent African ancestry, a wide body of research has emerged offering key insights into the mechanisms of disease. Importantly, the podocyte has become a focal point for our understanding of how risk genotype leads to disease, with activation of putative signaling pathways within the podocyte identified as playing a causal role in podocytopathy, FSGS, and progressive renal failure. However, the complete mechanism of genotype-to-phenotype progression remains incompletely understood in APOL1-risk individuals. An emerging body of evidence reports more than podocyte-intrinsic expression of APOL1 risk variants is needed for disease to manifest. This article reviews the seminal data and reports which placed the podocyte at the center of our understanding of APOL1-FSGS, as well as the evident shortcomings of this podocentric paradigm. We examine existing evidence for environmental and genetic factors that may influence disease, drawing from both clinical data and APOL1's fundamental role as an immune response gene. We also review the current body of data for APOL1's impact on nonpodocyte cells, including endothelial cells, the placenta, and immune cells in both a transplant and native setting. Finally, we discuss the implications of these emerging data and how the paradigm of disease might evolve as a result.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Pell
- Department of Medicine , Yale University, New Haven , Connecticut
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6
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Crow MK. Pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus: risks, mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:999-1014. [PMID: 36792346 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Research elucidating the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has defined two critical families of mediators, type I interferon (IFN-I) and autoantibodies targeting nucleic acids and nucleic acid-binding proteins, as fundamental contributors to the disease. On the fertile background of significant genetic risk, a triggering stimulus, perhaps microbial, induces IFN-I, autoantibody production or most likely both. When innate and adaptive immune system cells are engaged and collaborate in the autoimmune response, clinical SLE can develop. This review describes recent data from genetic analyses of patients with SLE, along with current studies of innate and adaptive immune function that contribute to sustained IFN-I pathway activation, immune activation and autoantibody production, generation of inflammatory mediators and tissue damage. The goal of these studies is to understand disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets and stimulate development of therapeutics that can achieve improved outcomes for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Crow
- Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
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7
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Pinelli R, Ferrucci M, Berti C, Biagioni F, Scaffidi E, Bumah VV, Busceti CL, Lenzi P, Lazzeri G, Fornai F. The Essential Role of Light-Induced Autophagy in the Inner Choroid/Outer Retinal Neurovascular Unit in Baseline Conditions and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108979. [PMID: 37240326 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The present article discusses the role of light in altering autophagy, both within the outer retina (retinal pigment epithelium, RPE, and the outer segment of photoreceptors) and the inner choroid (Bruch's membrane, BM, endothelial cells and the pericytes of choriocapillaris, CC). Here autophagy is needed to maintain the high metabolic requirements and to provide the specific physiological activity sub-serving the process of vision. Activation or inhibition of autophagy within RPE strongly depends on light exposure and it is concomitant with activation or inhibition of the outer segment of the photoreceptors. This also recruits CC, which provides blood flow and metabolic substrates. Thus, the inner choroid and outer retina are mutually dependent and their activity is orchestrated by light exposure in order to cope with metabolic demand. This is tuned by the autophagy status, which works as a sort of pivot in the cross-talk within the inner choroid/outer retina neurovascular unit. In degenerative conditions, and mostly during age-related macular degeneration (AMD), autophagy dysfunction occurs in this area to induce cell loss and extracellular aggregates. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the autophagy status encompassing CC, RPE and interposed BM is key to understanding the fine anatomy and altered biochemistry which underlie the onset and progression of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pinelli
- Switzerland Eye Research Institute (SERI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michela Ferrucci
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Berti
- Switzerland Eye Research Institute (SERI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffidi
- Switzerland Eye Research Institute (SERI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Violet Vakunseth Bumah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry College of Sciences San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Carla L Busceti
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | - Paola Lenzi
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gloria Lazzeri
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzili, Italy
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