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Ojaghi H, Poorsheykhian S, Najafi A, Iranpour S. The role of blood related inflammatory factors on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Immun Ageing 2024; 21:35. [PMID: 38840251 PMCID: PMC11151525 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-024-00440-5] [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: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant retinal disease that leads to irreversible low vision, particularly in developing countries. The variation in AMD prevalence among different racial groups and highlighted role of inflammation on disease pathology from previous studies which yielded in inconsistent findings, It seems to be of great importance to do more investigation in this field. METHODS This case control study involved 204 participants, divided into four groups of equal size (51 individuals per group). Three groups represented AMD cases of varying severity according to Beckman classification (3 groups) and one healthy control group. Sampling was conducted exhaustively until the desired sample size was reached. The control group comprised healthy individuals without any infectious or inflammatory systemic, ophthalmic disease. Blood samples were collected to measure inflammatory factors, including lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Collected data were analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS version 21. RESULTS Of the participants, 51% were women, and their ages ranged from 47 to 89 years (62.2 ± 8). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, age exhibited a statistically significant positive association with AMD severity (P = 0.038, odds ratio [OR] = 1.034). ANOVA results indicated a significant association between neutrophil count and AMD severity (P < 0.001). As the disease severity increased, the number of neutrophils decreased. The mean ± SD neutrophil counts for early, intermediate and advanced AMD were 3849 ± 800, 3702 ± 734, and 3342 ± 823, respectively. No statistically significant associations were found between lymphocyte count, monocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, CRP, and AMD. CONCLUSION There was a significant relationship between the number of neutrophils in peripheral blood and the severity of AMD in study participants which needs more evaluation for the potential utility of this factor in the prognosis of AMD. There was not any significant relationship among the other factors and AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habib Ojaghi
- Department of Surgery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | | | - Amin Najafi
- Department of Surgery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Sohrab Iranpour
- Department of Epidemiology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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Jahnke L, Perrenoud V, Zandi S, Li Y, Conedera FM, Enzmann V. Modulation of Extracellular Matrix Composition and Chronic Inflammation with Pirfenidone Promotes Scar Reduction in Retinal Wound Repair. Cells 2024; 13:164. [PMID: 38247855 PMCID: PMC10814251 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020164] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Wound repair in the retina is a complex mechanism, and a deeper understanding of it is necessary for the development of effective treatments to slow down or even prevent degenerative processes leading to photoreceptor loss. In this study, we harnessed a laser-induced retinal degeneration model (532-nm laser photocoagulation with 300 μm spot size, 60 ms duration and 60 mV pulse), enabling a profound molecular elucidation and a comprehensive, prolonged observation of the wound healing sequence in a murine laser-induced degeneration model (C57BL/6J mice, 6-12 weeks) until day 49 post-laser. Our observations included the expression of specific extracellular matrix proteins and myofibroblast activity, along with an analysis of gene expression related to extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules through RNA measurements. Furthermore, the administration of pirfenidone (10 mg/kg via drinking water), an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic compound, was used to modulate scar formation after laser treatment. Our data revealed upregulated collagen expression in late regenerative phases and sustained inflammation in the damaged tissue. Notably, treatment with pirfenidone was found to mitigate scar tissue formation, effectively downregulating collagen production and diminishing the presence of inflammatory markers. However, it did not lead to the regeneration of the photoreceptor layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jahnke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Perrenoud
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Souska Zandi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yuebing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Federica Maria Conedera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Volker Enzmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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Shwani T, Zhang C, Owen LA, Shakoor A, Vitale AT, Lillvis JH, Barr JL, Cromwell P, Finley R, Husami N, Au E, Zavala RA, Graves EC, Zhang SX, Farkas MH, Ammar DA, Allison KM, Tawfik A, Sherva RM, Li M, Stambolian D, Kim IK, Farrer LA, DeAngelis MM. Patterns of Gene Expression, Splicing, and Allele-Specific Expression Vary among Macular Tissues and Clinical Stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Cells 2023; 12:2668. [PMID: 38067097 PMCID: PMC10705168 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness, and elucidating its underlying disease mechanisms is vital to the development of appropriate therapeutics. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially spliced genes (DSGs) across the clinical stages of AMD in disease-affected tissue, the macular retina pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid and the macular neural retina within the same eye. We utilized 27 deeply phenotyped donor eyes (recovered within a 6 h postmortem interval time) from Caucasian donors (60-94 years) using a standardized published protocol. Significant findings were then validated in an independent set of well-characterized donor eyes (n = 85). There was limited overlap between DEGs and DSGs, suggesting distinct mechanisms at play in AMD pathophysiology. A greater number of previously reported AMD loci overlapped with DSGs compared to DEGs between disease states, and no DEG overlap with previously reported loci was found in the macular retina between disease states. Additionally, we explored allele-specific expression (ASE) in coding regions of previously reported AMD risk loci, uncovering a significant imbalance in C3 rs2230199 and CFH rs1061170 in the macular RPE/choroid for normal eyes and intermediate AMD (iAMD), and for CFH rs1061147 in the macular RPE/choroid for normal eyes and iAMD, and separately neovascular AMD (NEO). Only significant DEGs/DSGs from the macular RPE/choroid were found to overlap between disease states. STAT1, validated between the iAMD vs. normal comparison, and AGTPBP1, BBS5, CERKL, FGFBP2, KIFC3, RORα, and ZNF292, validated between the NEO vs. normal comparison, revealed an intricate regulatory network with transcription factors and miRNAs identifying potential upstream and downstream regulators. Findings regarding the complement genes C3 and CFH suggest that coding variants at these loci may influence AMD development via an imbalance of gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. Our study provides crucial insights into the multifaceted genomic underpinnings of AMD (i.e., tissue-specific gene expression changes, potential splice variation, and allelic imbalance), which may open new avenues for AMD diagnostics and therapies specific to iAMD and NEO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Treefa Shwani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Charles Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Leah A. Owen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.S.); (A.T.V.)
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Akbar Shakoor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.S.); (A.T.V.)
| | - Albert T. Vitale
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.S.); (A.T.V.)
| | - John H. Lillvis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA
| | - Julie L. Barr
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Parker Cromwell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Robert Finley
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Nadine Husami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Elizabeth Au
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Rylee A. Zavala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Elijah C. Graves
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
| | - Sarah X. Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Michael H. Farkas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - David A. Ammar
- Lion’s Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Tampa, FL 33605, USA;
| | - Karen M. Allison
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Amany Tawfik
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies and Eye Research Center, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI 48309, USA;
- Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
| | - Richard M. Sherva
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (R.M.S.); (L.A.F.)
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Ivana K. Kim
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Lindsay A. Farrer
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (R.M.S.); (L.A.F.)
| | - Margaret M. DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.S.); (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (J.L.B.); (P.C.); (R.F.); (N.H.); (E.A.); (R.A.Z.); (E.C.G.); (S.X.Z.); (M.H.F.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (A.S.); (A.T.V.)
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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Wang X, Wang T, Lam E, Alvarez D, Sun Y. Ocular Vascular Diseases: From Retinal Immune Privilege to Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12090. [PMID: 37569464 PMCID: PMC10418793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye is an immune privileged tissue that insulates the visual system from local and systemic immune provocation to preserve homeostatic functions of highly specialized retinal neural cells. If immune privilege is breached, immune stimuli will invade the eye and subsequently trigger acute inflammatory responses. Local resident microglia become active and release numerous immunological factors to protect the integrity of retinal neural cells. Although acute inflammatory responses are necessary to control and eradicate insults to the eye, chronic inflammation can cause retinal tissue damage and cell dysfunction, leading to ocular disease and vision loss. In this review, we summarized features of immune privilege in the retina and the key inflammatory responses, factors, and intracellular pathways activated when retinal immune privilege fails, as well as a highlight of the recent clinical and research advances in ocular immunity and ocular vascular diseases including retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
| | - Tianxi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
| | - Enton Lam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
| | - David Alvarez
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ye Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
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Trinh M, Eshow N, Alonso-Caneiro D, Kalloniatis M, Nivison-Smith L. Reticular Pseudodrusen Are Associated With More Advanced Para-Central Photoreceptor Degeneration in Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:12. [PMID: 36251316 PMCID: PMC9586134 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.11.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine retinal topographical differences between intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) versus iAMD without RPD, using high-density optical coherence tomography (OCT) cluster analysis. Methods Single eyes from 153 individuals (51 with iAMD+RPD, 51 with iAMD, and 51 healthy) were propensity-score matched by age, sex, and refraction. High-density OCT grid-wise (60 × 60 grids, each approximately 0.01 mm2 area) thicknesses were custom-extracted from macular cube scans, then compared between iAMD+RPD and iAMD eyes with correction for confounding factors. These "differences (µm)" were clustered and results de-convoluted to reveal mean difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) and topography of the inner retina (retinal nerve fiber, ganglion cell, inner plexiform, and inner nuclear layers) and outer retina (outer plexiform/Henle's fiber/outer nuclear layers, inner and outer segments, and retinal pigment epithelium-to-Bruch's membrane [RPE-BM]). Differences were also converted to Z-scores using normal data. Results In iAMD+RPD compared to iAMD eyes, the inner retina was thicker (up to +5.89 [95% CI = +2.44 to +9.35] µm, P < 0.0001 to 0.05), the outer para-central retina was thinner (up to -3.21 [95% CI = -5.39 to -1.03] µm, P < 0.01 to 0.001), and the RPE-BM was thicker (+3.38 [95% CI = +1.05 to +5.71] µm, P < 0.05). The majority of effect sizes (Z-scores) were large (-3.13 to +1.91). Conclusions OCT retinal topography differed across all retinal layers between iAMD eyes with versus without RPD. Greater para-central photoreceptor thinning in RPD eyes was suggestive of more advanced degeneration, whereas the significance of inner retinal thickening was unclear. In the future, quantitative evaluation of photoreceptor thicknesses may help clinicians monitor the potential deleterious effects of RPD on retinal integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Trinh
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Natalie Eshow
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Alonso-Caneiro
- Contact Lens and Visual Optics Laboratory, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Kalloniatis
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medicine (Optometry), Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Nivison-Smith
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Elevated Plasma Levels of C1qTNF1 Protein in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Glucose Disturbances. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154391. [PMID: 35956011 PMCID: PMC9369205 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research has provided increasing evidence for the importance of inflammatory etiology in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis. This study assessed the profile of inflammatory cytokines in the serum of patients with AMD and coexisting glucose disturbances (GD). This prospective population-based cohort study addressed the determinants and occurrence of cardiovascular, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, and endocrine diseases in residents of Bialystok, Poland. To make the group homogenous in terms of inflammatory markers, we analyzed only subjects with glucose disturbances (GD: diabetes or prediabetes). Four hundred fifty-six patients aged 50–80 were included. In the group of patients without macular degenerative changes, those with GD accounted for 71.7%, while among those with AMD, GD accounted for 89.45%. Increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in both AMD and GD groups. C1qTNF1 concentration was statistically significantly higher in the group of patients with AMD, with comparable levels of concentrations of other proinflammatory cytokines. C1qTNF1 may act as a key mediator in the integration of lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses in macrophages. Moreover, C1qTNF1 levels are increased after exposure to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), which plays a key role in atherosclerotic plaque formation and is also a major component of the drusen observed in AMD. C1qTNF1 may, therefore, prove to be a link between the accumulation of oxLDL and the induction of local inflammation in the development of AMD with concomitant GD.
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Urbańska K, Stępień PW, Nowakowska KN, Stefaniak M, Osial N, Chorągiewicz T, Toro MD, Nowomiejska K, Rejdak R. The Role of Dysregulated miRNAs in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147761. [PMID: 35887109 PMCID: PMC9319652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease causing damage to the macular region of the retina where most of the photoreceptors responsible for central visual acuity are located. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that negatively regulate genes by silent post-transcriptional gene expressions. Previous studies have shown that changes in specific miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of eye diseases, including AMD. Altered expressions of miRNAs are related to disturbances of regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and phagocytosis, which are known factors in the pathogenesis of AMD. Moreover, dysregulation of miRNA is involved in drusen formation. Thus, miRNAs may be used as potential molecular biomarkers for the disease and, furthermore, tailoring therapeutics to particular disturbances in miRNAs may, in the future, offer hope to prevent irreversible vision loss. In this review, we clarify the current state of knowledge about the influence of miRNA on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of AMD. Our study material consisted of publications, which were found in PubMed, Google Scholar and Embase databases using “Age-related macular degeneration”, “miRNA”, “AMD biomarkers”, “miRNA therapeutics” and “AMD pathogenesis” as keywords. Paper search was limited to articles published from 2011 to date. In the section “Retinal, circulating and vitreous body miRNAs found in human studies”, we limited the search to studies with patients published in 2016–2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Urbańska
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
| | - Piotr Witold Stępień
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
| | - Katarzyna Natalia Nowakowska
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
| | - Martyna Stefaniak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
| | - Natalia Osial
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
| | - Tomasz Chorągiewicz
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mario Damiano Toro
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
- Eye Clinic, Public Health Department, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Katarzyna Nowomiejska
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland; (K.U.); (P.W.S.); (K.N.N.); (M.S.); (N.O.); (M.D.T.); (K.N.); (R.R.)
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8
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Trinh M, Kalloniatis M, Alonso-Caneiro D, Nivison-Smith L. High-Density Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis Provides Insights Into Early/Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration Retinal Layer Changes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:36. [PMID: 35622354 PMCID: PMC9150835 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.5.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To topographically map all of the thickness differences in individual retinal layers between early/intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMDearly/AMDint) and normal eyes and to determine interlayer relationships. Methods Ninety-six AMDtotal (48 AMDearly and 48 AMDint) and 96 normal eyes from 192 participants were propensity-score matched by age, sex, and refraction. Retrospective optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular cube scans were acquired, and high-density (60 × 60 0.01-mm2) grid thicknesses were custom extracted for comparison between AMDtotal and normal eyes corrected for confounding. Resultant "normal differences" underwent cluster, interlayer correlation, and dose-response analyses for the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer + Henle's fiber layer (ONL+HFL), inner and outer segment (IS/OS) thickness, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to Bruch's membrane (BM) thickness. Results AMDtotal inner retinal clusters demonstrated extensively thinned RNFL, GCL, IPL, and paracentral INL and thickened INL elsewhere, with normal difference means ranging from -8.13 µm (95% confidence interval [CI], -11.12 to -5.13) to 1.58 µm (95% CI, 1.07-2.09) (P < 0.0001 to P < 0.05). Outer retinal clusters displayed thinned paracentral OPL/ONL+HFL, central IS/OS, and peripheral RPE-BM and thickened central RPE-BM, with means ranging from -1.31 µm (95% CI, -2.06 to -0.55) to 2.99 µm (95% CI, 0.97-5.01] (P < 0.0001 to P <0.05). Effect sizes (-2.56 to 9.93 SD), cluster sizes, and eccentricity effects varied. All interlayer correlations were negligible to moderate regardless of AMD severity. Only the RPE-BM was partly thicker with greater AMD severity (up to 5.44 µm; 95% CI, 4.88-6.00; P < 0.01). Conclusions From the early stage, AMD eyes demonstrate thickness differences compared to normal with unique topographies across all retinal layers. Poor interlayer correlations highlight that the outer retina inadequately reflects complete retinal health. The clinical importance of OCT assessment across all individual retinal layers in early/intermediate AMD requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Trinh
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Kalloniatis
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Alonso-Caneiro
- Contact Lens and Visual Optics Laboratory, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lisa Nivison-Smith
- Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Zhang C, Owen LA, Lillvis JH, Zhang SX, Kim IK, DeAngelis MM. AMD Genomics: Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061484. [PMID: 35329812 PMCID: PMC8954267 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is the world’s leading cause of blindness in the aging population. Although the clinical stages and forms of AMD have been elucidated, more specific prognostic tools are required to determine when patients with early and intermediate AMD will progress into the advanced stages of AMD. Another challenge in the field has been the appropriate development of therapies for intermediate AMD and advanced atrophic AMD. After numerous negative clinical trials, an anti-C5 agent and anti-C3 agent have recently shown promising results in phase 3 clinical trials, in terms of slowing the growth of geographic atrophy, an advanced form of AMD. Interestingly, both drugs appear to be associated with an increased incidence of wet AMD, another advanced form of the disease, and will require frequent intravitreal injections. Certainly, there remains a need for other therapeutic agents with the potential to prevent progression to advanced stages of the disease. Investigation of the role and clinical utility of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is a major advancement in biology that has only been minimally applied to AMD. In the following review, we discuss the clinical relevance of ncRNAs in AMD as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
| | - Leah A. Owen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - John H. Lillvis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA
| | - Sarah X. Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Ivana K. Kim
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Correspondence: (I.K.K.); (M.M.D.)
| | - Margaret M. DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (C.Z.); (L.A.O.); (J.H.L.); (S.X.Z.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14212, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Correspondence: (I.K.K.); (M.M.D.)
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10
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Yang L, Yu P, Chen M, Lei B. Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor Rapamycin Alleviates 7-Ketocholesterol Induced Inflammatory Responses and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Elevation by Regulating MAPK Pathway in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2021; 38:189-200. [PMID: 34936813 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2021.0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To validate the protective effect of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor on human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells challenged with 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Human primary RPE (hRPE) cells and ARPE-19 cells were cultured with or without 10 nM of rapamycin for 6 h before being exposed to 10 μM of 7-KC for 24 h. The transcriptome of 7-KC challenged ARPE-19 cells was investigated by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The effects of 7-KC and rapamycin on the viability of ARPE-19 cells were measured with CCK-8. Gene expression was verified by real-time PCR, and protein levels were determined by ELISA or Western blotting. Results: The expression of IL-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in RPE cells was markedly increased after stimulation with 7-KC for 12/24 h compared with the controls. RNA-seq showed that a total of 10,243 genes were differentially expressed, with 5,518 genes upregulated and 4,725 genes downregulated between the 7-KC treated and the control group. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis showed that 7-KC stimulation activated mTOR signaling and other pathways, including adherent junction, MAPK, and Wnt signalings. mTOR inhibitor rapamycin significantly suppressed the elevation of IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF stimulated by 7-KC. Rapamycin not only decreased the level of phosphorylated mTOR, P70S6K, 4EBP1 but also inhibited the activation of MAPK pathway. Conclusions: Inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway suppressed the elevation of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and the angiogenic agent VEGF induced by 7-KC. The protective effect of rapamycin was associated with its downregulation on MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Changshou District, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei Chen
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Bo Lei
- Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Predictive Biomarkers of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Response to Anti-VEGF Treatment. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121329. [PMID: 34945801 PMCID: PMC8706948 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an incurable disease associated with aging that destroys sharp and central vision. Increasing evidence implicates both systemic and local inflammation in the pathogenesis of AMD. Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents is currently the first-line therapy for choroidal neovascularization in AMD patients. However, a high number of patients do not show satisfactory responses to anti-VEGF treatment after three injections. Predictive treatment response models are one of the most powerful tools for personalized medicine. Therefore, the application of these models is very helpful to predict the optimal treatment for an early application on each patient. We analyzed the transcriptome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AMD patients before treatment to identify biomarkers of response to ranibizumab. A classification model comprised of four mRNAs and one miRNA isolated from PBMCs was able to predict the response to ranibizumab with high accuracy (Area Under the Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve = 0.968), before treatment. We consider that our classification model, based on mRNA and miRNA from PBMCs allows a robust prediction of patients with insufficient response to anti-VEGF treatment. In addition, it could be used in combination with other methods, such as specific baseline characteristics, to identify patients with poor response to anti-VEGF treatment to establish patient-specific treatment plans at the first visit.
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12
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ElShelmani H, Brennan I, Kelly DJ, Keegan D. Differential Circulating MicroRNA Expression in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212321. [PMID: 34830203 PMCID: PMC8625913 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study explored the expression of several miRNAs reported to be deregulated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Total RNA was isolated from sera from patients with dry AMD (n = 12), wet AMD (n = 14), and controls (n = 10). Forty-two previously investigated miRNAs were selected based on published data and their role in AMD pathogenesis, such as angiogenic and inflammatory effects, and were co-analysed using a miRCURY LNA miRNA SYBR® Green PCR kit via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to validate their presence. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering indicated that AMD serum specimens have a different miRNA profile to healthy controls. We successfully validated the differentially regulated miRNAs in serum from AMD patients versus controls. Eight miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-let-7d-5p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, hsa-miR-301a-3p, hsa-miR-361-5p, hsa-miR-27b-3p, hsa-miR-874-3p, hsa-miR-19b-1-5p) showed higher expression in the serum of dry AMD patients than wet AMD patients and compared with healthy controls. Increased quantities of certain miRNAs in the serum of AMD patients indicate that these miRNAs could potentially serve as diagnostic AMD biomarkers and might be used as future AMD treatment targets. The discovery of significant serum miRNA biomarkers in AMD patients would provide an easy screening tool for at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan ElShelmani
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7, Ireland; (H.E.); (I.B.)
| | - Ian Brennan
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7, Ireland; (H.E.); (I.B.)
- University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - David J. Kelly
- Zoology Department, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland;
| | - David Keegan
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7, Ireland; (H.E.); (I.B.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Ulańczyk Z, Grabowicz A, Mozolewska‐Piotrowska K, Safranow K, Kawa MP, Pałucha A, Krawczyk M, Sikora P, Matczyńska E, Machaliński B, Machalińska A. Genetic factors associated with age-related macular degeneration: identification of a novel PRPH2 single nucleotide polymorphism associated with increased risk of the disease. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:739-749. [PMID: 33354892 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with multiple environmental and genetic risk factors. Two main risk factors for AMD are variants in the CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1 genes. We investigated over 2000 variants in AMD patients and controls using high-throughput sequencing methods to search for variants associated with AMD. METHODS A total of 296 AMD patients and 100 controls were enrolled in this study. Genetic analysis was performed with the Illumina NextSeq 500 system. RESULTS Multivariate analysis of patients and controls, adjusted for age, sex and smoking status (pack-years), revealed that three SNPs were strong risk factors independently associated with AMD: CFH Y402H, ARMS A69S and PRPH2 c.582-67T>A (rs3818086). The TC genotype in CFH Y402H was associated with 1.90-fold higher odds, and the CC genotype was associated with 5.66-fold higher odds of AMD compared with the TT genotype. The GT genotype in ARMS A69S was associated with 2.40-fold higher odds, and the TT genotype was associated with 6.75-fold higher odds of disease compared with the GG genotype. In the case of rs3818086, the A allele could be considered a 'risk' allele, since AA + TA genotypes were associated with 2.33-fold higher odds of AMD compared with the TT genotype. CONCLUSIONS Although PRPH2 mutations have been previously implicated in various forms of retinal degeneration, to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show that the rs3818086 variant increases the risk for AMD more than two times. Further studies on larger cohorts are required to elucidate how this variant affects protein structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia Ulańczyk
- Department of General Pathology Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin Poland
| | | | | | - Krzysztof Safranow
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin Poland
| | - Miłosz Piotr Kawa
- Department of General Pathology Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Machalińska
- First Department of Ophthalmology Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin Poland
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14
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Dammak A, Huete-Toral F, Carpena-Torres C, Martin-Gil A, Pastrana C, Carracedo G. From Oxidative Stress to Inflammation in the Posterior Ocular Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1376. [PMID: 34575451 PMCID: PMC8467715 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most irreversible blindness observed with glaucoma and retina-related ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, have their origin in the posterior segment of the eye, making their physiopathology both complex and interconnected. In addition to the age factor, these diseases share the same mechanism disorder based essentially on oxidative stress. In this context, the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mainly by mitochondria and their elimination by protective mechanisms leads to chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation share a close pathophysiological process, appearing simultaneously and suggesting a relationship between both mechanisms. The biochemical end point of these two biological alarming systems is the release of different biomarkers that can be used in the diagnosis. Furthermore, oxidative stress, initiating in the vulnerable tissue of the posterior segment, is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, autophagy dysfunction, and inflammation, which are involved in each disease progression. In this review, we have analyzed (1) the oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the back of the eye, (2) the importance of biomarkers, detected in systemic or ocular fluids, for the diagnosis of eye diseases based on recent studies, and (3) the treatment of posterior ocular diseases, based on long-term clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Dammak
- Ocupharm Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (F.H.-T.); (C.C.-T.); (A.M.-G.); (C.P.)
| | - Fernando Huete-Toral
- Ocupharm Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (F.H.-T.); (C.C.-T.); (A.M.-G.); (C.P.)
| | - Carlos Carpena-Torres
- Ocupharm Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (F.H.-T.); (C.C.-T.); (A.M.-G.); (C.P.)
| | - Alba Martin-Gil
- Ocupharm Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (F.H.-T.); (C.C.-T.); (A.M.-G.); (C.P.)
| | - Cristina Pastrana
- Ocupharm Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (F.H.-T.); (C.C.-T.); (A.M.-G.); (C.P.)
| | - Gonzalo Carracedo
- Ocupharm Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain; (A.D.); (F.H.-T.); (C.C.-T.); (A.M.-G.); (C.P.)
- Department of Optometry and Vsiion, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, University Complutense of Madrid, C/Arcos del Jalon 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain
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15
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The Role of Oxidative Stress and the Importance of miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in the Development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9081328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of blindness in developed countries. With the progressive aging of the population, AMD is a significant ophthalmological problem in the population over 50 years of age. The etiology of AMD is known to be based on various biochemical, immunological and molecular pathways and to be influenced by a range of genetic and environmental elements. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiological role of oxidative stress and free radicals in the retina with a special focus on the DNA repair efficiency and enzymatic antioxidant defense. It also presents a correlation between miRNA profile and AMD, and indicates their involvement in inflammation, angiogenesis, increased oxidation of cellular components, enzymatic antioxidant capacity and DNA repair efficiency, which play particularly important roles in AMD pathogenesis. Gene silencing by miRNAs can induce changes in antioxidant enzymes, leading to a complex interplay between redox imbalance by free radicals and miRNAs in modulating cellular redox homeostasis.
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16
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Byrne EM, Llorián-Salvador M, Tang M, Margariti A, Chen M, Xu H. IL-17A Damages the Blood-Retinal Barrier through Activating the Janus Kinase 1 Pathway. Biomedicines 2021; 9:831. [PMID: 34356895 PMCID: PMC8301352 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction underlies macular oedema in many sight-threatening conditions, including diabetic macular oedema, neovascular age-related macular degeneration and uveoretinitis. Inflammation plays an important role in BRB dysfunction. This study aimed to understand the role of the inflammatory cytokine IL-17A in BRB dysfunction and the mechanism involved. Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell line ARPE19 and murine brain endothelial line bEnd.3 were cultured on transwell membranes to model the outer BRB and inner BRB, respectively. IL-17A treatment (3 days in bEnd.3 cells and 6 days in ARPE19 cells) disrupted the distribution of claudin-5 in bEnd.3 cells and ZO-1 in ARPE19 cells, reduced the transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased permeability to FITC-tracers in vitro. Intravitreal (20 ng/1 μL/eye) or intravenous (20 ng/g) injection of recombinant IL-17A induced retinal albumin leakage within 48 h in C57BL/6J mice. Mechanistically, IL-17A induced Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) phosphorylation in bEnd.3 but not ARPE19 cells. Blocking JAK1 with Tofacitinib prevented IL-17A-mediated claudin-5 dysmorphia in bEnd.3 cells and reduced albumin leakage in IL-17A-treated mice. Our results suggest that IL-17A can damage the BRB through the activating the JAK1 signaling pathway, and targeting this pathway may be a novel approach to treat inflammation-induced macular oedema.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Heping Xu
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (E.M.B.); (M.L.-S.); (M.T.); (A.M.); (M.C.)
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17
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Hytti M, Korhonen E, Hongisto H, Kaarniranta K, Skottman H, Kauppinen A. Differential Expression of Inflammasome-Related Genes in Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells with or without History of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136800. [PMID: 34202702 PMCID: PMC8268331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key underlying factor of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inflammasome activation has been linked to disease development. Induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (iPSC-RPE) are an attractive novel model system that can help to further elucidate disease pathways of this complex disease. Here, we analyzed the effect of dysfunctional protein clearance on inflammation and inflammasome activation in iPSC-RPE cells generated from a patient suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and an age-matched control. We primed iPSC-RPE cells with IL-1α and then inhibited both proteasomal degradation and autophagic clearance using MG-132 and bafilomycin A1, respectively, causing inflammasome activation. Subsequently, we determined cell viability, analyzed the expression levels of inflammasome-related genes using a PCR array, and measured the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secreted into the medium. Cell treatments modified the expression of 48 inflammasome-related genes and increased the secretion of mature IL-1β, while reducing the levels of IL-6 and MCP-1. Interestingly, iPSC-RPE from an AMD donor secreted more IL-1β and expressed more Hsp90 prior to the inhibition of protein clearance, while MCP-1 and IL-6 were reduced at both protein and mRNA levels. Overall, our results suggest that cellular clearance mechanisms might already be dysfunctional, and the inflammasome activated, in cells with a disease origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hytti
- Immuno-Ophthalmology, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (A.K.); Tel.: +358-50-362-3058 (M.H.); +358-40-355-3216 (A.K.)
| | - Eveliina Korhonen
- Immuno-Ophthalmology, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heidi Hongisto
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland; (H.H.); (H.S.)
- Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland; (H.H.); (H.S.)
| | - Anu Kauppinen
- Immuno-Ophthalmology, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (A.K.); Tel.: +358-50-362-3058 (M.H.); +358-40-355-3216 (A.K.)
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IL-9 and IL-10 Single-Nucleotide Variants and Serum Levels in Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Caucasian Population. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:6622934. [PMID: 33953642 PMCID: PMC8057879 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6622934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering the immunological impairment in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), we aimed to determine the associations of IL-9 rs1859430, rs2069870, rs11741137, rs2069885, and rs2069884 and IL-10 rs1800871, rs1800872, and rs1800896 polymorphisms and their haplotypes, as well as the serum levels of IL-9 and IL-10 with AMD. 1209 participants were enrolled in our study. SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays by real-time PCR method. IL-9 and IL-10 serum levels were evaluated using ELISA kits. Our study results have shown that haplotypes A-G-C-G-G and G-A-T-A-T of IL-9 SNPs are associated with the decreased odds of early AMD occurrence (p = 0.035 and p = 0.015, respectively). A set of rare haplotypes was associated with the decreased odds of exudative AMD occurrence (p = 0.033). Also, IL-10 serum levels were lower in exudative AMD than in controls (p = 0.049), patients with early AMD (p = 0.017), and atrophic AMD (p = 0.008). Furthermore, exudative AMD patients with IL-10 rs1800896 CT and TT genotypes had lower IL-10 serum concentrations than those with wild-type (CC) genotype (p = 0.048). In conclusion, our study suggests that IL-10 serum levels can be associated with a minor allele at IL-10 rs1800896 and exudative AMD. The haplotypes of IL-9 SNPs were also associated with the decreased odds of early and exudative AMD.
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Too LK, Hunt N, Simunovic MP. The Role of Inflammation and Infection in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases: Lessons From Bacterial Meningitis Applied to Alzheimer Disease and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:635486. [PMID: 33867940 PMCID: PMC8044768 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.635486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are multifactorial and have diverse genetic and environmental risk factors. Despite the complex nature of the diseases, there is long-standing, and growing, evidence linking microbial infection to the development of AD dementia, which we summarize in this article. Also, we highlight emerging research findings that support a role for parainfection in the pathophysiology of AMD, a disease of the neurosensory retina that has been shown to share risk factors and pathological features with AD. Acute neurological infections, such as Bacterial Meningitis (BM), trigger inflammatory events that permanently change how the brain functions, leading to lasting cognitive impairment. Neuroinflammation likewise is a known pathological event that occurs in the early stages of chronic age-related neurodegenerative diseases AD and AMD and might be triggered as a parainfectious event. To date, at least 16 microbial pathogens have been linked to the development of AD; on the other hand, investigation of a microbe-AMD relationship is in its infancy. This mini-review article provides a synthesis of existing evidence indicating a contribution of parainfection in the aetiology of AD and of emerging findings that support a similar process in AMD. Subsequently, it describes the major immunopathological mechanisms that are common to BM and AD/AMD. Together, this evidence leads to our proposal that both AD and AMD may have an infectious aetiology that operates through a dysregulated inflammatory response, leading to deleterious outcomes. Last, it draws fresh insights from the existing literature about potential therapeutic options for BM that might alleviate neurological disruption associated with infections, and which could, by extension, be explored in the context of AD and AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lay Khoon Too
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Hunt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew P. Simunovic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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20
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Geographic atrophy severity and mortality in age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 259:2643-2651. [PMID: 33742280 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-021-05145-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the association between geographic atrophy (GA) disease characteristics and mortality risk. METHODS We manually delineated color fundus photographs of 209 Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) participants with GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration to identify total area of atrophy, GA effective radius growth rate, disease laterality, and the presence of foveal center involvement. Associations between GA characteristics and mortality were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for health status indicators. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, 48 (23.0%) participants with GA died. In adjusted models, accounting for age, sex, and health status, participants with total GA area in the highest quartile had a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with total GA area in the lowest quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 3.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-8.86; P = 0.011). GA effective radius growth rate, bilateral disease, and the presence of foveal center involvement were not significantly associated with mortality. In a multivariable model, including health status indicators and all GA characteristics, total area of atrophy in the highest quartile remained significantly associated with mortality (HR, 4.65; 95% CI, 1.29-16.70; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS More extensive GA, as indicated by a greater total area of atrophy, was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in our cohort. The extent of GA may reflect the extent of underlying disease processes that contribute to greater mortality risk, further suggesting that GA may be part of a systemic rather than purely ocular disease process.
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21
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Martinez B, Peplow PV. MicroRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration: advances and limitations. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:440-447. [PMID: 32985463 PMCID: PMC7996036 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.293131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A main cause of vision loss in the elderly is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Among the cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes linked to this disease, inflammation and angiogenesis appear as being crucial in AMD pathogenesis and progression. There are two forms of the disease: dry AMD, accounting for 80-90% of cases, and wet AMD. The disease usually begins as dry AMD associated with retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor degeneration, whereas wet AMD is associated with choroidal neovascularization resulting in severe vision impairment. The new vessels are largely malformed, leading to blood and fluid leakage within the disrupted tissue, which provokes inflammation and scar formation and results in retinal damage and detachment. MicroRNAs are dysregulated in AMD and may facilitate the early detection of the disease and monitoring disease progression. Two recent reviews of microRNAs in AMD had indicated weaknesses or limitations in four earlier investigations. Studies in the last three years have shown considerable progress in overcoming some of these concerns and identifying specific microRNAs as biomarkers for AMD. Further large-scale studies are warranted using appropriate statistical methods to take into account gender and age disparity in the study populations and confounding factors such as smoking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Martinez
- Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Department of Medicine, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada
| | - Philip V. Peplow
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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22
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Potilinski MC, Tate PS, Lorenc VE, Gallo JE. New insights into oxidative stress and immune mechanisms involved in age-related macular degeneration tackled by novel therapies. Neuropharmacology 2021; 188:108513. [PMID: 33662390 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has increased in the last years. Although anti-VEGF agents have improved the prognosis of exudative AMD, dry AMD has still devastating effects on elderly people vision. Oxidative stress and inflammation are mechanisms involved in AMD pathogenesis and its progression. Molecular pathways involving epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP4) and the nuclear erythroid related factor 2 (Nrf2) are behind oxidative stress in AMD due to their participation in antioxidant cellular pathways. As a consequence of the disbalance produced in the antioxidant mechanisms, there is an activation of innate and adaptative immune response with cell recruitment, changes in complement factors expression, and modification of cellular milieu. Different therapies are being studied to treat dry AMD based on the possible effects on antioxidant molecular pathways or their action on the immune response. There is a wide range of treatments presented in this review, from natural antioxidant compounds to cell and gene therapy, based on their mechanisms. Finally, we hypothesize that alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory molecule that can also modulate antioxidant cellular defenses, could be a good candidate for testing in AMD. This article is part of the special ssue on 'The Quest for Disease-Modifying Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Constanza Potilinski
- Nanomedicine & Vision Lab, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo S Tate
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria E Lorenc
- Nanomedicine & Vision Lab, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan E Gallo
- Nanomedicine & Vision Lab, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Translacional, Universidad Austral, CONICET, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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23
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Targeted Gene Candidates for Treatment and Early Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:6620900. [PMID: 33604378 PMCID: PMC7872763 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6620900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that impairs the sharp and central vision need for daily activities. Recent advances in molecular biology research not only lead to a better understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology of AMD but also to the development of applications based on targeted gene expressions to treat the disease. Clarification of molecular pathways that causing to development and progression in dry and wet types of AMD needs comprehensive and comparative investigations in particular precious biopsies involving peripheral blood samples from the patients. Therefore, in this investigation, dry and wet types of AMD patients and healthy individuals were aimed at investigating in regard to targeted gene candidates by using gene expression analysis for the first time. 13 most potent candidate genes involved in neurodegeneration were selected via in silico approach and investigated through gene expression analysis to suggest new targets for disease therapy. For the analyses, 30 individuals (10 dry and 10 wet types AMD patients and 10 healthy people) were involved in the study. SYBR-Green based Real-Time PCR analysis was performed on isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to analyze differentially expressed genes related to these cases. According to the investigations, only the CRP gene was found to be upregulated for both dry and wet disease types. When the downregulated genes were analyzed, it was found that 11 genes were commonly decreased for both dry and wet types in the aspect of expression pattern. From these genes, CFH, CX3CR1, FLT1, and TIMP3 were found to have the most downregulated gene expression properties for both diseases. From these results, it might be concluded that these common upregulated and downregulated genes could be used as targets for early diagnosis and treatment for AMD.
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24
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Mantel I, Borgo A, Guidotti J, Forestier E, Kirsch O, Derradji Y, Waridel P, Burdet F, Mehl F, Schweizer C, Roduit R. Molecular Biomarkers of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration With Incomplete Response to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:594087. [PMID: 33447243 PMCID: PMC7802772 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.594087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The standard treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) consists of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). However, for some patients, even maximal anti-VEGF treatment does not entirely suppress exudative activity. The goal of this study was to identify molecular biomarkers in nAMD with incomplete response to anti-VEGF treatment. Aqueous humor (AH) samples were collected from three groups of patients: 17 patients with nAMD responding incompletely to anti-VEGF (18 eyes), 17 patients affected by nAMD with normal treatment response (21 eyes), and 16 control patients without any retinopathy (16 eyes). Proteomic and multiplex analyses were performed on these samples. Proteomic analyses showed that nAMD patients with incomplete anti-VEGF response displayed an increased inflammatory response, complement activation, cytolysis, protein-lipid complex, and vasculature development pathways. Multiplex analyses revealed a significant increase of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) [ p = 0.001], interleukin-6 (IL-6) [ p = 0.009], bioactive interleukin-12 (IL-12p40) [ p = 0.03], plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) [ p = 0.004], and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [ p = 0.004] levels in incomplete responders in comparison to normal responders. Interestingly, the same biomarkers showed a high intercorrelation with r2 values between 0.58 and 0.94. In addition, we confirmed by AlphaLISA the increase of sVCAM-1 [ p < 0.0001] and IL-6 [ p = 0.043] in the incomplete responder group. Incomplete responders in nAMD are associated with activated angiogenic and inflammatory pathways. The residual exudative activity of nAMD despite maximal anti-VEGF treatment may be related to both angiogenic and inflammatory responses requiring specific adjuvant therapy. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD02247
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Affiliation(s)
- Irmela Mantel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Angelica Borgo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Guidotti
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Edwige Forestier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olga Kirsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yasmine Derradji
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrice Waridel
- Protein Analysis Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Florence Mehl
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claude Schweizer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raphaël Roduit
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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25
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Ma Z, Liu J, Li J, Jiang H, Kong J. Klotho Levels are Decreased and Associated with Enhanced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Aqueous Humor in Patients with Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2020; 30:630-637. [PMID: 33048602 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1828488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate anti-aging protein klotho levels in the aqueous humor and its association with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Levels of klotho, oxidative, and antioxidative stress markers, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in the aqueous humor from 28 patients with exudative AMD and 35 age-matched controls were measured. RESULTS Patients with AMD had lower levels of klotho, which were negatively correlated with macular lesion size. Patients with AMD also exhibited increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and interleukin (IL)-6 but not tumor necrosis factor‑α, and decreased levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and IL-10. Moreover, levels of klotho were negatively correlated with levels of 8-OHdG and IL-6, but positively correlated with levels of TSA and IL-10. CONCLUSION Klotho levels in the aqueous humor are decreased and associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with exudative AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxu Ma
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Lens Research, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Kong
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Lens Research, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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26
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Ulańczyk Z, Grabowicz A, Cecerska-Heryć E, Śleboda-Taront D, Krytkowska E, Mozolewska-Piotrowska K, Safranow K, Kawa MP, Dołęgowska B, Machalińska A. Dietary and Lifestyle Factors Modulate the Activity of the Endogenous Antioxidant System in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Correlations with Disease Severity. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9100954. [PMID: 33027903 PMCID: PMC7600107 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness in the elderly population, but the pathogenesis of this disease remains largely unknown. Since oxidative stress is suggested to play a major role in AMD, we aimed to assess the activity levels of components of the antioxidant system in patients with AMD. We also investigated whether lifestyle and dietary factors modulate the activity of these endogenous antioxidants and clinical parameters of disease severity. We recruited 330 patients with AMD (39 with early, 100 with intermediate and 191 with late form of AMD) and 121 controls in this study. At enrolment, patients’ dietary habits and physical activity were assessed, and each study participant underwent a thorough ophthalmologic examination. The activity of several components of the antioxidant system were measured in red blood cells and platelets using both kinetic and spectrophotometric methods. Patients with AMD consumed much lower levels of fatty fish and eggs than the control group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.04, respectively). In the nAMD group, visual acuity (VA) correlated positively with green vegetable consumption (Rs = +0.24, p = 0.004) and omega-3-rich oil intake (Rs = +0.17, p = 0.03). In the AMD group, the total physical activity MET score correlated positively with VA (Rs = +0.17, p = 0.003) and correlated negatively with the severity of AMD (Rs = −0.14, p = 0.01). A multivariate analysis of patients and controls adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status (pack-years) revealed that AMD was an independent variable associated with a lower RBC catalase (β = −0.37, p < 0.001) and higher PLT catalase (β = +0.25, p < 0.001), RBC GPx (β = +0.26, p < 0.001), PLT GPx (β = +0.16, p = 0.001), RBC R-GSSG (β = +0.13, p = 0.009), PLT R-GSSG (β = +0.12, p = 0.02) and RBC GSH transferase (β = +0.23, p < 0.001) activity. The activities of components of the antioxidant system were associated with disease severity and depended on dietary habits. The observed substantial increase in the activity of many critical endogenous antioxidants in patients with AMD further indicates that the required equilibrium in the antioxidant system is disturbed throughout the course of the disease. Our findings explicitly show that a diet rich in green vegetables, fish and omega-3-rich oils, supplemented by physical exercise, is beneficial for patients with AMD, as it might delay disease progression and help retain better visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia Ulańczyk
- Department of General Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (Z.U.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Aleksandra Grabowicz
- First Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.G.); (E.K.); (K.M.-P.)
| | - Elżbieta Cecerska-Heryć
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (E.C.-H.); (D.Ś.-T.); (B.D.)
| | - Daria Śleboda-Taront
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (E.C.-H.); (D.Ś.-T.); (B.D.)
| | - Elżbieta Krytkowska
- First Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.G.); (E.K.); (K.M.-P.)
| | | | - Krzysztof Safranow
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Miłosz Piotr Kawa
- Department of General Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (Z.U.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Barbara Dołęgowska
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (E.C.-H.); (D.Ś.-T.); (B.D.)
| | - Anna Machalińska
- First Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.G.); (E.K.); (K.M.-P.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Tan W, Zou J, Yoshida S, Jiang B, Zhou Y. The Role of Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:2989-3001. [PMID: 33061811 PMCID: PMC7545698 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.49890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding eye disease which incidence gradually increases with age. Inflammation participates in AMD pathogenesis, including choroidal neovascularization and geographic atrophy. It is also a kind of self-protective regulation from injury for the eyes. In this review, we described inflammation in AMD pathogenesis, summarized the roles played by inflammation-related cytokines, including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as leukocytes (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes) in the innate or adaptive immunity in AMD. Possible clinical applications such as potential diagnostic biomarkers and anti-inflammatory therapies were also discussed. This review overviews the inflammation as a target of novel effective therapies in treating AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jingling Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Shigeo Yoshida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Bing Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yedi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.,Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
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28
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Nahavandipour A, Krogh Nielsen M, Sørensen TL, Subhi Y. Systemic levels of interleukin-6 in patients with age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Ophthalmol 2020; 98:434-444. [PMID: 32180348 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most prevalent cause of irreversible vision loss in industrialized countries. Several studies have investigated systemic interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels of patients with AMD. In this study, we systemically reviewed the literature to provide an overview of the field and used meta-analyses to provide a summary estimate of the standardized mean difference (SMD) of systemic IL-6 between patients with AMD and control individuals. We searched the literature databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central on 1 June 2019 for relevant studies on humans. Two authors independently extracted data and evaluated risk of bias. We identified 19 studies for the qualitative review with a total of more than 3586 individuals (1865 controls and 1721 with AMD). We found an overall random-effects SMD in systemic IL-6 levels 0.63 (95% CI: 0.28 to 0.99, p = 0.0005) corresponding to a medium effect size. In a subgroup analysis, we found that early AMD was not strongly associated with elevated IL-6 levels (0.12, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.24, p = 0.06), which was in contrast to the significantly elevated IL-6 levels in patients with geographic atrophy (1.21, 95% CI: 0.41 to 2.01, p = 0.003) and patients with neovascular AMD (0.99, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.63, p = 0.003). Our results show that the evidence today suggests an increased systemic IL-6 in patients with AMD, but that this may be a phenomenon more closely related to the late subtypes of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Torben L Sørensen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yousif Subhi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.,Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
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Fernando N, Wong JHC, Das S, Dietrich C, Aggio-Bruce R, Cioanca AV, Wooff Y, Chu-Tan JA, Schumann U, Ngo C, Essex RW, Dorian C, Robertson SA, Man SM, Provis J, Natoli R. MicroRNA-223 Regulates Retinal Function and Inflammation in the Healthy and Degenerating Retina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:516. [PMID: 32671067 PMCID: PMC7333019 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that have powerful regulatory properties, with the ability to regulate multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and biological pathways. MicroRNA-223-3p (miR-223) is known to be a critical regulator of the innate immune response, and its dysregulation is thought to play a role in inflammatory disease progression. Despite miR-223 upregulation in numerous neurodegenerative conditions, largely in cells of the myeloid lineage, the role of miR-223 in the retina is relatively unexplored. Here, we investigated miR-223 in the healthy retina and in response to retinal degeneration. METHODS miR-223-null mice were investigated in control and photo-oxidative damage-induced degeneration conditions. Encapsulated miR-223 mimics were intravitreally and intravenously injected into C57BL/6J wild-type mice. Retinal functional responses were measured using electroretinography (ERG), while extracted retinas were investigated by retinal histology (TUNEL and immunohistochemistry) and molecular analysis (qPCR and FACS). RESULTS Retinal function in miR-223-/- mice was adversely affected, indicating that miR-223 may be critical in regulating the retinal response. In degeneration, miR-223 was elevated in the retina, circulating serum, and retinal extracellular vesicles. Conversely, retinal microglia and macrophages displayed a downregulation of miR-223. Further, isolated CD11b+ inflammatory cells from the retinas and circulation of miR-223-null mice showed an upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes that are critically linked to retinal inflammation and progressive photoreceptor loss. Finally, both local and systemic delivery of miR-223 mimics improved retinal function in mice undergoing retinal degeneration. CONCLUSION miR-223 is required for maintaining normal retinal function, as well as regulating inflammation in microglia and macrophages. Further investigations are required to determine the targets of miR-223 and their key biological pathways and interactions that are relevant to retinal diseases. Future studies should investigate whether sustained delivery of miR-223 into the retina is sufficient to target these pathways and protect the retina from progressive degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilisha Fernando
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Josephine H. C. Wong
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Shannon Das
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Catherine Dietrich
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Riemke Aggio-Bruce
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Adrian V. Cioanca
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Yvette Wooff
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Joshua A. Chu-Tan
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ulrike Schumann
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Chinh Ngo
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Rohan W. Essex
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Camilla Dorian
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah A. Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Si Ming Man
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jan Provis
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Kiel C, Berber P, Karlstetter M, Aslanidis A, Strunz T, Langmann T, Grassmann F, Weber BH. A Circulating MicroRNA Profile in a Laser-Induced Mouse Model of Choroidal Neovascularization. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2689. [PMID: 32294914 PMCID: PMC7216141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a pathological process in which aberrant blood vessels invade the subretinal space of the mammalian eye. It is a characteristic feature of the prevalent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Circulating microRNAs (cmiRNAs) are regarded as potentially valuable biomarkers for various age-related diseases, including nAMD. Here, we investigated cmiRNA expression in an established laser-induced CNV mouse model. Upon CNV induction in C57Bl/6 mice, blood-derived cmiRNAs were initially determined globally by RNA next generation sequencing, and the most strongly dysregulated cmiRNAs were independently replicated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) in blood, retinal, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroidal tissue. Our findings suggest that two miRNAs, mmu-mir-486a-5p and mmur-mir-92a-3p, are consistently dysregulated during CNV formation. Furthermore, in functional in vitro assays, a significant impact of mmu-mir-486a-5p and mmu-mir-92a-3p on murine microglial cell viability was observed, while mmu-mir-92a-3p also showed an impact on microglial mobility. Taken together, we report a robust dysregulation of two miRNAs in blood and RPE/choroid after laser-induced initiation of CNV lesions in mice, highlighting their potential role in pathology and eventual therapy of CNV-associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Kiel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (T.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Patricia Berber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (T.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Marcus Karlstetter
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (M.K.); (A.A.); (T.L.)
| | - Alexander Aslanidis
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (M.K.); (A.A.); (T.L.)
| | - Tobias Strunz
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (T.S.); (F.G.)
| | - Thomas Langmann
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (M.K.); (A.A.); (T.L.)
| | - Felix Grassmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (T.S.); (F.G.)
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bernhard H.F. Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.K.); (P.B.); (T.S.); (F.G.)
- Institute of Clinical Human Genetics, University Clinics Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Differential Secretion of Angiopoietic Factors and Expression of MicroRNA in Umbilical Cord Blood from Healthy Appropriate-For-Gestational-Age Preterm and Term Newborns- in Search of Biomarkers of Angiogenesis-Related Processes in Preterm Birth. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041305. [PMID: 32075190 PMCID: PMC7072966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Premature birth, defined as less than 37 weeks gestation, affects approximately 12% of all live births around the world. Advances in neonatal care have resulted in the increased survival of infants born prematurely. Although prematurity is a known risk factor for different cardiovascular diseases, little is known about the pathophysiology of vasculature during premature gestation and angiopoietic factors network during premature birth. Aims: The objective of this study was to determine whether the profile of several pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in umbilical cord blood (UCB) is different in healthy appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm newborns and normal term babies. The second aim of this study was to investigate the microRNA (miRNAs) expression profile in UCB from preterm labor and to detect miRNAs potentially taking part in control of angogenesis-related processes (Angio-MiRs). Methods: Using an immunobead Luminex assay, we simultaneously measured the concentration of Angiogenin, Angiopoietin-1, FGF-acidic, FGF-basic, PDGF-aa, PlGF, VEGF, VEGF-D, Endostatin, Thrombospondin-2, NGF, BDNF, GDNF, and NT-4 in UCB samples collected from the preterm (n = 27) and term (n = 52) delivery. In addition, the global microRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) circulating in such UCB samples was examined in this study using microarray MiRNA technique. Results: The concentrations of five from eight measured pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, Angiopoietin-1, PDGF-AA, FGF-a, and FGF-b) were significantly lower in UCB from preterm newborns. On the contrary, two angiostatic factors (Endostatin and Thrombospondin-2) were significantly up-regulated in preterm UCB. Among analyzed neurotrophins in preterm newborns, the elevated UCB concentration was found only in the case of GDNF, whereas BDNF was significantly reduced. Moreover, two angiopoietic factors, VEGF-D and PlGF, and two neurotrophins, NT4 and NGF, did not differ in concentration in preterm and term babies. We also discovered that among the significantly down-regulated miRNAs, there were several classical Angio-MiRs (inter alia MiR-125, MiR-126, MiR-145, MiR-150, or MiR155), which are involved in angiogenesis regulation in newborn after preterm delivery. Conclusions: This is the first report of simultaneous measurements of several angiopoietic factors in UCB collected from infants during preterm and term labor. Here, we observed that several pro-angiogenic factors were at lower concentration in UCB collected from preterm newborns than term babies. In contrast, the two measured angiostatic factors, Endostatin and Thrombospondin-2, were significantly higher in UCB from preterm babies. This can suggest that distinct pathophysiological contributions from differentially expressed various angiopoietic factors may determine the clinical outcomes after preterm birth. Especially, our angiogenesis-related molecules analysis indicates that preterm birth of healthy, appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns is an “anti-angiogenic state” that may provide an increased risk for improper development and function of cardiovascular system in the adulthood. This work also contributes to a better understanding of the role of miRNAs potentially involved in angiogenesis control in preterm newborns.
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Fletcher EL. Contribution of microglia and monocytes to the development and progression of age related macular degeneration. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020; 40:128-139. [PMID: 32017190 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in industrialised nations. Based on genetics, as well as proteome analysis of drusen, the role the innate immune system in the development and/or progression of the disease is well established. Mononuclear phagocytes, such as microglia and monocytes, play critical roles in innate immunity. Here, the role of retinal microglia in mediating normal retinal function, and how these cells change with age is discussed, so as to understand their role in the development and progression of AMD. RECENT FINDINGS It is now known that microglia dynamically survey the neural environment, responding rapidly to even the most subtle neural injury. The dynamic and phagocytic roles of microglia can change with age contributing to alteration in the response of these cells to damage with age. Accumulation of innate immune cells in the subretinal space is a hallmark feature of the development of AMD, reflecting either an increase in migration of monocytes into the retina, or a failure of immune cell elimination from the retina. Furthermore, changes in phagocytic ability of immune cells could contribute to the accumulation of drusen deposits in the posterior eye. SUMMARY An overview of how retinal microglia maintain retinal homeostasis under normal conditions is provided, and then how they contribute to each stage of AMD. In addition, circulating monocytes are altered in those with AMD, contributing to the overall inflammatory state. Understanding the role of cells of the innate immune system in AMD may uncover novel therapeutic targets with which to reduce either the development or progression of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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