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Caminos E, López-López S, Martinez-Galan JR. Selective Assembly of TRPC Channels in the Rat Retina during Photoreceptor Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7251. [PMID: 39000357 PMCID: PMC11242081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are calcium channels with diverse expression profiles and physiological implications in the retina. Neurons and glial cells of rat retinas with photoreceptor degeneration caused by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) exhibit basal calcium levels that are above those detected in healthy retinas. Inner retinal cells are the last to degenerate and are responsible for maintaining the activity of the visual cortex, even after complete loss of photoreceptors. We considered the possibility that TRPC1 and TRPC5 channels might be associated with both the high calcium levels and the delay in inner retinal degeneration. TRPC1 is known to mediate protective effects in neurodegenerative processes while TRPC5 promotes cell death. In order to comprehend the implications of these channels in RP, the co-localization and subsequent physical interaction between TRPC1 and TRPC5 in healthy retina (Sprague-Dawley rats) and degenerating (P23H-1, a model of RP) retina were detected by immunofluorescence and proximity ligation assays. There was an overlapping signal in the innermost retina of all animals where TRPC1 and TRPC5 physically interacted. This interaction increased significantly as photoreceptor loss progressed. Both channels function as TRPC1/5 heteromers in the healthy and damaged retina, with a marked function of TRPC1 in response to retinal degenerative mechanisms. Furthermore, our findings support that TRPC5 channels also function in partnership with STIM1 in Müller and retinal ganglion cells. These results suggest that an increase in TRPC1/5 heteromers may contribute to the slowing of the degeneration of the inner retina during the outer retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Caminos
- Department of Medical Science, Medical School of Albacete, Instituto de Biomedicina (IB-UCLM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
| | - Susana López-López
- Department of Medical Science, Medical School of Albacete, Instituto de Biomedicina (IB-UCLM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and Research Unit, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, 02008 Albacete, Spain
| | - Juan R Martinez-Galan
- Department of Medical Science, Medical School of Albacete, Instituto de Biomedicina (IB-UCLM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
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2
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Jaroszynska N, Salzinger A, Tsarouchas TM, Becker CG, Becker T, Lyons DA, MacDonald RB, Keatinge M. C9ORF72 Deficiency Results in Neurodegeneration in the Zebrafish Retina. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e2128232024. [PMID: 38658168 PMCID: PMC11209673 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2128-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansions within the gene C9ORF72 are the most common cause of the neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This disease-causing expansion leads to a reduction in C9ORF72 expression levels in patients, suggesting loss of C9ORF72 function could contribute to disease. To further understand the consequences of C9ORF72 deficiency in vivo, we generated a c9orf72 mutant zebrafish line. Analysis of the adult female spinal cords revealed no appreciable neurodegenerative pathology such as loss of motor neurons or increased levels of neuroinflammation. However, detailed examination of adult female c9orf72-/- retinas showed prominent neurodegenerative features, including a decrease in retinal thickness, gliosis, and an overall reduction in neurons of all subtypes. Analysis of rod and cone cells within the photoreceptor layer showed a disturbance in their outer segment structure and rhodopsin mislocalization from rod outer segments to their cell bodies and synaptic terminals. Thus, C9ORF72 may play a previously unappreciated role in retinal homeostasis and suggests C9ORF72 deficiency can induce tissue specific neuronal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Jaroszynska
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1Y 0AD, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Salzinger
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - Themistoklis M Tsarouchas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94305
| | - Catherina G Becker
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden 01307, Germany
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Becker
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden 01307, Germany
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - David A Lyons
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan B MacDonald
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1Y 0AD, United Kingdom
| | - Marcus Keatinge
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
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3
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Rutan Woods CT, Makia MS, Lewis TR, Crane R, Zeibak S, Yu P, Kakakhel M, Castillo CM, Arshavsky VY, Naash MI, Al-Ubaidi MR. Downregulation of rhodopsin is an effective therapeutic strategy in ameliorating peripherin-2-associated inherited retinal disorders. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4756. [PMID: 38834544 PMCID: PMC11150396 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48846-5] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the absence of approved treatments for pathogenic variants in Peripherin-2 (PRPH2), it is imperative to identify a universally effective therapeutic target for PRPH2 pathogenic variants. To test the hypothesis that formation of the elongated discs in presence of PRPH2 pathogenic variants is due to the presence of the full complement of rhodopsin in absence of the required amounts of functional PRPH2. Here we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of reducing rhodopsin levels in ameliorating disease phenotype in knockin models for p.Lys154del (c.458-460del) and p.Tyr141Cys (c.422 A > G) in PRPH2. Reducing rhodopsin levels improves physiological function, mitigates the severity of disc abnormalities, and decreases retinal gliosis. Additionally, intravitreal injections of a rhodopsin-specific antisense oligonucleotide successfully enhance the physiological function of photoreceptors and improves the ultrastructure of discs in mutant mice. Presented findings shows that reducing rhodopsin levels is an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inherited retinal degeneration associated with PRPH2 pathogenic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mustafa S Makia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Tylor R Lewis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ryan Crane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Stephanie Zeibak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Paul Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Mashal Kakakhel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Carson M Castillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Vadim Y Arshavsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
| | - Muayyad R Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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Szabó K, Dékány B, Énzsöly A, Hajdú RI, Laurik-Feuerstein LK, Szabó A, Radovits T, Mátyás C, Oláh A, Kovács KA, Szél Á, Somfai GM, Lukáts Á. Possible retinotoxicity of long-term vardenafil treatment. Exp Eye Res 2024; 243:109890. [PMID: 38615833 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors - such as vardenafil - are used primarily for treating erectile dysfunction via increasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. Recent studies have also demonstrated their significant cardioprotective effects in several diseases, including diabetes, upon long-term, continuous application. However, PDE inhibitors are not specific for PDE5 and also inhibit the retinal isoform. A sustained rise in cGMP in photoreceptors is known to be toxic; therefore, we hypothesized that long-term vardenafil treatment might result in retinotoxicity. The hypothesis was tested in a clinically relevant animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Histological experiments were performed on lean and diabetic Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. Half of the animals were treated with vardenafil for six months, and the retinal effects were evaluated. Vardenafil treatment alleviated rod outer segment degeneration but decreased rod numbers in some positions and induced changes in the interphotoreceptor matrix, even in control animals. Vardenafil treatment decreased total retinal thickness in the control and diabetic groups and reduced the number of nuclei in the outer nuclear layer. Müller cell activation was detectable even in the vardenafil-treated control animals, and vardenafil did not improve gliosis in the diabetic group. Vardenafil-treated animals showed complex retinal alterations with improvements in some parameters while deterioration in others. Our results point towards the retinotoxicity of vardenafil, even without diabetes, which raises doubts about the retinal safety of long-term continuous vardenafil administration. This effect needs to be considered when approving PDE inhibitors for alternative indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Szabó
- Institute of Education and Psychology at Szombathely, Faculty of Education and Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Szombathely, Hungary; Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bulcsú Dékány
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Énzsöly
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rozina Ida Hajdú
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Arnold Szabó
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Radovits
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Mátyás
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Oláh
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián András Kovács
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Translational Retina Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágoston Szél
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Márk Somfai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Spross Research Institute, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, Stadtspital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ákos Lukáts
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Translational Retina Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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5
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Llorián-Salvador M, de Fuente AG, McMurran CE, Dashwood A, Dooley J, Liston A, Penalva R, Dombrowski Y, Stitt AW, Fitzgerald DC. Regulatory T cells limit age-associated retinal inflammation and neurodegeneration. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:32. [PMID: 38581053 PMCID: PMC10996107 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00724-w] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ageing is the principal risk factor for retinal degenerative diseases, which are the commonest cause of blindness in the developed countries. These conditions include age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. Regulatory T cells play a vital role in immunoregulation of the nervous system by limiting inflammation and tissue damage in health and disease. Because the retina was long-considered an immunoprivileged site, the precise contribution of regulatory T cells in retinal homeostasis and in age-related retinal diseases remains unknown. METHODS Regulatory T cells were selectively depleted in both young (2-4 months) and aged (18-23 months) FoxP3-DTR mice. We evaluated neuroretinal degeneration, gliosis, subretinal space phagocyte infiltration, and retinal pigmented epithelium morphology through immunofluorescence analysis. Subsequently, aged Treg depleted animals underwent adoptive transfer of both young and aged regulatory T cells from wild-type mice, and the resulting impact on neurodegeneration was assessed. Statistical analyses employed included the U-Mann Whitney test, and for comparisons involving more than two groups, 1-way ANOVA analysis followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. RESULTS Our study shows that regulatory T cell elimination leads to retinal pigment epithelium cell dysmorphology and accumulation of phagocytes in the subretinal space of young and aged mice. However, only aged mice experience retinal neurodegeneration and gliosis. Surprisingly, adoptive transfer of young but not aged regulatory T cells reverse these changes. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate an essential role for regulatory T cells in maintaining age retinal homeostasis and preventing age-related neurodegeneration. This previously undescribed role of regulatory T cells in limiting retinal inflammation, RPE/choroid epithelium damage and subsequently photoreceptor loss with age, opens novel avenues to explore regulatory T cell neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties as potential therapeutic approaches for age-related retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Llorián-Salvador
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK
- Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alerie G de Fuente
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK.
- Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL) Alicante, 03010, Alicante, Spain.
- Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC-UMH, San Juan de Alicante, 03550, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Christopher E McMurran
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amy Dashwood
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Dooley
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrian Liston
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosana Penalva
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Yvonne Dombrowski
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Alan W Stitt
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Denise C Fitzgerald
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK
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6
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Lin X, Liu ZL, Zhang X, Wang W, Huang ZQ, Sun SN, Jin ZB. Modeling autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa by using patient-specific retinal organoids with a class-3 RHO mutation. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109856. [PMID: 38479725 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP) causes progressive vision loss and is potentially incurable, accounting for 25% of adRP cases. Studies on RHO-adRP mechanism were at large based on the biochemical and cellular properties, especially class-3. Nonetheless, the absence of an appropriate model for class-3 RHO-adRP has impeded comprehensive exploration. Here, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from a healthy control and two sibling RP patients with the same point mutation, c.403C>T (p.R135W). The first three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoid model of a class-3 RHO point mutation from patient-derived iPSCs was generated. Significant defects were observed in rod photoreceptors in terms of localization, morphology, transcriptional profiling and single cell resolution, to better understand the human disease resulting from RHO mutations from a developmental perspective. This first human model of class-3 RHO-adRP provides a representation of patient's retina in vitro and displays features of RHO-adRP retinal organoids relevant for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Lin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhuo-Lin Liu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhi-Qin Huang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shu-Ning Sun
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
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7
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Rapp J, Hospach A, Liang P, Schwämmle M, Renz L, Agostini H, Schlunck G, Bucher F. Oncostatin M Reduces Pathological Neovascularization in the Retina Through Müller Cell Activation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:22. [PMID: 38190125 PMCID: PMC10777876 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Continuous vision loss due to vasoproliferative eye disease still represents an unsolved issue despite anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The impact of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling on retinal angiogenesis and its potential use as a therapeutic target remain controversial. In vitro, oncostatin M (OSM), as a strong STAT3 activator, possesses robust proangiogenic activity. This study investigated to what extent the proangiogenic effects of OSM translate to the in vivo setting of vasoproliferative eye disease. Methods The in vitro effect of OSM on endothelial cells was investigated in the spheroid sprouting assay and through RNA sequencing. The mouse model for oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) was used to evaluate the impact of OSM in vivo. Signaling patterns were measured by western blot and retinal cryosections. Primary Müller cell cultures were used to evaluate the effect of OSM on the Müller cell secretome. Murine retinal vascular endothelial cells were isolated from OIR retinas using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and were used for RNA sequencing. Results Although OSM induced pro-angiogenic responses in vitro, in the OIR model intravitreal injection of OSM reduced retinal neovascularization by 65.2% and vaso-obliteration by 45.5% in Müller cells. Injecting OSM into the vitreous activated the STAT3 signaling pathway in multiple retinal cell types, including Müller cells. In vitro, OSM treatment increased CXCL10 secretion. RNA sequencing of sorted vascular endothelial cells at OIR P17 following OSM treatment indicated downregulation of angiogenesis- and mitosis-associated genes. Conclusions In vivo, OSM reveals a beneficial angiomodulatory effect by activating Müller cells and changing their secretome. The data highlight contradictions between cytokine-induced effects in vitro and in vivo depending on the cell types mediating the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Rapp
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alban Hospach
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Paula Liang
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwämmle
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Renz
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hansjürgen Agostini
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Günther Schlunck
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Bucher
- Eye Center, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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8
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Huang JM, Zhao N, Hao XN, Li SY, Wei D, Pu N, Peng GH, Tao Y. CX3CL1/CX3CR1 Signaling Mediated Neuroglia Activation Is Implicated in the Retinal Degeneration: A Potential Therapeutic Target to Prevent Photoreceptor Death. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:29. [PMID: 38231527 PMCID: PMC10795588 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal degeneration (RD) is a large cluster of retinopathies that is characterized by the progressive photoreceptor death and visual impairments. CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling has been documented to mediate the microglia activation and gliosis reaction during neurodegeneration. We intend to verify whether the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling is involved in the RD pathology. Methods A pharmacologically induced RD mice model was established. AZD8797, a CX3CR1 antagonist, was injected into the vitreous cavity of an RD model to modulate the neuroglia activation. Then, the experimental animals were subjected to functional, morphological, and behavioral analysis. Results The CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling mediated neuroglia activation was implicated in the photoreceptor demise of an RD model. Intravitreal injection of AZD8797 preserved the retinal structure and enhanced the photoreceptor survival through inhibiting the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 expressions. Fundus photography showed that the distribution of retinal vessel was clear, and the severity of lesions was alleviated by AZD8797. In particular, these morphological benefits could be translated into remarkable functional improvements, as evidenced by the behavioral test and electroretinogram (mf-ERG) examination. A mechanism study showed that AZD8797 mitigated the microglia activation and migration in the degenerative retinas. The Müller cell hyper-reaction and secondary gliosis response were also suppressed by AZD8797. Conclusions The neuroinflammation is implicated in the photoreceptor loss of RD pathology. Targeting the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy. Future refinements of these findings may cast light into the discovery of new medications for RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Min Huang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Na Hao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Si-Yu Li
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dong Wei
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Pu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hua Peng
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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9
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Kitahata S, Gocho K, Motozawa N, Yokota S, Yamamoto M, Maeda A, Hirami Y, Kurimoto Y, Kadonosono K, Takahashi M. Evaluation of photoreceptor features in retinitis pigmentosa with cystoid macular edema by using an adaptive optics fundus camera. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296493. [PMID: 38166083 PMCID: PMC10760661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cystoid macular edema (CME) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an important complication causing visual dysfunction. We investigated the effect of CME on photoreceptors in RP patients with previous or current CME, using an adaptive optics (AO) fundus camera. METHODS We retrospectively observed the CME and ellipsoid zone (EZ) length (average of horizontal and vertical sections) by optical coherence tomography. The density and regularity of the arrangement of photoreceptor cells (Voronoi analysis) were examined at four points around 1.5° from superior to inferior and temporal to nasal. We also performed a multivariate analysis using CME duration, central macular thickness and transversal length of CME. RESULTS We evaluated 18 patients with previous or current CME (18 eyes; age, 48.7 ± 15.6 years) and 24 patients without previous or current CME (24 eyes; age, 46.0 ± 14.5 years). There were no significant differences in age, logMAR visual acuity, or EZ length. In groups with and without CME, cell density was 11967 ± 3148 and 16239 ± 2935 cells/mm2, and sequence regularity was 85.5 ± 3.4% and 88.5 ± 2.8%, respectively; both parameters were significantly different. The correlation between photoreceptor density and age was more negative in group with CME. The CME group tended toward greater reductions in duration of CME. CONCLUSION Complications of CME in RP patients may lead to a decrease in photoreceptor density and regularity. Additionally, a longer duration of CME may result in a greater reduction in photoreceptor density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Kitahata
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Micro-Technology, Yokohama City University, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Gocho
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Inserm and Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Naohiro Motozawa
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yokota
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Akiko Maeda
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Hirami
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuo Kurimoto
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Kadonosono
- Department of Ophthalmology and Micro-Technology, Yokohama City University, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masayo Takahashi
- Kobe City Eye Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Vision Care Inc., Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
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10
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Cole JD, McDaniel JA, Nilak J, Ban A, Rodriguez C, Hameed Z, Grannonico M, Netland PA, Yang H, Provencio I, Liu X. Characterization of neural damage and neuroinflammation in Pax6 small-eye mice. Exp Eye Res 2024; 238:109723. [PMID: 37979905 PMCID: PMC10843716 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Aniridia is a panocular condition characterized by a partial or complete loss of the iris. It manifests various developmental deficits in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, leading to a progressive vision loss. The homeobox gene PAX6 plays an important role in ocular development and mutations of PAX6 have been the main causative factors for aniridia. In this study, we assessed how Pax6-haploinsufficiency affects retinal morphology and vision of Pax6Sey mice using in vivo and ex vivo metrics. We used mice of C57BL/6 and 129S1/Svlmj genetic backgrounds to examine the variable severity of symptoms as reflected in human aniridia patients. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was observed in Pax6Sey mice starting from post-natal day 20 (P20). Correspondingly, visual acuity showed a steady age-dependent decline in Pax6Sey mice, though these phenotypes were less severe in the 129S1/Svlmj mice. Local retinal damage with layer disorganization was assessed at P30 and P80 in the Pax6Sey mice. Interestingly, we also observed a greater number of activated Iba1+ microglia and GFAP + astrocytes in the Pax6Sey mice than in littermate controls, suggesting a possible neuroinflammatory response to Pax6 deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Cole
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John A McDaniel
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Joelle Nilak
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ashley Ban
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Carlos Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Zuhaad Hameed
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Marta Grannonico
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Peter A Netland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hu Yang
- Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Ignacio Provencio
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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11
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Wang J, Cheng X, Liang Q, Owen LA, Lu J, Zheng Y, Wang M, Chen S, DeAngelis MM, Li Y, Chen R. Single-cell multiomics of the human retina reveals hierarchical transcription factor collaboration in mediating cell type-specific effects of genetic variants on gene regulation. Genome Biol 2023; 24:269. [PMID: 38012720 PMCID: PMC10680294 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systematic characterization of how genetic variation modulates gene regulation in a cell type-specific context is essential for understanding complex traits. To address this question, we profile gene expression and chromatin accessibility in cells from healthy retinae of 20 human donors through single-cell multiomics and genomic sequencing. RESULTS We map eQTL, caQTL, allelic-specific expression, and allelic-specific chromatin accessibility in major retinal cell types. By integrating these results, we identify and characterize regulatory elements and genetic variants effective on gene regulation in individual cell types. The majority of identified sc-eQTLs and sc-caQTLs display cell type-specific effects, while the cis-elements containing genetic variants with cell type-specific effects are often accessible in multiple cell types. Furthermore, the transcription factors whose binding sites are perturbed by genetic variants tend to have higher expression levels in the cell types where the variants exert their effects, compared to the cell types where the variants have no impact. We further validate our findings with high-throughput reporter assays. Lastly, we identify the enriched cell types, candidate causal variants and genes, and cell type-specific regulatory mechanism underlying GWAS loci. CONCLUSIONS Overall, genetic effects on gene regulation are highly context dependent. Our results suggest that cell type-dependent genetic effect is driven by precise modulation of both trans-factor expression and chromatin accessibility of cis-elements. Our findings indicate hierarchical collaboration among transcription factors plays a crucial role in mediating cell type-specific effects of genetic variants on gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xuesen Cheng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qingnan Liang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leah A Owen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jiaxiong Lu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yiqiao Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Meng Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shiming Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Margaret M DeAngelis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo the State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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12
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Nag TC. Müller cell vulnerability in aging human retina: Implications on photoreceptor cell survival. Exp Eye Res 2023; 235:109645. [PMID: 37683797 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Müller glial cells (MC) support various metabolic functions of the retinal neurons, and maintain the homeostasis. Oxidative stress is intensified with aging, and in human retina, MC and photoreceptors undergo lipid peroxidation and protein nitration. Information on how MC respond to oxidative stress is vital to understand the fate of aging retinal neurons. This study examined age-related changes in MC of donor human retina (age: 35-98 years; N = 18 donors). Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical observations indicate that MC undergo gliosis and increased lipid peroxidation, and show osmotic changes with advanced aging (>80 years). Photoreceptor cells also undergo oxidative-nitrosative stress with aging, and their synapses also show clear osmotic swelling. MC respond to oxidative stress via proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in their processes, and increased expression of aquaporin-4 in endfeet and outer retina. In advanced aged retinas (81-98 years), they showed mitochondrial disorganisation, accumulation of lipids and autophagosomes, lipofuscin granules and axonal remnants in phagolysosomes in their inner processes, suggesting a reduced phagocytotic potential in them with aging. Glutamine synthetase expression does not alter until advanced aging, when the retinas show its increased expression in endfeet and Henle fiber layer. It is evident that MC are vulnerable with normal aging and this could be a reason for photoreceptor cell abnormalities reported with aging of the human retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapas C Nag
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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13
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Tiwari P, Dada R, Dada T. From Inner Balance to Visual Health: Unraveling the Therapeutic Role of Yoga in Optic Neuropathy and Ocular Manifestations - Narrative Review. Int J Yoga 2023; 16:171-179. [PMID: 38463653 PMCID: PMC10919409 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_182_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The optic nerve comprises approximately 1.2 million axons of retinal ganglion cells and is vulnerable to degeneration due to a myriad of causes. While traditional treatments have been the cornerstone of ocular care, emerging evidence highlights the benefits of integrative approaches, which can be used as an adjunct in the management of optic neuropathy. Yoga is a mind-body energy medicine encompasses physical postures, breath control, and meditation. Currently, it has gained attention for its holistic effects on well-being, by promoting health, preventing onset of diseases, adjunct in disease management, and for its rehabilitative potential. In addition, the underlying mechanisms through which yoga exerts its therapeutic influence, evaluates clinical outcomes, and explores potential synergistic effects with conventional treatments remain largely unexplored. Neuroprotective mechanisms of yoga, such as enhancing retinal ganglion cell function, reducing oxidative stress, coupled with its ability to modulate inflammatory processes and improve circulation, contribute to its potential benefits in visual health. Analysis of clinical studies reveals promising outcomes, including improvements in visual acuity, visual fields, quality of life, and functional outcomes in individuals with optic neuropathy and ocular manifestations who undergo yoga intervention (especially dhyaan) with awareness of breath. Furthermore, the integration of yoga with conventional treatments and complementary modalities unveils the possibilities of multidisciplinary approaches in ocular care that need evaluation. By unraveling the role of yoga intervention in ocular health, this review provides valuable insights for clinicians and researchers, fostering a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection and paving the way for enhanced visual health outcomes. Embracing yoga as an adjunctive therapy may has the potential to revolutionize the management of optic neuropathy and ocular manifestations, offering individuals a holistic approach to optimize visual well-being, reduce comorbid depression and caregiver burden, and improve overall quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Tiwari
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rima Dada
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Tanuj Dada
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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14
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Skelton LA, Ramachandra Rao S, Allen RS, Motz CT, Pardue MT, Fliesler SJ. Retinal gliosis and phenotypic diversity of intermediate filament induction and remodeling upon acoustic blast overpressure (ABO) exposure to the rat eye. Exp Eye Res 2023; 234:109585. [PMID: 37481225 PMCID: PMC10730083 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by acoustic blast overpressure (ABO) is frequently associated with chronic visual deficits in military personnel and civilians. In this study, we characterized retinal gliotic response in adult male rats following a single ABO exposure directed to one side of the head. Expression of gliosis markers and intermediate filaments was assessed at 48 h and 1 wk post-ABO exposure, in comparison to age-matched non-exposed control retina. In response to a single ABO exposure, type III IF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was variably induced in a subpopulation of retinal Müller glia in ipsilateral eyes. ABO-exposed eyes exhibited radial Müller glial GFAP filament extension through the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and the inner nuclear layer (INL) through the retina in both the nasal quadrant and juxta-optic nerve head (jONH) eye regions at 1 wk post-ABO. We observed an ∼6-fold increase (p ≤ 0.05) in radial glial GFAP immunolabeling in the IPL in both eye regions, in comparison to regionally matched controls. Similarly, GFAP extension through the INL into the outer retina was elevated ∼3-fold, p ≤ 0.05 in the nasal retina, but exhibited wider variability in the jONH retina. In contrast, constitutive type III IF vimentin exhibited greater remodeling in retinal Müller glia through the jONH retina compared to the nasal retina in response to ABO. We observed areas of lateral vimentin remodeling through the Müller glial end-feet, and greater mid-outer retinal radial vimentin IF extension in a subpopulation of glia at 1 wk post-ABO. We also observed a significant increase in total retinal levels of the type III IF desmin in ABO-exposed retina vs. controls (∼1.6-fold, p ≤ 0.01). In addition, ABO-exposure elicited varied glial induction of developmentally regulated type VI family IFs (nestin and synemin) in subpopulations of Müller cells at 48 h and 1 wk post-ABO. We demonstrate that multiple glial phenotypes emerge in the rat retina following a single ABO exposure, rather than a global homogeneous retinal glial response, involving less well characterized IF protein forms which warrant further investigation in the context of ABO-induced retinal gliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A Skelton
- Research Service, VA Western NY Healthcare System - Buffalo VAMC, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sriganesh Ramachandra Rao
- Research Service, VA Western NY Healthcare System - Buffalo VAMC, Buffalo, NY, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry and Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rachael S Allen
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System - Atlanta VAMC, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Cara T Motz
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System - Atlanta VAMC, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Machelle T Pardue
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System - Atlanta VAMC, Decatur, GA, USA; Wallace H. Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steven J Fliesler
- Research Service, VA Western NY Healthcare System - Buffalo VAMC, Buffalo, NY, USA; Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry and Neuroscience Graduate Program, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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15
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Díaz-Lezama N, Kajtna J, Wu J, Ayten M, Koch SF. Microglial and macroglial dynamics in a model of retinitis pigmentosa. Vision Res 2023; 210:108268. [PMID: 37295269 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the characteristic photoreceptor cell death is associated with changes of microglia and macroglia cells. Gene therapy, a promising treatment option for RP, is based on the premise that glial cell remodeling does not impact vision rescue. However, the dynamics of glial cells after treatment at late disease stages are not well understood. Here, we tested the reversibility of specific RP glia phenotypes in a Pde6b-deficient RP gene therapy mouse model. We demonstrated an increased number of activated microglia, retraction of microglial processes, reactive gliosis of Müller cells, astrocyte remodelling and an upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in response to photoreceptor degeneration. Importantly, these changes returned to normal following rod rescue at late disease stages. These results suggest that therapeutic approaches restore the homeostasis between photoreceptors and glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nundehui Díaz-Lezama
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Kajtna
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jiou Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Ayten
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne F Koch
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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16
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Holden JM, Wareham LK, Calkins DJ. Retinal astrocyte morphology predicts integration of vascular and neuronal architecture. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1244679. [PMID: 37621717 PMCID: PMC10445659 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1244679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are important regulators of blood flow and play a key role in the response to injury and disease in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite having an understanding that structural changes to these cells have consequences for local neurovascular physiology, individual astrocyte morphology remains largely unexplored in the retina. Here, we used MORF3 mice to capture full membranous morphology for over fifteen hundred individual astrocytes in the mouse retina, a highly metabolically active component of the CNS. We demonstrate that retinal astrocytes have been misrepresented as stellate in morphology due to marker use like GFAP and S100β which underestimates cell complexity. We also find that astrocytes contain recurring morphological motifs which are predictive of the underlying neurovascular architecture of the inner retina and suggestive of function. These motifs predict fine sampling and integration of retinal ganglion cell electrical activity with consequences for blood flow regulation. Additionally, our data shows that astrocytes participate in neurovascular interactions to a much greater degree than currently reported. 100% of cells contact the vasculature through one of three mutually exclusive classes of connections. Similarly, 100% of cells contact some neuronal element, be it an RGC axon or soma. Finally, we report that astrocyte morphology depends on retinal eccentricity, with cells appearing compressed near the nerve head and in the periphery. These results reveal a large degree of astrocyte morphological complexity that informs their contribution to neurovascular coupling in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Holden
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Lauren K. Wareham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - David J. Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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17
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Anderson BD, Lee T, Bell B, Song Y, Dunaief JL. Low ceruloplasmin levels exacerbate retinal degeneration in a hereditary hemochromatosis model. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050226. [PMID: 37439255 PMCID: PMC10354715 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050226] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous report, a 39-year-old patient with high serum iron levels from hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) was diagnosed with a form of retinal degeneration called bull's eye maculopathy. This is atypical for patients with HH, so it was theorized that the low serum levels of ferroxidase ceruloplasmin (CP) of this patient coupled with the high iron levels led to the retinal degeneration. CP, by oxidizing iron from its ferrous to ferric form, helps prevent the oxidative damage caused by ferrous iron. To test this, a hepcidin knockout (KO) mouse model of HH was combined with Cp KO to test whether the combination would lead to more severe retinal degeneration. Monthly in vivo retinal images were acquired and, after 11 months, mice were euthanized for further analyses. Both heterozygous and homozygous Cp KO increased the rate and severity of retinal degeneration. These results demonstrate the protective role of CP, which is most likely owing to its ferroxidase activity. The findings suggest that CP levels may influence the severity of retinal degeneration, especially in individuals with high serum iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D. Anderson
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Timothy Lee
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brent Bell
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ying Song
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joshua L. Dunaief
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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18
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Pathak D, Sriram K. Neuron-astrocyte omnidirectional signaling in neurological health and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1169320. [PMID: 37363320 PMCID: PMC10286832 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1169320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are an abundantly distributed population of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that perform myriad functions in the normal and injured/diseased brain. Astrocytes exhibit heterogeneous phenotypes in response to various insults, a process known as astrocyte reactivity. The accuracy and precision of brain signaling are primarily based on interactions involving neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, pericytes, and dendritic cells within the CNS. Astrocytes have emerged as a critical entity within the brain because of their unique role in recycling neurotransmitters, actively modulating the ionic environment, regulating cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism, and influencing cellular crosstalk in diverse neural injury conditions and neurodegenerative disorders. However, little is known about how an astrocyte functions in synapse formation, axon specification, neuroplasticity, neural homeostasis, neural network activity following dynamic surveillance, and CNS structure in neurological diseases. Interestingly, the tripartite synapse hypothesis came to light to fill some knowledge gaps that constitute an interaction of a subpopulation of astrocytes, neurons, and synapses. This review highlights astrocytes' role in health and neurological/neurodegenerative diseases arising from the omnidirectional signaling between astrocytes and neurons at the tripartite synapse. The review also recapitulates the disruption of the tripartite synapse with a focus on perturbations of the homeostatic astrocytic function as a key driver to modulate the molecular and physiological processes toward neurodegenerative diseases.
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19
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Maidana DE, Gonzalez-Buendia L, Miller JW, Vavvas DG. RIPK necrotic cell death pathway in both donor photoreceptor and host immune cells synergize to affect photoreceptor graft survival. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22847. [PMID: 36862516 PMCID: PMC10590064 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201137r] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Photoreceptor transplant has been put forward as a repair strategy to tackle degenerated retinas. Nonetheless, cell death and immune rejection seriously limit the success of this strategy, with only a small fraction of transplanted cells surviving. Improving the survival of transplanted cells is of critical importance. Recent evidence has identified receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) as a molecular trigger controlling necroptotic cell death and inflammation. However, its role in photoreceptor transplantation and regenerative medicine has not been studied. We hypothesized that modulation of RIPK3 to address both cell death and immunity could have advantageous effects on photoreceptor survival. In a model of inherited retinal degeneration, deletion of RIPK3 in donor photoreceptor precursors significantly increases the survival of transplanted cells. Simultaneous RIPK3 deletion in donor photoreceptors and recipients maximizes graft survival. Lastly, to discern the role of RIPK3 in the host immune response, bone marrow transplant experiments demonstrated that peripheral immune cell RIPK3 deficiency is protective for both donor and host photoreceptor survival. Interestingly, this finding is independent of photoreceptor transplantation, as the peripheral protective effect is also observed in an additional retinal detachment photoreceptor degeneration model. Altogether, these results indicate that immunomodulatory and neuroprotective strategies targeting the RIPK3 pathway can aid regenerative therapies of photoreceptor transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E. Maidana
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Lucia Gonzalez-Buendia
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Joan W. Miller
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Demetrios G. Vavvas
- Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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20
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Yao X, Yang H, Han H, Kou X, Jiang Y, Luo M, Zhou Y, Wang J, Fan X, Wang X, Li MJ, Yan H. Genome-wide analysis of genetic pleiotropy and causal genes across three age-related ocular disorders. Hum Genet 2023; 142:507-522. [PMID: 36917350 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02542-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, and glaucoma are leading causes of blindness worldwide. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have revealed a variety of susceptible loci associated with age-related ocular disorders, yet the genetic pleiotropy and causal genes across these diseases remain poorly understood. By leveraging large-scale genetic and observational data from ocular disease GWASs and UK Biobank (UKBB), we found significant pairwise genetic correlations and consistent epidemiological associations among these ocular disorders. Cross-disease meta-analysis uncovered seven pleiotropic loci, three of which were replicated in an additional cohort. Integration of variants in pleiotropic loci and multiple single-cell omics data identified that Müller cells and astrocytes were likely trait-related cell types underlying ocular comorbidity. In addition, we comprehensively integrated eye-specific gene expression quantitative loci (eQTLs), epigenomic profiling, and 3D genome data to prioritize causal pleiotropic genes. We found that pleiotropic genes were essential in nerve development and eye pigmentation, and targetable by aflibercept and pilocarpine for the treatment of AMD and glaucoma. These findings will not only facilitate the mechanistic research of ocular comorbidities but also benefit the therapeutic optimization of age-related ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueming Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Hongxi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Han Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xuejing Kou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yuhan Jiang
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Menghan Luo
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xutong Fan
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Mulin Jun Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China. .,Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Hua Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China. .,Laboratory of Molecular Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China. .,School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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21
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Hsu Y, Bhattarai S, Thompson JM, Mahoney A, Thomas J, Mayer SK, Datta P, Garrison J, Searby CC, Vandenberghe LH, Seo S, Sheffield VC, Drack AV. Subretinal gene therapy delays vision loss in a Bardet-Biedl Syndrome type 10 mouse model. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 31:164-181. [PMID: 36700052 PMCID: PMC9841241 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Blindness in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is caused by dysfunction and loss of photoreceptor cells in the retina. BBS10, mutations of which account for approximately 21% of all BBS cases, encodes a chaperonin protein indispensable for the assembly of the BBSome, a cargo adaptor important for ciliary trafficking. The loss of BBSome function in the eye causes a reduced light sensitivity of photoreceptor cells, photoreceptor ciliary malformation, dysfunctional ciliary trafficking, and photoreceptor cell death. Cone photoreceptors lacking BBS10 have congenitally low electrical function in electroretinography. In this study, we performed gene augmentation therapy by injecting a viral construct subretinally to deliver the coding sequence of the mouse Bbs10 gene to treat retinal degeneration in a BBS10 mouse model. Long-term efficacy was assessed by measuring the electrical functions of the retina over time, imaging of the treated regions to visualize cell survival, conducting visually guided swim assays to measure functional vision, and performing retinal histology. We show that subretinal gene therapy slowed photoreceptor cell death and preserved retinal function in treated eyes. Notably, cone photoreceptors regained their electrical function after gene augmentation. Measurement of functional vision showed that subretinal gene therapy provided a significant benefit in delaying vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hsu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sajag Bhattarai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jacob M. Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Angela Mahoney
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jacintha Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sara K. Mayer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Poppy Datta
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Janelle Garrison
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Luk H. Vandenberghe
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seongjin Seo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Val C. Sheffield
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Arlene V. Drack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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22
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Hu B, Huang Y, Jakobs TC, Kang Q, Lv Z, Liu W, Wang R. Viability of mitochondria-labeled retinal ganglion cells in organotypic retinal explant cultures by two methods. Exp Eye Res 2023; 226:109311. [PMID: 36403849 PMCID: PMC11003390 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109311] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal explant cultures provide a valuable system to study retinal function in vitro. This study established a new retinal explant culture method to prolong the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Explants were prepared in two different ways: with or without optic nerve. Retinas from newborn mice that had received an injection of MitoTracker Red into the contralateral superior colliculus to label axonal mitochondria were cultured as organotypic culture for 7 days in vitro. At several time points during the culture, viability of RGCs was assessed by multi-electrode array recording, and morphology by immunohistochemical methods. During the culture, the thickness of the retinal tissue in both groups gradually decreased, however, the structure of the layers of the retina could be identified. Massive apoptosis in the retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) appeared on the first day of culture, thereafter the number of apoptotic cells decreased. Glial activation was observed throughout the culture, and there was no difference in morphology between the two groups. RGCs loss was exacerbated on 3rdday of culture, and RGCs loss in retinal explants with preserved optic nerve was significantly lower than in retinas that did not preserve the optic nerve. More and longer-lasting mitochondrial signals were observed in the injured area of the optic nerve-preserving explants. Retinal explants provide an invaluable tool for studying retinal function and developing treatments for ocular diseases. The optic nerve-preserving culture helps preserve the integrity of RGCs. The higher number of mitochondria in the nerve-preserving cultures may help maintain viability of RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoqi Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China
| | - Yaoyao Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tatjana C Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary / Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States
| | - Qianyan Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Ziwei Lv
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenxuan Liu
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 1 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China; Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710002, China.
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23
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Jung SS, Son J, Yi SJ, Kim K, Park HS, Kang HW, Kim HK. Development of Müller cell-based 3D biomimetic model using bioprinting technology. Biomed Mater 2022; 18. [PMID: 36343367 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/aca0d5] [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: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Müller cells are the principal glial cells for the maintenance of structural stability and metabolic homeostasis in the human retina. Although variousin vitroexperiments using two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell cultures have been performed, the results provided only limited results because of the lack of 3D structural environment and different cellular morphology. We studied a Müller cell-based 3D biomimetic model for use in experiments on thein vivo-like functions of Müller cells within the sensory retina. Isolated primary Müller cells were bioprinted and a 3D-aligned architecture was induced, which aligned Müller cell structure in retinal tissue. The stereographic and functional characteristics of the biomimetic model were investigated and compared to those of the conventional 2D cultured group. The results showed the potential to generate Müller cell-based biomimetic models with characteristic morphological features such as endfeet, soma, and microvilli. Especially, the 3D Müller cell model under hyperglycemic conditions showed similar responses as observed in thein vivodiabetic model with retinal changes, whereas the conventional 2D cultured group showed different cytokine and growth factor secretions. These results show that our study is a first step toward providing advanced tools to investigate thein vivofunction of Müller cells and to develop complete 3D models of the vertebrate retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Suk Jung
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon City, Gyeongsangbuk-do 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghyun Son
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50, UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jin Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea.,Bio-Medical Institute, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, The Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungha Kim
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50, UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Sang Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Wook Kang
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50, UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Kyun Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea.,Bio-Medical Institute, Kyungpook National University Hospital, 130 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, The Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
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24
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Ripolles-Garcia A, Chen Y, Sato Y, Gray A, Ying GS, Aguirre GD, Beltran WA. Retinal Vascular Plexuses Are Unequally Affected in Canine Inherited Retinal Degenerations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:22. [PMID: 36378130 PMCID: PMC9672900 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.12.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize the progression of vascular changes that occur in each retinal plexus, in three canine models of inherited retinal degeneration. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we examined the retinal imaging records of 44 dogs from a research colony that had undergone optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. Animals enrolled included crd2/NPHP5 and xlpra2/RPGR mutant dogs imaged at different stages of photoreceptor loss, as well as RHOT4R/+ dogs after acute light-induced rod degeneration. Also included were normal controls imaged at similar ages. OCT angiograms of the superficial vascular plexus combined with the intermediate capillary plexus (SVP + ICP), and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) were analyzed using the AngioTool software to calculate vessel density and other vascular parameters. Results A reduction in vessel density was seen over time in both the SVP + ICP and DCP in all mutant dogs but was more pronounced in the DCP. Scans were subclassified based on outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning compared to age-matched normal controls. When ONL loss was 0% to 50%, vessel density in the DCP was significantly lower than in age-matched controls. In all cases, when ONL loss exceeded 87.5%, vessel density in the SVP + ICP was significantly reduced as well. In the acute light-induced rod degeneration model, the vascular regression changes were observed mainly in the DCP. Conclusions Vessel density reduction in dogs undergoing retinal degeneration is first detected by OCTA in the DCP, and only at later stages in the SVP + ICP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ripolles-Garcia
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Yineng Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Yu Sato
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Alexa Gray
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Gustavo D. Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - William A. Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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25
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Martínez-Vacas A, Di Pierdomenico J, Gallego-Ortega A, Valiente-Soriano FJ, Vidal-Sanz M, Picaud S, Villegas-Pérez MP, García-Ayuso D. Systemic taurine treatment affords functional and morphological neuroprotection of photoreceptors and restores retinal pigment epithelium function in RCS rats. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102506. [PMID: 36270186 PMCID: PMC9583577 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our work was to study whether taurine administration has neuroprotective effects in dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, suffering retinal degeneration secondary to impaired retinal pigment epithelium phagocytosis caused by a MERTK mutation. Dystrophic RCS-p + female rats (n = 36) were divided into a non-treated group (n = 16) and a treated group (n = 20) that received taurine (0.2 M) in drinking water from postnatal day (P)21 to P45, when they were processed. Retinal function was assessed with electroretinogram. Retinal morphology was assessed in cross-sections using immunohistochemical techniques to label photoreceptors, retinal microglial and macroglial cells, active zones of conventional and ribbon synaptic connections, and oxidative stress. Retinal pigment epithelium function was examined using intraocular fluorogold injections. Our results document that taurine treatment increases taurine plasma levels and photoreceptor survival in dystrophic rats. The number of photoreceptor nuclei rows at P45 was 3-5 and 6-11 in untreated and treated animals, respectively. Electroretinograms showed increases of 70% in the rod response, 400% in the a-wave amplitude, 30% in the b-wave amplitude and 75% in the photopic b-wave response in treated animals. Treated animals also showed decreased numbers of microglial cells in the outer retinal layers, decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in Müller cells, decreased oxidative stress in the outer and inner nuclear layers and improved maintenance of synaptic connections. Treated animals showed increased FG phagocytosis in the retinal pigment epithelium cells. In conclusion, systemic taurine treatment decreases photoreceptor degeneration and increases electroretinographic responses in dystrophic RCS rats and these effects may be mediated through various neuroprotective mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martínez-Vacas
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Johnny Di Pierdomenico
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Gallego-Ortega
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco J Valiente-Soriano
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Vidal-Sanz
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Serge Picaud
- Sorbonne Universités, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - María Paz Villegas-Pérez
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Diego García-Ayuso
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Virgen de la Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.
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26
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Vijayasarathy C, Zeng Y, Marangoni D, Dong L, Pan ZH, Simpson EM, Fariss RN, Sieving PA. Targeted Expression of Retinoschisin by Retinal Bipolar Cells in XLRS Promotes Resolution of Retinoschisis Cysts Sans RS1 From Photoreceptors. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:8. [PMID: 36227606 PMCID: PMC9583743 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.11.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Loss of retinoschisin (RS1) function underlies X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) pathology. In the retina, both photoreceptor inner segments and bipolar cells express RS1. However, the loss of RS1 function causes schisis primarily in the inner retina. To understand these cell type-specific phenotypes, we decoupled RS1 effects in bipolar cells from that in photoreceptors. Methods Bipolar cell transgene RS1 expression was achieved using two inner retina-specific promoters: (1) a minimal promoter engineered from glutamate receptor, metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 gene (mini-mGluR6/ Grm6) and (2) MiniPromoter (Ple155). Adeno-associated virus vectors encoding RS1 gene under either the mini-mGluR6 or Ple-155 promoter were delivered to the XLRS mouse retina through intravitreal or subretinal injection on postnatal day 14. Retinal structure and function were assessed 5 weeks later: immunohistochemistry for morphological characterization, optical coherence tomography and electroretinography (ERG) for structural and functional evaluation. Results Immunohistochemical analysis of RS1expression showed that expression with the MiniPromoter (Ple155) was heavily enriched in bipolar cells. Despite variations in vector penetrance and gene transfer efficiency across the injected retinas, those retinal areas with robust bipolar cell RS1 expression showed tightly packed bipolar cells with fewer cavities and marked improvement in inner retinal structure and synaptic function as judged by optical coherence tomography and electroretinography, respectively. Conclusions These results demonstrate that RS1 gene expression primarily in bipolar cells of the XLRS mouse retina, independent of photoreceptor expression, can ameliorate retinoschisis structural pathology and provide further evidence of RS1 role in cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camasamudram Vijayasarathy
- Section for Translational Research in Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Yong Zeng
- Section for Translational Research in Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Dario Marangoni
- Section for Translational Research in Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Lijin Dong
- Genetic Engineering Facility, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Zhuo-Hua Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert N. Fariss
- Biological Imaging Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Paul A. Sieving
- Section for Translational Research in Retinal and Macular Degeneration, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
- Center for Ocular Regenerative Therapy, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Davis, United States
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27
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Balaratnasingam C, An D, Hein M, Yu P, Yu DY. Studies of the retinal microcirculation using human donor eyes and high-resolution clinical imaging: Insights gained to guide future research in diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 94:101134. [PMID: 37154065 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The microcirculation plays a key role in delivering oxygen to and removing metabolic wastes from energy-intensive retinal neurons. Microvascular changes are a hallmark feature of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major cause of irreversible vision loss globally. Early investigators have performed landmark studies characterising the pathologic manifestations of DR. Previous works have collectively informed us of the clinical stages of DR and the retinal manifestations associated with devastating vision loss. Since these reports, major advancements in histologic techniques coupled with three-dimensional image processing has facilitated a deeper understanding of the structural characteristics in the healthy and diseased retinal circulation. Furthermore, breakthroughs in high-resolution retinal imaging have facilitated clinical translation of histologic knowledge to detect and monitor progression of microcirculatory disturbances with greater precision. Isolated perfusion techniques have been applied to human donor eyes to further our understanding of the cytoarchitectural characteristics of the normal human retinal circulation as well as provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of DR. Histology has been used to validate emerging in vivo retinal imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography angiography. This report provides an overview of our research on the human retinal microcirculation in the context of the current ophthalmic literature. We commence by proposing a standardised histologic lexicon for characterising the human retinal microcirculation and subsequently discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying key manifestations of DR, with a focus on microaneurysms and retinal ischaemia. The advantages and limitations of current retinal imaging modalities as determined using histologic validation are also presented. We conclude with an overview of the implications of our research and provide a perspective on future directions in DR research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrakumar Balaratnasingam
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Dong An
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Martin Hein
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Paula Yu
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Dao-Yi Yu
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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28
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Lotz-Havla AS, Katzdobler S, Nuscher B, Weiß K, Levin J, Havla J, Maier EM. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light chain in patients with early treated phenylketonuria. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1011470. [PMID: 36247773 PMCID: PMC9559705 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1011470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
To pave the way for healthy aging in early treated phenylketonuria (ETPKU) patients, a better understanding of the neurological course in this population is needed, requiring easy accessible biomarkers to monitor neurological disease progression in large cohorts. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the potential of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) as blood biomarkers to indicate changes of the central nervous system in ETPKU. In this single-center cross-sectional study, GFAP and NfL concentrations in serum were quantified using the Simoa® multiplex technology in 56 ETPKU patients aged 6–36 years and 16 age matched healthy controls. Correlation analysis and hierarchical linear regression analysis were performed to investigate an association with disease-related biochemical parameters and retinal layers assessed by optical coherence tomography. ETPKU patients did not show significantly higher GFAP concentrations (mean 73 pg/ml) compared to healthy controls (mean 60 pg/ml, p = 0.140). However, individual pediatric and adult ETPKU patients had GFAP concentrations above the healthy control range. In addition, there was a significant association of GFAP concentrations with current plasma tyrosine concentrations (r = −0.482, p = 0.036), a biochemical marker in phenylketonuria, and the retinal inner nuclear layer volume (r = 0.451, p = 0.04). There was no evidence of NfL alterations in our ETPKU cohort. These pilot results encourage multicenter longitudinal studies to further investigate serum GFAP as a complementary tool to better understand and monitor neurological disease progression in ETPKU. Follow-up investigations on aging ETPKU patients are required to elucidate the potential of serum NfL as biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie S. Lotz-Havla
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Katzdobler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Brigitte Nuscher
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Weiß
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Levin
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Havla
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Data Integration for Future Medicine (DIFUTURE) Consortium, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Joachim Havla
| | - Esther M. Maier
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Esther M. Maier
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Martínez-Gil N, Maneu V, Kutsyr O, Fernández-Sánchez L, Sánchez-Sáez X, Sánchez-Castillo C, Campello L, Lax P, Pinilla I, Cuenca N. Cellular and molecular alterations in neurons and glial cells in inherited retinal degeneration. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:984052. [PMID: 36225228 PMCID: PMC9548552 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.984052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple gene mutations have been associated with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Despite the spectrum of phenotypes caused by the distinct mutations, IRDs display common physiopathology features. Cell death is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vertebrate retina has several attributes that make this tissue vulnerable to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance. The high energy demands and active metabolism in retinal cells, as well as their continuous exposure to high oxygen levels and light-induced stress, reveal the importance of tightly regulated homeostatic processes to maintain retinal function, which are compromised in pathological conditions. In addition, the subsequent microglial activation and gliosis, which triggers the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, trophic factors, and other molecules, further worsen the degenerative process. As the disease evolves, retinal cells change their morphology and function. In disease stages where photoreceptors are lost, the remaining neurons of the retina to preserve their function seek out for new synaptic partners, which leads to a cascade of morphological alterations in retinal cells that results in a complete remodeling of the tissue. In this review, we describe important molecular and morphological changes in retinal cells that occur in response to oxidative stress and the inflammatory processes underlying IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carla Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Aragón Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Surgery, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Isabel Pinilla,
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- *Correspondence: Nicolás Cuenca,
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Bales KL, Chacko AS, Nickerson JM, Boatright JH, Pardue MT. Treadmill exercise promotes retinal astrocyte plasticity and protects against retinal degeneration in a mouse model of light-induced retinal degeneration. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1695-1706. [PMID: 35582827 PMCID: PMC9746889 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Exercise is an effective neuroprotective intervention that preserves retinal function and structure in several animal models of retinal degeneration. However, the retinal cell types governing exercise-induced neuroprotection remain elusive. Previously, we found exercise-induced retinal neuroprotection was associated with increased levels of retinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and required intact signal transduction with its high-affinity receptor, tropomyosin kinase B (TrkB). Brain studies have shown astrocytes express BDNF and TrkB and that decreased BDNF-TrkB signaling in astrocytes contributes to neurodegeneration. Additionally, exercise has been shown to alter astrocyte morphology. Using a light-induced retinal degeneration (LIRD) model, we investigated how exercise influences retinal astrocytes in adult male BALB/c mice. Treadmill exercise in dim control and LIRD groups had increased astrocyte density, GFAP labeling, branching, dendritic endpoints, and arborization. Meanwhile, inactive LIRD animals had significant reductions in all measured parameters. Additionally, exercised groups had increased astrocytic BDNF expression that was visualized using proximity ligase assay. Isolated retinal astrocytes from exercised LIRD groups had significantly increased expression of a specific isoform of TrkB associated with cell survival, TrkB.FL. Conversely, inactive LIRD isolated retinal astrocytes had significantly increased expression of TrkB.T1, which has been implicated in neuronal cell death. Our data indicate exercise not only alters retinal astrocyte morphology but also promotes specific BDNF-TrkB signaling associated with cell survival and protection during retinal degeneration. These findings provide novel insights into the effects of treadmill exercise on retinal astrocyte morphology and cellular expression, highlighting retinal astrocytes as a potential cell type involved in BDNF-TrkB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L. Bales
- Atlanta VA Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Alicia S. Chacko
- Atlanta VA Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Decatur, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - John M. Nickerson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Boatright
- Atlanta VA Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Decatur, Georgia, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Machelle T. Pardue
- Atlanta VA Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Decatur, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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31
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Can metformin modulate the retinal degenerative changes in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa? Tissue Cell 2022; 76:101786. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Lin C, Toychiev A, Ablordeppey R, Slavi N, Srinivas M, Benavente-Perez A. Myopia Alters the Structural Organization of the Retinal Vasculature, GFAP-Positive Glia, and Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6202. [PMID: 35682880 PMCID: PMC9181442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To describe the effect of myopic eye growth on the structure and distribution of astrocytes, vasculature, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, which are critical for inner retinal tissue homeostasis and survival. Astrocyte and capillary distribution, retinal nerve fiber (RNFL), and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses were assessed using immunochemistry and spectral domain optical coherence tomography on eleven retinas of juvenile common marmosets (Callithrix Jacchus), six of which were induced with lens-induced myopia (refraction, Rx: -7.01 ± 1.8D). Five untreated age-matched juvenile marmoset retinas were used as controls (Rx: -0.74 ± 0.4D). Untreated marmoset eyes grew normally, their RNFL thickened and their astrocyte numbers were associated with RNFL thickness. Marmosets with induced myopia did not show this trend and, on the contrary, had reduced astrocyte numbers, increased GFAP-immunopositive staining, thinner RNFL, lower peripheral capillary branching, and increased numbers of string vessels. The myopic changes in retinal astrocytes, vasculature, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness suggest a reorganization of the astrocyte and vascular templates during myopia development and progression. Whether these adaptations are beneficial or harmful to the retina remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alexandra Benavente-Perez
- Department of Biological Sciences, SUNY College of Optometry, New York, NY 10036, USA; (C.L.); (A.T.); (R.A.); (N.S.); (M.S.)
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Yang Y, Jiang X, Li X, Sun K, Zhu X, Zhou B. Specific ablation of Hippo signalling component Yap1 in retinal progenitors and Müller cells results in late onset retinal degeneration. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:2673-2689. [PMID: 35533255 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a major component of the Hippo pathway involved in development, growth, repair and homeostasis. Nonsense YAP1 mutations in humans result in autosomal dominant coloboma. Here, we generated a conditional knockout mouse model in which Yap1 was specifically deleted in embryonic retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and in mature Müller cells using a Chx10-Cre driver. Our data demonstrated that the conditional ablation of Yap1 in embryonic RPCs does not prevent normal retinal development and caused no gross changes in retinal structure during embryonic and early postnatal life. Nevertheless, Yap1 deficient in retinal Müller cells in adult mice leads to impaired visual responses and extensive late-onset retinal degeneration, characterized by reduced cell number in all retinal layers. Immunofluorescence data further revealed the degeneration and death of rod and cone photoreceptors, bipolar cells, horizontal cells, amacrine cells and ganglion cells to varying degrees in aged knockout mice. Moreover, alteration of glial homeostasis and reactive gliosis were also observed. Finally, cell proliferation and TUNEL assay revealed that the broad retinal degeneration is mainly caused by enhanced apoptosis in late period. Together, this work uncovers that YAP is essential for the normal vision and retinal maintenance, highlighting the crucial role of YAP in retinal function and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeming Yang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jiang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kuanxiang Sun
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianjun Zhu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Xining, Qinghai, China.,Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Departemnt of Ophthalmology, First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Shangqiu, Henan, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Di Pierdomenico J, Gallego‐Ortega A, Martínez‐Vacas A, García‐Bernal D, Vidal‐Sanz M, Villegas‐Pérez MP, García‐Ayuso D. Intravitreal and subretinal syngeneic bone marrow mononuclear stem cell transplantation improves photoreceptor survival but does not ameliorate retinal function in two rat models of retinal degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 100:e1313-e1331. [PMID: 35514078 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study and compare effects of syngeneic bone marrow mononuclear stem cells (BM-MNCs) transplants on inherited retinal degeneration in two animal models with different etiologies: the RCS and the P23H-1 rats. To compare the safety and efficacy of two methods of intraocular delivery: subretinal and/or intravitreal. METHODS A suspension of BM-MNCs was injected subretinally or intravitreally in the left eyes of P23H-1 and RCS rats at post-natal day (P) 21. At different survival intervals after the injection: 7, 15, 30 or 60 days, the retinas were cross-sectioned, and photoreceptor survival and glial cell responses were investigated using immunodetection of cones (anti-cone arrestin), synaptic connections (anti-bassoon), microglia (anti-Iba-1), astrocytes and Müller cells (anti-GFAP). Electroretinographic function was also assessed longitudinally. RESULTS Intravitreal injections (IVIs) or subretinal injections (SRIs) of BM-MNCs did not produce adverse effects. The transplanted cells survived for up to 15 days but did not penetrate the retina. Both IVIs and SRIs increased photoreceptor survival, decreased synaptic degeneration and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in Müller cells but did not modify microglial cell activation and migration or the electroretinographic responses. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal and subretinal syngeneic BM-MNCs transplantation decreases photoreceptor degeneration and shows anti-gliotic effects on Müller cells but does not ameliorate retinal function. Moreover, syngeneic BM-MNCs transplants are more effective than the xenotransplants of these cells. BM-MNC transplantation has potential therapeutic effects that merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Di Pierdomenico
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
| | - Alejandro Gallego‐Ortega
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
| | - Ana Martínez‐Vacas
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
| | - David García‐Bernal
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
| | - Manuel Vidal‐Sanz
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
| | - María P. Villegas‐Pérez
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
| | - Diego García‐Ayuso
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Murcia Murcia Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB‐Virgen de la Arrixaca) Murcia Spain
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35
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Fernández-Sánchez L, Albertos-Arranz H, Ortuño-Lizarán I, Lax P, Cuenca N. Neuroprotective Effects of Tauroursodeoxicholic Acid Involves Vascular and Glial Changes in Retinitis Pigmentosa Model. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:858073. [PMID: 35493706 PMCID: PMC9039202 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.858073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinitis pigmentosa is primarily characterized by a massive photoreceptor loss. But a global retinal remodeling occurs in later stages of the disease. At that phase, glial cells and retinal vasculature are also strongly affected. The main aim of the present work is to assess if the bile acid Tauroursodeoxicholic acid (TUDCA), which has a demonstrated neuroprotective effect in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, is able to prevent glial and vascular degeneration in the P23H rat retina. Methods Homozygous P23H (line 3) animals were injected weekly with a TUDCA (500 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle solution, from the postnatal day (P) 21 to P120. Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) were used as control. Retinal cross-sections and wholemounts were immunostained using different glial and vascular markers and visualized with confocal microscopy. Retinal blood vessels were stained with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase histochemistry and retinal vascular networks were drawn by hand using a camera lucida. Results At P120, the photoreceptor degeneration observed in P23H rats was accompanied by a reduction in the vascular network density and complexity at the deep capillary plexus. In addition, astrocytes showed gliotic features and the outer processes of Müller cells displayed an aberrant distribution in ring-shaped structures. When treated with TUDCA, P23H rats displayed better-preserved vessels and capillary loops in the deep capillary plexus which are associated with the partial preservation of photoreceptors. TUDCA treatment also increased the number of astrocytes and reduced the presence of Müller cell process clusters in the outer retina. Conclusion This work suggests that, besides its neuroprotective effect on photoreceptor cells, TUDCA treatment also protects from vascular and glial degeneration, a fact that encourages the use of TUDCA as a powerful therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henar Albertos-Arranz
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Ortuño-Lizarán
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL-FISABIO Foundation), Alicante, Spain
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL-FISABIO Foundation), Alicante, Spain
- Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- *Correspondence: Nicolás Cuenca,
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36
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Shahin S, Xu H, Lu B, Mercado A, Jones MK, Bakondi B, Wang S. AAV-CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Preserves Long-Term Vision in the P23H Rat Model of Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040824. [PMID: 35456659 PMCID: PMC9026811 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) consists of a group of inherited, retinal degenerative disorders and is characterized by progressive loss of rod photoreceptors and eventual degeneration of cones in advanced stages, resulting in vision loss or blindness. Gene therapy has been effective in treating autosomal recessive RP (arRP). However, limited options are available for patients with autosomal dominant RP (adRP). In vivo gene editing may be a therapeutic option to treat adRP. We previously rescued vision in neonatal adRP rats by the selective ablation of the Rhodopsin S334ter transgene following electroporation of a CRISPR/Cas9 vector. However, the translational feasibility and long-term safety and efficacy of ablation therapy is unclear. To this end, we show that AAV delivery of a CRISPR/Cas9 construct disrupted the Rhodopsin P23H transgene in postnatal rats, which rescued long-term vision and retinal morphology.
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Dorgau B, Georgiou M, Chaudhary A, Moya-Molina M, Collin J, Queen R, Hilgen G, Davey T, Hewitt P, Schmitt M, Kustermann S, Pognan F, Steel DH, Sernagor E, Armstrong L, Lako M. Human Retinal Organoids Provide a Suitable Tool for Toxicological Investigations: A Comprehensive Validation Using Drugs and Compounds Affecting the Retina. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:159-177. [PMID: 35298655 PMCID: PMC8929478 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal drug toxicity screening is essential for the development of safe treatment strategies for a large number of diseases. To this end, retinal organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a suitable screening platform due to their similarity to the human retina and the ease of generation in large-scale formats. In this study, two hPSC cell lines were differentiated to retinal organoids, which comprised all key retinal cell types in multiple nuclear and synaptic layers. Single-cell RNA-Seq of retinal organoids indicated the maintenance of retinal ganglion cells and development of bipolar cells: both cell types segregated into several subtypes. Ketorolac, digoxin, thioridazine, sildenafil, ethanol, and methanol were selected as key compounds to screen on retinal organoids because of their well-known retinal toxicity profile described in the literature. Exposure of the hPSC-derived retinal organoids to digoxin, thioridazine, and sildenafil resulted in photoreceptor cell death, while digoxin and thioridazine additionally affected all other cell types, including Müller glia cells. All drug treatments caused activation of astrocytes, indicated by dendrites sprouting into neuroepithelium. The ability to respond to light was preserved in organoids although the number of responsive retinal ganglion cells decreased after drug exposure. These data indicate similar drug effects in organoids to those reported in in vivo models and/or in humans, thus providing the first robust experimental evidence of their suitability for toxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Dorgau
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcells Biotech, Biosphere, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Maria Georgiou
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alexander Chaudhary
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Marina Moya-Molina
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcells Biotech, Biosphere, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Joseph Collin
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachel Queen
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Gerrit Hilgen
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Northumbria University, Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tracey Davey
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Electron Microscopy Research Services, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | - Stefan Kustermann
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - David H Steel
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Evelyne Sernagor
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Newcells Biotech, Biosphere, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Newcastle University, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Holden JM, Al Hussein Al Awamlh S, Croteau LP, Boal AM, Rex TS, Risner ML, Calkins DJ, Wareham LK. Dysfunctional cGMP Signaling Leads to Age-Related Retinal Vascular Alterations and Astrocyte Remodeling in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063066. [PMID: 35328488 PMCID: PMC8954518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase-1-cyclic guanylate monophosphate (NO-GC-1-cGMP) pathway is integral to the control of vascular tone and morphology. Mice lacking the alpha catalytic domain of guanylate cyclase (GC1-/-) develop retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration with age, with only modest fluctuations in intraocular pressure (IOP). Increasing the bioavailability of cGMP in GC1-/- mice prevents neurodegeneration independently of IOP, suggesting alternative mechanisms of retinal neurodegeneration. In continuation to these studies, we explored the hypothesis that dysfunctional cGMP signaling leads to changes in the neurovascular unit that may contribute to RGC degeneration. We assessed retinal vasculature and astrocyte morphology in young and aged GC1-/- and wild type mice. GC1-/- mice exhibit increased peripheral retinal vessel dilation and shorter retinal vessel branching with increasing age compared to Wt mice. Astrocyte cell morphology is aberrant, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) density is increased in young and aged GC1-/- mice, with areas of dense astrocyte matting around blood vessels. Our results suggest that proper cGMP signaling is essential to retinal vessel morphology with increasing age. Vascular changed are preceded by alterations in astrocyte morphology which may together contribute to retinal neurodegeneration and loss of visual acuity observed in GC1-/- mice.
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Fan J, Venkateswaran N, Fan KC, Cernichiaro LA, Negron CI, McKeown CA, Berrocal AM. Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy associated with retinal astrocytic hamartoma. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2022; 25:101312. [PMID: 35128159 PMCID: PMC8807981 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To report the first case of retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH) arising in the setting of Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). Observations An otherwise healthy 3-month-old male was clinically diagnosed with Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy, with subsequent confirmation of a Frizzled-4 nonsense gene mutation. He was treated with multiple rounds of laser photocoagulation after demonstrated peripheral non-perfusion on fluorescein angiography. At 4 years of age, he was noted to have a solitary retinal astrocytic hamartoma in an area of anterior retinal traction which remains under observation. Conclusions and Importance This case describes the first reported instance of a retinal astrocytic hamartoma arising in the setting of FEVR. Multiple factors may have contributed to the formation of this benign tumor, including retinal dysgenesis, genetic background, or even laser photocoagulation. More case reports and/or molecular studies are required to further clarify the potential role of these insults in the pathogenesis of RAH.
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Meng C, Gu C, He S, Su T, Lhamo T, Draga D, Qiu Q. Pyroptosis in the Retinal Neurovascular Unit: New Insights Into Diabetic Retinopathy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:763092. [PMID: 34737754 PMCID: PMC8560732 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.763092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is prevalent among people with long-term diabetes mellitus (DM) and remains the leading cause of visual impairment in working-aged people. DR is related to chronic low-level inflammatory reactions. Pyroptosis is an emerging type of inflammatory cell death mediated by gasdermin D (GSDMD), NOD-like receptors and inflammatory caspases that promote interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 release. In addition, the retinal neurovascular unit (NVU) is the functional basis of the retina. Recent studies have shown that pyroptosis may participate in the destruction of retinal NVU cells in simulated hyperglycemic DR environments. In this review, we will clarify the importance of pyroptosis in the retinal NVU during the development of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunren Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Chufeng Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Thashi Lhamo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shigatse People’s Hospital, Shigatse, China
| | - Deji Draga
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shigatse People’s Hospital, Shigatse, China
| | - Qinghua Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shigatse People’s Hospital, Shigatse, China
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Pharmacological Inhibition of the VCP/Proteasome Axis Rescues Photoreceptor Degeneration in RHO P23H Rat Retinal Explants. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11101528. [PMID: 34680161 PMCID: PMC8534135 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodopsin (RHO) misfolding mutations are a common cause of the blinding disease autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). The most prevalent mutation, RHOP23H, results in its misfolding and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Under homeostatic conditions, misfolded proteins are selectively identified, retained at the ER, and cleared via ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Overload of these degradation processes for a prolonged period leads to imbalanced proteostasis and may eventually result in cell death. ERAD of misfolded proteins, such as RHOP23H, includes the subsequent steps of protein recognition, targeting for ERAD, retrotranslocation, and proteasomal degradation. In the present study, we investigated and compared pharmacological modulation of ERAD at these four different major steps. We show that inhibition of the VCP/proteasome activity favors cell survival and suppresses P23H-mediated retinal degeneration in RHOP23H rat retinal explants. We suggest targeting this activity as a therapeutic approach for patients with currently untreatable adRP.
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Kovács-Valasek A, Pöstyéni E, Dénes V, Mester A, Sétáló G, Gábriel R. Age-Related Alterations of Proteins in Albino Wistar Rat Retina. Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 210:135-150. [PMID: 34218223 DOI: 10.1159/000515447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Imbalance of homeostasis causes permanent changes in the body with time. The central nervous system is especially prone to these changes since it possesses limited regenerative capacity. In the retina, neurons are damaged during the aging process, and this eventually leads to deterioration of vision. In our 2-year-long study, we examined genetically closely related rat individuals to disclose the hidden retinal causes of age-associated visual dysfunction. Morphometric analysis showed significant reduction of the retina thickness with aging, particularly that of the inner plexiform layer. To reveal changes between the age groups, we used immunohistochemistry against vesicular glutamate transporter 1 protein for photoreceptor and bipolar cell terminals, Brn3a for ganglion cells, calbindin 28 kDa for horizontal cells, parvalbumin for AII amacrines, protein kinase Cα for rod bipolar cells, tyrosine hydroxylase for dopaminergic cells, glial fibrillary acidic protein for glial cells, and peanut-agglutinin labeling for cones. The most significant decrease was observed in the density of photoreceptor and the ganglion cells in the aging process. By using immunocytochemistry and western blot technique, we observed that calbindin and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 protein staining do not change much with aging; tyrosine hydroxylase, parvalbumin and calretinin showed the highest immunoreactivity during the midlife period. Most interestingly, the level of glial fibrillary acidic protein also changes similarly to the previously named markers. Our results provide further evidence that protein content is modified at least in some cell populations of the rat retina, and the number of retinal cells declined with aging. We conclude that senescence alone may cause structural and functional damage in the retinal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kovács-Valasek
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Etelka Pöstyéni
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Viktória Dénes
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Mester
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - György Sétáló
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Róbert Gábriel
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Tonade D, Kern TS. Photoreceptor cells and RPE contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100919. [PMID: 33188897 PMCID: PMC8113320 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. It has long been regarded as vascular disease, but work in the past years has shown abnormalities also in the neural retina. Unfortunately, research on the vascular and neural abnormalities have remained largely separate, instead of being integrated into a comprehensive view of DR that includes both the neural and vascular components. Recent evidence suggests that the most predominant neural cell in the retina (photoreceptors) and the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) play an important role in the development of vascular lesions characteristic of DR. This review summarizes evidence that the outer retina is altered in diabetes, and that photoreceptors and RPE contribute to retinal vascular alterations in the early stages of the retinopathy. The possible molecular mechanisms by which cells of the outer retina might contribute to retinal vascular damage in diabetes also are discussed. Diabetes-induced alterations in the outer retina represent a novel therapeutic target to inhibit DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deoye Tonade
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Timothy S Kern
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Cleveland, OH, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Long Beach, CA, USA.
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Harnessing Astrocytes and Müller Glial Cells in the Retina for Survival and Regeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061339. [PMID: 34071545 PMCID: PMC8229010 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have been associated with the failure of axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS), as it undergoes reactive gliosis in response to damages to the CNS and functions as a chemical and physical barrier to axon regeneration. However, beneficial roles of astrocytes have been extensively studied in the spinal cord over the years, and a growing body of evidence now suggests that inducing astrocytes to become more growth-supportive can promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). In retina, astrocytes and Müller cells are known to undergo reactive gliosis after damage to retina and/or optic nerve and are hypothesized to be either detrimental or beneficial to survival and axon regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Whether they can be induced to become more growth-supportive after retinal and optic nerve injury has yet to be determined. In this review, we pinpoint the potential molecular pathways involved in the induction of growth-supportive astrocytes in the spinal cord and suggest that stimulating the activation of these pathways in the retina could represent a new therapeutic approach to promoting survival and axon regeneration of RGCs in retinal degenerative diseases.
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Sen M, Bassetto M, Poulhes F, Zelphati O, Ueffing M, Arango-Gonzalez B. Efficient Ocular Delivery of VCP siRNA via Reverse Magnetofection in RHO P23H Rodent Retina Explants. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020225. [PMID: 33562020 PMCID: PMC7914601 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of synthetic RNA for research purposes as well as RNA-based therapy and vaccination has gained increasing importance. Given the anatomical seclusion of the eye, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced gene silencing bears great potential for targeted reduction of pathological gene expression that may allow rational treatment of chronic eye diseases in the future. However, there is yet an unmet need for techniques providing safe and efficient siRNA delivery to the retina. We used magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and magnetic force (Reverse Magnetofection) to deliver siRNA/MNP complexes into retinal explant tissue, targeting valosin-containing protein (VCP) previously established as a potential therapeutic target for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). Safe and efficient delivery of VCP siRNA was achieved into all retinal cell layers of retinal explants from the RHO P23H rat, a rodent model for adRP. No toxicity or microglial activation was observed. VCP silencing led to a significant decrease of retinal degeneration. Reverse Magnetofection thus offers an effective method to deliver siRNA into retinal tissue. Used in combination with retinal organotypic explants, it can provide an efficient and reliable preclinical test platform of RNA-based therapy approaches for ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Sen
- Centre of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marco Bassetto
- OZ Biosciences, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, CEDEX 9, 13288 Marseille, France; (M.B.); (F.P.); (O.Z.)
| | - Florent Poulhes
- OZ Biosciences, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, CEDEX 9, 13288 Marseille, France; (M.B.); (F.P.); (O.Z.)
| | - Olivier Zelphati
- OZ Biosciences, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, CEDEX 9, 13288 Marseille, France; (M.B.); (F.P.); (O.Z.)
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Centre of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.U.); (B.A.-G.)
| | - Blanca Arango-Gonzalez
- Centre of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.U.); (B.A.-G.)
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46
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Development of a zebrafish screening model for diabetic retinopathy induced by hyperglycemia: Reproducibility verification in animal model. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 135:111201. [PMID: 33421732 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed at creating a zebrafish screening model for diabetic retinopathy, and evaluated the effects of aflibercept, which is being used to treated diabetic retinopathy. A morphological change occurred at 160 mM of glucose. The survival and hatching rate decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In the 130 mM glucose group, the retinal vessel diameter was more than double that in the normal group. The zebrafish embryo morphology changed in 200 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL at aflibercept. The survival and hatching rate decrease at 400 μg/mL. Aflibercept 100 μg/mL was a nontoxic and effective dose for the zebrafish diabetic retinopathy model. The expression of diabetic retinopathy inflammatory markers was increased in hyperglycemia. But the inflammation was improved by aflibercept in the zebrafish eye. In a zebrafish diabetic retinopathy model, the diameters of retinal vessels were reduced after treatment with aflibercept, and molecular biological and histopathological efficacy was confirmed. This model can serve for screening of new drug candidates for treatment of in diabetic retinopathy.
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SHIRAI M, NIINO N, MORI K, KAI K. Microarray-based gene expression analysis combined with laser capture microdissection is beneficial in investigating the modes of action of ocular toxicity. J Toxicol Pathol 2021; 35:171-182. [PMID: 35516843 PMCID: PMC9018402 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2021-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina consists of several layers, and drugs can affect the retina and choroid
separately. Therefore, investigating the target layers of toxicity can provide useful
information pertaining to its modes of action. Herein, we compared gene expression
profiles obtained via microarray analyses using samples of target layers collected via
laser capture microdissection and samples of the whole globe of the eye of rats treated
with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Pathway analyses suggested
changes in the different pathways between the laser capture microdissection samples and
the whole globe samples. Consistent with the histological distribution of glial cells,
upregulation of several inflammation-related pathways was noted only in the whole globe
samples. Individual gene expression analyses revealed several gene expression changes in
the laser capture microdissection samples, such as caspase- and glycolysis-related gene
expression changes, which is similar to previous reports regarding
N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-treated animals; however,
caspase- and glycolysis-related gene expressions did not change or changed unexpectedly in
the whole globe samples. Analyses of the laser capture microdissection samples revealed
new potential candidate genes involved in the modes of action of
N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal toxicity.
Collectively, our results suggest that specific retinal layers, which may be targeted by
specific toxins, are beneficial in identifying genes responsible for drug-induced ocular
toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto SHIRAI
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-0081, Japan
| | - Noriyo NIINO
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-0081, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko MORI
- Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-8630, Japan
| | - Kiyonori KAI
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-16-13 Kitakasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-0081, Japan
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Antioxidant and Biological Properties of Mesenchymal Cells Used for Therapy in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9100983. [PMID: 33066211 PMCID: PMC7602011 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9100983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Both tissue repair and regeneration are a priority in regenerative medicine. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a complex retinal disease characterized by the progressive loss of impaired photoreceptors, is currently lacking effective therapies: this represents one of the greatest challenges in the field of ophthalmological research. Although this inherited retinal dystrophy is still an incurable genetic disease, the oxidative damage is an important pathogenetic element that may represent a viable target of therapy. In this review, we summarize the current neuroscientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of cell therapies in RP, especially those based on mesenchymal cells, and we focus on their therapeutic action: limitation of both oxidative stress and apoptotic processes triggered by the disease and promotion of cell survival. Cell therapy could therefore represent a feasible therapeutic option in RP.
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Di Pierdomenico J, Martínez-Vacas A, Hernández-Muñoz D, Gómez-Ramírez AM, Valiente-Soriano FJ, Agudo-Barriuso M, Vidal-Sanz M, Villegas-Pérez MP, García-Ayuso D. Coordinated Intervention of Microglial and Müller Cells in Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:47. [PMID: 32232352 PMCID: PMC7401701 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.3.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To analyze the role of microglial and Müller cells in the formation of rings of photoreceptor degeneration caused by phototoxicity. Methods Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to light and processed 1, 2, or 3 months later. Retinas were dissected as whole-mounts, immunodetected for microglial cells, Müller cells, and S- and L/M-cones and analyzed using fluorescence, thunder imaging, and confocal microscopy. Cone populations were automatically counted and isodensity maps constructed to document cone topography. Results Phototoxicity causes a significant progressive loss of S- and L/M-cones of up to 68% and 44%, respectively, at 3 months after light exposure (ALE). One month ALE, we observed rings of cone degeneration in the photosensitive area of the superior retina. Two and 3 months ALE, these rings had extended to the central and inferior retina. Within the rings of cone degeneration, there were degenerating cones, often activated microglial cells, and numerous radially oriented processes of Müller cells that showed increased expression of intermediate filaments. Between 1 and 3 months ALE, the rings coalesced, and at the same time the microglial cells resumed a mosaic-like distribution, and there was a decrease of Müller cell gliosis at the areas devoid of cones. Conclusions Light-induced photoreceptor degeneration proceeds with rings of cone degeneration, as observed in inherited retinal degenerations in which cone death is secondary to rod degeneration. The spatiotemporal relationship of cone death microglial cell activation and Müller cell gliosis within the rings of cone degeneration suggests that, although both glial cells are involved in the formation of the rings, they may have coordinated actions and, while microglial cells may be more involved in photoreceptor phagocytosis, Müller cells may be more involved in cone and microglial cell migration, retinal remodeling and glial seal formation.
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Santiago AR, Madeira MH, Boia R, Aires ID, Rodrigues-Neves AC, Santos PF, Ambrósio AF. Keep an eye on adenosine: Its role in retinal inflammation. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 210:107513. [PMID: 32109489 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside ubiquitously distributed throughout the body that interacts with G protein-coupled receptors, classified in four subtypes: A1R, A2AR, A2BR and A3R. Among the plethora of functions of adenosine, it has been increasingly recognized as a key mediator of the immune response. Neuroinflammation is a feature of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and contributes to the pathophysiology of several retinal degenerative diseases. Animal models of retinal diseases are helping to elucidate the regulatory roles of adenosine receptors in the development and progression of those diseases. Mounting evidence demonstrates that the adenosinergic system is altered in the retina during pathological conditions, compromising retinal physiology. This review focuses on the roles played by adenosine and the elements of the adenosinergic system (receptors, enzymes, transporters) in the neuroinflammatory processes occurring in the retina. An improved understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the signalling pathways mediated by adenosine underlying the onset and progression of retinal diseases will pave the way towards the identification of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Raquel Santiago
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Maria H Madeira
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Boia
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Dinis Aires
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Rodrigues-Neves
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo Fernando Santos
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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