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Gao J, Wang C, Zhang J, Shawuti Z, Wang S, Ma C, Wang J. CircZNF609 inhibits miR-150-5p to promote high glucose-induced damage to retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 590:112261. [PMID: 38679361 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Hyperglycemia is a key contributor to diabetic macrovascular and ocular complications. It triggers a cascade of cellular damage, particularly in the retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain only partially understood. This study hypothesizes that CircZNF609 plays a pivotal role in mediating high glucose-induced damage in RMECs by modulating miR-150-5p and its downstream target genes, thereby affecting cellular survival, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Gene expression datasets (GSE193974 and GSE160308) and clinical samples were used to investigate the expression levels of CircZNF609 and its interaction with miR-150-5p in the context of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Our results demonstrate that CircZNF609 is upregulated in both peripheral blood stem cells from DR patients and high glucose-stimulated hRMECs. Functional experiments reveal that silencing CircZNF609 improves cell viability, reduces apoptosis, inhibits tube formation, and modulates oxidative stress markers, whereas CircZNF609 overexpression exacerbates these effects. Moreover, miR-150-5p, a microRNA, was found to be negatively regulated by CircZNF609 and downregulated in DR. Its overexpression mitigates high glucose-induced cell injury. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism whereby CircZNF609 exacerbates high glucose-induced endothelial cell damage by sponging miR-150-5p, implicating the CircZNF609/miR-150-5p axis as a potential therapeutic target in diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China
| | - Chenfei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830054, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Zulifeiya Shawuti
- Department of Endocrinology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Siyao Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Cunhua Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China.
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Chen Y, Li S, He H. miR-27a-3p promotes inflammatory response in infectious endophthalmitis via targeting TSC1. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19353. [PMID: 39169069 PMCID: PMC11339321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69964-6] [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: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious endophthalmitis (IE) poses a significant threat to vision. This study aimed to explore the impact of microRNA (miR)-27a-3p on inflammation in IE. A rat model was developed through intravitreal injection of lipopolysaccharide. Clinical and demographic data were collected for 54 participants: 31 diagnosed with IE and 23 non-infectious patients with idiopathic macular holes. Expression levels of miR-27a-3p and inflammatory genes were quantified via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in human vitreous samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro studies were conducted to explore the target gene of miR-27a-3p. The final animal experiments further verified the role of miR-27a-3p and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)1 in inflammatory responses. Results showed that miR-27a-3p was elevated in LPS-treated rats and IE patients. Thirty-one IE patients were divided into the High (n = 15) and Low (n = 16) groups according to the expression of miR-27a-3p. No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical and demographic characteristics between the control and IE patient groups. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels and concentrations were notably increased in both LPS-treated rats and the High group of patients. Besides, results showed that TSC1 is a target gene of miR-27a-3p. Moreover, TSC1 inhibition promoted inflammation in rat vitreous samples. In summary, our findings suggested that miR-27a-3p exacerbated inflammatory responses in IE though targeting TSC1, offering novel insights for potential therapeutic strategies targeting miR-27a-3p in the clinical management of IE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Chen
- Hainan Eye Hospital and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.19 Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China.
| | - Shanxiang Li
- Hainan Eye Hospital and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.19 Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
| | - Hong He
- Hainan Eye Hospital and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.19 Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
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Yu CH, Wu CX, Li D, Gong LL, Lyu XD, Yang J. Key genes and regulatory networks for diabetic retinopathy based on hypoxia-related genes: a bioinformatics analysis. Int J Ophthalmol 2024; 17:1411-1417. [PMID: 39156775 PMCID: PMC11286444 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.08.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM To prevent neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and partially control disease progression. METHODS Hypoxia-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the GSE60436 and GSE102485 datasets, followed by gene ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Potential candidate drugs were screened using the CMap database. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hypoxia-related hub genes. A nomogram was generated using the rms R package, and the correlation of hub genes was analyzed using the Hmisc R package. The clinical significance of hub genes was validated by comparing their expression levels between disease and normal groups and constructing receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curves. Finally, a hypoxia-related miRNA-transcription factor (TF)-Hub gene network was constructed using the NetworkAnalyst online tool. RESULTS Totally 48 hypoxia-related DEGs and screened 10 potential candidate drugs with interaction relationships to upregulated hypoxia-related genes were identified, such as ruxolitinib, meprylcaine, and deferiprone. In addition, 8 hub genes were also identified: glycogen phosphorylase muscle associated (PYGM), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase spermatogenic (GAPDHS), enolase 3 (ENO3), aldolase fructose-bisphosphate C (ALDOC), phosphoglucomutase 2 (PGM2), enolase 2 (ENO2), phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM2), and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). Based on hub gene predictions, the miRNA-TF-Hub gene network revealed complex interactions between 163 miRNAs, 77 TFs, and hub genes. The results of ROC showed that the except for GAPDHS, the area under curve (AUC) values of the other 7 hub genes were greater than 0.758, indicating their favorable diagnostic performance. CONCLUSION PYGM, GAPDHS, ENO3, ALDOC, PGM2, ENO2, PGAM2, and PFKFB3 are hub genes in DR, and hypoxia-related hub genes exhibited favorable diagnostic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Han Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, Hubei Province, China
- School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, Hubei Province, 437100, China
| | - Cai-Xia Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dai Li
- School of Optometry, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lan-Lan Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xu-Dong Lyu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xianning Central Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, Hubei Province, China
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Raja Xavier JP, Okumura T, Apweiler M, Chacko NA, Singh Y, Brucker SY, Takeda S, Lang F, Salker MS. Placental growth factor mediates pathological uterine angiogenesis by activating the NFAT5-SGK1 signaling axis in the endometrium: implications for preeclampsia development. Biol Res 2024; 57:55. [PMID: 39152497 PMCID: PMC11330076 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00526-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: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
After menstruation the uterine spiral arteries are repaired through angiogenesis. This process is tightly regulated by the paracrine communication between endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) and endothelial cells. Any molecular aberration in these processes can lead to complications in pregnancy including miscarriage or preeclampsia (PE). Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a known contributing factor for pathological angiogenesis but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether PlGF contributes to pathological uterine angiogenesis by disrupting EnSCs and endothelial paracrine communication. We observed that PlGF mediates a tonicity-independent activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) in EnSCs. NFAT5 activated downstream targets including SGK1, HIF-1α and VEGF-A. In depth characterization of PlGF - conditioned medium (CM) from EnSCs using mass spectrometry and ELISA methods revealed low VEGF-A and an abundance of extracellular matrix organization associated proteins. Secreted factors in PlGF-CM impeded normal angiogenic cues in endothelial cells (HUVECs) by downregulating Notch-VEGF signaling. Interestingly, PlGF-CM failed to support human placental (BeWo) cell invasion through HUVEC monolayer. Inhibition of SGK1 in EnSCs improved angiogenic effects in HUVECs and promoted BeWo invasion, revealing SGK1 as a key intermediate player modulating PlGF mediated anti-angiogenic signaling. Taken together, perturbed PlGF-NFAT5-SGK1 signaling in the endometrium can contribute to pathological uterine angiogenesis by negatively regulating EnSCs-endothelial crosstalk resulting in poor quality vessels in the uterine microenvironment. Taken together the signaling may impact on normal trophoblast invasion and thus placentation and, may be associated with an increased risk of complications such as PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet P Raja Xavier
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, 72076, Calwerstraße 7/6, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Toshiyuki Okumura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Melina Apweiler
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, 72076, Calwerstraße 7/6, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nirzari A Chacko
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, 72076, Calwerstraße 7/6, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yogesh Singh
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, 72076, Calwerstraße 7/6, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y Brucker
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, 72076, Calwerstraße 7/6, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Satoru Takeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Florian Lang
- Department of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Madhuri S Salker
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tübingen, 72076, Calwerstraße 7/6, Tübingen, Germany.
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5
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Al-Ostoot FH, Salah S, Khanum SA. An Overview of Cancer Biology, Pathophysiological Development and It's Treatment Modalities: Current Challenges of Cancer anti-Angiogenic Therapy. Cancer Invest 2024; 42:559-604. [PMID: 38874308 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2361295] [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: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
A number of conditions and factors can cause the transformation of normal cells in the body into malignant tissue by changing the normal functions of a wide range of regulatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways. Despite the current deficiency in fully understanding the mechanism of cancer action accurately and clearly, numerous genes and proteins that are causally involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer have been identified. But due to the lack of space and the abundance of details on this complex topic, we have emphasized here more recent advances in our understanding of the principles implied tumor cell transformation, development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a significant strategy for the treatment of various solid tumors, that essentially depend on cutting or at least limiting the supply of blood to micro-regions of tumors, leading to pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis inside solid tumor tissues. Researchers have continued to enhance the efficiency of anti-angiogenic drugs over the past two decades, to identify their potential in the drug interaction, and to discover reasonable interpretations for possible resistance to treatment. In this review, we have discussed an overview of cancer history and recent methods use in cancer therapy, focusing on anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting angiogenesis formation. Further, this review has explained the molecular mechanism of action of these anti-angiogenic inhibitors in various tumor types and their limitations use. In addition, we described the synergistic mechanisms of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy and summarizes current clinical trials of these combinations. Many phase III trials found that combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy improved survival. Therefore, targeting the source supply of cancer cells to grow and spread with new anti-angiogenic agents in combination with different conventional therapy is a novel method to reduce cancer progression. The aim of this paper is to overview the varying concepts of cancer focusing on mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares Hezam Al-Ostoot
- Department of Chemistry, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Education & Science, Albaydha University, Al-Baydha, Yemen
| | - Salma Salah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Shaukath Ara Khanum
- Department of Chemistry, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
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Yang M, Mu Y, Yu X, Gao D, Zhang W, Li Y, Liu J, Sun C, Zhuang J. Survival strategies: How tumor hypoxia microenvironment orchestrates angiogenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116783. [PMID: 38796970 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116783] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
During tumor development, the tumor itself must continuously generate new blood vessels to meet their growth needs while also allowing for tumor invasion and metastasis. One of the most common features of tumors is hypoxia, which drives the process of tumor angiogenesis by regulating the tumor microenvironment, thus adversely affecting the prognosis of patients. In addition, to overcome unsuitable environments for growth, such as hypoxia, nutrient deficiency, hyperacidity, and immunosuppression, the tumor microenvironment (TME) coordinates angiogenesis in several ways to restore the supply of oxygen and nutrients and to remove metabolic wastes. A growing body of research suggests that tumor angiogenesis and hypoxia interact through a complex interplay of crosstalk, which is inextricably linked to the TME. Here, we review the TME's positive contribution to angiogenesis from an angiogenesis-centric perspective while considering the objective impact of hypoxic phenotypes and the status and limitations of current angiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrui Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Yufeng Mu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Dandan Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Ye Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Jingyang Liu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China; Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
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Nishikiori N, Sato T, Ogawa T, Higashide M, Umetsu A, Suzuki S, Furuhashi M, Ohguro H, Watanabe M. TGF-β Isoforms and Local Environments Greatly Modulate Biological Nature of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:581. [PMID: 38927817 PMCID: PMC11201039 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
To characterize transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) isoform (TGF-β1~3)-b's biological effects on the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) under normoxia and hypoxia conditions, ARPE19 cells cultured by 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) conditions were subjected to various analyses, including (1) an analysis of barrier function by trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements; (2) qPCR analysis of major ECM molecules including collagen 1 (COL1), COL4, and COL6; α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA); hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α); and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC1α), a master regulator for mitochondrial respiration;, tight junction-related molecules, Zonula occludens-1 (ZO1) and E-cadherin; and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); (3) physical property measurements of 3D spheroids; and (4) cellular metabolic analysis. Diverse effects among TGF-β isoforms were observed, and those effects were also different between normoxia and hypoxia conditions: (1) TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 caused a marked increase in TEER values, and TGF-β2 caused a substantial increase in TEER values under normoxia conditions and hypoxia conditions, respectively; (2) the results of qPCR analysis supported data obtained by TEER; (3) 3D spheroid sizes were decreased by TGF-β isoforms, among which TGF-β1 had the most potent effect under both oxygen conditions; (4) 3D spheroid stiffness was increased by TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 or by TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 under normoxia conditions and hypoxia conditions, respectively; and (5) the TGF-β isoform altered mitochondrial and glycolytic functions differently under oxygen conditions and/or culture conditions. These collective findings indicate that the TGF-β-induced biological effects of 2D and 3D cultures of ARPE19 cells were substantially diverse depending on the three TGF-β isoforms and oxygen levels, suggesting that pathological conditions including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the RPE may be exclusively modulated by both factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nami Nishikiori
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.N.); (M.H.); (A.U.); (S.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Tatsuya Sato
- Departments of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (T.S.); (T.O.); (M.F.)
- Departments of Cellular Physiology and Signal Transduction, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Ogawa
- Departments of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (T.S.); (T.O.); (M.F.)
- Departments of Cellular Physiology and Signal Transduction, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Megumi Higashide
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.N.); (M.H.); (A.U.); (S.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Araya Umetsu
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.N.); (M.H.); (A.U.); (S.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Soma Suzuki
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.N.); (M.H.); (A.U.); (S.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Masato Furuhashi
- Departments of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (T.S.); (T.O.); (M.F.)
| | - Hiroshi Ohguro
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.N.); (M.H.); (A.U.); (S.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Megumi Watanabe
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (N.N.); (M.H.); (A.U.); (S.S.); (H.O.)
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Reynolds L, Luo Z, Singh K. Diabetic complications and prospective immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1219598. [PMID: 37483613 PMCID: PMC10360133 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1219598] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Diabetes Mellitus is increasing globally. Individuals who have been burdened with diabetes for many years often develop complications as a result of hyperglycemia. More and more research is being conducted highlighting inflammation as an important factor in disease progression. In all kinds of diabetes, hyperglycemia leads to activation of alternative glucose metabolic pathways, resulting in problematic by-products including reactive oxygen species and advanced glycation end products. This review takes a look into the pathogenesis of three specific diabetic complications; retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy as well as their current treatment options. By considering recent research papers investigating the effects of immunotherapy on relevant conditions in animal models, multiple strategies are suggested for future treatment and prevention of diabetic complications with an emphasis on molecular targets associated with the inflammation.
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9
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Dumanska H, Telka M, Veselovsky N. Inhibition of high-voltage-activated calcium currents by acute hypoxia in cultured retinal ganglion cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1202083. [PMID: 37465211 PMCID: PMC10351036 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1202083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common factor of numerous ocular diseases that lead to dysfunctions and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with subsequent vision loss. High-voltage-activated calcium channels are the main source of calcium entry into neurons. Their activity plays a central role in different signaling processes in health and diseases, such as enzyme activation, gene transcription, synaptic transmission, or the onset of cell death. This study aims to establish and evaluate the initial effect of the early stage of acute hypoxia on somatic HVA calcium currents in cultured RGCs. HVA calcium currents were recorded in RGCs using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in the voltage-clamp mode. The fast local superfusion was used for a brief (up to 270 s) application of the hypoxic solution (pO2 < 5 mmHg). The switch from normoxic to hypoxic solutions and vice versa was less than 1 s. The HVA calcium channel activity was inhibited by acute hypoxia in 79% of RGCs (30 of 38 RGCs) in a strong voltage-dependent manner. The level of inhibition was independent of the duration of hypoxia or repeated applications. The hypoxia-induced inhibition of calcium currents had a strong correlation with the duration of hypoxia and showed the transition from reversible to irreversible at 75 s of hypoxia and longer. The results obtained are the first demonstration of the phenomena of HVA calcium current inhibition by acute hypoxia in RGCs and provide a conceptual framework for further research.
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Cao D, Wang C, Zhou L. Identification and comprehensive analysis of ferroptosis-related genes as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy by bioinformatics methods. Exp Eye Res 2023; 232:109513. [PMID: 37207868 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109513] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common retinal vascular disease. Proliferative DR (PDR) is the aggressive stage of DR with angiogenesis as a pathological hallmark, which is the main cause of blindness. There is growing evidence that ferroptosis plays a vital role in diabetics as well as its complications including DR. However, the potential functions and mechanisms of ferroptosis have not been completely elucidated in PDR. The ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) were identified in GSE60436 and GSE94019. Then we constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and screened ferroptosis-related hub genes (FRHGs). The GO functional annotation and the KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of FRHGs were performed. The miRNet and miRTarbase databases were applied to construct the ferroptosis-related mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network, and the Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) was used for predicting potential therapeutic drugs. Finally, we identified 21 upregulated and 9 downregulated FRDEGs, among which 10 key target genes (P53, TXN, PTEN, SLC2A1, HMOX1, PRKAA1, ATG7, HIF1A, TGFBR1, and IL1B) were recognized with enriched functions, mainly relating to responses to oxidative stress and hypoxia in biological processes of PDR. HIF-1, FoxO and MAPK signalling may be the main pathways that influence ferroptosis in PDR. Moreover, a mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network was constructed based on the 10 FRHGs and their co-expressed miRNAs. Finally, potential drugs targeting 10 FRHGs for PDR were predicted. Results of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve indicated, with high predictive accuracy in two testing datasets (AUC>0.8), that ATG7, TGFB1, TP53, HMOX1 and ILB1 had the potential to be biomarkers of PDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Lepre CC, Russo M, Trotta MC, Petrillo F, D'Agostino FA, Gaudino G, D'Amico G, Campitiello MR, Crisci E, Nicoletti M, Gesualdo C, Simonelli F, D'Amico M, Hermenean A, Rossi S. Inhibition of Galectins and the P2X7 Purinergic Receptor as a Therapeutic Approach in the Neurovascular Inflammation of Diabetic Retinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119721. [PMID: 37298672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most frequent microvascular retinal complication of diabetic patients, contributing to loss of vision. Recently, retinal neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration have emerged as key players in DR progression, and therefore, this review examines the neuroinflammatory molecular basis of DR. We focus on four important aspects of retinal neuroinflammation: (i) the exacerbation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; (ii) the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome; (iii) the role of galectins; and (iv) the activation of purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Moreover, this review proposes the selective inhibition of galectins and the P2X7R as a potential pharmacological approach to prevent the progression of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Claudia Lepre
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310144 Arad, Romania
| | - Marina Russo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Petrillo
- Ph.D. Course in Translational Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Anna D'Agostino
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Gennaro Gaudino
- School of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Rosaria Campitiello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, ASL Salerno, 84124 Salerno, Italy
| | - Erminia Crisci
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maddalena Nicoletti
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Gesualdo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele D'Amico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Anca Hermenean
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310144 Arad, Romania
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
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Dörschmann P, Akkurt H, Kopplin G, Mikkelsen MD, Meyer AS, Roider J, Klettner A. Establishment of specific age-related macular degeneration relevant gene expression panels using porcine retinal pigment epithelium for assessing fucoidan bioactivity. Exp Eye Res 2023; 231:109469. [PMID: 37037364 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109469] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in industrialized nations. Important factors in pathogenesis are oxidative stress, inflammation, and, in the wet form of AMD, angiogenesis. Fucoidans, sulfated polysaccharides from brown algae, may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic effects. In this study, we established specific gene expression panels for inflammation, oxidative stress and angiogenesis in porcine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and investigated the effect of fucoidans on gene expression under different noxious agents. METHODS Primary porcine RPE cells cultured for at least 14 days were used. Using viability assays with tetrazolium bromide and real-time polymerase chain reaction of marker genes, positive controls were established for appropriate concentrations and exposure times of selected noxious agents (lipopolysaccharide (LPS), H2O2, CoCl2). Three different AMD relevant gene panels specific for porcine RPE for inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis were established, and the influence of fucoidans (mainly Fucus vesiculosus; FV) on gene expression was investigated. RESULTS The following was shown by gene expression analyses: (1) Inflammation panel: Expression of 18 genes was affected under LPS (three days). Among them, LPS increased genes for interleukin 1 receptor 2, interleukin 8, cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 expression which were diminished when FV was present. (2) Oxidative stress panel: Under stimulation of H2O2 (one day) and LPS (one day), expression of a total of 15 genes was affected. LPS induced increase in genes for superoxide dismutase-1, C-X-C motif chemokine 10, and CC chemokine ligand-5 expression was not detected when FV was present. (3) Angiogenesis panel: Under stimulation with CoCl2 (three days) expression of six genes was affected, with the increase of genes for angiopoietin 2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1, and follistatin being diminished when FV was present. CONCLUSION Three specific gene expression panels for porcine RPE that map genes for three of the major pathological factors of AMD, inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis, were established. Further, we demonstrated that fucoidans can reduce stress related gene activation in all of these three major pathogenic pathways. This study is another indication that fucoidans can act on different pathomechanisms of AMD simultaneously, which provides further evidence for fucoidans as a possible drug for treatment and prevention of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Dörschmann
- Kiel University, University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus B2, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Hubeydullah Akkurt
- Kiel University, University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus B2, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Georg Kopplin
- Alginor ASA, Haraldsgata 162, 5525, Haugesund, Norway
| | | | - Anne S Meyer
- Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Johann Roider
- Kiel University, University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus B2, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexa Klettner
- Kiel University, University Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus B2, 24105, Kiel, Germany
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13
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Vishwakarma S, Kaur I. Molecular Mediators and Regulators of Retinal Angiogenesis. Semin Ophthalmol 2023; 38:124-133. [PMID: 36536520 DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2022.2152706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinal neovascularization is the major cause of vision loss that affects both adults and young children including premature babies. It has been a major pathology in several retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Current treatment modalities such as anti-VEGF therapy, laser are not suitable for every patient and response to these therapies is highly variable. Thus, there is a need to investigate newer therapeutic targets for DR, ROP and AMD, based on a clear understanding of disease pathology and regulatory mechanisms involved. METHOD Appropriate articles published till February 2021 were extracted from PUBMED using keywords like ocular angiogenesis, DR, ROP, AMD, miRNA, mRNA, and cirMiRNA and containvaluable information regarding the involvement of miRNA in causing neovascularization. After compiling the list of miRNA regulating mRNA expression in angiogenesis and neovascularaization, their interactions were studied using online available tool MIENTURNET (http://userver.bio.uniroma1.it/apps/mienturnet/). The pathways involved in these processes were also predicted using the same tool. RESULTS Most of the studies have explored potential targets like HIF1-α, PDGF, TGFβ, FGF, etc., for their involvement in pathological angiogenesis in different retinal diseases. The regulatory role of microRNA (miRNA) has also been explored in various retinal ocular pathologies. This review highlights regulatory mechanism of cellular and circulatory miRNAs and their interactions with the genes involved in retinal neovascularization. The role of long noncoding RNA (ncRNA) in the regulation of genes involved in different pathways is also noteworthy and discussed in this review. CONCLUSION This review highlights the potential regulatory mechanism/pathways involved in retinal neovascularization and its implications in retinal diseases and for identifying new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Vishwakarma
- Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Inderjeet Kaur
- Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
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14
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Xu S, Zhang N, Cao L, Liu L, Deng H, Hua S, Zhang Y. Tetramethylpyrazine Attenuates Oxygen-glucose Deprivation-induced Neuronal Damage through Inhibition of the HIF-1α/BNIP3 Pathway: from Network Pharmacological Finding to Experimental Validation. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:543-554. [PMID: 36790003 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666230215100507] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS A network pharmacological analysis combined with experimental validation was used to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of the natural product Tetramethylpyrazine(TMP). BACKGROUND Protecting neurons is critical for acute ischemic stroke treatment. Tetramethylpyrazine is a bioactive component extracted from Chuanxiong. The neuroprotective potential of TMP has been reported, but a systematic analysis of its mechanism has not been performed. OBJECTIVE Based on the hints of network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis, the mechanism by which TMP alleviates oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neuronal damage through inhibition of the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway was verified. METHOD In this study, we initially used network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses to elucidate the mechanisms involved in TMP's predictive targets on a system level. The HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway mediating the cellular response to hypoxia and apoptosis was considered worthy of focus in the bioinformatic analysis. An oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced PC12 cell injury model was established for functional and mechanical validation. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase leakage, intracellular reactive oxygen species, percentage of apoptotic cells, and Caspase-3 activity were determined to assess the TMP's protective effects. Transfection with siRNA/HIF-1α or pcDNA/HIF-1α plasmids to silence or overexpress hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α). The role of HIF-1α in OGD-injured cells was observed first. After that, TMP's regulation of the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway was investigated. The pcDNA3.1/HIF-1α-positive plasmids were applied in rescue experiments. RESULT The results showed that TMP dose-dependently attenuated OGD-induced cell injury. The expression levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3, and the Bax/Bcl-2 increased significantly with increasing OGD duration. Overexpression of HIF-1α decreased cell viability, increased BNIP3 expression, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; siRNA-HIF-1α showed the opposite effect. TMP treatment suppressed HIF-1α, BNIP3 expression, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and was reversed by HIF-1α overexpression. CONCLUSION Our study shows that TMP protects OGD-damaged PC12 cells by inhibiting the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway, which provides new insights into the mechanism of TMP and its neuroprotective potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixin Xu
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
| | - Nannan Zhang
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Dongcheng District Community Health Service Management Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lanlan Cao
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Binhai New Area Hospital of TCM. Tian Jin, Fourth Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengyu Hua
- Institute of traditional Chinese medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunsha Zhang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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15
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Suzuki S, Sato T, Watanabe M, Higashide M, Tsugeno Y, Umetsu A, Furuhashi M, Ida Y, Hikage F, Ohguro H. Hypoxia Differently Affects TGF-β2-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transitions in the 2D and 3D Culture of the Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105473. [PMID: 35628282 PMCID: PMC9143417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypoxia associated with the transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE) cells is well recognized as the essential underlying mechanism responsible for the development of proliferative retinal diseases. In vitro, three-dimensional (3D) models associated with spontaneous O2 gradients can be used to recapitulate the pathological levels of hypoxia to study the effect of hypoxia on the TGF-β2-induced EMT of HRPE cells in detail, we used two-dimensional-(2D) and 3D-cultured HRPE cells. TGF-β2 and hypoxia significantly and synergistically increased the barrier function of the 2D HRPE monolayers, as evidenced by TEER measurements, the downsizing and stiffening of the 3D HRPE spheroids and the mRNA expression of most of the ECM proteins. A real-time metabolic analysis indicated that TGF-β2 caused a decrease in the maximal capacity of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the 2D HRPE cells, whereas, in the case of 3D HRPE spheroids, TGF-β2 increased proton leakage. The findings reported herein indicate that the TGF-β2-induced EMT of both the 2D and 3D cultured HRPE cells were greatly modified by hypoxia, but during these EMT processes, the metabolic plasticity was different between 2D and 3D HRPE cells, suggesting that the mechanisms responsible for the EMT of the HRPE cells may be variable during their spatial spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soma Suzuki
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Tatsuya Sato
- Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (T.S.); (M.F.)
- Department of Cellular Physiology and Signal Transduction, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Megumi Watanabe
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Megumi Higashide
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Yuri Tsugeno
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Araya Umetsu
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Masato Furuhashi
- Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (T.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Yosuke Ida
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Fumihito Hikage
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
| | - Hiroshi Ohguro
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1W17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (S.S.); (M.W.); (M.H.); (Y.T.); (A.U.); (Y.I.); (F.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-611-2111
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16
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Qin Y, Zhang J, Babapoor-Farrokhran S, Applewhite B, Deshpande M, Megarity H, Flores-Bellver M, Aparicio-Domingo S, Ma T, Rui Y, Tzeng SY, Green JJ, Canto-Soler MV, Montaner S, Sodhi A. PAI-1 is a vascular cell-specific HIF-2-dependent angiogenic factor that promotes retinal neovascularization in diabetic patients. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm1896. [PMID: 35235351 PMCID: PMC8890718 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm1896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
For patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) who do not respond adequately to pan-retinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies, we hypothesized that vascular cells within neovascular tissue secrete autocrine/paracrine angiogenic factors that promote disease progression. To identify these factors, we performed multiplex ELISA angiogenesis arrays on aqueous fluid from PDR patients who responded inadequately to anti-VEGF therapy and/or PRP and identified plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). PAI-1 expression was increased in vitreous biopsies and neovascular tissue from PDR eyes, limited to retinal vascular cells, regulated by the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α, and necessary and sufficient to stimulate angiogenesis. Using a pharmacologic inhibitor of HIF-2α (PT-2385) or nanoparticle-mediated RNA interference targeting Pai1, we demonstrate that the HIF-2α/PAI-1 axis is necessary for the development of retinal neovascularization in mice. These results suggest that targeting HIF-2α/PAI-1 will be an effective adjunct therapy for the treatment of PDR patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaowu Qin
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- EENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510064, China
| | | | - Brooks Applewhite
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Monika Deshpande
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Haley Megarity
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Miguel Flores-Bellver
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Silvia Aparicio-Domingo
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yuan Rui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Stephany Y. Tzeng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jordan J. Green
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and the Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - M. Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Trotta MC, Gesualdo C, Petrillo F, Cavasso G, Corte AD, D'Amico G, Hermenean A, Simonelli F, Rossi S. Serum Iba-1, GLUT5, and TSPO in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy: New Biomarkers for Early Retinal Neurovascular Alterations? A Pilot Study. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:16. [PMID: 35285861 PMCID: PMC8934554 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.3.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study explored the possibility of highlighting early retinal neurovascular alterations of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by monitoring in DR patients the serum levels of microglial biomarkers ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5), and translocator protein (TSPO), along with serum changes of the endothelial dysfunction marker arginase-1. Methods Serum markers were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 50 patients: 12 non-diabetic subjects, 14 diabetic patients without DR, 13 patients with non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and 11 patients with proliferative DR (PDR). The results were correlated with hyperreflective retinal spots (HRS), observed with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results Although HRS were absent in diabetic patients without DR, NPDR patients showed an average of 4 ± 1 HRS, whereas the highest presence was detected in PDR patients, with 8 ± 1 HRS (P < 0.01 vs. NPDR). HRS were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with serum levels of arginase-1 (r = 0.91), Iba-1 (r = 0.96), GLUT5 (r = 0.94), and TSPO (r = 0.88). Moreover, serum proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines showed a positive correlation (P < 0.01) with HRS number and the serum markers analyzed. Conclusions Serum markers of microglial activation positively correlate with retinal HRS in NPDR and PDR patients. Translational Relevance These data corroborate the possibility of highlighting early retinal neurovascular changes due to diabetes by monitoring circulating microglial markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Gesualdo
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giancuomo Cavasso
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Della Corte
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanbattista D'Amico
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Anca Hermenean
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
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18
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Dai Y, Guo M, Jiang L, Gao J. Network pharmacology-based identification of miRNA expression of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28747. [PMID: 35119030 PMCID: PMC8812605 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetic patients, along with hypertension, hyperlipemia, proteinuria, edema, and other clinical manifestations. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has shown significant clinical efficacy against DN. However, the overall molecular mechanism of this therapeutic effect has not been entirely elucidated. Using network pharmacology, we aimed to identify the key active ingredients and potential pharmacological mechanisms of AM in treating DN and provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy.The active ingredients of AM were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database, and the potential targets of AM were identified using the therapeutic target database. DN-related target genes were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus microarray dataset GSE1009 and 3 widely used databases-DisGeNET, GeneCards, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The DN-AM common target protein interaction network was established by using the STRING database. Active ingredients candidate targets proteins networks were constructed using Cytoscape software for visualization. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analyses were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery database. Target-regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) of these hub genes were obtained from the therapeutic target database, which could then be used for further identification of AM-regulated key miRNAs.A total of 17 active ingredients and 214 target proteins were screened from AM. 61 candidate co-expressed genes with therapeutic effects against DN were obtained and considered as potential therapeutic targets. GO and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress reaction, HIF signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. In all, 636 differentially expressed genes were identified between the DN patients and control group by using microarray data, GSE1009. Lastly, VEGFA, epidermal growth factor receptor, STAT1, and GJA1 were screened as hub genes. The relationships between miRNAs and hub genes were constructed, which showed that miR-302-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, and miR-520-3p were regulated by VEGFA and epidermal growth factor receptor. Meanwhile, VEGFA also influenced miR-15-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-106-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, and miR-519-3p. In addition, miR-1-3p and miR-206 were regulated by VEGFA and GJA1, and miR-23-3p was regulated by STAT1 and GJA1.To our knowledge, this study revealed for the first time the characteristic multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways of AM that seem to be the underlying mechanisms of action of AM in the treatment of DN with respect to miRNAs.Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaji Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingfei Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jiarong Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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19
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Huang J, Zhou Q. CD8+T Cell-Related Gene Biomarkers in Macular Edema of Diabetic Retinopathy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:907396. [PMID: 35937822 PMCID: PMC9355330 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.907396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD8+T lymphocytes have a strong pro-inflammatory effect in all parts of the tissue, and some studies have demonstrated that its concentration in the vitreous increased significantly, suggesting that CD8+T cells play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, the infiltration of CD8+T cells in the DR retina, especially in diabetic macular edema (DME), and its related genes are still unclear. METHODS Download the GSE16036 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The ImmuCellAI program was performed to evaluate the abundance of 24 immune cells including CD8+T cells. The CD8+T cell-related genes (DECD8+TRGs) between non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and DME were detected via difference analysis and correlation analysis. Enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network mapping were implemented to explore the potential function of DECD8+TRGs. Lasso regression, support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), CytoHubba plug-in and MCODE plug-in in Cytoscape software, and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) were performed to comprehensively analyze and obtain Hub DECD8+TRGs. Hub DECD8+TRGs expression patterns were further validated in other two DR-related independent datasets. The CD8+TRG score was defined as the genetic characterization of Hub DECD8+TRGs using the GSVA sample scoring method, which can be administered to distinguish early and advanced diabetic nephropathy (DN) as well as normal and DN. Finally, the transcription level of DECD8+TRGs in DR model mouse were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). RESULTS A total of 371 DECD8+TRGs were identified, of which 294 genes were positively correlated and only 77 genes were negatively correlated. Eight genes (IKZF1, PTPRC, ITGB2, ITGAX, TLR7, LYN, CD74, SPI1) were recognized as Hub DECD8+TRGs. DR and DN, which have strong clinical correlation, have been proved to be associated with CD8+T cell-related hub genes by multiple independent data sets. Hub DECD8+TRGs can not only distinguish PDR from normal and DN from normal, but also play a role in the early and progressive stages of the two diseases (NPDR vs DME, Early DN vs Advanced DN). The qPCR transcription level and trend of Hub DECD8+TRGs in DR mouse model was basically the same as that in human transcriptome. CONCLUSION This study not only increases our understanding of the molecular mechanism of CD8+T cells in the progression of DME, but also expands people's cognitive vision of the molecular mechanism of crosstalk of CD8+T cells in the eyes and kidneys of patients with diabetes.
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Pramanik S, Saha C, Chowdhury S, Bose C, Bhattacharyya NP, Mondal LK. Decreased Levels of miR-126 and miR-132 in Plasma and Vitreous Humor of Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Among Subjects with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2022; 15:345-358. [PMID: 35153496 PMCID: PMC8823438 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s346097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the leading cause of blindness among working adults, is an urgent public health problem as diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing at an alarming rate. Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction is the principal contributing factor leading to the development of microangiopathy. Altered levels of microRNA (miR), the negative regulator of protein-coding genes, have been observed and considered to be markers for DR. Present study aimed to find out whether miR levels in plasma could be effective biomarkers to differentiate between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) from T2DM with no-DR (DNR). METHODS We recruited 50 T2DM subjects comprising 31 NPDR and 19 DNR individuals. Surrogate markers of systemic oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured in plasma. Levels of miR-126 and miR-132 were determined in plasma and vitreous fluid using real-time PCR. RESULTS We observed that levels of miR-126 and miR-132 were decreased in NPDR subjects in comparison to DNR. Plasma levels of miRs were inversely correlated with secreted levels of VEGF and oxidative stress marker. The levels of these miRs showed discriminating ability between NPDR and DNR. CONCLUSION Circulating miRs 126 and 132 in plasma or vitreous may serve as biomarkers for early diabetic retinopathy risk prediction, provided validated in a larger cohort and other forms of retinal vasculopathy or retinopathy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhasish Pramanik
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, 700020, West Bengal, India
| | - Chinmay Saha
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, 700020, West Bengal, India
- Genome Science, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Kalyani, Nadia, 741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhankar Chowdhury
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, 700020, West Bengal, India
- Correspondence: Subhankar Chowdhury, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, 700020, West Bengal, India, Email
| | - Chiranjit Bose
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, 700020, West Bengal, India
| | - Nitai P Bhattacharyya
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, 700020, West Bengal, India
| | - Lakshmi Kanta Mondal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College Campus, Kolkata, 700 073, West Bengal, India
- Lakshmi Kanta Mondal, Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College Campus, 88, College Street, Kolkata, 700 073, West Bengal, India, Email
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21
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Yu M, Zhang L, Sun S, Zhang Z. Gliquidone improves retinal injury to relieve diabetic retinopathy via regulation of SIRT1/Notch1 pathway. BMC Ophthalmol 2021; 21:451. [PMID: 34961513 PMCID: PMC8711144 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-021-02215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common and potentially devastating microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The main features of DR are inflammation and oxidative damage. Gliquidone (GLI) is confirmed to be a hypoglycemic drug by oral administration. The current study is aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of GLI on the pathogenesis of DR. Methods High glucose (HG)-induced human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were used to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of GLI on DR in vitro. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM rats were used to investigate the effects of GLI on retinal structures, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The levels of SIRT1/Notch1 pathway-related proteins were determined by western blotting. Results GLI treatment promoted the viability and inhibited the apoptosis of HG-induced HRECs. Meanwhile, the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor alpha and reactive oxygen species were suppressed, while both catalase and superoxide dismutase were elevated after GLI treatment in HG-induced HRECs. Furthermore, we found that Silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1) silencing reversed the inhibiting effects of GLI on the levels of protein Notch1 and effector genes Hes1 and Hey2. Similar anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of GLI in STZ-induced DM rats were observed. Additionally, GLI administration also repressed vascular hyperpermeability in vivo. Conclusion GLI may be an effective agent to improve DR through repression of inflammation and oxidative stress via SIRT1/Notch1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao University, No. 127, Siliu South Road, Qingdao City, 266042, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao University, No. 127, Siliu South Road, Qingdao City, 266042, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shasha Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao University, No. 127, Siliu South Road, Qingdao City, 266042, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao University, No. 127, Siliu South Road, Qingdao City, 266042, Shandong Province, China.
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Hypoxic Processes Induce Complement Activation via Classical Pathway in Porcine Neuroretinas. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123575. [PMID: 34944083 PMCID: PMC8700265 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering the fact that many retinal diseases are yet to be cured, the pathomechanisms of these multifactorial diseases need to be investigated in more detail. Among others, oxidative stress and hypoxia are pathomechanisms that take place in retinal diseases, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. In consideration of these diseases, it is also evidenced that the immune system, including the complement system and its activation, plays an important role. Suitable models to investigate neuroretinal diseases are organ cultures of porcine retina. Based on an established model, the role of the complement system was studied after the induction of oxidative stress or hypoxia. Both stressors led to a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) accompanied by apoptosis. Hypoxia activated the complement system as noted by higher C3+ and MAC+ cell numbers. In this model, activation of the complement cascade occurred via the classical pathway and the number of C1q+ microglia was increased. In oxidative stressed retinas, the complement system had no consideration, but strong inflammation took place, with elevated TNF, IL6, and IL8 mRNA expression levels. Together, this study shows that hypoxia and oxidative stress induce different mechanisms in the porcine retina inducing either the immune response or an inflammation. Our findings support the thesis that the immune system is involved in the development of retinal diseases. Furthermore, this study is evidence that both approaches seem suitable models to investigate undergoing pathomechanisms of several neuroretinal diseases.
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23
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Park YG, Lee JY, Kim C, Park YH. Early Microglial Changes Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes. J Diabetes Res 2021; 2021:4920937. [PMID: 34926698 PMCID: PMC8674052 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4920937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although morphological changes in microglia have been reported to be associated with diabetic retinopathy, little is known about the early changes in the microglia and macrophages during the progression of this condition. The present study was aimed at characterizing retinal microglial activation in the early stages of experimental diabetic retinopathy. Toward this end, a model of diabetic retinopathy was generated by intraperitoneally injecting male Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin. No apparent histological changes were observed during the early stages of experimental diabetic retinopathy. However, at 4 to 16 weeks after the onset of diabetes, the retinas from diabetic rats exhibited higher density of microglia than those from age-matched normal controls, with microglial density peaking at 12 weeks. In particular, the proportion of the activated microglia increased significantly in the diabetic rats, specifically in the nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers, whereas it decreased in the inner plexiform layer within 12 weeks. Furthermore, the resident retinal microglial cells were activated immediately after diabetes induction, peaked at 12 weeks, and remained for up to 16 weeks after disease onset. Thus, experimental diabetic retinopathy causes gradual hypoxia and neuroinflammation, followed by the activation of microglia and the migration of macrophages. The distribution and density of retinal microglial activation changed typically with the progression of the disease in early-stage diabetic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Gun Park
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Lee
- Catholic Institute for Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chongtae Kim
- Catholic Institute for Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hoon Park
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Catholic Institute for Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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24
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Chen X, Zhang Y, Wang F, Zhou X, Fu Q, Yang X, Lin J, Jin X. A Novel Assessment Model Based on Molecular Subtypes of Hypoxia-Related LncRNAs for Prognosis of Bladder Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:718991. [PMID: 34869309 PMCID: PMC8634255 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.718991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common feature in various tumors that regulates aggressiveness. Previous studies have demonstrated that some dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are correlated with tumor progression, including bladder cancer (BCa). However, the prognostic effect of hypoxia-related lncRNAs (HRLs) and their clinical relevance, as well as their regulatory effect on the tumor immune microenvironment, are largely unknown in BCa. A co-expression analysis between hypoxia genes and lncRNA expression, which was downloaded from the TCGA database, was performed to identify HRLs. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to select the most desirable lncRNAs for molecular subtype, and further LASSO analysis was performed to develop a prognostic model. This molecular subtype based on four HRLs (AC104653, AL136084, AL139393, and LINC00892) showed good performance in the tumor microenvironment and tumor mutation burden. The prognostic risk model suggested better performance in predicting BCa patients' prognosis and obtained a close correlation with clinicopathologic features. Furthermore, four of five first-line clinical chemotherapies showed different sensitivities to this model, and nine immune checkpoints showed different expression in the molecular subtypes or the risk model. In conclusion, this study indicates that this molecular subtype and risk model based on HRLs may be useful in improving the prognostic prediction of BCa patients with different clinical situations and may help to find a useful target for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwu Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feifan Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuejian Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinghe Fu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xintao Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Juntao Lin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Jin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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25
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Guo J, Zhou P, Pan M, Liu Z, An G, Han J, Dai F, Du L, Jin X. Relationship between elevated microRNAs and growth factors levels in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. J Diabetes Complications 2021; 35:108021. [PMID: 34420810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.108021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and correlate some of them with growth factors. METHODS Vitreous samples were collected from 5 PDR eyes and 5 control eyes, and then miRNAs were assayed with next-generation sequencing (NGS). Three differentially expressed miRNAs were validated in vitreous of another cohort using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway were excavated out through bioinformatic analysis of deregulated miRNAs. The expression of hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-197-3p and hsa-miR-3184-3p, VEGF-A and TGF-β were confirmed to be significantly higher in the vitreous of PDR eyes than controls(P < 0.05). Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlations between these elevated miRNAs and growth factors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Elevated vitreous levels of hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-197-3p, hsa-miR-3184-3p in PDR patients may play roles in pathophysiology of PDR, the target mRNAs of which significantly enriched in VEGF and TGF-β signaling pathways. Positive correlations between elevated vitreous levels of the three miRNAs and VEGF-A, TGF-β in PDR patients could provide a novel research direction for PDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Pengyi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Meng Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Zhenhui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Guangqi An
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Jinfeng Han
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Fangfang Dai
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Liping Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xuemin Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
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Jiang J, Ou W, Luo X, Xiang J, Liu G, Huang S, Li H, He L, Gan J, Han S, Nie C. Effect of Probenecid on Endothelial Cell Growth Rate and Retinal Angiogenesis in an Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Model. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:717351. [PMID: 34690760 PMCID: PMC8526964 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.717351] [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: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Probenecid is an anion transport inhibitor, which, according to the connectivity map (CMap; a biological application database), interferes with hypoxia-induced gene expression changes in retinal vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we investigated the influence of probenecid on retinal EC cytotoxicity and retinal neovascularization in a murine oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Methods: The retinal EC growth rate in the presence of hypoxia-mimicking concentrations of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was determined using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. In OIR rats, probenecid was administered by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) from postnatal day (P) 1 to P7. The concentrations of vitreous humor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by using the ELISA kit at P21. The amount of newly formed vascular lumen was evaluated by histopathological examination. Retinopathy and neovascularization were assessed by scoring isolectin B4 fluorescein–stained retinal flat mounts. Western blots for liver tissue HIF-1α and hepcidin (HAMP) were performed. Results:In vitro, probenecid led to the recession of the hypoxia-induced EC growth rate. In vivo, compared to the OIR retina, the upregulation of VEGF, HIF-1α, and PlGF in phase II retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was inhibited by probenecid administration. Moreover, probenecid ameliorated neovascularization and resulted in significantly reduced relative leakage fluorescence signal intensity in fluorescein-stained retinal flat mounts (p < 0.05). Probenecid alleviated the liver overactivation of HAMP and downregulation of HIF-1α in OIR rats. Conclusions: This is the first demonstration that implies that probenecid might be a protective compound against retinal angiogenesis in OIR. These changes are accompanied with decreased hyperoxia-mediated hepcidin overproduction. Although the relevance of the results to ROP needs further research, these findings may help establish potential pharmacological targets based on the CMap database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Jiang
- Neonatology Department, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiming Ou
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianqiong Luo
- Neonatology Department, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianwen Xiang
- Neonatology Department, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guosheng Liu
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuiqing Huang
- Neonatology Department, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongping Li
- Neonatology Department, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Longkai He
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Gan
- Neonatology Department, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shasha Han
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuan Nie
- Neonatology Department, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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Investigation of Key Signaling Pathways Associating miR-204 and Common Retinopathies. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5568113. [PMID: 34646884 PMCID: PMC8505061 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5568113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a large group of small noncoding RNAs that work in multiple cellular pathways. miR-204, as one of the key axes in the development, maintenance, and pathogenesis of the retina, plays several roles by modulating its target genes. This study was aimed at evaluating the target genes of miR-204 involved in the development and progression of common retinopathies such as glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and age-related macular degeneration. In this study, three datasets related to retinopathies (GSE50195, GSE27276, and GSE97508) were selected from Gene Expression Omnibus. miR-204 target genes were isolated from TargeScan. The shares between retinopathy and miR-204 target genes were then categorized. Using Enrichr and STRING, we highlighted the signaling pathways and the relationships between the proteins. SHC1 events in ERBB2, adherent junction's interactions, NGF signaling via TRKA from the plasma membrane, IRF3-mediated activation of type 1 IFN, pathways in upregulated genes and G0 and early G1, RORA-activated gene expression, PERK-regulated gene expression, adherent junction's interactions, and CREB phosphorylation pathways in downregulated genes were identified in glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and age-related macular degeneration. WEE1, SMC2, HMGB1, RRM2, and POLA1 proteins were also observed to be involved in the progression and invasion of retinoblastoma; SLC24A2 and DTX4 in age-related macular degeneration; and EPHB6, EFNB3, and SHC1 in glaucoma. Continuous bioinformatics analysis has shown that miR-204 has a significant presence and expression in retinal tissue, and approximately 293 genes are controlled and regulated by miR-204 in this tissue; also, target genes of miR-204 have the potential to develop various retinopathies; thus, a study of related target genes can provide appropriate treatment strategies in the future.
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Gesualdo C, Balta C, Platania CBM, Trotta MC, Herman H, Gharbia S, Rosu M, Petrillo F, Giunta S, Della Corte A, Grieco P, Bellavita R, Simonelli F, D'Amico M, Hermenean A, Rossi S, Bucolo C. Fingolimod and Diabetic Retinopathy: A Drug Repurposing Study. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:718902. [PMID: 34603029 PMCID: PMC8484636 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.718902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the interactions between fingolimod, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) agonist, and melanocortin receptors 1 and 5 (MCR1, MCR5). In particular, we investigated the effects of fingolimod, a drug approved to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, on retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of diabetic retinopathy (DR). We showed, by a molecular modeling approach, that fingolimod can bind with good-predicted affinity to MC1R and MC5R. Thereafter, we investigated the fingolimod actions on retinal MC1Rs/MC5Rs in C57BL/6J mice. Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6J mice through streptozotocin injection. Diabetic and control C57BL/6J mice received fingolimod, by oral route, for 12 weeks and a monthly intravitreally injection of MC1R antagonist (AGRP), MC5R antagonist (PG20N), and the selective S1PR1 antagonist (Ex 26). Diabetic animals treated with fingolimod showed a decrease of retinal vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2), compared to diabetic control group. Fingolimod co-treatment with MC1R and MC5R selective antagonists significantly (p < 0.05) increased retinal VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFA levels compared to mice treated with fingolimod alone. Diabetic animals treated with fingolimod plus Ex 26 (S1PR1 selective blocker) had VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFA levels between diabetic mice group and the group of diabetic mice treated with fingolimod alone. This vascular protective effect of fingolimod, through activation of MC1R and MC5R, was evidenced also by fluorescein angiography in mice. Finally, molecular dynamic simulations showed a strong similarity between fingolimod and the MC1R agonist BMS-470539. In conclusion, the anti-angiogenic activity exerted by fingolimod in DR seems to be mediated not only through S1P1R, but also by melanocortin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Gesualdo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Cornel Balta
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Godis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Hildegard Herman
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Godis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Sami Gharbia
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Godis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Marcel Rosu
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Godis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | | | - Salvatore Giunta
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alberto Della Corte
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Pharmacy Department, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Bellavita
- Pharmacy Department, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Michele D'Amico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Anca Hermenean
- "Aurel Ardelean" Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Godis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania.,Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Li Y, Mitchell W, Elze T, Zebardast N. Association Between Diabetes, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Glaucoma. Curr Diab Rep 2021; 21:38. [PMID: 34495413 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-021-01404-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The strength of the relationship between diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and glaucoma remains controversial. We review evidence supporting and refuting this association and explore mechanistic pathological and treatment relationships linking these diseases. RECENT FINDINGS While studies have shown diabetes/DR may increase the risk for glaucoma, this remains inconsistently demonstrated. Diabetes/DR may contribute toward glaucomatous optic neuropathy indirectly (either by increasing intraocular pressure or vasculopathy) or through direct damage to the optic nerve. However, certain elements of diabetes may slow glaucoma progression, and diabetic treatment may concurrently be beneficial in glaucoma management. Diabetes plays a significant role in poor outcomes after glaucoma surgery. While the relationship between diabetes/DR and glaucoma remains controversial, multiple mechanistic links connecting pathophysiology and management of diabetes, DR, and glaucoma have been made. However, a deeper understanding of the causes of disease association is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangjiani Li
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, China
| | - William Mitchell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear, Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Tobias Elze
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Nazlee Zebardast
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Yu Y, Ren KM, Chen XL. Expression and role of P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNA in diabetic-retinopathy in mice. World J Diabetes 2021; 12:1116-1130. [PMID: 34326959 PMCID: PMC8311480 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v12.i7.1116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As one of the major microvascular complications of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population. Because the extremely complex pathogenesis of DR has not been fully clarified, the occurrence and development of DR is closely related to tissue ischemia and hypoxia and neovascularization The formation of retinal neovascularization (RNV) has great harm to the visual acuity of patients.
AIM To investigate the expression of P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNA (piRNA) in proliferative DR mice and select piRNA related to RNV.
METHODS One hundred healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group as control group (CG) and proliferative DR (PDR) group as experimental group (EG), with 50 mice in each group. Samples were collected from both groups at the same time, and the lesions of mice were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and retinal blood vessel staining. The retinal tissues were collected for second-generation high-throughput sequencing, and the differentially expressed piRNA between the CG and EG was detected, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted for verification. The differentially obtained piRNA target genes and expression profiles were enrichment analysis based on gene annotation (Gene Ontology) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.
RESULTS In the CG there was no perfusion area, neovascularization and endothelial nucleus broke through the inner boundary membrane of retinap. In the EG, there were a lot of nonperfused areas, new blood vessels and endothelial nuclei breaking through the inner boundary membrane of the retina. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of vascular endothelial nuclei breaking through the inner retinal membrane between the two groups. High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that compared with the CG, a total of 79 piRNAs were differentially expressed in EG, among which 43 piRNAs were up-regulated and 36 piRNAs were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the differentially expressed piRNAs were mainly concentrated in the signaling pathways of angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Ten piRNAs were selected for PCR, and the results showed that the expression of piR-MMU-40373735, piR-MMU-61121420, piR-MMU-55687822, piR-MMU-1373887 were high, and the expression of piR-MMU-7401535, piR-MMU-4773779, piR-MMU-1304999, and piR-MMU-5160126 were low, which were consistent with the sequencing results.
CONCLUSION In the EG, the abnormal expression of piRNA is involved in the pathway of angiogenesis and cell proliferation, suggesting that piRNAs have some regulatory function in proliferative diabetic-retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Kai-Ming Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xiao-Long Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
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Fang J, Chang X. Celastrol inhibits the proliferation and angiogenesis of high glucose-induced human retinal endothelial cells. Biomed Eng Online 2021; 20:65. [PMID: 34193168 PMCID: PMC8244207 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-021-00904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Celastrol plays a certain role in the improvement of various diabetes complications. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether celastrol inhibited the proliferation and angiogenesis of high glucose (HG)-induced human retinal endothelial cells (hRECs) by down-regulating the HIF1/VEGF signaling pathway. Methods The viability and proliferation of hRECs treated with glucose, celastrol or dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) were analyzed by MTT assay. The invasion and tube formation ability of hRECs treated with glucose, celastrol or DMOG were in turn detected by transwell assay and tube formation assay. The expression of HIF1α and VEGF in hRECs after indicated treatment was analyzed by Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR analysis and ICAM-1 expression in hRECs after indicated treatment was detected by immunofluorescence assay Results HG induction promoted the proliferation, invasion and tube formation ability and increased the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF of hRECs, which were gradually suppressed by celastrol changing from 0.5 to 2.0 μM. DMOG was regarded as a HIF1α agonist, which attenuated the effect of celastrol on HG-induced hRECs. Conclusion Celastrol inhibited the proliferation and angiogenesis of HG-induced hRECs by down-regulating the HIF1α/VEGF signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xinchang County People's Hospital, Shaoxing, 312500, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoke Chang
- Hankou Aier Eye Hospital, No.328, Machang Road, Jianghan District, Wuhan, 430000, Hubei, China.
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Adornetto A, Gesualdo C, Laganà ML, Trotta MC, Rossi S, Russo R. Autophagy: A Novel Pharmacological Target in Diabetic Retinopathy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:695267. [PMID: 34234681 PMCID: PMC8256993 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.695267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is the major catabolic pathway involved in removing and recycling damaged macromolecules and organelles and several evidences suggest that dysfunctions of this pathway contribute to the onset and progression of central and peripheral neurodegenerative diseases. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus representing the main preventable cause of acquired blindness worldwide. DR has traditionally been considered as a microvascular disease, however this concept has evolved and neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation have emerged as important determinants in the pathogenesis and evolution of the retinal pathology. Here we review the role of autophagy in experimental models of DR and explore the potential of this pathway as a target for alternative therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annagrazia Adornetto
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Carlo Gesualdo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Laganà
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Russo
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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Al-Ostoot FH, Salah S, Khamees HA, Khanum SA. Tumor angiogenesis: Current challenges and therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 28:100422. [PMID: 34147821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays an important role in the development of cancer since it allows for the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors as well as tumor dissemination to distant organs. Inhibition of angiogenesis is an important strategy for the prevention of multiple solid tumors that depend on cutting or at least reducing the blood supply to tumor micro-regions, resulting in pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis within solid tumor tissues. These drugs are an important part of treatment for some types of cancer. As a stand-alone therapy, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis can arrest or halt tumor growth, but will not eliminate the tumor. Therefore, anti-angiogenic drugs in combinations with another anti-cancer treatment method, like chemotherapy, lead to being critical for optimum cancer patient outcomes. Over the last two decades, investigations have been made to improve the efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs, recognize their potential in drug interactions, and come up with plausible explanations for possible treatment resistance. This review will offer an overview of the varying concepts of tumor angiogenesis, several important angiogenic factors; focus on the role of anti-angiogenesis strategies in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares Hezam Al-Ostoot
- Department of Chemistry, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Education & Science, Al-Baydha University, Baydha, Yemen.
| | - Salma Salah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Hussien Ahmed Khamees
- Department of Studies in Physics, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
| | - Shaukath Ara Khanum
- Department of Chemistry, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India.
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Anitha RE, Janani R, Peethambaran D, Baskaran V. Lactucaxanthin protects retinal pigment epithelium from hyperglycemia-regulated hypoxia/ER stress/VEGF pathway mediated angiogenesis in ARPE-19 cell and rat model. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 899:174014. [PMID: 33705802 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hyperglycemia mediated perturbations in biochemical pathways induce angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy (DR) pathogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of lactucaxanthin, a predominant lettuce carotenoid, on hyperglycemia-mediated activation of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo diabetic model. ARPE-19 cells cultured in 30 mM glucose concentration were treated with lactucaxanthin (5 μM and 10 μM) for 48 h. They were assessed for antioxidant enzyme activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, and cell migration. In the animal experiment, streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats were gavaged with lactucaxanthin (200 μM) for 8 weeks. Parameters like animal weight gain, feed intake, water intake, urine output, and fasting blood glucose level were monitored. In both models, lutein-treated groups were considered as a positive control. Hyperglycemia-mediated angiogenic marker expressions in ARPE-19 and retina of diabetic rats were quantified through the western blot technique. Expression of hypoxia, endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, and vascular endothelial growth factor were found to be augmented in the hyperglycemia group compared to control (P < 0.05). Hyperglycemia plays a crucial role in increasing cellular migration and reactive oxygen species besides disrupting tight junction protein. Compared to lutein, lactucaxanthin aids retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function from hyperglycemia-induced stress conditions via downregulating angiogenesis markers expression. Lactucaxanthin potentiality observed in protecting tight junction protein expression via modulating reactive oxygen species found to conserve RPE integrity. Results demonstrate that lactucaxanthin exhibits robust anti-angiogenic activity for the first time and, therefore, would be useful as an alternative therapy to prevent or delay DR progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Elavarasan Anitha
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, 570020, India
| | - Rajasekar Janani
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, 570020, India
| | - Divya Peethambaran
- CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, 570020, India
| | - Vallikannan Baskaran
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, 570020, India.
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Trotta MC, Gesualdo C, Platania CBM, De Robertis D, Giordano M, Simonelli F, D'Amico M, Drago F, Bucolo C, Rossi S. Circulating miRNAs in diabetic retinopathy patients: Prognostic markers or pharmacological targets? Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114473. [PMID: 33607073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study we analyzed the expression of circulating miRNAs, in the serum of diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients. Five miRNAs (hsa-miR-195-5p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-27b-3p and hsa-miR-451a) were validated as biomarkers for stratification of DR stages, from the early non-proliferative (NPDR) to the late proliferative (PDR) phase. Furthermore, circulating levels of these miRNAs correlated with retinal hyper-reflective spots (HRS), assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The number of HRS increased with worsening of DR stages. On the contrary, no significant vascular density differences between NPDR and PDR patients were detected by angio-OCT (OCTA). A post-hoc bioinformatics analysis associated these five miRNAs to target genes belonging to the "Tumor Necrosis Factor alfa signaling" pathway, and several molecules were predicted to modify miRNAs expression. In conclusion, correlation between specific circulating miRNAs and intraretinal hyper-reflective spots was demonstrated, confirming that these miRNAs were validated as prognostic biomarkers, and also as potential pharmacological targets, warranting further clinical evaluation to explore novel therapeutics for diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Gesualdo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Domenico De Robertis
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Giordano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Michele D'Amico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology, CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology, CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Ma Y, Dong C, Chen X, Zhu R, Wang J. Silencing of miR-20b-5p Exerts Inhibitory Effect on Diabetic Retinopathy via Inactivation of THBS1 Gene Induced VEGF/Akt/PI3K Pathway. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2021; 14:1183-1193. [PMID: 33758526 PMCID: PMC7981169 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s299143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a damaging complication of the eye. Studies investigating molecular mechanisms of DR are lacking, leading to poor clinical outcomes. miR-20b-5p is up-regulated in DR. The present study aimed to confirm the involvement of miR-20b-5p in DR and the mechanism involved. METHODS Microarray analysis was done to study the differentially expressed miRs. DR model was established using Sprague-Dawley rats, the expression of miR-20b-5p was altered using inhibitor or mimic as treatment. THBS1 was one of the potential genes identified by microarray bioinformatics analysis associated with DR. The expression of THBS1 was suppressed by siRNA to study the mechanism behind involvement of miR-20b-5p in DR. In addition, the levels of miR-20b-5p VEGF/PI3K/Akt pathway associated genes were studied. Correlation between THBS1 and miR-20b-5p was evaluated. Cell apoptosis, growth and tube formation assay was performed. RESULTS The retinal tissues of DR rats showed over-expressed miR-20b-5p and decreased THBS1 via VEGF/PI3K/Akt cascade. THBS1 was confirmed as the target gene of miR-20b-5p by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Upregulation of miR-20b-5p or knockdown of THBS1 caused increased tube formation and cell proliferation, whereas it blocked the cell apoptosis of endothelial cells in rats. CONCLUSION The outcomes suggested that silencing of miR-20b-5p resulted in inhibition of tube formation and cell growth in vascular endothelial cells of rats subjected to DR altering the VEGF/PI3K/Akt cascade by up-regulation of THBS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- YanBo Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150036, People’s Republic of China
| | - ChunYing Dong
- Department of Infectious Disease, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150036, People’s Republic of China
| | - XiHui Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150036, People’s Republic of China
| | - RuiXi Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150036, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150036, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jie Wang Department of Ophthalmology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150036, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86-13656838933 Email
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Bonfiglio V, Platania CBM, Lazzara F, Conti F, Pizzo C, Reibaldi M, Russo A, Fallico M, Ortisi E, Pignatelli F, Longo A, Avitabile T, Drago F, Bucolo C. TGF-β Serum Levels in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients and the Role of Anti-VEGF Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249558. [PMID: 33334029 PMCID: PMC7765505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), particularly in the late phase of disease. The aim of the present study was to validate serum TGFβ1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of DR stages. Thirty-eight subjects were enrolled and, after diagnosis and evaluation of inclusion and exclusion criteria, were assigned to six groups: (1) healthy age-matched control, (2) diabetic without DR, (3) non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) naïve to treatment, (4) NPDR treated with intravitreal (IVT) aflibercept, (5) proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) naïve to treatment and (6) PDR treated with IVT aflibercept. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), placental growth factor (PlGF) and TGFβ1 were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Foveal macular thickness (FMT) in enrolled subjects was evaluated by means of structural-optical coherence tomography (S-OCT). VEGF-A serum levels decreased in NPDR and PDR patients treated with aflibercept, compared to naïve DR patients. PlGF serum levels were modulated only in aflibercept-treated NPDR patients. Particularly, TGFβ1 serum levels were predictive of disease progression from NPDR to PDR. A Multivariate ANOVA analysis (M-ANOVA) was also carried out to assess the effects of fixed factors on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, TGFβ1, and diabetes duration. In conclusion, our data have strengthened the hypothesis that TGFβ1 would be a biomarker and pharmacological target of diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Section, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesca Lazzara
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Federica Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Corrado Pizzo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Michele Reibaldi
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy;
| | - Andrea Russo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Matteo Fallico
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Elina Ortisi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | | | - Antonio Longo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Teresio Avitabile
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.P.); (A.R.); (M.F.); (E.O.); (A.L.); (T.A.)
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.B.M.P.); (F.L.); (F.C.); (F.D.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence:
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