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Obasanmi G, Uppal M, Cui JZ, Xi J, Ju MJ, Song J, To E, Li S, Khan W, Cheng D, Zhu J, Irani L, Samad I, Zhu J, Yoo HS, Aubert A, Stoddard J, Neuringer M, Granville DJ, Matsubara JA. Granzyme B degrades extracellular matrix and promotes inflammation and choroidal neovascularization. Angiogenesis 2024:10.1007/s10456-024-09909-9. [PMID: 38498232 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09909-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal neurodegenerative disease among the elderly. Neovascular AMD (nAMD), a leading cause of AMD-related blindness, involves choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which can be suppressed by anti-angiogenic treatments. However, current CNV treatments do not work in all nAMD patients. Here we investigate a novel target for AMD. Granzyme B (GzmB) is a serine protease that promotes aging, chronic inflammation and vascular permeability through the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and tight junctions. Extracellular GzmB is increased in retina pigment epithelium (RPE) and mast cells in the choroid of the healthy aging outer retina. It is further increased in donor eyes exhibiting features of nAMD and CNV. Here, we show in RPE-choroidal explant cultures that exogenous GzmB degrades the RPE-choroid ECM, promotes retinal/choroidal inflammation and angiogenesis while diminishing anti-angiogenic factor, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). The pharmacological inhibition of either GzmB or mast-cell degranulation significantly reduces choroidal angiogenesis. In line with our in vitro data, GzmB-deficiency reduces the extent of laser-induced CNV lesions and the age-related deterioration of electroretinogram (ERG) responses in mice. These findings suggest that targeting GzmB, a serine protease with no known endogenous inhibitors, may be a potential novel therapeutic approach to suppress CNV in nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Obasanmi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Manjosh Uppal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jing Z Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeanne Xi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Myeong Jin Ju
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jun Song
- School of Biomedical Engineering, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eleanor To
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Siqi Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wania Khan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Darian Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - John Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lyden Irani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Isa Samad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hyung-Suk Yoo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Aubert
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanne A Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Altamirano F, Ortiz-Morales G, O'Connor-Cordova MA, Sancén-Herrera JP, Zavala J, Valdez-Garcia JE. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: an updated review. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:61. [PMID: 38345780 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-02994-1] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present review will summarize FECD-associated genes and pathophysiology, diagnosis, current therapeutic approaches, and future treatment perspectives. METHODS Literature review. RESULTS Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common bilateral corneal dystrophy and accounts for one-third of all corneal transplants performed in the US. FECD is caused by a combination of genetic and non-heritable factors, and there are two types: early-onset FECD, which affects individuals from an early age and is usually more severe, and late-onset FECD, which is more common and typically manifests around the age of 40. The hallmark findings of FECD include progressive loss of corneal endothelial cells and the formation of focal excrescences (guttae) on the Descemet membrane. These pathophysiological changes result in progressive endothelial dysfunction, leading to a decrease in visual acuity and blindness in later stages. The present review will summarize FECD-associated genes and pathophysiology, diagnosis, current therapeutic approaches, and future treatment perspectives. CONCLUSION With the characterization and understanding of FECD-related genes and ongoing research into regenerative therapies for corneal endothelium, we can hope to see more significant improvements in the future in the management and care of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Altamirano
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Judith Zavala
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jorge E Valdez-Garcia
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Mexico.
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