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Pinelli R, Ferrucci M, Biagioni F, Berti C, Bumah VV, Busceti CL, Puglisi-Allegra S, Lazzeri G, Frati A, Fornai F. Autophagy Activation Promoted by Pulses of Light and Phytochemicals Counteracting Oxidative Stress during Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1183. [PMID: 37371913 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The seminal role of autophagy during age-related macular degeneration (AMD) lies in the clearance of a number of reactive oxidative species that generate dysfunctional mitochondria. In fact, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the retina generate misfolded proteins, alter lipids and sugars composition, disrupt DNA integrity, damage cell organelles and produce retinal inclusions while causing AMD. This explains why autophagy in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), mostly at the macular level, is essential in AMD and even in baseline conditions to provide a powerful and fast replacement of oxidized molecules and ROS-damaged mitochondria. When autophagy is impaired within RPE, the deleterious effects of ROS, which are produced in excess also during baseline conditions, are no longer counteracted, and retinal degeneration may occur. Within RPE, autophagy can be induced by various stimuli, such as light and naturally occurring phytochemicals. Light and phytochemicals, in turn, may synergize to enhance autophagy. This may explain the beneficial effects of light pulses combined with phytochemicals both in improving retinal structure and visual acuity. The ability of light to activate some phytochemicals may further extend such a synergism during retinal degeneration. In this way, photosensitive natural compounds may produce light-dependent beneficial antioxidant effects in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pinelli
- SERI, Switzerland Eye Research Institute, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michela Ferrucci
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | - Caterina Berti
- SERI, Switzerland Eye Research Institute, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Violet Vakunseth Bumah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Tennessee, Martin, TN 38237, USA
| | - Carla Letizia Busceti
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | | | - Gloria Lazzeri
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Frati
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Neuromed, 86077 Pozzili, Italy
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Pinelli R, Ferrucci M, Berti C, Biagioni F, Scaffidi E, Bumah VV, Busceti CL, Lenzi P, Lazzeri G, Fornai F. The Essential Role of Light-Induced Autophagy in the Inner Choroid/Outer Retinal Neurovascular Unit in Baseline Conditions and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108979. [PMID: 37240326 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The present article discusses the role of light in altering autophagy, both within the outer retina (retinal pigment epithelium, RPE, and the outer segment of photoreceptors) and the inner choroid (Bruch's membrane, BM, endothelial cells and the pericytes of choriocapillaris, CC). Here autophagy is needed to maintain the high metabolic requirements and to provide the specific physiological activity sub-serving the process of vision. Activation or inhibition of autophagy within RPE strongly depends on light exposure and it is concomitant with activation or inhibition of the outer segment of the photoreceptors. This also recruits CC, which provides blood flow and metabolic substrates. Thus, the inner choroid and outer retina are mutually dependent and their activity is orchestrated by light exposure in order to cope with metabolic demand. This is tuned by the autophagy status, which works as a sort of pivot in the cross-talk within the inner choroid/outer retina neurovascular unit. In degenerative conditions, and mostly during age-related macular degeneration (AMD), autophagy dysfunction occurs in this area to induce cell loss and extracellular aggregates. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the autophagy status encompassing CC, RPE and interposed BM is key to understanding the fine anatomy and altered biochemistry which underlie the onset and progression of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pinelli
- Switzerland Eye Research Institute (SERI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michela Ferrucci
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Berti
- Switzerland Eye Research Institute (SERI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffidi
- Switzerland Eye Research Institute (SERI), 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Violet Vakunseth Bumah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry College of Sciences San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Carla L Busceti
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzili, Italy
| | - Paola Lenzi
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gloria Lazzeri
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 86077 Pozzili, Italy
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Pinelli R, Ferrucci M, Biagioni F, Bumah V, Scaffidi E, Puglisi-Allegra S, Fornai F. Curcumin as a Perspective Protection for Retinal Pigment Epithelium during Autophagy Inhibition in the Course of Retinal Degeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2227-2232. [PMID: 37409546 PMCID: PMC10556393 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230705103839] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Defective autophagy in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is involved in retinal degeneration, mostly in the course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is an increasingly prevalent retinal disorder, eventually leading to blindness. However, most autophagy activators own serious adverse effects when administered systemically. Curcumin is a phytochemical, which induces autophagy with a wide dose-response curve, which brings minimal side effects. Recent studies indicating defective autophagy in AMD were analyzed. Accordingly, in this perspective, we discuss and provide some evidence about the protective effects of curcumin in preventing RPE cell damage induced by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Cells from human RPE were administered the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. The cell damage induced by 3-MA was assessed at light microscopy by hematoxylin & eosin, Fluoro Jade-B, and ZO1 immunohistochemistry along with electron microscopy. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA produces cell loss and cell degeneration of RPE cells. These effects are counteracted dose-dependently by curcumin. In line with the hypothesis that the autophagy machinery is key in sustaining the integrity of the RPE, here we provide evidence that the powerful autophagy inhibitor 3-MA produces dose-dependently cell loss and cell degeneration in cultured RPE cells, while inhibiting autophagy as shown by LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and gold-standard assessment of autophagy through LC3-positive autophagy vacuoles. These effects are prevented dose-dependently by curcumin, which activates autophagy. These data shed the perspective of validating the role of phytochemicals as safe autophagy activators to treat AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pinelli
- SERI, Switzerland Eye Research Institute, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michela Ferrucci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Human Anatomy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Violet Bumah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Tennessee, St. Martin, TN, USA
| | - Elena Scaffidi
- SERI, Switzerland Eye Research Institute, Lugano, Switzerland
| | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Human Anatomy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
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Fehér J, Élő Á, István L, Nagy ZZ, Radák Z, Scuderi G, Artico M, Kovács I. Microbiota mitochondria disorders as hubs for early age-related macular degeneration. GeroScience 2022; 44:2623-2653. [PMID: 35978068 PMCID: PMC9385247 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00620-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the central area (macula lutea) of the retina. Research on the pathogenic mechanism of AMD showed complex cellular contribution governed by such risk factors as aging, genetic predisposition, diet, and lifestyle. Recent studies suggested that microbiota is a transducer and a modifier of risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, and mitochondria may be one of the intracellular targets of microbial signaling molecules. This review explores studies supporting a new concept on the contribution of microbiota-mitochondria disorders to AMD. We discuss metabolic, vascular, immune, and neuronal mechanism in AMD as well as key alterations of photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane, choriocapillaris endothelial, immune, and neuronal cells. Special attention was paid to alterations of mitochondria contact sites (MCSs), an organelle network of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lipid droplets (LDs), and peroxisomes being documented based on our own electron microscopic findings from surgically removed human eyes. Morphometry of Bruch's membrane lipids and proteoglycans has also been performed in early AMD and aged controls. Microbial metabolites (short-chain fatty acids, polyphenols, and secondary bile acids) and microbial compounds (lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, and bacterial DNA)-now called postbiotics-in addition to local effects on resident microbiota and mucous membrane, regulate systemic metabolic, vascular, immune, and neuronal mechanisms in normal conditions and in various common diseases. We also discuss their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects as well as experimental and clinical observations on regulating the main processes of photoreceptor renewal, mitophagy, and autophagy in early AMD. These findings support an emerging concept that microbiota-mitochondria disorders may be a crucial pathogenic mechanism of early AMD; and similarly, to other age-related neurodegenerative diseases, new treatment approaches should be targeted at these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Fehér
- PRIMAVERA Program, Nutripharma Hungaria Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Élő
- grid.11804.3c0000 0001 0942 9821Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla István
- grid.11804.3c0000 0001 0942 9821Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Zsolt Nagy
- grid.11804.3c0000 0001 0942 9821Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Radák
- grid.472475.70000 0000 9243 1481Research Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gianluca Scuderi
- grid.7841.aOphthalmology Unit, NESMOS Department, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- grid.417007.5Department of Sensory Organs, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Illés Kovács
- grid.11804.3c0000 0001 0942 9821Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary ,grid.5386.8000000041936877XDepartment of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY USA
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Limanaqi F, Biagioni F, Mastroiacovo F, Polzella M, Lazzeri G, Fornai F. Merging the Multi-Target Effects of Phytochemicals in Neurodegeneration: From Oxidative Stress to Protein Aggregation and Inflammation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9101022. [PMID: 33092300 PMCID: PMC7589770 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9101022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Wide experimental evidence has been provided in the last decade concerning the neuroprotective effects of phytochemicals in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Generally, the neuroprotective effects of bioactive compounds belonging to different phytochemical classes are attributed to antioxidant, anti-aggregation, and anti-inflammatory activity along with the restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis and targeting alterations of cell-clearing systems. Far from being independent, these multi-target effects represent interconnected events that are commonly implicated in the pathogenesis of most neurodegenerative diseases, independently of etiology, nosography, and the specific misfolded proteins being involved. Nonetheless, the increasing amount of data applying to a variety of neurodegenerative disorders joined with the multiple effects exerted by the wide variety of plant-derived neuroprotective agents may rather confound the reader. The present review is an attempt to provide a general guideline about the most relevant mechanisms through which naturally occurring agents may counteract neurodegeneration. With such an aim, we focus on some popular phytochemical classes and bioactive compounds as representative examples to design a sort of main highway aimed at deciphering the most relevant protective mechanisms which make phytochemicals potentially useful in counteracting neurodegeneration. In this frame, we emphasize the potential role of the cell-clearing machinery as a kernel in the antioxidant, anti-aggregation, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial protecting effects of phytochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Federica Mastroiacovo
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (F.M.)
| | - Maico Polzella
- Aliveda Laboratories, Viale Karol Wojtyla 19, 56042 Crespina Lorenzana, Italy;
| | - Gloria Lazzeri
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (F.F.)
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