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Miyatani T, Tanaka H, Numa K, Uehara A, Otsuki Y, Hamuro J, Kinoshita S, Sotozono C. Clustered ARPE-19 cells distinct in mitochondrial membrane potential may play a pivotal role in cell differentiation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22391. [PMID: 39333742 PMCID: PMC11436949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-73145-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: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with the dysfunction and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Here, we examined how the formation and expansions of cell clusters are regulated by the differentiation of the RPE cells. In this study, ARPE-19 cells were cultivated in standard or differentiation media, i.e., without or with nicotinamide, to evaluate the spreading of cell clusters specified with differentiated cell phenotypes. Mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and the distribution of the RPE cell clusters was also monitored with or without rotenone, a mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex I inhibitor. Cultured ARPE-19 cells generated scattered cell clusters composed mostly of smaller size cells expressing the differentiation markers mouse anti-cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) and Bestrophin only in differentiation medium. After the increase of the number of clusters, the clusters appeared to paracellularly merge, resulting in expansion of the area occupied by the clusters. Of note, the cells within the clusters selectively had high MMP and were in accordance with the expression of RPE differentiation markers. Rotenone repressed the formation of the clusters and decreased intracellular MMP. The above results suggest that clustering of RPE cells with functional mitochondria plays a pivotal role in RPE cell differentiation process and the ETC complex I inhibition greatly influences the composition of RPE cells that are degenerated or differentiation disposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takafumi Miyatani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tanaka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan.
| | - Kosaku Numa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Asako Uehara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Yohei Otsuki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Junji Hamuro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kinoshita
- Department of Frontier Medical Science and Technology for Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Chie Sotozono
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Hirokoji-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
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Pollalis D, Nair GKG, Leung J, Bloemhof CM, Bailey JK, Pennington BO, Kelly KR, Khan AI, Yeh AK, Sundaram KS, Clegg DO, Peng CC, Xu L, Georgescu C, Wren JD, Lee SY. Dynamics of microRNA secreted via extracellular vesicles during the maturation of embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 3:e70001. [PMID: 39281021 PMCID: PMC11393772 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.70001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are exclusive to the retina, critically multifunctional in maintaining the visual functions and health of photoreceptors and the retina. Despite their vital functions throughout lifetime, RPE cells lack regenerative capacity, rendering them vulnerable which can lead to degenerative retinal diseases. With advancements in stem cell technology enabling the differentiation of functional cells from pluripotent stem cells and leveraging the robust autocrine and paracrine functions of RPE cells, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by RPE cells hold significant therapeutic potential in supplementing RPE cell activity. While previous research has primarily focused on the trophic factors secreted by RPE cells, there is a lack of studies investigating miRNA, which serves as a master regulator of gene expression. Profiling and defining the functional role of miRNA contained within RPE-secreted EVs is critical as it constitutes a necessary step in identifying the optimal phenotype of the EV-secreting cell and understanding the biological cargo of EVs to develop EV-based therapeutics. In this study, we present a comprehensive profile of miRNA in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted during RPE maturation following differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs); early-stage hESC-RPE (20-21 days in culture), mid-stage hESC-RPE (30-31 days in culture) and late-stage hESC-RPE (60-61 days in culture). This exploration is essential for ongoing efforts to develop and optimize EV-based intraocular therapeutics utilizing RPE-secreted EVs, which may significantly impact the function of dysfunctional RPE cells in retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Pollalis
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Gopa Kumar Gopinadhan Nair
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
| | - Justin Leung
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Los Angeles California USA
| | - Clarisa Marie Bloemhof
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- School of Medicine California University of Science and Medicine Colton California USA
| | - Jeffrey K Bailey
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Britney O Pennington
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Kaitlin R Kelly
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Amir I Khan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Ashley K Yeh
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- College of Creative Studies, Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Kartik S Sundaram
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology University of California Santa Barbara California USA
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering University of California Santa Barbara California USA
| | - Chen-Ching Peng
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles Vision Center Los Angeles California USA
| | - Liya Xu
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles Vision Center Los Angeles California USA
| | - Constantin Georgescu
- Genes & Human Diseases Research Program Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma City Oklahoma USA
| | - Jonathan D Wren
- Genes & Human Diseases Research Program Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma City Oklahoma USA
| | - Sun Young Lee
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California Los Angeles California USA
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3
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Giacalone JC, Parkinson DH, Balikov DA, Rajesh CR. AMD and Stem Cell-Based Therapies. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2024; 64:21-33. [PMID: 38146879 PMCID: PMC10783850 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent and complex disease leading to severe vision loss. Stem cells offer promising prospects for AMD treatment as they can be differentiated into critical retinal cell types that could replace lost host retinal cells or provide trophic support to promote host retinal cell survival. However, challenges such as immune rejection, concerns regarding tumorigenicity, and genomic integrity must be addressed. Clinical trials with stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells have shown preliminary safety in treating dry AMD, but improvements in manufacturing and surgical techniques cell delivery are needed. Late-stage AMD poses additional hurdles, possibly requiring multi-layered grafts. Advancements in automation technologies and gene correction strategies show potential to enhance iPSC-based therapies. Stem cell-based treatments offer hope for AMD management, but further research and optimization are essential for successful clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Giacalone
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David H. Parkinson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel A. Balikov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C. Rao Rajesh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Surgical Service, Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Liu W, Yu Q, Wang C, Zhu X, Wang L, Zhang K, Li D, Ji J, Luo J, Cui J, Gao X. Silencing the rhythm gene AgCLK-1 reduced feeding of Aphis gossypii. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127777. [PMID: 37907175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover is an important cotton pest, and means of controlling this insect is a primary research focus. Although biological rhythm is an important mechanism that regulates numerous insect processes and activities, its role in cotton aphid has not been elucidated. In the present study, four highly-expressed circadian rhythm genes were selected from the cotton aphid genome database and their physicochemical properties and protein structures were analyzed. These genes were in the Takeout, Timeless, and Timeless interacting-related families, and the corresponding proteins contained highly-conserved Swis and TIMELESS domains. Gene expression analysis at multiple developmental stages revealed differing expression patterns between the four genes. AgCLK-1 had the highest relative expression of the four, especially during the nymph period. Silencing AgCLK-1 caused a significant refusal of the cotton aphids to feed at 1, 3, and 5 d of treatment. These results demonstrated that AgCLK-1 played a key role in regulating the feeding behavior of cotton aphid. This new functional understanding provides novel insights into cotton aphid biology and suggests new targeting strategies for agricultural pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijiao Liu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Qiqing Yu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Chuanpeng Wang
- Zoucheng Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jining 273500, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangzhen Zhu
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Kaixin Zhang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Dongyang Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Jichao Ji
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China
| | - Junyu Luo
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Jinjie Cui
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Xueke Gao
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
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5
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Golconda P, Andrade-Medina M, Oberstein A. Subconfluent ARPE-19 Cells Display Mesenchymal Cell-State Characteristics and Behave like Fibroblasts, Rather Than Epithelial Cells, in Experimental HCMV Infection Studies. Viruses 2023; 16:49. [PMID: 38257749 PMCID: PMC10821009 DOI: 10.3390/v16010049] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has a broad cellular tropism and epithelial cells are important physiological targets during infection. The retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 has been used to model HCMV infection in epithelial cells for decades and remains a commonly used cell type for studying viral entry, replication, and the cellular response to infection. We previously found that ARPE-19 cells, despite being derived from an epithelial cell explant, express extremely low levels of canonical epithelial proteins, such as E-cadherin and EpCAM. Here, we perform comparative studies of ARPE-19 and additional epithelial cell lines with strong epithelial characteristics. We find that ARPE-19 cells cultured under subconfluent conditions resemble mesenchymal fibroblasts, rather than epithelial cells; this is consistent with previous studies showing that ARPE-19 cultures require extended periods of high confluency culture to maintain epithelial characteristics. By reanalyzing public gene expression data and using machine learning, we find evidence that ARPE-19 cultures maintained across many labs exhibit mesenchymal characteristics and that the majority of studies employing ARPE-19 use them in a mesenchymal state. Lastly, by performing experimental HCMV infections across mesenchymal and epithelial cell lines, we find that ARPE-19 cells behave like mesenchymal fibroblasts, producing logarithmic yields of cell-free infectious progeny, while cell lines with strong epithelial character exhibit an atypical infectious cycle and naturally restrict the production of cell-free progeny. Our work highlights important characteristics of the ARPE-19 cell line and suggests that subconfluent ARPE-19 cells may not be optimal for modeling epithelial infection with HCMV or other human viruses. It also suggests that HCMV biosynthesis and/or spread may occur quite differently in epithelial cells compared to mesenchymal cells. These differences could contribute to viral persistence or pathogenesis in epithelial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam Oberstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 South Wolcott Ave., Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (P.G.); (M.A.-M.)
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6
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Collin J, Hasoon MSR, Zerti D, Hammadi S, Dorgau B, Clarke L, Steel D, Hussain R, Coxhead J, Lisgo S, Queen R, Lako M. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals transcriptional changes of human choroidal and retinal pigment epithelium cells during fetal development, in healthy adult and intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:1698-1710. [PMID: 36645183 PMCID: PMC10162434 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most prevalent cause of blindness in the developed world. Vision loss in the advanced stages of the disease is caused by atrophy of retinal photoreceptors, overlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroidal endothelial cells. The molecular events that underline the development of these cell types from in utero to adult as well as the progression to intermediate and advanced stages AMD are not yet fully understood. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) of human fetal and adult RPE-choroidal tissues, profiling in detail all the cell types and elucidating cell type-specific proliferation, differentiation and immunomodulation events that occur up to midgestation. Our data demonstrate that progression from the fetal to adult state is characterized by an increase in expression of genes involved in the oxidative stress response and detoxification from heavy metals, suggesting a better defence against oxidative stress in the adult RPE-choroid tissue. Single-cell comparative transcriptional analysis between a patient with intermediate AMD and an unaffected subject revealed a reduction in the number of RPE cells and melanocytes in the macular region of the AMD patient. Together these findings may suggest a macular loss of RPE cells and melanocytes in the AMD patients, but given the complex processing of tissues required for single-cell RNA-Seq that is prone to technical artefacts, these findings need to be validated by additional techniques in a larger number of AMD patients and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Collin
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Megan S R Hasoon
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Darin Zerti
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
- Microscopy Centre and Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L’Aquila, L'aquila 67100, Italy
| | - Sarah Hammadi
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Birthe Dorgau
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Lucy Clarke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary and Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 4LP, UK
| | - David Steel
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Rafiqul Hussain
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Jonathan Coxhead
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Steven Lisgo
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Rachel Queen
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
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Liu Q, Liu J, Higuchi A. hPSC-derived RPE transplantation for the treatment of macular degeneration. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 199:227-269. [PMID: 37678973 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Macular degeneration (MD) is a group of diseases characterized by irreversible and progressive vision loss. Patients with MD suffer from severely impaired central vision, especially elderly people. Currently, only one type of MD, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), can be treated with anti-vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) drugs. Other types of MD remain difficult to treat. With the advent of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and their differentiation into retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), it is promising to treat patients with MD by transplantation of hPSC-derived RPE into the subretinal space. In this review, the current progress in hPSC-derived RPE transplantation for the treatment of patients with MD is described from bench to bedside, including hPSC differentiation into RPE and the characterization and usage of hPSC-derived RPE for transplantation into patients with MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Akon Higuchi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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8
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Vázquez-Domínguez I, Duijkers L, Fadaie Z, Alaerds ECW, Post MA, van Oosten EM, O’Gorman L, Kwint M, Koolen L, Hoogendoorn ADM, Kroes HY, Gilissen C, Cremers FPM, Collin RWJ, Roosing S, Garanto A. The Predicted Splicing Variant c.11+5G>A in RPE65 Leads to a Reduction in mRNA Expression in a Cell-Specific Manner. Cells 2022; 11:3640. [PMID: 36429068 PMCID: PMC9688607 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in RPE65 lead to retinal diseases, causing a vision impairment. In this work, we investigated the pathomechanism behind the frequent RPE65 variant, c.11+5G>A. Previous in silico predictions classified this change as a splice variant. Our prediction using novel software's suggested a 124-nt exon elongation containing a premature stop codon. This elongation was validated using midigenes-based approaches. Similar results were observed in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and photoreceptor precursor cells. However, the splicing defect in all cases was detected at low levels and thereby does not fully explain the recessive condition of the resulting disease. Long-read sequencing discarded other rearrangements or variants that could explain the diseases. Subsequently, a more relevant model was employed: iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. In patient-derived iPSC-RPE cells, the expression of RPE65 was strongly reduced even after inhibiting a nonsense-mediated decay, contradicting the predicted splicing defect. Additional experiments demonstrated a cell-specific gene expression reduction due to the presence of the c.11+5G>A variant. This decrease also leads to the lack of the RPE65 protein, and differences in size and pigmentation between the patient and control iPSC-RPE. Altogether, our data suggest that the c.11+5G>A variant causes a cell-specific defect in the expression of RPE65 rather than the anticipated splicing defect which was predicted in silico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vázquez-Domínguez
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke Duijkers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Zeinab Fadaie
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eef C. W. Alaerds
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Merel A. Post
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin M. van Oosten
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Luke O’Gorman
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Kwint
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Louet Koolen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita D. M. Hoogendoorn
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hester Y. Kroes
- Division Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics, Clinical Genetics, University Medical Center of Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Gilissen
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frans P. M. Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob W. J. Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Roosing
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GD Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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The retinal pigmentation pathway in human albinism: Not so black and white. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101091. [PMID: 35729001 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Albinism is a pigment disorder affecting eye, skin and/or hair. Patients usually have decreased melanin in affected tissues and suffer from severe visual abnormalities, including foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting. Combining our data with those of the literature, we propose a single functional genetic retinal signalling pathway that includes all 22 currently known human albinism disease genes. We hypothesise that defects affecting the genesis or function of different intra-cellular organelles, including melanosomes, cause syndromic forms of albinism (Hermansky-Pudlak (HPS) and Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS)). We put forward that specific melanosome impairments cause different forms of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1-8). Further, we incorporate GPR143 that has been implicated in ocular albinism (OA1), characterised by a phenotype limited to the eye. Finally, we include the SLC38A8-associated disorder FHONDA that causes an even more restricted "albinism-related" ocular phenotype with foveal hypoplasia and chiasmal misrouting but without pigmentation defects. We propose the following retinal pigmentation pathway, with increasingly specific genetic and cellular defects causing an increasingly specific ocular phenotype: (HPS1-11/CHS: syndromic forms of albinism)-(OCA1-8: OCA)-(GPR143: OA1)-(SLC38A8: FHONDA). Beyond disease genes involvement, we also evaluate a range of (candidate) regulatory and signalling mechanisms affecting the activity of the pathway in retinal development, retinal pigmentation and albinism. We further suggest that the proposed pigmentation pathway is also involved in other retinal disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration. The hypotheses put forward in this report provide a framework for further systematic studies in albinism and melanin pigmentation disorders.
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10
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Beverley KM, Pattnaik BR. Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels in the retina: living our vision. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C772-C782. [PMID: 35912989 PMCID: PMC9448332 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00112.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Channel proteins are vital for conducting ions throughout the body and are especially relevant to retina physiology. Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels are a class of K+ channels responsible for maintaining membrane potential and extracellular K+ concentrations. Studies of the KCNJ gene (that encodes Kir protein) expression identified the presence of all of the subclasses (Kir 1-7) of Kir channels in the retina or retinal-pigmented epithelium (RPE). However, functional studies have established the involvement of the Kir4.1 homotetramer and Kir4.1/5.1 heterotetramer in Müller glial cells, Kir2.1 in bipolar cells, and Kir7.1 in the RPE cell physiology. Here, we propose the potential roles of Kir channels in the retina based on the physiological contributions to the brain, pancreatic, and cardiac tissue functions. There are several open questions regarding the expressed KCNJ genes in the retina and RPE. For example, why does not the Kir channel subtype gene expression correspond with protein expression? Catching up with multiomics or functional "omics" approaches might shed light on posttranscriptional changes that might influence Kir subunit mRNA translation within the retina that guides our vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Beverley
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Graduate Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bikash R Pattnaik
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Graduate Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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11
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Shao A, Lopez AJ, Chen J, Tham A, Javier S, Quiroz A, Frick S, Levine EM, Lloyd KCK, Leonard BC, Murphy CJ, Glaser TM, Moshiri A. Arap1 loss causes retinal pigment epithelium phagocytic dysfunction and subsequent photoreceptor death. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276063. [PMID: 35758026 PMCID: PMC9346516 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a retinal degenerative disease, is the leading cause of heritable blindness. Previously, we described that Arap1−/− mice develop a similar pattern of photoreceptor degeneration. Arap1 is an Arf-directed GTPase-activating protein shown to modulate actin cytoskeletal dynamics. Curiously, Arap1 expression was detected in Müller glia and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), but not the photoreceptors themselves. In this study, we generated conditional knockout mice for Müller glia/RPE, Müller glia and RPE via targeting Rlbp1, Glast and Vmd2 promoters, respectively, to drive Cre recombinase expression to knock out Arap1. Vmd2-Cre Arap1tm1c/tm1c and Rlbp1-Cre Arap1tm1c/tm1c mice, but not Glast-Cre Arap1tm1c/tm1c mice, recapitulated the phenotype originally observed in germline Arap1−/− mice. Mass spectrometry analysis of human ARAP1 co-immunoprecipitation identified candidate binding partners of ARAP1, revealing potential interactants involved in phagocytosis, cytoskeletal composition, intracellular trafficking and endocytosis. Quantification of outer segment phagocytosis in vivo demonstrated a clear phagocytic defect in Arap1−/− mice compared to Arap1+/+ controls. We conclude that Arap1 expression in RPE is necessary for photoreceptor survival due to its indispensable function in RPE phagocytosis. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: We provide evidence that Arap1 expression in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is essential for maintaining photoreceptor health due to its indispensable role in RPE phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Shao
- The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Antonio Jacobo Lopez
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
| | - JiaJia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
| | - Addy Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
| | - Seanne Javier
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
| | - Alejandra Quiroz
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
| | - Sonia Frick
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
| | - Edward M Levine
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - K C Kent Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA.,Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Thomas M Glaser
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ala Moshiri
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis, USA
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12
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Al-Ani A, Toms D, Sunba S, Giles K, Touahri Y, Schuurmans C, Ungrin M. Scaffold-Free Retinal Pigment Epithelium Microtissues Exhibit Increased Release of PEDF. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11317. [PMID: 34768747 PMCID: PMC8583603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) plays a critical role in photoreceptor survival and function. RPE deficits are implicated in a wide range of diseases that result in vision loss, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt disease, affecting millions worldwide. Subretinal delivery of RPE cells is considered a promising avenue for treatment, and encouraging results from animal trials have supported recent progression into the clinic. However, the limited survival and engraftment of transplanted RPE cells delivered as a suspension continues to be a major challenge. While RPE delivery as epithelial sheets exhibits improved outcomes, this comes at the price of increased complexity at both the production and transplant stages. In order to combine the benefits of both approaches, we have developed size-controlled, scaffold-free RPE microtissues (RPE-µTs) that are suitable for scalable production and delivery via injection. RPE-µTs retain key RPE molecular markers, and interestingly, in comparison to conventional monolayer cultures, they show significant increases in the transcription and secretion of pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), which is a key trophic factor known to enhance the survival and function of photoreceptors. Furthermore, these microtissues readily spread in vitro on a substrate analogous to Bruch's membrane, suggesting that RPE-µTs may collapse into a sheet upon transplantation. We anticipate that this approach may provide an alternative cell delivery system to improve the survival and integration of RPE transplants, while also retaining the benefits of low complexity in production and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al-Ani
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.G.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Derek Toms
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.G.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Saud Sunba
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.G.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Kayla Giles
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.G.)
| | - Yacine Touahri
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada; (Y.T.); (C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada; (Y.T.); (C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mark Ungrin
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.G.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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