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Sheng X, Zhang C, Zhao J, Xu J, Zhang P, Ding Q, Zhang J. Microvascular destabilization and intricated network of the cytokines in diabetic retinopathy: from the perspective of cellular and molecular components. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:85. [PMID: 38937783 PMCID: PMC11212265 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01269-7] [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: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Microvascular destabilization is the primary cause of the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) breakdown and increased vascular leakage in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Microvascular destabilization results from the combinational effects of increased levels of growth factors and cytokines, involvement of inflammation, and the changed cell-to-cell interactions, especially the loss of endothelial cells and pericytes, due to hyperglycemia and hypoxia. As the manifestation of microvascular destabilization, the fluid transports via paracellular and transcellular routes increase due to the disruption of endothelial intercellular junctional complexes and/or the altered caveolar transcellular transport across the retinal vascular endothelium. With diabetes progression, the functional and the structural changes of the iBRB components, including the cellular and noncellular components, further facilitate and aggravate microvascular destabilization, resulting in macular edema, the neuroretinal damage and the dysfunction of retinal inner neurovascular unit (iNVU). Although there have been considerable recent advances towards a better understanding of the complex cellular and molecular network underlying the microvascular destabilization, some still remain to be fully elucidated. Recent data indicate that targeting the intricate signaling pathways may allow to against the microvascular destabilization. Therefore, efforts have been made to better clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are involved in the microvascular destabilization in DR. In this review, we discuss: (1) the brief introduction of DR and microvascular destabilization; (2) the cellular and molecular components of iBRB and iNVU, and the breakdown of iBRB; (3) the matrix and cell-to-cell contacts to maintain microvascular stabilization, including the endothelial glycocalyx, basement membrane, and various cell-cell interactions; (4) the molecular mechanisms mediated cell-cell contacts and vascular cell death; (5) the altered cytokines and signaling pathways as well as the intricate network of the cytokines involved in microvascular destabilization. This comprehensive review aimed to provide the insights for microvascular destabilization by targeting the key molecules or specific iBRB cells, thus restoring the function and structure of iBRB and iNVU, to treat DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Sheng
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chunmei Zhang
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiwei Zhao
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jianping Xu
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Quanju Ding
- People's Hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.
- The International Eye Research Institute of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China.
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- C-MER International Eye Care Group, C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, Hong Kong, China.
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Yao N, Ma Q, Yi W, Zhu Y, Liu Y, Gao X, Zhang Q, Luo W. Artesunate attenuates the tumorigenesis of choroidal melanoma via inhibiting EFNA3 through Stat3/Akt signaling pathway. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:202. [PMID: 38630320 PMCID: PMC11024049 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05711-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Choroidal melanoma (CM), a kind of malignant tumor, is the main type of Uveal melanoma and one half of CM patients develop metastases. As a member of Eph/ephrin pathway that plays vital role in tumors, EphrinA3 (EFNA3) has been proved to promote tumorigenesis in many tumors. But the effect of EFNA3 in CM has not been studied yet. Through inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis and autophagy and so on, Artesunate (ART) plays a key anti-tumor role in many tumors, including CM. However, the exact mechanisms of anti-tumor in CM remain unclear. METHODS The UALCAN and TIMER v2.0 database analyzed the role of EFNA3 in CM patients. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of EFNA3 in CM. The growth ability of CM was tested by clonogenic assay and Cell counting kit-8 assay, and the migration ability using Transwell assay. RESULTS Our results found EFNA3 boosted CM cells' growth and migration through activating Stat3/Akt signaling pathway, while ART inhibited the tumor promoting effect of CM via downregulating EFNA3. In xenograft tumor model, EFNA3 knockdown and ART significantly inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSION EFNA3 could be a valuable prognostic factor in CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qingyue Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Wendan Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yuanzhang Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yichong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xiaodi Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Wenjuan Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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Gao X, Zhang R, He Y, Wang X, Bao W, Feng X, Chai J, Wang J. EphB3 protein is a potential ancillary diagnostic biomarker for thyroid cancers. Ann Diagn Pathol 2024; 69:152262. [PMID: 38150866 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2023.152262] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of ephrin type B receptor 3 (EphB3) in thyroid tumors and its usage as an ancillary diagnostic biomarker for thyroid tumors. METHODS Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples (78 cases) and FNAC samples (57 cases) were assessed with the EphB3 antibody using immunohistochemistry. PTC and other thyroid follicular tumors were compared regarding their EphB3 expression. Sanger sequencing was used to assess for the presence of a BRAF V600E mutation. RESULTS EphB3 was positive in 81.8 % (27/33) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 83.3 % (5/6) of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), 25 % (1/4) of hyperplastic/adenomatoid nodule (HN), 14.3 % (1/7) of follicular adenoma (FA), and negative in follicular tumors of uncertain malignant potential (FT-UMP) (0/13), noninvasive follicular neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) (0/7), thyroid follicular carcinoma (TFC) (0/4), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (0/4), and normal thyroid follicular tissues (0/33). In cellular blocks, EphB3 was positive in 87.1 % (20/23) of PTC, 75 % (3/4) of MTC, 20 % (2/10) of HN, and negative in atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) (0/20) and normal thyroid follicular cells (0/10). CONCLUSION EphB3 is expressed in the majority of PTC, but less so in benign follicular nodules. EphB3 expression in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens can be used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate thyroid cancer from other follicular lesions in its differential diagnosis, especially AUS/FLUS and PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Gao
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Rusong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Yan He
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Wei Bao
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Jiaxin Chai
- Department of Pathology Eastern Theater Air Force Hospital, No. 1 Nanjing Ma Lu Jie, Nanjing 120002, China
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China.
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Liu L, Jiang Y, Al-Shabrawey M, Ren X, Wang S, Steinle JJ. EphB1 causes retinal damage through inflammatory pathways in the retina and retinal Müller cells. Mol Vis 2024; 30:167-174. [PMID: 38601015 PMCID: PMC11006007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine whether increased ephrin type-B receptor 1 (EphB1) leads to inflammatory mediators in retinal Müller cells. Methods Diabetic human and mouse retinal samples were examined for EphB1 protein levels. Rat Müller cells (rMC-1) were grown in culture and treated with EphB1 siRNA or ephrin B1-Fc to explore inflammatory mediators in cells grown in high glucose. An EphB1 overexpression adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to increase EphB1 in Müller cells in vivo. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) was performed on mice treated with the EphB1 overexpression AAV to explore the actions of EphB1 on retinal neuronal changes in vivo. Results EphB1 protein levels were increased in diabetic human and mouse retinal samples. Knockdown of EphB1 reduced inflammatory mediator levels in Müller cells grown in high glucose. Ephrin B1-Fc increased inflammatory proteins in rMC-1 cells grown in normal and high glucose. Treatment of mice with I/R caused retinal thinning and loss of cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer. This was increased in mice exposed to I/R and treated with the EphB1 overexpressing AAVs. Conclusions EphB1 is increased in the retinas of diabetic humans and mice and in high glucose-treated Müller cells. This increase leads to inflammatory proteins. EphB1 also enhanced retinal damage in response to I/R. Taken together, inhibition of EphB1 may offer a new therapeutic option for diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Youde Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Mohamed Al-Shabrawey
- Eye Research Center and Institute, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB-SOM), Oakland University, Oakland, MI
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB-SOM, Oakland University, CA
| | - Xiaobai Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Sui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Jena J Steinle
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
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Liu L, Jiang Y, Al-Shabrawey M, Steinle JJ. Ephrin B1 Regulates Inflammatory Pathways in Retinal Müller Cells. JOURNAL OF DIABETES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2024; 6:1-7. [PMID: 38501146 PMCID: PMC10947218 DOI: 10.33696/diabetes.6.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The role of inflammation has been accepted as a factor in the complications of diabetic retinopathy. Discovery of the upstream regulation of these inflammatory factors has remained a challenge. In this study, we explored the actions of ephrin B1 in retinal Müller cells and their actions on inflammatory proteins. We used diabetic human and mouse samples, as well as Müller cells in culture to measure ephrin B1 in Müller cells. We then generated Müller cell specific ephrin B1 knockout mice. We measure levels of key inflammatory proteins, including high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway proteins in retinal lysates from the ephrin B1 floxed and ephrin B1 Müller cell specific knockout mice. Data show that ephrin B1 is significantly increased in the retina of diabetic humans and mice, as well as in Müller cells grown in high glucose. Elimination of ephrin B1 in mouse Müller cells led to a significant decline in all inflammatory proteins studied. In conclusion, a reduction in ephrin B1 in the diabetic retina may offer a new therapeutic modality for diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Youde Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Mohamed Al-Shabrawey
- Eye Research Center and Institute, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB-SOM), Oakland University, Oakland, MI 48309, USA
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, OUWB-SOM, Oakland university, USA
| | - Jena J. Steinle
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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Kakavandi S, Zare I, VaezJalali M, Dadashi M, Azarian M, Akbari A, Ramezani Farani M, Zalpoor H, Hajikhani B. Structural and non-structural proteins in SARS-CoV-2: potential aspects to COVID-19 treatment or prevention of progression of related diseases. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:110. [PMID: 37189112 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a new member of the Coronaviridae family known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are structural and non-structural proteins (NSPs) in the genome of this virus. S, M, H, and E proteins are structural proteins, and NSPs include accessory and replicase proteins. The structural and NSP components of SARS-CoV-2 play an important role in its infectivity, and some of them may be important in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, including cancer, coagulation disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The SARS-CoV-2 proteins interact with targets such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 can stimulate pathological intracellular signaling pathways by triggering transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), CD147, and Eph receptors, which play important roles in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, and multiple cancers such as glioblastoma, lung malignancies, and leukemias. Several compounds such as polyphenols, doxazosin, baricitinib, and ruxolitinib could inhibit these interactions. It has been demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has a stronger affinity for human ACE2 than the spike protein of SARS-CoV, leading the current study to hypothesize that the newly produced variant Omicron receptor-binding domain (RBD) binds to human ACE2 more strongly than the primary strain. SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) viruses against structural and NSPs have become resistant to previous vaccines. Therefore, the review of recent studies and the performance of current vaccines and their effects on COVID-19 and related diseases has become a vital need to deal with the current conditions. This review examines the potential role of these SARS-CoV-2 proteins in the initiation of chronic diseases, and it is anticipated that these proteins could serve as components of an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 and related diseases. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Kakavandi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Iman Zare
- Research and Development Department, Sina Medical Biochemistry Technologies Co. Ltd., Shiraz, 7178795844, Iran
| | - Maryam VaezJalali
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Dadashi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Azarian
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abdullatif Akbari
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Nano Bio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahareh Hajikhani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Fevereiro-Martins M, Marques-Neves C, Guimarães H, Bicho M. Retinopathy of prematurity: A review of pathophysiology and signaling pathways. Surv Ophthalmol 2023; 68:175-210. [PMID: 36427559 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina and a leading cause of visual impairment and childhood blindness worldwide. The disease is characterized by an early stage of retinal microvascular degeneration, followed by neovascularization that can lead to subsequent retinal detachment and permanent visual loss. Several factors play a key role during the different pathological stages of the disease. Oxidative and nitrosative stress and inflammatory processes are important contributors to the early stage of ROP. Nitric oxide synthase and arginase play important roles in ischemia/reperfusion-induced neurovascular degeneration. Destructive neovascularization is driven by mediators of the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and metabolic factors (succinate). The extracellular matrix is involved in hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization. Vasorepulsive molecules (semaphorin 3A) intervene preventing the revascularization of the avascular zone. This review focuses on current concepts about signaling pathways and their mediators, involved in the pathogenesis of ROP, highlighting new potentially preventive and therapeutic modalities. A better understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ROP should allow the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic agents to reduce aberrant vasoproliferation and facilitate physiological retinal vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariza Fevereiro-Martins
- Laboratório de Genética and Grupo Ecogenética e Saúde Humana, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Cuf Descobertas, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Marques-Neves
- Centro de Estudos das Ci.¼ncias da Visão, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Grupo Ecogenética e Saúde Humana, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Hercília Guimarães
- Departamento de Ginecologia-Obstetrícia e Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Bicho
- Laboratório de Genética and Grupo Ecogenética e Saúde Humana, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Xu LJ, Wang HN, Zhou H, Li SY, Li F, Miao Y, Lei B, Sun XH, Gao F, Wang Z. EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling induced Müller cell gliosis and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in experimental glaucoma. Brain Res 2023; 1801:148204. [PMID: 36529265 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148204] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous work showed that ephrinA3/EphA4 forward signaling contributed to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage in experimental glaucoma. Since up-regulated patterns of ephrinA3 and EphA4 were observed in Müller cells and RGCs, an EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling may exist in Müller cells of chronic ocular hypertension (COH) retina. We investigated effects of EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling activation on Müller cells in COH retina. Intravitreal injection of the ephrinA3 agonist EphA4-Fc increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in normal retinas, suggestive of Müller cell gliosis, which was confirmed in purified cultured Müller cells treated with EphA4-Fc. These effects were mediated by intracellular STAT3 signaling pathway as phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) levels and ratios of p-STAT3/STAT3 were significantly increased in both COH retinas and EphA4-Fc intravitreally injected retinas, as well as in EphA4-Fc treated purified cultured Müller cells. The increase of GFAP protein levels in EphA4-Fc-injected retinas and EphA4-Fc treated purified cultured Müller cells could be partially eliminated by stattic, a selective STAT3 blocker. Co-immunoprecipitation results testified to the presence of interaction between ephrinA3 and STAT3/p-STAT3. In addition, intravitreal injection of EphA4-Fc or EphA4-Fc treatment of cultured Müller cells significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, intravitreal injection of EphA4-Fc increased the number of apoptotic RGCs, which could be reversed by the tyrosine kinase blocker PP2. Overall, EphA4/ephrinA3 reverse signaling may induce Müller cell gliosis and increases release of pro-inflammatory factors, which could contribute to RGC death in glaucoma. Inhibition of EphA4/ephrinA3 signaling may provide an effective neuroprotection in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Hong-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Han Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Shu-Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Fang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yanying Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Bo Lei
- Institute of Neuroscience and Third Affiliated Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Xing-Huai Sun
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Zhongfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Effects of Lycium barbarum L. Polysaccharides on Vascular Retinopathy: An Insight Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175628. [PMID: 36080395 PMCID: PMC9457721 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular retinopathy is a pathological change in the retina caused by ocular or systemic vascular diseases that can lead to blurred vision and the risk of blindness. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are extracted from the fruit of traditional Chinese medicine, L. barbarum. They have strong biological activities, including immune regulation, antioxidation, and neuroprotection, and have been shown to improve vision in numerous studies. At present, there is no systematic literature review of LBPs on vascular retinal prevention and treatment. We review the structural characterization and extraction methods of LBPs, focus on the mechanism and pharmacokinetics of LBPs in improving vascular retinopathy, and discuss the future clinical application and lack of work. LBPs are involved in the regulation of VEGF, Rho/ROCK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Nrf2/HO-1, AGEs/RAGE signaling pathways, which can alleviate the occurrence and development of vascular retinal diseases in an inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and neuroprotection. LBPs are mainly absorbed by the small intestine and stomach and excreted through urine and feces. Their low bioavailability in vivo has led to the development of novel dosage forms, including multicompartment delivery systems and scaffolds. Data from the literature confirm the medicinal potential of LBPs as a new direction for the prevention and complementary treatment of vascular retinopathy.
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Murugan S, Cheng C. Roles of Eph-Ephrin Signaling in the Eye Lens Cataractogenesis, Biomechanics, and Homeostasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:852236. [PMID: 35295853 PMCID: PMC8918484 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.852236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye lens is responsible for fine focusing of light onto the retina, and its function relies on tissue transparency and biomechanical properties. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of Eph-ephrin signaling for the maintenance of life-long lens homeostasis. The binding of Eph receptor tyrosine kinases to ephrin ligands leads to a bidirectional signaling pathway that controls many cellular processes. In particular, dysfunction of the receptor EphA2 or the ligand ephrin-A5 lead to a variety of congenital and age-related cataracts, defined as any opacity in the lens, in human patients. In addition, a wealth of animal studies reveal the unique and overlapping functions of EphA2 and ephrin-A5 in lens cell shape, cell organization and patterning, and overall tissue optical and biomechanical properties. Significant differences in lens phenotypes of mouse models with disrupted EphA2 or ephrin-A5 signaling indicate that genetic modifiers likely affect cataract phenotypes and progression, suggesting a possible reason for the variability of human cataracts due to Eph-ephrin dysfunction. This review summarizes the roles of EphA2 and ephrin-A5 in the lens and suggests future avenues of study.
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