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Savastano MC, Placidi G, Fossataro C, Giannuzzi F, D'Onofrio NC, Hu L, Cestrone V, D'Agostino E, Biagini I, Paris L, Coppa G, Rizzo C, Kilian R, Chiurazzi P, Bertelli M, Maltese PE, Falsini B, Rizzo S. Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Outer Retinal Atrophy (RORA) in Retinitis Pigmentosa: Functional, Structural, and Genetic Evaluation. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:44. [PMID: 39212608 PMCID: PMC11364178 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.8.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine whether the extension of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and outer retinal atrophy (RORA) and various other morphofunctional parameters correlate with the genetic assessment and severity of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods Thirty-eight patients (76 eyes) with RP were prospectively enrolled and underwent full ophthalmic examination, including visual field testing, full-field electroretinography (ERG), and optical coherence tomography angiography. The severity of the disease was calculated using the RP stage scoring system, and the area of RORA was assessed using the automatically calculated area of sub-RPE illumination. Blood or saliva samples were collected from subjects, and DNA extraction was performed to evaluate genetic mutations and nucleotide and amino acid variations. Results There was a statistically significant correlation between the extent of RORA and patient age, best-corrected visual acuity, ellipsoid zone extension, and disease severity in both eyes (each, P < 0.05). In contrast, RORA did not correlate with either the visual field or the ERG amplitude. Cumulative score and grade severity were both significantly correlated with superficial and deep capillary plexus density (both, P < 0.001) in both eyes. Evaluating RORA, we found genes with an overall less severe phenotype, such as EYS, PCDH15, and PRPF31, and those with a worse phenotype, such as RPGR. Conclusions The correlation of RORA with structural, functional, and genetic assessment in RP disease leads us to consider RORA as a potential biomarker for prediction of disease stage. Multicenter studies are needed to confirm our findings. Translational Relevance The morphofunctional and genetic correlations suggest a role for RORA in RP diagnosis and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Savastano
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Placidi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Fossataro
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Giannuzzi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Claudio D'Onofrio
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Hu
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Cestrone
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena D'Agostino
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Biagini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Firenze, Italy
| | - Ludovica Paris
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Coppa
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Rizzo
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Genomic Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Benedetto Falsini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Carozza G, Zerti D, Tisi A, Ciancaglini M, Maccarrone M, Maccarone R. An overview of retinal light damage models for preclinical studies on age-related macular degeneration: identifying molecular hallmarks and therapeutic targets. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:303-330. [PMID: 38153807 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0130] [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: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, multifactorial disease leading to progressive and irreversible retinal degeneration, whose pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated yet. Due to the complexity and to the multiple features of the disease, many efforts have been made to develop animal models which faithfully reproduce the overall AMD hallmarks or that are able to mimic the different AMD stages. In this context, light damage (LD) rodent models of AMD represent a suitable and reliable approach to mimic the different AMD forms (dry, wet and geographic atrophy) while maintaining the time-dependent progression of the disease. In this review, we comprehensively reported how the LD paradigms reproduce the main features of human AMD. We discuss the capability of these models to broaden the knowledge in AMD research, with a focus on the mechanisms and the molecular hallmarks underlying the pathogenesis of the disease. We also critically revise the remaining challenges and future directions for the use of LD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Carozza
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Darin Zerti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Annamaria Tisi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marco Ciancaglini
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Maccarone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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Retinitis Pigmentosa Associated with EYS Gene Mutations: Disease Severity Staging and Central Retina Atrophy. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13050850. [PMID: 36899994 PMCID: PMC10000790 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13050850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eyes shut homolog (EYS) gene mutations are estimated to affect at least 5% of patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Since there is no mammalian model of human EYS disease, it is important to investigate its age-related changes and the degree of central retinal impairment. METHODS A cohort of EYS patients was studied. They underwent full ophthalmic examination as well as assessment of retinal function and structure, by full-field and focal electroretinograms (ERGs) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), respectively. The disease severity stage was determined by the RP stage scoring system (RP-SSS). Central retina atrophy (CRA) was estimated from the automatically calculated area of the sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) illumination (SRI). RESULTS The RP-SSS was positively correlated with age, showing an advanced severity score (≥8) at an age of 45 and a disease duration of 15 years. The RP-SSS was positively correlated with the CRA area. LogMAR visual acuity and ellipsoid zone width, but not ERG, were correlated with CRA. CONCLUSIONS In EYS-related disease, the RP-SSS showed advanced severity at a relative early age and was correlated with the central area of the RPE/photoreceptor atrophy. These correlations may be relevant in view of therapeutic interventions aimed at rescuing rods and cones in EYS-retinopathy.
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Messenio D, Babbi A, Guglielmi A, Airaldi M. Focal electroretinogram and microperimetry testing of photoreceptor-retinal pigment epithelium function in intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 100:277-284. [PMID: 34189851 PMCID: PMC9290821 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To compare the performance of focal electroretinogram (FERG) and fast mesopic microperimetry in evaluating macular function of intermediate age‐related macular degeneration (iAMD) subjects with preserved visual acuity. Methods Cross‐sectional, observational study. Participants with drusen >125 µm and VA ≥80 ETDRS letters and age‐ and sex‐comparable healthy subjects were consecutively enrolled in the study. Three photopic FERG recordings of the central 9° of the macula with luminance modulated stimuli flickering at 42.5 Hz and a fast mesopic microperimetry with a custom pattern of 3 central (CS) and 3 paracentral (pCS) stimuli at 1.2° and 6° from fixation were acquired. Results Overall, 112 eyes of 77 participants (age 73.0 ± 7.1 years, 47 iAMD eyes) were analysed. Mean FERG amplitude, CS and pCS (all p < 0.05) were lower in the iAMD group. A significant association was observed between FERG amplitude and iAMD (OR 9.58, p < 0.001) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Z‐scores of FERG were lower than microperimetry in iAMD (p = 0.002) but not for healthy participants. AUC of the ROC curve was greater for FERG than microperimetry (0.895 versus 0.644 and 0.675, both p < 0.05). Conclusion Focal ERG objectively measures a cumulative response originating from the photoreceptor‐RPE complex of the central 9° of the macula and demonstrated high accuracy in identifying decreased central macular function in iAMD patients with preserved visual acuity, performing better than fast mesopic microperimetry. Focal ERG should be considered a reliable technique for measuring retinal sensitivity of iAMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Messenio
- Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “Luigi Sacco” Sacco Hospital University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Alessandro Babbi
- Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “Luigi Sacco” Sacco Hospital University of Milan Milan Italy
| | | | - Matteo Airaldi
- Eye Clinic Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “Luigi Sacco” Sacco Hospital University of Milan Milan Italy
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Savastano MC, Falsini B, Ferrara S, Scampoli A, Piccardi M, Savastano A, Rizzo S. Subretinal Pigment Epithelium Illumination Combined With Focal Electroretinogram and Visual Acuity for Early Diagnosis and Prognosis of Non-Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration: New Insights for Personalized Medicine. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:35. [PMID: 35077530 PMCID: PMC8802010 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.1.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the correlation between functional visual acuity and focal electroretinograms (fERGs) and morphological abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (RORA) assessed by subretinal illumination (SRI) parameter at optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations as signs of early disease in early and intermediate non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (ne-AMD). Methods One hundred forty-one eyes of 74 patients were retrospectively evaluated. A subgroup of patients (34/74) had a follow-up of at least 1 year. The study included both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. All eyes were assessed by OCT to measure the macular outer nuclear layer thickness, extent of ellipsoid zone interruption, absence or presence of drusen/reticular pseudodrusen in the foveal and perifoveal fields, and the SRI area closest to the fovea. Additionally, fERGs were performed. Results In the cross-sectional analysis, visual acuity and fERG amplitude were correlated (P < 0.01) with the SRI area. The fERG amplitude was correlated (P < 0.01) with the extent of ellipsoid zone interruption and tended to be lower in reticular pseudodrusen compared with drusen. In the longitudinal analysis, fERG amplitudes and outer retinal thickness tended to decrease on average by 15% and 18%, respectively, after 1 year of follow-up. The baseline RORA area, but not fERG amplitude or visual acuity, significantly predicted with 77% accuracy (P < 0.01) morphological deterioration, which was determined by an increase in the RORA area after 1 year. Conclusions Functional visual acuity and its morphological correlations can be assessed in early and intermediate ne-AMD eyes. SRI, as a result of RORA, is a potential predictor of ne-AMD progression in a short-term follow-up. Translational Relevance SRI assessment, an objective method to measure RORA, is a potential biomarker for non-exudative AMD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Savastano
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetto Falsini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Ferrara
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Scampoli
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Piccardi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Savastano
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Neuroscienze, Pisa, Italy
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Rispoli M, Eandi CM, Di Antonio L, Kilian R, Montesel A, Savastano MC. Biomarkers in Early Response to Brolucizumab on Pigment Epithelium Detachment Associated with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060668. [PMID: 34200829 PMCID: PMC8230427 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to describe early changes in the morphology of pigment epithelium detachments (PED) after an intravitreal injection of Brolucizumab into eyes with macular neovascularization secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration (e-AMD). Method: We included twelve eyes of 12 patients with PED secondary to e-AMD which were not responding to prior anti-VEGF treatments. An ophthalmic examination and an assessment of PED-horizontal maximal diameter (PED-HMD), PED-maximum high (PED-MH) and macular neovascularization (MNV) flow area (MNV-FA) by the means of structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT Angiography (OCT-A) were performed at baseline, as well as 1, 7, 14 and 30 days after the injection. Results: The mean age of the population of study was 78.4 (SD ± 4.8). The mean number of previous Ranibizumab or Aflibercept injections was 13 (SD ± 8). At the last follow-up visit, the PED-HMD did not significantly change (p = 0.16; F(DF:1.94, 20,85) = 1.9), the PED-MH showed a significant reduction [p = 0.01; F(DF:1.31, 14.13) = 6.84.] and the MNV-FA did not significantly differ (p = 0.1; F(1.97, 21.67) = 2.54) from baseline. No signs of ocular inflammation were observed during follow-up. Conclusions: A single Brolucizumab injection was able to determine the short-term effects on PEDs’ anatomical features of eyes with an unresponsive e-AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rispoli
- Chorioretinal Vasculopathies Unit, Surgery and Emergency Ophthalmology Department, Eye Hospital, 00136 Rome, Italy;
| | - Chiara M. Eandi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, 1002 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-21-626-8880
| | - Luca Di Antonio
- UOC Ophthalmology and Surgery Department, ASL-1 Avezzano-Sulmona, 67051 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Raphael Kilian
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Andrea Montesel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, 1002 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Maria C. Savastano
- Unit of Ophthalmology, Fondazione Policlinico A Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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