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Petroll WM, Miron-Mendoza M, Sunkara Y, Ikebe HR, Sripathi NR, Hassaniardekani H. The impact of UV cross-linking on corneal stromal cell migration, differentiation and patterning. Exp Eye Res 2023; 233:109523. [PMID: 37271309 PMCID: PMC10825899 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109523] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that UV cross-linking (CXL) increases stromal stiffness and produces alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructure. In order to investigate how CXL impacts both keratocyte differentiation and patterning within the stroma, and fibroblast migration and myofibroblast differentiation on top of the stroma, we combined CXL with superficial phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in a rabbit model. Twenty-six rabbits underwent a 6 mm diameter, 70 μm deep phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with an excimer laser to remove the epithelium and anterior basement membrane. In 14 rabbits, standard CXL was performed in the same eye immediately after PTK. Contralateral eyes served as controls. In vivo confocal microscopy through focusing (CMTF) was used to analyze corneal epithelial and stromal thickness, as well as stromal keratocyte activation and corneal haze. CMTF scans were collected pre-operatively, and from 7 to 120 days after the procedure. A subset of rabbits was sacrificed at each time point, and corneas were fixed and labeled in situ for multiphoton fluorescence microscopy and second harmonic generation imaging. In vivo and in situ imaging demonstrated that haze after PTK was primarily derived from a layer of myofibroblasts that formed on top of the native stroma. Over time, this fibrotic layer was remodeled into more transparent stromal lamellae, and quiescent cells replaced myofibroblasts. Migrating cells within the native stroma underneath the photoablated area were elongated, co-aligned with collagen, and lacked stress fibers. In contrast, following PTK + CXL, haze was derived primarily from highly reflective necrotic "ghost cells" in the anterior stroma, and fibrosis on top of the photoablated stroma was not observed at any time point evaluated. Cells formed clusters as they migrated into the cross-linked stromal tissue and expressed stress fibers; some cells at the edge of the CXL area also expressed α-SM actin, suggesting myofibroblast transformation. Stromal thickness increased significantly between 21 and 90 days after PTK + CXL (P < 0.001) and was over 35 μm higher than baseline at Day 90 (P < 0.05). Overall, these data suggest that cross-linking inhibits interlamellar cell movement, and that these changes lead to a disruption of normal keratocyte patterning and increased activation during stromal repopulation. Interestingly, CXL also prevents PTK-induced fibrosis on top of the stroma, and results in long term increases in stromal thickness in the rabbit model.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Matthew Petroll
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | | | - Yukta Sunkara
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hikaru R Ikebe
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nishith R Sripathi
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Akoto T, Cai J, Nicholas S, McCord H, Estes AJ, Xu H, Karamichos D, Liu Y. Unravelling the Impact of Cyclic Mechanical Stretch in Keratoconus-A Transcriptomic Profiling Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7437. [PMID: 37108600 PMCID: PMC10139219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomechanical and molecular stresses may contribute to the pathogenesis of keratoconus (KC). We aimed to profile the transcriptomic changes in healthy primary human corneal (HCF) and KC-derived cells (HKC) combined with TGFβ1 treatment and cyclic mechanical stretch (CMS), mimicking the pathophysiological condition in KC. HCFs (n = 4) and HKCs (n = 4) were cultured in flexible-bottom collagen-coated 6-well plates treated with 0, 5, and 10 ng/mL of TGFβ1 with or without 15% CMS (1 cycle/s, 24 h) using a computer-controlled Flexcell FX-6000T Tension system. We used stranded total RNA-Seq to profile expression changes in 48 HCF/HKC samples (100 bp PE, 70-90 million reads per sample), followed by bioinformatics analysis using an established pipeline with Partek Flow software. A multi-factor ANOVA model, including KC, TGFβ1 treatment, and CMS, was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs, |fold change| ≥ 1.5, FDR ≤ 0.1, CPM ≥ 10 in ≥1 sample) in HKCs (n = 24) vs. HCFs (n = 24) and those responsive to TGFβ1 and/or CMS. PANTHER classification system and the DAVID bioinformatics resources were used to identify significantly enriched pathways (FDR ≤ 0.05). Using multi-factorial ANOVA analyses, 479 DEGs were identified in HKCs vs. HCFs including TGFβ1 treatment and CMS as cofactors. Among these DEGs, 199 KC-altered genes were responsive to TGFβ1, thirteen were responsive to CMS, and six were responsive to TGFβ1 and CMS. Pathway analyses using PANTHER and DAVID indicated the enrichment of genes involved in numerous KC-relevant functions, including but not limited to degradation of extracellular matrix, inflammatory response, apoptotic processes, WNT signaling, collagen fibril organization, and cytoskeletal structure organization. TGFβ1-responsive KC DEGs were also enriched in these. CMS-responsive KC-altered genes such as OBSCN, CLU, HDAC5, AK4, ITGA10, and F2RL1 were identified. Some KC-altered genes, such as CLU and F2RL1, were identified to be responsive to both TGFβ1 and CMS. For the first time, our multi-factorial RNA-Seq study has identified many KC-relevant genes and pathways in HKCs with TGFβ1 treatment under CMS, suggesting a potential role of TGFβ1 and biomechanical stretch in KC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Akoto
- Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jingwen Cai
- Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Sarah Nicholas
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Hayden McCord
- Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Amy J. Estes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- James & Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Hongyan Xu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- James & Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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3
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Hao XD, Gao H, Xu WH, Shan C, Liu Y, Zhou ZX, Wang K, Li PF. Systematically Displaying the Pathogenesis of Keratoconus via Multi-Level Related Gene Enrichment-Based Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:770138. [PMID: 35141241 PMCID: PMC8818795 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.770138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus (KC) is an etiologically heterogeneous corneal ectatic disorder. To systematically display the pathogenesis of keratoconus (KC), this study reviewed all the reported genes involved in KC, and performed an enrichment analysis of genes identified at the genome, transcription, and protein levels respectively. Combined analysis of multi-level results revealed their shared genes, gene ontology (GO), and pathway terms, to explore the possible pathogenesis of KC. After an initial search, 80 candidate genes, 2,933 transcriptional differential genes, and 947 differential proteins were collected. The candidate genes were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM) related terms, Wnt signaling pathway and cytokine activities. The enriched GO/pathway terms of transcription and protein levels highlight the importance of ECM, cell adhesion, and inflammatory once again. Combined analysis of multi-levels identified 13 genes, 43 GOs, and 12 pathways. The pathogenic relationships among these overlapping factors maybe as follows. The gene mutations/variants caused insufficient protein dosage or abnormal function, together with environmental stimulation, leading to the related functions and pathways changes in the corneal cells. These included response to the glucocorticoid and reactive oxygen species; regulation of various signaling (P13K-AKT, MAPK and NF-kappaB), apoptosis and aging; upregulation of cytokines and collagen-related enzymes; and downregulation of collagen and other ECM-related proteins. These undoubtedly lead to a reduction of extracellular components and induction of cell apoptosis, resulting in the loosening and thinning of corneal tissue structure. This study, in addition to providing information about the genes involved, also provides an integrated insight into the gene-based etiology and pathogenesis of KC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Hao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Dan Hao
| | - Hua Gao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Shandong Eye Hospital, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Wen-Hua Xu
- Department of Inspection, The Medical Faculty of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chan Shan
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhi-Xia Zhou
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Kun Wang
| | - Pei-Feng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Pei-Feng Li
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Lam TN, Nicholas SE, Choi A, Ma JX, Karamichos D. Cellular Contractility Profiles of Human Diabetic Corneal Stromal Cells. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2021; 2021:9913210. [PMID: 34194958 PMCID: PMC8203386 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9913210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic keratopathy is a corneal complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with diabetic keratopathy are prone to developing corneal haze, scarring, recurrent erosions, and significant wound healing defects/delays. The purpose of this study was to determine the contractility profiles in the diabetic human corneal stromal cells and characterize their molecular signatures. Primary human corneal fibroblasts from healthy, Type 1 DM (T1DM), and Type 2 DM (T2DM) donors were cultured using an established 3D collagen gel model. We tracked, measured, and quantified the contractile footprint over 9 days and quantified the modulation of specific corneal/diabetes markers in the conditional media and cell lysates using western blot analysis. Human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) exhibited delayed and decreased contractility compared to that from T1DMs and T2DMs. Compared to HCFs, T2DMs demonstrated an initial downregulation of collagen I (day 3), followed by a significant upregulation by day 9. Collagen V was significantly upregulated in both T1DMs and T2DMs based on basal secretion, when compared to HCFs. Cell lysates were upregulated in the myofibroblast-associated marker, α-smooth muscle actin, in T2DMs on day 9, corresponding to the significant increase in contractility rate observed at the same time point. Furthermore, our data demonstrated a significant upregulation in IGF-1 expression in T2DMs, when compared to HCFs and T1DMs, at day 9. T1DMs demonstrated significant downregulation of IGF-1 expression, when compared to HCFs. Overall, both T1DMs and T2DMs exhibited increased contractility associated with fibrotic phenotypes. These findings, and future studies, may contribute to better understanding of the pathobiology of diabetic keratopathy and ultimately the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi N. Lam
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 608 Stanton L Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Sarah E. Nicholas
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Alexander Choi
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 608 Stanton L Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jian-Xing Ma
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 Stanton L. Young, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center, 1000 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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Sharif R, Khaled ML, McKay TB, Liu Y, Karamichos D. Transcriptional profiling of corneal stromal cells derived from patients with keratoconus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12567. [PMID: 31467338 PMCID: PMC6715750 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48983-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus (KC) is a multi-factorial corneal ectasia with unknown etiology affecting approximately 1:2000 people worldwide. Dysregulated gene expression, using RNA-Seq technology, have been reported in KC corneal tissue. However, the differential expression of genes, in KC corneal stromal cells have been widely ignored. We utilized mRNA-Seq to analyze gene expression in primary human corneal stromal cells derived from five non-Keratoconus healthy (HCF) and four Keratoconus (HKC) donors. Selected genes were further validated using real time PCR (RT-PCR). We have identified 423 differentially expressed genes with 187 down- and 236 up-regulated in KC-affected corneal stromal cells. Gene ontology analysis using WebGestalt indicates the enrichment of genes involved in cell migration, extracellular matrix, adherens junction, and MAPK signaling. Our protein-protein interaction network analysis identified several network seeds, such as EGFR, NEDD4, SNTA1, LGALS3BP, HSPB1, SDC2, MME, and HIF1A. Our work provides an otherwise unknown information on the transcriptional changes in HKCs, and reveals critical mechanisms of the cellular compartment. It also highlights the importance of human-based in vitro studies on a disease that currently lacks strong biomarkers and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabab Sharif
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Mariam L Khaled
- Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, United States
| | - Tina B McKay
- Schepens Eye Research Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, United States.
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.
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6
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Volatier TLA, Figueiredo FC, Connon CJ. Keratoconus at a Molecular Level: A Review. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 303:1680-1688. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Che J. Connon
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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Roy S, Yadav S, Dasgupta T, Chawla S, Tandon R, Ghosh S. Interplay between hereditary and environmental factors to establish an in vitro disease model of keratoconus. Drug Discov Today 2018; 24:403-416. [PMID: 30408528 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Keratoconus (KC) is a bilateral corneal dystrophy and a multifactorial, multigenic disorder with an etiology involving a strong environmental component and complex inheritance patterns. The underlying pathophysiology of KC is poorly understood because of potential crosstalk between genetic-epigenetic variants possibly triggered by the environmental factors. Here, we decode the etiopathological basis of KC using genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic approaches. The lack of relevant models that accurately imitate this condition has been particularly limiting in terms of the effective management of KC. Tissue-engineered in vitro models of KC could address this need and generate valuable insights into its etiopathology for the establishment of disease models to accelerate drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadeep Roy
- Regenerative Engineering Laboratory, Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Saumya Yadav
- Cornea & Refractive Surgery Services, Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Tanushree Dasgupta
- Regenerative Engineering Laboratory, Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Shikha Chawla
- Regenerative Engineering Laboratory, Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Radhika Tandon
- Cornea & Refractive Surgery Services, Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sourabh Ghosh
- Regenerative Engineering Laboratory, Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.
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Liu Y, Zhao XJ, Zheng XS, Zheng H, Liu L, Meng LB, Li Q, Liu Y. Tranilast inhibits TGF-β-induced collagen gel contraction mediated by human corneal fibroblasts. Int J Ophthalmol 2018; 11:1247-1252. [PMID: 30140625 PMCID: PMC6090117 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2018.08.01] [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: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine if tranilast affects human corneal fibroblast (HCFs) contraction. METHODS HCFs cultured in a three-dimensional type I collagen gel were treated with or without transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) or tranilast. Gel diameter was measured as an indicator for collagen contraction. Immunoblot was performed to evaluate myosin light chain (MLC) and paxillin phosphorylation. Confocal microscopy was employed to examine the focal adhesions and actin stress fiber formation. Immunoblot analysis and gelatin zymography were performed to detect tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in supernatant. RESULTS The inhibitory effect of tranilast on HCFs-mediated collagen gel contraction induced by TGF-β was dose-dependent. The significant effect of tranilast was started from 100 µmol/L and maximized at 300 µmol/L. The peak effect of 300 µmol/L tranilast also relied on the duration of treatment, which showed statistical significance from day 2. TGF-β-induced paxillin and MLC phosphorylation, stress fiber formation, focal adhesions, and MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-3 secretion in HCFs were also inhibited by tranilast. CONCLUSION Tranilast suppresses the HCFs-cultured collagen gel contraction induced by TGF-β. It attenuates actin stress fibers formation, focal adhesions, and the secretion of MMPs, with these actions likely contributing to the inhibitory effect on HCF contractility. By attenuating the contractility of corneal fibroblasts, tranilast treatment may inhibit corneal scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Shuo Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ling-Bin Meng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida 32803, USA
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
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Sharif R, Hjortdal J, Sejersen H, Frank G, Karamichos D. Human in vitro Model Reveals the Effects of Collagen Cross-linking on Keratoconus Pathogenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12517. [PMID: 28970517 PMCID: PMC5624875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12598-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal thinning disorder that leads to severe vision impairment As opposed to corneal transplantation; corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is a relatively non-invasive procedure that leads to an increase in corneal stiffness. In order to evaluate the effect of CXL on human corneal stromal cells in vitro, we developed a 3-D in vitro CXL model, using primary Human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) from healthy patients and Human Keratoconus fibroblasts (HKCs) from KC patients. Cells were plated on transwell polycarbonate membranes and stimulated by a stable vitamin C. CXL was performed using a mixed riboflavin 0.1% PBS solution followed by UVA irradiation. Our data revealed no significant apoptosis in either HCFs or HKCs following CXL. However, corneal fibrosis markers, Collagen III and α-smooth muscle actin, were significantly downregulated in CXL HKCs. Furthermore, a significant downregulation was seen in SMAD3, SMAD7, and phosphorylated SMADs -2 and -3 expression in CXL HKCs, contrary to a significant upregulation in both SMAD2 and Lysyl oxidase expression, compared to HCFs. Our novel 3-D in vitro model can be utilized to determine the cellular and molecular effects on the human corneal stroma post CXL, and promises to establish optimized treatment modalities in patients with KC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabab Sharif
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Jesper Hjortdal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Henrik Sejersen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Garett Frank
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
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10
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Soiberman U, Foster JW, Jun AS, Chakravarti S. Pathophysiology of Keratoconus: What Do We Know Today. Open Ophthalmol J 2017; 11:252-261. [PMID: 28932341 PMCID: PMC5585454 DOI: 10.2174/1874364101711010252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is a common corneal ectasia that leads to progressive visual impairment. Numerous studies have shown abnormal protein expression patterns in keratoconic corneas. However, the specific mechanisms causing this disease remain ambiguous. This review aims to provide an update on morphological studies of the keratoconic cornea, relate these early studies with current findings from proteomic, biochemical and cell culture studies and to postulate possible pathogenic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Soiberman
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - James W Foster
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Albert S Jun
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Shukti Chakravarti
- Cornea Division, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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11
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Zhou HY, Cao Y, Wu J, Zhang WS. Role of corneal collagen fibrils in corneal disorders and related pathological conditions. Int J Ophthalmol 2017; 10:803-811. [PMID: 28546941 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2017.05.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea is a soft tissue located at the front of the eye with the principal function of transmitting and refracting light rays to precisely sense visual information. Corneal shape, refraction, and stromal stiffness are to a large part determined by corneal fibrils, the arrangements of which define the corneal cells and their functional behaviour. However, the modality and alignment of native corneal collagen lamellae are altered in various corneal pathological states such as infection, injury, keratoconus, corneal scar formation, and keratoprosthesis. Furthermore, corneal recuperation after corneal pathological change is dependent on the balance of corneal collagen degradation and contraction. A thorough understanding of the characteristics of corneal collagen is thus necessary to develop viable therapies using the outcome of strategies using engineered corneas. In this review, we discuss the composition and distribution of corneal collagens as well as their degradation and contraction, and address the current status of corneal tissue engineering and the progress of corneal cross-linking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yan Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Wen-Song Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
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12
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Qi H, Priyadarsini S, Nicholas SE, Sarker-Nag A, Allegood J, Chalfant CE, Mandal NA, Karamichos D. Analysis of sphingolipids in human corneal fibroblasts from normal and keratoconus patients. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:636-648. [PMID: 28188148 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m067264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of human keratoconus (KC), a bilateral progressive corneal disease leading to protrusion of the cornea, stromal thinning, and scarring, is not well-understood. In this study, we investigated a novel sphingolipid (SPL) signaling pathway through which KC may be regulated. Using human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) and human KC cells (HKCs), we examined the SPL pathway modulation. Both cell types were stimulated by the three transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoforms: TGF-β1 (T1), TGF-β2 (T2), and TGF-β3 (T3). All samples were analyzed using lipidomics and real-time PCR. Our data showed that HKCs have increased levels of signaling SPLs, ceramide (Cer), and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Treatment with T1 reversed the increase in Cer in HKCs and treatment with T3 reversed the increase in S1P. S1P3 receptor mRNA levels were also significantly upregulated in HKCs, but were reduced to normal levels following T3 treatment. Furthermore, stimulation with Cer and S1P led to significant upregulation of fibrotic markers in HCFs, but not in HKCs. Additionally, stimulation with a Cer synthesis inhibitor (FTY720) led to significant downregulation of specific fibrotic markers in HKCs (TGF-β1, collagen type III, and α smooth muscle actin) without an effect on healthy HCFs, suggesting a causative role of Cer and S1P in fibrogenesis. Overall, this study suggests an association of the SPL signaling pathway in KC disease and its relation with the TGF-β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qi
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Shrestha Priyadarsini
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Sarah E Nicholas
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Akhee Sarker-Nag
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Jeremy Allegood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23249
| | - Charles E Chalfant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23249; Research and Development, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249 and VCU Massey Cancer Center, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, and VCU Johnson Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Nawajes A Mandal
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
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13
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Kabza M, Karolak JA, Rydzanicz M, Szcześniak MW, Nowak DM, Ginter-Matuszewska B, Polakowski P, Ploski R, Szaflik JP, Gajecka M. Collagen synthesis disruption and downregulation of core elements of TGF-β, Hippo, and Wnt pathways in keratoconus corneas. Eur J Hum Genet 2017; 25:582-590. [PMID: 28145428 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2017.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand better the factors contributing to keratoconus (KTCN), we performed comprehensive transcriptome profiling of human KTCN corneas for the first time using an RNA-Seq approach. Twenty-five KTCN and 25 non-KTCN corneas were enrolled in this study. After RNA extraction, total RNA libraries were prepared and sequenced. The discovery RNA-Seq analysis (in eight KTCN and eight non-KTCN corneas) was conducted first, after which the replication RNA-Seq experiment was performed on a second set of samples (17 KTCN and 17 non-KTCN corneas). Over 82% of the genes and almost 75% of the transcripts detected as differentially expressed in KTCN and non-KTCN corneas were confirmed in the replication study using another set of samples. We used these differentially expressed genes to generate a network of KTCN-deregulated genes. We found an extensive disruption of collagen synthesis and maturation pathways, as well as downregulation of the core elements of the TGF-β, Hippo, and Wnt signaling pathways influencing corneal organization. This first comprehensive transcriptome profiling of human KTCN corneas points further to a complex etiology of KTCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kabza
- Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poznan, Poland
| | - Justyna A Karolak
- Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Michał W Szcześniak
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dorota M Nowak
- Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Barbara Ginter-Matuszewska
- Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Polakowski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafal Ploski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek P Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Gajecka
- Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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14
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Simian M, Bissell MJ. Organoids: A historical perspective of thinking in three dimensions. J Cell Biol 2016; 216:31-40. [PMID: 28031422 PMCID: PMC5223613 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201610056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 384] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this perspective, Simian and Bissell discuss the evolution of the 3D culture and organoid research field up to now as well as its future directions. In the last ten years, there has been a dramatic surge in the number of publications where single or groups of cells are grown in substrata that have elements of basement membrane leading to the formation of tissue-like structures referred to as organoids. However, this field of research began many decades ago, when the pioneers of cell culture began to ask questions we still ask today: How does organogenesis occur? How do signals integrate to make such vastly different tissues and organs given that the sequence of the genome in our trillions of cells is identical? Here, we summarize how work over the past century generated the conceptual framework that has allowed us to make progress in the understanding of tissue-specific morphogenetic programs. The development of cell culture systems that provide accurate and physiologically relevant models are proving to be key in establishing appropriate platforms for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Simian
- Instituto de Nanosistemas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mina J Bissell
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
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