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Araj H. Consilience and unity in ocular anterior segment research. Int J Ophthalmol 2024; 17:1173-1183. [PMID: 39026918 PMCID: PMC11246940 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.07.01] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In his beautiful book, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge, the eminent biologist Edward O Wilson, advocates the need for integration and reconciliation across the sciences. He defines consilience as "literally a 'jumping together' of knowledge with a linking of facts ... to create a common groundwork of explanation". It is the premise of this paper that as much as basic biomedical research is in need of data generation using the latest available techniques- unifying available knowledge is just as critical. This involves the necessity to resolve contradictory findings, reduce silos, and acknowledge complexity. We take the cornea and the lens as case studies of our premise. Specifically, in this perspective, we discuss the conflicting and fragmented information on protein aggregation, oxidative damage, and fibrosis. These are fields of study that are integrally tied to anterior segment research. Our goal is to highlight the vital need for Wilson's consilience and unity of knowledge which in turn should lead to enhanced rigor and reproducibility, and most importantly, to greater understanding and not simply knowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houmam Araj
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Yang Y, Lin Y, Han Z, Wang B, Zheng W, Wei L. Ferroptosis: a novel mechanism of cell death in ophthalmic conditions. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1440309. [PMID: 38994366 PMCID: PMC11236620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1440309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a new type of programmed cell death proposed in recent years, is characterized mainly by reactive oxygen species and iron-mediated lipid peroxidation and differs from programmed cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. Ferroptosis is associated with a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis can aggravate or reduce the occurrence and development of diseases by targeting metabolic pathways and signaling pathways in tumors, ischemic organ damage, and other degenerative diseases related to lipid peroxidation. Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis is closely linked to the onset and progression of various ophthalmic conditions, including corneal injury, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and retinoblastoma. Our review of the current research on ferroptosis in ophthalmic diseases reveals significant advancements in our understanding of the pathogenesis, aetiology, and treatment of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Yang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yumeng Lin
- Naniing Tongren Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongyu Han
- College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Naniing Tongren Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Ophthalmology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Ophthalmology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lijuan Wei
- Ophthalmology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Chen Q, Wang L, Wei Y, Xu X, Guo X, Liang Q. Ferroptosis as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Reducing Inflammation and Corneal Scarring in Bacterial Keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:29. [PMID: 38381413 PMCID: PMC10893897 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.29] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Bacterial keratitis (BK) is a serious ocular infection that can cause severe inflammation and corneal scarring, leading to vision loss. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of BK. Methods Transcriptome analysis was performed to evaluate ferroptosis-related gene expression in human BK corneas. Subsequently, the ferroptosis in mouse models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis and corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs) were validated. The mice were treated with levofloxacin (LEV) or levofloxacin combined with ferrostatin-1 (LEV+Fer-1). CSSCs were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS combined Fer-1. Inflammatory cytokines, α-SMA, and ferroptosis-related regulators were evaluated by RT-qPCR, immunostaining, and Western blot. Iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Results Transcriptome analysis revealed significant alterations in ferroptosis-related genes in human BK corneas. In the BK mouse models, the group treated with LEV+Fer-1 exhibited reduced inflammatory cytokines (MPO, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), decreased corneal scarring and α-SMA expression, and lower Fe3+ compared to the BK and LEV groups. Notably, the LEV+Fer-1 group showed elevated GPX4 and SLC7A11 in contrast to the BK and LEV group. In vitro, Fer-1 treatment effectively restored the alterations of ROS, Fe2+, GPX4, and SLC7A11 induced by LPS in CSSCs. Conclusions Ferroptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of BK. The inhibition of ferroptosis holds promise for mitigating inflammation, reducing corneal scarring, and ultimately enhancing the prognosis of BK. Consequently, this study provides a potential target for innovative therapeutic strategies for BK, which holds immense potential to transform the treatment of BK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Chen
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Leying Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xizhan Xu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingfeng Liang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Beijing, China
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Kandhari K, Kant R, Mishra N, Agarwal C, Agarwal R. Phenylarsine oxide induced corneal injury involves oxidative stress mediated unfolded protein response and ferroptotic cell death: Amelioration by NAC. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 209:265-281. [PMID: 38088264 PMCID: PMC10719503 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.10.409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Phenylarsine oxide (PAO), an analog of lewisite, is a highly toxic trivalent arsenical and a potential chemical warfare agent. PAO-induced toxicity has been studied in lung, liver, and skin tissues. Nevertheless, very few studies have been published to comprehend the impact of PAO-induced toxicity on ocular tissues, even though eyes are uniquely vulnerable to injury by vesicants. Notably, arsenical vesicants such as lewisite have been shown to cause edema of eyelids, inflammation, massive corneal necrosis, and blindness. Accordingly, human corneal epithelial cells were used to study the effects of PAO exposure. PAO (100 and 200 nM) induced significant oxidative stress in corneal epithelial cells. Simultaneous treatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), an FDA-approved antioxidant, reversed the PAO-induced toxicity in human corneal epithelial cells. Furthermore, oxidative stress induction by PAO was accompanied by unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling activation and ferroptotic cell death. Further, to validate the findings of our in vitro studies, we optimized injury biomarkers and developed an ex vivo rabbit corneal culture model of PAO exposure. Investigations using PAO in ex vivo rabbit corneas revealed similar results. PAO (5 or 10 μg) for 3, 5, and 10 min caused moderate to extensive corneal epithelial layer degradation and reduced the epithelial layer thickness in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Similar to human corneal cells, injuries by PAO in ex vivo cultured rabbit corneas were also associated with elevated oxidative stress, UPR signaling, and ferroptosis induction. NAC mitigated PAO-induced corneal injuries in rabbit ex vivo cornea culture as well. The reversal of PAO toxicity upon NAC treatment observed in our studies could be attributed to its antioxidant properties. These findings suggest that PAO exposure can cause significant corneal injury and highlight the need for further mechanistic studies to better understand the pathobiology of different arsenical vesicants, including PAO and lewisite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Kandhari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Rama Kant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Neha Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Compagnone A, Matheeussen A, De Vooght L, Cos P. Development and validation of a multiplex electrochemiluminescence immunoassay to evaluate dry eye disease in rat tear fluids. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12203. [PMID: 37500810 PMCID: PMC10374623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dry eye disease (DED) is a challenge in ophthalmology. Rat models represent valuable tools to study the pathophysiology and to develop novel treatments. A major challenge in DED research is detecting multiple biomarkers in a low tear volume sample. Multiplex immunoassays for DED rat research are missing. We have developed a multiplex electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) to detect three biomarkers for DED: MMP-9, IL-17 and ICAM-1. Tears, used as matrix, were collected from six healthy Wistar rats. Assays were run based on the U-Plex Meso Scale Diagnostics (MSD) platform, by two independent operators according to the EMA guideline on bioanalytical method validation. Linear mixed, regression models were fit to perform the statistical analysis on the range of concentrations for the chosen analytes. During optimization, it has observed that incubation time, temperature and agitation affected the robustness of the protocol. ECLIA optimum conditions include the use of antibodies at 0.5 µg/ml concentration and 1 h incubation at room temperature with shaking. Precision met the acceptance criteria in the chosen range: 1062-133 pg/ml for ICAM-1, 275-34.4 pg/ml for IL-17, 1750-219 pg/ml for MMP-9. Accuracy and linearity were acceptable for a broader range. This is the first report of a validated ECLIA that allows measurements of three relevant DED biomarkers in rat tear fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Compagnone
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken D.S.723, FFBD-FDFAR-LMPH, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - An Matheeussen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken D.S.723, FFBD-FDFAR-LMPH, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linda De Vooght
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken D.S.723, FFBD-FDFAR-LMPH, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken D.S.723, FFBD-FDFAR-LMPH, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
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