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Cai Y, Zhou T, Chen J, Cai X, Fu Y. Uncovering the role of transient receptor potential channels in pterygium: a machine learning approach. Inflamm Res 2023; 72:589-602. [PMID: 36692516 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-023-01693-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed at identifying the role of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in pterygium. METHODS Based on microarray data GSE83627 and GSE2513, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and 20 hub genes were selected. After gene correlation analysis, 5 TRP-related genes were obtained and functional analyses of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed. Multifactor regulatory network including mRNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) was constructed. The 5 gene TRP signature for pterygium was validated by multiple machine learning (ML) programs including support vector classifiers (SVC), random forest (RF), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). Additionally, we outlined the immune microenvironment and analyzed the candidate drugs. Finally, in vitro experiments were performed using human conjunctival epithelial cells (CjECs) to confirm the bioinformatics results. RESULTS Five TRP-related genes (MCOLN1, MCOLN3, TRPM3, TRPM6, and TRPM8) were validated by ML algorithms. Functional analyses revealed the participation of lysosome and TRP-regulated inflammatory pathways. A comprehensive immune infiltration landscape and TFs-miRNAs-mRNAs network was studied, which indicated several therapeutic targets (LEF1 and hsa-miR-455-3p). Through correlation analysis, MCOLN3 was proposed as the most promising immune-related biomarker. In vitro experiments further verified the reliability of our in silico results and demonstrated that the 5 TRP-related genes could influence the proliferation and proinflammatory signaling in conjunctival tissue contributing to the pathogenesis of pterygium. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that TRP channels played an essential role in the pathogenesis of pterygium. The identified pivotal biomarkers (especially MCOLN3) and pathways provide novel directions for future mechanistic and therapeutic studies for pterygium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi-Zao-Ju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi-Zao-Ju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi-Zao-Ju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyao Cai
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi-Zao-Ju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi-Zao-Ju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China.
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Maxia C, Isola M, Grecu E, Cuccu A, Scano A, Orrù G, Di Girolamo N, Diana A, Murtas D. Synergic Action of Insulin-like Growth Factor-2 and miRNA-483 in Pterygium Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054329. [PMID: 36901760 PMCID: PMC10002351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pterygium is a multifactorial disease in which UV-B is speculated to play a key role by inducing oxidative stress and phototoxic DNA damage. In search for candidate molecules that are useful for justifying the intense epithelial proliferation observed in pterygium, our attention has been focused on Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF-2), mainly detected in embryonic and fetal somatic tissues, which regulate metabolic and mitogenic functions. The binding between IGF-2 and its receptor Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) activates the PI3K-AKT pathway, which leads to the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and the expression of specific genes. Since IGF2 is regulated by parental imprinting, in different human tumors, the IGF2 Loss of Imprinting (LOI) results in IGF-2- and IGF2-derived intronic miR-483 overexpression. Based on these activities, the purpose of this study was to investigate the overexpression of IGF-2, IGF-1R, and miR-483. Using an immunohistochemical approach, we demonstrated an intense colocalized epithelial overexpression of IGF-2 and IGF-1R in most pterygium samples (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.021). RT-qPCR gene expression analysis confirmed IGF2 upregulation and demonstrated miR-483 expression in pterygium compared to normal conjunctiva (253.2-fold and 12.47-fold, respectively). Therefore, IGF-2/IGF-1R co-expression could suggest their interplay through the two different paracrine/autocrine IGF-2 routes for signaling transfer, which would activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In this scenario, miR-483 gene family transcription might synergically reinforce IGF-2 oncogenic function through its boosting pro-proliferative and antiapoptotic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maxia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Michela Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Eleonora Grecu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Alberto Cuccu
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria (AOU), 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Scano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Molecular Biology Service Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Germano Orrù
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Molecular Biology Service Laboratory, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nick Di Girolamo
- Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 4385, Australia
| | - Andrea Diana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
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Association between Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Periodontal Bacteria: A Clinical Pilot Study. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060833. [PMID: 35740958 PMCID: PMC9221517 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060833] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by microorganisms involving the supporting tissues of the teeth. Gene variants may influence both the composition of the biofilm in the oral cavity and the host response. The objective of the study was to investigate the potential correlations between the disease susceptibility, the presence and the quantity of periodontopathogenic oral bacterial composition and the VDR gene polymorphisms. Methods: Fifty (50) unrelated periodontal patients and forty-one (41) healthy controls were selected for genomic DNA extraction. DNA concentration was measured and analyzed. The periodontopathogenic bacterial species were identified and quantified using a Real Time PCR performed with species-specific primers and probes. Results: Genotype distribution showed a different distribution between the groups for BsmI rs1544410 genotypes (p = 0.0001) with a prevalence of the G(b) allele in periodontal patients (p = 0.0003). Statistical significance was also found for VDR TaqI rs731236 (p ≤ 0.00001) with a prevalence of the T(T) allele in periodontal patients (p ≤ 0.00001). The average bacterial copy count for the periodontitis group was significantly higher than that of control group. Dividing patients into two groups based on high or low bacterial load, FokI rs2228570 T allele (f) was statistically more represented in patients with high bacterial load. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest the involvement of the VDR gene BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms in periodontal disease, while FokI and BsmI may be involved in determining an increased presence of periodontopathogens.
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Vitamin D, the Vitamin D Receptor, Calcitriol Analogues and Their Link with Ocular Diseases. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14112353. [PMID: 35684153 PMCID: PMC9183042 DOI: 10.3390/nu14112353] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The global prevalence of eye diseases continues to grow, bringing with it a reduction in the activity levels and quality of life of patients, and partial or complete blindness if left untreated. As such, there is considerable interest in identifying more effective therapeutic options and preventive agents. One such agent is vitamin D, known to have a range of anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, and whose deficiency is linked to the pathogenesis of a range of cardiovascular, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. This review presents the current stage of knowledge concerning the link between vitamin D and its receptor and the occurrence of eye disease, as well as the influence of analogues of calcitriol, an active metabolite of vitamin D. Generally, patients affected by various ocular disorders have vitamin D deficiency. In addition, previous findings suggest that vitamin D modulates the course of eye diseases and may serve as a marker, and that its supplementation could mitigate some disorders. However, as these studies have some limitations, we recommend further randomized trials to clarify the link between vitamin D and its activity with eye disease.
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Chan HN, Zhang XJ, Ling XT, Bui CHT, Wang YM, Ip P, Chu WK, Chen LJ, Tham CC, Yam JC, Pang CP. Vitamin D and Ocular Diseases: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084226. [PMID: 35457041 PMCID: PMC9032397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The contributory roles of vitamin D in ocular and visual health have long been discussed, with numerous studies pointing to the adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency. In this paper, we provide a systematic review of recent findings on the association between vitamin D and different ocular diseases, including myopia, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), dry eye syndrome (DES), thyroid eye disease (TED), uveitis, retinoblastoma (RB), cataract, and others, from epidemiological, clinical and basic studies, and briefly discuss vitamin D metabolism in the eye. We searched two research databases for articles examining the association between vitamin D deficiency and different ocular diseases. One hundred and sixty-two studies were found. There is evidence on the association between vitamin D and myopia, AMD, DR, and DES. Overall, 17 out of 27 studies reported an association between vitamin D and AMD, while 48 out of 54 studies reported that vitamin D was associated with DR, and 25 out of 27 studies reported an association between vitamin D and DES. However, the available evidence for the association with other ocular diseases, such as glaucoma, TED, and RB, remains limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hei-Nga Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
| | - Xiu-Juan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
| | - Xiang-Tian Ling
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
| | - Christine Huyen-Trang Bui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
| | - Yu-Meng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
| | - Patrick Ip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Wai-Kit Chu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
- Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li-Jia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
- Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Clement C. Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
- Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jason C. Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
- Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (J.C.Y.); (C.-P.P.)
| | - Chi-Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.-N.C.); (X.-J.Z.); (X.-T.L.); (C.H.-T.B.); (Y.-M.W.); (W.-K.C.); (L.-J.C.); (C.C.T.)
- Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (J.C.Y.); (C.-P.P.)
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Maxia C, Murtas D, Isola M, Tamma R, Zucca I, Piras F, Ribatti D, Diana A, Perra MT. Immunophenotypic characterization of telocyte-like cells in pterygium. Mol Vis 2018; 24:853-866. [PMID: 30713424 PMCID: PMC6334986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Telocytes (TCs) are peculiar interstitial cells, characterized by their typical elongated and interconnected processes called telopodes. TCs are supposed to contribute to maintain tissue homeostasis but also to be involved in the pathophysiology of many disorders. The aim of the study was to identify TCs in pterygium, a chronic condition of bulbar conjunctiva, and to examine possible differences in TCs in terms of immunophenotype and/or localization between pterygium and normal conjunctiva, to evaluate the possible involvement of TCs in pathogenesis of pterygium. Methods The analysis of the immunophenotype of TCs was performed on a group of 40 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded primary pterygium and ten bulbar conjunctiva samples. We examined with immunohistochemistry the expression of 11 commercially available antibodies (PDGFRα, CD34, c-kit, nestin, vimentin, α-SMA, laminin, S100, VEGF, CD133, and CD31) and with double immunofluorescence the concomitant expression of PDGFRα and CD34, and PDGFRα and nestin. In addition, we performed an ultrastructural study with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on a group of five pterygium and three conjunctiva biopsy specimens. Results TCs, ultrastructurally identified according to their "moniliform" prolongations, were localized underneath the epithelium along the basement membrane, around the vessels, and near the nerves and scattered in the stroma. In contrast, TCs, as fibroblasts, were almost absent in the fibrotic areas. In pterygium and normal conjunctiva, the TCs shared the same distribution pattern, except a marked TC hyperplasia detected in pterygium. Moreover, in pterygium, the immunohistochemical analysis of TCs showed a strong immunoreactivity to PDGFRα, CD34, and nestin. This result was confirmed with double immunofluorescence labeling, revealing that in pterygium stromal TCs always showed a PDGFRα+/nestin+ and PDGFRα+/CD34+ immunophenotype. Furthermore, moderate staining to vimentin and VEGF was detected, but only a small number of cells were weakly immunoreactive to laminin and S100. Only adventitial TCs of the perivascular sheaths exhibited strong immunoreactivity to α-SMA. Conversely, despite showing mild immunoreactivity to PDGFRα and CD34, the TCs in normal conjunctiva did not show any immunoreactivity to nestin and VEGF. Moreover, in pterygium and conjunctiva, the TCs were always negative for c-kit. Conclusions Because of the distribution and immunophenotype, TCs in pterygium may represent a subpopulation of relatively immature cells with regenerative potential. In addition, the expression of nestin may suggest possible involvement of TCs as active players in the regeneration of ultraviolet-damaged stroma and vascular remodeling. The fibrotic transformation in the cicatricial area may stand for a breakdown of the regenerative process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maxia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michela Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Ignazio Zucca
- Department of Surgical Science, Eye Clinic, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Franca Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Diana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
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Pellicciari C. Histochemistry as a versatile research toolkit in biological research, not only an applied discipline in pathology. Eur J Histochem 2018; 62. [PMID: 30572698 PMCID: PMC6317132 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2018.3006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The impressive progress of histochemistry over the last 50 years has led to setting up specific and sensitive techniques to describe dynamic events, through the detection of specific molecules in the very place where they exist in live cells. The scientific field where histochemistry has most largely been applied is histopathology, with the aim to identify disease-specific molecular markers or to elucidate the etiopathological mechanisms. Numerous authors did however apply histochemistry to a variety of other research fields; their interests range from the microanatomy of animal and plant organisms to the cellular mechanisms of life. This is especially apparent browsing the contents of the histochemical journals where the articles on subjects other than pathology are the majority; these journals still keep a pivotal role in the field of cell and tissue biology, while being a forum for a diverse range of biologists whose scientific interests expand the research horizon of histochemistry to ever novel subjects. Thus, histochemistry can always receive inspiring stimuli toward a continuous methodological refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Pellicciari
- University of Pavia, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani".
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