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Huang C, Kaur A, Ji L, Tian H, Webster KA, Li W. Suppression of matrigel-induced choroidal neovascularization by AAV delivery of a novel anti-Scg3 antibody. Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41434-024-00491-9. [PMID: 39333408 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-024-00491-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Efforts to develop gene therapy for long-term treatment of neovascular disease are hampered by ongoing concerns that biologics against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibit both physiological and pathological angiogenesis and are therefore at elevated risk of adverse side effects. A potential solution is to develop disease-targeted gene therapy. Secretogranin III (Scg3), a unique disease-restricted angiogenic factor described by our group, contributes significantly to ocular neovascular disease. We have shown that Scg3 blockade with a monoclonal antibody Fab fragment (Fab) stringently inhibits pathological angiogenesis without affecting healthy vessels. Here we tested the therapeutic efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-anti-Scg3Fab to block choroidal neovascularization (CNV) induced by subretinal injection of Matrigel in a mouse model. Intravitreal AAV-anti-Scg3Fab significantly reduced CNV and suppressed CNV-associated leukocyte infiltration and macrophage activation. The efficacy and anti-inflammatory effects were equivalent to those achieved by positive control AAV-aflibercept against VEGF. Efficacies of AAV-anti-Scg3Fab and AAV-aflibercept were sustained over 4 months post AAV delivery. The findings support development of AAV-anti-Scg3 as an alternative to AAV-anti-VEGF with equivalent efficacy and potentially safer mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchi Huang
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Liyang Ji
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX, 77098, USA
| | - Keith A Webster
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX, 77098, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Huang C, Waduge P, Kaur A, Tian H, Weng CY, Stout JT, Pang IH, Webster KA, Li W. Optimal Humanized Scg3-Neutralizing Antibodies for Anti-Angiogenic Therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9507. [PMID: 39273454 PMCID: PMC11394726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179507] [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: 08/06/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Secretogranin III (Scg3) is a diabetic retinopathy (DR)-restricted angiogenic factor identified in preclinical studies as a target for DR therapy. Previously, our group generated and characterized ML49.3, an anti-Scg3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) which we then converted into an EBP2 humanized antibody Fab fragment (hFab) with potential for clinical application. We also generated anti-Scg3 mT4 mAb and related EBP3 hFab. In this study, to identify the preferred hFab for DR therapy, we compared all four antibodies for binding, neutralizing and therapeutic activities in vitro and in vivo. Octet binding kinetics analyses revealed that ML49.3 mAb, EBP2 hFab, mT4 mAb and EBP3 hFab have Scg3-binding affinities of 35, 8.7, 0.859 and 0.116 nM, respectively. Both anti-Scg3 EBP2 and EBP3 hFabs significantly inhibited Scg3-induced proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro, and alleviated DR vascular leakage and choroidal neovascularization with high efficacy. Paired assays in DR mice revealed that intravitreally injected EBP3 hFab is 26.4% and 10.3% more effective than EBP2 hFab and aflibercept, respectively, for ameliorating DR leakage. In conclusion, this study confirms the markedly improved binding affinities of hFabs compared to mAbs and further identifies EBP3 hFab as the preferred antibody to develop for anti-Scg3 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchi Huang
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
| | - Christina Y Weng
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John Timothy Stout
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Iok-Hou Pang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Keith A Webster
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Rejdak K, Sienkiewicz-Jarosz H, Bienkowski P, Alvarez A. Modulation of neurotrophic factors in the treatment of dementia, stroke and TBI: Effects of Cerebrolysin. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:1668-1700. [PMID: 37052231 DOI: 10.1002/med.21960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are involved in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders such as dementia, stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and constitute molecular targets of high interest for the therapy of these pathologies. In this review we provide an overview of current knowledge of the definition, discovery and mode of action of five NTFs, nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, brain derived NTF, vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor alpha; as well as on their contribution to brain pathology and potential therapeutic use in dementia, stroke and TBI. Within the concept of NTFs in the treatment of these pathologies, we also review the neuropeptide preparation Cerebrolysin, which has been shown to resemble the activities of NTFs and to modulate the expression level of endogenous NTFs. Cerebrolysin has demonstrated beneficial treatment capabilities in vitro and in clinical studies, which are discussed within the context of the biochemistry of NTFs. The review focuses on the interactions of different NTFs, rather than addressing a single NTF, by outlining their signaling network and by reviewing their effect on clinical outcome in prevalent brain pathologies. The effects of the interactions of these NTFs and Cerebrolysin on neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, angiogenesis and inflammation, and their relevance for the treatment of dementia, stroke and TBI are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Rejdak
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | - Anton Alvarez
- Medinova Institute of Neurosciences, Clinica RehaSalud, Coruña, Spain
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Carvalho D, Diaz-Amarilla P, Dapueto R, Santi MD, Duarte P, Savio E, Engler H, Abin-Carriquiry JA, Arredondo F. Transcriptomic Analyses of Neurotoxic Astrocytes Derived from Adult Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:487-515. [PMID: 37318736 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02105-2] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease have been classically studied from a purely neuronocentric point of view. More recent evidences support the notion that other cell populations are involved in disease progression. In this sense, the possible pathogenic role of glial cells like astrocytes is increasingly being recognized. Once faced with tissue damage signals and other stimuli present in disease environments, astrocytes suffer many morphological and functional changes, a process referred as reactive astrogliosis. Studies from murine models and humans suggest that these complex and heterogeneous responses could manifest as disease-specific astrocyte phenotypes. Clear understanding of disease-associated astrocytes is a necessary step to fully disclose neurodegenerative processes, aiding in the design of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. In this work, we present the transcriptomics characterization of neurotoxic astrocytic cultures isolated from adult symptomatic animals of the triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD). According to the observed profile, 3xTg-AD neurotoxic astrocytes show various reactivity features including alteration of the extracellular matrix and release of pro-inflammatory and proliferative factors that could result in harmful effects to neurons. Moreover, these alterations could be a consequence of stress responses at the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria as well as of concomitant metabolic adaptations. Present results support the hypothesis that adaptive changes of astrocytic function induced by a stressed microenvironment could later promote harmful astrocyte phenotypes and further accelerate or induce neurodegenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Carvalho
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Diaz-Amarilla
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosina Dapueto
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Daniela Santi
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- College of Dentistry, Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York University, New York, 10010, USA
| | - Pablo Duarte
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Eduardo Savio
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Henry Engler
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, 1800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Juan A Abin-Carriquiry
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Laboratorio de Biofármacos, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Florencia Arredondo
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Fevereiro-Martins M, Marques-Neves C, Guimarães H, Bicho M. Retinopathy of prematurity: A review of pathophysiology and signaling pathways. Surv Ophthalmol 2023; 68:175-210. [PMID: 36427559 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina and a leading cause of visual impairment and childhood blindness worldwide. The disease is characterized by an early stage of retinal microvascular degeneration, followed by neovascularization that can lead to subsequent retinal detachment and permanent visual loss. Several factors play a key role during the different pathological stages of the disease. Oxidative and nitrosative stress and inflammatory processes are important contributors to the early stage of ROP. Nitric oxide synthase and arginase play important roles in ischemia/reperfusion-induced neurovascular degeneration. Destructive neovascularization is driven by mediators of the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and metabolic factors (succinate). The extracellular matrix is involved in hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization. Vasorepulsive molecules (semaphorin 3A) intervene preventing the revascularization of the avascular zone. This review focuses on current concepts about signaling pathways and their mediators, involved in the pathogenesis of ROP, highlighting new potentially preventive and therapeutic modalities. A better understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ROP should allow the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic agents to reduce aberrant vasoproliferation and facilitate physiological retinal vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariza Fevereiro-Martins
- Laboratório de Genética and Grupo Ecogenética e Saúde Humana, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Oftalmologia, Hospital Cuf Descobertas, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Marques-Neves
- Centro de Estudos das Ci.¼ncias da Visão, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Grupo Ecogenética e Saúde Humana, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Hercília Guimarães
- Departamento de Ginecologia-Obstetrícia e Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Bicho
- Laboratório de Genética and Grupo Ecogenética e Saúde Humana, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal.
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6
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Rodríguez-Gutiérrez E, Torres-Costoso A, Pascual-Morena C, Pozuelo-Carrascosa DP, Garrido-Miguel M, Martínez-Vizcaíno V. Effects of Resistance Exercise on Neuroprotective Factors in Middle and Late Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aging Dis 2023:AD.2022.1207. [PMID: 37163437 PMCID: PMC10389831 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroprotective factors are involved in brain functioning. Although physical exercise has been shown to have a positive influence on these factors, the effect of resistance exercise on them is not well known. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to 1) estimate the efficacy of resistance exercise on major neuroprotective factors, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in middle and late life and 2) determine whether the effect is dose dependent. A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science up to November 2022. Random effects models were used to estimate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the effect of resistance exercise on peripheral IGF-1, BDNF or VEGF levels in older adults. Thirty randomized clinical trials with 1247 subjects (53.25% women, 45-92 years) were included in the systematic review, and 27 were selected for the meta-analysis. A significant effect of resistance exercise on IGF-1 levels was observed (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.69), being more effective when performing 3 sessions/week (SMD: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.79) but not on BDNF (SMD: 0.33; 95% CI: -0.29, 0.94). The effect on VEGF could not be determined due to the scarcity of studies. Our data support the resistance training recommendation in middle and late life, at a frequency of at least 3 sessions/week, to mitigate the neurological and cognitive consequences associated with aging, mainly through IGF-1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Torres-Costoso
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
- Facultad de Fisioterapia y Enfermería, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Carlos Pascual-Morena
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
| | - Diana P Pozuelo-Carrascosa
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación Multidisciplinar en Cuidados (IMCU), Campus de Fábrica de Armas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, 45071, Spain
| | - Miriam Garrido-Miguel
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
- Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile
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Dos Santos FM, Ciordia S, Mesquita J, de Sousa JPC, Paradela A, Tomaz CT, Passarinha LAP. Vitreous humor proteome: unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying proliferative and neovascular vitreoretinal diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 80:22. [PMID: 36585968 PMCID: PMC11072707 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04670-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are among the leading causes of blindness. Due to the multifactorial nature of these vitreoretinal diseases, omics approaches are essential for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiologic processes underlying the evolution to a proliferative or neovascular etiology, in which patients suffer from an abrupt loss of vision. For many years, it was thought that the function of the vitreous was merely structural, supporting and protecting the surrounding ocular tissues. Proteomics studies proved that vitreous is more complex and biologically active than initially thought, and its changes reflect the physiological and pathological state of the eye. The vitreous is the scenario of a complex interplay between inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress, neurodegeneration, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Vitreous proteome not only reflects the pathological events that occur in the retina, but the changes in the vitreous itself play a central role in the onset and progression of vitreoretinal diseases. Therefore, this review offers an overview of the studies on the vitreous proteome that could help to elucidate some of the pathological mechanisms underlying proliferative and/or neovascular vitreoretinal diseases and to find new potential pharmaceutical targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Milhano Dos Santos
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Unidad de Proteomica, Calle Darwin 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sergio Ciordia
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Unidad de Proteomica, Calle Darwin 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Mesquita
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Castro de Sousa
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar de Leiria, 2410-197, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Alberto Paradela
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Unidad de Proteomica, Calle Darwin 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cândida Teixeira Tomaz
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
- C4-UBI, Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-501, Covilhã, Portugal
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Luís António Paulino Passarinha
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Universidade NOVA, 2819-516, Caparica, Portugal.
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
- Pharmaco-Toxicology Laboratory, UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-000, Covilhã, Portugal.
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Protective Effect of Portulaca oleracea on Streptozotocin-Induced Type I Diabetes-Associated Reproductive System Dysfunction and Inflammation. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27186075. [PMID: 36144807 PMCID: PMC9506021 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Type-one diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune disease with marked inflammatory responses, is associated with infertility complications and implications. Based on the anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic potential of Portulaca oleracea (PO), this study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of this plant extract on streptozotocin-induced type-I-diabetes-associated reproductive system dysfunction and inflammation. Methods: Male rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: control, diabetic, and treatment/s (PO extract at 100 or 300 mg/kg/daily). Then food and water consumption, body, testis and epididymis weights, histopathological evaluation, seminiferous tubules diameter, sperm count and motility, glucose levels, sex hormones, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Results: Our results showed that streptozotocin-induced diabetes significantly increased food and water consumption; increased glucose, MDA, TGF-β1, and TNF-α levels; and decreased the seminiferous tubules diameter, sperm count and motility, levels of LH, testosterone, total thiol, VEGF, and SOD activity. Interestingly, PO extract (phytochemically characterized by using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry to detect bioactive molecules) significantly ameliorated these parameters and histopathological indexes’ damage in rats. Conclusion. Even if more preclinical assessments are needed to better characterize the mechanism/s of action, the results of this study will pave the way for the rational use of PO on diabetic-associated clinical complications and implications.
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Ji L, Waduge P, Wan W, Tian H, Li J, Zhang J, Chen R, Li W. Comparative ligandomics implicates secretogranin III as a disease‐restricted angiogenic factor in laser‐induced choroidal neovascularization. FEBS J 2022; 289:3521-3534. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.16356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Ji
- Cullen Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
- Department of Ophthalmology The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
| | - Wencui Wan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
- Department of Ophthalmology First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan China
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC Houston TX USA
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute University of Miami School of Medicine Miami FL USA
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Ji L, Waduge P, Hao L, Kaur A, Wan W, Wu Y, Tian H, Zhang J, Webster KA, Li W. Selectively targeting disease-restricted secretogranin III to alleviate choroidal neovascularization. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22106. [PMID: 34918375 PMCID: PMC8694659 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101085rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is routinely treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors that have limited efficacy and potentially adverse side effects. An unmet clinical need is to develop novel therapies against other angiogenic factors for alternative or combination treatment to improve efficacy and safety. We recently described secretogranin III (Scg3) as a disease-selective angiogenic factor, causally linked to diabetic retinopathy and acting independently of the VEGF pathway. An important question is whether such a disease-selective Scg3 pathway contributes to other states of pathological angiogenesis beyond diabetic retinopathy. By applying a novel in vivo endothelial ligand binding assay, we found that the binding of Scg3 to CNV vessels in live mice was markedly increased over background binding to healthy choriocapillaris and blocked by an Scg3-neutralizing antibody, whereas VEGF showed no such differential binding. Intravitreal injection of anti-Scg3 humanized antibody Fab (hFab) inhibited Matrigel-induced CNV with similar efficacy to the anti-VEGF drug aflibercept. Importantly, a combination of anti-Scg3 hFab and aflibercept synergistically alleviated CNV. Homozygous deletion of the Scg3 gene markedly reduced CNV severity and abolished the therapeutic activity of anti-Scg3 hFab, but not aflibercept, suggesting a role for Scg3 in VEGF-independent CNV pathogenesis and therapy. Our work demonstrates the stringent disease selectivity of Scg3 binding and positions anti-Scg3 hFab as a next-generation disease-targeted anti-angiogenic therapy for CNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Ji
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Lili Hao
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Wencui Wan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.,Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
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11
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Neurovascular regulation in diabetic retinopathy and emerging therapies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5977-5985. [PMID: 34230991 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03893-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss in working adults in developed countries. The disease traditionally classified as a microvascular complication of diabetes is now widely recognized as a neurovascular disorder resulting from disruption of the retinal neurovascular unit (NVU). The NVU comprising retinal neurons, glia and vascular cells coordinately regulates blood flow, vascular density and permeability to maintain homeostasis. Disturbance of the NVU during DR can lead to vision-threatening clinical manifestations. A limited number of signaling pathways have been identified for intercellular communication within the NVU, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the master switch for angiogenesis. VEGF inhibitors are now widely used to treat DR, but their limited efficacy implies that other signaling molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of DR. By applying a novel screening technology called comparative ligandomics, we recently discovered secretogranin III (Scg3) as a unique DR-selective angiogenic and vascular leakage factor with therapeutic potential for DR. This review proposes neuron-derived Scg3 as the first diabetes-selective neurovascular regulator and discusses important features of Scg3 inhibition for next-generation disease-targeted anti-angiogenic therapies of DR.
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12
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Dai C, Webster KA, Bhatt A, Tian H, Su G, Li W. Concurrent Physiological and Pathological Angiogenesis in Retinopathy of Prematurity and Emerging Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4809. [PMID: 34062733 PMCID: PMC8124946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an ocular vascular disease affecting premature infants, characterized by pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV), dilated and tortuous retinal blood vessels, and retinal or vitreous hemorrhages that may lead to retinal detachment, vision impairment and blindness. Compared with other neovascular diseases, ROP is unique because of ongoing and concurrent physiological and pathological angiogenesis in the developing retina. While the disease is currently treated by laser or cryotherapy, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have been extensively investigated but are not approved in the U.S. because of safety concerns that they negatively interfere with physiological angiogenesis of the developing retina. An ideal therapeutic strategy would selectively inhibit pathological but not physiological angiogenesis. Our group recently described a novel strategy that selectively and safely alleviates pathological RNV in animal models of ROP by targeting secretogranin III (Scg3), a disease-restricted angiogenic factor. The preclinical profile of anti-Scg3 therapy presents a high potential for next-generation disease-targeted anti-angiogenic therapy for the ROP indication. This review focuses on retinal vessel development in neonates, the pathogenesis of ROP and its underlying molecular mechanisms, including different animal models, and provides a summary of current and emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.D.); (K.A.W.); (A.B.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.D.); (K.A.W.); (A.B.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Amit Bhatt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.D.); (K.A.W.); (A.B.)
- Texas Children Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Guanfang Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.D.); (K.A.W.); (A.B.)
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13
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Ex-Vivo Stimulation of Adipose Stem Cells by Growth Factors and Fibrin-Hydrogel Assisted Delivery Strategies for Treating Nerve Gap-Injuries. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:bioengineering7020042. [PMID: 32380789 PMCID: PMC7357460 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries often result in lifelong disabilities despite advanced surgical interventions, indicating the urgent clinical need for effective therapies. In order to improve the potency of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) for nerve regeneration, the present study focused primarily on ex-vivo stimulation of ASC by using growth factors, i.e., nerve growth factor (NGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and secondly on fibrin-hydrogel nerve conduits (FNC) assisted ASC delivery strategies, i.e., intramural vs. intraluminal loading. ASC were stimulated by NGF or VEGF for 3 days and the resulting secretome was subsequently evaluated in an in vitro axonal outgrowth assay. For the animal study, a 10 mm sciatic nerve gap-injury was created in rats and reconstructed using FNC loaded with ASC. Secretome derived from NGF-stimulated ASC promoted significant axonal outgrowth from the DRG-explants in comparison to all other conditions. Thus, NGF-stimulated ASC were further investigated in animals and found to enhance early nerve regeneration as evidenced by the increased number of β-Tubulin III+ axons. Notably, FNC assisted intramural delivery enabled the improvement of ASC’s therapeutic efficacy in comparison to the intraluminal delivery system. Thus, ex-vivo stimulation of ASC by NGF and FNC assisted intramural delivery may offer new options for developing effective therapies.
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14
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Silva-Hucha S, Carrero-Rojas G, Fernández de Sevilla ME, Benítez-Temiño B, Davis-López de Carrizosa MA, Pastor AM, Morcuende S. Sources and lesion-induced changes of VEGF expression in brainstem motoneurons. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:1033-1053. [PMID: 32189115 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02057-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Motoneurons of the oculomotor system show lesser vulnerability to neurodegeneration compared to other cranial motoneurons, as seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in motoneuronal protection. As previously shown, motoneurons innervating extraocular muscles present a higher amount of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 compared to facial or hypoglossal motoneurons. Therefore, we aimed to study the possible sources of VEGF to brainstem motoneurons, such as glial cells and target muscles. We also studied the regulation of VEGF in response to axotomy in ocular, facial, and hypoglossal motor nuclei. Basal VEGF expression in astrocytes and microglial cells of the cranial motor nuclei was low. Although the presence of VEGF in the different target muscles for brainstem motoneurons was similar, the presynaptic element of the ocular neuromuscular junction showed higher amounts of Flk-1, which could result in greater efficiency in the capture of the factor by oculomotor neurons. Seven days after axotomy, a clear glial reaction was observed in all the brainstem nuclei, but the levels of the neurotrophic factor remained low in glial cells. Only the injured motoneurons of the oculomotor system showed an increase in VEGF and Flk-1, but such an increase was not detected in axotomized facial or hypoglossal motoneurons. Taken together, our findings suggest that the ocular motoneurons themselves upregulate VEGF expression in response to lesion. In conclusion, the low VEGF expression observed in glial cells suggests that these cells are not the main source of VEGF for brainstem motoneurons. Therefore, the higher VEGF expression observed in motoneurons innervating extraocular muscles is likely due either to the fact that this factor is more avidly taken up from the target muscles, in basal conditions, or is produced by these motoneurons themselves, and acts in an autocrine manner after axotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Silva-Hucha
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Génova Carrero-Rojas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Benítez-Temiño
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Sara Morcuende
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
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15
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Exposure to homocysteine leads to cell cycle damage and reactive gliosis in the developing brain. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 87:60-69. [PMID: 31082465 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Studies that investigate the cellular effects of homocysteine (Hcy) on the differentiation of neural cells, and their involvement in establishment of cell layers in the developing brain are scarce. This study evaluated how Hcy affects the neural cell cycle and proteins involved in neuronal differentiation in the telencephalon and mesencephalon using the chicken embryo as a model. Embryos at embryonic day 2 (E2) received 20 μmol D-L Hcy/50 μl saline and analyzed at E6. The Hcy treatment induced an increase in the ventricular length of the telencephalon and also a reduction of the mantle layer thickness. We observed that Hcy induced impairments to the neural cell cycle and differentiation, which compromised the cell layers establishment in the developing brain. Hcy treatment also induced changes in gene and protein expression of astrocytes, characteristic of reactive gliosis. Our results point to new perspectives of evaluation of cellular targets of Hcy toxicity.
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