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Feng L, Wang C, Zhang C, Zhang W, Zhu W, He Y, Xia Z, Song W. p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 suppresses ferroptosis in the glutamate-induced retinal excitotoxicity glaucoma model. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2299-2309. [PMID: 38488564 PMCID: PMC11034608 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.391193] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202410000-00031/figure1/v/2024-02-06T055622Z/r/image-tiff Glutamate excitotoxicity has been shown to play an important role in glaucoma, and glutamate can induce ferroptosis. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitor SB202190 has a potential ability to suppress ferroptosis, and its downstream targets, such as p53, have been shown to be associated with ferroptosis. However, whether ferroptosis also occurs in retinal ganglion cells in response to glutamate excitotoxicity and whether inhibition of ferroptosis reduces the loss of retinal ganglion cells induced by glutamate excitotoxicity remain unclear. This study investigated ferroptosis in a glutamate-induced glaucoma rat model and explored the effects and molecular mechanisms of SB202190 on retinal ganglion cells. A glutamate-induced excitotoxicity model in R28 cells and an N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced glaucoma model in rats were used. In vitro experiments showed that glutamate induced the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxide and morphological changes of mitochondria in R28 cells, and SB202190 inhibited these changes. Glutamate induced the levels of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and SAT1 and decreased the expression levels of ferritin light chain, SLC7A11, and GPX4. SB202190 inhibited the expression of iron death-related proteins induced by glutamate. In vivo experiments showed that SB202190 attenuated N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced damage to rat retinal ganglion cells and improved visual function. These results suggest that SB202190 can inhibit ferroptosis and protect retinal ganglion cells by regulating ferritin light chain, SAT1, and SLC7A11/Gpx4 pathways and may represent a potential retina protectant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemeng Feng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chao Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wulong Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Weiming Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ye He
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhaohua Xia
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Weitao Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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2
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Becker S, L'Ecuyer Z, Jones BW, Zouache MA, McDonnell FS, Vinberg F. Modeling complex age-related eye disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101247. [PMID: 38365085 PMCID: PMC11268458 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101247] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Modeling complex eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma poses significant challenges, since these conditions depend highly on age-related changes that occur over several decades, with many contributing factors remaining unknown. Although both diseases exhibit a relatively high heritability of >50%, a large proportion of individuals carrying AMD- or glaucoma-associated genetic risk variants will never develop these diseases. Furthermore, several environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to and modulate the pathogenesis and progression of AMD and glaucoma. Several strategies replicate the impact of genetic risk variants, pathobiological pathways and environmental and lifestyle factors in AMD and glaucoma in mice and other species. In this review we will primarily discuss the most commonly available mouse models, which have and will likely continue to improve our understanding of the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases. Uncertainties persist whether small animal models can truly recapitulate disease progression and vision loss in patients, raising doubts regarding their usefulness when testing novel gene or drug therapies. We will elaborate on concerns that relate to shorter lifespan, body size and allometries, lack of macula and a true lamina cribrosa, as well as absence and sequence disparities of certain genes and differences in their chromosomal location in mice. Since biological, rather than chronological, age likely predisposes an organism for both glaucoma and AMD, more rapidly aging organisms like small rodents may open up possibilities that will make research of these diseases more timely and financially feasible. On the other hand, due to the above-mentioned anatomical and physiological features, as well as pharmacokinetic and -dynamic differences small animal models are not ideal to study the natural progression of vision loss or the efficacy and safety of novel therapies. In this context, we will also discuss the advantages and pitfalls of alternative models that include larger species, such as non-human primates and rabbits, patient-derived retinal organoids, and human organ donor eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Becker
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Zia L'Ecuyer
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bryan W Jones
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Moussa A Zouache
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Fiona S McDonnell
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Frans Vinberg
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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3
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Crupi L, Capra AP, Paterniti I, Lanza M, Calapai F, Cuzzocrea S, Ardizzone A, Esposito E. Evaluation of the nutraceutical Palmitoylethanolamide in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38269580 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2306916] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Intraocular pressure (IOP) positively correlates with both normal and high-tension glaucoma. To date, IOP targeting remains the validated pharmacological approach in counteracting glaucoma progression as well as in halting vision loss. Among the different adjuvant compounds, evidence highlighted the potential effectiveness of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide. Thus, a systematic review of the literature was conducted, thoroughly evaluating PEA treatment regimen in decreasing IOP in patients with eye disorders. We checked for articles across the scientific databases Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase (OVID), and Web of Science from the inception to 30 August 2023, and a total of 828 articles were recovered. Six of these studies (199 patients) were included in the systematic review after the study selection process, and three studies for meta-analysia. Overall, PEA showed significant efficacy in reducing IOP in patients, this encourages its clinical use in glaucoma as well as across different forms of eye disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lelio Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Lanza
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Calapai
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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4
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Upreti S, Nag TC, Ghosh MP. Trolox aids coenzyme Q 10 in neuroprotection against NMDA induced damage via upregulation of VEGF in rat model of glutamate excitotoxicity. Exp Eye Res 2024; 238:109740. [PMID: 38056553 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109740] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate induced damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) requires tight physiological regulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Previously, studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective abilities of antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin E analogs like α-tocopherol against neuropathies resulting from NMDA insult, but have failed to shed light on the effect of CoQ10 and trolox, a hydrophilic analog of vitamin E, on glaucomatous neurodegeneration. In the current study, we wanted to investigate whether the combined effect of trolox with CoQ10 could alleviate NMDA-induced death of retinal cells while also trying to elucidate the underlying mechanism in relation to the yet unexplained role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity. After successful NMDA-induced degeneration, we followed it up with the treatment of combination of Trolox and CoQ10. The structural damage by NMDA was repaired significantly and retina retained structural integrity comparable to levels of control in the treatment group of Trolox and CoQ10. Detection of ROS generation after NMDA insult showed that together, Trolox and CoQ10 could significantly bring down the high levels of free radicals while also rescuing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). A significant increase in NMDA receptor Grin2A by CoQ10 alone as well as by CoQ10 and trolox was accompanied by a lowered Grin2B receptor expression, suggesting neuroprotective action of Trolox and CoQ10. Subsequently, lowered VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 receptor expression by NMDA treatment also recovered when subjected to combined treatment of Trolox and CoQ10. Western blot analyses also indicated the same whereby Trolox and CoQ10 could increase the diminished levels of phosphorylated VEGFR2. Immunofluorescence studies also indicated a positive correlation between recovered VEGFR2 and NMDAR2A levels and diminished levels of NMDAR2D, confirming the results obtained by RT-PCR analysis. This is the first report in our knowledge that demonstrates the efficacy of trolox in combination with CoQ10 highlighting the importance of maintaining VEGF levels that are lowered in ocular diseases due to NMDA-related toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Upreti
- Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Lab, Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, 201313, India.
| | - Tapas Chandra Nag
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Madhumita P Ghosh
- Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Lab, Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, 201313, India.
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5
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Sulak R, Liu X, Smedowski A. The concept of gene therapy for glaucoma: the dream that has not come true yet. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:92-99. [PMID: 37488850 PMCID: PMC10479832 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.375319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies, despite of being a relatively new therapeutic approach, have a potential to become an important alternative to current treatment strategies in glaucoma. Since glaucoma is not considered a single gene disease, the identified goals of gene therapy would be rather to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells, especially, in intraocular-pressure-independent manner. The most commonly reported type of vector for gene delivery in glaucoma studies is adeno-associated virus serotype 2 that has a high tropism to retinal ganglion cells, resulting in long-term expression and low immunogenic profile. The gene therapy studies recruit inducible and genetic animal models of optic neuropathy, like DBA/2J mice model of high-tension glaucoma and the optic nerve crush-model. Reported gene therapy-based neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells is targeting specific genes translating to growth factors (i.e., brain derived neurotrophic factor, and its receptor TrkB), regulation of apoptosis and neurodegeneration (i.e., Bcl-xl, Xiap, FAS system, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2, Digit3 and Sarm1), immunomodulation (i.e., Crry, C3 complement), modulation of neuroinflammation (i.e., erythropoietin), reduction of excitotoxicity (i.e., CamKIIα) and transcription regulation (i.e., Max, Nrf2). On the other hand, some of gene therapy studies focus on lowering intraocular pressure, by impacting genes involved in both, decreasing aqueous humor production (i.e., aquaporin 1), and increasing outflow facility (i.e., COX2, prostaglandin F2α receptor, RhoA/RhoA kinase signaling pathway, MMP1, Myocilin). The goal of this review is to summarize the current state-of-art and the direction of development of gene therapy strategies for glaucomatous neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Sulak
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adrian Smedowski
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
- GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
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6
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Boccaccini A, Cavaterra D, Carnevale C, Tanga L, Marini S, Bocedi A, Lacal PM, Manni G, Graziani G, Sbardella D, Tundo GR. Novel frontiers in neuroprotective therapies in glaucoma: Molecular and clinical aspects. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 94:101225. [PMID: 38000334 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101225] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, neuroprotective therapies have attracted the researcher interests as modern and challenging approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, aimed at protecting the nervous system from injuries. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive excavation of the optic nerve head, retinal axonal injury and corresponding vision loss that affects millions of people on a global scale. The molecular basis of the pathology is largely uncharacterized yet, and the therapeutic approaches available do not change the natural course of the disease. Therefore, in accordance with the therapeutic regimens proposed for other neurodegenerative diseases, a modern strategy to treat glaucoma includes prescription of drugs with neuroprotective activities. With respect to this, several preclinical and clinical investigations on a plethora of different drugs are currently ongoing. In this review, first, the conceptualization of the rationale for the adoption of neuroprotective strategies for retina is summarized. Second, the molecular aspects highlighting glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disease are reported. In conclusion, the molecular and pharmacological properties of most promising direct neuroprotective drugs used to delay glaucoma progression are examined, including: neurotrophic factors, NMDA receptor antagonists, the α2-adrenergic agonist, brimonidine, calcium channel blockers, antioxidant agents, nicotinamide and statins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dario Cavaterra
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Marini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier n. 1, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Bocedi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Tor Vergata, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Pedro M Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Manni
- IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier n. 1, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Grazia Raffaella Tundo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier n. 1, 00133, Roma, Italy.
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7
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Scuteri D, Pocobelli G, Sakurada Y, Russo R, Tonin P, Nicotera P, Bagetta G, Corasaniti MT, Nucci C. Effect of genotype on individual response to the pharmacological treatment of glaucoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Direct 2023; 18:66. [PMID: 37833756 PMCID: PMC10576330 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00423-4] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The social impact of glaucoma is worth of note: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting some 68.56 million people with overall prevalence of 2.4%. Since one of the main risk factors for the development of POAG is the increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) causing retinal ganglion cells death, the medical treatment of POAG consists in the use of drugs endowed with neuroprotective effect and able to reduce IOP. These drugs include beta-blockers, prostaglandin analogues, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, alpha or cholinergic agonists and rho kinase inhibitors. However, not all the patients respond to the same extent to the therapy in terms of efficacy and safety. Genetics and genome wide association studies have highlighted the occurrence of mutations and polymorphisms influencing the predisposition to develop POAG and its phenotype, as well as affecting the response to pharmacological treatment. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims at identifying genetic variants and at verifying whether these can influence the responsiveness of patients to therapy for efficacy and safety. It follows the most updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 recommendations. The literature search was conducted consulting the most relevant scientific databases, i.e. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base up to June 14th, 2023. The search retrieved 1026 total records, among which eight met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the analysis. The results demonstrated that the most investigated pharmacogenetic associations concern latanoprost and timolol, and that efficacy was studied more in depth than safety. Moreover, the heterogeneity of design and paucity of studies prompt further investigation in randomized clinical trials. In fact, adequately powered and designed pharmacogenetic association studies are needed to provide body of evidence with good certainty for a more appropriate use of medical therapy in POAG.PROSPERO registration: CRD42023434867.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiana Scuteri
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Regional Center for Serious Brain Injuries, S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Giulio Pocobelli
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Yoichi Sakurada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3821 Japan
| | - Rossella Russo
- Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Paolo Tonin
- Regional Center for Serious Brain Injuries, S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Nicotera
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Giacinto Bagetta
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Nucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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8
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Wu KY, Ahmad H, Lin G, Carbonneau M, Tran SD. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Ophthalmology: A Comprehensive Review. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041167. [PMID: 37111652 PMCID: PMC10142951 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the field of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has exhibited rapid growth. Due to their regenerative, reparatory, and immunomodulatory capacities, MSCs have been widely investigated as therapeutic agents in the cell-based treatment of chronic ophthalmic pathologies. However, the applicability of MSC-based therapy is limited by suboptimal biocompatibility, penetration, and delivery to the target ocular tissues. An emerging body of research has elucidated the role of exosomes in the biological functions of MSCs, and that MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, tissue repairing, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties similar to MSCs. The recent advances in MSCs-derived exosomes can serve as solutions to the challenges faced by MSCs-therapy. Due to their nano-dimensions, MSC-derived exosomes can rapidly penetrate biological barriers and reach immune-privileged organs, allowing for efficient delivery of therapeutic factors such as trophic and immunomodulatory agents to ocular tissues that are typically challenging to target by conventional therapy and MSCs transplantation. In addition, the use of EVs minimizes the risks associated with mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. In this literature review, we focus on the studies published between 2017 and 2022, highlighting the characteristics of EVs derived from MSCs and their biological functions in treating anterior and posterior segment ocular diseases. Additionally, we discuss the potential use of EVs in clinical settings. Rapid advancements in regenerative medicine and exosome-based drug delivery, in conjunction with an increased understanding of ocular pathology and pharmacology, hold great promise for the treatment of ocular diseases. The potential of exosome-based therapies is exciting and can revolutionize the way we approach these ocular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y Wu
- Department of Surgery-Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Hamza Ahmad
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Grace Lin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Marjorie Carbonneau
- Department of Surgery-Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Simon D Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
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9
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Khan H, Aziz AA, Sulahria H, Khan H, Ahmed A, Choudhry N, Narayanan R, Danzig C, Khanani AM. Emerging Treatment Options for Geographic Atrophy (GA) Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Clin Ophthalmol 2023; 17:321-327. [PMID: 36741078 PMCID: PMC9892637 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s367089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized as a chronic, multifactorial disease and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Advanced AMD is classified as neovascular (wet) AMD and non-neovascular (dry) AMD. Dry AMD can progress to a more advanced form that manifests as geographic atrophy (GA), which significantly threatens vision, leading to progressive and irreversible loss of visual function. There are currently no approved therapeutics commercially available for GA patients. However, data from various clinical trials have demonstrated favorable results with significant reduction in GA lesion growth. This review furthers the understanding of the pathophysiology of GA, as well as current clinical trial data on investigational therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Khan
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Aamir A Aziz
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | - Huma Khan
- Sierra Eye Associates, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Abrahim Ahmed
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Netan Choudhry
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Vitreous Retina Macula Specialists of Toronto, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada,Cleveland Clinic Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Octane Imaging Lab, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Raja Narayanan
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,Indian Health Outcomes, Public Health and Economics Research Centre (IHOPE), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Carl Danzig
- Rand Eye Institute, Deerfield Beach, FL, USA
| | - Arshad M Khanani
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA,Sierra Eye Associates, Reno, NV, USA,Correspondence: Arshad M Khanani, Sierra Eye Associates, 950 Ryland Street, Reno, NV, USA, Tel +1 775 329-0286, Fax +1 775 329-0849, Email
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10
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The effect of citicoline oral solution on quality of life in patients with glaucoma: the results of an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:1659-1668. [PMID: 36639525 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05947-5] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to evaluate whether the use of citicoline oral solution could improve quality of life in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma (OAG). DESIGN Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was used. Patients were randomized to one of the two sequences: either citicoline 500 mg/day oral solution-placebo or placebo-citicoline 500 mg/day oral solution. Switch of treatments was done after 3 months; patients were then followed for other 6 months. Follow-up included 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month visits. OUTCOMES The primary outcome was the mean change of "intra-patient" composite score of the Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25). after citicoline oral solution vs placebo at 6-month visit as compared with baseline. METHODS The trial was multicenter, conducted at 5 European Eye Clinics. OAG patients with bilateral visual field damage, a mean deviation (MD) ranging from - 5 to - 13 dB in the better eye, and controlled IOP were included. VFQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-month visits. A mixed effect model, with a random effect on the intercept, accounted for correlations among serial measurements on each subject. RESULTS The primary pre-specified outcome of the analysis reached statistical significance (p = 0.0413), showing greater improvement after citicoline oral solution. There was an increase in the composite score in both arms compared to baseline, but it was significant only for the placebo-citicoline arm (p = 0.0096, p = 0.0007, and p = 0.0006 for the three time-points compared to baseline). The effect of citicoline was stronger in patients with vision-related quality of life more affected by glaucoma at baseline. CONCLUSIONS This is the first placebo-controlled clinical study evaluating the effect of a medical treatment aiming at improving vision-related quality of life in glaucomatous patients.
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Pacwa A, Machowicz J, Akhtar S, Rodak P, Liu X, Pietrucha-Dutczak M, Lewin-Kowalik J, Amadio M, Smedowski A. Deficiency of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1/HuR leads to the failure of endogenous and exogenous neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1131356. [PMID: 36874215 PMCID: PMC9982123 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1131356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction ELAVL1/HuR is a keystone regulator of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, including stress response and homeostasis maintenance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hur silencing on the age-related degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), which potentially describes the efficiency of endogenous neuroprotection mechanisms, as well as to assess the exogenous neuroprotection capacity of hur-silenced RGC in the rat glaucoma model. Methods The study consisted of in vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro, we used rat B-35 cells to investigate, whether AAV-shRNA-HuR delivery affects survival and oxidative stress markers under temperature and excitotoxic insults. In vivo approach consisted of two different settings. In first one, 35 eight-week-old rats received intravitreal injection of AAV-shRNA-HuR or AAV-shRNA scramble control. Animals underwent electroretinography tests and were sacrificed 2, 4 or 6 months after injection. Retinas and optic nerves were collected and processed for immunostainings, electron microscopy and stereology. For the second approach, animals received similar gene constructs. To induce chronic glaucoma, 8 weeks after AAV injection, unilateral episcleral vein cauterization was performed. Animals from each group received intravitreal injection of metallothionein II. Animals underwent electroretinography tests and were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Retinas and optic nerves were collected and processed for immunostainings, electron microscopy and stereology. Results Silencing of hur induced apoptosis and increased oxidative stress markers in B-35 cells. Additionally, shRNA treatment impaired the cellular stress response to temperature and excitotoxic insults. In vivo, RGC count was decreased by 39% in shRNA-HuR group 6 months after injection, when compared to shRNA scramble control group. In neuroprotection study, the average loss of RGCs was 35% in animals with glaucoma treated with metallothionein and shRNA-HuR and 11.4% in animals with glaucoma treated with metallothionein and the scramble control shRNA. An alteration in HuR cellular content resulted in diminished photopic negative responses in the electroretinogram. Conclusions Based on our findings, we conclude that HuR is essential for the survival and efficient neuroprotection of RGC and that the induced alteration in HuR content accelerates both the age-related and glaucoma-induced decline in RGC number and function, further confirming HuR's key role in maintaining cell homeostasis and its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pacwa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.,GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
| | - Joanna Machowicz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Saeed Akhtar
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Inaya Medical Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Piotr Rodak
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.,Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marita Pietrucha-Dutczak
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Joanna Lewin-Kowalik
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.,GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
| | - Marialaura Amadio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, The University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Adrian Smedowski
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.,GlaucoTech Co., Katowice, Poland
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12
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Carvalho J, Invernizzi A, Martins J, Renken RJ, Cornelissen FW. Local neuroplasticity in adult glaucomatous visual cortex. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21981. [PMID: 36539453 PMCID: PMC9767937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24709-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree to which the adult human visual cortex retains the ability to functionally adapt to damage at the level of the eye remains ill-understood. Previous studies on cortical neuroplasticity primarily focused on the consequences of foveal visual field defects (VFD), yet these findings may not generalize to peripheral defects such as occur in glaucoma. Moreover, recent findings on neuroplasticity are often based on population receptive field (pRF) mapping, but interpreting these results is complicated in the absence of appropriate control conditions. Here, we used fMRI-based neural modeling to assess putative changes in pRFs associated with glaucomatous VFD. We compared the fMRI-signals and pRF in glaucoma participants to those of controls with case-matched simulated VFD. We found that the amplitude of the fMRI-signal is reduced in glaucoma compared to control participants and correlated with disease severity. Furthermore, while coarse retinotopic structure is maintained in all participants with glaucoma, we observed local pRF shifts and enlargements in early visual areas, relative to control participants. These differences suggest that the adult brain retains some degree of local neuroplasticity. This finding has translational relevance, as it is consistent with VFD masking, which prevents glaucoma patients from noticing their VFD and seeking timely treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Carvalho
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.421010.60000 0004 0453 9636Pre-Clinical MRI Laboratory, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida de Brasilia, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Azzurra Invernizzi
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Joana Martins
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco J. Renken
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Cognitive Neuroscience Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frans W. Cornelissen
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Doozandeh A, Yazdani S, Pakravan M, Ghasemi Z, Hassanpour K, Hatami M, Ansari I. Risk of Missed Diagnosis of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma by Eye Care Providers. J Curr Ophthalmol 2022; 34:404-408. [PMID: 37180528 PMCID: PMC10170989 DOI: 10.4103/joco.joco_296_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of opportunistic case finding in glaucoma detection and to determine factors associated with failure of glaucoma detection by eye health providers. Methods This study was conducted on 154 new definite primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients presenting to our glaucoma clinic. A questionnaire was prepared to determine if these subjects had sought eye care up to 12 months before presentation. The type of eye care provider and the principal reason for the visit were probed. The primary outcome measure was the frequency of a correct glaucoma diagnosis in their index visit. The secondary outcomes were factors associated with missed POAG diagnosis. Results The great majority of study subjects (132 cases, 85.7%) had sought at least one ocular examination within 1 year before presentation. Among these patients, 73 cases (55.3%) had remained undiagnosed after the examination. Among the probed variables, age, gender, visual acuity, visual field defects, intraocular pressure, cup/disc ratio, nerve fiber layer thickness of the worse eye at presentation, and family history of glaucoma were comparable between correctly diagnosed and missed POAGs. The only factors significantly associated with missed POAG diagnosis were lack of significant refractive errors and visiting an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist. Conclusions The efficacy of opportunistic case finding for POAG seems to be less than ideal in our settings. Lack of a significant refractive error and visiting an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist were associated with a missed diagnosis of POAG. These observations reflect the need to adopt policies to improve glaucoma screening by eye care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Doozandeh
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Address for correspondence: Azadeh Doozandeh, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 23, Paidarfard St., Boostan 9 St., Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran. E-mail:
| | - Shahin Yazdani
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Pakravan
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Ghasemi
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiana Hassanpour
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hatami
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iman Ansari
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Surgical Menopause Impairs Retinal Conductivity and Worsens Prognosis in an Acute Model of Rat Optic Neuropathy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193062. [PMID: 36231022 PMCID: PMC9564175 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of estradiol during the menopausal period is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, including various optic neuropathies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of surgical menopause on the function and survival ratio of RGCs in the rat model of ONC (optic nerve crush). We used eight-week-old female Long Evans rats, divided into two main groups depending on the time between ovariectomy procedure (OVA) and euthanasia (two weeks vs. seven weeks), and subgroups—OVA, OVA + ONC, or ONC. Retinal function was assessed with electroretinography (ERG). RGC loss ratio was evaluated using immunolabelling and counting of RGCs. Seven weeks after OVA, the menopause morphologically affected interneurons but not RGC; however, when the ONC procedure was applied, RGCs appeared to be more susceptible to damage in case of deprivation of estrogens. In our analysis, PhNR (photopic negative responses) were severely diminished in the OVA + ONC group. A deprivation of estrogens in menopause results in accelerated retinal neurodegeneration that firstly involves retinal interneurons. The lack of estrogens increases the susceptibility of RGCs to insults.
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Thomas NM, Nagrale P. Rho Kinase Inhibitors as a Neuroprotective Pharmacological Intervention for the Treatment of Glaucoma. Cureus 2022; 14:e28445. [PMID: 36176819 PMCID: PMC9512308 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and its prevalence has led to research into treatment modalities for glaucoma to prevent the progression of the disease. The primary treatment for glaucoma that has been extensively used is ocular hypotensives to reduce raised intraocular pressure. This treatment has its drawbacks due to the existence of other variants of glaucoma, such as normal-tension glaucoma, where the intraocular pressure is measured to be within regular levels. Hence, there is a need for new treatment interventions which can deliver a better prognosis for glaucoma. Neuroprotection is a new concept studied recently, and neuroprotective agents are being developed for glaucoma therapy. Rho kinase inhibitors are one such neuroprotective agent, and the most recent addition to the class of ocular hypotensives, where they function by reducing raised intraocular pressure. Its neuroprotective capabilities, such as cell survival and axon regeneration, are yet to be determined in detail. This literature review article aims to look into the need for new treatments such as neuroprotection to prevent the progression of glaucoma and the efficacy of rho kinase inhibitors in the treatment of glaucoma, with particular emphasis on its neuroprotective abilities. It also aims to identify the limitations that can occur while approaching neuroprotective therapy, as well as how it can enable future treatment modalities. By exploring this field, blindness caused by progressive glaucoma can be halted and managed by glaucoma therapy.
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16
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Lin J, Xue J, Xu Q, Liu Z, Zhao C, Tang J, Han J, A S, Wang W, Zhuo Y, Li Y. In situ-crosslinked hydrogel-induced experimental glaucoma model with persistent ocular hypertension and neurodegeneration. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:5006-5017. [PMID: 35815806 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm00552b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A reliable animal model providing chronic and persistent ocular hypertension and characteristic neurodegeneration is essential to recapitulate human glaucoma and understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms behind this disease. Many approaches have been tried to establish persistently elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), while no efficient model and no systematic evaluation has been widely accepted yet. Herein, we developed a novel approach to reliably induce persistent IOP elevation using an injectable hydrogel formulated by hyperbranched macromolecular poly(ethylene glycol) (HB-PEG) and thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) under physiological conditions and established a systematic system for model evaluation. By formulation screening, an appropriate hydrogel with proper mechanical property, non-swelling profile and cytocompatibility was selected for further experiment. By intracameral injection, a persistent IOP elevation over 50% above baseline was obtained and it led to progressive retinal ganglion cell loss and ganglion cell complex thickness reduction. The evaluation of the efficacy of the model was thoroughly analyzed by whole-mounts retina immunostaining, optical coherence tomography, and hematoxylin-eosin staining for histological changes and by electroretinography for visual function changes. The N35-P50 amplitude of the pattern electroretinography and the N2-P2 amplitude of the flash visual-evoked potential were decreased, while the scotopic electroretinography showed no statistically significant changes. The in situ-forming HB-PEG/HA-SH hydrogel system could be an appropriate strategy for developing a reliable experimental glaucoma model without any confounding factors. We expect this model would be conducive to the development of neuroprotective and neuro-regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Jingfei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Qian Xu
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Zhe Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Chunyu Zhao
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jiahui Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Jiaxu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Sigen A
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Wenxin Wang
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Yehong Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Yiqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou 510060, China.
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Rossi GCM, Rolle T, De Silvestri A, Sisto D, Mavilio A, Mirabile AV, Paviglianiti A, Strano B, Picasso E, Pasinetti GM, Milano G, Ruberto G. Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Single Blind, Cross-Over Study on the Effect of a Fixed Combination of Citicoline 500 mg Plus Homotaurine 50 mg on Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) in Patients With Open Angle Glaucoma on Well Controlled Intraocular Pressure. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:882335. [PMID: 35572982 PMCID: PMC9106378 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.882335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the potential beneficial and synergistic effects of oral intake of a fixed combination of citicoline 500 mg plus homotaurine 50 mg (CIT/HOMO) on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function in subjects with glaucoma using pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and to investigate the effects on visual field and quality of life. Methods Consecutive patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with controlled IOP (<18 mmHg) receiving beta-blockers and prostaglandin analogs alone or as combination therapy (fixed or un-fixed); with stable disease (progression no more than −1 dB/year at the visual field MD); and an early to moderate visual field defect (MD < −12 dB) were randomized to: arm A. topical therapy + CIT/HOMO for 4 months, 2 months of wash out, 4 months of topical therapy alone; arm B. topical therapy alone for 4 months, topical therapy + CIT/HOMO for 4 months, 2 months of wash out. All patients underwent 4 visits: complete ocular examination, visual field, PERG and quality of life assessment (NEI-VFQ25) were performed at each visit. Results Fifty-seven patients completed the study: 26 in group A and 31 in group B. At the end of the intake period, PERG's P50 and N95 waves recorded a greater amplitude. The increase was statistically significant in the inferior and superior P50 waves amplitude: 0.47 μV (95%CI, 0.02–0.93; p = 0.04) and 0.65 μV (95% CI, 0.16–1.13; p = 0.009), respectively, and in the inferior N95 wave amplitude 0.63 μV (95% CI, 0.22–1.04; p = 0.002). A significantly shorter peak time of 3.3 μV (95% CI, −6.01– −0.54; p = 0.01) was observed for the superior P50 wave only. Conclusions Daily oral intake of the fixed combination CIT/HOMO for 4 months improved the function of inner retinal cells recorded by PERG in the inferior and in the superior quadrants, independently from IOP reduction. This interesting association could represent a valid option for practicing neuromodulation in patients with glaucoma to prevent disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Caterina Maria Rossi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gemma Caterina Maria Rossi ; ; orcid.org/0000-0003-3519-2420
| | - Teresa Rolle
- Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Silvestri
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biometric Unit, Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dario Sisto
- Department of Neuroscience, Eye Clinic, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Venera Mirabile
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Paviglianiti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Strano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Erica Picasso
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Milano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulio Ruberto
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University Eye Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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Zhao J, Li Z, Puri R, Liu K, Nunez I, Chen L, Zheng S. Molecular profiling of individual FDA-approved clinical drugs identifies modulators of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:304-318. [PMID: 35024243 PMCID: PMC8718828 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) degrades transcripts with premature stop codons. Given the prevalence of nonsense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the general population, it is urgent to catalog the effects of clinically approved drugs on NMD activity: any interference could alter the expression of nonsense SNPs, inadvertently inducing adverse effects. This risk is higher for patients with disease-causing nonsense mutations or an illness linked to dysregulated nonsense transcripts. On the other hand, hundreds of disorders are affected by cellular NMD efficiency and may benefit from NMD-modulatory drugs. Here, we profiled individual FDA-approved drugs for their impact on cellular NMD efficiency using a sensitive method that directly probes multiple endogenous NMD targets for a robust readout of NMD modulation. We found most FDA-approved drugs cause unremarkable effects on NMD, while many elicit clear transcriptional responses. Besides several potential mild NMD modulators, the anticancer drug homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine mepesuccinate) consistently upregulates various endogenous NMD substrates in a dose-dependent manner in multiple cell types. We further showed translation inhibition mediates HHT's NMD effect. In summary, many FDA drugs induce transcriptional changes, and a few impact global NMD, and direct measurement of endogenous NMD substrate expression is robust to monitor cellular NMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Zhao
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 91709, USA
| | - Zhelin Li
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 91709, USA
| | - Ruchira Puri
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 91709, USA
| | - Kelvin Liu
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 91709, USA
| | - Israel Nunez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 91709, USA
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sika Zheng
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 91709, USA
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Cáceres-Vélez PR, Hui F, Hercus J, Bui B, Jusuf PR. Restoring the oxidative balance in age-related diseases - An approach in glaucoma. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 75:101572. [PMID: 35065274 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As human life expectancy increases, age-related health issues including neurodegenerative diseases continue to rise. Regardless of genetic or environmental factors, many neurodegenerative conditions share common pathological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, a hallmark of many age-related health burdens. In this review, we describe oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma, an age-related neurodegenerative eye disease affecting 80 million people worldwide. We consider therapeutic approaches used to counteract oxidative stress in glaucoma, including untapped treatment options such as novel plant-derived antioxidant compounds that can reduce oxidative stress and prevent neuronal loss. We summarize the current pre-clinical models and clinical work exploring the therapeutic potential of a range of candidate plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Finally, we explore advances in drug delivery systems, particular those employing nanotechnology-based carriers which hold significant promise as a carrier for antioxidants to treat age-related disease, thus reviewing the key current state of all of the aspects required towards translation.
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Mohamad MHN, Abu IF, Fazel MF, Agarwal R, Iezhitsa I, Juliana N, Mellor IR, Franzyk H. Neuroprotection Against NMDA-Induced Retinal Damage by Philanthotoxin-343 Involves Reduced Nitrosative Stress. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:798794. [PMID: 34970151 PMCID: PMC8714026 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.798794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) overstimulation is known to mediate neurodegeneration, and hence represents a relevant therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders including glaucoma. This study examined the neuroprotective effects of philanthotoxin (PhTX)-343 against NMDA-induced retinal injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups; group 1 received phosphate buffer saline as the negative control, group 2 was injected with NMDA (160 nM) to induce retinal excitotoxic injury, and group 3 was pre-treated with PhTX-343 (160 nM) 24 h before NMDA exposure. All treatments were given intravitreally and bilaterally. Seven days post-treatment, rats were subjected to visual behaviour assessments using open field and colour recognition tests. Rats were then euthanized, and the retinas were harvested and subjected to haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for morphometric analysis and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) ELISA protocol as the nitrosative stress biomarker. PhTX-343 treatment prior to NMDA exposure improved the ability of rats to recognize visual cues and preserved visual functions (i.e., recognition of objects with different colours). Morphological examination of retinal tissues showed that the fractional ganglion cell layer thickness within the inner retina (IR) in the PhTX-343 treated group was greater by 1.28-fold as compared to NMDA-treated rats (p < 0.05) and was comparable to control rats (p > 0.05). Additionally, the number of retinal cell nuclei/100 μm2 in IR for the PhTX-343-treated group was greater by 1.82-fold compared to NMDA-treated rats (p < 0.05) and was comparable to control group (p > 0.05). PhTX-343 also reduced the retinal 3-NT levels by 1.74-fold compared to NMDA-treated rats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, PhTX-343 pretreatment protects against NMDA-induced retinal morphological changes and visual impairment by suppressing nitrosative stress as reflected by the reduced retinal 3-NT level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Izuddin Fahmy Abu
- Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Fattah Fazel
- Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Renu Agarwal
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Igor Iezhitsa
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Pharmacology and Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russian Federation
| | - Norsham Juliana
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Ian R Mellor
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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21
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Proteomic Analysis of Retinal Tissue in an S100B Autoimmune Glaucoma Model. BIOLOGY 2021; 11:biology11010016. [PMID: 35053014 PMCID: PMC8773367 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to damage of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve. Patients display altered antibody profiles and increased antibody titer, e.g., against S100B. To identify the meaning of these antibodies, animals were immunized with S100B. Retinal ganglion cell loss, optic nerve degeneration, and increased glial cell activity were noted. Here, we aimed to gain more insights into the pathophysiology from a proteomic point of view. Hence, rats were immunized with S100B, while controls received sodium chloride. After 7 and 14 days, retinae were analyzed through mass spectrometry and immunohistology. Using data-independent acquisition-based mass spectrometry, we identified more than 1700 proteins on a high confidence level for both study groups, respectively. Of these 1700, 43 proteins were significantly altered in retinae after 7 days and 67 proteins revealed significant alterations at 14 days. For example, α2-macroglobulin was found significantly increased not only by mass spectrometry analysis, but also with immunohistological staining in S100B retinae at 7 and 14 days. All in all, the identified proteins are often associated with the immune system, such as heat shock protein 60. Once more, these data underline the important role of immunological factors in glaucoma pathogenesis.
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22
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Arrigo A, Aragona E, Saladino A, Arrigo D, Fantaguzzi F, Battaglia Parodi M, Bandello F. Cognitive Dysfunctions in Glaucoma: An Overview of Morpho-Functional Mechanisms and the Impact on Higher-Order Visual Function. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:747050. [PMID: 34690746 PMCID: PMC8526892 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.747050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is a chronic, vision-threatening disease, and a major cause of legal blindness. The current view is no longer limited to the progressive optic nerve injury, since growing evidence strongly support the interpretation of glaucoma as a complex neurodegenerative disease. However, the precise pathogenic mechanisms leading to the onset and progression of central nervous system (CNS) impairment, and the functional consequences of this damage, are still partially understood. The main aim of this review is to provide a complete and updated overview of the current knowledge regarding the CNS involvement in glaucoma, and the possible therapeutic perspectives. Methods: We made a careful survey of the current literature reporting all the relevant findings related to the cognitive dysfunctions occurring in glaucoma, with specific remarks dedicated on the higher-order visual function impairment and the possible employment of neuroprotective agents. Results: The current literature strongly support the interpretation of glaucoma as a multifaceted chronic neurodegenerative disease, widely affecting the CNS. The cognitive impairment may vary in terms of higher-order functions involvement and in the severity of the degeneration. Although several neuroprotective agents are currently available, the development of new molecules represents a major topic of investigation for future clinical trials. Conclusions: Glaucoma earned the right to be fully considered a neurodegenerative disease. Glaucomatous patients may experience a heterogeneous set of visual and cognitive symptoms, progressively deteriorating the quality of life. Neuroprotection is nowadays a necessary therapeutic goal and a future promising way to preserve visual and cognitive functions, thus improving patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Arrigo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Aragona
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Saladino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Arrigo
- School of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Federico Fantaguzzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Bandello
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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23
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Magnesium Hydroxide Nanoparticles Improve the Ocular Hypotensive Effect of Twice Daily Topical Timolol Maleate in Healthy Dogs. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8080168. [PMID: 34437490 PMCID: PMC8402916 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8080168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Timolol maleate (TM), a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is widely used for canine antiglaucoma eye drops; however, its bioavailability is <5%. Our previous study revealed that magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles (nMH) have potency in improving the bioavailability of fixed-combined TM in rodent models. This study aimed to investigate whether the fixed combination with nMH improves the ocular hypotensive effect of TM and affects pupil size (PS), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in clinically healthy dogs. Five clinically healthy dogs were administered topical saline, commercial 0.5% TM, and a 0.01% or 0.1% nMH–0.5% TM fixed combination (0.01% or 0.1% nMH–TM) twice daily in one eye for 7 days with at least a 28-day interval. The changes from baseline were calculated and were statistically analyzed for each drug. IOP was significantly reduced in both 0.01% and 0.1% nMH–TM-treated-dogs compared with saline- and TM-treated dogs. Meanwhile, 0.01% and 0.1% nMH did not exacerbate the side effects of TM. From these results, nMH improved the ocular hypotensive effect of TM without enhancing side effects. Topical nMH–TM is potentially more effective for canine ocular hypotensive eye drops than TM.
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24
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Scholl HPN, Boyer D, Giani A, Chong V. The use of neuroprotective agents in treating geographic atrophy. Ophthalmic Res 2021; 64:888-902. [PMID: 34153966 DOI: 10.1159/000517794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik P N Scholl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Boyer
- Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrea Giani
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Victor Chong
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
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25
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Takahashi N, Matsunaga N, Natsume T, Kitazawa C, Itani Y, Hama A, Hayashi I, Shimazawa M, Hara H, Takamatsu H. A longitudinal comparison in cynomolgus macaques of the effect of brimonidine on optic nerve neuropathy using diffusion tensor imaging magnetic resonance imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06701. [PMID: 33898826 PMCID: PMC8056221 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Early detection of optic neuropathy is crucial for initiating treatment that could delay or prevent visual field loss. Preclinical studies have advanced a number of potential neuroprotective strategies to prevent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration, but none have successfully completed clinical trials. One issue related to the lack of preclinical to clinical translation is the lack of preclinical morphometric assessments that could be used to track neuroprotection, as well as neurodegeneration, over time within the same animal. Thus, to assess whether clinically used morphometric assessments can identify neuroprotection of RGC, the current study compared optic nerve fractional anisotropy (FA) obtained with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to observe not only the early progression of RGC axonal degeneration but to also discern which imaging modality identifies signs of neuroprotection during treatment with the alpha-adrenoceptor agonist brimonidine. Elevated and sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) was observed following laser photocoagulation of the trabecular meshwork in one eye of nonhuman primates (NHP). Either brimonidine (0.1%) or control treatment was instilled twice daily for two months. In control-treated eyes, increased IOP, increased vertical cup-to-disc (C/D), reduced rim-to-disc (R/D) ratio, decreased RNFL thickness and decreased FA were observed. While IOP remained elevated during the course of the study, brimonidine tended to delay the progression of RNFL thinning. However, in the same animal, optic nerve FA did not appear to decline. Brimonidine treatment did not affect other measures of RGC axonal degeneration. The current findings demonstrate that early progression of optic neuropathy can be tracked over time in a nonhuman primate model of ocular hypertension using either DTI or SD-OCT. Furthermore, the delayed changes to RNFL thickness and FA appear to be a neuroprotective effect of brimonidine independent of its effect on IOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Takahashi
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
| | - Naoko Matsunaga
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
| | - Takahiro Natsume
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Kitazawa
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Itani
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
| | - Aldric Hama
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
| | - Ikuo Hayashi
- Hamamatsu Pharma Research USA, Inc., 4660 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92122 USA
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takamatsu
- Pharmacology, Hamamatsu Pharma Research, Inc., 1-3-7, Shinmiyakoda, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-2103, Japan
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26
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Hanekamp S, Ćurčić-Blake B, Caron B, McPherson B, Timmer A, Prins D, Boucard CC, Yoshida M, Ida M, Hunt D, Jansonius NM, Pestilli F, Cornelissen FW. White matter alterations in glaucoma and monocular blindness differ outside the visual system. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6866. [PMID: 33767217 PMCID: PMC7994383 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85602-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The degree to which glaucoma has effects in the brain beyond the eye and the visual pathways is unclear. To clarify this, we investigated white matter microstructure (WMM) in 37 tracts of patients with glaucoma, monocular blindness, and controls. We used brainlife.io for reproducibility. White matter tracts were subdivided into seven categories ranging from those primarily involved in vision (the visual white matter) to those primarily involved in cognition and motor control. In the vision tracts, WMM was decreased as measured by fractional anisotropy in both glaucoma and monocular blind subjects compared to controls, suggesting neurodegeneration due to reduced sensory inputs. A test-retest approach was used to validate these results. The pattern of results was different in monocular blind subjects, where WMM properties increased outside the visual white matter as compared to controls. This pattern of results suggests that whereas in the monocular blind loss of visual input might promote white matter reorganization outside of the early visual system, such reorganization might be reduced or absent in glaucoma. The results provide indirect evidence that in glaucoma unknown factors might limit the reorganization as seen in other patient groups following visual loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hanekamp
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Luddy School of Informatics and Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Branislava Ćurčić-Blake
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bradley Caron
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Program in Vision Science, School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Brent McPherson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Anneleen Timmer
- Laboratory for Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Doety Prins
- Laboratory for Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Christine C Boucard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Yoshida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ida
- Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization Mito Medical Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - David Hunt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Nomdo M Jansonius
- Laboratory for Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Franco Pestilli
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Luddy School of Informatics and Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Program in Vision Science, School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
| | - Frans W Cornelissen
- Laboratory for Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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27
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Neurodegeneration, Neuroprotection and Regeneration in the Zebrafish Retina. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030633. [PMID: 33809186 PMCID: PMC8000332 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative retinal diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, involve a gradual loss of neurons in the retina as the disease progresses. Central nervous system neurons are not able to regenerate in mammals, therefore, an often sought after course of treatment for neuronal loss follows a neuroprotective or regenerative strategy. Neuroprotection is the process of preserving the structure and function of the neurons that have survived a harmful insult; while regenerative approaches aim to replace or rewire the neurons and synaptic connections that were lost, or induce regrowth of damaged axons or dendrites. In order to test the neuroprotective effectiveness or the regenerative capacity of a particular agent, a robust experimental model of retinal neuronal damage is essential. Zebrafish are being used more often in this type of study because their eye structure and development is well-conserved between zebrafish and mammals. Zebrafish are robust genetic tools and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. The large array of functional and behavioral tests available in zebrafish makes them an attractive model for neuroprotection studies. Some common insults used to model retinal disease and study neuroprotection in zebrafish include intense light, chemical toxicity and mechanical damage. This review covers the existing retinal neuroprotection and regeneration literature in the zebrafish and highlights their potential for future studies.
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28
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Exploiting biomaterial approaches to manufacture an artificial trabecular meshwork: A progress report. BIOMATERIALS AND BIOSYSTEMS 2021; 1:100011. [PMID: 36825164 PMCID: PMC9934513 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbiosy.2021.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy in which permanent loss of peripheral vision results from neurodegeneration in the optic nerve head. The trabecular meshwork is responsible for regulating intraocular pressure, which to date, is the only modifiable risk factor associated with the development of glaucoma. Lowering intraocular pressure reduces glaucoma progression and current surgical approaches for glaucoma attempt to reduce outflow resistance through the trabecular meshwork. Many surgical approaches use minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) to control glaucoma. In this progress report, biomaterials currently employed to treat glaucoma, such as MIGS, and the issues associated with them are described. The report also discusses innovative biofabrication approaches that aim to revolutionise glaucoma treatment through tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). At present, there are very few applications targeted towards TM engineering in vivo, with a great proportion of these biomaterial structures being developed for in vitro model use. This is a consequence of the many anatomical and physiological attributes that must be considered when designing a TERM device for microscopic tissues, such as the trabecular meshwork. Ongoing advancements in TERM research from multi-disciplinary teams should lead to the development of a state-of-the-art device to restore trabecular meshwork function and provide a bio-engineering solution to improve patient outcomes.
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29
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Kang TK, Le TT, Kim KA, Kim YJ, Lee WB, Jung SH. Roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon promotes retinal cell survival in optic nerve crush-induced retinal degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2020; 203:108419. [PMID: 33383026 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Lithospermum erythrorhizon (L. erythrorhizon), used in traditional medicine, is a potent wound healing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant plant. However, the effects of L. erythrorhizon on retinal degenerative diseases remain unknown. Here, we explored the protective effects of L. erythrorhizon in in vitro and in vivo retinal degeneration. We found that ethanol extract of L. erythrorhizon (EELE) and the dichloromethane fraction of L. erythrorhizon (MCLE) significantly increased cell viability under glutamate/BSO-induced excitotoxicity/oxidative stress in R28 cells. Treatment with EELE and MCLE reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels of apoptotic proteins, such as cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, oral administration of EELE and MCLE in an in vivo optic nerve crush mouse model decreased RGC cell death and increased retinal thickness. The major compound between EELE and MCLE was found to be lithospermic acid A (LAA), which has been shown to prevent the elevation of ROS in R28. Therefore, EELE and MCLE have protective effects against the death of retinal cells in vitro and in vivo, and the major compound, LAA, has an antioxidant effect on retinal cells, suggesting that EELE and MCLE could be beneficial agents for retinal degenerative diseases, including glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Kyeom Kang
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Tam Thi Le
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-A Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Joo Kim
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea
| | - Wook-Bin Lee
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang Hoon Jung
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Gangneung, 25451, Republic of Korea.
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Curcumin Metabolite Tetrahydrocurcumin in the Treatment of Eye Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010212. [PMID: 33379248 PMCID: PMC7795090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is one of the most valuable natural products due to its pharmacological activities. However, the low bioavailability of curcumin has long been a problem for its medicinal use. Large studies have been conducted to improve the use of curcumin; among these studies, curcumin metabolites have become a relatively new research focus over the past few years. Additionally, accumulating evidence suggests that curcumin or curcuminoid metabolites have similar or better biological activity than the precursor of curcumin. Recent studies focus on the protective role of plasma tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a main metabolite of curcumin, against tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases. Nevertheless, studies of THC in eye diseases have not yet been conducted. Since ophthalmic conditions play a crucial role in worldwide public health, the prevention and treatment of ophthalmic diseases are of great concern. Therefore, the present study investigated the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and neuroprotective effects of THC on four major ocular diseases: age-related cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). While this study aimed to show curcumin as a promising potential solution for eye conditions and discusses the involved mechanistic pathways, further work is required for the clinical application of curcumin.
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Rahić O, Tucak A, Omerović N, Sirbubalo M, Hindija L, Hadžiabdić J, Vranić E. Novel Drug Delivery Systems Fighting Glaucoma: Formulation Obstacles and Solutions. Pharmaceutics 2020; 13:E28. [PMID: 33375224 PMCID: PMC7824381 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is considered to be one of the biggest health problems in the world. It is the main cause of preventable blindness due to its asymptomatic nature in the early stages on the one hand and patients' non-adherence on the other. There are several approaches in glaucoma treatment, whereby this has to be individually designed for each patient. The first-line treatment is medication therapy. However, taking into account numerous disadvantages of conventional ophthalmic dosage forms, intensive work has been carried out on the development of novel drug delivery systems for glaucoma. This review aims to provide an overview of formulation solutions and strategies in the development of in situ gel systems, nanosystems, ocular inserts, contact lenses, collagen corneal shields, ocular implants, microneedles, and iontophoretic devices. The results of studies confirming the effectiveness of the aforementioned drug delivery systems were also briefly presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ognjenka Rahić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.T.); (M.S.); (L.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Amina Tucak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.T.); (M.S.); (L.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Naida Omerović
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Merima Sirbubalo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.T.); (M.S.); (L.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Lamija Hindija
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.T.); (M.S.); (L.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Jasmina Hadžiabdić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.T.); (M.S.); (L.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Edina Vranić
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (A.T.); (M.S.); (L.H.); (J.H.)
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Takayanagi Y, Takai Y, Kaidzu S, Tanito M. Evaluation of Redox Profiles of the Serum and Aqueous Humor in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Exfoliation Glaucoma. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E1305. [PMID: 33352680 PMCID: PMC7765903 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is thought to play a significant role in the development of glaucoma. However, the association between systemic and local oxidative stresses in different types of glaucoma has not been assessed fully. The current study compared the redox status in the aqueous humor (AH) and blood samples among eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), exfoliation glaucoma (EXG), and non-glaucomatous controls to evaluate the relationship among systemic redox status, intraocular oxidative stress, and clinical backgrounds. AH and blood samples were obtained from 45 eyes of 45 Japanese subjects (15 POAG, 15 EXG, and 15 control eyes). The serum levels of lipid peroxides, ferric-reducing activity, and thiol antioxidant activity were measured by diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (dROM), biologic antioxidant potential (BAP), and sulfhydryl (SH) tests, respectively, using a free radical analyzer. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial forms of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms, i.e., SOD1 and SOD2, respectively, in AH and serum were measured using a multiplex bead immunoassay. In AH, SOD1 in subjects with EXG and SOD2 in those with POAG and EXG were significantly higher than in control eyes. In serum, compared to control subjects, BAP in subjects with POAG and EXG was significantly lower; SOD1 in those with EXG and SOD2 in those with POAG and EXG were significantly higher. dROM and SH did not differ significantly among the groups. The BAP values were correlated negatively with the SOD1 concentrations in AH and serum, SOD2 in the AH, intraocular pressure, and number of antiglaucoma medications. In conclusion, lower systemic antioxidant capacity accompanies up-regulation of higher local antioxidant enzymes, suggesting increased oxidative stress in eyes with OAG, especially in EXG. Determination of the systemic BAP values may help predict the redox status in AH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Masaki Tanito
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo 693-8501, Japan; (Y.T.); (Y.T.); (S.K.)
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Scuteri D, Bagetta G, Nucci C, Aiello F, Cesareo M, Tonin P, Corasaniti MT. Evidence on the neuroprotective properties of brimonidine in glaucoma. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 257:155-166. [PMID: 32988470 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness all over the world. The degree of visual field loss accounts for the severity of the disease and represents the main clinical outcome of treatment for patients affected by glaucoma. The α2 agonists, like brimonidine, emerged in the 1960s as topical ophthalmologic treatment. Their neuroprotective mechanism in glaucoma is still debated, ranging from effect on extracellular glutamate, to ocular hypotension and blood flow. OBJECTIVES this systematic review and meta-analysis aims at assessing the efficacy of brimonidine on visual field deterioration during glaucoma through the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach. Databases consulted: the literature search has been performed on PubMed, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov and Scopus up to June 10th, 2020. Study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions: clinical trials assessing the effects of brimonidine on visual field in patients with glaucoma. Study appraisal: the eligibility of the studies has been assessed by two independent authors and the selection has followed the PRISMA flow diagram. The retrieved results have been subjected to risk of bias evaluation. RESULTS the search of literature has retrieved 418 papers, among which 5 are eligible for inclusion in the qualitative analysis. All the studies present high heterogeneity, therefore meta-analysis has not been possible. The results obtained suggest that brimonidine improves visual field, but the design of the clinical trials rises some concerns in terms of risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS the evidence of neuroprotective effect of brimonidine is inconclusive and needs stronger support. Large double-blind randomized clinical trials are necessary to strengthen this evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiana Scuteri
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Giacinto Bagetta
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
| | - Carlo Nucci
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Aiello
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Cesareo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Tonin
- Regional Center for Serious Brain Injuries, S. Anna Institute, Crotone, Italy
| | - Maria Tiziana Corasaniti
- School of Hospital Pharmacy, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro and Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Fazel MF, Abu IF, Mohamad MHN, Agarwal R, Iezhitsa I, Bakar NS, Juliana N, Mellor IR, Franzyk H. Philanthotoxin-343 attenuates retinal and optic nerve injury, and protects visual function in rats with N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced excitotoxicity. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236450. [PMID: 32706792 PMCID: PMC7380593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and optic neuropathy, both hallmarks of glaucoma, have been shown to involve N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitotoxicity. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Philanthotoxin (PhTX)-343 in NMDA-induced retinal injury to alleviate ensuing visual impairments. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three; Group I was intravitreally injected with phosphate buffer saline as the control, Group II was injected with NMDA (160 nM) to induce retinal excitotoxic injury, while Group III was injected with PhTX-343 (160 nM) 24 h prior to excitotoxicity induction with NMDA. Rats were subjected to visual behaviour tests seven days post-treatment and subsequently euthanized. Rat retinas and optic nerves were subjected to H&E and toluidine blue staining, respectively. Histological assessments showed that NMDA exposure resulted in significant loss of retinal cell nuclei and thinning of ganglion cell layer (GCL). PhTX-343 pre-treatment prevented NMDA-induced changes where the RGC layer morphology is similar to the control. The numbers of nuclei in the NMDA group were markedly lower compared to the control (p<0.05). PhTX-343 group had significantly higher numbers of nuclei within 100 μm length and 100 μm2 area of GCL (2.9- and 1.7-fold, respectively) compared to NMDA group (p<0.05). PhTX-343 group also displayed lesser optic nerve fibres degeneration compared to NMDA group which showed vacuolation in all sections. In the visual behaviour test, the NMDA group recorded higher total distance travelled, and lower total immobile time and episodes compared to the control and PhTX-343 groups (p<0.05). Object recognition tests showed that the rats in PhTX-343 group could recognize objects better, whereas the same objects were identified as novel by NMDA rats despite multiple exposures (p<0.05). Visual performances in the PhTX-343 group were all comparable with the control (p>0.05). These findings suggested that PhTX-343 inhibit retinal cell loss, optic nerve damage, and visual impairments in NMDA-induced rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Fattah Fazel
- Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Izuddin Fahmy Abu
- Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Renu Agarwal
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Igor Iezhitsa
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Salmah Bakar
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norsham Juliana
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Indah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ian R. Mellor
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wang F, Ma F, Song Y, Li N, Li X, Pang Y, Hu P, Shao A, Deng C, Zhang X. Topical administration of rapamycin promotes retinal ganglion cell survival and reduces intraocular pressure in a rat glaucoma model. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 884:173369. [PMID: 32712092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that has become the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Studies have shown that the protein mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a central role in regulating numerous functions, such as growth, proliferation, cytoskeletal organization, metabolism, and autophagy. Clinical trials have shown that Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitors reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT). In this study, we explored whether rapamycin (RAPA) eye drops can reduce IOP and protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Our results indicated that in rats treated with RAPA, the drug was detected in the aqueous humor (AH), and the IOP was reduced. This may be related to the inhibition of RhoA protein activation by RAPA and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. In addition, the retinal thickness and the survival rate of RGCs were significantly reduced in the OHT group compared with the control group. These changes in the OHT group were significantly improved after treatment with RAPA. This may be because RAPA inhibited the activation of glial cells and the release of proinflammatory factors, thereby attenuating further damage to the retina and RGCs. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that RAPA not only reduced IOP but also protected RGCs, suggesting that RAPA is likely to be an effective strategy for the treatment of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Wang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - Fangli Ma
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuning Song
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China; Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ningfeng Li
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiongfeng Li
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - Yulian Pang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - Piaopiao Hu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - An Shao
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China; Queen Mary School of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Cong Deng
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nanchang, China.
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Behtaj S, Öchsner A, Anissimov YG, Rybachuk M. Retinal Tissue Bioengineering, Materials and Methods for the Treatment of Glaucoma. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 17:253-269. [PMID: 32390117 PMCID: PMC7260329 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-020-00254-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glaucoma, a characteristic type of optic nerve degeneration in the posterior pole of the eye, is a common cause of irreversible vision loss and the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. As an optic neuropathy, glaucoma is identified by increasing degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), with consequential vision loss. Current treatments only postpone the development of retinal degeneration, and there are as yet no treatments available for this disability. Recent studies have shown that replacing lost or damaged RGCs with healthy RGCs or RGC precursors, supported by appropriately designed bio-material scaffolds, could facilitate the development and enhancement of connections to ganglion cells and optic nerve axons. The consequence may be an improved retinal regeneration. This technique could also offer the possibility for retinal regeneration in treating other forms of optic nerve ailments through RGC replacement. METHODS In this brief review, we describe the innovations and recent developments in retinal regenerative medicine such as retinal organoids and gene therapy which are specific to glaucoma treatment and focus on the selection of appropriate bio-engineering principles, biomaterials and cell therapies that are presently employed in this growing research area. RESULTS Identification of optimal sources of cells, improving cell survival, functional integration upon transplantation, and developing techniques to deliver cells into the retinal space without provoking immune responses are the main challenges in retinal cell replacement therapies. CONCLUSION The restoration of visual function in glaucoma patients by the RGC replacement therapies requires appropriate protocols and biotechnology methods. Tissue-engineered scaffolds, the generation of retinal organoids, and gene therapy may help to overcome some of the challenges in the generation of clinically safe RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Behtaj
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Engineering Drive, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, West Creek Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Cell Science Research Centre, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Andreas Öchsner
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Kanalstrasse 33, 73728, Esslingen, Germany
| | - Yuri G Anissimov
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, West Creek Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119146, Russia
| | - Maksym Rybachuk
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, West Creek Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Esteban-Pérez S, Andrés-Guerrero V, López-Cano JJ, Molina-Martínez I, Herrero-Vanrell R, Bravo-Osuna I. Gelatin Nanoparticles-HPMC Hybrid System for Effective Ocular Topical Administration of Antihypertensive Agents. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E306. [PMID: 32231033 PMCID: PMC7238113 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12040306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increment in ocular drug bioavailability after topical administration is one of the main challenges in pharmaceutical technology. For several years, different strategies based on nanotechnology, hydrogels or implants have been evaluated. Nowadays, the tolerance of ophthalmic preparations has become a critical issue and it is essential to the use of well tolerated excipients. In the present work, we have explored the potential of gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) loaded with timolol maleate (TM), a beta-adrenergic blocker widely used in the clinic for glaucoma treatment and a hybrid system of TM-GNPs included in a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) viscous solution. The TM- loaded nanoparticles (mean particle size of 193 ± 20 nm and drug loading of 0.291 ± 0.019 mg TM/mg GNPs) were well tolerated both in vitro (human corneal cells) and in vivo. The in vivo efficacy studies performed in normotensive rabbits demonstrated that these gelatin nanoparticles were able to achieve the same hypotensive effect as a marketed formulation (0.5% TM) containing a 5-fold lower concentration of the drug. When comparing commercial and TM-GNPs formulations with the same TM dose, nanoparticles generated an increased efficacy with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) (from 21% to 30%) and an augmentation of 1.7-fold in the area under the curve (AUC)(0-12h). On the other hand, the combination of timolol-loaded nanoparticles (TM 0.1%) and the viscous polymer HPMC 0.3%, statistically improved the IOP reduction up to 30% (4.65 mmHg) accompanied by a faster time of maximum effect (tmax = 1 h). Furthermore, the hypotensive effect was extended for four additional hours, reaching a pharmacological activity that lasted 12 h after a single instillation of this combination, and leading to an AUC(0-12h) 2.5-fold higher than the one observed for the marketed formulation. According to the data presented in this work, the use of hybrid systems that combine well tolerated gelatin nanoparticles and a viscous agent could be a promising alternative in the management of high intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Esteban-Pérez
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM 920415, Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.E.-P.); (V.A.-G.); (J.J.L.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (R.H.-V.)
- Sanitary Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC) San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Ocular Pathology National Net (OFTARED) of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanessa Andrés-Guerrero
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM 920415, Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.E.-P.); (V.A.-G.); (J.J.L.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (R.H.-V.)
- Sanitary Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC) San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Ocular Pathology National Net (OFTARED) of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Javier López-Cano
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM 920415, Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.E.-P.); (V.A.-G.); (J.J.L.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (R.H.-V.)
- Sanitary Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC) San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Ocular Pathology National Net (OFTARED) of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Molina-Martínez
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM 920415, Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.E.-P.); (V.A.-G.); (J.J.L.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (R.H.-V.)
- Sanitary Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC) San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Ocular Pathology National Net (OFTARED) of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio Herrero-Vanrell
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM 920415, Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.E.-P.); (V.A.-G.); (J.J.L.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (R.H.-V.)
- Sanitary Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC) San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Ocular Pathology National Net (OFTARED) of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Bravo-Osuna
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM 920415, Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.E.-P.); (V.A.-G.); (J.J.L.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (R.H.-V.)
- Sanitary Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC) San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Ocular Pathology National Net (OFTARED) of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Calle Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Neuroprotective Strategies for Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration: Current Status and Challenges Ahead. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072262. [PMID: 32218163 PMCID: PMC7177277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the output cells of the retina into the brain. In mammals, these cells are not able to regenerate their axons after optic nerve injury, leaving the patients with optic neuropathies with permanent visual loss. An effective RGCs-directed therapy could provide a beneficial effect to prevent the progression of the disease. Axonal injury leads to the functional loss of RGCs and subsequently induces neuronal death, and axonal regeneration would be essential to restore the neuronal connectivity, and to reestablish the function of the visual system. The manipulation of several intrinsic and extrinsic factors has been proposed in order to stimulate axonal regeneration and functional repairing of axonal connections in the visual pathway. However, there is a missing point in the process since, until now, there is no therapeutic strategy directed to promote axonal regeneration of RGCs as a therapeutic approach for optic neuropathies.
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Gandolfi S, Marchini G, Caporossi A, Scuderi G, Tomasso L, Brunoro A. Cytidine 5'-Diphosphocholine (Citicoline): Evidence for a Neuroprotective Role in Glaucoma. Nutrients 2020; 12:E793. [PMID: 32197303 PMCID: PMC7146438 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma, a heterogeneous set of progressively degenerative optic neuropathies characterized by a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and typical visual field deficits that can progress to blindness, is a neurodegenerative disease involving both ocular and visual brain structures. Although elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the most important modifiable risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and is the main therapeutic target in treating glaucoma, other factors that influence the disease course are involved and reaching the optimal IOP target does not stop the progression of glaucoma, as the visual field continues to narrow. In addition to a managed IOP, neuroprotection may be beneficial by slowing the progression of glaucoma and improving the visual defects. Citicoline (cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine) is a naturally occurring endogenous compound that has been investigated as a novel therapeutic agent for the management of glaucoma. Citicoline has demonstrated activity in a range of central neurodegenerative diseases, and experimental evidence suggests a it performs a neuromodulator and neuroprotective role on neuronal cells, including RGCs, associated with improvement in visual function, extension of the visual field and central benefits for the patient. This review aims to critically summarize the current evidence for the neuroprotective properties of citicoline in glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Gandolfi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Biological, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Marchini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, P. le L. A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Aldo Caporossi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy., Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gianluca Scuderi
- Ophthalmology Unit, St. Andrea Hospital, NESMOS Department, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Livia Tomasso
- Bausch & Lomb IOM spa Viale Martesana 12, 20090 Vimodrone (MI), Italy;
| | - Andrea Brunoro
- Bausch & Lomb IOM spa Viale Martesana 12, 20090 Vimodrone (MI), Italy;
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Ginseng for an eye: effects of ginseng on ocular diseases. J Ginseng Res 2020; 44:1-7. [PMID: 32095091 PMCID: PMC7033367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The sense of vision is the primary means by which we gather information from our surroundings, and vision loss, therefore, severely compromises the life of the affected individuals, their families, and society. Loss of vision becomes more frequent with age, and diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma are the major causes of vision impairment. To find active pharmacological compounds that might prevent or ameliorate the vision-threatening eye diseases, numerous studies have been performed, and some botanical compounds, including those extracted from ginseng, have been shown to possess beneficial effects in the treatment or prevention of common ocular diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent reports investigating the therapeutic effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on diverse ocular diseases and discuss their therapeutic potential.
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Yadav KS, Sharma S, Londhe VY. Bio-tactics for neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in the treatment of glaucoma. Life Sci 2020; 243:117303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Zhang M, Chen L, Xu F, Jiang L, Yan W, Kunwar B, Tang F, Yang K, Shen C, Huang H, Lv J, Qin C, Wu X, Zeng S, Li M, Zhong S, Chen Q. Involvement of Upregulated P53-Induced Death Domain Protein in Retinal Ganglion Cells Apoptosis After Optic Nerve Crush. Curr Mol Med 2019; 20:51-59. [PMID: 31533600 DOI: 10.2174/1566524019666190918160032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose:
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) apoptosis is a common characteristic
of optic neuropathies. p53-induced protein with a death domain (PIDD) is a well-known
regulator of genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis, which is constitutively cleaved into
three main fragments: PIDD-N, PIDD-C and PIDD-CC. Thus, we aim to determine the
physiological relevance of PIDD in RGCs apoptosis in an optic nerve crush (ONC)
model.
Methods:
All animals were evenly randomized into four groups: sham-control group,
con-siRNA group, ONC group, and PIDD-siRNA group (ONC +PIDD-siRNA).
Expressions of PIDD, caspase-2, Brn3a and tBid in ONC model were analyzed by
Western blot and immunofluorescence. Mean densities of RGCs/mm2 were calculated
with Fluoro-Gold (FG). Moreover, we tested the effect of PIDD-siRNA on ONC-induced
RGCs apoptosis using TUNEL staining.
Results:
The level of full-length PIDD was weakly present and showed no significant
differences at any time points. PIDD-CC and PIDD-C were significantly up-regulated in
the retina at 3 days after ONC. Meanwhile, the expression of PIDD was significantly
increased in Brn3a (a marker of RGCs) positive cells, indicating that the localization of
PIDD appeared to be confined to RGCs. Furthermore, inhibition of PIDD prevented
RGCs apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-2 and tBid activation.
Conclusions:
Taken together, PIDD may play a crucial role in RGCs apoptosis after
ONC, and this process may be relevant to caspase-2 and tBid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyuan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Lifei Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Fan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Wenya Yan
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Bibhav Kunwar
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Fen Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chaolan Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chen Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaonian Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Siming Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shan Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
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43
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González Fleitas MF, Devouassoux JD, Aranda ML, Calanni JS, Chianelli MS, Dorfman D, Rosenstein RE. Enriched environment provides neuroprotection against experimental glaucoma. J Neurochem 2019; 152:103-121. [PMID: 31587281 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the most frequent causes of visual impairment worldwide, and involves selective damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. We analyzed the effect of enriched environment (EE) housing on the optic nerve, and retinal alterations in an induced model of ocular hypertension. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were weekly injected with vehicle or chondroitin sulfate (CS) into the eye anterior chamber for 10 weeks and housed in standard environment or EE. EE housing prevented the effect of experimental glaucoma on visual evoked potentials, retinal anterograde transport, phosphorylated neurofilament-immunoreactivity, axon number, microglial/macrophage reactivity (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1-immunoreactivity), and astrocytosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunostaining), as well as oligodendrocytes alterations (luxol fast blue staining, and myelin basic protein-immunoreactivity) in the proximal portion of the optic nerve. Moreover EE prevented the increase in ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 levels, and RGC loss (Brn3a-immunoreactivity) in the retina from hypertensive eyes. EE increased retinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. When EE housing started after 6 weeks of ocular hypertension, a preservation of visual evoked potentials amplitude, axon, and Brn3a(+) RGC number was observed. Taken together, these results suggest that EE preserved visual functions, reduced optic nerve axoglial alterations, and protected RGCs against glaucomatous damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F González Fleitas
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julián D Devouassoux
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos L Aranda
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan S Calanni
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Monica S Chianelli
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Damián Dorfman
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ruth E Rosenstein
- Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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44
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Núñez-Álvarez C, Osborne N. Blue light exacerbates and red light counteracts negative insults to retinal ganglion cells in situ and R28 cells in vitro. Neurochem Int 2019; 125:187-196. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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45
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Nakagawa A, Sakai O, Tokushige H, Fujishiro T, Aihara M. Development and characterization of a new rat ocular hypertension model induced by intracameral injection of conjunctival fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6593. [PMID: 31036934 PMCID: PMC6488598 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43048-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that leads to visual field loss. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying glaucoma is essential for developing new treatments, such as neuroprotective drugs. Various glaucoma models based on the induction of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation have been established for use in glaucoma studies. However, the time-dependent pathological changes accompanying IOP elevation have not been fully elucidated. In this study, rat conjunctival fibroblasts were injected into the anterior chamber of rat eyes, and IOP elevation was induced for 28 days. Glaucomatous signs such as optic nerve head cupping, retinal thinning, glial activation and apoptotic signaling in the retina were obvious in the cell-injected eyes on the 14th day after injection. The pattern of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss differed by the magnitude of IOP elevation. The number of RGCs decreased by 37.5% in eyes with IOP lower than 50 mmHg (Under-50) and by 88.0% in those with IOP higher than 50 mmHg (Over-50) 28 days after cell injection. The RGC counts were correlated with IOP in the Under-50 group but not in the Over-50 group. Our model may contribute to the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms of glaucoma and the development of new glaucoma treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Nakagawa
- Central Research Laboratories, Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 6-4-3, Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuoku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Osamu Sakai
- Central Research Laboratories, Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 6-4-3, Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuoku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hideki Tokushige
- Central Research Laboratories, Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 6-4-3, Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuoku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Takashi Fujishiro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Makoto Aihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
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46
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Ye D, Shi Y, Xu Y, Huang J. PACAP Attenuates Optic Nerve Crush-Induced Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis Via Activation of the CREB-Bcl-2 Pathway. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 68:475-484. [PMID: 30993644 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01309-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis is considered an important pathological hallmark of glaucoma. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic peptide with potent neuroprotective properties. In our previous study, we found that the expression of PACAP and its high-affinity receptor PACAP receptor type 1 (PAC1R) increased markedly after optic nerve crush (ONC), and occurred mainly in the ganglion cell layer of the retina. This suggests that the upregulation of PACAP may play a vital role in inhibiting RGC death after ONC. Therefore, in the present study, we investigate the specific effects and underlying mechanism of PACAP in RGC death after ONC. Vehicle (physiological saline) or PACAP (1 nM to 200 nM) solution was injected into the vitreous body. Seven days later, the retinas were harvested, and the surviving RGCs were retrogradely labeled with Fluoro-Gold (FG; Fluorochrome) at different concentrations of PACAP. Immunofluorescence double staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to observe the effects of PACAP on RGC apoptosis. Our results showed that PACAP treatment inhibited caspase-3-mediated RGC apoptosis, promoted the phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), up-regulated the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and ultimately improved RGC survival. These results suggest that PACAP may prevent RGC apoptosis after ONC via activation of CREB-mediated Bcl-2 transcription. The study thus contributes to a basic understanding of the mechanism by which PACAP decreased RGC apoptosis and provides a theoretical basis for future clinical application of PACAP in the treatment of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 7 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Yuxun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 7 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Yue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 7 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 7 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
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47
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Jia Y, Jiang S, Chen C, Lu G, Xie Y, Sun X, Huang L. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester attenuates nuclear factor‑κB‑mediated inflammatory responses in Müller cells and protects against retinal ganglion cell death. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:4863-4871. [PMID: 31059064 PMCID: PMC6522951 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is characterized by the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and visual field defects, and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural polyphenolic found in propolis from honeybee hives, can inhibit the activation of nuclear factor κ light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and has therapeutic potential in inflammatory disease. The present study used a rat model of optic nerve crush (ONC) injury to investigate the effect of CAPE on glaucoma. The death of RGCs at day 14 was significantly reduced in CAPE-treated animals compared with the non-treated group according to Brn3a and TUNEL staining. In addition, CAPE decreased the severity of inflammation in the retina, reflected by the decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cycloooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α and chemokine C-C ligand-2, in CAPE-treated rats. The hypertrophy of astrocytes and Müller cells (gliosis) caused by ONC was also found to be attenuated by CAPE, accompanied by the inhibition of NF-κB signaling. Similarly, in vitro, CAPE suppressed the proliferation and migration of primary astrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide, as well as the activation of NF-κB. These results suggest that CAPE protected against RGC and attenuated inflammatory responses in a rat model of ONC by suppressing NF-κB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Jia
- Eye Institute, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Shengqun Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233000, P.R. China
| | - Chen Chen
- Eye Institute, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Guohua Lu
- Eye Institute, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Xie
- Eye Institute, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Xincheng Sun
- Eye Institute, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Liqin Huang
- Eye Institute, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
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48
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Nebbioso M, Lambiase A, Cerini A, Limoli PG, La Cava M, Greco A. Therapeutic Approaches with Intravitreal Injections in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Current Drugs and Potential Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071693. [PMID: 30987401 PMCID: PMC6479480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The present review focuses on recent clinical trials that analyze the efficacy of intravitreal therapeutic agents for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as neuroprotective drugs, and complement inhibitors, also called immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory agents. A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials published prior to January 2019. Patients affected by dry AMD treated with intravitreal therapeutic agents were included. Changes in the correct visual acuity and reduction in geographic atrophy progression were evaluated. Several new drugs have shown promising results, including those targeting the complement cascade and neuroprotective agents. The potential action of the two groups of drugs is to block complement cascade upregulation of immunomodulating agents, and to prevent the degeneration and apoptosis of ganglion cells for the neuroprotectors, respectively. Our analysis indicates that finding treatments for dry AMD will require continued collaboration among researchers to identify additional molecular targets and to fully interrogate the utility of pluripotent stem cells for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Nebbioso
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umberto I Policlinic, Sapienza University of Rome, p. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Lambiase
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umberto I Policlinic, Sapienza University of Rome, p. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alberto Cerini
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umberto I Policlinic, Sapienza University of Rome, p. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Maurizio La Cava
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umberto I Policlinic, Sapienza University of Rome, p. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Umberto I Policlinic, Sapienza University of Rome, p. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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49
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Aprelev AE, Mukhanko IZ, Barbos YA, Cherednichenko NL, Abdulgazizova ZF, Sumenko VV. [Results of neuroprotective therapy in primary open-angle glaucoma]. Vestn Oftalmol 2019; 134:53-58. [PMID: 30721201 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma201813406153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the relationships between the changes in functional parameters of vision that occur in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients on neuroprotective therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 146 patients with stages I-III POAG aged 40 to 85 years. The patients were randomly divided into the study group and the control group at 2:1 ratio. All patients received traditional neuroprotective therapy. Patients of the study group were additionally treated with Retinalamine (#10, intramuscularly, one course). The patients were examined during the initial visit, then after 1 and 3 months; the examination included collection of anamnesis data, visometry, Maklakov tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, Förster white stimulus field of vision test, photostress test, and contrast sensitivity test. RESULTS Examination data are included in the analysis. In the setting of drug therapy, patients showed widening of the visual field, improvement of uncorrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, and reduction of photostress test recovery time. Direct correlation was found between Retinalamine use, and uncorrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity; it also had negative correlation with photostress test result. No adverse events occurred during the course of the study. CONCLUSION Retinalamin (Russia) has prolonged neuroprotective effect in glaucoma. The drug is most effective in glaucoma stages I A and II A.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Aprelev
- Orenburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health, 6 Sovetskaya St., Orenburg, Russian Federation, 460000
| | - I Zh Mukhanko
- Mineralovodsky District Hospital, 67A Gagarina St., Mineralnye Vody, Russian Federation, 357202
| | - Yu A Barbos
- Stavropol State Medical University, 310 Mira St., Stavropol, Russian Federation, 355017; Stavropol Regional Clinical Hospital, 1 Semashko St., Stavropol, Russian Federation, 355030
| | - N L Cherednichenko
- Stavropol State Medical University, 310 Mira St., Stavropol, Russian Federation, 355017
| | - Z F Abdulgazizova
- Orenburg Regional Clinical Hospital, 23 Aksakova St., Orenburg, Russian Federation, 460018
| | - V V Sumenko
- Orenburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health, 6 Sovetskaya St., Orenburg, Russian Federation, 460000
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50
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Bao Y, Liu F, Liu X, Huang M, He L, Ramakrishna S, Luo H, Hu H, Li H, Xu Y. Methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate protects retina in a mouse model of acute ocular hypertension through multiple pathways. Exp Eye Res 2019; 181:15-24. [PMID: 30633922 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Methyl 3,4 dihydroxybenzoate (MDHB) is a small molecule that shows neuroprotective effects in vitro and in a photoreceptor-degenerative mouse model. Here we investigated whether MDHB protects retina in a mouse model of acute ocular hypertension (AOH) and explores the underlying mechanisms. AOH was induced in mice by increasing intraocular pressure to approximately 90 mmHg for 60 min, then MDHB or vehicle was intraperitoneally injected daily up to 7 days. Immunostaining and multi-electrode array recordings were performed to examine the structure and function of retinas receiving the treatments. Western-blotting was applied to test the expression of several proteins related to oxidative stress and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-initiated signaling. Results showed that AOH injury reduced the number of Brn3a-stained retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and ChAT-amacrine cells; thinned the inner retinal layers and induced apoptosis. Physiologically, AOH decreased the response of OFF and ON-OFF RGCs. All of these changes were reversed by MDHB-treatment. Mechanistically, MDHB appeared to work on three parallel pathways: (1) MDHB decreased the production of reactive oxygen species, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and cytosol heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); (2) It upregulated the expression of BDNF and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), and activated the downstream AKT pathways; (3) It inhibited reactive gliosis by reducing GFAP and Iba-1 expression. Thus our results suggest that MDHB protects retina against AOH injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, activating the BDNF/AKT signaling and inhibiting inflammatory pathways. Therefore, MDHB may serve as a promising candidate to treat retinal ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqin Bao
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiaobin Liu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Mi Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Liumin He
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Huanmin Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiling Hu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Hongying Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ying Xu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Jiangsu, China.
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