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Biber J, Jabri Y, Glänzer S, Dort A, Hoffelner P, Schmidt CQ, Bludau O, Pauly D, Grosche A. Gliosis-dependent expression of complement factor H truncated variants attenuates retinal neurodegeneration following ischemic injury. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:56. [PMID: 38388518 PMCID: PMC10885619 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03045-3] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited, age-related, and acute retinal diseases are often exacerbated by an aberrant or excessive activity of the complement system. Consequently, cells not directly affected by an acute event or genetic variants may degenerate, resulting in enhanced visual impairment. The therapeutic potential of supplementation of complement factor H (FH), a key regulator of the complement cascade, is therefore particularly promising in the context of retinal diseases caused by complement activation. In this study, we engineered adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) containing sequences of two truncated human FH variants. The expression of these variants was regulated by the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter, which is selectively active in gliotic Müller cells. Both FH variants consisted of FH domains 19-20, which were connected to domains 1-4 and 1-7, respectively, by a polyglycine linker. These AAVs were intravitreally injected following ischemic injury of C57BL/6J mouse retinas. We observed transgene expression in gliotic Müller cells and to some extent in astrocytes. The expression correlated directly with damage severity. Interventions resulted in decreased complement activation, accelerated normalization of microglia activity and morphological improvements. Reduced levels of C3 transcripts and C3d protein in conjunction with higher transcript levels of inhibitory regulators like Cfi and Cfh, hinted at attenuated complement activity. This study demonstrates the great potential of complement regulatory gene addition therapy. With further in vivo testing it could be applied to treat a wide range of retinal diseases where no causative therapies are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Biber
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yassin Jabri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Glänzer
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Aaron Dort
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Patricia Hoffelner
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christoph Q Schmidt
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacology of Natural Products, University of Ulm Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Biochemical Pharmacy Group, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Oliver Bludau
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Diana Pauly
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Antje Grosche
- Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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Gong L, Pasquale LR, Wiggs JL, Pan L, Yang Z, Wu M, Zeng Z, Yang Z, Shen Y, Chen DF, Zeng W. Description of a Nonhuman Primate Model of Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 38752575 PMCID: PMC10289273 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.6.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To establish an inducible model of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI/RI) in nonhuman primates (NHPs) to improve our understanding of the disease conditions and evaluate treatment interventions in humans. Methods We cannulated the right eye of rhesus macaques with a needle attached to a normal saline solution reservoir at up to 1.9 m above the eye level that resulted in high intraocular pressure of over 100 mm Hg for 90 minutes. Retinal morphology and function were monitored before and after RI/RI over two months by fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, and visual evoked potential. Terminal experiments involved immunostaining for retinal ganglion cell marker Brn3a, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess retinal inflammatory biomarkers. Results We observed significant and progressive declines in retinal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the affected eye after RI/RI. We noted significant reductions in amplitudes of electroretinography a-wave, b-wave, and visual evoked potential N2-P2, with minimal recovery at 63 days after injury. Terminal experiments conducted two months after injury revealed ∼73% loss of retinal ganglion cells and a fivefold increase in glial fibrillary acid protein immunofluorescence intensity compared to the uninjured eyes. We observed marked increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin-1beta, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the injured retinas. Conclusions The results demonstrated that the pathophysiology observed in the NHP model of RI/RI is comparable to that of human diseases and suggest that the NHP model may serve as a valuable tool for translating interventions into viable treatment approaches. Translational Relevance The model serves as a useful platform to study potential interventions and treatments for RI/RI or blinding retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gong
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Louis R. Pasquale
- Eye and Vision Research Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Janey L. Wiggs
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lingzhen Pan
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhenyan Yang
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Mingling Wu
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zirui Zeng
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zunyuan Yang
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yubo Shen
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Dong Feng Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wen Zeng
- PriMed Non-human Primate Research Center of Sichuan PriMed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Ya'an, Sichuan Province, China
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Keilhoff G, Titze M, Ebmeyer U. Immuno-histological detection of resistant columnar units and vulnerable networks in the rat retina after asphyxia-induced transient cardiac arrest. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2021; 39:267-289. [PMID: 34334436 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke-related loss of vision is one of the residual impairments, restricting the quality of life. However, studies of the ocular manifestations of asphyxia cardiac arrest/resuscitation (ACA/R) have reported very heterogeneous results. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the ACA/R-induced degeneration pattern of the different retinal cell populations in rats using different immuno-histological stainings. METHODS The staining pattern of toluidine blue and the ganglion cell markers β-III-tubulin and NeuN; the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin, indicating ganglion, amacrine, and horizontal cells; calretinin D28k, indicating ganglion and amacrine cells; calbindin, indicating horizontal cells; Chx 10, indicating cone bipolar cells; PKCα, indicating ON-type rod bipolar cells; arrestin, indicating cones; and rhodopsin, a marker of rods, as well as the glial cell markers GFAP (indicating astroglia and Müller cells) and IBA1 (indicating microglia), were evaluated after survival times of 7 and 21 days in an ACA/R rat model. Moreover, quantitative morphological analysis of the optic nerve was performed. The ACA/R specimens were compared with those from sham-operated and completely naïve rats. RESULTS ACA/R-induced effects were: (i) a significant reduction of retinal thickness after long-term survival; (ii) ganglion cell degeneration, including their fiber network in the inner plexiform layer; (iii) degeneration of amacrine and cone bipolar cells; (iv) degeneration of cone photoreceptors; (v) enhanced resistance to ACA/R by rod photoreceptors, ON-type rod bipolar and horizontal cells, possibly caused by the strong upregulation of the calcium-binding proteins calretinin, parvalbumin, and calbindin, counteracting the detrimental calcium overload; (vi) significant activation of Müller cells as further element of retinal anti-stress self-defense mechanisms; and (vii) morphological alterations of the optic nerve in form of deformed fibers. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the many defects, the surviving neuronal structures seemed to be able to maintain retinal functionality, which can be additionally improved by regenerative processes true to the "use it or lose it" dogma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerburg Keilhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Titze
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Ebmeyer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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Vestergaard N, Cehofski LJ, Honoré B, Aasbjerg K, Vorum H. Animal Models Used to Simulate Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Comprehensive Review. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2019; 8:23. [PMID: 31440422 PMCID: PMC6701503 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.8.4.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To present an overview of animal models of retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Methods Through a systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase, papers describing methods of inducing RAO in animal models were included. The identified methodologic approaches were presented in a narrative synthesis and compared with RAO in humans. Results In total, 83 papers reporting on 88 experiments were included. Six different species were used with rodents and monkeys being the most common, and a minority were performed using cats, dogs, rabbits, or pigs. The anatomy of pigs and monkeys resemble that of humans most closely. The two most frequently used methods were laser-induced occlusion or ligation of the arteries. Other methods included raised intraocular pressure, arterial clamping, administration of vasoconstricting agents, the use of an occluder, embolization, and endovascular approaches to induce occlusion. In general, occlusions lasted for only 30 to 90 minutes, often followed by reperfusion. Conclusions Although a broad range of methods have previously been used, they all have limitations. Preferably, the methods should imitate the human disease as closely as possible and avoid damaging other structures. Therefore, monkeys followed by pigs are to be preferred and ligation or clamping may be a suitable model in larger animals as there is a potential to isolate and occlude the retinal artery only. Being less invasive, laser-induced occlusion is another suitable approach. Translational Relevance This review aims at assisting researchers in deciding on the most ideal experimental setting, and thereby increase the translational value to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna Vestergaard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lasse Jørgensen Cehofski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Ophthalmology, Vejle Hospital - part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Bent Honoré
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kristian Aasbjerg
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Epidemiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Henrik Vorum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Palmhof M, Frank V, Rappard P, Kortenhorn E, Demuth J, Biert N, Stute G, Dick HB, Joachim SC. From Ganglion Cell to Photoreceptor Layer: Timeline of Deterioration in a Rat Ischemia/Reperfusion Model. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:174. [PMID: 31133806 PMCID: PMC6524469 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal damage and impaired vision in different retinal disorders are induced, among other factors, by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Since the mechanisms and the progression of ischemic injury are still not completely clarified, a timeline of this retinal degeneration is needed. In this study, we investigated protein and mRNA alterations at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h as well as 3 and 7 days after ischemia to determine the course of an ischemic insult through the whole retina. Moreover, functional analyses were performed at later stages. We detected a significant functional loss of cells in the inner nuclear layer and photoreceptors at 3 and 7 days. Additionally, the thickness of the whole retina was decreased at these points in time, indicating a severe degradation of all retinal layers. Immunohistological and qRT-PCR analyses of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), glial cells, AII amacrine, cone and rod bipolar as well as cone and rod photoreceptor cells confirmed this first assumption. Our results show that all investigated cell types were damaged by ischemia induction. Especially RGCs, cone bipolar cells, and photoreceptor cones are very sensitive to I/R. These cells were lost shortly after ischemia induction with a progressive course up to 7 days. In addition, Müller cell gliosis was observed over the entire period of time. These results provide evidence, that I/R induces damage of the whole retina at early stages and increases over time. In conclusion, our study could demonstrate the intense impact of an ischemic injury. The ischemic defect spreads across the whole retina right up to the outer layers in the long-term and thus seems to impair the visual perception already during the stimulus processing. In addition, our findings indicate that the cone pathway seems to be particularly affected by this damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Palmhof
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Viktoria Frank
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Pascal Rappard
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Emely Kortenhorn
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia Demuth
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nora Biert
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gesa Stute
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - H Burkhard Dick
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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6
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Kovács-Öller T, Szarka G, Ganczer A, Tengölics Á, Balogh B, Völgyi B. Expression of Ca 2+-Binding Buffer Proteins in the Human and Mouse Retinal Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2229. [PMID: 31067641 PMCID: PMC6539911 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+-binding buffer proteins (CaBPs) are widely expressed by various neurons throughout the central nervous system (CNS), including the retina. While the expression of CaBPs by photoreceptors, retinal interneurons and the output ganglion cells in the mammalian retina has been extensively studied, a general description is still missing due to the differences between species, developmental expression patterns and study-to-study discrepancies. Furthermore, CaBPs are occasionally located in a compartment-specific manner and two or more CaBPs can be expressed by the same neuron, thereby sharing the labor of Ca2+ buffering in the intracellular milieu. This article reviews this topic by providing a framework on CaBP functional expression by neurons of the mammalian retina with an emphasis on human and mouse retinas and the three most abundant and extensively studied buffer proteins: parvalbumin, calretinin and calbindin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Kovács-Öller
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Gergely Szarka
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Alma Ganczer
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Ádám Tengölics
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Boglárka Balogh
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Béla Völgyi
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, National Brain Research Program (NAP 2.0), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1051 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
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7
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Renner M, Stute G, Alzureiqi M, Reinhard J, Wiemann S, Schmid H, Faissner A, Dick HB, Joachim SC. Optic Nerve Degeneration after Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion in a Rodent Model. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:254. [PMID: 28878627 PMCID: PMC5572359 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia is a common pathomechanism in many ocular disorders such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or retinal vascular occlusion. Several studies demonstrated that ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) leads to morphological and functional changes of different retinal cell types. However, little is known about the ischemic effects on the optic nerve. The goal of this study was to evaluate these effects. Ischemia was induced by raising the intraocular pressure (IOP) in one eye of rats to 140 mmHg for 1 h followed by natural reperfusion. After 21 days, histological as well as quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses of optic nerves were performed. Ischemic optic nerves showed an infiltration of cells and also degeneration with signs of demyelination. Furthermore, a migration and an activation of microglia could be observed histologically as well as on mRNA level. In regard to macroglia, a trend toward gliosis could be noted after ischemia induction by vimentin staining. Additionally, an up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA was found in ischemic optic nerves. Counting of oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 positive (Olig2+) cells revealed a decrease of oligodendrocytes in the ischemic group. Also, myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) mRNA expression was down-regulated after induction of I/R. On immunohistological level, a decrease of MOG was detectable in ischemic optic nerves as well. In addition, SMI-32 stained neurofilaments of longitudinal optic nerve sections showed a strong structural damage of the ischemic optic nerves in comparison to controls. Consequently, retinal ischemia impacts optic nerve degeneration. These findings could help to better understand the course of destruction in the optic nerve after an ischemic insult. Especially for therapeutic studies, the optic nerve is important because of its susceptibility to be damaged as a result to retinal ischemic injury and also its connecting function between the eye and the brain. So, future drug screenings should target not only the retina, but also the functionality and structure of the optic nerve. In the future, these results could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for treatment of ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Renner
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Gesa Stute
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Mohammad Alzureiqi
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Reinhard
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Susanne Wiemann
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Heiko Schmid
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Andreas Faissner
- Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - H Burkhard Dick
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany
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8
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Kuehn S, Hurst J, Rensinghoff F, Tsai T, Grauthoff S, Satgunarajah Y, Dick HB, Schnichels S, Joachim SC. Degenerative effects of cobalt-chloride treatment on neurons and microglia in a porcine retina organ culture model. Exp Eye Res 2017; 155:107-120. [PMID: 28089775 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand the pathological processes of retinal diseases, experimental models are necessary. Cobalt, as part of the vitamin B12 complex, is important for neuronal integrity. However, it is known that high quantities of cobalt induce cytotoxic mechanisms via hypoxia mimicry. Therefore, we tested the degenerative effect of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) on neurons and microglia in a porcine retina organ culture model. Organotypic cultures of porcine retinas were cultured and treated with different concentrations of CoCl2 (0, 100, 300 and 500 μM) for 48 h. After four and eight days, CoCl2 induced a strong degeneration of the porcine retina, starting at 300 μM. A loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs, Brn-3a), amacrine cells (calretinin) and bipolar cells (PKCα) was observed. Additionally, a high expression of hypoxia induced factor-1a (HIF-1a) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was noted at both points in time. Also, the Caspase 3 protein was activated and P21 expression was induced. However, only at day four, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was increased. The effect of CoCl2 was not restricted to neurons. CoCl2 concentrations reduced the microglia amount (Iba1) and activity (Iba1 + Fcγ-Receptor) at both points in time. These damaging effects on microglia were surprising, since CoCl2 causes hypoxia and a pro-inflammatory environment. However, high concentrations of CoCl2 also seem to be toxic to these cells. Similar degenerative mechanisms as in comparison to retinal ischemia animal models were observed. In summary, an effective and reproducible hypoxia-mimicking organotypic model for retinal degeneration was established, which is easy to handle and ready for drug studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kuehn
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - J Hurst
- University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Centre for Ophthalmology, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - F Rensinghoff
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - T Tsai
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - S Grauthoff
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Y Satgunarajah
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - H B Dick
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - S Schnichels
- University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Centre for Ophthalmology, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - S C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research, Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany.
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9
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Ritzel RM, Pan SJ, Verma R, Wizeman J, Crapser J, Patel AR, Lieberman R, Mohan R, McCullough LD. Early retinal inflammatory biomarkers in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischemic stroke. Mol Vis 2016; 22:575-88. [PMID: 27293375 PMCID: PMC4893077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of stroke is one of the most commonly used models to study focal cerebral ischemia. This procedure also results in the simultaneous occlusion of the ophthalmic artery that supplies the retina. Retinal cell death is seen days after reperfusion and leads to functional deficits; however, the mechanism responsible for this injury has not been investigated. Given that the eye may have a unique ocular immune response to an ischemic challenge, this study examined the inflammatory response to retinal ischemia in the MCAO model. METHODS Young male C57B/6 mice were subjected to 90-min transient MCAO and were euthanized at several time points up to 7 days. Transcription of inflammatory cytokines was measured with quantitative real-time PCR, and immune cell activation (e.g., phagocytosis) and migration were assessed with ophthalmoscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS Observation of the affected eye revealed symptoms consistent with Horner's syndrome. Light ophthalmoscopy confirmed the reduced blood flow of the retinal arteries during occlusion. CX3CR1-GFP reporter mice were then employed to evaluate the extent of the ocular microglia and monocyte activation. A significant increase in green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive macrophages was seen throughout the ischemic area compared to the sham and contralateral control eyes. RT-PCR revealed enhanced expression of the monocyte chemotactic molecule CCL2 early after reperfusion followed by a delayed increase in the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Further analysis of peripheral leukocyte recruitment by flow cytometry determined that monocytes and neutrophils were the predominant immune cells to infiltrate at 72 h. A transient reduction in retinal microglia numbers was also observed, demonstrating the ischemic sensitivity of these cells. Blood-eye barrier permeability to small and large tracer molecules was increased by 72 h. Retinal microglia exhibited enhanced phagocytic activity following MCAO; however, infiltrating myeloid cells were significantly more efficient at phagocytizing material at all time points. Immune homeostasis in the affected eye was largely restored by 7 days. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates that there is a robust inflammatory response in the eye following MCAO, which may contribute to a worsening of retinal injury and visual impairment. These results mirror what has been observed in the brain after MCAO, suggesting a conserved inflammatory signaling response to ischemia in the central nervous system. Imaging of the eye may therefore serve as a useful non-invasive prognostic indicator of brain injury after MCAO. Future studies are needed to determine whether this inflammatory response is a potential target for therapeutic manipulation in retinal ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney M. Ritzel
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Sarah J. Pan
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Rajkumar Verma
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - John Wizeman
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Joshua Crapser
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Anita R. Patel
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Richard Lieberman
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Royce Mohan
- Neuroscience Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
| | - Louise D. McCullough
- Neurology Department, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
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Gap junction-mediated death of retinal neurons is connexin and insult specific: a potential target for neuroprotection. J Neurosci 2014; 34:10582-91. [PMID: 25100592 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1912-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Secondary cell death via gap junctions (GJs) plays a role in the propagation of neuronal loss under a number of degenerative disorders. Here, we examined the role of GJs in neuronal death in the retina, which has arguably the most diverse expression of GJs in the CNS. Initially, we induced apoptotic death by injecting single retinal ganglion cells and glia with cytochrome C and found that this resulted in the loss of neighboring cells to which they were coupled via GJs. We next found that pharmacological blockade of GJs eradicated nearly all amacrine cell loss and reduced retinal ganglion cell loss by ∼70% after induction of either excitotoxic or ischemic insult conditions. These data indicate that the GJ-mediated secondary cell death was responsible for the death of most cells. Whereas genetic deletion of the GJ subunit Cx36 increased cell survivability by ∼50% under excitotoxic condition, cell loss in Cx45 knock-out mouse retinas was similar to that seen in wild-type mice. In contrast, ablation of Cx45 reduced neuronal loss by ∼50% under ischemic insult, but ablation of Cx36 offered no protection. Immunolabeling of the connexins showed differential changes in protein expression consistent with their differing roles in propagating death signals under the two insults. These data indicate that secondary cell death is mediated by different cohorts of GJs dependent on the connexins they express and the type of initial insult. Our results suggest that targeting specific connexins offers a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce progressive cell loss under different neurodegenerative conditions.
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11
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Kwon OJ, Lee ES, Jeon CJ. Density and types of calretinin-containing retinal ganglion cells in rabbit. Neuroscience 2014; 278:343-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Differential effects of P2Y1 deletion on glial activation and survival of photoreceptors and amacrine cells in the ischemic mouse retina. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1353. [PMID: 25077539 PMCID: PMC4123106 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Gliosis of retinal Müller glial cells may have both beneficial and detrimental effects on neurons. To investigate the role of purinergic signaling in ischemia-induced reactive gliosis, transient retinal ischemia was evoked by elevation of the intraocular pressure in wild-type (Wt) mice and in mice deficient in the glia-specific nucleotide receptor P2Y1 (P2Y1 receptor-deficient (P2Y1R-KO)). While control retinae of P2Y1R-KO mice displayed reduced cell numbers in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers, ischemia induced apoptotic death of cells in all retinal layers in both, Wt and P2Y1R-KO mice, but the damage especially on photoreceptors was more pronounced in retinae of P2Y1R-KO mice. In contrast, gene expression profiling and histological data suggest an increased survival of amacrine cells in the postischemic retina of P2Y1R-KO mice. Interestingly, measuring the ischemia-induced downregulation of inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir)-mediated K+ currents as an indicator, reactive Müller cell gliosis was found to be weaker in P2Y1R-KO (current amplitude decreased by 18%) than in Wt mice (decrease by 68%). The inner retina harbors those neurons generating action potentials, which strongly rely on an intact ion homeostasis. This may explain why especially these cells appear to benefit from the preserved Kir4.1 expression in Müller cells, which should allow them to keep up their function in the context of spatial buffering of potassium. Especially under ischemic conditions, maintenance of this Müller cell function may dampen cytotoxic neuronal hyperexcitation and subsequent neuronal cell loss. In sum, we found that purinergic signaling modulates the gliotic activation pattern of Müller glia and lack of P2Y1 has janus-faced effects. In the end, the differential effects of a disrupted P2Y1 signaling onto neuronal survival in the ischemic retina call the putative therapeutical use of P2Y1-antagonists into question.
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Changes in retinal morphology, electroretinogram and visual behavior after transient global ischemia in adult rats. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65555. [PMID: 23776500 PMCID: PMC3679137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a light-sensitive tissue of the central nervous system that is vulnerable to ischemia. The pathological mechanism underlying retinal ischemic injury is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate structural and functional changes of different types of rat retinal neurons and visual behavior following transient global ischemia. Retinal ischemia was induced using a 4-vessel occlusion model. Compared with the normal group, the number of βIII-tubulin positive retinal ganglion cells and calretinin positive amacrine cells were reduced from 6 h to 48 h following ischemia. The number of recoverin positive cone bipolar cells transiently decreased at 6 h and 12 h after ischemia. However, the fluorescence intensity of rhodopsin positive rod cells and fluorescent peanut agglutinin positive cone cells did not change after reperfusion. An electroretinogram recording showed that the a-wave, b-wave, oscillatory potentials and the photopic negative response were completely lost during ischemia. The amplitudes of the a- and b-waves were partially recovered at 1 h after ischemia, and returned to the control level at 48 h after reperfusion. However, the amplitudes of oscillatory potentials and the photopic negative response were still reduced at 48 h following reperfusion. Visual behavior detection showed there was no significant change in the time spent in the dark chamber between the control and 48 h group, but the distance moved, mean velocity in the black and white chambers and intercompartmental crosses were reduced at 48 h after ischemia. These results indicate that transient global ischemia induces dysfunction of retinal ganglion cells and amacrine cells at molecular and ERG levels. However, transient global ischemia in a 17 minute duration does not appear to affect photoreceptors.
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Zhou J, Zhuang J, Li J, Ooi E, Bloom J, Poon C, Lax D, Rosenbaum DM, Barone FC. Long-term post-stroke changes include myelin loss, specific deficits in sensory and motor behaviors and complex cognitive impairment detected using active place avoidance. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57503. [PMID: 23505432 PMCID: PMC3591420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent neurobehavioral deficits and brain changes need validation for brain restoration. Two hours middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) or sham surgery was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Neurobehavioral and cognitive deficits were measured over 10 weeks included: (1) sensory, motor, beam balance, reflex/abnormal responses, hindlimb placement, forepaw foot fault and cylinder placement tests, and (2) complex active place avoidance learning (APA) and simple passive avoidance retention (PA). Electroretinogram (ERG), hemispheric loss (infarction), hippocampus CA1 neuronal loss and myelin (Luxol Fast Blue) staining in several fiber tracts were also measured. In comparison to Sham surgery, tMCAO surgery produced significant deficits in all behavioral tests except reflex/abnormal responses. Acute, short lived deficits following tMCAO were observed for forelimb foot fault and forelimb cylinder placement. Persistent, sustained deficits for the whole 10 weeks were exhibited for motor (p<0.001), sensory (p<0.001), beam balance performance (p<0.01) and hindlimb placement behavior (p<0.01). tMCAO produced much greater and prolonged cognitive deficits in APA learning (maximum on last trial of 604±83% change, p<0.05) but only a small, comparative effect on PA retention. Hemispheric loss/atrophy was measured 10 weeks after tMCAO and cross-validated by two methods (e.g., almost identical % ischemic hemispheric loss of 33.4±3.5% for H&E and of 34.2±3.5% for TTC staining). No visual dysfunction by ERG and no hippocampus neuronal loss were detected after tMCAO. Fiber tract damage measured by Luxol Fast Blue myelin staining intensity was significant (p<0.01) in the external capsule and striatum but not in corpus callosum and anterior commissure. In summary, persistent neurobehavioral deficits were validated as important endpoints for stroke restorative research in the future. Fiber myelin loss appears to contribute to these long term behavioral dysfunctions and can be important for cognitive behavioral control necessary for complex APA learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhou
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.
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Abstract
Retinal ischemia is a common clinical entity and, due to relatively ineffective treatment, remains a common cause of visual impairment and blindness. Generally, ischemic syndromes are initially characterized by low homeostatic responses which, with time, induce injury to the tissue due to cell loss by apoptosis. In this respect, retinal ischemia is a primary cause of neuronal death. It can be considered as a sort of final common pathway in retinal diseases and results in irreversible morphological and functional changes. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on the effects of ischemia in retinal tissue and points out experimental strategies/models performed to gain better comprehension of retinal ischemia diseases. In particular, the nature of the mechanisms leading to neuronal damage (i.e., excess of glutamate release, oxidative stress and inflammation) will be outlined as well as the potential and most intriguing retinoprotective approaches and the possible therapeutic use of naturally occurring molecules such as neuropeptides. There is a general agreement that a better understanding of the fundamental pathophysiology of retinal ischemia will lead to better management and improved clinical outcome. In this respect, to contrast this pathological state, specific pharmacological strategies need to be developed aimed at the many putative cascades generated during ischemia.
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Calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity in sympathetic ganglionic neurons during development. Auton Neurosci 2012; 167:27-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2011.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Revised: 10/30/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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