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Zeng Z, Yoshida Y, Wang D, Fujii Y, Shen M, Mimura T, Tanaka Y. Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines Are Synergistically Induced in a ROS-Dependent Manner by a Co-Culture of Corneal Epithelial Cells and Neutrophil-like Cells in the Presence of Particulate Matter. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:467. [PMID: 38671915 PMCID: PMC11047649 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ocular exposure to particulate matter (PM) causes local inflammation; however, the influence of neutrophils on PM-induced ocular inflammation is still not fully understood. In this study, we constructed a system to investigate the role of PM in ocular inflammation using a co-culture of human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-T) and differentiation-induced neutrophils (dHL-60). To investigate whether HCE-T directly endocytosed PM, we performed a holographic analysis, which showed the endocytosis of PM in HCE-T. The cytokines and chemokines produced by HCE-T were measured using an ELISA. HCE-T treated with PM produced IL-6 and IL-8, which were inhibited by N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), suggesting the involvement of ROS. Their co-culture with dHL-60 enhanced their production of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1. This suggests an inflammatory loop involving intraocular corneal epithelial cells and neutrophils. These cytokines and chemokines are mainly regulated by NF-κB. Therefore, this co-culture system was examined in the presence of an IKK inhibitor known to downregulate NF-κB activity. The IKK inhibitor dramatically suppressed the production of these factors in co-culture supernatants. The results suggest that the inflammatory loop observed in the co-culture is mediated through ROS and the transcription factor NF-κB. Thus, the co-culture system is considered a valuable tool for analyzing complex inflammations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Zeng
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshida
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan; (Y.F.)
| | - Duo Wang
- Department of Radiobiology and Hygiene Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yuri Fujii
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan; (Y.F.)
| | - Mengyue Shen
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan; (Y.F.)
- Department of Medical Teaching, West China Center of Medical Sciences of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tatsuya Mimura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
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Gong J, Ding G, Hao Z, Li Y, Deng A, Zhang C. Elucidating the mechanism of corneal epithelial cell repair: unraveling the impact of growth factors. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1384500. [PMID: 38638937 PMCID: PMC11024251 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1384500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The repair mechanism for corneal epithelial cell injuries encompasses migration, proliferation, and differentiation of corneal epithelial cells, and extracellular matrix remodeling of the stromal structural integrity. Furthermore, it involves the consequential impact of corneal limbal stem cells (LSCs). In recent years, as our comprehension of the mediating mechanisms underlying corneal epithelial injury repair has advanced, it has become increasingly apparent that growth factors play a pivotal role in this intricate process. These growth factors actively contribute to the restoration of corneal epithelial injuries by orchestrating responses and facilitating specific interactions at targeted sites. This article systematically summarizes the role of growth factors in corneal epithelial cell injury repair by searching relevant literature in recent years, and explores the limitations of current literature search, providing a certain scientific basis for subsequent basic research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Gong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinan Second People’s Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Gang Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinan Second People’s Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Zhongkai Hao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinan Second People’s Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Yuchun Li
- Wuxi No. 2 Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Aijun Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chenming Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinan Second People’s Hospital, Jinan, China
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Chin JY, Liu C, Lee IXY, Lin MTY, Cheng CY, Wong JHF, Teo CL, Mehta JS, Liu YC. Impact of Age on the Characteristics of Corneal Nerves and Corneal Epithelial Cells in Healthy Adults. Cornea 2024; 43:409-418. [PMID: 37643477 PMCID: PMC10906190 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes in corneal nerves and corneal epithelial cell parameters and to establish age-adjusted reference values. METHODS A total of 7025 corneal nerve images and 4215 corneal epithelial images obtained using in vivo confocal microscopy from 281 eyes of 143 healthy participants were included. Seven corneal nerve parameters and 3 corneal epithelial cell parameters were quantified using 2 automatic analytic software and analyzed across 6 age groups ranging from 21 to 80 years. RESULTS There was a declining trend in all 7 nerve parameters with advancing age. In particular, corneal nerve fiber length and corneal nerve fiber density demonstrated a significant decrease in subjects aged 65 years or older compared with subjects younger than 65 years (10.8 ± 2.6 mm/mm 2 vs. 9.9 ± 2.0 mm/mm 2 , P = 0.011 in corneal nerve fiber length; 15.8 ± 5.2 fibers/mm 2 vs. 14.4 ± 4.3 fibers/mm 2 , P = 0.046 in corneal nerve fiber density), whereas corneal nerve fractal dimension demonstrated a borderline significant decrease ( P = 0.057). Similarly, there was a general declining trend in all epithelial cell parameters with advancing age. Corneal epithelial cell circularity was significantly lower in subjects aged 65 years and older as compared to subjects younger than 65 years (0.722 ± 0.021 μm 2 vs. 0.714 ± 0.021 μm 2 ; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Advancing age results in reduced corneal nerve metrics and alteration of corneal cell morphology. Aging effects should be considered when evaluating patients with corneal neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ying Chin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Chang Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Isabelle Xin Yu Lee
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Molly Tzu Yu Lin
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Epidemiology Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jipson Hon Fai Wong
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Cong Ling Teo
- Epidemiology Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S. Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Yan D, Zhang Y, Huang Y, Ouyang W. Progranulin Facilitates Corneal Repair Through Dual Mechanisms of Inflammation Suppression and Regeneration Promotion. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-01999-3. [PMID: 38460093 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-01999-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
The cornea serves as a vital protective barrier for the eye; however, it is prone to injury and damage that can disrupt corneal epithelium and nerves, triggering inflammation. Therefore, understanding the biological effects and molecular mechanisms involved in corneal wound healing and identifying drugs targeting these pathways is crucial for researchers in this field. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of progranulin (PGRN) in treating corneal injuries. Our findings demonstrated that PGRN significantly enhanced corneal wound repair by accelerating corneal re-epithelialization and re-innervation. In vitro experiments with cultured epithelial cells and trigeminal ganglion cells further revealed that PGRN stimulated corneal epithelial cell proliferation and promoted axon growth in trigeminal ganglion cells. Through RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis and other experimental techniques, we discovered that PGRN exerted its healing effects modulating Wnt signaling pathway, which played a critical role in repairing epithelial cells and promoting axon regeneration in trigeminal neurons. Importantly, our study highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of PGRN by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to decreased infiltration of macrophages. In conclusion, our findings underscored the potential of PGRN in facilitating corneal wound healing by promoting corneal epithelial cell proliferation, trigeminal ganglion cell axon regeneration, and suppressing ocular inflammation. These results suggest that PGRN could potentially expedite the healing process and improve visual outcomes in patients with corneal injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Medical University, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Guizhou, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, Xiamen, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yunuo Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Medical University, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Guizhou, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, Xiamen, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuhan Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Medical University, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Guizhou, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen University affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, Xiamen, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Weijie Ouyang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Medical University, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Guizhou, Xiamen, China.
- Xiamen University affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, Xiamen, China.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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Paterniti I, Scuderi SA, Cambria L, Nostro A, Esposito E, Marino A. Protective Effect of Probiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1770. [PMID: 38339047 PMCID: PMC10855269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Probiotic therapy needs consideration as an alternative strategy to prevent and possibly treat corneal infection. This study aimed to assess the preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis on reducing the infection of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The probiotics' preventive effect against infection was evaluated in cell monolayers pretreated with each probiotic 1 h and 24 h prior to P. aeruginosa challenge followed by 1 h and 24 h of growth in combination. Cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and antinitrosative activities were evaluated. L. reuteri and B. longum adhered to HCE cells, preserved occludin tight junctions' integrity, and increased mucin production on a SkinEthicTM HCE model. Pretreatment with L. reuteri or B. longum significantly protected HCE cells from infection at 24 h, increasing cell viability at 110% (110.51 ± 5.15; p ≤ 0.05) and 137% (137.55 ± 11.97; p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Each probiotic showed anti-inflammatory and antinitrosative activities, reducing TNF-α level (p ≤ 0.001) and NOx amount (p ≤ 0.001) and reestablishing IL-10 level (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that L. reuteri and B. longum exert protective effects in the context of corneal infection caused by P. aeruginosa by restoring cell viability and modulating inflammatory cytokine release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andreana Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (I.P.); (S.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.N.); (E.E.)
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Harrell CR, Feulner L, Djonov V, Pavlovic D, Volarevic V. The Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Tear Hyperosmolarity-Induced Pathological Changes in the Eyes of Dry Eye Disease Patients. Cells 2023; 12:2755. [PMID: 38067183 PMCID: PMC10706334 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder of the lacrimal system and ocular surface, characterized by a deficiency in the quality and/or quantity of the tear fluid. The multifactorial nature of DED encompasses a number of interconnected underlying pathologies, including loss of homeostasis, instability and hyperosmolarity of the tears, and the induction and propagation of detrimental inflammatory responses in the eyes, which finally results in the development of neurosensory dysfunction and visual disruption. Dryness, grittiness, scratchiness, discomfort, inflammation, burning, watering, ocular fatigue, pain, and decreased functional visual acuity are common symptoms of DED. Eye dysfunction drastically attenuates patients' quality of life. Accordingly, a better understanding of the pathogenic processes that regulate the development and progression of DED is crucially important for the establishment of new and more effective DED-related treatment approaches, which would significantly improve the quality of life of DED patients. Since the process of osmoregulation, which guards the ocular surface epithelia and maintains normal vision, is affected when the osmolarity of the tears is greater than that of the epithelial cells, tear hyperosmolarity (THO) is considered an initial, important step in the development, progression, and aggravation of DED. In order to delineate the role of THO in the pathogenesis of DED, in this review article, we summarize current knowledge related to the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of THO-induced pathological changes in the eyes of DED patients, and we briefly discuss the therapeutic potential of hypo-osmotic eye drops in DED treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Randall Harrell
- Regenerative Processing Plant, LLC, 34176 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684, USA;
| | - Lisa Feulner
- Advanced Eye Care & Aesthetics, 104 Plumtree Rd Suite 107, Bel Air, MD 21015, USA;
| | - Valentin Djonov
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Dragica Pavlovic
- Departments of Genetics and Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Harm Reduction of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozar Markovic Street, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Vladislav Volarevic
- Departments of Genetics and Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Harm Reduction of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozar Markovic Street, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
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Mishra S, Manzanares MA, Prater J, Culp D, Gold LI. Calreticulin accelerates corneal wound closure and mitigates fibrosis: Potential therapeutic applications. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 28:e18027. [PMID: 37985392 PMCID: PMC10902309 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The processes involved in regeneration of cutaneous compared to corneal tissues involve different intrinsic mechanisms. Importantly, cutaneous wounds involve healing by angiogenesis but vascularization of the cornea obscures vision. Previous studies showed that topically applied calreticulin (CALR) healed full-thickness excisional animal wounds by a tissue regenerative process markedly enhancing repair without evoking angiogenesis. In the current study, the application of CALR in a rabbit corneal injury model: (1) accelerated full wound closure by 3 days (2) accelerated delayed healing caused by corticosteroids, routinely used to prevent post-injury inflammation, by 6 days and (3) healed wounds without vascularization or fibrosis/hazing. In vitro, CALR stimulated proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells (CE) and corneal stromal cells (keratocytes) by 1.5-fold and 1.4-fold, respectively and induced migration of CE cells and keratocytes, by 72% and 85% compared to controls of 44% and 59%, respectively. As a marker of decreased fibrosis, CALR treated corneal wounds showed decreased immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by keratocytes and following CALR treatment in vitro, decreased the levels of TGF-β2 in human CE cells and α-SMA in keratocytes. CALR has the potential to be a novel therapeutic both, to accelerate corneal healing from various injuries and in conjunction with corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Mishra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Precision MedicineNew York University School of Medicine Langone HealthNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Miguel A. Manzanares
- Department of Medicine, Division of Precision MedicineNew York University School of Medicine Langone HealthNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Justin Prater
- Powered Research, Research Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaNew YorkUSA
| | - David Culp
- Powered Research, Research Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaNew YorkUSA
| | - Leslie I. Gold
- Department of Medicine, Division of Precision MedicineNew York University School of Medicine Langone HealthNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of PathologyNew York University School of Medicine Langone HealthNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Wu YF, Chang NW, Chu LA, Liu HY, Zhou YX, Pai YL, Yu YS, Kuan CH, Wu YC, Lin SJ, Tan HY. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Cellular Heterogeneity and Complex Cell-Cell Communication Networks in the Mouse Cornea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:5. [PMID: 37792336 PMCID: PMC10565710 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.13.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To generate a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) map and construct cell-cell communication networks of mouse corneas. Methods C57BL/6 mouse corneas were dissociated to single cells and subjected to scRNA-seq. Cell populations were clustered and annotated for bioinformatic analysis using the R package "Seurat." Differential expression patterns were validated and spatially mapped with whole-mount immunofluorescence staining. Global intercellular signaling networks were constructed using CellChat. Results Unbiased clustering of scRNA-seq transcriptomes of 14,732 cells from 40 corneas revealed 17 cell clusters of six major cell types: nine epithelial cell, three keratocyte, two corneal endothelial cell, and one each of immune cell, vascular endothelial cell, and fibroblast clusters. The nine epithelial cell subtypes included quiescent limbal stem cells, transit-amplifying cells, and differentiated cells from corneas and two minor conjunctival epithelial clusters. CellChat analysis provided an atlas of the complex intercellular signaling communications among all cell types. Conclusions We constructed a complete single-cell transcriptomic map and the complex signaling cross-talk among all cell types of the cornea, which can be used as a foundation atlas for further research on the cornea. This study also deepens the understanding of the cellular heterogeneity and heterotypic cell-cell interaction within corneas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Feng Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Wen Chang
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-An Chu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Xian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Lin Pai
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Sheng Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hsiang Kuan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Wu
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Jan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yuan Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Yang C, Li Y, Liu Y, Xu Z, Li W, Cao W, Jin K, Liu Y. Protection of Barrier Function in Cultured Human Corneal Epithelial Cells by Semaphorin 4D. Curr Eye Res 2023; 48:894-903. [PMID: 37395011 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2023.2232572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal epithelial barrier function is important to maintain corneal homeostasis and is impaired by inflammation. We aimed to investigate the localization of semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) in the cornea, and its effects on the barrier function of cultured corneal epithelial cells. METHODS The expressions of semaphorin4 D and its receptor in the murine cornea were examined by immunoblot, immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy observations. Human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells stimulated by TNF-α or IL-1β were cultured with or without Sema4D. Cell viability was examined by CCK8, cell migration was evaluated by scratch wound assay, and barrier function was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and Dextran-FITC permeability assay. The expression of tight junction proteins in HCE cells was examined by immunoblot, immunofluorescent staining and qRT-PCR. RESULTS We demonstrated that the protein of Sema4D and its receptor, plexin-B1, was expressed in murine cornea. Sema4D induced an increase in the TEER and a decrease in the permeability of HCE cells. It also induced the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 in HCE cells. Furthermore, under stimulation of TNF-α or IL-1β, Sema4D treatment could inhibit the decreased TEER and the elevated permeability of HCE cells. CONCLUSIONS Sema4D is located distinctly in corneal epithelial cells and promoted their barrier function by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins. Sema4D may act as a preventive for maintaining corneal epithelial barrier function during ocular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yunzepeng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhenghua Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Wanwei Cao
- Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Kai Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, P.R. China
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10
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Le B, Zhu K, Brown C, Reid B, Cressman A, Zhao M, Fierro FA. Reducing Sialylation Enhances Electrotaxis of Corneal Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14327. [PMID: 37762630 PMCID: PMC10531958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal wound healing is a complex biological process that integrates a host of different signals to coordinate cell behavior. Upon wounding, there is the generation of an endogenous wound electric field that serves as a powerful cue to guide cell migration. Concurrently, the corneal epithelium reduces sialylated glycoforms, suggesting that sialylation plays an important role during electrotaxis. Here, we show that pretreating human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial (hTCEpi) cells with a sialyltransferase inhibitor, P-3FAX-Neu5Ac (3F-Neu5Ac), improves electrotaxis by enhancing directionality, but not speed. This was recapitulated using Kifunensine, which inhibits cleavage of mannoses and therefore precludes sialylation on N-glycans. We also identified that 3F-Neu5Ac enhanced the responsiveness of the hTCEpi cell population to the electric field and that pretreated hTCEpi cells showed increased directionality even at low voltages. Furthermore, when we increased sialylation using N-azidoacetylmannosamine-tetraacylated (Ac4ManNAz), hTCEpi cells showed a decrease in both speed and directionality. Importantly, pretreating enucleated eyes with 3F-Neu5Ac significantly improved re-epithelialization in an ex vivo model of a corneal injury. Finally, we show that in hTCEpi cells, sialylation is increased by growth factor deprivation and reduced by PDGF-BB. Taken together, our results suggest that during corneal wound healing, reduced sialylated glycoforms enhance electrotaxis and re-epithelialization, potentially opening new avenues to promote corneal wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Le
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (B.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Kan Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (B.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Chelsea Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (B.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Brian Reid
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (B.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Amin Cressman
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, CA 95817, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (B.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Fernando A. Fierro
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, CA 95817, USA
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11
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Liu F, Liu C, Lee IXY, Lin MTY, Liu YC. Corneal dendritic cells in diabetes mellitus: A narrative review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1078660. [PMID: 36777336 PMCID: PMC9911453 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1078660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a global public health problem with both macrovascular and microvascular complications, such as diabetic corneal neuropathy (DCN). Using in-vivo confocal microscopy, corneal nerve changes in DCN patients can be examined. Additionally, changes in the morphology and quantity of corneal dendritic cells (DCs) in diabetic corneas have also been observed. DCs are bone marrow-derived antigen-presenting cells that serve both immunological and non-immunological roles in human corneas. However, the role and pathogenesis of corneal DC in diabetic corneas have not been well understood. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of both animal and clinical studies that report changes in DCs, including the DC density, maturation stages, as well as relationships between the corneal DCs, corneal nerves, and corneal epithelium, in diabetic corneas. We have also discussed the associations between the changes in corneal DCs and various clinical or imaging parameters, including age, corneal nerve status, and blood metabolic parameters. Such information would provide valuable insight into the development of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for DM-associated ocular surface complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Liu
- University of Cambridge, Girton College, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Chang Liu
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Isabelle Xin Yu Lee
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Molly Tzu Yu Lin
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Cornea and Refractive Surgery Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Yu-Chi Liu,
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12
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Desjardins P, Berthiaume R, Couture C, Le-Bel G, Roy V, Gros-Louis F, Moulin VJ, Proulx S, Chemtob S, Germain L, Guérin SL. Impact of Exosomes Released by Different Corneal Cell Types on the Wound Healing Properties of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12201. [PMID: 36293057 PMCID: PMC9602716 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal wound healing involves communication between the different cell types that constitute the three cellular layers of the cornea (epithelium, stroma and endothelium), a process ensured in part by a category of extracellular vesicles called exosomes. In the present study, we isolated exosomes released by primary cultured human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs), corneal fibroblasts (hCFs) and corneal endothelial cells (hCEnCs) and determined whether they have wound healing characteristics of their own and to which point they modify the genetic and proteomic pattern of these cell types. Exosomes released by all three cell types significantly accelerated wound closure of scratch-wounded hCECs in vitro compared to controls (without exosomes). Profiling of activated kinases revealed that exosomes from human corneal cells caused the activation of signal transduction mediators that belong to the HSP27, STAT, β-catenin, GSK-3β and p38 pathways. Most of all, data from gene profiling analyses indicated that exosomes, irrespective of their cellular origin, alter a restricted subset of genes that are completely different between each targeted cell type (hCECs, hCFS, hCEnCs). Analysis of the genes specifically differentially regulated for a given cell-type in the microarray data using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software revealed that the mean gene expression profile of hCECs cultured in the presence of exosomes would likely promote cell proliferation and migration whereas it would reduce differentiation when compared to control cells. Collectively, our findings represent a conceptual advance in understanding the mechanisms of corneal wound repair that may ultimately open new avenues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to improve closure of corneal wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Desjardins
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO)-Recherche, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Rébecca Berthiaume
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO)-Recherche, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Camille Couture
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO)-Recherche, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Gaëtan Le-Bel
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO)-Recherche, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Vincent Roy
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - François Gros-Louis
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Véronique J. Moulin
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Proulx
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO)-Recherche, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain Chemtob
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Lucie Germain
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain L. Guérin
- Regenerative Medicine Division of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO)-Recherche, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Hôpital Enfant-Jésus, 1401 18e Rue, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Département d’Ophtalmologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Kim DH, Lee H, Hwangbo H, Kim SY, Ji SY, Kim MY, Park SK, Park SH, Kim MY, Kim GY, Cheong J, Nam SW, Choi YH. Particulate matter 2.5 promotes inflammation and cellular dysfunction via reactive oxygen species/p38 MAPK pathway in primary rat corneal epithelial cells. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2022; 41:273-284. [PMID: 36097682 DOI: 10.1080/15569527.2022.2122489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Numerous studies have linked particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) to ocular surface diseases, but few studies have been conducted on the biological effect of PM2.5 on the cornea. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the harmful effect of PM2.5 on primary rat corneal epithelial cells (RCECs) in vitro and identify the toxic mechanism involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary cultured RCECs were characterized by pan-cytokeratin (CK) staining. In PM2.5-exposed RCECs, cell viability, microarray gene expression, inflammatory cytokine levels, mitochondrial damage, DNA double-strand break and signaling pathway were investigated. RESULTS Exposure to PM2.5 induced cytotoxicity and morphological changes in RCECs. In addition, PM2.5 markedly up-regulated pro-inflammatory mediators but down-regulated the wound healing-related transforming growth factor-β. Furthermore, PM2.5 promoted mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mediated cellular damage to mitochondria and DNA, whereas these cellular alterations induced by PM2.5 were markedly suppressed by a potential ROS scavenger. Noteworthy, removal of ROS selectively down-regulated the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in PM2.5-stimulated cells. Additionally, SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, markedly suppressed these PM2.5-mediated cellular dysfunctions. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings show that PM2.5 can promote the ROS/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and lead to mitochondrial damage and DNA double-strand break, which is ultimately caused inflammation and cytotoxicity in RCECs. These findings indicate that the ROS/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway is one mechanism involved in PM2.5-induced ocular surface disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Hye Kim
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Molecular Biology, xxxx, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesook Lee
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Convergence Medicine, xxxx, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Hwangbo
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, xxxx, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Kim
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, xxxx, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Yeong Ji
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, xxxx, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Yeong Kim
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, xxxx, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Seh-Kwang Park
- Research and Development Department, xxxx., Busan 47195, Republic of Korea.,xxxx, Seoul 05551, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Ho Park
- Research and Development Department, xxxx., Busan 47195, Republic of Korea.,xxxx, Seoul 05551, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Young Kim
- Research and Development Department, xxxx., Busan 47195, Republic of Korea.,xxxx, Seoul 05551, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Young Kim
- Department of Marine Life Science, xxxx, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehun Cheong
- Department of Molecular Biology, xxxx, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Wan Nam
- Department of Smart Bio-Health, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Anti-Aging Research Center, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, xxxx, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea.,Department of Smart Bio-Health, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea.,Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, xxxx, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
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14
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Lian H, Fang X, Li Q, Liu S, Wei Q, Hua X, Li W, Liao C, Yuan X. NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis Pathway Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Candida albicans Keratitis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:845129. [PMID: 35463001 PMCID: PMC9020473 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.845129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fungal keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal infection caused by fungal pathogens, and the pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis contributes to Candida albicans (C. albicans) keratitis and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods An in vivo mouse model of C. albicans keratitis and an in vitro culture model of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) challenged with heat-killed C. albicans (HKCA) were established in this study. The degree of corneal infection was evaluated by clinical scoring. Gene expression was assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis or immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate protein expression. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to examine the pyroptotic cell death. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay was performed to assess cytotoxicity. Results Compared with the mock-infected group, we observed that the mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 (CASP1), interleukin (IL)−1β and gasdermin-D (GSDMD) in C. albicans-infected mice cornea was significantly increased. Our data also demonstrated that the protein expression of NLRP3 and the pyroptosis-related markers apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved CASP1, N-GSDMD, cleaved IL-1β and cleaved IL-18 as well as pyroptotic cell death were dramatically elevated in the mouse model of C. albicans keratitis. More importantly, NLRP3 knockdown markedly alleviated pyroptosis and consequently reduced corneal inflammatory reaction in C. albicans keratitis. In vitro, the presence of activated NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptotic cell death were validated in HCECs exposed to HKCA. Furthermore, the potassium (K+) channel inhibitor glyburide decreased LDH release and suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in HCECs exposed to HKCA. Conclusion In conclusion, the current study revealed for the first time that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis occur in C. albicans-infected mouse corneas and HCECs. Moreover, NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis signaling is involved in the disease severity of C. albicans keratitis. Therefore, This NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pathway may be an attractive target for the treatment of fungal keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Lian
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Baoding First Central Hospital, Baoding, China.,State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - XiaoLong Fang
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin, China.,State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,The School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingyu Li
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuhong Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baoding First Central Hospital, Baoding, China
| | - Xia Hua
- Aier Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenguang Li
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyong Yuan
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin, China.,The School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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15
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Sosnik A, Shabo RB, Halamish HM. Cannabidiol-Loaded Mixed Polymeric Micelles of Chitosan/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) for Trans-Corneal Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:2142. [PMID: 34959427 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular drug delivery is challenging due to the very short drug residence time and low permeability. In this work, we produce and characterize mucoadhesive mixed polymeric micelles (PMs) made of chitosan (CS) and poly(vinyl alcohol) backbones graft-hydrophobized with short poly(methyl methacrylate) blocks and use them to encapsulate cannabidiol (CBD), an anti-inflammatory cannabinoid. CBD-loaded mixed PMs are physically stabilized by ionotropic crosslinking of the CS domains with sodium tripolyphoshate and spray-drying. These mixed PMs display CBD loading capacity of 20% w/w and sizes of 100-200 nm, and spherical morphology (cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy). The good compatibility of the unloaded and CBD-loaded PMs is assessed in a human corneal epithelial cell line. Then, we confirm the permeability of CBD-free PMs and nanoencapsulated CBD in human corneal epithelial cell monolayers under liquid-liquid and air-liquid conditions. Overall, our results highlight the potential of these polymeric nanocarriers for ocular drug delivery.
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Kang WS, Choi H, Lee KH, Kim E, Kim KJ, Kim JS, Na CS, Kim S. Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg and Its Active Components Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis after Urban Particulate Matter-Induced Ocular Surface Damage. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1717. [PMID: 34829588 PMCID: PMC8614870 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10111717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that urban particulate matter (UPM) exposure decreases the migration activity and survival of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). Herein, we investigated the potential to improve the corneal wound-healing ability of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. leaf extract (PJE) and its active components on UPM-induced ocular surface damage in vitro and in vivo. PJE effectively assisted wound healing without altering HCEC survival and enhanced catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) antioxidant gene expression. A corneal wound was uniformly induced on the right eye in all experimental animals and divided into eight groups such as two control groups (wounded right eye group-NR and non-wounded left eye group-NL), UPM treated group and PJEs (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg) treated groups. Corneal abrasion model rats exposed to UPM showed delayed wound healing compared to unexposed rats, but wound healing was dose-dependently enhanced by PJE oral administration. Seventy-two hours after wound generation, inflammatory cells, apoptotic cells and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression were increased substantially after UPM exposure, but PJE treatment significantly reduced the wound to an almost normal level while enhancing re-epithelialization without changing corneal thickness. Next, we tried to identify the key molecules for enhancing wound healing through fractionation. The major compounds in the fraction, confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), were chlorogenic acid (CA), neochlorogenic acid (NCA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (CCA). Each type of CA isomers showed slightly different half maximal effective (EC50) and maximal effective (ECmax) concentrations, and their mixtures synergistically enhanced HCEC migration. Thus, corneal abrasion wound recovery after UPM exposure improved after PJE treatment, and the active PJE components were identified, providing an important basis to develop therapeutics for ocular surface damage using PJE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Seok Kang
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Hakjoon Choi
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Ki Hoon Lee
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Eun Kim
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Kyeong Jo Kim
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Jin Seok Kim
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Chang-Su Na
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju-si 58245, Korea;
| | - Sunoh Kim
- Central R&D Center, B&Tech Co., Ltd., Gwangju 61239, Korea; (W.S.K.); (H.C.); (K.H.L.); (E.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.S.K.)
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17
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McKay TB, Guo X, Hutcheon AEK, Karamichos D, Ciolino JB. Methods for Investigating Corneal Cell Interactions and Extracellular Vesicles In Vitro. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 89:e114. [PMID: 32986311 DOI: 10.1002/cpcb.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Science and medicine have become increasingly "human-centric" over the years. A growing shift away from the use of animals in basic research has led to the development of sophisticated in vitro models of various tissues utilizing human-derived cells to study physiology and disease. The human cornea has likewise been modeled in vitro using primary cells derived from corneas obtained from cadavers or post-transplantation. By utilizing a cell's intrinsic ability to maintain its tissue phenotype in a pre-designed microenvironment containing the required growth factors, physiological temperature, and humidity, tissue-engineered corneas can be grown and maintained in culture for relatively long periods of time on the scale of weeks to months. Due to its transparency and avascularity, the cornea is an optimal tissue for studies of extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions, toxicology and permeability of drugs, and underlying mechanisms of scarring and tissue regeneration. This paper describes methods for the cultivation of corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, epithelial, and endothelial cells for in vitro applications. We also provide detailed, step-by-step protocols for assembling and culturing 3D constructs of the corneal stroma, epithelial- and endothelial-stromal co-cultures and isolation of extracellular vesicles. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolating and culturing human corneal keratocytes and fibroblasts Basic Protocol 2: Isolating and culturing human corneal epithelial cells Basic Protocol 3: Isolating and culturing human corneal endothelial cells Basic Protocol 4: 3D corneal stromal construct assembly Basic Protocol 5: 3D corneal epithelial-stromal construct assembly Basic Protocol 6: 3D corneal endothelial-stromal construct assembly Basic Protocol 7: Isolating extracellular vesicles from corneal cell conditioned medium Support Protocol: Cryopreserving human corneal fibroblasts, corneal epithelial cells, and corneal endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina B McKay
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Audrey E K Hutcheon
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Joseph B Ciolino
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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18
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Cammalleri M, Amato R, Olivieri M, Pezzino S, Bagnoli P, Dal Monte M, Rusciano D. Effects of Topical Gabapentin on Ocular Pain and Tear Secretion. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:671238. [PMID: 34163358 PMCID: PMC8216672 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.671238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic ocular pain is a frequent occurrence in medium to severe dry eye disease (DED). Only palliative treatments, such as lubricants and anti-inflammatory drugs, are available to alleviate patients’ discomfort. Anesthetic drugs are not indicated, because they may interfere with the neural feedback between the cornea and the lacrimal gland, impairing tear production and lacrimation. Gabapentin (GBT) is a structural analog of gamma-amino butyric acid that has been used by systemic administration to provide pain relief in glaucomatous patients. We have already shown in a rabbit model system that its topic administration as eye drops has anti-inflammatory properties. We now present data on rabbits’ eyes showing that indeed GBT given topically as eye drops has analgesic but not anesthetic effects. Therefore, opposite to an anesthetic drug such as oxybuprocaine, GBT does not decrease lacrimation, but–unexpectedly–even stimulates it, apparently through the upregulation of acetylcholine and norepinephrine, and by induction of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) expression in the lacrimal gland. Moreover, data obtained in vitro on a primary human corneal epithelial cell line also show direct induction of AQP5 by GBT. This suggests that corneal cells might also contribute to the lacrimal stimulation promoted by GBT and participate with lacrimal glands in the restoration of the tear film, thus reducing friction on the ocular surface, which is a known trigger of ocular pain. In conclusion, GBT is endowed with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and secretagogue properties, all useful to treat neuropathic pain of the ocular surface, especially in case of DED.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosario Amato
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Paola Bagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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19
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Giurdanella G, Longo A, Salerno L, Romeo G, Intagliata S, Lupo G, Distefano A, Platania CBM, Bucolo C, Li Volti G, Anfuso CD, Pittalà V. Glucose-impaired Corneal Re-epithelialization Is Promoted by a Novel Derivate of Dimethyl Fumarate. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10060831. [PMID: 34067436 PMCID: PMC8224583 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10060831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose induces corneal epithelial dysfunctions characterized by delayed wound repair. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mediates cell protection mechanisms even through the Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) up-regulation. Here, we synthesized new HO-1 inducers by modifying dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and used docking studies to select VP13/126 as a promising compound with the best binding energy to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1), which is the the regulator of Nrf2 nuclear translocation. We verified if VP13/126 protects SIRC cells from hyperglycemia compared to DMF. SIRC were cultured in normal (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM, HG) in presence of DMF (1–25 μM) or VP13/126 (0.1–5 μM) with or without ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (15 μM). VP13/126 was more effective than DMF in the prevention of HG-induced reduction of cell viability and proliferation. Reduction of wound closure induced by HG was similarly counteracted by 1 μM VP13/126 and 10 μM DMF. VP13/126 strongly increased phospho/total ERK1/2 and restored HO-1 protein in HG-treated SIRC; these effects are completely counteracted by PD98059. Moreover, high-content screening analysis showed a higher rate of Nrf2 nuclear translocation induced by VP13/126 than DMF in HG-stimulated SIRC. These data indicate that VP13/126 exerts remarkable pro-survival properties in HG-stimulated SIRC, promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Giurdanella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
| | - Anna Longo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
| | - Giuseppe Romeo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
| | - Sebastiano Intagliata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy; (G.G.); (A.L.); (G.L.); (A.D.); (G.L.V.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology–CERFO, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy;
- Correspondence: (C.D.A.); (V.P.); Tel.: +39-095-478-1170 (C.D.A.); +39-095-738-4269 (V.P.)
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (L.S.); (G.R.); (S.I.)
- Correspondence: (C.D.A.); (V.P.); Tel.: +39-095-478-1170 (C.D.A.); +39-095-738-4269 (V.P.)
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20
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Abstract
PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA is an opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of corneal infections worldwide. The bacterium secretes several toxins through its type III secretion system (T3SS) to subvert host immune responses. In addition, it is armed with intrinsic as well as acquired antibiotic resistance mechanisms that make treatment a significant challenge and new therapeutic interventions are needed. Type III secretion inhibitors have been studied as an alternative or in accompaniment to traditional antibiotics to inhibit virulence of bacteria. In this study, INP0341, a T3SS inhibitor, inhibited cytotoxicity by P. aeruginosa toward human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) at 100 μM without affecting bacterial growth in the liquid media. An increased expression of antimicrobial peptides and reactive oxygen species generation was also observed in cells exposed to P. aeruginosa in the presence of INP0341. Furthermore, INP0341 efficiently attenuated corneal infection by P. aeruginosa in an experimental model of murine keratitis as evident from corneal opacity, clinical score and bacterial load. Thus, INP0341 appears to be a promising candidate to treat corneal infection caused by P. aeruginosa and can be further considered as an alternative therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerana Sharma
- Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute , Hyderabad, India.,Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Sanhita Roy
- Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute , Hyderabad, India
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21
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Meng YF, Pu Q, Dai SY, Ma Q, Li X, Zhu W. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Alleviates Hyperosmolarity-Induced IL-17a Secretion and Macrophage Activation in Corneal Epithelial Cells/Macrophage Co-Culture System. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:479-493. [PMID: 33658825 PMCID: PMC7917392 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s292764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hyperosmosis stress (HS) was a key pathological factor in the development of dry eye disease (DED). Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) demonstrated protective effects in the corneal damage, however, its role in the HS-induced DED remained unclear. Methods A NaCl based HS in-vitro model (500 mOsm) was generated and used in a co-culture system including corneal epithelial cells (CEC) and macrophage cell line RAW264.7. The effect of NMN on NAD+ metabolism and the expression of HS biomarker, tonicity-responsive element binding protein (TonEBP), was studied in the CEC. The cellular activity, including cell viability, apoptosis status and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release through trypan blue staining, flow cytometry and LDH assay, respectively. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay would be conducted using the JC1 kit. The expression of IL-17a were detected using RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot. After co-culture with the CEC in different group for 24 h, the phagocytosis ability and macrophage polarization were assessed in RAW264.7 cells co-cultured with CEC with or without HS or NMN treatment. Besides, the involvement of Notch pathway in the RAW264.7 would be analyzed. The potential involvement of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and IL-17a in the crosstalk between CEC and macrophage was studied with SIRT1 inhibitor EX 527 and anti-IL-17a monoclonal antibody, respectively. Results NMN treatment increased NAD+ concentration and thus improved cell viability, reduced apoptotic rate and decreased the LDH release in HS-treated CEC. Besides, NMN alleviated HS-induced MMP, intracellular ROS and LDH release. Besides, it was confirmed NMN improve SIRT1 function and decreased the HS related IL-17a expression in CEC and then alleviated macrophage phagocytosis ability and M1 polarization based on a CEC-macrophage co-culture system. Moreover, NMN treatment of CEC in the CEC could moderate the subsequent macrophage activation through Notch pathway. SIRT1 activation and IL-17a inhibition was regarded as key progress in the function of NMN based on the application of EX 527 and anti-IL-17a antibody in the CEC-macrophage co-culture system. Conclusion The findings demonstrated that NMN could alleviated HS-induced DED status through regulating the CEC/macrophage interaction. Our data pointed to the role of SIRT1, IL-17a and Notch pathway in the function of NMN and then provided updated knowledge of potential NMN application in the management of DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fang Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Changshu No. 2 People's Hospital, Changshu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Pu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - San-You Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lixiang Eye Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Changshu No. 2 People's Hospital, Changshu, People's Republic of China
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22
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Kowtharapu BS, Damaraju J, Singh NK, Ziebart J, Bader R, Koczan D, Stachs O. Analysis of the Differential Gene and Protein Expression Profiles of Corneal Epithelial Cells Stimulated with Alternating Current Electric Fields. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:299. [PMID: 33672614 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In cells, intrinsic endogenous direct current (DC) electric fields (EFs) serve as morphogenetic cues and are necessary for several important cellular responses including activation of multiple signaling pathways, cell migration, tissue regeneration and wound healing. Endogenous DC EFs, generated spontaneously following injury in physiological conditions, directly correlate with wound healing rate, and different cell types respond to these EFs via directional orientation and migration. Application of external DC EFs results in electrode polarity and is known to activate intracellular signaling events in specific direction. In contrast, alternating current (AC) EFs are known to induce continuous bidirectional flow of charged particles without electrode polarity and also minimize electrode corrosion. In this context, the present study is designed to study effects of AC EFs on corneal epithelial cell gene and protein expression profiles in vitro. We performed gene and antibody arrays, analyzed the data to study specific influence of AC EFs, and report that AC EFs has no deleterious effect on epithelial cell function. Gene Ontology results, following gene and protein array data analysis, showed that AC EFs influence similar biological processes that are predominantly responsive to organic substance, chemical, or external stimuli. Both arrays activate cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, MAPK and IL-17 signaling pathways. Further, in comparison to the gene array data, the protein array data show enrichment of diverse activated signaling pathways through several interconnecting networks.
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23
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Ceravolo I, Mannino F, Irrera N, Squadrito F, Altavilla D, Ceravolo G, Pallio G, Minutoli L. Health Potential of Aloe vera against Oxidative Stress Induced Corneal Damage: An "In Vitro" Study. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:318. [PMID: 33672553 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is characterized by the gradual deterioration of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and is the most common cause of corneal transplantation worldwide. CECs apoptosis caused by oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of FECD. Antioxidant compounds have been of considerable significance as a candidate treatment in the management of corneal diseases. Based on these findings, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aloe extract with antioxidant properties, in an “in vitro” model of FECD. Human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells were preincubated with aloe extract 100 μg/mL, two hours before hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stimulus. H2O2 challenge significantly reduced the cell viability, increased the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, m-RNA expression and activity of Nrf-2, Catalase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were reduced together with an enhanced expression of IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Furthermore, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 expression were down-regulated while Bax was up-regulated by H2O2 stimulus. Aloe extract blunted the oxidative stress-induced inflammatory cascade triggered by H2O2 and modulated apoptosis. Aloe extract defends HCE cells from H2O2-induced injury possibly due its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, indicating that eye drops containing aloe extract may be used as an adjunctive treatment for FECD.
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24
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Wu L, Du L, Ju Q, Chen Z, Ma Y, Bai T, Ji G, Wu Y, Liu Z, Shao Y, Peng X. Silencing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway Alleviated Inflammation of Corneal Epithelial Cells Infected by ISE. Inflammation 2021; 44:633-44. [PMID: 33174138 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-020-01363-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The regulatory role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the inactivate staphylococcus epidermidis (ISE)-induced cornea inflammation is not well investigated. Here, TLR4 silence could decrease inflammatory cytokines in corneal epithelial cells treated with ISE. The mouse corneal epithelial cells were exposed to ISE for 24 h, either alone or with the NF-κB inhibitor, TLR4 lentivirus to bilaterally (knock-down or and overexpression). The expression of TLR4 in mouse corneal epithelial cells was investigated using western blot and qRT-PCR assay. The inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The relative impact factors of TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling detected using western blot assay. Results show the expression levels of TLR4 and some inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in corneal epithelial cells treated with ISE. TLR4 Silence markedly decreased ISE-induced production of IL12, TNF-α, CCL5, and CCL9 in corneal epithelial cells. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) in the cells treated with ISE were further reduced by silencing TLR4. Inhibition of TLR4-mediated NF-κB signaling by using BAY11-7082 also alleviated ISE-induced inflammation. In the rescue experiment, transfected the stable TLR4 silenced corneal epithelial cells with TLR4 overexpression lentivirus, we found that TLR4 overexpression can restore the down-regulation of TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines (IL12, TNF-α, CCL9) caused by TLR4 knocked down. Therefore, ISE-induced cornea inflammation was due to the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, and dramatically stimulated IL12, TNF-α, CCL9 secretion. TLR4 silence presented mitigates damage in corneal epithelial cells treated with ISE.
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25
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Wang J, Kaplan N, Wysocki J, Yang W, Lu K, Peng H, Batlle D, Lavker RM. The ACE2-deficient mouse: A model for a cytokine storm-driven inflammation. FASEB J 2020; 34:10505-10515. [PMID: 32725927 PMCID: PMC7323146 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001020r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays an important role in inflammation, which is attributable at least, in part, to the conversion of the pro‐inflammatory angiotensin (Ang) II peptide into angiotensin 1‐7 (Ang 1‐7), a peptide which opposes the actions of AngII. ACE2 and AngII are present in many tissues but information on the cornea is lacking. We observed that mice deficient in the Ace2 gene (Ace2−/−), developed a cloudy cornea phenotype as they aged. Haze occupied the central cornea, accompanied by corneal edema and neovascularization. In severe cases with marked chronic inflammation, a cell‐fate switch from a transparent corneal epithelium to a keratinized, stratified squamous, psoriasiform‐like epidermis was observed. The stroma contained a large number of CD11c, CD68, and CD3 positive cells. Corneal epithelial debridement experiments in young ACE2‐deficient mice showed normal appearing corneas, devoid of haze. We hypothesized, however, that these mice are “primed” for a corneal inflammatory response, which once initiated, would persist. In vitro studies reveal that interleukins (IL‐1a, IL‐1b), chemokines (CCL2, CXCL8), and TNF‐α, are all significantly elevated, resulting in a cytokine storm‐like phenotype. This phenotype could be partially rescued by treatment with the AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist, losartan, suggesting that the observed effect was mediated by AngII acting on its main receptor. Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) utilizes human ACE2 as the receptor for entry with subsequent downregulation of ACE2, corneal inflammation in Ace2−/− mice may have a similar mechanism with that in COVID‐19 patients. Thus the Ace2−/− cornea, because of easy accessibility, may provide an attractive model to explore the molecular mechanisms, immunological changes, and treatment modalities in patients with COVID‐19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Center of the PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nihal Kaplan
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jan Wysocki
- Department of Medicine (Nephrology and Hypertension), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wending Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kurt Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Han Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel Batlle
- Department of Medicine (Nephrology and Hypertension), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert M Lavker
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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26
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Li L, Jin R, Li Y, Nho JH, Choi W, Ji YS, Yoon HJ, Yoon KC. Effects of Eurya japonica extracts on human corneal epithelial cells and experimental dry eye. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:1607-1615. [PMID: 32742392 PMCID: PMC7388282 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Eurya japonica (EJ) leaves have been indicated to exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic inflammatory disease and oxidative stress is closely associated with DED. The aim of the present study was to analyze the therapeutic efficacy of EJ in DED using human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE). EJ extracts (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1%) were used to treat HCE cells. Cell viability and mitochondrial function were detected using a EZ-Cytox cell viability assay kit and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay was used to measure cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Subsequently, eye drops consisting of BSS or 0.001%, 0.01 and 0.1% EJ extracts were applied for treatment of EDE. At 7 days, conjunctival ROS production was measured using a DCF-DA assay. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, 10 kDa interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG) levels in the conjunctiva were analyzed using a multiplex immunobead assay. Tear film and ocular surface parameters were measured. Treatment with EJ extracts in HCE cells effectively improved cell viability, ROS levels and mitochondrial function. Mice treated with 0.01 and 0.1% EJ extracts indicated a significant decrease in ROS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IP-10 and MIG levels compared with the EDE or BSS groups. Furthermore, a significant improvement in all clinical parameters was observed in the 0.01 and 0.1% EJ extract groups. EJ extracts could decrease cytotoxicity and ROS production in HCE cells. Additionally, topical EJ extracts reduced oxidative damage and inflammation and improved clinical signs of EDE, suggesting that EJ extracts may be used as an adjunctive therapy for DED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea.,Biomedical Sciences and Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Rujun Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Nho
- Department of Korean Medicine Preclinical Trial Center, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Jangheung-gun 59319, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sok Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Yoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Chul Yoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
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Azmi SM, Salih M, Abdelrazeg S, Roslan FF, Mohamed R, Tan JJ, Shaharuddin B. Human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells: a promising strategy for corneal epithelial regeneration. Regen Med 2020; 15:1381-1397. [PMID: 32253974 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2019-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: As a strategy to improve the outcome of ex vivo cultivated corneal epithelial transplantation, the role of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) is investigated in promoting corneal epithelial growth and functions. Materials & methods: Human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cells were characterized and its functions evaluated by scratch migration assay, cellular senescence, HLA expression and spheres formation with hUC-MSC. Results: Expression of corneal epithelial markers was influenced by the duration and method of co-culture. Indirect co-culture improved cellular migration and delayed senescence when treated after 3 and 5 days. hUC-MSC downregulated expression of HLA Class I and II in IFN-γ-stimulated human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cells. Conclusion: hUC-MSC promote corneal epithelial growth and functions after treatment with hUC-MSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Maisura Azmi
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia
| | - Mohamed Salih
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, National University Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Samar Abdelrazeg
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia.,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, National University Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Fatin Fazrina Roslan
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia
| | - Rafeezul Mohamed
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia
| | - Jun Jie Tan
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia
| | - Bakiah Shaharuddin
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, SAINS@BERTAM, Kepala Batas, Penang 13200, Malaysia
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Titone R, Robertson DM. Insulin receptor preserves mitochondrial function by binding VDAC1 in insulin insensitive mucosal epithelial cells. FASEB J 2019; 34:754-775. [PMID: 31914671 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901316rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Unlike many epithelial tissues, the corneal epithelium is insulin insensitive, meaning it does not require insulin for glucose uptake. In this study, we show that insulin differentially regulates mitochondrial respiration in two human mucosal epithelial cell types: insulin-insensitive corneal epithelial cells and insulin-sensitive bronchial epithelial cells. In both cell types, insulin blocks glycogen synthase kinase beta (GSK3β) activity. In the corneal epithelium however, insulin selectively regulates PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK-1)-mediated mitophagy and mitochondrial accumulation of insulin receptor (INSR). While insulin blocked basal levels of PINK-1-mediated mitophagy in bronchial epithelial cells, mitochondrial trafficking of INSR was not detectable. We further show that in corneal epithelia, INSR interacts with the voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1) in mitochondria and that INSR knockdown triggers robust mitochondrial fragmentation, alterations in mitochondrial polarization, and blocks the induction of PINK-1-mediated mitophagy. Collectively, these data demonstrate that INSR interacts with VDAC1 to mediate mitochondrial stability. We also demonstrate unique interactions between VDAC1 and other receptor tyrosine kinases, indicating a novel role for this family of receptors in mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Titone
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Danielle M Robertson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Wang Z, Shan W, Li H, Feng J, Lu S, Ou B, Ma M, Ma Y. The PACAP-derived peptide MPAPO facilitates corneal wound healing by promoting corneal epithelial cell proliferation and trigeminal ganglion cell axon regeneration. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:2676-2691. [PMID: 31754339 PMCID: PMC6854382 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.35630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the cornea plays an important role in providing protection to the eye, but it is fragile and vulnerable. To clarify the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)-derived peptide MPAPO (named MPAPO) to promote corneal wound healing, we applied a mechanical method to establish a corneal injury model and analyzed the repair effects of MPAPO on corneal injury. MPAPO significantly promoted corneal wound repair in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, we established injury models of epithelial cells and trigeminal ganglion cells with H2O2. The results show that when the concentration of MPAPO is 1 μM, it can significantly promote the repair of injured corneal epithelial cells and the regeneration of trigeminal ganglion cell axons. MPAPO repairs epithelial cells through the promotion of GSK3β phosphorylation by binding to PAC1 and activating AKT. β-catenin escapes the phosphorylation of GSK3β and enters the nucleus to promote the expression of cyclin D1, accelerate cell cycle progression and promote cell proliferation. MPAPO promotes axonal regeneration by binding to the PAC1 receptor and activating adenylate cyclase activity, followed by the cAMP activation of protein kinase A activity and the promotion of CREB phosphorylation. Phosphorylated CREB promotes Bcl2 expression and axonal regeneration. In conclusion, our data support the role of MPAPO to facilitate corneal wound healing by promoting corneal epithelial cell proliferation and trigeminal ganglion cell axon regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixian Wang
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
| | - Wailan Shan
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
| | - Huixian Li
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
| | - Jia Feng
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
| | - Shiyin Lu
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
| | - Biqian Ou
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
| | - Min Ma
- College of traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University
| | - Yi Ma
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Jinan University.,National engineering research center of genetic Medicine, Key laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine of Guangdong Province, Jinan University
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Chang WA, Hsiao YT, Lin HC, Jian SF, Chen YJ, Kuo PL. Deduction of Novel Genes Potentially Involved in the Effects of Very Low Dose Atropine (0.003%) Treatment on Corneal Epithelial Cells Using Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Approaches. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:E589. [PMID: 31540331 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Atropine is a nonselective muscarinic antagonist which has been used to prevent worsening of myopia in children. Different concentrations of atropine were used for myopia, ranging from 0.01% to 1.0%. However, there are still potential toxicity of different doses of atropine to the cornea. Here, we present a study of investigating novel genes potentially involved in the effects of very low dose atropine treatment (0.003%) on corneal epithelial cells using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics approaches. Materials and Methods: Human corneal epithelial cells were treated with 0.003% atropine, cultured until confluence, and RNA extracted for differential expression profiling of mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) between control and atropine-treated corneal epithelial cells. The functional enrichment analysis for differentially expressed genes was performed using two bioinformatics databases, including Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA). In addition, potential miRNA-mRNA interactions involved in atropine-treated corneal epithelial cells were predicted and validated using different miRNA target prediction databases. Results: Our results showed 0.003% atropine might suppress the apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells, potentially through Ras and protein kinase A signaling pathways. We also validated the possible miRNA regulations by using TargetScan and miRDB databases. Hsa-miR-651-3p-EPHA7, hsa-miR-3148-TMEM108 and hsa-miR-874-5p-TBX6 were validated as possible miRNA regulations involved in corneal epithelial cells treated with 0.003% atropine. Conclusions: These findings may contribute novel insights into therapeutic strategies for treating cornea with 0.003% atropine.
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Jiang QW, Kaili D, Freeman J, Lei CY, Geng BC, Tan T, He JF, Shi Z, Ma JJ, Luo YH, Chandler H, Zhu H. Diabetes inhibits corneal epithelial cell migration and tight junction formation in mice and human via increasing ROS and impairing Akt signaling. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:1205-1211. [PMID: 30867543 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0223-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal wounds usually heal quickly; but diabetic patients have more fragile corneas and experience delayed and painful healing. In the present study, we compared the healing capacity of corneal epithelial cells (CECs) between normal and diabetic conditions and the potential mechanisms. Primary murine CEC derived from wild-type and diabetic (db/db) mice, as well as primary human CEC were prepared. Human CEC were exposed to high glucose (30 mM) to mimic diabetic conditions. Cell migration and proliferation were assessed using Scratch test and MTT assays, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the cells was measured using dichlorofluorescein reagent. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression levels of Akt. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression were used to determine tight junction integrity. We found that the diabetic CEC displayed significantly slower cell proliferation and migration compared with the normal CEC from both mice and humans. Furthermore, ROS production was markedly increased in CEC grown under diabetic conditions. Treatment with an antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, 100 μM) significantly decreased ROS production and increased wound healing in diabetic CEC. Barrier function was significantly reduced in both diabetic mouse and human CEC, while NAC treatment mitigated these effects. We further showed that Akt signaling was impaired in diabetic CEC, which was partially improved by NAC treatment. These results show that diabetic conditions lead to delayed wound-healing capacity of CEC and impaired tight junction formation in both mice and human. Increased ROS production and inhibited Akt signaling may contribute to this outcome, implicating these as potential targets for treating corneal wounds in diabetic patients.
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Fukuda T, Gouko R, Eitsuka T, Suzuki R, Takahashi K, Nakagawa K, Sugano E, Tomita H, Kiyono T. Human-Derived Corneal Epithelial Cells Expressing Cell Cycle Regulators as a New Resource for in vitro Ocular Toxicity Testing. Front Genet 2019; 10:587. [PMID: 31379915 PMCID: PMC6646426 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Draize test has been used on rabbits since the 1960s to evaluate the irritation caused by commercial chemicals in products such as cosmetics or hairdressing products. However, since 2003, such tests, including the Draize test for cosmetics, have been prohibited in European countries because they are considered problematic to animal welfare. For this reason, replacement of in vivo methods with the alternative in vitro methods has become an important goal. In this study, we established a corneal epithelial cell line co-expressing a mutant cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Cyclin D1, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). The established cell line maintained its original morphology and had an enhanced proliferation rate. Furthermore, the cells showed a significant, dose-dependent decrease in viability in an irritation test using glycolic acid and Benzalkonium chloride. These cells can now be shared with toxicology scientists and should contribute to increasing the reproducibility of chemical testing in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Fukuda
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan.,Soft-Path Engineering Research Center (SPERC), Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Ryo Gouko
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Eitsuka
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryusei Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Kohei Takahashi
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Nakagawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eriko Sugano
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tomita
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Tohru Kiyono
- Division of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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Chen Y, Yin YW, Zhao Y, Wu XY, Young K, Song WT, Xia XB, Wen D. Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells derived mesenchymal stem cells into corneal epithelial cells after being seeded on decellularized SMILE-derived lenticules. Int J Ophthalmol 2019; 12:717-724. [PMID: 31131228 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2019.05.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the feasibility of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into corneal epithelial cells after being seeded on the decellularized small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)-derived lenticules. METHODS The fresh lenticules procured from patients undergoing SMILE for the correction of myopia were decellularized. The MSCs were subsequently cultivated on those denuded lenticules. The MSCs without lenticules were used as a control. The proliferation activity of the MSCs after seeding 24h was quantitatively determined with the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Immunofluorescence staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to assess the marker expression in differentiated MSCs. RESULTS The data showed that both fresh and decellularized lenticules could significantly promote the proliferation of MSCs, compared to that in control (P=0.02 for fresh lenticules, P=0.001 for decellularize ones, respectively). The MSCs seeded on both lenticules were positive for cytokeratin 3 (CK3) staining. The expression of CK3 increased 5-fold in MSCs seeded on fresh lenticules and 18-fold on decellularized ones, compared to that in control. There was a significant difference in the expression of CK3 in MSCs seeded on fresh and decellularized lenticules (P<0.001). The expression of CK8 and CK18 was similar in pure MSCs and MSCs seeded on fresh lenticules (P>0.05), while the expression of these markers was decreased in MSCs seeded on decellularized ones. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the decellularized lenticules might be more suitable for MSCs to differentiate into corneal epithelial cells, which offers the prospect of a novel therapeutic modality of SMILE-derived lenticules in regenerative corneal engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ye-Wei Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Kelly Young
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, Florida 33125, USA
| | - Wei-Tao Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dan Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
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Xu Q, Hu LT, Wang Q, Lin J, Jiang N, Li C, Zhao GQ. Expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Int J Ophthalmol 2019; 12:711-716. [PMID: 31131227 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2019.05.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and detect its role in the innate immune response of fungal keratitis (FK). METHODS We collected the paraffin-embedded cornea tissues from 10 FK and 6 ocular trauma patients to explore the MIF expression by immunohistochemistry. Then we cultured telomease-immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (THCEs), stimulated by the hyphae suspension of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) to detect the change of MIF with or without the pretreatment of MIF inhibitor [4-Iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine (4-IPP)] by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The protein level of MIF was also tested by immunohistochemistry, and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA were compared between normal, hyphae stimulated and 4-IPP pretreated groups by real-time PCR to study the influence of MIF on the expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Corneal severity of rats' FK models was documented by clinical scores, and real-time PCR. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to test the expression of MIF, TNF-α and IL-6 in rats' corneas. RESULTS In the corneas of FK patients, there was much stronger expression of MIF than that in the normal group showed by immunohistochemistry. In cultured THCEs stimulated by A. fumigatus, the expression of MIF became stronger in both immunohistochemistry and PCR at 16, 24, 32 and 48h post infection (p.i.; P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05). After pretreated with 4-IPP, the expression of MIF reduced at 4, 8, 16h p.i. (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.05) and the downstream TNF-α and IL-6 decreased obviously (P<0.05, P<0.01). In rats with A. fumigatus keratitis, the relative mRNA and protein level of MIF increased than those in the normal group by PCR (at 1d: P<0.01, 3d: P<0.01, 5d: P<0.01), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. After blocked MIF with 4-IPP, the clinical outcomes of rat keratitis showed markedly reduced inflammatory response (P<0.01), with TNF-α and IL-6 decreased in accordance with those in THCEs by PCR (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The expression of MIF increased significantly in FK patients, THCEs and rats stimulated by A. fumigatus. After blocked with 4-IPP, the expression of MIF reduced, and so did its downstream cytokines: TNF-α and IL-6. The inflammation reaction of the rats' corneas lightened after pretreated with 4-IPP. MIF may play a role in the innate immune response of the corneal resistance against A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li-Ting Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Cui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Gui-Qiu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
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Zhu J, Slevin M, Guo BQ, Zhu SR. Induced pluripotent stem cells as a potential therapeutic source for corneal epithelial stem cells. Int J Ophthalmol 2018; 11:2004-2010. [PMID: 30588437 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2018.12.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal blindness caused by limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is one of the most common debilitating eye disorders. Thus far, the most effective treatment for LSCD is corneal transplantation, which is often hindered by the shortage of donors. Pluripotent stem cell technology including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have opened new avenues for treating this disease. iPSCs-derived corneal epithelial cells provide an autologous and unlimited source of cells for the treatment of LSCD. On the other hand, iPSCs of LSCD patients can be used for iPSCs-corneal disease model and new drug discovery. However, prior to clinical trial, the efficacy and safety of these cells in patients with LSCD should be proved. Here we focused on the current status of iPSCs-derived corneal epithelial cells used for cell therapy as well as for corneal disease modeling. The challenges and potential of iPSCs-derived corneal epithelial cells as a choice for clinical treatment in corneal disease were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Queen Mary School, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Mark Slevin
- School of Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M15GD, United Kingdom.,Research Institute of Brain Vascular Disease, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bao-Qiang Guo
- School of Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M15GD, United Kingdom.,Research Institute of Brain Vascular Disease, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shou-Rong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong Province, China
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Yang J, Park JW, Zheng D, Xu RH. Universal Corneal Epithelial-Like Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Cellularization of a Corneal Scaffold. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2018; 7:23. [PMID: 30323996 PMCID: PMC6181193 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.7.5.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We generated universal corneal epithelial cells (CEC) from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) by genetically removing human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I from the cell surface. Methods The serum-free, growth factor-free, and defined medium E6 was used to differentiate hESC to CEC. Decellularized murine corneas were recellularized with hESC-derived CEC. Using CRISPR/Cas9, β-2-microglobulin (B2M) was deleted in hESC to block the assembly of HLA class-I antigens on the cell surface to generate B2M−/− CEC. Results E6 alone was sufficient to allow hESC differentiation to CEC. A time-course analysis of the global gene expression of the differentiating cells indicates that the differentiation closely resembles the corneal development in vivo. The hESC-CEC were highly proliferative, and could form multilayer epithelium in decellularized murine cornea, retain its transparency, and form intact tight junctions on its surface. As reported before, B2M knockout led to the absence of HLA class-I on the cell surface of hESC and subsequently derived CEC following stimulation with inflammatory factors. Moreover, B2M−/− CEC, following transplantation into mouse eyes, caused less T-cell infiltration in the limbal region of the eye than the wild-type control. Conclusions CEC can be derived from hESC via a novel and simple protocol free of any proteins, hESC-CEC seeded on decellularized animal cornea form tight junctions and allow light transmittance, and B2M−/− CEC are hypoimmunogenic both in vitro and in vivo. Translational Relevance B2M−/− hESC-CEC can be an unlimited and universal therapy for corneal repair in patients of any HLA type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yang
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Jung Woo Park
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Dejin Zheng
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Ren-He Xu
- Center of Reproduction, Development & Aging, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
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Kowtharapu BS, Prakasam RK, Murín R, Koczan D, Stahnke T, Wree A, Jünemann AGM, Stachs O. Role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP7) in the Modulation of Corneal Stromal and Epithelial Cell Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051415. [PMID: 29747422 PMCID: PMC5983782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the cornea, healing of the wounded avascular surface is an intricate process comprising the involvement of epithelial, stromal and neuronal cell interactions. These interactions result to the release of various growth factors that play prominent roles during corneal wound healing response. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are unique multi-functional potent growth factors of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily. Treatment of corneal epithelial cells with substance P and nerve growth factor resulted to an increase in the expression of BMP7 mRNA. Since BMP7 is known to modulate the process of corneal wound healing, in this present study, we investigated the influence of exogenous rhBMP7 on human corneal epithelial cell and stromal cell (SFs) function. To obtain a high-fidelity expression profiling of activated biomarkers and pathways, transcriptome-wide gene-level expression profiling of epithelial cells in the presence of BMP7 was performed. Gene ontology analysis shows BMP7 stimulation activated TGF-β signaling and cell cycle pathways, whereas biological processes related to cell cycle, microtubule and intermediate filament cytoskeleton organization were significantly impacted in corneal epithelial cells. Scratch wound healing assay showed increased motility and migration of BMP7 treated epithelial cells. BMP7 stimulation studies show activation of MAPK cascade proteins in epithelial cells and SFs. Similarly, a difference in the expression of claudin, Zink finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 was observed along with phosphorylation levels of cofilin in epithelial cells. Stimulation of SFs with BMP7 activated them with increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin. In addition, an elevated phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor following BMP7 stimulation was also observed both in corneal epithelial cells and SFs. Based on our transcriptome analysis data on epithelial cells and the results obtained in SFs, we conclude that BMP7 contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like responses and plays a role equivalent to TGF-β in the course of corneal wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavani S Kowtharapu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Ruby Kala Prakasam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Radovan Murín
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia.
| | - Dirk Koczan
- Institute for Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Thomas Stahnke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Andreas Wree
- Institute for Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Anselm G M Jünemann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Oliver Stachs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
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Cieślar-Pobuda A, Rafat M, Knoflach V, Skonieczna M, Hudecki A, Małecki A, Urasińska E, Ghavami S, Łos MJ. Human induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation and direct transdifferentiation into corneal epithelial-like cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:42314-42329. [PMID: 27275539 PMCID: PMC5173137 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is maintained by a small pool of tissue stem cells located at the limbus. Through certain injuries or diseases this pool of stem cells may get depleted. This leads to visual impairment. Standard treatment options include autologous or allogeneic limbal stem cell (LSC) transplantation, however graft rejection and chronic inflammation lowers the success rate over long time. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have opened new possibilities for treating various diseases with patient specific cells, eliminating the risk of immune rejection. In recent years, several protocols have been developed, aimed at the differentiation of iPS cells into the corneal epithelial lineage by mimicking the environmental niche of limbal stem cells. However, the risk of teratoma formation associated with the use of iPS cells hinders most applications from lab into clinics. Here we show that the differentiation of iPS cells into corneal epithelial cells results in the expression of corneal epithelial markers showing a successful differentiation, but the process is long and the level of gene expression for the pluripotency markers does not vanish completely. Therefore we set out to determine a direct transdifferentiation approach to circumvent the intermediate state of pluripotency (iPS-stage). The resulting cells, obtained by direct transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into limbal cells, exhibited corneal epithelial cell morphology and expressed corneal epithelial markers. Hence we shows for the first time a direct transdifferentiation of human dermal fibroblasts into the corneal epithelial lineage that may serve as source for corneal epithelial cells for transplantation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Cieślar-Pobuda
- Stem Cell Group, Nordic EMBL Partnership, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Mehrdad Rafat
- LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, Mjärdevi Science Park, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Viktoria Knoflach
- Unit of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Skonieczna
- Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland.,Center for Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej Małecki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Urasińska
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Seaid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Marek J Łos
- LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, Mjärdevi Science Park, Linköping, Sweden.,Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Physiotherapy, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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Shetty R, Vunnava KP, Dhamodaran K, Matalia H, Murali S, Jayadev C, Murugeswari P, Ghosh A, Das D. Characterization of Corneal Epithelial Cells in Keratoconus. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2018; 8:2. [PMID: 30627477 PMCID: PMC6322712 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.8.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We studied the cellular characteristics of epithelial cells in the cone and extraconal periphery of corneas in keratoconus eyes. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute. A total of 83 and 42 eyes with keratoconus and normal topography, respectively, were included in the study. Corneal epithelial cells were collected and analyzed for apoptosis, proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and differentiation status using molecular and biochemical tools. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test. Results Corneal epithelial cells from the cone showed significantly higher expression of proapoptotic marker BAX (P < 0.005) compared to controls. Significantly elevated expression of cell cycle markers CYCLIN D1 (P < 0.005) and Ki67 (P < 0.005) were noted in the extraconal region compared to controls. Cells of the cone showed significantly higher ZO-1 (P < 0.005) and lower vimentin (P < 0.005) compared to controls. Significantly lower expression of the differentiation marker CK3/12 (P < 0.05) was observed in cones compared to controls. Conclusions Cones of keratoconic corneas show enhanced cell death, poor differentiation, proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The cellular changes of the corneal epithelial cells in the cone and extraconal region differ significantly in a keratoconus corneas. Translational Relevance Characterization of patient-specific corneal epithelial cellular status in keratoconus has the potential to determine the optimal treatment and therapeutic outcomes paving the way towards personalized treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Krishna Poojita Vunnava
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Kamesh Dhamodaran
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.,Current address: Department of Basic Sciences, The Ocular Surface Institute, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Himanshu Matalia
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Subramani Murali
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Chaitra Jayadev
- Department of Vitreo-Retinal Services, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ponnulagu Murugeswari
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Debashish Das
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Gesteira TF, Sun M, Coulson-Thomas YM, Yamaguchi Y, Yeh LK, Hascall V, Coulson-Thomas VJ. Hyaluronan Rich Microenvironment in the Limbal Stem Cell Niche Regulates Limbal Stem Cell Differentiation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:4407-4421. [PMID: 28863216 PMCID: PMC5584473 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-22326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs), located in the basal layer of the corneal epithelium in the corneal limbus, are vital for maintaining the corneal epithelium. LSCs have a high capacity of self-renewal with increased potential for error-free proliferation and poor differentiation. To date, limited research has focused on unveiling the composition of the limbal stem cell niche, and, more important, on the role the specific stem cell niche may have in LSC differentiation and function. Our work investigates the composition of the extracellular matrix in the LSC niche and how it regulates LSC differentiation and function. Methods Hyaluronan (HA) is naturally synthesized by hyaluronan synthases (HASs), and vertebrates have the following three types: HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3. Wild-type and HAS and TSG-6 knockout mice-HAS1-/-;HAS3-/-, HAS2Δ/ΔCorEpi, TSG-6-/--were used to determine the importance of the HA niche in LSC differentiation and specification. Results Our data demonstrate that the LSC niche is composed of a HA rich extracellular matrix. HAS1-/-;HAS3-/-, HAS2Δ/ΔCorEpi, and TSG-6-/- mice have delayed wound healing and increased inflammation after injury. Interestingly, upon insult the HAS knock-out mice up-regulate HA throughout the cornea through a compensatory mechanism, and in turn this alters LSC and epithelial cell specification. Conclusions The LSC niche is composed of a specialized HA matrix that differs from that present in the rest of the corneal epithelium, and the disruption of this specific HA matrix within the LSC niche leads to compromised corneal epithelial regeneration. Finally, our findings suggest that HA has a major role in maintaining the LSC phenotype.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Burns, Chemical/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation/physiology
- Cellular Microenvironment/physiology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epithelium, Corneal/metabolism
- Eye Burns/chemically induced
- Glucuronosyltransferase/metabolism
- Hyaluronan Synthases
- Hyaluronic Acid/genetics
- Hyaluronic Acid/metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry
- Limbus Corneae/cytology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Stem Cell Niche/physiology
- Stem Cells/metabolism
- Wound Healing/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mingxia Sun
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | | | - Yu Yamaguchi
- Sanford Children's Health Research Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Lung-Kun Yeh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Linko, Taiwan
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Abstract
PURPOSE Eyelid closure results in influx of neutrophils onto the ocular surface, which are non-responsive to inflammatory stimuli. This investigation examined whether incubation of blood-isolated neutrophils in closed-eye conditions induce a tear-film neutrophil phenotype. METHODS Blood-isolated neutrophils were incubated combining various conditions: hypoxia, corneal epithelial cells (HCEC), artificial tear solution (ATS). RESULTS A hypoxic environment induced no differential effect on membrane receptor expression. Incubation in the presence of HCEC resulted in membrane receptor upregulation and increase in caspase activation. CONCLUSIONS Hypoxia, corneal epithelial cell exposure, or artificial tear fluid are insufficient to replicate a tear-film neutrophil phenotype using blood-isolated neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Postnikoff
- a Systems Design Engineering , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada
| | - Maud Gorbet
- a Systems Design Engineering , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada.,b School of Optometry and Vision Science , University of Waterloo , Waterloo , Ontario , Canada
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Gopakumar V, Chatterjee N, Parameswaran S, Nirmala S, Krishnakumar S. In vitro transdifferentiation of human skin keratinocytes to corneal epithelial cells. Cytotherapy 2016; 18:673-85. [PMID: 27059204 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Skin keratinocytes (SKs) share the same surface ectodermal origin as that of corneal epithelium. In this study, the plasticity of epidermal keratinocytes was exploited to generate corneal epithelial-like cells, which might serve as an alternative source of autologous tissue for the treatment of bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency. METHODS Skin samples were subjected to collagenase digestion to isolate SKs and transdifferentiated to corneal epithelial-like cells using limbal fibroblast conditioned medium (LFCM). SKs and transdifferentiated corneal epithelial cells (TDCECs) were characterized using immunofluorescence and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The propensity for expression of angiogenic genes in TDCECs was compared with cultured oral mucosal epithelial cells (COMEC) in vitro. RT(2) quantitative polymerase chain reaction profiler array was performed to study the signaling pathways involved in the transdifferentiation process. RESULTS The TDCECs obtained from SKs showed corneal epithelial-like morphology and expressed corneal epithelial markers, CK3 and CK12. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry showed stratified layers of TDCECs expressing CK 3/12, confirming the corneal epithelial phenotype. We found that the expression of several angiogenic and epithelial mesenchymal transition factors were down-regulated in TDCECs compared with COMEC, suggesting a lower capacity to induce angiogenesis in TDCECs. There was considerable difference in the signaling mechanisms between TDCECs and SKs on testing by RT(2) profiler array, signifying differences at the global gene profile. The comparison of TDCECs and limbal derived corneal epithelial cells showed similar gene expression. DISCUSSION Our study shows that SKs have the potential to transdifferentiate into corneal epithelial-like cells using LFCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya Gopakumar
- Radheshyam Kanoi Stem Cell Laboratory, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India; Larsen & Toubro Department of Ocular Pathology, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India; CeNTAB, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Tanjore, India
| | - Nivedita Chatterjee
- Radheshyam Kanoi Stem Cell Laboratory, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India; Larsen & Toubro Department of Ocular Pathology, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Sowmya Parameswaran
- Radheshyam Kanoi Stem Cell Laboratory, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Subramanian Nirmala
- Department of Oculoplasty, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Subramanian Krishnakumar
- Radheshyam Kanoi Stem Cell Laboratory, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India; Larsen & Toubro Department of Ocular Pathology, Kamalnayan Bajaj Institute for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India.
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Zhang J, Zhang CW, Du LQ, Wu XY. Acellular porcine corneal matrix as a carrier scaffold for cultivating human corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts in vitro. Int J Ophthalmol 2016; 9:1-8. [PMID: 26949602 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2016.01.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the feasibility of corneal anterior lamellar reconstruction with human corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and an acellular porcine cornea matrix (APCM) in vitro. METHODS The scaffold was prepared from fresh porcine corneas which were treated with 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and the complete removal of corneal cells was confirmed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Human corneal fibroblasts and epithelial cells were cultured with leaching liquid extracted from APCM, and then cell proliferative ability was evaluated by MTT assay. To construct a human corneal anterior lamellar replacement, corneal fibroblasts were injected into the APCM and cultured for 3d, followed by culturing corneal epithelial cells on the stroma construction surface for another 10d. The corneal replacement was analyzed by HE staining, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Histological examination indicated that there were no cells in the APCM by HE staining, and DAPI staining did not detect any residual DNA. The leaching liquid from APCM had little influence on the proliferation ability of human corneal fibroblasts and epithelial cells. At 10d, a continuous 3 to 5 layers of human corneal epithelial cells covering the surface of the APCM was observed, and the injected corneal fibroblasts distributed within the scaffold. The phenotype of the construction was similar to normal human corneas, with high expression of cytokeratin 12 in the epithelial cell layer and high expression of vimentin in the stroma. CONCLUSION Corneal anterior lamellar replacement can be reconstructed in vitro by cultivating human corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts with an acellular porcine cornea matrix. This laid the foundation for the further transplantation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Can-Wei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li-Qun Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xin-Yi Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
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Suzuki S, Dawson RA, Chirila TV, Shadforth AMA, Hogerheyde TA, Edwards GA, Harkin DG. Treatment of Silk Fibroin with Poly(ethylene glycol) for the Enhancement of Corneal Epithelial Cell Growth. J Funct Biomater 2015; 6:345-66. [PMID: 26034883 PMCID: PMC4493516 DOI: 10.3390/jfb6020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A silk protein, fibroin, was isolated from the cocoons of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) and cast into membranes to serve as freestanding templates for tissue-engineered corneal cell constructs to be used in ocular surface reconstruction. In this study, we sought to enhance the attachment and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells by increasing the permeability of the fibroin membranes and the topographic roughness of their surface. By mixing the fibroin solution with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of molecular weight 300 Da, membranes were produced with increased permeability and with topographic patterns generated on their surface. In order to enhance their mechanical stability, some PEG-treated membranes were also crosslinked with genipin. The resulting membranes were thoroughly characterized and compared to the non-treated membranes. The PEG-treated membranes were similar in tensile strength to the non-treated ones, but their elastic modulus was higher and elongation lower, indicating enhanced rigidity. The crosslinking with genipin did not induce a significant improvement in mechanical properties. In cultures of a human-derived corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-T), the PEG treatment of the substratum did not improve the attachment of cells and it enhanced only slightly the cell proliferation in the longer term. Likewise, primary cultures of human limbal epithelial cells grew equally well on both non-treated and PEG-treated membranes, and the stratification of cultures was consistently improved in the presence of an underlying culture of irradiated 3T3 feeder cells, irrespectively of PEG-treatment. Nevertheless, the cultures grown on the PEG-treated membranes in the presence of feeder cells did display a higher nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio suggesting a more proliferative phenotype. We concluded that while the treatment with PEG had a significant effect on some structural properties of the B. mori silk fibroin (BMSF) membranes, there were minimal gains in the performance of these materials as a substratum for corneal epithelial cell growth. The reduced mechanical stability of freestanding PEG-treated membranes makes them a less viable choice than the non-treated membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuko Suzuki
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
| | - Rebecca A Dawson
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Traian V Chirila
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Audra M A Shadforth
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
| | - Thomas A Hogerheyde
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
| | - Grant A Edwards
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Damien G Harkin
- Queensland Eye Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
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Oh JY, Ko JH, Kim MK, Wee WR. Effects of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells on cultures of corneal epithelial progenitor cells with ethanol injury. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:7628-35. [PMID: 25370509 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) facilitate the regeneration of injured tissue. Our group has previously shown that human MSCs (hMSCs) or hMSC-derived factors suppress excessive inflammatory response in the cornea following chemical injury in vivo. We here investigated direct effects of hMSC-derived factors on cultures of chemically injured human corneal epithelial progenitor cells (hCEP), independent of systemic anti-inflammatory effects that hMSCs have been shown to have in vivo. METHODS We injured hCEP by incubation in 20% ethanol for 30 seconds, and cultured the cells in fresh medium or in medium derived from cultures of human dermal fibroblasts (hFbs), hMSCs, or TNF-α-activated hMSCs. After 24 hours, we evaluated the survival, proliferation, and apoptosis of the cells. RESULTS The hMSC-conditioned medium enhanced survival and proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of chemically injured hCEP. In addition, the conditioned medium accelerated the wound healing of corneal epithelium in tissue cultures of rabbit corneas following injury. The effects of the hMSC-conditioned medium were increased by preincubating hMSCs with TNF-α. The increased effectiveness of the medium from the preactivated hMSCs was in part explained by increased concentration of the multifunctional protein stanniocalcin-1 that inhibits apoptosis and promotes survival of cells. CONCLUSIONS Together, the data account for beneficial effects of hMSCs on tissue-endogenous stem cells involving hCEP, and provide a basis for using MSCs or MSC-derived factors to treat diseases of the cornea and other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Youn Oh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Hwa Ko
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mee Kum Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Ryang Wee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
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Chernyavsky AI, Galitovskiy V, Shchepotin IB, Jester JV, Grando SA. The acetylcholine signaling network of corneal epithelium and its role in regulation of random and directional migration of corneal epithelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:6921-33. [PMID: 25270189 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Because cholinergic drugs are used in ophthalmology and cholinergic stimulation has been shown to facilitate epithelialization of mucocutaneous wounds, we performed a systematic analysis of components of the cholinergic network of human and murine corneal epithelial cells (CECs) and determined the role of autocrine and paracrine acetylcholine (ACh) in regulation of CEC motility. METHODS We investigated the expression of ACh receptors at the mRNA and protein levels in human immortalized CECs, localization of cholinergic molecules in normal and wounded murine cornea, and the effects of cholinergic drugs on CEC directional and random migration in vitro, intercellular adhesion, and expression of integrin αV and E-cadherin. RESULTS We demonstrated that corneal epithelium expresses the ACh-synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase, the ACh-degrading enzyme acetylcholinesterase, two muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs), M3 and M4, and several nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs), including both α7- and α9-made homomeric nAChRs and predominantly the α3β2±α5 subtype of heteromeric nAChRs. Wounding affected the expression patterns of cholinergic molecules in the murine corneal epithelium. Constant stimulation of CECs through both muscarinic and nicotinic signaling pathways was essential for CEC survival and both directional and random migration in vitro. Both α7 and non-α7 nAChRs elicited chemotaxis, with the α7 signaling exhibiting a stronger chemotactic effect. Cholinergic stimulation of CECs upregulated expression of the integrin and cadherin molecules involved in epithelialization. We found synergy between the proepithelialization signals elicited by different ACh receptors expressed in CECs. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous stimulation of mAChRs and nAChRs by ACh may be required to synchronize and balance ionic and metabolic events in a single cell. Localization of these cholinergic enzymes and receptors in murine cornea indicated that the concentration of endogenous ACh and the mode of its signaling differ among corneal epithelial layers. Elucidation of the signaling events elicited upon agonist binding to corneal mAChRs and nAChRs will be crucial for understanding the mechanisms of ACh signaling in CECs, which has salient clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex I Chernyavsky
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States
| | - Valentin Galitovskiy
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States
| | | | - James V Jester
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States
| | - Sergei A Grando
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, United States Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, California, United States
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Lee JB, Kim SH, Lee SC, Kim HG, Ahn HG, Li Z, Yoon KC. Blue light-induced oxidative stress in human corneal epithelial cells: protective effects of ethanol extracts of various medicinal plant mixtures. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:4119-27. [PMID: 24925877 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-13441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effects of visible light on human corneal epithelial cells and the impact of natural antioxidants on oxidative stress produced by overexposure to light. METHODS Light-emitting diodes with various wavelengths (410-830 nm) were used to irradiate human corneal epithelial cells, and cell viability was assessed. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). Ethyl alcohol (EtOH) extracts were prepared from mixtures of medicinal plants. After application of the EtOH extracts, the free radical scavenging activity was measured using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The induction of antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), peroxiredoxin-1 (Prx-1), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2) by the extracts was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The ability of the extracts to inhibit ROS was also analyzed using DCF-DA. RESULTS The viability of corneal epithelial cells was diminished after irradiation of blue light (above 10 J at 410 nm and 50 J at 480 nm). Reactive oxygen species production was induced by irradiation at 410 and 480 nm at doses of 5 J/cm(2) and higher. Ethyl alcohol extracts had potent radical scavenging activity. Application of the extracts not only increased the expression of HO-1, Prx-1, CAT, and SOD-2, but it also attenuated the ROS production induced by blue light in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Overexposure to blue light (410-480 nm) may have a harmful effect on human corneal epithelial cells compared with other visible light wavelengths. Medicinal plant extracts can have potent protective effects on blue light-induced oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee-Bum Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Soo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung-Chul Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hee-Gu Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sunchon National University, Chonnam, Korea
| | - Ho-Geun Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Sunchon National University, Chonnam, Korea
| | - Zhengri Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital and Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Kyung Chul Yoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital and Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
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Tripathi T, Abdi M, Alizadeh H. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is upregulated by Acanthamoeba plasminogen activator (aPA) and induces proinflammatory cytokine in human corneal epithelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:3912-21. [PMID: 24876278 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Acanthamoeba plasminogen activator (aPA) is a serine protease elaborated by Acanthamoeba trophozoites that facilitates the invasion of trophozoites to the host and contributes to the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). The aim of this study was to explore if aPA stimulates proinflammatory cytokine in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells via the protease-activated receptors (PARs) pathway. METHODS Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites were grown in peptone-yeast extract glucose for 7 days, and the supernatants were collected and centrifuged. The aPA was purified using the fast protein liquid chromatography system, and aPA activity was determined by zymography assays. Human corneal epithelial cells were incubated with or without aPA (100 μg/mL), PAR1 agonists (thrombin, 10 μM; TRAP-6, 10 μM), and PAR2 agonists (SLIGRL-NH2, 100 μM; AC 55541, 10 μM) for 24 and 48 hours. Inhibition of PAR1 and PAR2 involved preincubating the HCE cells for 1 hour with the antagonist of PAR1 (SCH 79797, 60 μM) and PAR2 (FSLLRY-NH2, 100 μM) with or without aPA. Human corneal epithelial cells also were preincubated with PAR1 and PAR2 antagonists and then incubated with or without PAR1 agonists (thrombin and TRAP-6) and PAR2 agonists (SLIGRL-NH2 and AC 55541). Expression of PAR1 and PAR2 was examined by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry. Interleukin-8 expression was quantified by qRT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS Human corneal epithelial cells constitutively expressed PAR1 and PAR2 mRNA. Acanthamoeba plasminogen activator and PAR2 agonists significantly upregulated PAR2 mRNA expression (1- and 2-fold, respectively) (P < 0.05). Protease-activated receptor 2 antagonist significantly inhibited aPA, and PAR2 agonists induced PAR2 mRNA expression in HCE cells (P < 0.05). Protease-activated receptor 1 agonists, but not aPA, significantly upregulated PAR1 mRNA expression, which was significantly inhibited by PAR1 antagonist in HCE cells. Acanthamoeba plasminogen activator and PAR2 agonists stimulated IL-8 mRNA expression and protein production, which is significantly diminished by PAR2 antagonist (P < 0.05). Protease-activated receptor 1 antagonist did not alter aPA-stimulated IL-8 mRNA expression and protein production in HCE cells. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry showed that aPA and SLIGRL-NH2 (PAR2 agonist) upregulated PAR2 surface protein as compared to that in unstimulated HCE cells. Thrombin, but not aPA, stimulated PAR1 surface protein in HCE cells. CONCLUSIONS Acanthamoeba plasminogen activator specifically induces expression and production of IL-8 in HCE cells via PAR2 pathway, and PAR2 antagonists may be used as a therapeutic target in AK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trivendra Tripathi
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, and North Texas Eye Research Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Mahshid Abdi
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, and North Texas Eye Research Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Hassan Alizadeh
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, and North Texas Eye Research Institute, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
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Li C, Zhao GQ, Che CY, Li N, Lin J, Xu Q, Wang Q, Liu Y, Qiu S. Expression of dectin-1 during fungus infection in human corneal epithelial cells. Int J Ophthalmol 2014; 7:34-7. [PMID: 24634860 DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2014.01.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the expression of dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (dectin-1) in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells infected by fungus. METHODS A total of 20 cases of healthy donor corneas were group A, and 20 patients (20 eyes) suffered from fungal keratitis (FK) composed group B. Real-time qPCR and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect dectin-1 expression in corneal epithelium of both groups. HCE cells were cultured with aspergillus fumigatus (AF) antigens in vitro. The expression of dectin-1 mRNA was measured by real-time qPCR at the stimulation of 0, 4, 8 and 24h separately. Dectin-1 protein was detected by immunocytochemistry at 0 and 24h separately. RESULTS Dectin-1 expressed in corneal epithelium of normal persons and FK patients. Vitro cellular experiment showed that the expression of dectin-1 mRNA in HCE cells began to increase after stimulation of AF antigens at 4h, and dectin-1 protein expression increased after stimulation at 24h. CONCLUSION Dectin-1 expressed in corneal epithelium of normal persons. AF antigens stimulation can elevate the expression of dectin-1 in HCE cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Gui-Qiu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Cheng-Ye Che
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Sheng Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China
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Tripathi T, Abdi M, Alizadeh H. Role of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) inhibitors in attenuating apoptosis of the corneal epithelial cells and mitigation of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Exp Eye Res 2013; 113:182-91. [PMID: 23792108 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine if the mannose-induced protein (MIP-133) from Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites induces apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells through a cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α)-mediated pathway. The efficacy of cPLA2α inhibitors to provide protection against Acanthamoeba keratitis was examined in vivo. Chinese hamster corneal epithelial (HCORN) cells were incubated with or without MIP-133. MIP-133 induces significant increase in cPLA2α and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2/CXCL2) levels from corneal cells. Moreover, cPLA2α inhibitors, MAFP (Methyl-arachidonyl fluorophosphonate) and AACOCF3 (Arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone), significantly reduce cPLA2α and CXCL2 from these cells (P < 0.05). Additionally, cPLA2α inhibitors significantly inhibit MIP-133-induced apoptosis in HCORN cells (P < 0.05). Subconjunctival injection of purified MIP-133 in Chinese hamster eyes induced cytopathic effects resulting in corneal ulceration. Animals infected with A. castellanii-laden contact lenses and treated with AACOCF3 and CAY10650, showed significantly less severe keratitis as compared with control animals. Collectively, the results indicate that cPLA2α is involved in MIP-133 induced apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration, and production of CXCL2. Moreover, cPLA2α inhibitors can be used as a therapeutic target in Acanthamoeba keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trivendra Tripathi
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, North Texas Eye Research Institute, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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