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Gorman BR, Francis M, Nealon CL, Halladay CW, Duro N, Markianos K, Genovese G, Hysi PG, Choquet H, Afshari NA, Li YJ, Gaziano JM, Hung AM, Wu WC, Greenberg PB, Pyarajan S, Lass JH, Peachey NS, Iyengar SK. A multi-ancestry GWAS of Fuchs corneal dystrophy highlights the contributions of laminins, collagen, and endothelial cell regulation. Commun Biol 2024; 7:418. [PMID: 38582945 PMCID: PMC10998918 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading indication for corneal transplantation, but its molecular etiology remains poorly understood. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of FECD in the Million Veteran Program followed by multi-ancestry meta-analysis with the previous largest FECD GWAS, for a total of 3970 cases and 333,794 controls. We confirm the previous four loci, and identify eight novel loci: SSBP3, THSD7A, LAMB1, PIDD1, RORA, HS3ST3B1, LAMA5, and COL18A1. We further confirm the TCF4 locus in GWAS for admixed African and Hispanic/Latino ancestries and show an enrichment of European-ancestry haplotypes at TCF4 in FECD cases. Among the novel associations are low frequency missense variants in laminin genes LAMA5 and LAMB1 which, together with previously reported LAMC1, form laminin-511 (LM511). AlphaFold 2 protein modeling, validated through homology, suggests that mutations at LAMA5 and LAMB1 may destabilize LM511 by altering inter-domain interactions or extracellular matrix binding. Finally, phenome-wide association scans and colocalization analyses suggest that the TCF4 CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion leads to dysregulation of ion transport in the corneal endothelium and has pleiotropic effects on renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Gorman
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Michael Francis
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Cari L Nealon
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Christopher W Halladay
- Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nalvi Duro
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Kyriacos Markianos
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulio Genovese
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Ophthalmology, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Twins Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hélène Choquet
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Natalie A Afshari
- Shiley Eye Institute, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J Michael Gaziano
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Aging, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana M Hung
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wen-Chih Wu
- Cardiology Section, Medical Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Paul B Greenberg
- Ophthalmology Section, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Saiju Pyarajan
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan H Lass
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Neal S Peachey
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Sudha K Iyengar
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Kumar V, Deshpande N, Parekh M, Wong R, Ashraf S, Zahid M, Hui H, Miall A, Kimpton S, Price MO, Price FW, Gonzalez FJ, Rogan E, Jurkunas UV. Estrogen genotoxicity causes preferential development of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy in females. Redox Biol 2024; 69:102986. [PMID: 38091879 PMCID: PMC10716776 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically complex, age-related, female-predominant disorder characterized by loss of post-mitotic corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs). Ultraviolet-A (UVA) light has been shown to recapitulate the morphological and molecular changes seen in FECD to a greater extent in females than males, by triggering CYP1B1 upregulation in females. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of greater CEnC susceptibility to UVA in females by studying estrogen metabolism in response to UVA in the cornea. Loss of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) resulted in increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial-DNA adducts, with a higher CEnC loss in Nqo1-/- female compared to wild-type male and female mice. The CYP1B1 inhibitors, trans-2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) and berberine, rescued CEnC loss. Injection of wild-type male mice with estrogen (E2; 17β-estradiol) increased CEnC loss, followed by increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, not seen in E2-treated Cyp1b1-/-male mice. This study demonstrates that the endo-degenerative phenotype is driven by estrogen metabolite-dependent CEnC loss that is exacerbated in the absence of NQO1; thus, explaining the mechanism accounting for the higher incidence of FECD in females. The mitigation of estrogen-adduct production by CYP1B1 inhibitors could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Neha Deshpande
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Raymond Wong
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shazia Ashraf
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Muhammad Zahid
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4388, USA
| | - Hanna Hui
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Annie Miall
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sylvie Kimpton
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Marianne O Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Francis W Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eleanor Rogan
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4388, USA
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Sakakura S, Inagaki E, Sayano T, Yamazaki R, Fusaki N, Hatou S, Hirayama M, Tsubota K, Negishi K, Okano H, Shimmura S. Non-apoptotic regulated cell death in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Regen Ther 2023; 24:592-601. [PMID: 38034859 PMCID: PMC10681880 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the leading cause of corneal blindness in developed countries. Corneal endothelial cells in FECD are susceptive to oxidative stress, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Oxidative stress causes many forms of cell death including parthanatos, which is characterized by translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus with upregulation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR). Although cell death is an important aspect of FECD, previous reports have often analyzed immortalized cell lines, making the evaluation of cell death difficult. Therefore, we established a new in vitro FECD model to evaluate the pathophysiology of FECD. Methods Corneal endothelial cells were derived from disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used as a source for oxidative stress to mimic the pathophysiology of FECD. We investigated the responses to oxidative stress and the involvement of parthanatos in FECD-corneal endothelial cells. Results Cell death ratio and oxidative stress level were upregulated in FECD with H2O2 treatment compared with non-FECD control, indicating the vulnerability of oxidative stress in FECD. We also found that intracellular PAR, as well as PARP-1 and AIF in the nucleus were upregulated in FECD. Furthermore, PARP inhibition, but not pan-caspase inhibition, rescued cell death, DNA double-strand breaks, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and energy depletion, suggesting that cell death was mainly due to parthanatos. Conclusions We report that parthanatos may be involved in the pathophysiology of FECD and targeting this cell death pathway may be a potential therapeutic approach for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Sakakura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Emi Inagaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Tomoko Sayano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Cellusion Inc. 8-6 Nihonbashi-Kobunacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0024, Japan
| | - Risa Yamazaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Noemi Fusaki
- University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Shin Hatou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Cellusion Inc. 8-6 Nihonbashi-Kobunacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0024, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Hirayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuno Negishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shigeto Shimmura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Medical Innovation Center, Fujita Health University, Haneda Innovation City Zone A, 1-1-4, Hanedakuko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 144-0041, Japan
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Qureshi S, Lee S, Steidl W, Ritzer L, Parise M, Chaubal A, Kumar V. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Disrupts Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Dynamics and Causes Corneal Endothelial Cell Apoptosis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:18. [PMID: 37962528 PMCID: PMC10653263 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.14.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial stress are independently associated with corneal endothelial cell (CEnC) loss in many corneal diseases, including Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). However, the role of ER stress in mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to CEnC apoptosis is unknown. The purpose of this study is to explore the crosstalk between ER and mitochondrial stress in CEnC. Methods Human corneal endothelial cell line (HCEnC-21T) and human corneal endothelial tissues were treated with ER stressor tunicamycin. ER stress-reducing chemical 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) was used in HCEnC-21T after tunicamycin. Fuchs' corneal endothelial cell line (F35T) was used to determine differential activation of ER stress with respect to HCEnC-21T at the baseline. ER stress, mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic, mitochondrial fission, and fusion proteins were determined using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were assessed by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss and ATP production at 48 hours after tunicamycin. Mitochondria dynamics (shape, area, perimeter) were also analyzed at 24 hours using transmission electron microscopy. Results Treatment of HCEnC-21T cell line with tunicamycin activated three ER stress pathways (PERK-eIF2α-CHOP, IRE1α-XBP1, and ATF6), reduced cell viability, upregulated mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic molecules (cleaved caspase 9, caspase 3, PARP, Bax, cytochrome C), downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, initiated mitochondrial dysfunction by loss of MMP and lowering of ATP production, and caused mitochondrial swelling and fragmentation with increased expression of mitochondrial fission proteins (Fis1 and p-Drp1). Fuchs' CEnC (F35T) cell line also showed activation of the ER stress-related proteins (p-eIF2α, GRP78, CHOP, XBP1) compared to HCEnC-21T at the baseline. The 4-PBA ameliorated cell loss and reduced cleaved caspase 3 and 9, thereby rescuing tunicamycin-induced cell death but not mitochondrial bioenergetics in HCEnC-21T cell line. Conclusions Tunicamycin-induced ER stress disrupts mitochondrial bioenegetics, dynamics and contributes to the loss of CEnC viability. This novel study highlights the importance of ER-mitochondria crosstalk and its contribution to CEnCs apoptosis, seen in many corneal diseases, including FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Qureshi
- Eye and Vision Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - Stephanie Lee
- Eye and Vision Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - William Steidl
- Eye and Vision Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - Lukas Ritzer
- Eye and Vision Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - Michael Parise
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, New York, United States
| | - Ananya Chaubal
- Herricks High School, New Hyde Park, New York, United States
| | - Varun Kumar
- Eye and Vision Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
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Hu J, Gong X, Johnson ST, Corey DR, Mootha VV. The TCF4 Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion of Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: Implications for the Anterior Segment of the Eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:16. [PMID: 37204786 PMCID: PMC10204776 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.5.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose In the United States, 70% of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) cases are caused by an intronic trinucleotide repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene. CUG repeat RNA transcripts from this expansion accumulate as nuclear foci in the corneal endothelium. In this study, we sought to detect foci in other anterior segment cell types and assess their molecular impact. Methods We examined CUG repeat RNA foci appearance, expression of downstream affected genes, gene splicing, and TCF4 RNA expression in corneal endothelium, corneal stromal keratocytes, corneal epithelium, trabecular meshwork cells, and lens epithelium. Results CUG repeat RNA foci, the hallmark of FECD in corneal endothelium (found in 84% of endothelial cells), are less detectable in trabecular meshwork cells (41%), much less prevalent in stromal keratocytes (11%) or corneal epithelium (4%), and absent in lens epithelium. With few exceptions including mis-splicing in the trabecular meshwork, differential gene expression and splicing changes associated with the expanded repeat in corneal endothelial cells are not observed in other cell types. Expression of the TCF4 transcripts including full-length isoforms containing the repeat sequence at the 5' end is much higher in the corneal endothelium or trabecular meshwork than in the corneal stroma or corneal epithelium. Conclusions Expression of the CUG repeat containing TCF4 transcripts is higher in the corneal endothelium, likely contributing to foci formation and the large molecular and pathologic impact on those cells. Further studies are warranted to examine any glaucoma risk and impact of the observed foci in the trabecular meshwork of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Xin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Samantha T. Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - David R. Corey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - V. Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Chakraborty M, Jandhyam H, Basak SK, Das S, Alone DP. Intergenic variants, rs1200114 and rs1200108 are genetically associated along with a decreased ATP1B1 expression in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2023; 228:109403. [PMID: 36736852 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related, bilateral corneal condition, characterized by apoptosis of the terminally differentiated endothelial cells. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in the European population in 2017, identified a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1200114 in the intergenic region between long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 970 (LINC00970) and ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit beta 1 (ATP1B1). The major focus of the current study is to understand the genetic association of this intergenic variant, rs1200114 with FECD in the Indian population. Sanger sequencing followed by statistical analysis indicated a significant difference in the allelic frequency between controls and cases (P = 0.01) with the minor allele 'G' of rs1200114 imparting a 1.64 fold increased risk for the disease. Luciferase reporter assay revealed no significant difference in the luciferase activity between allele 'A' and 'G' of rs1200114. However, quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed lower expression of ATP1B1 in FECD subjects compared with controls (P = 0.007). Therefore, to find whether another nearby SNP imparts regulatory effect, tag SNP association analysis was carried out; which revealed a significant association of another SNP, rs1200108, present in the intergenic region between LINC00970 and ATP1B1 with FECD (P = 0.009). The protective allele 'A' of rs1200108 displayed reduced reporter activity as opposed to the risk allele 'G' (P = 0.014). Furthermore, haplotype 'A-A' of rs1200108 - rs1200114 was present at a higher frequency in control subjects, suggesting it as a protective haplotype. Altogether, this study inferred the genetic association of rs1200114 and rs1200108 along with the decreased expression of ATP1B1 related to FECD pathogenesis in the Indian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maynak Chakraborty
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Harithalakshmi Jandhyam
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | | | - Sujata Das
- LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Debasmita Pankaj Alone
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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Chang M. Matrix metalloproteinase profiling and their roles in disease. RSC Adv 2023; 13:6304-6316. [PMID: 36825288 PMCID: PMC9942564 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07005g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play roles in remodelling of the extracellular matrix that occurs during morphogenesis, repair, and angiogenesis. Dysregulation of extracellular matrix remodelling can lead to cell proliferation, invasion, and tissue fibrosis. Identification of a specific MMP(s) in a disease has been challenging due to the presence of 24 closely-related human MMPs, each existing in three forms, of which only one is active and capable of catalysis. This review focuses on methods for MMP profiling, with particular emphasis on the batimastat affinity resin that binds only to the active forms of MMPs and related ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases), which are then identified by mass spectrometry. Use of the batimastat affinity resin has identified targets for intervention in several human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayland Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame IN 46556 USA
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Beneficial Effects of Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) in an In Vitro Model of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040447. [PMID: 35455444 PMCID: PMC9025871 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a bilateral, hereditary syndrome characterized by progressive irreversible injury in the corneal endothelium; it is the most frequent cause for corneal transplantation worldwide. Oxidative stress induces the apoptosis of corneal endothelial cells (CECs), and has a crucial function in FECD pathogenesis. The stimulation of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2Ar) inhibits oxidative stress, reduces inflammation and modulates apoptosis. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a registered drug that acts through adenosine A2Ar. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the effect of PDRN in an in vitro FECD model. Human Corneal Endothelial Cells (IHCE) were challenged with H2O2 (200 μM) alone or in combination with PDRN (100 μg/mL), PDRN plus ZM241385 (1 μM) as an A2Ar antagonist, and CGS21680 (1 μM) as a well-known A2Ar agonist. H2O2 reduced the cells’ viability and increased the expression of the pro-inflammatory markers NF-κB, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α; by contrast, it decreased the expression of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. Moreover, the pro-apoptotic genes Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were concurrently upregulated with a decrease of Bcl-2 expression. PDRN and CGS21680 reverted the negative effects of H2O2. Co-incubation with ZM241385 abolished the effects of PDRN, indicating that A2Ar is involved in the mode of action of PDRN. These data suggest that PDRN defends IHCE cells against H2O2-induced damage, potentially as a result of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties, suggesting that PDRN could be used as an FECD therapy.
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Chang YS, Ho CH, Wang JJ, Tseng SH, Jan RL. The Sociodemographic and Risk Factors for Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy: A Nationwide, Matched Case–Control Study in Taiwan. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020305. [PMID: 35207793 PMCID: PMC8877330 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This nationwide, population-based, retrospective, matched case–control study included 4334 newly diagnosed Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) patients who were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), code 371.57, and selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The age-, sex-, and index-date-matched control group included 4334 non-FED controls selected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Ocular allergic conditions and sociodemographic conditions were examined using univariate logistic regression analyses and paired t-test was used for continuous variables. Adjusted logistic regression was used to compare the odds ratio (OR) of the FED development. Patients with ocular allergic conditions were more likely to have FED than the controls (OR = 25.50, 95% CI = 12.58–51.68, p < 0.0001) even after conditional logistic regression was conducted (adjusted OR = 25.26, 95% CI = 11.24–56.77, p < 0.0001). Regarding the sociodemographic factors, we found that more than half of the FED patients in Taiwan were aged ≥45 years old, there was an equal female-to-male ratio (1.06:1), and patients with a lower income and living in northern Taiwan had higher odds of developing FED. The results strongly support an association between ocular allergic conditions, geographic region, residential status, income, and FED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuh-Shin Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (Y.-S.C.); (S.-H.T.)
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Ho
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (J.-J.W.)
- Department of Hospital and Health Care Administration, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
| | - Jhi-Joung Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (C.-H.H.); (J.-J.W.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Huei Tseng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (Y.-S.C.); (S.-H.T.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Long Jan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan 736, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-622-6999 (ext. 77601)
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10
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Parekh M, Rhys H, Ramos T, Ferrari S, Ahmad S. Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Inhibit Proliferation of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:753555. [PMID: 35186961 PMCID: PMC8854366 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.753555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) are a monolayer of hexagonal cells that are responsible for maintaining the function and transparency of the cornea. Damage or dysfunction of CEnCs could lead to blindness. Human CEnCs (HCEnCs) have shown limited proliferative capacity in vivo hence, their maintenance is crucial. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are responsible for inter- and intra-cellular communication, proliferation, cell-differentiation, migration, and many other complex biological processes. Therefore, we investigated the effect of EVs (derived from human corneal endothelial cell line–HCEC-12) on corneal endothelial cells. HCEC-12 cells were starved with serum-depleted media for 72 h. The media was ultracentrifuged at 100,000xg to isolate the EVs. EV counting, characterization, internalization and localization were performed using NanoSight, flow cytometry, Dil labeling and confocal microscopy respectively. HCEC-12 and HCEnCs were cultured with media supplemented with EVs. Extracted EVs showed a homogeneous mixture of exosomes and microvesicles. Cells with EVs decreased the proliferation rate; increased apoptosis and cell size; showed poor wound healing response in vitro and on ex vivo human, porcine, and rabbit CECs. Thirteen miRNAs were found in the EV sample using next generation sequencing. We observed that increased cellular uptake of EVs by CECs limit the proliferative capacity of HCEnCs. These preliminary data may help in understanding the pathology of corneal endothelial dysfunction and provide further insights in the development of future therapeutic treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Parekh
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hefin Rhys
- Flow Cytometry Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tiago Ramos
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Ferrari
- International Center for Ocular Physiopathology, Fondazione Banca Degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, Italy
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Cornea and External Eye Disease, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Sajjad Ahmad
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11
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Wang X, Dong C, Zhou Q, Duan H, Zou D, Gong Y, Ma B, Li Z, Shi W. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor PJ34 protects against UVA-induced oxidative damage in corneal endothelium. Apoptosis 2021; 26:600-611. [PMID: 34581992 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-021-01690-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is one of the main causes for corneal endothelial blindness, which is characterized by the progressive decline of corneal endothelial cells. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was reported to be involved in cell death and apoptosis of several diseases. However, the role of PARP1 in the progression of FECD remains elusive. In the present study, we reported that UVA irradiation caused the corneal endothelial damage and corneal edema in mice, which was accompanied with the elevated activity of PARP1 and PAR. The PARP1 inhibitor PJ34 resolved the corneal edema and protected corneal endothelium from UVA-induced oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, PARP1 inhibition exerted its anti-apoptotic effects through downregulation of the phosphorylation levels of JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK and subsequently the increase of MKP-1. Our results suggest that PARP1 inhibition protects corneal endothelium from UVA-induced oxidative damage, which provides a potential alternative strategy for the therapy of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunxiao Dong
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Haoyun Duan
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Dulei Zou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yajie Gong
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Bochao Ma
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zongyi Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Weiyun Shi
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Yan'erdao Road, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.
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12
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Liu X, Zheng T, Zhao C, Zhang Y, Liu H, Wang L, Liu P. Genetic mutations and molecular mechanisms of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. EYE AND VISION 2021; 8:24. [PMID: 34130750 PMCID: PMC8204469 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-021-00246-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is a hereditary disease and the most frequent cause of corneal transplantation in the worldwide. Its main clinical signs are an accelerated decrease in the number of endothelial cells, thickening of Descemet’s membrane and formation of guttae in the extracellular matrix. The cornea’s ability to maintain stromal dehydration is impaired, causing painful epithelial bullae and loss of vision at the point when the amount of corneal endothelial cells cannot be compensated. At present, apart from corneal transplantation, there is no other effective treatment that prevents blindness. Main text In this review, we first summarized the mutations of COL8A2, TCF4, TCF8, SLC4A11 and AGBL1 genes in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. The molecular mechanisms associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response pathway, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysregulation pathway, apoptosis pathway, mitophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway, RNA toxicity and repeat-associated non-ATG translation, and other pathogenesis, were then explored. Finally, we discussed several potential treatments related to the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, which may be the focus of future research. Conclusions The pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is very complicated. Currently, corneal transplantation is an important method in the treatment of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. It is necessary to continuously explore the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and establish the scientific foundations for the development of next-generation corneal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuerui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Tao Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chuchu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hanruo Liu
- The Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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13
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Diseases of the corneal endothelium. Exp Eye Res 2021; 205:108495. [PMID: 33596440 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The corneal endothelial monolayer and associated Descemet's membrane (DM) complex is a unique structure that plays an essential role in corneal function. Endothelial cells are neural crest derived cells that rest on a special extracellular matrix and play a major role in maintaining stromal hydration within a narrow physiologic range necessary for clear vision. A number of diseases affect the endothelial cells and DM complex and can impair corneal function and vision. This review addresses different human corneal endothelial diseases characterized by loss of endothelial function including: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD), congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED), bullous keratopathy, iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome, post-traumatic fibrous downgrowth, glaucoma and diabetes mellitus.
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14
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Ong Tone S, Kocaba V, Böhm M, Wylegala A, White TL, Jurkunas UV. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: The vicious cycle of Fuchs pathogenesis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 80:100863. [PMID: 32438095 PMCID: PMC7648733 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common primary corneal endothelial dystrophy and the leading indication for corneal transplantation worldwide. FECD is characterized by the progressive decline of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and the formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) excrescences in Descemet's membrane (DM), called guttae, that lead to corneal edema and loss of vision. FECD typically manifests in the fifth decades of life and has a greater incidence in women. FECD is a complex and heterogeneous genetic disease where interaction between genetic and environmental factors results in cellular apoptosis and aberrant ECM deposition. In this review, we will discuss a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and exogenous factors in inciting oxidative stress, auto(mito)phagy, unfolded protein response, and mitochondrial dysfunction during CEC degeneration. Specifically, we explore the factors that influence cellular fate to undergo apoptosis, senescence, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings will highlight the importance of abnormal CEC-DM interactions in triggering the vicious cycle of FECD pathogenesis. We will also review clinical characteristics, diagnostic tools, and current medical and surgical management options for FECD patients. These new paradigms in FECD pathogenesis present an opportunity to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Ong Tone
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Myriam Böhm
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adam Wylegala
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tomas L White
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Cornea Center of Excellence, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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15
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Chu Y, Hu J, Liang H, Kanchwala M, Xing C, Beebe W, Bowman CB, Gong X, Corey DR, Mootha VV. Analyzing pre-symptomatic tissue to gain insights into the molecular and mechanistic origins of late-onset degenerative trinucleotide repeat disease. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:6740-6758. [PMID: 32463444 PMCID: PMC7337964 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
How genetic defects trigger the molecular changes that cause late-onset disease is important for understanding disease progression and therapeutic development. Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an RNA-mediated disease caused by a trinucleotide CTG expansion in an intron within the TCF4 gene. The mutant intronic CUG RNA is present at one-two copies per cell, posing a challenge to understand how a rare RNA can cause disease. Late-onset FECD is a uniquely advantageous model for studying how RNA triggers disease because: (i) Affected tissue is routinely removed during surgery; (ii) The expanded CTG mutation is one of the most prevalent disease-causing mutations, making it possible to obtain pre-symptomatic tissue from eye bank donors to probe how gene expression changes precede disease; and (iii) The affected tissue is a homogeneous single cell monolayer, facilitating accurate transcriptome analysis. Here, we use RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to compare tissue from individuals who are pre-symptomatic (Pre_S) to tissue from patients with late stage FECD (FECD_REP). The abundance of mutant repeat intronic RNA in Pre_S and FECD_REP tissue is elevated due to increased half-life in a corneal cells. In Pre_S tissue, changes in splicing and extracellular matrix gene expression foreshadow the changes observed in advanced disease and predict the activation of the fibrosis pathway and immune system seen in late-stage patients. The absolute magnitude of splicing changes is similar in pre-symptomatic and late stage tissue. Our data identify gene candidates for early drivers of disease and biomarkers that may represent diagnostic and therapeutic targets for FECD. We conclude that changes in alternative splicing and gene expression are observable decades prior to the diagnosis of late-onset trinucleotide repeat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Chu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jiaxin Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hanquan Liang
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mohammed Kanchwala
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Xin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9057, USA
| | - David R Corey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - V Vinod Mootha
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9057, USA
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16
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Rong Z, Gong X, Hulleman JD, Corey DR, Mootha VV. Trinucleotide Repeat-Targeting dCas9 as a Therapeutic Strategy for Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:47. [PMID: 32934897 PMCID: PMC7463221 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.9.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the leading indication for corneal transplantation. Seventy percent of cases are caused by an intronic CTG triplet repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene that results in accumulation of pathogenic expanded CUG repeat RNA (CUGexp) as nuclear foci in corneal endothelium. A catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) can serve as an effective guide to target genomic DNA or RNA transcripts. Here, we examined the utility of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-dCas9 system to effectively target and reduce CUGexp. Methods We delivered dCas9 and repeat-targeting single guide RNA (sgRNA) expression plasmids to patient-derived endothelial cells using lipofection or lentiviral transduction. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and RNA dot-blot hybridization to quantify CUGexp foci and repeat RNA levels, respectively. TCF4 expression levels were assessed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results Using FISH, we found that expression of both dCas9 and a (CAG)n sgRNA complementary to CUGexp are necessary to reduce foci. We observed a reduction in percentage of cells with foci from 59% to 5.6% and number of foci per 100 cells from 73.4 to 7.45 (P < 0.001) in cells stably expressing dCas9-(CAG)n sgRNA but saw no decrease in cells expressing dCas9-(CUG)n sgRNA or nontargeting control sgRNA. In cells with dCas9-(CAG)n sgRNA, we detected a reduction in CUGexp RNA by dot-blot without any reduction in TCF4 mRNA levels using qPCR. Conclusions Using CRISPR-dCas9 to target the trinucleotide repeat is a promising treatment for FECD contingent on effective in vivo delivery. Translational Relevance This work advances a gene therapy for a common age-related degenerative disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziye Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David R Corey
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - V Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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17
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Matthaei M, Hribek A, Clahsen T, Bachmann B, Cursiefen C, Jun AS. Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: Clinical, Genetic, Pathophysiologic, and Therapeutic Aspects. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2020; 5:151-175. [PMID: 31525145 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-091718-014852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a bilateral corneal endothelial disorder and the most common cause of corneal transplantation worldwide. Professor Ernst Fuchs described the first 13 cases of FECD more than 100 years ago. Since then, we have seen far-reaching progress in its diagnosis and treatment. In the field of diagnostics, new technologies enable the development of more accurate classification systems and the more detailed breakdown of the genetic basis of FECD. Laboratory studies help in deciphering the molecular pathomechanisms. The development of minimally invasive surgical techniques leads to a continuous improvement of the postoperative result. This review highlights and discusses clinical, genetic, pathophysiologic, and therapeutic aspects of this common and important corneal disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Matthaei
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; , , , ,
| | - Agathe Hribek
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; , , , ,
| | - Thomas Clahsen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; , , , ,
| | - Björn Bachmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; , , , ,
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; , , , ,
| | - Albert S Jun
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA;
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18
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Miyajima T, Melangath G, Zhu S, Deshpande N, Vasanth S, Mondal B, Kumar V, Chen Y, Price MO, Price FW, Rogan EG, Zahid M, Jurkunas UV. Loss of NQO1 generates genotoxic estrogen-DNA adducts in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 147:69-79. [PMID: 31857234 PMCID: PMC6939626 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related genetically complex disease characterized by increased oxidative DNA damage and progressive degeneration of corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs). FECD has a greater incidence and advanced phenotype in women, suggesting a possible role of hormones in the sex-driven differences seen in the disease pathogenesis. In this study, catechol estrogen (4-OHE2), the byproduct of estrogen metabolism, induced genotoxic estrogen-DNA adducts formation, macromolecular DNA damage, and apoptotic cell death in HCEnCs; these findings were potentiated by menadione (MN)-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Expression of NQO1, a key enzyme that neutralizes reactive estrogen metabolites, was downregulated in FECD, indicating HCEnC susceptibility to reactive estrogen metabolism in FECD. NQO1 deficiency in vitro exacerbated the estrogen-DNA adduct formation and loss of cell viability, which was rescued by the supplementation of N-acetylcysteine, a ROS scavenger. Notably, overexpression of NQO1 in HCEnCs treated with MN and 4-OHE2 quenched the ROS formation, thereby reducing the DNA damage and endothelial cell loss. This study signifies a pivotal role for NQO1 in mitigating the macromolecular oxidative DNA damage arising from the interplay between intracellular ROS and impaired endogenous estrogen metabolism in post-mitotic ocular tissue cells. A dysfunctional Nrf2-NQO1 axis in FECD renders HCEnCs susceptible to catechol estrogens and estrogen-DNA adducts formation. This novel study highlights the potential role of NQO1-mediated estrogen metabolite genotoxicity in explaining the higher incidence of FECD in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiga Miyajima
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan
| | - Geetha Melangath
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan Zhu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neha Deshpande
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shivakumar Vasanth
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bodhisattwa Mondal
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuming Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marianne O Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Francis W Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Eleanor G Rogan
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Muhammad Zahid
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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19
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Moschos MM, Diamantopoulou A, Gouliopoulos N, Droutsas K, Bagli E, Chatzistefanou K, Kitsos G, Kroupis C. TCF4 and COL8A2 Gene Polymorphism Screening in a Greek Population of Late-onset Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. In Vivo 2019; 33:963-971. [PMID: 31028223 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a hereditary, progressive, bilateral, and irreversible disorder of the corneal endothelium. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel, accurate and high-throughput real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and melting-curve analysis in order to genotype the rs613872 polymorphism in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene and to implement it on a well-ascertained sample of 22 Greek FECD patients and 58 healthy individuals, age- and sex-matched. PATIENTS AND METHODS DNA was extracted from blood samples, which were screened with the DNA sequencing method in order to detect the g.31753T>G/p.L450W (rs8035192) and g.31767C>A/p.Q455K (rs8035191) mutations in a COL8A2 genomic region. RESULTS TCF4 risk G allele frequency increased to 48% in FECD patients compared to 17% in healthy-subjects [OR=4.82 (95% CI=1.98-11.73)]. No p.L450W and p.Q455K COL8A2 gene mutations were detected. CONCLUSION We confirmed that rs613872 in the TCF4 gene is strongly and statistically associated with late-onset FECD in a Greek population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilita M Moschos
- First Department of Ophthalmology, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andriana Diamantopoulou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Gouliopoulos
- First Department of Ophthalmology, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Droutsas
- First Department of Ophthalmology, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Bagli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ioannina University General Hospital, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Klio Chatzistefanou
- First Department of Ophthalmology, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Kitsos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ioannina University General Hospital, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos Kroupis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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20
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Hu J, Rong Z, Gong X, Zhou Z, Sharma VK, Xing C, Watts JK, Corey DR, Mootha VV. Oligonucleotides targeting TCF4 triplet repeat expansion inhibit RNA foci and mis-splicing in Fuchs' dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1015-1026. [PMID: 29325021 PMCID: PMC5886168 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common repeat expansion disorder. FECD impacts 4% of U.S. population and is the leading indication for corneal transplantation. Most cases are caused by an expanded intronic CUG tract in the TCF4 gene that forms nuclear foci, sequesters splicing factors and impairs splicing. We investigated the sense and antisense RNA landscape at the FECD gene and find that the sense-expanded repeat transcript is the predominant species in patient corneas. In patient tissue, sense foci number were negatively correlated with age and showed no correlation with sex. Each endothelial cell has ∼2 sense foci and each foci is single RNA molecule. We designed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to target the mutant-repetitive RNA and demonstrated potent inhibition of foci in patient-derived cells. Ex vivo treatment of FECD human corneas effectively inhibits foci and reverses pathological changes in splicing. FECD has the potential to be a model for treating many trinucleotide repeat diseases and targeting the TCF4 expansion with ASOs represents a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ziye Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zhengyang Zhou
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Statistical Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Vivek K Sharma
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan K Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - David R Corey
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - V Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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21
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Sarnicola C, Farooq AV, Colby K. Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: Update on Pathogenesis and Future Directions. Eye Contact Lens 2019; 45:1-10. [DOI: 10.1097/icl.0000000000000469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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22
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In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Shows Alterations in Nerve Density and Dendritiform Cell Density in Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol 2018; 196:136-144. [PMID: 30194928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2018.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate corneal nerve and immune cell alterations in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) by laser in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) as correlated to corneal sensation and endothelial cell loss. DESIGN Prospective, cross-sectional, controlled study. METHODS Thirty-three eyes with FECD were compared to 13 eyes with PBK and 17 normal age-matched control eyes at a tertiary referral center. FECD was classified into early (without edema) and late stage (with edema). Corneal IVCM and esthesiometry were performed. Corneal nerve and immune dendritiform cell (DC) alterations were evaluated and correlated to clinical parameters. RESULTS FECD and PBK eyes showed significantly (P = .001) diminished total nerve length (11.5 ± 1.3 and 2.9 ± 0.7 mm/mm2) and number (8.8 ± 1.1 and 2.2 ± 0.4 n/frame), compared to controls (23.3 ± 8.1 mm/mm2 and 25.9 ± 1.3 n/frame). Decreased nerves corresponded to diminished sensation in FECD (4.9 ± 0.2 cm; R = 0.32; P = .045), compared to controls (5.9 ± 0.04 cm). Early- and late-stage FECD showed significantly reduced total nerve length (13.1 ± 1.4 and 9.9 ± 1.2 mm/mm2, respectively) and number (8.2 ± 2.5 and 6.5 ± 2.1 n/frame), compared to controls (P < .001). DC density was significantly increased in FECD (57.8 ± 10.4 cells/mm2; P = .01), but not in PBK (47.7 ± 11.6 cells/mm2; P = .60) compared to controls (22.5 ± 4.5 cells/mm2). A subset of early FECD patients (7/22) demonstrated very high DC density (>100/mm2). CONCLUSION IVCM demonstrates profound diminishment of subbasal corneal nerves in early- and late-stage FECD and in PBK, correlating to decreased sensation. Increased DC density in early FECD demonstrates potential subclinical inflammation. The data suggest that reduction in subbasal nerves and increased immune activation may play a role in the pathophysiology of FECD.
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23
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Wahlig S, Lovatt M, Mehta JS. Functional role of peroxiredoxin 6 in the eye. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 126:210-220. [PMID: 30120980 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is the only mammalian 1-Cys member of the Prdx family, a group of enzymes which share the ability to reduce peroxides. In addition to its peroxidase function, Prdx6 also demonstrates phospholipase A2 and lysophosphatidylcholine acyl transferase (LPCAT) activities. These enzymatic activities play an important role in regenerating oxidized membrane phospholipids and maintaining an appropriate balance of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Development of clinical pathologies, including those within the eye, have been linked to dysregulation of Prdx6 function. Interplay between external stressors like exposure to UV light, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and hyperglycemia in conjunction with diminished Prdx6 levels and loss of redox balance is associated with cellular changes in a variety of ophthalmic pathologies including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration. Many of these cellular abnormalities can be rescued through supplementation with exogenous Prdx6. Additionally, corneal endothelial cells have been found to express high levels of Prdx6 in the plasma membrane. These findings highlight the importance of Prdx6 as an essential regulator of oxidative stress in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Wahlig
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore; Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC), Singapore; Eye-ACP, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.
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24
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25
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Cui Z, Zeng Q, Guo Y, Liu S, Wang P, Xie M, Chen J. Pathological molecular mechanism of symptomatic late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy by bioinformatic analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197750. [PMID: 29787599 PMCID: PMC5963778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a degenerative disease characterized by corneal endothelial decompensation. FECD causes corneal stromal and epithelial edema and progressively develops into bullous keratopathy, which can eventually lead to blindness. However, the exact pathogenesis is unknown. In this study, we performed an in-depth bioinformatic analysis of the dataset GSE74123 to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of symptomatic late-onset FECD compared with a normal control. Gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis were used to analyze the pathological molecular mechanism of FECD. We found that cell senescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS), the extracellular matrix (ECM), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune response-related genes play an important role in the pathological development of symptomatic late-onset FECD. In addition, we revealed that down-regulated IL-6, enhanced NF-κB activity and a suite of orchestrated chemokine responses induce fibrocyte differentiation from monocyte to dendritic cell maturation. PI3K plays a key role in the molecular mechanism of symptomatic late-onset FECD. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of FECD pathogenesis and will improve the diagnostics and therapy of FECD patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekai Cui
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Qiaolang Zeng
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yonglong Guo
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Mengyuan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
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26
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Function-Related Protein Expression in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Cells and Tissue Models. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 188:1703-1712. [PMID: 29698634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a corneal pathology that affects the endothelial cell's ability to maintain deturgescence, resulting in a progressive loss of corneal transparency. In this study, we investigated the expression of function-related proteins in corneal endothelial cells using FECD or healthy corneal endothelial cells, either in a cell culture two-dimensional model or in an engineered corneal endothelium three-dimensional tissue model. No statistically significant difference in gene regulation was observed for the function-related families ATP1, SLC4, SLC16, AQP, TJP, and CDH between the FECD and the healthy cell models. Similarly, no difference in barrier integrity (transendothelial electrical resistance measurements and permeability assays) was observed in vitro between FECD and healthy cultured cells. Protein expression of the key function-related families was decreased for Na+/K+-ATPase α1 subunit, monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 in native ex vivo end-stage FECD specimens, whereas it returned to levels comparable to that of healthy tissues in the engineered FECD model. These results indicate that cell expansion and tissue engineering culture conditions can generate a corneal endothelium from pathologic FECD cells, with levels of function-related proteins similar to that of healthy tissues. Overall, these results explain why it is possible to reform a functional endothelium using corneal endothelial cells isolated from nonfunctional FECD pathologic specimens.
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27
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Cabrerizo J, Urcola JA, Vecino E, Melles G. Changes in lipidomic profile of aqueous humour in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Acta Ophthalmol 2017; 95:727-732. [PMID: 28258620 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify and determine differences in lipid profile of aqueous humour (AH) in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). METHODS Lipidomic profile of eight AH samples of FECD patients and 10 control samples was analysed. Patients with previous history of anterior segment surgery, anterior segment pathology or intraocular injections were excluded. Topical ocular medications within the last 6 months were reported. Aqueous humour (AH) was obtained during the first step of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in FECD patients and during refractive lensectomy in the control group. Lipidomic ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to perform an optimal profiling of glycerolipids, sterol lipids, sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids. Metabolite extraction was accomplished by fractionating the samples into pools of species with similar physicochemical properties. RESULTS The levels of 27 of 110 lipids change significantly in the AH of FECD eyes when compared to control samples. The concentration of most diacylglycerophosphocholines and 1-ether, 2-acylglycerophosphocholines increases in the AH of FECD eyes when compared to healthy controls. In addition, eight sphingomyelins and up to two long-chain highly unsaturated cholesteryl esters present higher levels in FECD samples when compared to controls. CONCLUSION The lipid composition of AH in FECD patients differs from that of healthy subjects. Those changes may reflect oxidative stress-related changes in the lipid metabolism of the corneal endothelial cells in FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Cabrerizo
- Department of Ophthalmology; Rigshospitalet/Glostrup; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
- Copenhagen Eye Foundation (CEF); Copenhagen Denmark
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS); Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Javier Aritz Urcola
- Department of Ophthalmology; University Hospital of Alava; Vitoria Spain
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group (GOBE); University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU); Leioa Spain
| | - Elena Vecino
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group (GOBE); University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU); Leioa Spain
| | - Gerrit Melles
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS); Rotterdam The Netherlands
- Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam; Rotterdam The Netherlands
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28
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Mootha VV, Hansen B, Rong Z, Mammen PP, Zhou Z, Xing C, Gong X. Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy and RNA Foci in Patients With Myotonic Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:4579-4585. [PMID: 28886202 PMCID: PMC5590687 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-22350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The most common cause of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an intronic CTG repeat expansion in TCF4. Expanded CUG repeat RNA colocalize with splicing factor, muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1), in nuclear foci in endothelium as a molecular hallmark. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by a CTG repeat expansion in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of DMPK. In this study, we examine for RNA-MBNL1 foci in endothelial cells of FECD subjects with DM1, test the hypothesis that DM1 patients are at risk for FECD, and determine prevalence of TCF4 and DMPK expansions in a FECD cohort. Methods Using FISH, we examined for nuclear RNA-MBNL1 foci in endothelial cells from FECD subjects with DM1. We examined 13 consecutive unrelated DM1 patients for FECD using slit-lamp and specular microscopy. We genotyped TCF4 and DMPK repeat polymorphisms in a FECD cohort of 317 probands using short-tandem repeat and triplet repeat-primed PCR assays. Results We detected abundant nuclear RNA foci colocalizing with MBNL1 in endothelial cells of FECD subjects with DM1. Six of thirteen DM1 patients (46%) had slit-lamp and specular microscopic findings of FECD, compared to 4% disease prevalence (P = 5.5 × 10-6
). As expected, 222 out of 317 (70%) FECD probands harbored TCF4 expansion, while one subject harbored DMPK expansion without prior diagnosis of DM1.
Conclusions Our work suggests that DM1 patients are at risk for FECD. DMPK mutations contribute to the genetic burden of FECD but are uncommon. We establish a connection between two repeat expansion disorders converging upon RNA-MBNL1 foci and FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.,McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Brock Hansen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Ziye Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Pradeep P Mammen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Zhengyang Zhou
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.,Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States.,Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Xin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Activation of mitophagy leads to decline in Mfn2 and loss of mitochondrial mass in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6656. [PMID: 28751712 PMCID: PMC5532298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs) are terminally differentiated cells that have limited regenerative potential. The large numbers of mitochondria in HCEnCs are critical for pump and barrier function required for corneal hydration and transparency. Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is a highly prevalent late-onset oxidative stress disorder characterized by progressive loss of HCEnCs. We previously reported increased mitochondrial fragmentation and reduced ATP and mtDNA copy number in FECD. Herein, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP)-induced mitochondrial depolarization decreased mitochondrial mass and Mfn2 levels, which were rescued with mitophagy blocker, bafilomycin, in FECD. Moreover, electron transport chain complex (I, V) decrease in FECD indicated deficient mitochondrial bioenergetics. Transmission electron microscopy of FECD tissues displayed an increased number of autophagic vacuoles containing degenerated and swollen mitochondria with cristolysis. An elevation of LC3-II and LAMP1 and downregulation of Mfn2 in mitochondrial fractions suggested that loss of fusion capacity targets fragmented mitochondria to the pre-autophagic pool and upregulates mitophagy. CCCP-induced mitochondrial fragmentation leads to Mfn2 and LC3 co-localization without activation of proteosome, suggesting a novel Mfn2 degradation pathway via mitophagy. These data indicate constitutive activation of mitophagy results in reduction of mitochondrial mass and abrogates cellular bioenergetics during degeneration of post-mitotic cells of ocular tissue.
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30
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Thomasy SM, Cortes DE, Hoehn AL, Calderon AC, Li JY, Murphy CJ. In Vivo Imaging of Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy in Boston Terriers: A Spontaneous, Canine Model for Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:OCT495-503. [PMID: 27454658 PMCID: PMC4968913 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-18885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Boston Terriers (BTs) have a greater prevalence of corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED), in comparison to other canine breeds. Similar to Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), this condition is characterized by endothelial cell degeneration with secondary corneal edema. This study assessed corneal morphology using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) in BTs with and without CED. Methods The corneas of 16 BTs with CED and 15 unaffected, age-matched BTs underwent clinical evaluation and were imaged using IVCM and FD-OCT. A two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney rank sum test were used to statistically compare parameters between groups. Data are presented as mean ± SD or median (range). Results Mean age did not significantly differ between affected and unaffected dogs at 10.0 ± 2.0 and 10.6 ± 2.4 years, respectively (P = 0.437). Females (69%) were overrepresented among the CED-affected dogs. In CED patients, IVCM demonstrated endothelial polymegathism and pleomorphism. Corneal endothelial density was significantly less (P < 0.001) in dogs with CED (1026 ± 260 cells/mm2) versus age-matched controls (2297 ± 372 cells/mm2). Fourier-domain OCT demonstrated a significant increase (P < 0.01) in central corneal and endothelium-Descemet's complex thickness in dogs with CED versus age-matched controls at 1019 (485–1550) or 536 (464–650) μm and 32 (22–56) or 25 (15–34) μm, respectively. Conclusions Corneal endothelial dystrophy in BTs is a bilateral, adult-onset condition that shares many similarities with FECD. Thus, CED could serve as a spontaneous disease model to study the pathogenesis of and develop novel treatments for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - Dennis E Cortes
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - Alyssa L Hoehn
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - Allison C Calderon
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - Jennifer Y Li
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States 2Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, Uni
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31
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Nielsen E. Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy: pathology and treatment outcome. Acta Ophthalmol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aos.13311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esben Nielsen
- Department of Health; Aarhus University; Aarhus Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology; Aarhus University Hospital; Denmark
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32
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Cabrerizo J, Urcola JH, Vecino E. Changes in Surface Tension of Aqueous Humor in Anterior Segment Ocular Pathologies. Vision (Basel) 2016; 1:vision1010006. [PMID: 31740631 PMCID: PMC6849022 DOI: 10.3390/vision1010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify and determine differences in surface tension (ST) of aqueous humor (AH) in patients with cataract, glaucoma and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED). Two hundred and two samples of AH were analyzed (control n = 22; cataract n = 56; glaucoma n = 81; and n = FED 43). Patients with previous history of anterior segment surgery, anterior segment pathology or intraocular injections were excluded from the study. Different types of glaucoma were identified, cataracts were graded using total phaco time data during surgery and clinical severity of FED was assessed by clinical examination. Around 150 microliters AH were obtained during the first step of a surgical procedure, lensectomy, phacoemulsification, nonpenetrating deep sclerotomy (NPDE) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). A pendant drop-based optical goniometer OCA-15 (Dataphysics, Filderstadt, Germany) was used to measure surface tension. Mean ST was 65.74 ± 3.76 mN/m, 63.59 ± 5.50 mN/m, 64.35 ± 6.99 mN/m, and 60.89 ± 3.73 mN/m in control, cataract, glaucoma and FED patients respectively. Statistically significant differences between FED and control group were found (p < 0.001). Lens condition, cataract maturity, age, and gender did not show influence in ST. ST of AH is significantly decreased in FED patients independently from age and lens condition. These findings may aid to the understanding of the physiopathology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Cabrerizo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet/Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Nordre Ringvej 57, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-60-599-717
| | - J. Haritz Urcola
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Alava, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Elena Vecino
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group (GOBE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
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Kao L, Azimov R, Shao XM, Frausto RF, Abuladze N, Newman D, Aldave AJ, Kurtz I. Multifunctional ion transport properties of human SLC4A11: comparison of the SLC4A11-B and SLC4A11-C variants. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2016; 311:C820-C830. [PMID: 27581649 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00233.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED), Harboyan syndrome (CHED with progressive sensorineural deafness), and potentially a subset of individuals with late-onset Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy are caused by mutations in the SLC4A11 gene that results in corneal endothelial cell abnormalities. Originally classified as a borate transporter, the function of SLC4A11 as a transport protein remains poorly understood. Elucidating the transport function(s) of SLC4A11 is needed to better understand how its loss results in the aforementioned posterior corneal dystrophic disease processes. Quantitative PCR experiments demonstrated that, of the three known human NH2-terminal variants, SLC4A11-C is the major transcript expressed in human corneal endothelium. We studied the expression pattern of the three variants in mammalian HEK-293 cells and demonstrated that the SLC4A11-B and SLC4A11-C variants are plasma membrane proteins, whereas SLC4A11-A is localized intracellularly. SLC4A11-B and SLC4A11-C were shown to be multifunctional ion transporters capable of transporting H+ equivalents in both a Na+-independent and Na+-coupled mode. In both transport modes, SLC4A11-C H+ flux was significantly greater than SLC4A11-B. In the presence of ammonia, SLC4A11-B and SLC4A11-C generated inward currents that were comparable in magnitude. Chimera SLC4A11-C-NH2-terminus-SLC4A11-B experiments demonstrated that the SLC4A11-C NH2-terminus functions as an autoactivating domain, enhancing Na+-independent and Na+-coupled H+ flux without significantly affecting the electrogenic NH3-H(n)+ cotransport mode. All three modes of transport were significantly impaired in the presence of the CHED causing p.R109H (SLC4A11-C numbering) mutation. These complex ion transport properties need to be addressed in the context of corneal endothelial disease processes caused by mutations in SLC4A11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyo Kao
- Division of Nephrology.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rustam Azimov
- Division of Nephrology.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xuesi M Shao
- Department of Neurobiology.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ricardo F Frausto
- Stein Eye Institute, and.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Natalia Abuladze
- Division of Nephrology.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Debra Newman
- Division of Nephrology.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anthony J Aldave
- Stein Eye Institute, and.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ira Kurtz
- Division of Nephrology, .,Brain Research Institute.,David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common corneal dystrophy and frequently results in vision loss. Hallmarks of the disease include loss of corneal endothelial cells and formation of excrescences of Descemet's membrane. Later stages involve all layers of the cornea. Impairment of endothelial barrier and pump function and cell death from oxidative and unfolded protein stress contribute to disease progression. The genetic basis of FECD includes numerous genes and chromosomal loci, although alterations in the transcription factor 4 gene are associated with the majority of cases. Definitive treatment of FECD is corneal transplantation. In this paper, we highlight advances that have been made in understanding FECD's clinical features, pathophysiology, and genetics. We also discuss recent advances in endothelial keratoplasty and potential future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Vedana
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Albert S Jun
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Huang AJW, Shui YB, Han YP, Bai F, Siegfried CJ, Beebe DC. Impact of Corneal Endothelial Dysfunctions on Intraocular Oxygen Levels in Human Eyes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2016; 56:6483-8. [PMID: 26447982 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-17191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We studied the implications of corneal endothelial dysfunctions on oxidative stress in the anterior segment via in vivo measurements of oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in the anterior chamber (AC) of human eyes. METHODS We recruited 51 patients undergoing cataract surgery and/or endothelial keratoplasty (EK). Endothelial cell density (ECD; n = 33) and central corneal thickness (CCT; n = 41) were measured on patients with relatively clear corneas. Before surgery, an oxygen sensor was introduced into the AC via a peripheral corneal paracentesis. In all patients, seven measurements of pO2 were obtained by positioning the flexible tip near the endothelium at the central cornea, at four cardinal subendothelial locations near the midperipheral cornea, and in the mid-AC and AC angle. In patients with pseudophakia or eyes undergoing cataract surgery, pO2 also was measured near the lens surface and in the posterior chamber. RESULTS Consistent with our previous reports, a steep oxygen gradient was noted in the anterior segment of normal controls (n = 24). In patients with endothelial dysfunctions (n = 27), there was a significant increase of pO2 at all five subendothelial locations without a significant increase of pO2 in the AC angle. By regression analyses, subendothelial pO2 correlated inversely with ECD and positively with CCT in patients with endothelial dysfunctions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates an even steeper intraocular oxygen gradient in eyes with corneal endothelial dysfunctions. It suggests that the reduced oxygen consumption in corneal endothelial cells may increase oxidative stress in the AC and the existence of an alternative aqueous inflow pathway that maintains a relatively low and constant pO2 at the AC angle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J W Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Ying-Bo Shui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Yu-Ping Han
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States 2Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Fang Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Carla J Siegfried
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - David C Beebe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States 3Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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Reinach PS, Mergler S, Okada Y, Saika S. Ocular transient receptor potential channel function in health and disease. BMC Ophthalmol 2015; 15 Suppl 1:153. [PMID: 26818117 PMCID: PMC4895786 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-015-0135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels sense and transduce environmental stimuli into Ca(2+) transients that in turn induce responses essential for cell function and adaptation. These non-selective channels with variable Ca(2+) selectivity are grouped into seven different subfamilies containing 28 subtypes based on differences in amino acid sequence homology. Many of these subtypes are expressed in the eye on both neuronal and non-neuronal cells where they affect a host of stress-induced regulatory responses essential for normal vision maintenance. This article reviews our current knowledge about the expression, function and regulation of TRPs in different eye tissues. We also describe how under certain conditions TRP activation can induce responses that are maladaptive to ocular function. Furthermore, the possibility of an association between TRP mutations and disease is considered. These findings contribute to evidence suggesting that drug targeting TRP channels may be of therapeutic benefit in a clinical setting. We point out issues that must be more extensively addressed before it will be possible to decide with certainty that this is a realistic endeavor. Another possible upshot of future studies is that disease process progression can be better evaluated by profiling changes in tissue specific functional TRP subtype activity as well as their gene and protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Reinach
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xuejuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, P. R. China.
| | - Stefan Mergler
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow-Clinic, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Yuka Okada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama, Japan.
| | - Shizuya Saika
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama, Japan.
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Park YM, Kim CD, Lee JS. Effect of Bevacizumab on Human Tenon's Fibroblasts Cultured from Primary and Recurrent Pterygium. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2015; 19:357-63. [PMID: 26170740 PMCID: PMC4499648 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2015.19.4.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the inhibitory effect of bevacizumab on human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) cultured from primary and recurrent pterygium. Cultured HTFs were exposed to 2.0, 5.0, 7.5, and 15.0 mg/mL concentration of bevacizumab for 24 hours. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assays were then performed to assess fibroblast metabolism and viability. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), procollagen type I C terminal propeptide (PIP), and laminin immunoassays were performed to examine extracellular matrix production. Changes in cellular morphology were examined by phase-contrast and transmission electron microscopy. Both metabolic activity and viability of primary and recurrent pterygium HTFs were inhibited by bevacizumab in a dose-dependent manner, especially at concentrations greater than 7.5 mg/mL. Both types of HTFs had significant decreases in MMP-1, PIP, and laminin levels. Distinctly, the inhibitory effect of bevacizumab on MMP-1 level related with collagenase in primary pterygium HTFs was significantly higher than that of recurrent pterygium. Significant changes in cellular density and morphology both occurred at bevacizumab concentrations greater than 7.5 mg/mL. Only primary pterygium HTFs had a reduction in cellular density at a bevacizumab concentration of 5.0 mg/mL. Bevacizumab inhibits primary and recurrent pterygium HTFs in a dose-dependent manner, especially at concentrations greater than 7.5 mg/mL. As the primary HTFs produces larger amounts of MMP-1 compared to recurrent HTFs, significant reduction in MMP-1 level in primary pterygium HTFs after exposure to bevacizumab is likely to be related to the faster cellular density changes in primary pterygium HTFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Min Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University School of Medicine & Medical Research Institute, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, Yangsan 626-770, Korea
| | - Chi Dae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Pusan National University College of Medicine, and MRC for Ischemic Tissue Regeneration, Yangsan 626-870, Korea
| | - Jong Soo Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University & Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan 602-739, Korea
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Mootha VV, Hussain I, Cunnusamy K, Graham E, Gong X, Neelam S, Xing C, Kittler R, Petroll WM. TCF4 Triplet Repeat Expansion and Nuclear RNA Foci in Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2015; 56:2003-11. [PMID: 25722209 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-16222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Expansion of the intronic CTG18.1 triplet repeat locus within TCF4 contributes significant risk to the development of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in Eurasian populations, but the mechanisms by which the expanded repeats result in degeneration of the endothelium have been hitherto unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine FECD endothelial samples for the presence of RNA nuclear foci, the hallmark of toxic RNA, as well as evidence of haploinsufficiency of TCF4. METHODS Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we examined for the presence of nuclear RNA foci containing expanded CUG transcripts in corneal endothelial samples from FECD subjects with CTG18.1 expansion. We also examined for any changes in expression levels of TCF4 by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Numerous discrete nuclear RNA foci were identified in endothelial samples of FECD subjects (n = 8) harboring the CTG18.1 expansion, but not in controls lacking the expansion (n = 5) (P = 7.8 × 10(-4)). Percentage of cells with foci in expansion-positive endothelial samples ranged from 33% to 88%. RNA foci were absent in endothelial samples from an FECD subject without CTG18.1 expansion and a subject with endothelial dysfunction without FECD. Expression of the constitutive TCF4 exon encoding the basic helix-loop-helix domain was unaltered with CTG18.1 expansion. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the RNA nuclear foci are pathognomonic for CTG18.1 expansion-mediated endothelial disease. The RNA nuclear foci have been previously found only in rare neurodegenerative disorders caused by repeat expansions. Our detection of abundant ribonuclear foci in FECD implicates a role for toxic RNA in this common disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Imran Hussain
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Khrishen Cunnusamy
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Eric Graham
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Xin Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Sudha Neelam
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Ralf Kittler
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - W Matthew Petroll
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Zhang J, Patel DV. The pathophysiology of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy – A review of molecular and cellular insights. Exp Eye Res 2015; 130:97-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Rice GD, Wright K, Silverstein SM. A retrospective study of the association between Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol 2014; 8:2155-9. [PMID: 25378902 PMCID: PMC4213138 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s67340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to examine a possible clinical association between Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED) and glaucoma suspect (GS)/ocular hypertension (OHT) or open angle glaucoma (OAG). METHODS A retrospective chart review was carried out using data from electronic medical records and paper records from a private ophthalmology clinic in Kansas City, MO, USA. The review included 257 patients with FED and 584 randomly selected controls with no history of endothelial dystrophy. Binomial and multinomial regression using generalized estimating equations was used to create models to examine the correlation between FED diagnosis/severity and glaucoma diagnosis/type of glaucoma adjusted for age, sex, presence of diabetes, number of guttae, and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS No statistically significant increase in prevalence of either OHT or GS/OHT compared to controls was observed (P>0.3). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between increasing age and IOP with increased glaucoma prevalence (P<0.05). There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between increasing age, IOP and male sex, with increased prevalence of the more severe glaucoma subtype of OAG versus GS/OHT and controls (P<0.05). Increasing severity of FED divided into category 1 and 2 based upon number of guttae was not associated with any significant increase in glaucoma prevalence (P>0.09), and was actually significantly negatively correlated to worsening glaucoma subtype for category 2 FED patients (P<0.05). Diabetes was not associated with the prevalence of either glaucoma or its subtypes of GS/OHT or OAG. CONCLUSION The correlation between FED and glaucoma has been controversial. This study showed no statistically significant association between FED and glaucoma by prevalence or severity of FED as measured by corneal guttae. Further study is needed to determine if a connection between FED and glaucoma does exist, and if so, whether this relationship may impact earlier the detection and treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg D Rice
- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Kristin Wright
- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO, USA
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Xing C, Gong X, Hussain I, Khor CC, Tan DTH, Aung T, Mehta JS, Vithana EN, Mootha VV. Transethnic replication of association of CTG18.1 repeat expansion of TCF4 gene with Fuchs' corneal dystrophy in Chinese implies common causal variant. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:7073-8. [PMID: 25298419 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To test the association between the CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion of TCF4 gene and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in a Chinese population. METHODS The trinucleotide repeat polymorphism CTG18.1 was genotyped using short tandem repeat and triplet repeat primed polymerase chain reaction assays in 57 Chinese subjects with FECD and 121 controls. Statistical association of the expanded CTG18.1 allele and 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across TCF4 with FECD was evaluated. To investigate the linkage disequilibrium structure of the TCF4 region, haplotype analysis was performed on our study subjects and compared with genotyping data of 97 Han Chinese and 85 Caucasians in the 1000 Genomes Project. RESULTS The expanded CTG18.1 allele was associated with FECD (P = 4.7 × 10(-14)), with the odds ratio of each copy of the expanded allele estimated to be 66.5 (95% confidence interval: 12.6-350.1). Five TCF4 SNPs showed association with FECD at a nominal level (P < 5.0 × 10(-2)); however, conditional on the expanded CTG18.1 polymorphism, none of the SNPs showed association with FECD. The only haplotype associated with the disease was the one with the expansion at the CTG18.1 locus. CONCLUSIONS Transethnic replication of the association between the CTG18.1 repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene and FECD suggests it is a common, causal variant shared in Eurasian populations conferring significant risk for the development of FECD. Our data suggest that the expanded CTG18.1 allele is the main, if not sole, causal variant at this gene locus in the Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xing
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Xin Gong
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Imran Hussain
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Chiea-Chuen Khor
- Division of Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Tin Aung
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | | | - Eranga N Vithana
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore Department of Neuroscience, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore
| | - V Vinod Mootha
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, Dallas, Texas, United States University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Amin SR, Baratz KH, McLaren JW, Patel SV. Corneal abnormalities early in the course of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Ophthalmology 2014; 121:2325-33. [PMID: 25156138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneas with advanced Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy that require endothelial keratoplasty manifest anterior corneal structural and cellular abnormalities that have been associated with visual deficits before and after endothelial keratoplasty. In this study, we determined the onset of these abnormalities in the course of the disease. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-three eyes (39 subjects) with a range of severity of Fuchs' dystrophy and 25 eyes (13 subjects) with normal corneas. METHODS All corneas were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ultrasonic pachymetry, and confocal microscopy. The clinical grade of Fuchs' dystrophy was assessed according to the presence and extent of guttae and clinically evident edema and was categorized as mild (grades 1 and 2), moderate (grades 3 and 4), or advanced (grades 5 and 6). Normal corneas were devoid of any central guttae (grade 0). Corneal backscatter (haze) was measured from the confocal image light intensity profile. Stromal cell density and number and the presence of abnormal subepithelial cells were determined from confocal images. Comparisons between groups were made by using generalized estimating equation models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anterior corneal backscatter, stromal cell density and number, presence of subepithelial cells, and central corneal thickness. RESULTS Anterior corneal backscatter was 18% to 67% higher in eyes with moderate and advanced Fuchs' dystrophy compared with normal eyes (P ≤ 0.003); a similar trend was noted in mild Fuchs' dystrophy eyes compared with normal eyes (P = 0.08). Stromal cell density and the absolute number of stromal cells in the anterior 10% of the stroma were approximately 20% and 27% lower, respectively, in Fuchs' dystrophy (regardless of severity) compared with normal (P < 0.001). Abnormal subepithelial cells were visible in 9%, 19%, and 30% of corneas with mild, moderate, and advanced Fuchs' dystrophy, respectively. Only corneas with advanced Fuchs' dystrophy were thicker than normal (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Anterior corneal cellular and structural abnormalities begin early in the course of Fuchs' dystrophy, before the onset of clinically evident edema. The chronicity of these changes can explain their incomplete resolution after endothelial keratoplasty, and understanding the onset of these may help to determine the optimal time to intervene to achieve best outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejal R Amin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Keith H Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jay W McLaren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Sanjay V Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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Abstract
Fuchs' corneal dystrophy (FCD) is a common late-onset genetic disorder of the corneal endothelium. It causes loss of endothelial cell density and excrescences in the Descemet membrane, eventually progressing to corneal edema, necessitating corneal transplantation. The genetic basis of FCD is complex and heterogeneous, demonstrating variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance. To date, three causal genes, ZEB1, SLC4A11 and LOXHD1, have been identified, representing a small proportion of the total genetic load of FCD. An additional four loci have been localized, including a region on chromosome 18 that is potentially responsible for a large proportion of all FCD cases. The elucidation of the causal genes underlying these loci will begin to clarify the pathogenesis of FCD and pave the way for the emergence of nonsurgical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W Iliff
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Mootha VV, Gong X, Ku HC, Xing C. Association and familial segregation of CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion of TCF4 gene in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:33-42. [PMID: 24255041 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We tested the association between two intronic polymorphisms (CTG18.1 and rs613872) in TCF4 and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), and analyzed their segregation patterns in families. METHODS We recruited 120 unrelated Caucasian subjects with FECD and 100 controls. Available family members of probands were recruited. Genotyping of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs613872 was performed using Sanger sequencing or real-time allelic discrimination assay. The trinucleotide repeat polymorphism, CTG18.1, was genotyped using a combination of short tandem repeat assay and triplet repeat primed PCR assay. The cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) repeat length of ≥40 was classified as an expanded CTG18.1 allele. Association of the two loci with FECD was evaluated. Segregation in 29 families was examined. RESULTS The two polymorphisms are in linkage disequilibrium (r(2) = 0.65 in cases and 0.31 in controls). Significant associations were found between FECD and rs613872 (P = 3.1 × 10(-17)), expanded CTG18.1 allele (P = 6.5 × 10(-25)), and their haplotypes (P = 5.9 × 10(-19)). The odds ratio (OR) of each copy of the rs613872 G allele for FECD was estimated to be 9.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.1-17.5). The OR of each copy of the CTG18.1 expanded allele was estimated to be 32.3 (95% CI, 13.4-77.6). The expanded CTG 18.1 allele cosegregated with the trait in 52% (15/29) of families with complete penetrance and 10% (3/29) with incomplete penetrance. CONCLUSIONS We report, to our knowledge, the first independent replication of the expanded CTG 18.1 allele conferring significant risk for FECD (>30-fold increase). The expanded allele cosegregates with the trait with complete penetrance in a majority of families, but we also document cases of incomplete penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vinod Mootha
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Dallas, Texas
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Czarny P, Seda A, Wielgorski M, Binczyk E, Markiewicz B, Kasprzak E, Jiménez-García MP, Grabska-Liberek I, Pawlowska E, Blasiak J, Szaflik J, Szaflik JP. Mutagenesis of mitochondrial DNA in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Mutat Res 2013; 760:42-7. [PMID: 24374226 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2013.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related, slowly progressive disease, which may lead to loss of vision resulting from apoptosis of corneal endothelial (CE) cells, dysfunction of Descemet membrane (DM) and corneal edema. A growing body of evidence suggests that oxidative stress may play a major role in the pathogenesis of FECD and that mitochondria of CE cells are its main target. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is particularly prone to oxidative stress and changes in mtDNA were reported in FECD patients. In the present work we studied mtDNA damage and repair, mtDNA copy number, and the 4977bp common deletion in mtDNA in DM cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) isolated from FECD patients. PBLs from 35 FECD patients and 32 controls were challenged for 10min with hydrogen peroxide at 20μM and then left in a fresh medium for 3h, resulting in a decrease in mtDNA copy number in both groups. Damage to mtDNA was not fully repaired after 3h and the extent of remaining lesions was significantly higher in the patients than the controls. We observed a higher copy number and an increased extent of mtDNA damage as well as a higher ratio of the common 4977bp deletion in DM cells of FECD patients than the controls. Our results confirm that mutagenesis of mtDNA may be involved in FECD pathogenesis and disturbance in mtDNA sensitivity to damaging agent as well as changes in mtDNA damage repair along with alternations in mtDNA copy number may underline this involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Czarny
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - A Seda
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - M Wielgorski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - E Binczyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - B Markiewicz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - E Kasprzak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | | | - I Grabska-Liberek
- Warsaw Eye Bank, Al. Solidarnosci 67, 03-401 Warsaw, Poland; Ophthalmology Clinic, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, ul. Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
| | - E Pawlowska
- Department of Orthodontics, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - J Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - J Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - J P Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland.
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Kim YW, Kim MK, Wee WR. Long-term evaluation of endothelial cell changes in Fuchs corneal dystrophy: the influence of phacoemulsification and penetrating keratoplasty. KOREAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2013; 27:409-15. [PMID: 24311925 PMCID: PMC3849303 DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2013.27.6.409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the natural course of the long-term endothelial cell changes in Fuchs corneal dystrophy (FCD) patients and investigate the effects of phacoemulsification on the annual rate of change in endothelial indices in FCD patients. METHODS Thirty-four patients diagnosed with FCD at Seoul National University Hospital from 1994 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Sixteen patients who had been followed up for more than 1 year were selected and classified into 3 groups: group A, patients with no ocular surgery; group B, patients who had undergone phacoemulsification only; and group C, patients who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty with cataract surgery. Endothelial cell density, polymegethism, pleomorphism, and pachymetry were measured and the exponential rates of endothelial cell and pachymetry change were analyzed. RESULTS A non-linear mixed model of non-operated FCD patients showed that only pachymetric data tended to increase with statistical significance (p = 0.001) with a mean follow-up period of 4.15 years. Using an exponential regression analysis fitting curve, the mean rates of annual endothelial cell loss were 0.82%/yr, 20.39%/yr, and 29.27%/yr in groups A, B, and C respectively, and statistical significance was seen only in group C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Retrospective long-term follow-up data showed that changes in endothelial density did not significantly decrease over at least 4 years in middle-aged FCD patients. The changes in pachymetric corneal thickness appeared to increase over the same period. Considering that no exponential changes were aggravated after performing cataract surgery alone, cataract surgery would be a preferable option in FCD patients compared to an approach of "wait-and-do" penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Woo Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
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Synowiec E, Wojcik KA, Izdebska J, Binczyk E, Blasiak J, Szaflik J, Szaflik JP. Polymorphisms of the homologous recombination gene RAD51 in keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. DISEASE MARKERS 2013; 35:353-62. [PMID: 24223453 PMCID: PMC3809973 DOI: 10.1155/2013/851817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the association between genotypes and haplotypes of the c.-61G>T (rs 1801320) and c.-98G>C (rs 1801321) polymorphisms of the RAD51 gene and the occurrence of keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in dependence on some environmental factors. METHODS The polymorphisms were genotyped in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 100 KC and 100 FECD patients as well as 150 controls with PCR-RFLP. RESULTS The G/T genotype of the c.-61G>T polymorphism was associated with significantly increased frequency occurrence of KC (crude OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.75-5.13). On the other hand, the G/G genotype of this polymorphism was positively correlated with a decreased occurrence of this disease (crude OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.88). We did not find any correlation between genotypes/alleles of the c.-98G>C polymorphism and the occurrence of KC. We also found that the G/G genotype and G allele of the c.-98G>C polymorphism had a protective effect against FECD (crude OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.92; crude OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.30-0.92, resp.), while the G/C genotype and the C allele increased FECD occurrence (crude OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.36; crude OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.09-3.29, resp.). CONCLUSIONS The c.-61T/T and c.-98G>C polymorphisms of the RAD51 gene may have a role in the KC and FECD pathogenesis and can be considered as markers in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Synowiec
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna A. Wojcik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Justyna Izdebska
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Binczyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jerzy Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek P. Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
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Bruinsma M, Tong CM, Melles GRJ. What does the future hold for the treatment of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy; will 'keratoplasty' still be a valid procedure? Eye (Lond) 2013; 27:1115-22. [PMID: 23846374 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2013.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a well recognized corneal disorder characterized by the presence of collagenous warts extending from Descemet membrane (guttae) and endothelial cellular dysfunction due to cell loss and/or degeneration. Because of the characteristic abnormal cell morphology as seen with specular microscopy as well as the limited regenerative capacity in vivo, the endothelial cells were considered to be 'dystrophic'. Hence, FECD is commonly managed by replacement of the endothelium with donor tissue by means of a penetrating or endothelial keratoplasty. The latter procedure has now been refined to the isolated transplantation of a donor Descemet membrane and its endothelium, referred to as Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Unexpectedly, clinical observation made after DMEK seemed to challenge the current concept of the state of the endothelium in FECD; we actually observed an important role for the 'dystrophic' host endothelium in re-endothelialization of the denuded DM, and subsequent corneal clearance. In addition, recent studies regarding the pathophysiology of FECD made us realize that the endothelial cells are not 'dystrophic' per se, but in the course of time may have acquired a dysfunction instead. This paper describes the rationale behind this new concept and based on this, discusses the possibilities for future, less invasive treatment modalities for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bruinsma
- Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Shang K, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Lin Y, Hayden RS, Tao H, Kaplan DL. Accelerated In Vitro Degradation of Optically Clear Low β-Sheet Silk Films by Enzyme-Mediated Pretreatment. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2013; 2:2. [PMID: 24049717 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.2.3.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To design patterned, transparent silk films with fast degradation rates for the purpose of tissue engineering corneal stroma. METHODS β-sheet (crystalline) content of silk films was decreased significantly by using a short water annealing time. Additionally, a protocol combining short water annealing time with enzymatic pretreatment of silk films with protease XIV was developed. RESULTS Low β-sheet content (17%-18%) and enzymatic pretreatment provided film stability in aqueous environments and accelerated degradation of the silk films in the presence of human corneal fibroblasts in vitro. The results demonstrate a direct relationship between reduced β-sheet content and enzymatic pretreatment, and overall degradation rate of the protein films. CONCLUSIONS The novel protocol developed here provides new approaches to modulate the regeneration rate of silk biomaterials for corneal tissue regeneration needs. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE Patterned silk protein films possess desirable characteristics for corneal tissue engineering, including optical transparency, biocompatibility, cell alignment, and tunable mechanical properties, but current fabrication protocols do not provide adequate degradation rates to match the regeneration properties of the human cornea. This novel processing protocol makes silk films more suitable for the construction of human corneal stroma tissue and a promising way to tune silk film degradation properties to match corneal tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Shang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
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