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Hu Y, Ge K, Du Y. Paeoniflorin alleviates TGF-β2-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling and oxidative stress in human trabecular meshwork cells. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:229. [PMID: 38795168 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-02917-0] [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] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The multifunctional profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) is implicated in the pathophysiology of primary open angle glaucoma. Paeoniflorin (PAE) is a monoterpene glycoside with multiple pharmacological efficacies, such as antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have demonstrated that paeoniflorin protects human corneal epithelial cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and retinal microglia from damage. Here, the biological role of PAE in TGF-β2-dependent remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the trabecular meshwork (TM) microenvironment. METHODS Primary or transformed (GTM3) human TM (HTM) cells conditioned in serum-free media were incubated with TGF-β2 (5 ng/mL). PAE (300 μM) was added to serum-starved confluent cultures of HTM cells for 2 h, followed by incubation with TGF-β2 for 22 h. SB-431542, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor (10 μM), was used as a positive control. The levels of intracellular ROS were evaluated by CellROX green dye. Western blotting was used to measure the levels of TGF-β2/Smad2/3 signaling-related molecules. Collagen 1α1, collagen 4α1, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Immunofluorescence assay was conducted to measure collagen I/IV expression in HTM cells. Phalloidin staining assay was conducted for evaluating F-actin stress fiber formation in the cells. RESULTS PAE attenuated TGF-β2-induced oxidative stress and suppressed TGF-β2-induced Smad2/3 signaling in primary or transformed HTM cells. Additionally, PAE repressed TGF-β2-induced upregulation of collagen 1α1, collagen 4α1, and CTGF expression and reduced TGF-β2-mediated collagen I/IV expression and of F-actin stress fiber formation in primary or transformed HTM cells. CONCLUSION PAE alleviates TGF-β2-induced ECM deposition and oxidative stress in HTM cells through inactivation of Smad2/3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongmei Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Jiangxia District, Wuhan, No.1 Wenhua Avenue, Zhifang Street, Jiangxia District, Wuhan, 430200, China
| | - Kui Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Jiangxia District, Wuhan, No.1 Wenhua Avenue, Zhifang Street, Jiangxia District, Wuhan, 430200, China
| | - Yan Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Jiangxia District, Wuhan, No.1 Wenhua Avenue, Zhifang Street, Jiangxia District, Wuhan, 430200, China.
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Borbolis F, Palikaras K. Identifying therapeutic compounds for autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) through screening in the nematode C. elegans. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 188:89-108. [PMID: 38880530 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.04.004] [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] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA) is a rare neurodegenerative condition, characterized by the bilateral loss of vision due to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Its primary cause is linked to mutations in OPA1 gene, which ultimately affect mitochondrial structure and function. The current lack of successful treatments for ADOA emphasizes the need to investigate the mechanisms driving disease pathogenesis and exploit the potential of animal models for preclinical trials. Among such models, Caenorhabditis elegans stands out as a powerful tool, due its simplicity, its genetic tractability, and its relevance to human biology. Despite the lack of a visual system, the presence of mutated OPA1 in the nematode recapitulates ADOA pathology, by stimulating key pathogenic features of the human condition that can be studied in a fast and relatively non-laborious manner. Here, we provide a detailed guide on how to assess the therapeutic efficacy of chemical compounds, in either small or large scale, by evaluating three crucial phenotypes of humanized ADOA model nematodes, that express pathogenic human OPA1 in their GABAergic motor neurons: axonal mitochondria number, neuronal cell death and defecation cycle time. The described methods can deepen our understanding of ADOA pathogenesis and offer a practical framework for developing novel treatment schemes, providing hope for improved therapeutic outcomes and a better quality of life for individuals affected by this currently incurable condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fivos Borbolis
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Palikaras
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Conti F, Di Martino S, Drago F, Bucolo C, Micale V, Montano V, Siciliano G, Mancuso M, Lopriore P. Red Flags in Primary Mitochondrial Diseases: What Should We Recognize? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16746. [PMID: 38069070 PMCID: PMC10706469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs) are complex group of metabolic disorders caused by genetically determined impairment of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The unique features of mitochondrial genetics and the pivotal role of mitochondria in cell biology explain the phenotypical heterogeneity of primary mitochondrial diseases and the resulting diagnostic challenges that follow. Some peculiar features ("red flags") may indicate a primary mitochondrial disease, helping the physician to orient in this diagnostic maze. In this narrative review, we aimed to outline the features of the most common mitochondrial red flags offering a general overview on the topic that could help physicians to untangle mitochondrial medicine complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.M.); (C.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.M.); (C.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.M.); (C.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.M.); (C.B.); (V.M.)
- Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, 95213 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.M.); (C.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Montano
- Neurological Institute, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (P.L.)
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Neurological Institute, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (P.L.)
| | - Michelangelo Mancuso
- Neurological Institute, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (P.L.)
| | - Piervito Lopriore
- Neurological Institute, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (P.L.)
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d'Almeida OC, Violante IR, Quendera B, Moreno C, Gomes L, Castelo-Branco M. The neurometabolic profiles of GABA and Glutamate as revealed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240907. [PMID: 33120406 PMCID: PMC7595380 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose metabolism is pivotal for energy and neurotransmitter synthesis and homeostasis, particularly in Glutamate and GABA systems. In turn, the stringent control of inhibitory/excitatory tonus is known to be relevant in neuropsychiatric conditions. Glutamatergic neurotransmission dominates excitatory synaptic functions and is involved in plasticity and excitotoxicity. GABAergic neurochemistry underlies inhibition and predicts impaired psychophysical function in diabetes. It has also been associated with cognitive decline in people with diabetes. Still, the relation between metabolic homeostasis and neurotransmission remains elusive. Two 3T proton MR spectroscopy studies were independently conducted in the occipital cortex to provide insight into inhibitory/excitatory homeostasis (GABA/Glutamate) and to evaluate the impact of chronic metabolic control on the levels and regulation (as assessed by regression slopes) of the two main neurotransmitters of the CNS in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Compared to controls, participants with T2DM showed significantly lower Glutamate, and also GABA. Nevertheless, higher levels of GABA/Glx (Glutamate+Glutamine), and lower levels of Glutamate were associated with poor metabolic control in participants with T2DM. Importantly, the relationship between GABA/Glx and HbA1c found in T2DM supports a relationship between inhibitory/excitatory balance and metabolic control. Interestingly, this neurometabolic profile was undetected in T1DM. In this condition we found strong evidence for alterations in MRS surrogate measures of neuroinflammation (myo-Inositol), positively related to chronic metabolic control. Our results suggest a role for Glutamate as a global marker of T2DM and a sensitive marker of glycemic status. GABA/Glx may provide a signature of cortical metabolic state in poorly controlled patients as assessed by HbA1c levels, which indicate long-term blood Glucose control. These findings are consistent with an interplay between abnormal neurotransmission and metabolic control in particular in type 2 diabetes thereby revealing dissimilar contributions to the pathophysiology of neural dysfunction in both types of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otília C d'Almeida
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CiBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ines R Violante
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Quendera
- CiBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carolina Moreno
- Department of Endocrinology, Coimbra University and Hospital Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Leonor Gomes
- Department of Endocrinology, Coimbra University and Hospital Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CiBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Rao VR, Lautz JD, Kaja S, Foecking EM, Lukács E, Stubbs EB. Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidants Attenuate TGF-β2 Signaling in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:3613-3624. [PMID: 31433458 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose POAG is a progressive optic neuropathy that is currently the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. While the underlying cause of POAG remains unclear, TGF-β2-dependent remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the trabecular meshwork (TM) microenvironment is considered an early pathologic consequence associated with impaired aqueous humor (AH) outflow and elevated IOP. Early studies have also demonstrated markedly elevated levels of oxidative stress markers in AH from POAG patients along with altered expression of antioxidant defenses. Here, using cultured primary or transformed human TM cells, we investigated the role oxidative stress plays at regulating TGF-β2-mediated remodeling of the ECM. Methods Primary or transformed (GTM3) human TM cells conditioned in serum-free media were incubated in the absence or presence of TGF-β2 and relative changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using oxidation-sensitive fluorogenic dyes CellROX green or 6-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (carboxy-H2DCFDA). TGF-β2-mediated changes in the content of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and collagen types 1α1 (COL1A1) and 4α1 (COL4A1) mRNA or collagens I and IV isoform proteins were determined in the absence or presence of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants (XJB-5-131 or MitoQ) and quantified by quantitative PCR or by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry. Smad-dependent canonic signaling was determined by immunoblot, whereas Smad-dependent transcriptional activity was quantified using a Smad2/3-responsive SBE-luciferase reporter assay. Results Primary or transformed human TM cells cultured in the presence of TGF-β2 (5 ng/mL; 2 hours) exhibited marked increases in CellROX or fluorescein fluorescence. Consistent with previous reports, challenging cultured human TM cells with TGF-β2 elicited measurable increases in regulated Smad2/3 signaling as well as increases in CTGF, COL1A1, and COL4A1 mRNA and collagen protein content. Pretreating human TM cells with mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants XJB-5-131 (10 μM) or MitoQ (10 nM) attenuated TGF-β2-mediated changes in Smad-dependent transcriptional activity. Conclusions The multifunctional profibrotic cytokine TGF-β2 elicits a marked increase in oxidative stress in human TM cells. Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants attenuate TGF-β2-mediated changes in Smad-dependent transcriptional activity, including marked reductions in CTGF and collagen isoform gene and protein expression. These findings suggest that mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, when delivered directly to the TM, exhibit potential as a novel strategy by which to slow the progression of TGF-β2-mediated remodeling of the ECM within the TM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya R Rao
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
| | - Jonathan D Lautz
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, United States
- Program of Neuroscience, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
| | - Simon Kaja
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
| | - Eileen M Foecking
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Surgery, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
| | - Emoke Lukács
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
| | - Evan B Stubbs
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Health Science Division, Maywood, Illinois, United States
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