1
|
Sun K, Chen Y, Zheng S, Wan W, Hu K. Genipin ameliorates diabetic retinopathy via the HIF-1α and AGEs-RAGE pathways. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 129:155596. [PMID: 38626646 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is useful in disease treatment and prevention. Genipin is an active TCM compound used to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this study, a network pharmacology (NP)-based approach was employed to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms underlying genipin administration in DR. METHODS The potential targets of DR were identified using the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. TCM database screening and NP were used to predict the potential active targets and pathways of genipin in DR. Cell viability was tested in vitro to determine the effects of different doses of glucose and genipin on Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells (hRMECs). CCK-8, CCK-F, colony formation, CellTiter-Lum, Annexin V-FITC, wound healing, Transwell, tube-forming, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and other assay kits were used to detect the effects of genipin on hRMECs during high levels of glucose. In vivo, a streptozotocin (STZ)-mouse intraocular genipin injection (IOI.) model was used to explore the effects of genipin on diabetes-induced retinal dysfunction. Western blotting was performed to identify the cytokines involved in proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, ROS, and inflammation. The protein expression of the AKT/ PI3K/ HIF-1α and AGEs/ RAGE pathways was also examined. RESULTS Approximately 14 types of TCM, and nearly 300 active ingredients, including genipin, were identified. The NP approach successfully identified the HIF-1α and AGEs-RAGE pathways, with the EGR1 and UCP2 genes, as key targets of genipin in DR. In the in vitro and in vivo models, we discovered that high glucose increased cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, ROS, and inflammation. However, genipin application regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis, inhibited angiogenesis, and reduced ROS and inflammation in the HRMECs exposed to high glucose. Furthermore, the retinal thickness in the genipin-treated group was lower than that in the untreated group. AKT/ PI3K/ HIF-1α and AGEs/ RAGE signaling was increased by high glucose levels; however, genipin treatment decreased AKT/ PI3K and AGEs/ RAGE pathway expressions. Genipin also increased HIF-1α phosphorylation, oxidative phosphorylation of ATP synthesis, lipid peroxidation, and the upregulation of oxidoreductase. Genipin was found to protect HG-induced hRMECs and the retina of STZ-mice, based on; 1 the inhibition of UCP2 and Glut1 decreased intracellular glucose, and glycosylation; 2 the increased presence of HIF-1α, which increased oxidative phosphorylation and decreased substrate phosphorylation; 3 the increase in oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis increased lipid peroxidation and oxidoreductase activity, and; 4 the parallel effect of phosphorylation and glycosylation on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), MMP9, and Scg3. CONCLUSION Based on NP, we demonstrated the potential targets and pathways of genipin in the treatment of DR and confirmed its effective molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Genipin protects cells and tissues from high glucose levels by regulating phosphorylation and glycosylation. The activation of the HIF-1α pathway can also be used to treat DR. Our study provides new insights into the key genes and pathways associated with the prognosis and pathogenesis of DR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, No. 1, Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China; Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yanyi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, No. 1, Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China; Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Shijie Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, No. 1, Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, No. 1, Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China.
| | - Ke Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, No. 1, Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Husain S, Leveckis R. Pharmacological regulation of HIF-1α, RGC death, and glaucoma. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2024; 77:102467. [PMID: 38896924 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2024.102467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Hypoxia can regulate oxygen-sensitive pathways that could be neuroprotective to compensate for the detrimental effects of low oxygen. However, prolonged hypoxia can activate neurodegenerative pathways. HIF-1α is upregulated/stabilized in hypoxic conditions, promoting alteration of gene expression, and ultimately leading to cell-death. Therefore, regulation of HIF-1α expression pharmacologically is a vital approach to mitigate cell death. In this review, we provide information showing the role of HIF-1α and its associated pathways in ocular retinopathies. We also discuss the beneficial roles of HIF-1α inhibitor, KC7F2, in ocular pathologies. Finally, we provided our own data demonstrating RGC neuroprotection by KC7F2 in glaucomatous animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Husain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Ryan Leveckis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang R, Xue W, Kan F, Zhang H, Wang D, Wang L, Wang J. NSUN2 affects diabetic retinopathy progression by regulating MUC1 expression through RNA m 5C methylation. J Transl Med 2024; 22:476. [PMID: 38764010 PMCID: PMC11103891 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05287-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blinding eye disease among working adults and is primarily attributed to the excessive proliferation of microvessels, which leads to vitreous hemorrhage and retinal traction, thereby significantly impairing patient vision. NSUN2-mediated RNA m5C methylation is implicated in various diseases, and in this investigation, we focused on elucidating the impact of NSUN2 on the regulation of the expression of the downstream gene MUC1, specifically through RNA m5C methylation, on the progression of DR. METHOD Utilizing Microarray analysis, we examined patient vitreous fluid to pinpoint potential therapeutic targets for DR. Differential expression of NSUN2 was validated through qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence in human tissue, animal tissue, and cell model of DR. The relationship between NSUN2 and DR was explored in vitro and in vivo through gene knockdown and overexpression. Various techniques, such as MeRIP-qPCR and dot blot, were applied to reveal the downstream targets and mechanism of action of NSUN2. RESULTS The levels of both NSUN2 and RNA m5C methylation were significantly elevated in the DR model. Knockdown of NSUN2 mitigated DR lesion formation both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NSUN2 promoted MUC1 expression by binding to the RNA m5C reader ALYREF. Knockdown of ALYREF resulted in DR lesion alterations similar to those observed with NSUN2 knockdown. Moreover, MUC1 overexpression successfully reversed a series of DR alterations induced by NSUN2 silencing. CONCLUSIONS NSUN2 regulates the expression of MUC1 through ALYREF-mediated RNA m5C methylation, thereby regulating the progression of DR and providing a new option for the treatment of DR in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Runze Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Feifei Kan
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Huiying Zhang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Di Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China.
| | - Jianwen Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kubo H, Sugimoto K, Wada R, Sekikawa N, Inoue M. A Case of Acromegaly With Progressed Diabetic Retinopathy and Sarcopenia Diagnosed Following the Onset of Severe Hypoglycemia. Cureus 2024; 16:e58461. [PMID: 38765413 PMCID: PMC11100447 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Acromegaly is a rare disorder characterized by excessive production of growth hormone (GH) from a pituitary tumor, typically leading to elevated glucose levels due to increased insulin resistance; hypoglycemia is rare. However, the long-term effect of excess GH on the peripheral organs is still unclear. Here we present a 69-year-old man evaluated for the cause of a hypoglycemic episode. He was underweight (body mass index: 17.3 kg/m2) with sarcopenia, which potentially contributed to his hypoglycemia. Notably, he exhibited progressed proliferative diabetic retinopathy compared to other microvascular complications, leading to further endocrinological investigation. As a result, he was diagnosed with acromegaly showing elevated GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) with a pituitary tumor. Opting against transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), the patient was treated with a somatostatin analog (SSA), achieving normalized IGF-1 levels with a monthly 120 mg lanreotide injection. In this case, acromegaly could lead to sarcopenia from GH-derived gluconeogenesis in the peripheral organs such as the reduction of muscle leading to reduced glucose reserves. Acromegaly in the elderly may present atypicality. Clinicians should be vigilant for unique manifestations such as advanced diabetic retinopathy, even in elderly patients with hypoglycemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haremaru Kubo
- Diabetes Center, Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital, Koriyama, JPN
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, JPN
| | | | - Ryota Wada
- Diabetes Center, Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital, Koriyama, JPN
| | | | - Minoru Inoue
- Internal Medicine, Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital, Koriyama, JPN
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bi J, Zhou W, Tang Z. Pathogenesis of diabetic complications: Exploring hypoxic niche formation and HIF-1α activation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116202. [PMID: 38330707 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116202] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common feature of diabetic tissues, which highly correlates to the progression of diabetes. The formation of hypoxic context is induced by disrupted oxygen homeostasis that is predominantly driven by vascular remodeling in diabetes. While different types of vascular impairments have been reported, the specific features and underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully understood. Under hypoxic condition, cells upregulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), an oxygen sensor that coordinates oxygen concentration and cell metabolism under hypoxic conditions. However, diabetic context exploits this machinery for pathogenic functions. Although HIF-1α protects cells from diabetic insult in multiple tissues, it also jeopardizes cell function in the retina. To gain a deeper understanding of hypoxia in diabetic complications, we focus on the formation of tissue hypoxia and the outcomes of HIF-1α dysregulation under diabetic context. Hopefully, this review can provide a better understanding on hypoxia biology in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Bi
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for cardiometabolic diseases, Ministry of Education,Southwest Medical University, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Yucebio Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Zonghao Tang
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for cardiometabolic diseases, Ministry of Education,Southwest Medical University, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tecce N, Cennamo G, Rinaldi M, Costagliola C, Colao A. Exploring the Impact of Glycemic Control on Diabetic Retinopathy: Emerging Models and Prognostic Implications. J Clin Med 2024; 13:831. [PMID: 38337523 PMCID: PMC10856421 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the complexities of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its associated complications, with a particular focus on diabetic retinopathy (DR). This review outlines the progression from non-proliferative to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, highlighting the role of dysglycemia in the pathogenesis of these conditions. A significant portion of this review is devoted to technological advances in diabetes management, particularly the use of hybrid closed-loop systems (HCLSs) and to the potential of open-source HCLSs, which could be easily adapted to different patients' needs using big data analytics and machine learning. Personalized HCLS algorithms that integrate factors such as patient lifestyle, dietary habits, and hormonal variations are highlighted as critical to reducing the incidence of diabetes-related complications and improving patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Tecce
- Unit of Endocrinology, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (N.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Gilda Cennamo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Rinaldi
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Unit of Endocrinology, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (N.T.); (A.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Parimi V, Elsner AE, Gast TJ, Chen Z, Baskaran K, Alhamami MA, Litvin TV, Ozawa GY, Cuadros JA. Clinically significant macular edema in an underserved population: Association with demographic factors and hemoglobin A1c. Optom Vis Sci 2024; 101:25-36. [PMID: 38350055 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000002096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Suspected clinically significant macular edema (SCSME) from exudates differed among ethnic groups in our underserved population. African American and Asian subjects had higher prevalence than Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians, from the same clinics. Men had higher prevalence than women. Highly elevated blood glucose was frequent and associated with SCSME. PURPOSE We investigated the association between the presence of SCSME from exudates and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), as well as demographic factors such as age, sex, and ethnic group. Our population was underserved diabetic patients from the same geographic locations. Ethnic groups were White Hispanic, non-Hispanic Caucasian, African American, and Asian, with a high proportion of underrepresented minorities. METHODS In a diabetic retinopathy screening study at four community clinics in Alameda County, California, nonmydriatic 45° color fundus images were collected from underserved diabetic subjects following the EyePACS imaging protocol. Images were analyzed for SCSME from exudates by two certified graders. Logistic regression assessed the association between SCSME from exudates and age, sex, ethnic group, and HbA1c. RESULTS Of 1997 subjects, 147 (7.36%) had SCSME from exudates. The mean ± standard deviation age was 53.4 ± 10.5 years. The mean ± standard deviation HbA1c level was 8.26 ± 2.04. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between presence of SCSME from exudates and HbA1c levels (p<0.001), sex (p=0.027), and ethnicity (p=0.030). African Americans (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 2.50; p=0.025) and Asians (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.54; p=0.029) had a higher risk than Hispanics. After adjusting for ethnicity, sex, and age, the odds of developing SCSME from exudates increased by 26.5% with every 1% increase in HbA1c level (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.36; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In our underserved population, many diabetic patients had very high HbA1c values. Ethnic background (African American > Asians > Hispanics), sex (male > female), and HbA1c level were strong indicators for identifying who is at increased risk of developing SCSME from exudates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vamsi Parimi
- Indiana University School of Optometry, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | | | - Zhongxue Chen
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Mastour A Alhamami
- Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taras V Litvin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Babapoor-Farrokhran S, Qin Y, Flores-Bellver M, Niu Y, Bhutto IA, Aparicio-Domingo S, Guo C, Rodrigues M, Domashevich T, Deshpande M, Megarity H, Chopde R, Eberhart CG, Canto-Soler V, Montaner S, Sodhi A. Pathologic vs. protective roles of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in RPE and photoreceptors in wet vs. dry age-related macular degeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302845120. [PMID: 38055741 PMCID: PMC10723156 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302845120] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It has previously been reported that antioxidant vitamins can help reduce the risk of vision loss associated with progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of visual impairment among the elderly. Nonetheless, how oxidative stress contributes to the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in some AMD patients and geographic atrophy (GA) in others is poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence demonstrating that oxidative stress cooperates with hypoxia to synergistically stimulate the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), resulting in increased expression of the HIF-1-dependent angiogenic mediators that promote CNV. HIF-1 inhibition blocked the expression of these angiogenic mediators and prevented CNV development in an animal model of ocular oxidative stress, demonstrating the pathological role of HIF-1 in response to oxidative stress stimulation in neovascular AMD. While human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE monolayers exposed to chemical oxidants resulted in disorganization and disruption of their normal architecture, RPE cells proved remarkably resistant to oxidative stress. Conversely, equivalent doses of chemical oxidants resulted in apoptosis of hiPSC-derived retinal photoreceptors. Pharmacologic inhibition of HIF-1 in the mouse retina enhanced-while HIF-1 augmentation reduced-photoreceptor apoptosis in two mouse models for oxidative stress, consistent with a protective role for HIF-1 in photoreceptors in patients with advanced dry AMD. Collectively, these results suggest that in patients with AMD, increased expression of HIF-1α in RPE exposed to oxidative stress promotes the development of CNV, but inadequate HIF-1α expression in photoreceptors contributes to the development of GA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu Qin
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang110005, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang110005, China
- Key Lens Research Laboratory of Liaoning Province, Shenyang110005, China
| | - Miguel Flores-Bellver
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Yueqi Niu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Imran A. Bhutto
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Silvia Aparicio-Domingo
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Chuanyu Guo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Murilo Rodrigues
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Timothy Domashevich
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Monika Deshpande
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Haley Megarity
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Rakesh Chopde
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Charles G. Eberhart
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO80045
| | - Silvia Montaner
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD21201
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu H, Ghosh S, Vaidya T, Bammidi S, Huang C, Shang P, Nair AP, Chowdhury O, Stepicheva NA, Strizhakova A, Hose S, Mitrousis N, Gadde SG, Mb T, Strassburger P, Widmer G, Lad EM, Fort PE, Sahel JA, Zigler JS, Sethu S, Westenskow PD, Proia AD, Sodhi A, Ghosh A, Feenstra D, Sinha D. Activated cGAS/STING signaling elicits endothelial cell senescence in early diabetic retinopathy. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e168945. [PMID: 37345657 PMCID: PMC10371250 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults and remains an important public health issue worldwide. Here we demonstrate that the expression of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is increased in patients with DR and animal models of diabetic eye disease. STING has been previously shown to regulate cell senescence and inflammation, key contributors to the development and progression of DR. To investigate the mechanism whereby STING contributes to the pathogenesis of DR, diabetes was induced in STING-KO mice and STINGGT (loss-of-function mutation) mice, and molecular alterations and pathological changes in the retina were characterized. We report that retinal endothelial cell senescence, inflammation, and capillary degeneration were all inhibited in STING-KO diabetic mice; these observations were independently corroborated in STINGGT mice. These protective effects resulted from the reduction in TBK1, IRF3, and NF-κB phosphorylation in the absence of STING. Collectively, our results suggest that targeting STING may be an effective therapy for the early prevention and treatment of DR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sayan Ghosh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tanuja Vaidya
- GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sridhar Bammidi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chao Huang
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peng Shang
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Olivia Chowdhury
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nadezda A Stepicheva
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anastasia Strizhakova
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stacey Hose
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nikolaos Mitrousis
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Thirumalesh Mb
- GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pamela Strassburger
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriella Widmer
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora M Lad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patrice E Fort
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Institut De La Vision, INSERM, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - J Samuel Zigler
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Peter D Westenskow
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alan D Proia
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, North Carolina, USA
| | - Akrit Sodhi
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | - Derrick Feenstra
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Debasish Sinha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|