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Trujillo Cubillo L, Gurdal M, Zeugolis DI. Corneal fibrosis: From in vitro models to current and upcoming drug and gene medicines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115317. [PMID: 38642593 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115317] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases are characterised by myofibroblast differentiation, uncontrolled pathological extracellular matrix accumulation, tissue contraction, scar formation and, ultimately tissue / organ dysfunction. The cornea, the transparent tissue located on the anterior chamber of the eye, is extremely susceptible to fibrotic diseases, which cause loss of corneal transparency and are often associated with blindness. Although topical corticosteroids and antimetabolites are extensively used in the management of corneal fibrosis, they are associated with glaucoma, cataract formation, corneoscleral melting and infection, imposing the need of far more effective therapies. Herein, we summarise and discuss shortfalls and recent advances in in vitro models (e.g. transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) / ascorbic acid / interleukin (IL) induced) and drug (e.g. TGF-β inhibitors, epigenetic modulators) and gene (e.g. gene editing, gene silencing) therapeutic strategies in the corneal fibrosis context. Emerging therapeutical agents (e.g. neutralising antibodies, ligand traps, receptor kinase inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides) that have shown promise in clinical setting but have not yet assessed in corneal fibrosis context are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trujillo Cubillo
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mehmet Gurdal
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.
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Thomasy SM, Leonard BC, Greiner MA, Skeie JM, Raghunathan VK. Squishy matters - Corneal mechanobiology in health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101234. [PMID: 38176611 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Jessica M Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
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Bondarenko NA, Surovtseva MA, Kim II, Krasner KY, Orishchenko KE, Trunov AN, Chernykh VV, Poveshchenko OV. Studying the Proliferative Activity of Human Corneal Stromal Cell Populations. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 176:105-110. [PMID: 38085398 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05976-y] [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: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The proliferative activity of populations of stromal cells (fibroblasts) obtained from human corneal lenticles under conditions of their differentiation into keratocytes was studied. It was shown that during differentiation, the number of dividing fibroblasts and the frequency of divisions, and motor activity of these cells (speed of movement along the cell trajectory and the length of the trajectory) sharply decreased. These findings indicate a decrease in the proliferative activity of fibroblasts under conditions of their differentiation and transformation into keratocytes. A period of 17 days is sufficient for differentiation of corneal fibroblasts into keratocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Bondarenko
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - M A Surovtseva
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - I I Kim
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - K Yu Krasner
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
- S. N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center Multisectoral Scientific and Technical Complex "Eye Microsurgery", Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - K E Orishchenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A N Trunov
- S. N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center Multisectoral Scientific and Technical Complex "Eye Microsurgery", Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - V V Chernykh
- S. N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center Multisectoral Scientific and Technical Complex "Eye Microsurgery", Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - O V Poveshchenko
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology - Branch of the Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Wang M, Hu J, Qu J, Huang H, Zhang J, Zhang J, Li H, Cui X, Zhang F, Hu MY, Li J, Hu Y. The Therapeutic Roles of Recombinant Hsp90α on Cornea Epithelial Injury. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:30. [PMID: 35201262 PMCID: PMC8883155 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.2.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic role of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in wound healing of injury cornea epithelium. Methods The right eye of C57BL/6N male mice were performed the debridement wounds in the center of the cornea using an algerbrush II blade. The injured area was determined by staining the cornea with fluorescein sodium and measured with image-J. Immunoblotting, ELISA and immunochemistry were used for determining protein expression. The quantitation PCR was performed to measure mRNA expression. Results Hsp90α is upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels, and is secreted extracellularly into the corneal stroma and tear film during the healing process after corneal injury in mice. This upregulation is associated with activation of HSF1. Administration of recombinant exogenous Hsp90α (eHsp90α) speeds up wound healing of injured corneal epithelium. The eHsp90α binds to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-related protein-1 (LRP-1) on the corneal epithelial cells and increases phosphorylation of AKT at S473, which is associated with proliferation and migration corneal epithelial cells in vitro or vivo. Inhibition of AKT by its inhibitor LY294002 abolishes eHsp90α-induced migration and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells. Conclusions Hsp90α is upregulated and secreted after corneal injury and acts to promote the healing process. Recombinant Hsp90α may be a promising therapeutic drug candidate for corneal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,Kaifeng Key Laboratory for Cataract and Myopia, Institute of Eye Disease, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jialin Hu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Junwei Qu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Huili Huang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hui Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiukun Cui
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fengyan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng Yue Hu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jing Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yanzhong Hu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,Kaifeng Key Laboratory for Cataract and Myopia, Institute of Eye Disease, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Fukuto A, Kim S, Kang J, Gates BL, Chang MW, Pinkerton KE, Van Winkle LS, Kiuchi Y, Murphy CJ, Leonard BC, Thomasy SM. Metal Oxide Engineered Nanomaterials Modulate Rabbit Corneal Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Transformation. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:23. [PMID: 34661622 PMCID: PMC8525860 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.12.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Corneal keratocyte-fibroblast-myofibroblast (KFM) transformation plays a critical role in corneal stromal wound healing. However, the impact of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), found in an increasing number of commercial products, on this process is poorly studied. This study investigates the effects of metal oxide ENMs on KFM transformation in vitro and in vivo. Methods Cell viability of rabbit corneal fibroblasts (RCFs) was tested following treatment with 11 metal oxide ENMs at concentrations of 0.5 to 250 µg/ml for 24 hours. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of αSMA, a marker of myofibroblast transformation, were measured using RCFs after exposure to 11 metal oxide ENMs at a concentration that did not affect cell viability, in media containing either 0 or 10 ng/ml of TGF-β1. Additionally, the effect of topical Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) (50 ng/ml) on corneal stromal wound healing following phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was determined. Results V2O5, Fe2O3, CuO, and ZnO ENMs were found to significantly reduce cell viability as compared to vehicle control and the other seven metal oxide ENMs tested. V2O5 nanoflakes significantly reduced mRNA and protein αSMA concentrations in the presence of TGF-β1. Fe2O3 NPs significantly increased αSMA mRNA expression in the presence of TGF-β1 but did not alter αSMA protein expression. Topically applied Fe2O3 NPs in an in vivo rabbit corneal stromal wound healing model did not delay healing. Conclusions Fe2O3 NPs promote corneal myofibroblast induction in vitro but do not impair corneal stromal wound healing in vivo. Translational Relevance These experimental results can apply to human nanomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuhiko Fukuto
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Soohyun Kim
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Kang
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brooke L Gates
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Maggie W Chang
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kent E Pinkerton
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Laura S Van Winkle
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Kiuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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