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Dias-Teixeira KL, Sharifian Gh M, Romano J, Norouzi F, Laurie GW. Autophagy in the normal and diseased cornea. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109274. [PMID: 36252655 PMCID: PMC10083687 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The cornea and covering tear film are together the 'objective lens' of the eye through which 80% of light is refracted. Despite exposure to a physically harsh and at times infectious or toxic environment, transparency essential for sight is in most cases maintained. Such resiliency makes the avascular cornea a superb model for the exploration of autophagy in the regulation of homeostasis with relevancy to all organs. Nonetheless, missense mutations and inflammation respectively clog or apparently overwhelm autophagic flux to create dystrophies much like in neurodegenerative diseases or further exacerbate inflammation. Here there is opportunity to generate novel topical therapies towards the restoration of homeostasis with potential broad application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeff Romano
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fatemeh Norouzi
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Gordon W Laurie
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Ji YW, Ahn H, Shin KJ, Kim TI, Seo KY, Stulting RD, Kim EK. De Novo L509P Mutation of the TGFBI Gene Associated with Slit-Lamp Findings of Lattice Corneal Dystrophy Type IIIA. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113055. [PMID: 35683443 PMCID: PMC9181583 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113055] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mutations of the transforming growth factor-β-induced (TGFBI) gene produce various types of corneal dystrophy. Here, we report a novel de novo L509P mutation not located in a known hot spot of the transforming growth factor-β-induced (TGFBI) gene and its clinical phenotype, which resembles that of lattice corneal dystrophy type IIIA (LCD IIIA). Case presentation: A 36-year-old man (proband) visited our clinic due to decreased visual acuity with intermittent ocular irritation in conjunction with painful recurrent erosions in both eyes for 10 years. Molecular genetic analyses revealed a TGFBI L509P mutation (c.1526T>C) in the proband and one of his sons. Interestingly, neither TGFBI mutations nor corneal abnormalities were detected in either of the proband’s biological parents, indicating the occurrence of a de novo L509P mutation. Clinical examinations, including slit-lamp retro-illumination and Fourier-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), revealed gray deposits in the anterior stroma and deeper refractile lines extending from limbus to limbus in both corneas of the proband, consistent with a diagnosis of LCD IIIA. Superficial diffuse haze and surface irregularity were observed in conjunction with corneal erosions and visual impairment, necessitating phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). A 60 μm PTK of the Bowman layer and anterior stroma of the proband’s left eye was performed following the removal of the epithelium in order to remove superficial corneal opacities. His BCVA improved from 20/400 to 20/50 at postoperative week 8 and was maintained for 45 months. Pinhole-corrected VA was 20/20 at the last visit, and corneal opacities had not recurred. Conclusions: An inheritable de novo mutation of L509P in the TGFBI gene can produce severe LCD IIIA, which can be successfully treated with OCT-guided PRK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Woo Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin 16995, Korea;
| | - Hyunmin Ahn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (H.A.); (T.-i.K.); (K.Y.S.)
| | - Kyoung-Jin Shin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea;
| | - Tae-im Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (H.A.); (T.-i.K.); (K.Y.S.)
- Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Kyoung Yul Seo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (H.A.); (T.-i.K.); (K.Y.S.)
| | | | - Eung Kweon Kim
- Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Saevit Eye Hospital, Goyang 10447, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Compound heterozygous mutations in TGFBI cause a severe phenotype of granular corneal dystrophy type 2. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6986. [PMID: 33772078 PMCID: PMC7997986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86414-9] [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] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the clinical and genetic features of patients with severe phenotype of granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2) associated with compound heterozygosity in the transforming growth factor-β-induced (TGFBI) gene. Patients with severe GCD2 underwent ophthalmic examination (best-corrected visual acuity test, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination, and slit-lamp photograph analysis) and direct Sanger sequencing of whole-TGFBI. The patient’s family was tested to determine the pedigrees. Five novel mutations (p.(His174Asp), p.(Ile247Asn), p.(Tyr88Cys), p.(Arg257Pro), and p.(Tyr468*)) and two known mutations (p.(Asn544Ser) and p.(Arg179*)) in TGFBI were identified, along with p.(Arg124His), in the patients. Trans-phase of TGFBI second mutations was confirmed by pedigree analysis. Multiple, extensive discoid granular, and increased linear deposits were observed in the probands carrying p.(Arg124His) and other nonsense mutations. Some patients who had undergone phototherapeutic keratectomy experienced rapid recurrence (p.(Ile247Asn) and p.(Asn544Ser)); however, the cornea was well-maintained in a patient who underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (p.(Ile247Asn)). Thus, compound heterozygosity of TGFBI is associated with the phenotypic variability of TGFBI corneal dystrophies, suggesting that identifying TGFBI second mutations may be vital in patients with extraordinarily severe phenotypes. Our findings indicate the necessity for a more precise observation of genotype–phenotype correlation and additional care when treating TGFBI corneal dystrophies.
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Lin J, Huang P, Chen W, Ye C, Su H, Yao X. Key Molecules and Pathways Underlying Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Integrated Analysis on Gene Expression Profiles of Motor Neurons. Front Genet 2020; 11:578143. [PMID: 33240324 PMCID: PMC7680998 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.578143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. The complex mechanisms underlying ALS are yet to be elucidated, while the lack of disease biomarkers and therapeutic options are associated with the poor prognosis of ALS patients. In this study, we performed bioinformatics analysis to clarify potential mechanisms in sporadic ALS (sALS). We compared three gene expression profiles (GSE18920, GSE56500, and GSE68605) of motor neurons obtained from sALS patients and healthy controls to discover differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and then performed integrated bioinformatics analyses to identify key molecules and pathways underlying sALS. We found that these DEGs were mainly enriched in the structure and functions of extracellular matrix (ECM), while functional enrichment in blood vessel morphogenesis was less correlated with motor neurons. The clustered subnetworks of the constructed protein-protein interaction network for DEGs and the group of selected hub genes were more significantly involved in the organization of collagen-containing ECM. The transcriptional factors database proposed RelA and NF-κB1 from NF-κB family as the key regulators of these hub genes. These results mainly demonstrated the alternations in ECM-related gene expression in motor neurons and suggested the role of NF-κB regulatory pathway in the pathogenesis of sALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pian Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weineng Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenghui Ye
- Department of Neurology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Xiaoli Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, China
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Identification of a Heterozygous Mutation in the TGFBI Gene in a Hui-Chinese Family with Corneal Dystrophy. J Ophthalmol 2019; 2019:2824179. [PMID: 30915236 PMCID: PMC6399521 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2824179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Corneal dystrophies (CDs) belong to a group of hereditary heterogeneous corneal diseases which result in visual impairment due to the progressive accumulation of deposits in different corneal layers. So far, mutations in several genes have been responsible for various CDs. The purpose of this study is to identify gene mutations in a three-generation Hui-Chinese family associated with granular corneal dystrophy type I (GCD1). Methods A three-generation Hui-Chinese pedigree with GCD1 was recruited for this study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and confocal microscopy were performed to determine the clinical features of available members. Whole exome sequencing was performed on two patients to screen for potential disease-causing variants in the family. Sanger sequencing was used to test the variant in the family members. Results Clinical examinations demonstrated bilaterally abundant multiple grayish-white opacities in the basal epithelial and superficial stroma layers of corneas of the two patients. Whole exome sequencing revealed that a heterozygous missense mutation (c.1663C > T, p.Arg555Trp) in the transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (TGFBI) was shared by the two patients, and it cosegregated with this disease in the family confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Conclusions The results suggested that the heterozygous TGFBI c.1663C > T (p.Arg555Trp) mutation was responsible for GCD1 in the Hui-Chinese family, which should be of great help in genetic counseling for this family.
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Araki-Sasaki K, Osakabe Y, Fujita K, Miyata K, Hirano K. Collagen fiber changes related to keratoconus with secondary corneal amyloidosis. Int Med Case Rep J 2018; 11:193-199. [PMID: 30214321 PMCID: PMC6121752 DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s162655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the histological changes in the collagen fibers of a 50-year-old male who presented keratoconus with secondary corneal amyloidosis. Corneal tissue from the patient was obtained following a penetrating keratoplasty and was subjected to histochemical analysis using Masson’s trichrome staining, Congo red staining, anti-lactoferrin antibody, and anti-transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) antibody. A Congo red-positive region was detected in the anterior half of the stroma in the center and inferior cornea. Although hemotoxylin and eosin staining revealed irregularity in the Congo red-positive region, other parts of the stroma did not show any abnormalities. Positive staining both by anti-TGFBIp and anti-lactoferrin antibodies was observed in the Congo red-positive region. Interestingly, all the layers of the corneal stroma, including the peripheral region, were positively stained by anti-TFGBIp antibody, even in the Congo red-negative area. Masson’s trichrome staining also showed irregular staining throughout the corneal stroma, even outside of the Congo red-positive region. Additionally, Bowman’s layer, which consists of collagen type IV, was damaged. TGFBIp was strongly expressed and Masson’s trichrome staining was reduced throughout the entire keratoconic stroma. The constant qualitative changes in keratoconic collagen fibers, along with the observed abnormality in the Bowman’s membrane, might point to the pathogenesis of secondary corneal amyloidosis in keratoconus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Araki-Sasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Japan Community Health Care Organization, Hoshigaoka Medical Center, Hirakata, Japan,
| | - Yasuhiro Osakabe
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Fujita
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Miyata
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyakonojo, Japan
| | - Koji Hirano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ban Buntane Hotokukai Hospital, Fujita Health University, Nagoya, Japan
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Stenvang M, Schafer NP, Malmos KG, Pérez AMW, Niembro O, Sormanni P, Basaiawmoit RV, Christiansen G, Andreasen M, Otzen DE. Corneal Dystrophy Mutations Drive Pathogenesis by Targeting TGFBIp Stability and Solubility in a Latent Amyloid-forming Domain. J Mol Biol 2018. [PMID: 29524512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Numerous mutations in the corneal protein TGFBIp lead to opaque extracellular deposits and corneal dystrophies (CDs). Here we elucidate the molecular origins underlying TGFBIp's mutation-induced increase in aggregation propensity through comprehensive biophysical and bioinformatic analyses of mutations associated with every major subtype of TGFBIp-linked CDs including lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) and three subtypes of granular corneal dystrophy (GCD 1-3). LCD mutations at buried positions in the C-terminal Fas1-4 domain lead to decreased stability. GCD variants show biophysical profiles distinct from those of LCD mutations. GCD 1 and 3 mutations reduce solubility rather than stability. Half of the 50 positions within Fas1-4 most sensitive to mutation are associated with at least one known disease-causing mutation, including 10 of the top 11 positions. Thus, TGFBIp aggregation is driven by mutations that despite their physico-chemical diversity target either the stability or solubility of Fas1-4 in predictable ways, suggesting straightforward general therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Stenvang
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Nicholas P Schafer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Gade Malmos
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Adriana-Michelle Wolf Pérez
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Olatz Niembro
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Pietro Sormanni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Rajiv Vaid Basaiawmoit
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Maria Andreasen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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García-Castellanos R, Nielsen NS, Runager K, Thøgersen IB, Lukassen MV, Poulsen ET, Goulas T, Enghild JJ, Gomis-Rüth FX. Structural and Functional Implications of Human Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Protein, TGFBIp, in Corneal Dystrophies. Structure 2017; 25:1740-1750.e2. [PMID: 28988748 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A major cause of visual impairment, corneal dystrophies result from accumulation of protein deposits in the cornea. One of the proteins involved is transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBIp), an extracellular matrix component that interacts with integrins but also produces corneal deposits when mutated. Human TGFBIp is a multi-domain 683-residue protein, which contains one CROPT domain and four FAS1 domains. Its structure spans ∼120 Å and reveals that vicinal domains FAS1-1/FAS1-2 and FAS1-3/FAS1-4 tightly interact in an equivalent manner. The FAS1 domains are sandwiches of two orthogonal four-stranded β sheets decorated with two three-helix insertions. The N-terminal FAS1 dimer forms a compact moiety with the structurally novel CROPT domain, which is a five-stranded all-β cysteine-knot solely found in TGFBIp and periostin. The overall TGFBIp architecture discloses regions for integrin binding and that most dystrophic mutations cluster at both molecule ends, within domains FAS1-1 and FAS1-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel García-Castellanos
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Structural Biology Unit ("María-de-Maeztu" Unit of Excellence), Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Nadia Sukusu Nielsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej, 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kasper Runager
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej, 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ida B Thøgersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej, 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Marie V Lukassen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej, 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ebbe T Poulsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej, 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Theodoros Goulas
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Structural Biology Unit ("María-de-Maeztu" Unit of Excellence), Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jan J Enghild
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej, 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - F Xavier Gomis-Rüth
- Proteolysis Laboratory, Structural Biology Unit ("María-de-Maeztu" Unit of Excellence), Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (CSIC), Barcelona Science Park, c/Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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pH Induced Conformational Transitions in the Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Protein (TGFβIp) Associated Corneal Dystrophy Mutants. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23836. [PMID: 27030015 PMCID: PMC4814907 DOI: 10.1038/srep23836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Most stromal corneal dystrophies are associated with aggregation and deposition of the mutated transforming growth factor-β induced protein (TGFβIp). The 4th_FAS1 domain of TGFβIp harbors ~80% of the mutations that forms amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic aggregates. To understand the mechanism of aggregation and the differences between the amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic phenotypes, we expressed the 4th_FAS1 domains of TGFβIp carrying the mutations R555W (non-amyloidogenic) and H572R (amyloidogenic) along with the wild-type (WT). R555W was more susceptible to acidic pH compared to H572R and displayed varying chemical stabilities with decreasing pH. Thermal denaturation studies at acidic pH showed that while WT did not undergo any conformational transition, the mutants exhibited a clear pH-dependent irreversible conversion from αβ conformation to β-sheet oligomers. The β-oligomers of both mutants were stable at physiological temperature and pH. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies showed that β-oligomers of H572R were larger compared to R555W. The β-oligomers of both mutants were cytotoxic to primary human corneal stromal fibroblast (pHCSF) cells. The β-oligomers of both mutants exhibit variations in their morphologies, sizes, thermal and chemical stabilities, aggregation patterns and cytotoxicities.
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