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Shi J, Lin Y, Wang J, Hu J, Huang Z. Molecular-level differentiation of myopic corneal tissue using Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2025; 337:126054. [PMID: 40158342 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2025.126054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2025] [Accepted: 03/12/2025] [Indexed: 04/02/2025]
Abstract
Myopia, a prevalent refractive error characterized by excessive axial elongation of the eyeball, is associated with significant visual and societal burdens. While advances in imaging and mechanical studies have elucidated the morphological characteristics of myopic corneas, molecular-level investigations remain limited. This study employed Raman spectroscopy, a label-free analytical technique, to explore biochemical differences in corneal stromal tissues from patients with low and high myopia undergoing small incision lenticule extraction surgery. Spectral analysis revealed distinct variations in carbohydrate metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and extracellular matrix remodeling, suggesting their critical roles in myopic corneal pathogenesis. Using principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis, a robust classification model achieved 79.7% accuracy with an AUC value of 0.811, underscoring the potential of Raman spectroscopy for myopia diagnostics. These findings provide insights into the molecular underpinnings of myopic corneas and pave the way for future investigations into targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Shi
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Yuqin Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China.
| | - Jianzhang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
| | - Zufang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China.
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Cosentino A, Agafonova A, Cavallaro L, Musumeci RE, Prinzi C, Lombardo C, Cambria MT, Anfuso CD, Lupo G. Polychlorinated Biphenyls Induce Cytotoxicity and Inflammation in an In Vitro Model of an Ocular Barrier. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:916. [PMID: 39940688 PMCID: PMC11817744 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26030916] [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: 12/12/2024] [Revised: 01/10/2025] [Accepted: 01/17/2025] [Indexed: 02/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are heterogeneous, synthetic, and widespread organochlorine compounds, and are one of the persistent organic pollutants present in improperly dumped waste and electronic equipment (e-waste), with a high bioaccumulation potential. In this study, the toxicity of Aroclor 1254 (a mixture of commercial PCBs) in human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiCs), in an in vitro model of an ocular barrier, was evaluated. Aroclor 1254 (0.1-10 μg/mL) reduced cell viability, trans-endothelial electric resistance (TEER) and cell migration. Moreover, it induced an inflammatory response, as indicated by the increase in cPLA2 activity, PGE2 production, phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and p-38, and release of inflammatory cytokines. Aroclor 1254 can damage corneal cells, compromising the integrity of the eye's outermost barrier. This damage may facilitate the occurrence of infectious processes that are physiologically prevented by the corneal barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cosentino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Aleksandra Agafonova
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Luca Cavallaro
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (L.C.); (R.E.M.)
| | - Rosaria Ester Musumeci
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (L.C.); (R.E.M.)
| | - Chiara Prinzi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Cinzia Lombardo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Maria Teresa Cambria
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (A.A.); (C.P.); (C.L.); (G.L.)
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Segars KL, Azzari N, Cole M, Kushimi L, Rapaka S, Rich CB, Trinkaus-Randall V. Diverse calcium signaling profiles regulate migratory behavior in avascular wound healing and aberrant signal hierarchy occurs early in diabetes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C1051-C1072. [PMID: 39129489 PMCID: PMC11482046 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00249.2024] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
In avascular wound repair, calcium signaling events are the predominant mechanism cells use to transduce information about stressors in the environment into an effective and coordinated migratory response. Live cell imaging and computational analysis of corneal epithelial wound healing revealed that signal initiation and propagation at the wound edge are highly ordered, with groups of cells engaging in cyclical patterns of initiation and propagation. The cells in these groups exhibit a diverse range of signaling behavior, and dominant "conductor cells" drive activity in groups of lower-signaling neighbors. Ex vivo model systems reveal that conductor cells are present in wing cell layers of the corneal epithelium and that signaling propagates both within and between wing and basal layers. There are significant aberrations in conductor phenotype and interlayer propagation in type II diabetic murine models, indicating that signal hierarchy breakdown is an early indicator of disease. In vitro models reveal that signaling profile diversity and conductor cell phenotype is eliminated with P2X7 inhibition and is altered in Pannexin-1 or P2Y2 but not Connexin-43 inhibition. Conductor cells express significantly less P2X7 than their lower-signaling neighbors and exhibit significantly less migratory behavior after injury. Together, our results show that the postinjury calcium signaling cascade exhibits significantly more ordered and hierarchical behavior than previously thought, that proteins previously shown to be essential for regulating motility are also essential for determining signaling phenotype, and that loss of signal hierarchy integrity is an early indicator of disease state. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Calcium signaling in corneal epithelial cells after injury is highly ordered, with groups of cells engaged in cyclical patterns of event initiation and propagation driven by high-signaling cells. Signaling behavior is determined by P2X7, Pannexin-1, and P2Y2 and influences migratory behavior. Signal hierarchy is observed in healthy ex vivo models after injury and becomes aberrant in diabetes. This represents a paradigm shift, as signaling was thought to be random and determined by factors in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Segars
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Nicholas Azzari
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Malia Cole
- STaRS Program, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Landon Kushimi
- Department of Computer Science, Boston University Center for Computing and Data Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Srikar Rapaka
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Celeste B Rich
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Vickery Trinkaus-Randall
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Bao Q, Zhang X, Hao Z, Li Q, Wu F, Wang K, Li Y, Li W, Gao H. Advances in Polysaccharide-Based Microneedle Systems for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2024; 16:268. [PMID: 39136800 PMCID: PMC11322514 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01477-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
The eye, a complex organ isolated from the systemic circulation, presents significant drug delivery challenges owing to its protective mechanisms, such as the blood-retinal barrier and corneal impermeability. Conventional drug administration methods often fail to sustain therapeutic levels and may compromise patient safety and compliance. Polysaccharide-based microneedles (PSMNs) have emerged as a transformative solution for ophthalmic drug delivery. However, a comprehensive review of PSMNs in ophthalmology has not been published to date. In this review, we critically examine the synergy between polysaccharide chemistry and microneedle technology for enhancing ocular drug delivery. We provide a thorough analysis of PSMNs, summarizing the design principles, fabrication processes, and challenges addressed during fabrication, including improving patient comfort and compliance. We also describe recent advances and the performance of various PSMNs in both research and clinical scenarios. Finally, we review the current regulatory frameworks and market barriers that are relevant to the clinical and commercial advancement of PSMNs and provide a final perspective on this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingdong Bao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhankun Hao
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghua Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Wu
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenlong Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China.
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hua Gao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China.
- College of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250000, People's Republic of China.
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Lu D, Wang W, Li X, Wang L, Guo Y, Zhu C, Wang X, Lian B, Bai J, Zhang Q. Identification and characterization of a PL35 GAGs lyase with 4-O-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine (A-type)-rich structures producing property. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131283. [PMID: 38561119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131283] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) lyases are important tools for investigating the structure of GAGs and preparing low-molecular-weight GAGs. The PL35 family, a recently established polysaccharide lyase family, should be further investigated. In this study, we discovered a new GAG lyase, CHa1, which belongs to the PL35 family. When expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli (BL21), CHa1 exhibited high expression levels and solubility. The optimal activity was observed in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0) or sodium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) at 30 °C. The specific activities towards HA, CSA, CSC, CSD, CSE, and HS were 3.81, 13.03, 36.47, 18.46, 6.46, and 0.50 U/mg protein, respectively. CHa1 digests substrate chains randomly that acting as an endolytic lyase and shows a significant preference for GlcA-containing structures, prefers larger oligosaccharides (≥UDP8) and can generate a series of oligosaccharides composed mainly of the A unit when digesting CSA. These oligosaccharides include ΔC-A, ΔC-A-A, ΔC-A-A-A, ΔC-A-A-A-A, and ΔC-A-A-A-A-A. The residues Tyr257 and His421 play crucial roles in the catalytic process, and Ser211, Asn212, Asn213, Trp214, Gln216, Lys360, Arg460 and Gln462 may participate in the binding process of CHa1. This study on CHa1 contributes to our understanding of the PL35 family and provides valuable tools for investigating the structure of GAGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danrong Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Luping Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Yankai Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Changjian Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Bo Lian
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jingkun Bai
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China.
| | - Qingdong Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, China.
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Ansari M, Darvishi A. A review of the current state of natural biomaterials in wound healing applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1309541. [PMID: 38600945 PMCID: PMC11004490 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1309541] [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] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin, the largest biological organ, consists of three main parts: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Wounds are abnormal wounds in various forms, such as lacerations, burns, chronic wounds, diabetic wounds, acute wounds, and fractures. The wound healing process is dynamic, complex, and lengthy in four stages involving cells, macrophages, and growth factors. Wound dressing refers to a substance that covers the surface of a wound to prevent infection and secondary damage. Biomaterials applied in wound management have advanced significantly. Natural biomaterials are increasingly used due to their advantages including biomimicry of ECM, convenient accessibility, and involvement in native wound healing. However, there are still limitations such as low mechanical properties and expensive extraction methods. Therefore, their combination with synthetic biomaterials and/or adding bioactive agents has become an option for researchers in this field. In the present study, the stages of natural wound healing and the effect of biomaterials on its direction, type, and level will be investigated. Then, different types of polysaccharides and proteins were selected as desirable natural biomaterials, polymers as synthetic biomaterials with variable and suitable properties, and bioactive agents as effective additives. In the following, the structure of selected biomaterials, their extraction and production methods, their participation in wound healing, and quality control techniques of biomaterials-based wound dressings will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Ansari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Meybod University, Meybod, Iran
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Song D, Yang Q, Li X, Chen K, Tong J, Shen Y. The role of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in acquired corneal diseases. Exp Eye Res 2024; 238:109748. [PMID: 38081573 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109748] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
Acquired corneal diseases such as dry eye disease (DED), keratitis and corneal alkali burns are significant contributors to vision impairment worldwide, and more effective and innovative therapies are urgently needed. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway plays an indispensable role in cell metabolism, inflammation and the immune response. Studies have shown that regulators of this pathway are extensively expressed in the cornea, inducing significant activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling in specific acquired corneal diseases. The activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling contributes to various pathophysiological processes in the cornea, including inflammation, neovascularization, fibrosis, and wound healing. In the context of DED, the hypertonic environment activates JAK/STAT3 signaling to stimulate corneal inflammation. Inflammation and injury progression in infectious keratitis can also be modulated by JAK/STAT3 signaling. Furthermore, JAK/STAT3 signaling is involved in every stage of corneal repair after alkali burns, including acute inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Treatments modulating JAK/STAT3 signaling have shown promising results in attenuating corneal damage, indicating its potential as a novel therapeutic target. Thus, this review emphasizes the multiple roles of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in common acquired corneal disorders and summarizes the current achievements of JAK/STAT3-targeting therapy to provide new insights into future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjie Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Qianjie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kuangqi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jianping Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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