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Takahashi T, Takahashi T, Ikawa T, Terui H, Takahashi T, Segawa Y, Sumida H, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Serum levels of AGGF1: Potential association with cutaneous and cardiopulmonary involvements in systemic sclerosis. J Dermatol 2024. [PMID: 38619119 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, aberrant immune activation, and extensive tissue fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Because of the complicated nature of its pathogenesis, the underlying mechanisms of SSc remain incompletely understood. Angiogenic factor with a G-patch domain and a Forkhead-associated domain 1 (AGGF1) is a critical factor in angiogenesis expressed on vascular endothelial cells, associated with inflammatory and fibrotic responses. To elucidate the possible implication of AGGF1 in SSc pathogenesis, we investigated the association between serum AGGF1 levels and clinical manifestations in SSc patients. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of AGGF1 levels in sera from 60 SSc patients and 19 healthy controls with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum AGGF1 levels in SSc patients were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals. In particular, diffuse cutaneous SSc patients with shorter disease duration had higher levels compared to those with longer disease duration and limited cutaneous SSc patients. Patients with higher serum AGGF1 levels had a higher incidence of digital ulcers, higher modified Rodnan Skin Scores (mRSS), elevated serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels, C-reactive protein levels, and right ventricular systolic pressures (RVSP) on the echocardiogram, whereas they had reduced percentage of vital capacity (%VC) and percentage of diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (%DLCO) in pulmonary functional tests. In line, serum AGGF1 levels were significantly correlated with mRSS, serum KL-6 and surfactant protein D levels, RVSP, and %DLCO. These results uncovered notable correlations between serum AGGF1 levels and key cutaneous and vascular involvements in SSc, suggesting potential roles of AGGF1 in SSc pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikawa
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Terui
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toshiya Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Segawa
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hayakazu Sumida
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Scleroderma Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Shen WC, Huang BQ, Yang J. Regulatory mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell death in normal tension glaucoma and potential therapies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:87-93. [PMID: 35799514 PMCID: PMC9241424 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.344831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy characterized by normal intraocular pressure, progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, and glaucomatous visual field loss. Recent studies have described the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NTG. In addition to controlling intraocular pressure, neuroprotection and reduction of RGC degeneration may be beneficial therapies for NTG. In this review, we summarized the main regulatory mechanisms of RGC death in NTG, including autophagy, glutamate neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, immunity, and vasoconstriction. Autophagy can be induced by retinal hypoxia and axonal damage. In this process, ischemia can cause mutations of optineurin and activate the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Glutamate neurotoxicity is induced by the over-stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate membrane receptors by glutamate, which occurs in RGCs and induces progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Oxidative stress also participates in NTG-related glaucomatous optic neuropathy. It impairs the mitochondrial and DNA function of RGCs through the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-JUN N-terminal kinase pathway. Moreover, it increases inflammation and the immune response of RGCs. Endothelin 1 causes endothelial dysfunction and impairment of ocular blood flow, promoting vasospasm and glaucomatous optic neuropathy, as a result of NTG. In conclusion, we discussed research progress on potential options for the protection of RGCs, including TANK binding kinase 1 inhibitors regulating autophagy, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists inhibiting glutamate toxicity, ASK1 inhibitors regulating mitochondrial function, and antioxidants inhibiting oxidative stress. In NTG, RGC death is regulated by a network of mechanisms, while various potential targets protect RGCs. Collectively, these findings provide insight into the pathogenesis of NTG and potential therapeutic strategies.
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Casciano F, Zauli E, Rimondi E, Mura M, Previati M, Busin M, Zauli G. The role of the mTOR pathway in diabetic retinopathy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:973856. [PMID: 36388931 PMCID: PMC9663464 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.973856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina, the part of the eye, translates the light signal into an electric current that can be sent to the brain as visual information. To achieve this, the retina requires fine-tuned vascularization for its energy supply. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) causes alterations in the eye vascularization that reduce the oxygen supply with consequent retinal neurodegeneration. During DR, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway seems to coordinate retinal neurodegeneration with multiple anabolic and catabolic processes, such as autophagy, oxidative stress, cell death, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are closely related to chronic hyperglycemia. This review outlines the normal anatomy of the retina and how hyperglycemia can be involved in the neurodegeneration underlying this disease through over activation or inhibition of the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Casciano
- Department of Translational Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Center for the Study of Multiple Sclerosis and Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Enrico Zauli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erika Rimondi
- Department of Translational Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Mura
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maurizio Previati
- Department of Translational Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Massimo Busin
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Ma S, Liu X, Yin J, Hao L, Diao Y, Zhong J. Exosomes and autophagy in ocular surface and retinal diseases: new insights into pathophysiology and treatment. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:174. [PMID: 35505403 PMCID: PMC9066793 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02854-8] [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: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular surface and retinal diseases are widespread problems that cannot be ignored in today's society. However, existing prevention and treatment still have many shortcomings and limitations, and fail to effectively hinder the occurrence and development of them. MAIN BODY The purpose of this review is to give a detailed description of the potential mechanism of exosomes and autophagy. The eukaryotic endomembrane system refers to a range of membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm that are interconnected structurally and functionally, which regionalize and functionalize the cytoplasm to meet the needs of cells under different conditions. Exosomal biogenesis and autophagy are two important components of this system and are connected by lysosomal pathways. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that contain multiple signaling molecules produced by multivesicular bodies derived from endosomes. Autophagy includes lysosome-dependent degradation and recycling pathways of cells or organelles. Recent studies have revealed that there is a common molecular mechanism between exosomes and autophagy, which have been, respectively, confirmed to involve in ocular surface and retinal diseases. CONCLUSION The relationship between exosomes and autophagy and is mostly focused on fundus diseases, while a deeper understanding of them will provide new directions for the pathological mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular surface and retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shisi Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayang Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Lili Hao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuyao Diao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingxiang Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 West Huangpu Ave, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China. .,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.
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