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Zhang S, Liu C, Wang Q, Zhou H, Wu H, Zhuang J, Cao Y, Shi H, Zhang J, Wang J. CRYAA and GJA8 promote visual development after whisker tactile deprivation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13897. [PMID: 36915480 PMCID: PMC10006481 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13897] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Deprivation of one sense can be followed by enhanced development of other senses via cross-modal plasticity mechanisms. To study the effect of whisker tactile deprivation on vision during the early stages of development, we clipped the bilateral whiskers of young mice and found that their vision was impaired but later recovered to normal levels. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/ERK signaling pathway caused short-term visual impairment during early development, while high expression levels of Crystallin Alpha A (CRYAA) and Gap Junction Protein Alpha 8 (GJA8) in the retina led to the recovery of developmental visual acuity. Interestingly, analysis of single-cell sequencing results from human embryonic retinas at 9-19 gestational weeks (GW) revealed that CRYAA and GJA8 display stage-specific peak expression during human embryonic retinal development, suggesting potential functions in visual development. Our data show that high expression levels of CRYAA and GJA8 in the retina after whisker deprivation rescue impaired visual development, which may provide a foundation for further research on the mechanisms of cross-modal plasticity and in particular, offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying tactile-visual cross-modal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibo Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuiping Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haicong Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyi Zhuang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyang Cao
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwei Shi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Jiao Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai, China
- Corresponding author.
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Yang Y, Liu HL, Liu YJ. A Novel Five-Gene Signature Related to Clinical Outcome and Immune Microenvironment in Breast Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:912125. [PMID: 35646102 PMCID: PMC9136328 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.912125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in women and the main cause of cancer-related deaths in the globe, according to the World Health Organization. The need for biomarkers that can help predict survival or guide treatment decisions in BC patients is critical in order to provide each patient with an individualized treatment plan due to the wide range of prognoses and therapeutic responses. A reliable prognostic model is essential for determining the best course of treatment for patients. Patients’ clinical and pathological data, as well as their mRNA expression levels at level 3, were gleaned from the TCGA databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BC and non-tumor specimens were identified. Tumor immunity analyses have been utilized in order to decipher molecular pathways and their relationship to the immune system. The expressions of KIF4A in BC cells were determined by RT-PCR. To evaluate the involvement of KIF4A in BC cell proliferation, CCK-8 tests were used. In this study, utilizing FC > 4 and p < 0.05, we identified 140 upregulated genes and 513 down-regulated genes. A five-gene signature comprising SFRP1, SAA1, RBP4, KIF4A and COL11A1 was developed for the prediction of overall survivals of BC. Overall survival was distinctly worse for patients in the high-risk group than those in the low-risk group. Cancerous and aggressiveness-related pathways and decreased B cell, T cell CD4+, T cell CD8+, Neutrophil and Myeloid dendritic cells levels were seen in the high-risk group. In addition, we found that KIF4A was highly expressed in BC and its silence resulted in the suppression of the proliferation of BC cells. Taken together, as a possible prognostic factor for BC, the five-gene profile created and verified in this investigation could guide the immunotherapy selection.
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Yusuf IH, Garrett A, MacLaren RE, Issa PC. Retinal cadherins and the retinal cadherinopathies: Current concepts and future directions. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 90:101038. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Yusuf IH, McClements ME, MacLaren RE, Charbel Issa P. Deep phenotyping of the Cdhr1 -/- mouse validates its use in pre-clinical studies for human CDHR1-associated retinal degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2021; 208:108603. [PMID: 33964272 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To validate the Cdhr1-/- mouse as a model for human CDHR1-associated retinal degeneration, which may present as cone-rod dystrophy or geographic atrophy. METHODS Deep phenotyping of Cdhr1-/-(n = 56) and C57BL6J wildtype control mice (n = 45) was undertaken using in vivo multimodal retinal imaging and dark- and light-adapted electroretinography (ERG) over 15 months to evaluate rod- and cone-photoreceptor responses and retinal morphology. RESULTS Cdhr1-/- retinas exhibited outer retinal thinning on optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 1-month versus C57BL6J (mean 14.6% reduction; P < 0.0001), with progressive degeneration to 15 months. The OCT layer representing photoreceptor outer segments was more significantly shortened in Cdhr1-/- eyes at 1 month (mean 33.7% reduction; P < 0.0001), remained stable to 3 months and was not identifiable at later timepoints. Outer retinal thinning was more pronounced at inferior versus superior retinal locations in Cdhr1-/- eyes (P < 0.002 at 3-9 months). Dark-adapted ERG identified severe functional deficits in Cdhr1-/- mice at 1 month of age versus C57BL6J (mean 62% reduction) that continued to decline to 15 months (P < 0.0001). Light-adapted flicker identified severe deficits in cone function at 1 month (mean 70% reduction), with improved function to 3 months followed by progressive decline (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The Cdhr1-/- mouse exhibits structural and functional evidence of progressive outer retinal degeneration at a slow rate. Early functional deficits affecting both rod and cone photoreceptors in the context of relatively mild structural changes reflect the human phenotype. This study validates the use of the Cdhr1-/- mouse for the pre-clinical evaluation of therapeutics for human CDHR1-associated retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran H Yusuf
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK; Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Michelle E McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK; Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK; Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Peter Charbel Issa
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK; Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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Inhibition of Epigenetic Modifiers LSD1 and HDAC1 Blocks Rod Photoreceptor Death in Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa. J Neurosci 2021; 41:6775-6792. [PMID: 34193554 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3102-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifiers are increasingly being investigated as potential therapeutics to modify and overcome disease phenotypes. Diseases of the nervous system present a particular problem as neurons are postmitotic and demonstrate relatively stable gene expression patterns and chromatin organization. We have explored the ability of epigenetic modifiers to prevent degeneration of rod photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), using rd10 mice of both sexes. The histone modification eraser enzymes lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) are known to have dramatic effects on the development of rod photoreceptors. In the RP mouse model, inhibitors of these enzymes blocked rod degeneration, preserved vision, and affected the expression of multiple genes including maintenance of rod-specific transcripts and downregulation of those involved in inflammation, gliosis, and cell death. The neuroprotective activity of LSD1 inhibitors includes two pathways. First, through targeting histone modifications, they increase accessibility of chromatin and upregulate neuroprotective genes, such as from the Wnt pathway. We propose that this process is going in rod photoreceptors. Second, through nonhistone targets, they inhibit transcription of inflammatory genes and inflammation. This process is going in microglia, and lack of inflammation keeps rod photoreceptors alive.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Retinal degenerations are a leading cause of vision loss. RP is genetically very heterogeneous, and the multiple pathways leading to cell death are one reason for the slow progress in identifying suitable treatments for patients. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of LSD1and HDAC1 in a mouse model of RP leads to preservation of rod photoreceptors and visual function, retaining of expression of rod-specific genes, and with decreased inflammation, cell death, and Müller cell gliosis. We propose that these epigenetic inhibitors cause more open and accessible chromatin, allowing expression of neuroprotective genes. A second mechanism that allows rod photoreceptor survival is suppression of inflammation by epigenetic inhibitors in microglia. Manipulation of epigenetic modifiers is a new strategy to fight neurodegeneration in RP.
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