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Zhao M, Rong R, Zhang C, Yang H, Han X, Fan Z, Zheng Y, Zhang J. FBLN5 was Regulated by PRDM9, and Promoted Senescence and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:417-425. [PMID: 37608663 PMCID: PMC10788921 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230822100054] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are ideal seed cells for periodontal tissue regeneration. Our previous studies have indicated that the histone methyltransferase PRDM9 plays an important role in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). Whether FBLN5, which is a downstream gene of PRDM9, also has a potential impact on hPDLSCs is still unclear. METHODS Senescence was assessed using β-galactosidase and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Osteogenic differentiation potential of hPDLSCs was measured through Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and Alizarin red detection, while gene expression levels were evaluated using western blot and RT-qPCR analysis. RESULTS FBLN5 overexpression promoted the osteogenic differentiation and senescence of hPDLSCs. FBLN5 knockdown inhibited the osteogenic differentiation and senescence of hPDLSCs. Knockdown of PRDM9 decreased the expression of FBLN5 in hPDLSCs and inhibited senescence of hPDLSCs. Additionally, both FBLN5 and PRDM9 promoted the expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK, Erk1/2 and JNK. The p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor SB203580 and the Erk1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059 have the same effects on inhibiting the osteogenic differentiation and senescence of hPDLSCs. The JNK pathway inhibitor SP600125 reduced the senescence of hPDLSCs. CONCLUSION FBLN5 promoted senescence and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs via activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. FBLN5 was positively targeted by PRDM9, which also activated the MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Rong
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haoqing Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhipeng Fan
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Endodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianpeng Zhang
- Department of Endodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Evers CD, Chen L, Messinger JD, Killingsworth M, Freund KB, Curcio CA. HISTOLOGY, DIMENSIONS, AND FLUORESCEIN STAINING CHARACTERISTICS OF NODULAR AND CUTICULAR DRUSEN IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION. Retina 2023; 43:1708-1716. [PMID: 37399252 PMCID: PMC10527195 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003871] [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] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To enable in vivo analysis of drusen composition and lifecycle, the macular nodular and cuticular drusen were assessed using histology. METHODS Median and interquartile range of base widths of single (nonconfluent) nodular drusen in three sources were determined histologically: 43 eyes of 43 clinically undocumented donors, in an online resource; one eye with punctate hyperfluorescence in fluorescein angiography; and two eyes of one patient with bilateral "starry sky" cuticular drusen. All tissues were processed for high-resolution epoxy-resin histology and for cuticular drusen, transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS All drusen localized between the retinal pigment epithelium basal lamina and inner collagenous layer of the Bruch membrane. They were solid, globular, homogeneously stained with toluidine blue, and uncovered by basal laminar deposit and basal mounds. Median base widths were 13.0 µ m (Source 1, N = 128 drusen, interquartile range 7.7, 20.0 µ m), 15.3 µ m (Source 2, N = 87, interquartile range 10.6, 20.5 µ m), and 7.3 µ m (Source 3, N = 78, interquartile range 3.9, 14.1 µ m). CONCLUSION In three samples, >90% of solitary nodular drusen were <30 µ m, the visibility threshold in color fundus photography; these drusen are hyperfluorescent in fluorescein angiography. Whether these progress to soft drusen, known as high-risk from epidemiology studies and hypofluorescent, may be determinable from multimodal imaging datasets that include fluorescein angiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D. Evers
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham Alabama, USA
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham Alabama, USA
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, and Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Jeffrey D. Messinger
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham Alabama, USA
| | - Murray Killingsworth
- Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, South West Sydney Clinical Campus, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology and Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K. Bailey Freund
- Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Grossman New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine A. Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham Alabama, USA
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Merle DA, Sen M, Armento A, Stanton CM, Thee EF, Meester-Smoor MA, Kaiser M, Clark SJ, Klaver CCW, Keane PA, Wright AF, Ehrmann M, Ueffing M. 10q26 - The enigma in age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101154. [PMID: 36513584 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101154] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite comprehensive research efforts over the last decades, the pathomechanisms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remain far from being understood. Large-scale genome wide association studies (GWAS) were able to provide a defined set of genetic aberrations which contribute to disease risk, with the strongest contributors mapping to distinct regions on chromosome 1 and 10. While the chromosome 1 locus comprises factors of the complement system with well-known functions, the role of the 10q26-locus in AMD-pathophysiology remains enigmatic. 10q26 harbors a cluster of three functional genes, namely PLEKHA1, ARMS2 and HTRA1, with most of the AMD-associated genetic variants mapping to the latter two genes. High linkage disequilibrium between ARMS2 and HTRA1 has kept association studies from reliably defining the risk-causing gene for long and only very recently the genetic risk region has been narrowed to ARMS2, suggesting that this is the true AMD gene at this locus. However, genetic associations alone do not suffice to prove causality and one or more of the 14 SNPs on this haplotype may be involved in long-range control of gene expression, leaving HTRA1 and PLEKHA1 still suspects in the pathogenic pathway. Both, ARMS2 and HTRA1 have been linked to extracellular matrix homeostasis, yet their exact molecular function as well as their role in AMD pathogenesis remains to be uncovered. The transcriptional regulation of the 10q26 locus adds an additional level of complexity, given, that gene-regulatory as well as epigenetic alterations may influence expression levels from 10q26 in diseased individuals. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview on the 10q26 locus and its three gene products on various levels of biological complexity and discuss current and future research strategies to shed light on one of the remaining enigmatic spots in the AMD landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Merle
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria.
| | - Merve Sen
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Angela Armento
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Chloe M Stanton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Eric F Thee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Magda A Meester-Smoor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Markus Kaiser
- Center of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University Duisburg-Essen, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Simon J Clark
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CE, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Radboudumc, 6525EX, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pearse A Keane
- Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Alan F Wright
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Michael Ehrmann
- Center of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University Duisburg-Essen, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Ophthalmology, University Eye Clinic, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Aryal S, Anand D, Huang H, Reddy AP, Wilmarth PA, David LL, Lachke SA. Proteomic profiling of retina and retinal pigment epithelium combined embryonic tissue to facilitate ocular disease gene discovery. Hum Genet 2023; 142:927-947. [PMID: 37191732 PMCID: PMC10680127 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02570-0] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
To expedite gene discovery in eye development and its associated defects, we previously developed a bioinformatics resource-tool iSyTE (integrated Systems Tool for Eye gene discovery). However, iSyTE is presently limited to lens tissue and is predominantly based on transcriptomics datasets. Therefore, to extend iSyTE to other eye tissues on the proteome level, we performed high-throughput tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on mouse embryonic day (E)14.5 retina and retinal pigment epithelium combined tissue and identified an average of 3300 proteins per sample (n = 5). High-throughput expression profiling-based gene discovery approaches-involving either transcriptomics or proteomics-pose a key challenge of prioritizing candidates from thousands of RNA/proteins expressed. To address this, we used MS/MS proteome data from mouse whole embryonic body (WB) as a reference dataset and performed comparative analysis-termed "in silico WB-subtraction"-with the retina proteome dataset. In silico WB-subtraction identified 90 high-priority proteins with retina-enriched expression at stringency criteria of ≥ 2.5 average spectral counts, ≥ 2.0 fold-enrichment, false discovery rate < 0.01. These top candidates represent a pool of retina-enriched proteins, several of which are associated with retinal biology and/or defects (e.g., Aldh1a1, Ank2, Ank3, Dcn, Dync2h1, Egfr, Ephb2, Fbln5, Fbn2, Hras, Igf2bp1, Msi1, Rbp1, Rlbp1, Tenm3, Yap1, etc.), indicating the effectiveness of this approach. Importantly, in silico WB-subtraction also identified several new high-priority candidates with potential regulatory function in retina development. Finally, proteins exhibiting expression or enriched-expression in the retina are made accessible in a user-friendly manner at iSyTE ( https://research.bioinformatics.udel.edu/iSyTE/ ), to allow effective visualization of this information and facilitate eye gene discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Aryal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Deepti Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Hongzhan Huang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - Ashok P Reddy
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Phillip A Wilmarth
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Larry L David
- Proteomics Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Salil A Lachke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA.
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19713, USA.
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Genetic variants and haplotypes in fibulin-5 (FBLN5) are associated with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma but not with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232571. [PMID: 36794549 PMCID: PMC9995586 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221622] [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: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) is a multifactorial age-related disease involving deposition of extracellular proteinaceous aggregates on anterior ocular tissues. The present study aims to identify functional variants in fibulin-5 (FBLN5) as risk factors for the development of PEX. Thirteen tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FBLN5 were genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping technology to identify association between SNPs of FBLN5 and PEX in an Indian cohort comprising 200 control and 273 PEX patients (169 PEXS and 104 PEXG). Functional analysis of risk variants was done through luciferase reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using human lens epithelial cells. Genetic association and risk haplotype analysis showed a significant association of rs17732466:G>A (NC_000014.9:g.91913280G>A) and rs72705342:C>T (NC_000014.9:g.91890855C>T) within FBLN5 as risk factors with the advanced severe stage of the disease, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Reporter assays showed allele-specific regulatory effect of rs72705342:C>T on gene expression, wherein, construct containing the risk allele showed a significant decrease in the reporter activity compared with the one with protective allele. EMSA further validated higher binding affinity of the risk variant to nuclear protein. In silico analysis predicted binding sites for two transcription factors, GR-α and TFII-I with risk allele at rs72705342:C>T, which were lost in the presence of protective allele. The EMSA showed probable binding of both these proteins to rs72705342. In conclusion, the present study identified the novel association of two genetic variants in FBLN5 with PEXG but not with PEXS, distinguishing between the early and the later forms of PEX. Further, rs72705342:C>T was found to be a functional variant.
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Stradiotto E, Allegrini D, Fossati G, Raimondi R, Sorrentino T, Tripepi D, Barone G, Inforzato A, Romano MR. Genetic Aspects of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Their Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13280. [PMID: 36362067 PMCID: PMC9653831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex and multifactorial disease, resulting from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The continuous discovery of associations between genetic polymorphisms and AMD gives reason for the pivotal role attributed to the genetic component to its development. In that light, genetic tests and polygenic scores have been created to predict the risk of development and response to therapy. Still, none of them have yet been validated. Furthermore, there is no evidence from a clinical trial that the determination of the individual genetic structure can improve treatment outcomes. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the polymorphisms of the main pathogenetic ways involved in AMD development to identify which of them constitutes a potential therapeutic target. As complement overactivation plays a major role, the modulation of targeted complement proteins seems to be a promising therapeutic approach. Herein, we summarize the complement-modulating molecules now undergoing clinical trials, enlightening those in an advanced phase of trial. Gene therapy is a potential innovative one-time treatment, and its relevance is quickly evolving in the field of retinal diseases. We describe the state of the art of gene therapies now undergoing clinical trials both in the field of complement-suppressors and that of anti-VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Stradiotto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Davide Allegrini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fossati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Raffaele Raimondi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Tania Sorrentino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Domenico Tripepi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Barone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Antonio Inforzato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano-Milan, Italy
| | - Mario R. Romano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Unit Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Via Mazzini 11, 24128 Bergamo, Italy
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Ren C, Yu J. Potential gene identification and pathway crosstalk analysis of age-related macular degeneration. Front Genet 2022; 13:992328. [PMID: 36147504 PMCID: PMC9486309 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.992328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most prevalent visual disorder among the elderly, is confirmed as a multifactorial disease. Studies demonstrated that genetic factors play an essential role in its pathogenesis. Our study aimed to make a relatively comprehensive study about biological functions of AMD related genes and crosstalk of their enriched pathways. 1691 AMD genetic studies were reviewed, GO enrichment and pathway crosstalk analyses were conducted to elucidate the biological features of these genes and to demonstrate the pathways that these genes participate. Moreover, we identified novel AMD-specific genes using shortest path algorithm in the context of human interactome. We retrieved 176 significantly AMD-related genes. GO results showed that the most significant term in each of these three GO categories was: signaling receptor binding (PBH = 4.835 × 10−7), response to oxygen-containing compound (PBH = 2.764 × 10−21), and extracellular space (PBH = 2.081 × 10−19). The pathway enrichment analysis showed that complement pathway is the most enriched. The pathway crosstalk study showed that the pathways could be divided into two main modules. These two modules were connected by cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. 42 unique genes potentially participating AMD development were obtained. The aberrant expression of the mRNA of FASN and LRP1 were validated in AMD cell and mouse models. Collectively, our study carried out a comprehensive analysis based on genetic association study of AMD and put forward several evidence-based genes for future study of AMD.
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Navneet S, Rohrer B. Elastin turnover in ocular diseases: A special focus on age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2022; 222:109164. [PMID: 35798060 PMCID: PMC9795808 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its turnover play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Elastin, a critical protein component of the ECM, not only provides structural and mechanical support to tissues, but also mediates several intracellular and extracellular molecular signaling pathways. Abnormal turnover of elastin has pathological implications. In the eye elastin is a major structural component of Bruch's membrane (BrM), a critical ECM structure separating the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from the choriocapillaris. Reduced integrity of macular BrM elastin, increased serum levels of elastin-derived peptides (EDPs), and elevated elastin antibodies have been reported in AMD. Existing reports suggest that elastases, the elastin-degrading enzymes secreted by RPE, infiltrating macrophages or neutrophils could be involved in BrM elastin degradation, thus contributing to AMD pathogenesis. EDPs derived from elastin degradation can increase inflammatory and angiogenic responses in tissues, and the elastin antibodies are shown to play roles in immune cell activity and complement activation. This review summarizes our current understanding on the elastases/elastin fragments-mediated mechanisms of AMD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Navneet
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Bärbel Rohrer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Division of Research, Charleston, SC, USA.
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Kapuganti RS, Mohanty PP, Alone DP. Quantitative analysis of circulating levels of vimentin, clusterin and fibulin-5 in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and glaucoma. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Shughoury A, Sevgi DD, Ciulla TA. Molecular Genetic Mechanisms in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071233. [PMID: 35886016 PMCID: PMC9316037 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is among the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. In addition to environmental risk factors, such as tobacco use and diet, genetic background has long been established as a major risk factor for the development of AMD. However, our ability to predict disease risk and personalize treatment remains limited by our nascent understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AMD pathogenesis. Research into the molecular genetics of AMD over the past two decades has uncovered 52 independent gene variants and 34 independent loci that are implicated in the development of AMD, accounting for over half of the genetic risk. This research has helped delineate at least five major pathways that may be disrupted in the pathogenesis of AMD: the complement system, extracellular matrix remodeling, lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress response. This review surveys our current understanding of each of these disease mechanisms, in turn, along with their associated pathogenic gene variants. Continued research into the molecular genetics of AMD holds great promise for the development of precision-targeted, personalized therapies that bring us closer to a cure for this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aumer Shughoury
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Duriye Damla Sevgi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Thomas A Ciulla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Clearside Biomedical, Inc., Alpharetta, GA 30005, USA
- Midwest Eye Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46290, USA
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High-Fat Diet Alters the Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Choroidal Transcriptome in the Absence of Gut Microbiota. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132076. [PMID: 35805160 PMCID: PMC9266037 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Relationships between retinal disease, diet, and the gut microbiome have started to emerge. In particular, high-fat diets (HFDs) are associated with the prevalence and progression of several retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). These effects are thought to be partly mediated by the gut microbiome, which modulates interactions between diet and host homeostasis. Nevertheless, the effects of HFDs on the retina and adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid at the transcriptional level, independent of gut microbiota, are not well-understood. In this study, we performed the high-throughput RNA-sequencing of germ-free (GF) mice to explore the transcriptional changes induced by HFD in the RPE/choroid. After filtering and cleaning the data, 649 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with 616 genes transcriptionally upregulated and 33 genes downregulated by HFD compared to a normal diet (ND). Enrichment analysis for gene ontology (GO) using the DEGs was performed to analyze over-represented biological processes in the RPE/choroid of GF-HFD mice relative to GF-ND mice. GO analysis revealed the upregulation of processes related to angiogenesis, immune response, and the inflammatory response. Additionally, molecular functions that were altered involved extracellular matrix (ECM) binding, ECM structural constituents, and heparin binding. This study demonstrates novel data showing that HFDs can alter RPE/choroid tissue transcription in the absence of the gut microbiome.
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Zhang X, Alanazi YF, Jowitt TA, Roseman AM, Baldock C. Elastic Fibre Proteins in Elastogenesis and Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4087. [PMID: 35456902 PMCID: PMC9027394 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As essential components of our connective tissues, elastic fibres give tissues such as major blood vessels, skin and the lungs their elasticity. Their formation is complex and co-ordinately regulated by multiple factors. In this review, we describe key players in elastogenesis: fibrillin-1, tropoelastin, latent TGFβ binding protein-4, and fibulin-4 and -5. We summarise their roles in elastogenesis, discuss the effect of their mutations on relevant diseases, and describe their interactions involved in forming the elastic fibre network. Moreover, we look into their roles in wound repair for a better understanding of their potential application in tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Zhang
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.J.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Yasmene F. Alanazi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Thomas A. Jowitt
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.J.)
| | - Alan M. Roseman
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.J.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
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The Role of the Stromal Extracellular Matrix in the Development of Pterygium Pathology: An Update. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245930. [PMID: 34945227 PMCID: PMC8707182 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pterygium is a benign fibrovascular lesion of the bulbar conjunctiva with frequent involvement of the corneal limbus. Its pathogenesis has been mainly attributed to sun exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation. Obtained evidence has shown that it is a complex and multifactorial process which involves multiple mechanisms such as oxidative stress, dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints, induction of inflammatory mediators and growth factors, angiogenic stimulation, extracellular matrix (ECM) disorders, and, most likely, viruses and hereditary changes. In this review, we aim to collect all authors’ experiences and our own, with respect to the study of fibroelastic ECM of pterygium. Collagen and elastin are intrinsic indicators of physiological and pathological states. Here, we focus on an in-depth analysis of collagen (types I and III), as well as the main constituents of elastic fibers (tropoelastin (TE), fibrillins (FBNs), and fibulins (FBLNs)) and the enzymes (lysyl oxidases (LOXs)) that carry out their assembly or crosslinking. All the studies established that changes in the fibroelastic ECM occur in pterygium, based on the following facts: An increase in the synthesis and deposition of an immature form of collagen type III, which showed the process of tissue remodeling. An increase in protein levels in most of the constituents necessary for the development of elastic fibers, except FBLN4, whose biological roles are critical in the binding of the enzyme LOX, as well as FBN1 for the development of stable elastin. There was gene overexpression of TE, FBN1, FBLN5, and LOXL1, while the expression of LOX and FBLN2 and -4 remained stable. In conclusion, collagen and elastin, as well as several constituents involved in elastic fiber assembly are overexpressed in human pterygium, thus, supporting the hypothesis that there is dysregulation in the synthesis and crosslinking of the fibroelastic component, constituting an important pathogenetic mechanism for the development of the disease.
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Fragiotta S, Fernández-Avellaneda P, Breazzano MP, Scuderi G. Clinical Manifestations of Cuticular Drusen: Current Perspectives. Clin Ophthalmol 2021; 15:3877-3887. [PMID: 34584401 PMCID: PMC8464647 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s272345] [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: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cuticular drusen are part of the spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with particular clinical and multimodal imaging characteristics. This drusen subpopulation shares several high-risk single nucleotide polymorphisms with AMD. Despite this feature, they can manifest at a relatively young age, presenting with a female preponderance. Multimodal imaging is essential for characterizing such lesions, using a combination of color fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). The classic starry-sky pattern visible on FA and the typical central hypoautofluorescent lesion with hyperautofluorescent rim on FAF is considered the result of a central retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) erosion from these triangular elevations of the RPE-basal lamina. This finding may also be responsible for the typical choroidal hypertransmission appreciated through OCT. The clinical course of cuticular drusen may be relatively benign at early stages, with small drusen presenting at a young age. However, the presence of clinical phenotypes characterized by diffuse involvement and/or accompanying large drusen in patients older than 60 years may confer a significant risk for either macular neovascularization or geographic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Fragiotta
- NESMOS Department, Ophthalmology Unit, St. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mark P Breazzano
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, UA
| | - Gianluca Scuderi
- NESMOS Department, Ophthalmology Unit, St. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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15
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Du Y, Kong N, Zhang J. Genetic Mechanism Revealed of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Based on Fusion of Statistics and Machine Learning Method. Front Genet 2021; 12:726599. [PMID: 34422023 PMCID: PMC8375266 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.726599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world which affects the quality of life for millions of elderly individuals worldwide. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants at 34 loci contributing to AMD. To better understand the disease pathogenesis and identify causal genes for AMD, we applied random walk (RW) and support vector machine (SVM) to identify AMD-related genes based on gene interaction relationship and significance of genes. Our model achieved 0.927 of area under the curve (AUC), and 65 novel genes have been identified as AMD-related genes. To verify our results, a statistics method called summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) has been implemented to integrate GWAS data and transcriptome data to verify AMD susceptibility-related genes. We found 45 genes are related to AMD by SMR. Among these genes, 37 genes overlap with those found by SVM-RW. Finally, we revealed the biological process of genetic mutations leading to changes in gene expression leading to AMD. Our results reveal the genetic pathogenic factors and related mechanisms of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyi Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jibin Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Sun B, Tomita B, Salinger A, Tilvawala RR, Li L, Hakami H, Liu T, Tsoyi K, Rosas IO, Reinhardt DP, Thompson PR, Ho IC. PAD2-mediated citrullination of Fibulin-5 promotes elastogenesis. Matrix Biol 2021; 102:70-84. [PMID: 34274450 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The formation of elastic fibers is active only in the perinatal period. How elastogenesis is developmentally regulated is not fully understood. Citrullination is a unique form of post-translational modification catalyzed by peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), including PAD1-4. Its physiological role is largely unknown. By using an unbiased proteomic approach of lung tissues, we discovered that FBLN5 and LTBP4, two key elastogenic proteins, were temporally modified in mouse and human lungs. We further demonstrated that PAD2 citrullinated FBLN5 preferentially in young lungs compared to adult lungs. Genetic ablation of PAD2 resulted in attenuated elastogenesis in vitro and age-dependent emphysema in vivo. Mechanistically, citrullination protected FBLN5 from proteolysis and subsequent inactivation of its elastogenic activity. Furthermore, citrullinated but not native FBLN5 partially rescued in vitro elastogenesis in the absence of PAD activity. Our data uncover a novel function of citrullination, namely promoting elastogenesis, and provide additional insights to how elastogenesis is regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sun
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Beverly Tomita
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ari Salinger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ronak R Tilvawala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Hana Hakami
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Tao Liu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Konstantin Tsoyi
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ivan O Rosas
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dieter P Reinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Paul R Thompson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - I-Cheng Ho
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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17
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Tsai YT, Li Y, Ryu J, Su PY, Cheng CH, Wu WH, Li YS, Quinn PMJ, Leong KW, Tsang SH. Impaired cholesterol efflux in retinal pigment epithelium of individuals with juvenile macular degeneration. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:903-918. [PMID: 33909993 PMCID: PMC8206198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macular degeneration (MD) is characterized by the progressive deterioration of the macula and represents one of the most prevalent causes of blindness worldwide. Abnormal intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets and pericellular deposits of lipid-rich material in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) called drusen are clinical hallmarks of different forms of MD including Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD) and age-related MD (AMD). However, the appropriate molecular therapeutic target underlying these disorder phenotypes remains elusive. Here, we address this knowledge gap by comparing the proteomic profiles of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RPEs (iRPE) from individuals with DHRD and their isogenic controls. Our analysis and follow-up studies elucidated the mechanism of lipid accumulation in DHRD iRPE cells. Specifically, we detected significant downregulation of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), an enzyme that converts cholesteryl ester to free cholesterol, an indispensable process in cholesterol export. CES1 knockdown or overexpression of EFEMP1R345W, a variant of EGF-containing fibulin extracellular matrix protein 1 that is associated with DHRD and attenuated cholesterol efflux and led to lipid droplet accumulation. In iRPE cells, we also found that EFEMP1R345W has a hyper-inhibitory effect on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling when compared to EFEMP1WT and may suppress CES1 expression via the downregulation of transcription factor SP1. Taken together, these results highlight the homeostatic role of cholesterol efflux in iRPE cells and identify CES1 as a mediator of cholesterol efflux in MD.
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Key Words
- age-related macular degeneration, Doyne honeycomb destrophy, DHRD, cholesterol efflux, drusen, RPE, CRISPR, isogenic, EGFR signaling, unfolded protein response, lipid accumulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Tsai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yao Li
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Joseph Ryu
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pei-Yin Su
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chia-Hua Cheng
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wen-Hsuan Wu
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yong-Shi Li
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Peter M J Quinn
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and the Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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18
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HDL Cholesterol and Non-Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094547. [PMID: 33925284 PMCID: PMC8123633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has traditionally been considered the “good cholesterol”, and most of the research regarding HDL cholesterol has for decades revolved around the possible role of HDL in atherosclerosis and its therapeutic potential within atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Randomized trials aiming at increasing HDL cholesterol have, however, failed and left questions to what role HDL cholesterol plays in human health and disease. Recent observational studies involving non-cardiovascular diseases have shown that high levels of HDL cholesterol are not necessarily associated with beneficial outcomes as observed for age-related macular degeneration, type II diabetes, dementia, infection, and mortality. In this narrative review, we discuss these interesting associations between HDL cholesterol and non-cardiovascular diseases, covering observational studies, human genetics, and plausible mechanisms.
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19
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Heinz A. Elastic fibers during aging and disease. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 66:101255. [PMID: 33434682 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fibers are essential constituents of the extracellular matrix of higher vertebrates and endow several tissues and organs including lungs, skin and blood vessels with elasticity and resilience. During the human lifespan, elastic fibers are exposed to a variety of enzymatic, chemical and biophysical influences, and accumulate damage due to their low turnover. Aging of elastin and elastic fibers involves enzymatic degradation, oxidative damage, glycation, calcification, aspartic acid racemization, binding of lipids and lipid peroxidation products, carbamylation and mechanical fatigue. These processes can trigger an impairment or loss of elastic fiber function and are associated with severe pathologies. There are different inherited or acquired pathological conditions, which influence the structure and function of elastic fibers and microfibrils predominantly in the cardiorespiratory system and skin. Inherited elastic-fiber pathologies have a direct or indirect impact on elastic-fiber formation due to mutations in the fibrillin genes (fibrillinopathies), in the elastin gene (elastinopathies) or in genes encoding proteins that are associated with microfibrils or elastic fibers. Acquired elastic-fiber pathologies appear age-related or as a result of multiple factors impairing tissue homeostasis. This review gives an overview on the fate of elastic fibers over the human lifespan in health and disease.
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20
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Ruan Y, Jiang S, Gericke A. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Role of Oxidative Stress and Blood Vessels. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031296. [PMID: 33525498 PMCID: PMC7866075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common irreversible ocular disease characterized by vision impairment among older people. Many risk factors are related to AMD and interact with each other in its pathogenesis. Notably, oxidative stress and choroidal vascular dysfunction were suggested to be critically involved in AMD pathogenesis. In this review, we give an overview on the factors contributing to the pathophysiology of this multifactorial disease and discuss the role of reactive oxygen species and vascular function in more detail. Moreover, we give an overview on therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ruan
- Correspondence: (Y.R.); (A.G.); Tel.: +49-6131-178-276 (Y.R. & A.G.)
| | | | - Adrian Gericke
- Correspondence: (Y.R.); (A.G.); Tel.: +49-6131-178-276 (Y.R. & A.G.)
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21
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Loss of Class III Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Vps34 Results in Cone Degeneration. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9110384. [PMID: 33171845 PMCID: PMC7695136 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The major pathway for the production of the low-abundance membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) synthesis is catalyzed by class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) Vps34. The absence of Vps34 was previously found to disrupt autophagy and other membrane-trafficking pathways in some sensory neurons, but the roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and Vps34 in cone photoreceptor cells have not previously been explored. We found that the deletion of Vps34 in neighboring rods in mouse retina did not disrupt cone function up to 8 weeks after birth, despite diminished rod function. Immunoblotting and lipid analysis of cones isolated from the cone-dominant retinas of the neural retina leucine zipper gene knockout mice revealed that both PI(3)P and Vps34 protein are present in mouse cones. To determine whether Vps34 and PI(3)P are important for cone function, we conditionally deleted Vps34 in cone photoreceptor cells of the mouse retina. Overall retinal morphology and rod function appeared to be unaffected. However, the loss of Vps34 in cones resulted in the loss of structure and function. There was a substantial reduction throughout the retina in the number of cones staining for M-opsin, S-opsin, cone arrestin, and peanut agglutinin, revealing degeneration of cones. These studies indicate that class III PI3K, and presumably PI(3)P, play essential roles in cone photoreceptor cell function and survival.
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22
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Safka Brozkova D, Stojkovic T, Haberlová J, Mazanec R, Windhager R, Fernandes Rosenegger P, Hacker S, Züchner S, Kochański A, Leonard‐Louis S, Francou B, Latour P, Senderek J, Seeman P, Auer‐Grumbach M. Demyelinating Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathy associated with
FBLN5
mutations. Eur J Neurol 2020; 27:2568-2574. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.14463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Safka Brozkova
- DNA Laboratory Department of Paediatric Neurology 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital Prague Czech Republic
| | - T. Stojkovic
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France Institut de Myologie APHPG‐H Pitié‐Salpêtrière Paris France
| | - J. Haberlová
- DNA Laboratory Department of Paediatric Neurology 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital Prague Czech Republic
| | - R. Mazanec
- Department of Neurology 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital Prague Czech Republic
| | - R. Windhager
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | | | - S. Hacker
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - S. Züchner
- Dr John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami FL USA
| | - A. Kochański
- Neuromuscular Unit Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw Poland
| | - S. Leonard‐Louis
- Unité de Pathologie Neuromusculaire Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile de France APHPG‐H Pitié‐Salpêtrière Paris France
| | - B. Francou
- Service de Génétique Moléculaire Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie APHPHôpital Kremlin‐Bicêtre Paris France
| | - P. Latour
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire Grand Est CHU de LyonGH Est Bron France
| | - J. Senderek
- Department of Neurology Friedrich‐Baur‐Institute LMU Munich Munich Germany
| | - P. Seeman
- DNA Laboratory Department of Paediatric Neurology 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital Prague Czech Republic
| | - M. Auer‐Grumbach
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
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23
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Karolak JA, Gambin T, Rydzanicz M, Polakowski P, Ploski R, Szaflik JP, Gajecka M. Accumulation of sequence variants in genes of Wnt signaling and focal adhesion pathways in human corneas further explains their involvement in keratoconus. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8982. [PMID: 32328353 PMCID: PMC7164425 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Keratoconus (KTCN) is a protrusion and thinning of the cornea, resulting in loss of visual acuity. The etiology of KTCN remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential involvement of new genetic variants in KTCN etiology based on both the genomic and transcriptomic findings recognized in the same corneal tissues. Methods Corneal tissues derived from five unrelated Polish individuals with KTCN were examined using exome sequencing (ES), followed by enrichment analyses. For comparison purposes, the datasets comprising ES data of five randomly selected Polish individuals without ocular abnormalities and five Polish patients with high myopia were used. Expression levels of selected genes from the overrepresented pathways were obtained from the previous RNA-Seq study. Results Exome capture discovered 117 potentially relevant variants that were further narrowed by gene overrepresentation analyses. In each of five patients, the assessment of functional interactions revealed rare (MAF ≤ 0.01) DNA variants in at least one gene from Wnt signaling (VANGL1, WNT1, PPP3CC, LRP6, FZD2) and focal adhesion (BIRC2, PAK6, COL4A4, PPP1R12A, PTK6) pathways. No genes involved in pathways enriched in KTCN corneas were overrepresented in our control sample sets. Conclusions The results of this first pilot ES profiling of human KTCN corneas emphasized that accumulation of sequence variants in several genes from Wnt signaling and/or focal adhesion pathways might cause the phenotypic effect and further points to a complex etiology of KTCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna A Karolak
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Gambin
- Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Polakowski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafal Ploski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek P Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Gajecka
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.,Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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24
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Paraoan L, Sharif U, Carlsson E, Supharattanasitthi W, Mahmud NM, Kamalden TA, Hiscott P, Jackson M, Grierson I. Secretory proteostasis of the retinal pigmented epithelium: Impairment links to age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 79:100859. [PMID: 32278708 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Secretory proteostasis integrates protein synthesis, processing, folding and trafficking pathways that are essential for efficient cellular secretion. For the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), secretory proteostasis is of vital importance for the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of apical (photoreceptors) and basal (Bruch's membrane/choroidal blood supply) sides of the environment it resides in. This integrity is achieved through functions governed by RPE secreted proteins, which include extracellular matrix modelling/remodelling, angiogenesis and immune response modulation. Impaired RPE secretory proteostasis affects not only the extracellular environment, but leads to intracellular protein aggregation and ER-stress with subsequent cell death. Ample recent evidence implicates dysregulated proteostasis as a key factor in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, and research aiming to characterise the roles of various proteins implicated in AMD-associated dysregulated proteostasis unveiled unexpected facets of the mechanisms involved in degenerative pathogenesis. This review analyses cellular processes unveiled by the study of the top 200 transcripts most abundantly expressed by the RPE/choroid in the light of the specialised secretory nature of the RPE. Functional roles of these proteins and the mechanisms of their impaired secretion, due to age and genetic-related causes, are analysed in relation to AMD development. Understanding the importance of RPE secretory proteostasis in relation to maintaining retinal health and how it becomes impaired in disease is of paramount importance for the development and assessment of future therapeutic advancements involving gene and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luminita Paraoan
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| | - Umar Sharif
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Emil Carlsson
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Wasu Supharattanasitthi
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nur Musfirah Mahmud
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Tengku Ain Kamalden
- Eye Research Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Paul Hiscott
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm Jackson
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Grierson
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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25
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Davila-Avila N, Muñiz-Ruvalcaba FP, Hernandez-Zimbron LF, Gonzalez-Salinas R, Corredor-Ortega C, Perez-Vazquez J, Soberon S, Quiroz-Mercado H. Expression of Fibulin-2 and Fibulin-5 on subretinal fluid in human primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Exp Eye Res 2020; 194:107992. [PMID: 32151522 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.107992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ned Davila-Avila
- Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Frida P Muñiz-Ruvalcaba
- Research Department, Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Hernandez-Zimbron
- Research Department, Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Roberto Gonzalez-Salinas
- Research Department, Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Claudia Corredor-Ortega
- Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Anterior Segment Department, Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México, México City, Mexico
| | - Jose Perez-Vazquez
- Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Santiago Soberon
- Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Hugo Quiroz-Mercado
- Research Department, Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera en México I.A.P, Vicente García Torres 46, Barrio San Lucas, 04030, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Greene AG, Eivers SB, Dervan EWJ, O'Brien CJ, Wallace DM. Lysyl Oxidase Like 1: Biological roles and regulation. Exp Eye Res 2020; 193:107975. [PMID: 32070696 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.107975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lysyl Oxidase Like 1 (LOXL1) is a gene that encodes for the LOXL1 enzyme. This enzyme is required for elastin biogenesis and collagen cross-linking, polymerising tropoelastin monomers into elastin polymers. Its main role is in elastin homeostasis and matrix remodelling during injury, fibrosis and cancer development. Because of its vast range of biological functions, abnormalities in LOXL1 underlie many disease processes. Decreased LOXL1 expression is observed in disorders of elastin such as Cutis Laxa and increased expression is reported in fibrotic disease such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. LOXL1 is also downregulated in the lamina cribrosa in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and genetic variants in the LOXL1 gene have been linked with an increased risk of developing pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation syndrome. However the two major risk alleles are reversed in certain ethnic groups and are present in a large proportion of the normal population, implying complex genetic and environmental regulation is involved in disease pathogenesis. It also appears that the non-coding variants in intron 1 of LOXL1 may be involved in the regulation of LOXL1 expression. Gene alteration may occur via a number of epigenetic and post translational mechanisms such as DNA methylation, long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs. These may represent future therapeutic targets for disease. Environmental factors such as hypoxia, oxidative stress and ultraviolet radiation exposure alter LOXL1 expression, and it is likely a combination of these genetic and environmental factors that influence disease development and progression. In this review, we discuss LOXL1 properties, biological roles and regulation in detail with a focus on pseudoexfoliation syndrome and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison G Greene
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Sarah B Eivers
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Edward W J Dervan
- Dept. of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Colm J O'Brien
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland; Dept. of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Deborah M Wallace
- UCD Clinical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
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Biallelic variants in EFEMP1 in a man with a pronounced connective tissue phenotype. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 28:445-452. [PMID: 31792352 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue disorders are a spectrum of diseases that affect the integrity of tissues including skin, vasculature, and joints. They are often caused by variants that disrupt genes encoding components of extracellular matrix (ECM). The fibulin glycoproteins are ECM proteins important for integrity of tissues including dermis, retina, fascia, and vasculature. The fibulin family consists of seven members (fibulins-1 to -7) and is defined by a fibulin-type domain at the C-terminus. The family is associated with human diseases, for instance a variant in FBLN1, encoding fibulin-1, is associated with synpolydactyly, while one in EFEMP1, encoding fibulin-3, causes Doyne honeycomb degeneration of the retina. Loss-of-function of fibulins-4 and -5 causes cutis laxa, while variants in fibulins-5 and -6 are associated with age-related macular degeneration. Of note, EFEMP1 is not currently associated with any connective tissue disorder. Here we show biallelic loss-of-function variants in EFEMP1 in an individual with multiple and recurrent abdominal and thoracic herniae, myopia, hypermobile joints, scoliosis, and thin translucent skin. Fibroblasts from this individual express significantly lower EFEMP1 transcript than age-matched control cells. A skin biopsy, visualised using light microscopy, showed normal structure and abundance of elastic fibres. The phenotype of this individual is remarkably similar to the Efemp1 knockout mouse model that displays multiple herniae with premature aging and scoliosis. We conclude that loss of EFEMP1 function in this individual is the cause of a connective tissue disorder with a novel combination of phenotypic features, and can perhaps explain similar, previously reported cases in the literature.
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28
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Meyer JG, Garcia TY, Schilling B, Gibson BW, Lamba DA. Proteome and Secretome Dynamics of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Response to Reactive Oxygen Species. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15440. [PMID: 31659173 PMCID: PMC6817852 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51777-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries, and is characterized by slow retinal degeneration linked to chronic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). The molecular mechanisms leading to RPE dysfunction in response to ROS are unclear. Here, human stem cell-derived RPE samples were stressed with ROS for 1 or 3 weeks, and both intracellular and secreted proteomes were quantified by mass spectrometry. ROS increased glycolytic proteins but decreased mitochondrial complex I subunits, as well as membrane proteins required for endocytosis. RPE secreted over 1,000 proteins, many of which changed significantly due to ROS. Notably, secreted APOE is decreased 4-fold, and urotensin-II, the strongest known vasoconstrictor, doubled. Furthermore, secreted TGF-beta is increased, and its cognate signaler BMP1 decreased in the secretome. Together, our results paint a detailed molecular picture of the retinal stress response in space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse G Meyer
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Center for Quantitative Biology of Complex Systems, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Thelma Y Garcia
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
| | | | - Bradford W Gibson
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
- Discovery Attribute Sciences, Research, Amgen, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Deepak A Lamba
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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29
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De novo variants in an extracellular matrix protein coding gene, fibulin-5 (FBLN5) are associated with pseudoexfoliation. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 27:1858-1866. [PMID: 31358954 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0482-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibulin-5 (FBLN5), an extracellular scaffold protein, plays a crucial role in the activation of Lysyl oxidase like-1 (LOXL1), a tropoelastin crosslinking enzyme, and subsequent deposition of elastin in the extracellular matrix. Following study identifies polymorphisms within FBLN5 gene as risk factors and its aberrant expression in the pathogenesis of an ocular disorder, pseudoexfoliation (PEX). Exons and exon-intron boundaries within FBLN5 gene were scanned through fluorescence-based capillary electrophoresis for polymorphisms as risk factors for PEX pathogenesis in recruited study subjects with Indian ethnicity. mRNA and protein expression of FBLN5 was checked in lens capsule of study subjects through qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. In vitro functional analysis of risk variants was done through luciferase reporter assays. Thirty study subjects from control and PEX affected groups were scanned for potential risk variants. Putative polymorphisms identified by scanning were further evaluated for genetic association in a larger sample size comprising of 338 control and 375 PEX affected subjects. Two noncoding polymorphisms, hg38 chr14:g.91947643G>A (rs7149187:G>A) and hg38 chr14:g.91870431T>C (rs929608:T>C) within FBLN5 gene are found to be significantly associated with PEX as risk factors with a p-value of 0.005 and 0.004, respectively. Molecular assays showed a decreased expression of FBLN5 at both mRNA and protein level in lens capsule of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) affected subjects than control. This study unravels two novel risk variants within FBLN5 gene in the pathogenesis of PEX. Further, a decreased expression of FBLN5 in PEXS affected lens capsules implicates a pathogenic link between extracellular matrix maintenance and onset of PEX.
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30
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Roles of short fibulins, a family of matricellular proteins, in lung matrix assembly and disease. Matrix Biol 2018; 73:21-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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31
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Extracellular Interactions between Fibulins and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β in Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092787. [PMID: 30227601 PMCID: PMC6163299 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional peptide growth factor that has a vital role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, and repair in a variety of tissues, and its dysregulation mediates a number of pathological conditions including fibrotic disorders, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer progression. Regulation of TGF-β signaling is multifold, but one critical site of regulation is via interaction with certain extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironments, as TGF-β is primarily secreted as a biologically inactive form sequestrated into ECM. Several ECM proteins are known to modulate TGF-β signaling via cell–matrix interactions, including thrombospondins, SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cystein), tenascins, osteopontin, periostin, and fibulins. Fibulin family members consist of eight ECM glycoproteins characterized by a tandem array of calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like modules and a common C-terminal domain. Fibulins not only participate in structural integrity of basement membrane and elastic fibers, but also serve as mediators for cellular processes and tissue remodeling as they are highly upregulated during embryonic development and certain disease processes, especially at the sites of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Emerging studies have indicated a close relationship between fibulins and TGF-β signaling, but each fibulin plays a different role in a context-dependent manner. In this review, regulatory interactions between fibulins and TGF-β signaling are discussed. Understanding biological roles of fibulins in TGF-β regulation may introduce new insights into the pathogenesis of some human diseases.
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Clinical and genetic characteristics of 251 consecutive patients with macular and cone/cone-rod dystrophy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4824. [PMID: 29555955 PMCID: PMC5859282 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22096-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Macular and cone/cone-rod dystrophies (MD/CCRD) demonstrate a broad genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, with retinal alterations solely or predominantly involving the central retina. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an efficient diagnostic tool for identifying mutations in patient with retinitis pigmentosa, which shows similar genetic heterogeneity. To detect the genetic causes of disease in patients with MD/CCRD, we implemented a two-tier procedure consisting of Sanger sequencing and targeted NGS including genes associated with clinically overlapping conditions. Disease-causing mutations were identified in 74% of 251 consecutive MD/CCRD patients (33% of the variants were novel). Mutations in ABCA4, PRPH2 and BEST1 accounted for 57% of disease cases. Further mutations were identified in CDHR1, GUCY2D, PROM1, CRX, GUCA1A, CERKL, MT-TL1, KIF11, RP1L1, MERTK, RDH5, CDH3, C1QTNF5, CRB1, JAG1, DRAM2, POC1B, NPHP1 and RPGR. We provide detailed illustrations of rare phenotypes, including autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography imaging. Targeted NGS also identified six potential novel genotype-phenotype correlations for FAM161A, INPP5E, MERTK, FBLN5, SEMA4A and IMPDH1. Clinical reassessment of genetically unsolved patients revealed subgroups with similar retinal phenotype, indicating a common molecular disease cause in each subgroup.
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Role of Fibulins 2 and 5 in Retinal Development and Maintenance. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1074:275-280. [PMID: 29721953 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75402-4_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Fibulins 2 and 5 are part of a seven-member family of proteins integral to the retinal extracellular matrix. Our study aimed to further explore the roles of both fibulins in retinal function. We obtained knockout mouse models of both fibulins and performed immunohistochemistry, electroretinography, and histology to investigate the outcome of eliminating these proteins. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that both fibulins are localized to the RPE, choroid, and Bruch's membrane. Functional testing showed a significantly reduced scotopic A response at 1 month of age, when compared to their wild-type counterpart. This functional reduction remained constant throughout the age of the animal and only declined as a result of normal aging. The functional decline was associated with reduced number of photoreceptor cells. The results presented clearly demonstrate that fibulins 2 and 5, as extracellular proteins, are necessary for normal retinal development.
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Kumar S, Nakashizuka H, Jones A, Lambert A, Zhao X, Shen M, Parker M, Wang S, Berriochoa Z, Fnu A, VanBeuge S, Chévez-Barrios P, Tso M, Rainier J, Fu Y. Proteolytic Degradation and Inflammation Play Critical Roles in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:2841-2857. [PMID: 28941979 PMCID: PMC5718105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a common subtype of wet age-related macular degeneration in Asian populations, whereas choroidal neovascularization is the typical subtype in Western populations. The cause of PCV is unknown. By comparing the phenotype of a PCV mouse model expressing protease high temperature requirement factor A1 (HTRA1) in retinal pigment epithelium with transgenic mice expressing the inactive HTRA1S328A, we showed that HTRA1-mediated degradation of elastin in choroidal vessels is critical for the development of PCV, which exhibited destructive extracellular matrix remodeling and vascular smooth muscle cell loss. Compared with weak PCV, severe PCV exhibited prominent immune complex deposition, complement activation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells, suggesting inflammation plays a key role in PCV progression. More important, we validated these findings in human PCV specimens. Intravitreal delivery of an HTRA1 inhibitor (DPMFKLboroV) was effective (36% lesion reduction; P = 0.009) in preventing PCV initiation but ineffective in treating existing lesions. Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid was effective in preventing PCV progression but ineffective in preventing PCV initiation. These results suggest that PCV pathogenesis occurs through two stages. The initiation stage is mediated by proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix proteins attributable to increased HTRA1 activity, whereas the progression stage is driven by inflammatory cascades. This study provides a basis for understanding the differences between PCV and choroidal neovascularization, and helps guide the design of effective therapies for PCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Hiroyuki Nakashizuka
- Department of Visual Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alex Jones
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alyssia Lambert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Xuchen Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Megan Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mackenzie Parker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Shixian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Zachary Berriochoa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Amrita Fnu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Stephanie VanBeuge
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - Mark Tso
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jon Rainier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Yingbin Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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35
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Lynn SA, Keeling E, Munday R, Gabha G, Griffiths H, Lotery AJ, Ratnayaka JA. The complexities underlying age-related macular degeneration: could amyloid beta play an important role? Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:538-548. [PMID: 28553324 PMCID: PMC5436342 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.205083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes irreversible loss of central vision for which there is no effective treatment. Incipient pathology is thought to occur in the retina for many years before AMD manifests from midlife onwards to affect a large proportion of the elderly. Although genetic as well as non-genetic/environmental risks are recognized, its complex aetiology makes it difficult to identify susceptibility, or indeed what type of AMD develops or how quickly it progresses in different individuals. Here we summarize the literature describing how the Alzheimer's-linked amyloid beta (Aβ) group of misfolding proteins accumulate in the retina. The discovery of this key driver of Alzheimer's disease in the senescent retina was unexpected and surprising, enabling an altogether different perspective of AMD. We argue that Aβ fundamentally differs from other substances which accumulate in the ageing retina, and discuss our latest findings from a mouse model in which physiological amounts of Aβ were subretinally-injected to recapitulate salient features of early AMD within a short period. Our discoveries as well as those of others suggest the pattern of Aβ accumulation and pathology in donor aged/AMD tissues are closely reproduced in mice, including late-stage AMD phenotypes, which makes them highly attractive to study dynamic aspects of Aβ-mediated retinopathy. Furthermore, we discuss our findings revealing how Aβ behaves at single-cell resolution, and consider the long-term implications for neuroretinal function. We propose Aβ as a key element in switching to a diseased retinal phenotype, which is now being used as a biomarker for late-stage AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah A Lynn
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Keeling
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie Munday
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gagandeep Gabha
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Griffiths
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.,Eye Unit, University Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - J Arjuna Ratnayaka
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Orriols M, Varona S, Aguiló S, Galán M, Martínez González J, Rodríguez C. [Inflammation inhibits vascular fibulin-5 expression: Involvement of transcription factor SOX9]. CLINICA E INVESTIGACION EN ARTERIOSCLEROSIS 2016; 28:271-280. [PMID: 27692634 DOI: 10.1016/j.arteri.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibulin-5 (FBLN5) is an elastogenic protein critically involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, a key process in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the possible contribution of FBLN5 to AAA development has not been addressed. METHODS Expression levels were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot in human abdominal aorta from patients with AAA or healthy donors, as well as in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Lentiviral transduction, transient transfections, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were also performed. RESULTS The expression of FBLN5 in human AAA was significantly lower than in healthy donors. FBLN5 mRNA and protein levels and their secretion to the extracellular environment were down-regulated in VSMC exposed to inflammatory stimuli. Interestingly, FBLN5 transcriptional activity was inhibited by TNFα and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and depends on a SOX response element. In fact, SOX9 expression was reduced in VMSC induced by inflammatory mediators and in human AAA, and correlated with that of FBLN5. Furthermore, SOX9 over-expression limited the reduction of FBLN5 expression induced by cytokines in VSMC. Finally, it was observed that SOX9 interacts with FBLN5 promoter, and that this binding was reduced upon TNFα exposure. CONCLUSIONS FBLN5 downregulation in human AAA could contribute to extracellular matrix remodelling induced by the inflammatory component of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Orriols
- Centro de Investigación Cardiovascular (CSIC-ICCC), IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | - Saray Varona
- Centro de Investigación Cardiovascular (CSIC-ICCC), IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | - Silvia Aguiló
- Centro de Investigación Cardiovascular (CSIC-ICCC), IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | - María Galán
- Centro de Investigación Cardiovascular (CSIC-ICCC), IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, España
| | | | - Cristina Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Cardiovascular (CSIC-ICCC), IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, España.
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Kepez Yildiz B, Ozdek S, Ergun MA, Ergun S, Yaylacioglu Tuncay F, Elbeg S. CFH Y402H and VEGF Polymorphisms and Anti-VEGF Treatment Response in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmic Res 2016; 56:132-8. [PMID: 27404493 DOI: 10.1159/000446186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in complement factor H (CFH) Y402H and VEGF rs2146323 and rs699947 in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and their relationship with intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment response. METHODS A total of 109 exudative AMD patients and 70 controls were included. Patients were classified as 'good responders' and 'nonresponders' based on the changes in best corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness, lesion size, and the persistence of retinal hemorrhage after three dosages of anti-VEGF. We examined CFH, VEGF rs2146323 and rs699947 SNPs, and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in both groups. RESULTS In total, 42 patients (38.5%) and 11 controls (15.7%) had homozygote wild genotype TT (p = 0.002). The variant C allele frequency was 45% in controls and 31.7% in patients (p = 0.011). A and C allele frequencies for VEGF rs699947 and rs2416323 were similar between the control and patient groups (p = 0.947, p = 0.378). Both SNPs were similar in responders and nonresponders. No significant difference was detected between plasma IL-6 levels of the control and AMD groups (p = 0.594), but the levels were higher in good responders than nonresponders (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION CFH Y402H SNP might be protective for AMD in the Turkish population. VEGF rs2146323 and rs699947 SNPs have no relationship to exudative AMD formation, and none of these seem to have any effect on anti-VEGF response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcin Kepez Yildiz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Khan KN, Mahroo OA, Khan RS, Mohamed MD, McKibbin M, Bird A, Michaelides M, Tufail A, Moore AT. Differentiating drusen: Drusen and drusen-like appearances associated with ageing, age-related macular degeneration, inherited eye disease and other pathological processes. Prog Retin Eye Res 2016; 53:70-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), widely prevalent across the globe, is a major stakeholder among adult visual morbidity and blindness, not only in the Western world but also in Asia. Several risk factors have been identified, including critical genetic factors, which were never imagined 2 decades ago. The etiopathogenesis is emerging to demonstrate that immune and complement-related inflammation pathway members chronically exposed to environmental insults could justifiably influence disease morbidity and treatment outcomes. Approximately half a dozen physiological and biochemical cascades are disrupted in the AMD disease genesis, eventually leading to the distortion and disruption of the subretinal space, subretinal pigment epithelium, and Bruch membrane, thus setting off chaos and disorder for signs and symptoms to manifest. Approximately 3 dozen genetic factors have so far been identified, including the recent ones, through powerful genomic technologies and large robust sample sizes. The noteworthy genetic variants (common and rare) are complement factor H, complement factor H-related genes 1 to 5, C3, C9, ARMS2/HTRA1, vascular endothelial growth factor A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2/KDR, and rare variants (show causal link) such as TIMP3, fibrillin, COL4A3, MMP19, and MMP9. Despite the enormous amount of scientific information generated over the years, diagnostic genetic or biomarker tests are still not available for clinicians to understand the natural course of the disease and its management in a patient. However, further research in the field should reduce this gap not only by aiding the clinician but also through the possibilities of clinical intervention with complement pathway-related inhibitors entering preclinical and clinical trials in the near future.
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Wang Y, Rajala A, Cao B, Ranjo-Bishop M, Agbaga MP, Mao C, Rajala RV. Cell-Specific Promoters Enable Lipid-Based Nanoparticles to Deliver Genes to Specific Cells of the Retina In Vivo. Theranostics 2016; 6:1514-27. [PMID: 27446487 PMCID: PMC4955052 DOI: 10.7150/thno.15230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-viral vectors, such as lipid-based nanoparticles (liposome-protamine-DNA complex [LPD]), could be used to deliver a functional gene to the retina to correct visual function and treat blindness. However, one of the limitations of LPD is the lack of cell specificity, as the retina is composed of seven types of cells. If the same gene is expressed in multiple cell types or is absent from one desired cell type, LPD-mediated gene delivery to every cell may have off-target effects. To circumvent this problem, we have tested LPD-mediated gene delivery using various generalized, modified, and retinal cell-specific promoters. We achieved retinal pigment epithelium cell specificity with vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD2), rod cell specificity with mouse rhodopsin, cone cell specificity with red/green opsin, and ganglion cell specificity with thymocyte antigen promoters. Here we show for the first time that cell-specific promoters enable lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver genes to specific cells of the retina in vivo. This work will inspire investigators in the field of lipid nanotechnology to couple cell-specific promoters to drive expression in a cell- and tissue-specific manner.
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Lambert NG, ElShelmani H, Singh MK, Mansergh FC, Wride MA, Padilla M, Keegan D, Hogg RE, Ambati BK. Risk factors and biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2016; 54:64-102. [PMID: 27156982 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A biomarker can be a substance or structure measured in body parts, fluids or products that can affect or predict disease incidence. As age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, much research and effort has been invested in the identification of different biomarkers to predict disease incidence, identify at risk individuals, elucidate causative pathophysiological etiologies, guide screening, monitoring and treatment parameters, and predict disease outcomes. To date, a host of genetic, environmental, proteomic, and cellular targets have been identified as both risk factors and potential biomarkers for AMD. Despite this, their use has been confined to research settings and has not yet crossed into the clinical arena. A greater understanding of these factors and their use as potential biomarkers for AMD can guide future research and clinical practice. This article will discuss known risk factors and novel, potential biomarkers of AMD in addition to their application in both academic and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan G Lambert
- Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Hanan ElShelmani
- Ocular Development and Neurobiology Research Group, Zoology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Malkit K Singh
- Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Fiona C Mansergh
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Michael A Wride
- Ocular Development and Neurobiology Research Group, Zoology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Maximilian Padilla
- Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - David Keegan
- Mater Misericordia Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland.
| | - Ruth E Hogg
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Clinical Science Block A, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Balamurali K Ambati
- Ambati Lab, John A. Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Orriols M, Varona S, Martí-Pàmies I, Galán M, Guadall A, Escudero JR, Martín-Ventura JL, Camacho M, Vila L, Martínez-González J, Rodríguez C. Down-regulation of Fibulin-5 is associated with aortic dilation: role of inflammation and epigenetics. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 110:431-42. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Duvvari MR, van de Ven JPH, Geerlings MJ, Saksens NTM, Bakker B, Henkes A, Neveling K, del Rosario M, Westra D, van den Heuvel LPWJ, Schick T, Fauser S, Boon CJF, Hoyng CB, de Jong EK, den Hollander AI. Whole Exome Sequencing in Patients with the Cuticular Drusen Subtype of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152047. [PMID: 27007659 PMCID: PMC4805164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in elderly people worldwide. Cuticular drusen (CD) is a clinical subtype of AMD, which typically displays an earlier age at onset, and has a strong genetic component. Genetic studies support a role for rare sequence variants in CD susceptibility, and rare sequence variants in the CFH gene have been identified in 8.8% of CD cases. To further explore the role of rare variants in CD, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in 14 affected members of six families and 12 sporadic cases with CD. We detected rare sequence variants in CFH and FBLN5, which previously were shown to harbor rare variants in patients with CD. In addition, we detected heterozygous rare sequence variants in several genes encoding components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including FBLN1, FBLN3/EFEMP1, FBLN5, FBLN6/HMCN1, FBN2, and COL15A1. Two rare pathogenic variants were identified in the COL15A1 gene: one in a sporadic case and another was found to segregate in a family with six affected individuals with CD. In addition, two rare pathogenic variants were identified in the FGL1 gene in three unrelated CD cases. These findings suggest that alterations in the ECM and in the coagulation pathway may play a role in the pathogenesis of CD. The identified candidate genes require further analyses in larger cohorts to confirm their role in the CD subtype of AMD. No evidence was found of rare sequence variants in a single gene that segregate with CD in the six families, suggesting that the disease is genetically heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maheswara R. Duvvari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Maartje J. Geerlings
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole T. M. Saksens
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bjorn Bakker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Arjen Henkes
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Kornelia Neveling
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marisol del Rosario
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dineke Westra
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Tina Schick
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sascha Fauser
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Camiel J. F. Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Carel B. Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Eiko K. de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke I. den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Sergejeva O, Botov R, Liutkevičienė R, Kriaučiūnienė L. Genetic factors associated with the development of age-related macular degeneration. MEDICINA-LITHUANIA 2016; 52:79-88. [PMID: 27170480 DOI: 10.1016/j.medici.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula and is the leading cause of significant and irreversible central visual loss. It is the most common cause of visual loss in people aged more than 60 years. This disease affects 2.5 million individuals in Europe. AMD is caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Numerous risk factors have been reported, but the pathogenesis of AMD is complex and fairly understood. Age, female gender, obesity, race, education status, family history, hyperopia, iris color, cigarette smoking, previous cataract surgery, history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, sunlight exposure and many other factors have been shown to be associated with AMD development. Scientific evidence shows that genes may play a role in the development of nearly 3 out of 4 cases of this devastating eye disease. The genes that have been shown to be associated with AMD are genes encoding complement system components such as CFH, C2, C3, CFB, and other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Sergejeva
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Roman Botov
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Liutkevičienė
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania; Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Neuroscience Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Loresa Kriaučiūnienė
- Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Neuroscience Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Mohamedi Y, Fontanil T, Solares L, Garcia-Suárez O, García-Piqueras J, Vega JA, Cal S, Obaya AJ. Fibulin-5 downregulates Ki-67 and inhibits proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2016; 48:1447-56. [PMID: 26891749 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibulins not only function as molecular bridges within the cellular microenvironment but also influence cell behavior. Thus, fibulins may contribute to create a permissive microenvironment for tumor growth but can also stimulate different mechanisms that may impede tumor progression. This is the case with Fibulin-5, which has been shown to display both tumor-promoting and tumor-protective functions by mechanisms that are not totally defined. We show new evidence on the tumor-protective functions displayed by Fibulin-5 in MCF-7, T47D and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells including the inhibition of invasion and proliferation capacity and hampering the ability to form mammospheres. Reduction in the level of phosphorylation of Ser residues involved in the nuclear translocation of β-catenin may underlie these antitumor effects. We also found that Fibulin-5 reduces the level of expression of Ki-67, a nuclear protein associated with cell proliferation. Moreover, reduction in Fibulin-5 expression corresponds to an increase of Ki-67 detection in breast tissue samples. Overall, our data provide new insights into the influence of Fibulin-5 to modify breast cancer cell behavior and contribute to better understand the connections between fibulins and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamina Mohamedi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Tania Fontanil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Laura Solares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Olivia Garcia-Suárez
- Department of Morphology and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jorge García-Piqueras
- Department of Morphology and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jose A Vega
- Department of Morphology and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Santiago Cal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alvaro J Obaya
- Department of Functional Biology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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Malattia Leventinese/Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy: Similarities to Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Potential Therapies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 854:153-8. [PMID: 26427406 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17121-0_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Fibulin-3 (F3) is a secreted, disulfide-rich glycoprotein which is expressed in a variety of tissues within the body, including the retina. An Arg345Trp (R345W) mutation in F3 was identified as the cause of a rare retinal dystrophy, Malattia Leventinese/Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy (ML/DHRD). ML/DHRD shares many phenotypic similarities with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The most prominent feature of ML/DHRD is the development of radial or honeycomb patterns of drusen which can develop as early as adolescence. Two independent mouse models of ML/DHRD show evidence of complement activation as well as retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy, strengthening the phenotypic connection with AMD. Because of its similarities with AMD, ML/DHRD is receiving increasing interest as a potential surrogate disease to study the underpinnings of AMD. This mini-review summarizes the current knowledge of F3 and points toward potential therapeutic strategies which directly or indirectly target cellular dysfunction associated with R345W F3.
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Clinically detectable drusen domains in fibulin-5-associated age-related macular degeneration (AMD) : Drusen subdomains in fibulin-5 AMD. Int Ophthalmol 2015; 36:569-75. [PMID: 26694911 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-015-0164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate whether drusen of subjects with fibulin-5 mutation-associated age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have clinically demonstrable drusen domains as evidenced by differences between color and fluorescein angiographic profiles. Of seven patients we identified with AMD due to mutations in the fibulin-5 gene (Fib-5 AMD), five had color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography (FA). One had bilateral choroidal neovascularization and no drusen. For each eye, the green channel (GC) of the digital RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color image and hyperfluorescent domain (HD) intensity of the FA image were registered and drusen were manually segmented and measured. Totally 75 small (≤62 μm), 110 intermediate (63-125 μm), and 30 large (>125 μm) drusen were measured in four patients within the 6 × 6 mm central macular areas. All four subjects demonstrated central or paracentral HDs within each drusen perimeter. HDs were found in association with each druse, with a HD/GC ratio of 0.82, 0.76, and 0.72 respectively for small, intermediate, and large drusen (Student T Test: P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). A statistical difference was found for the HD/GC ratios between small- and intermediate-sized drusen and small- and large-sized drusen but not between intermediate-sized and large-sized drusen (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P > 0.05, respectively). AMD patients with mutations in fibulin-5 share drusen phenotypic structure and have HD/GC ratios that are similar to individuals with cuticular or basal laminar drusen. Drusen substructure may reflect similarities in drusen stage and/or genesis and appear to vary among AMD genotypes.
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Vanakker O, Callewaert B, Malfait F, Coucke P. The Genetics of Soft Connective Tissue Disorders. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2015; 16:229-55. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-090314-050039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Vanakker
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Bert Callewaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Fransiska Malfait
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Paul Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
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Simvastatin Increases Fibulin-2 Expression in Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells via RhoA/Rho-Kinase Signaling Pathway Inhibition. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26207907 PMCID: PMC4514789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition and structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the vascular wall and in the atherosclerotic plaque are important factors that determine plaque stability. Statins can stabilize atherosclerotic plaques by modulating ECM protein expression. Fibulins are important components of the ECM. We evaluated the in vitro effect of simvastatin on the expression of fibulin-1, -2, -4 and -5 in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the mechanisms involved. Cells were incubated with simvastatin (0.05–1 μM), mevalonate (100 and 200 μM), geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) (15 μM), farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) (15 μM), the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 (15 and 20 μM), the Rac-1 inhibitor (another member of Rho family) NSC23766 (100 μM), arachidonic acid (a RhoA/ROCK activator, 25–100 μM) and other fatty acids that are not activators of RhoA/ROCK (25–100 μM). Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, and fibulin protein levels were analyzed by western blotting and ELISA. Simvastatin induced a significant increase in mRNA and protein levels of fibulin-2 at 24 hours of incubation (p<0.05), but it did not affect fibulin-1, -4, and -5 expression. Mevalonate and GGPP were able to reverse simvastatin’s effect, while FPP did not. In addition, Y-27632, but not NSC23766, significantly increased fibulin-2 expression. Furthermore, activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway with arachidonic acid decreased fibulin-2 mRNA. Simvastatin increased mRNA levels and protein expression of the ECM protein fibulin-2 through a RhoA and Rho-Kinase-mediated pathway. This increase could affect the composition and structure of the ECM.
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Romano GL, Platania CBM, Forte S, Salomone S, Drago F, Bucolo C. MicroRNA target prediction in glaucoma. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2015; 220:217-40. [PMID: 26497793 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2015.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the industrialized countries. The aim of this study is to investigate microRNA (miRNA) regulation in glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases, that share similar pathways, by means of in silico approaches such as bibliographic search and access to bioinformatic resources. First of all, data mining was carried out on Human miRNA Disease Database (HMDD) and miR2Disease databases. Then, predictions of deregulated miRNAs were carried out accessing to microrna.org database. Finally, the potential combinatorial effect of miRNAs, on regulation of biochemical pathways, was studied by an enrichment analysis performed by DIANA-miRPath v.2.0. We found, from literature search, 8 deregulated miRNAs in glaucoma and 9 and 23 in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), respectively. One miRNA is commonly deregulated in glaucoma and AMD (miR-23a). Two miRNAs (miR-29a, miR-29b) are common to glaucoma and AD, and four miRNAs were identified to be commonly deregulated in AMD and AD (miR-9, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-146a). The match of the miRNA common to glaucoma and the other two neurodegenerative diseases (AMD and AD) did not generate any output. Enrichment of information has been reached through miRNAs prediction: 88 predicted miRNAs are common to glaucoma and AMD, 19 are common to glaucoma and AD, and 9 are common to AMD and AD. Indeed, predicted miRNAs common to the three neurodegenerative diseases are nine (miR-107, miR-137, miR-146a, miR-181c, miR-197, miR-21, miR-22, miR-590, miR-9). DIANA-miRPath predicted that those nine miRNAs might regulate pathways involved in inflammation. The findings hereby obtained provide a valuable hint to assess deregulation of specific miRNA, as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, in glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases by means of preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Romano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Bianca Maria Platania
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudio Bucolo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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