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Gómez-Deza J, Nebiyou M, Alkaslasi MR, Nadal-Nicolás FM, Somasundaram P, Slavutsky AL, Li W, Ward ME, Watkins TA, Le Pichon CE. DLK-dependent axonal mitochondrial fission drives degeneration after axotomy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:10806. [PMID: 39737939 PMCID: PMC11686342 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54982-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 11/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/01/2025] Open
Abstract
Currently there are no effective treatments for an array of neurodegenerative disorders to a large part because cell-based models fail to recapitulate disease. Here we develop a reproducible human iPSC-based model where laser axotomy causes retrograde axon degeneration leading to neuronal cell death. Time-lapse confocal imaging revealed that damage triggers an apoptotic wave of mitochondrial fission proceeding from the site of injury to the soma. We demonstrate that this apoptotic wave is locally initiated in the axon by dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK). We find that mitochondrial fission and resultant cell death are entirely dependent on phosphorylation of dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1) downstream of DLK, revealing a mechanism by which DLK can drive apoptosis. Importantly, we show that CRISPR mediated Drp1 depletion protects mouse retinal ganglion neurons from degeneration after optic nerve crush. Our results provide a platform for studying degeneration of human neurons, pinpoint key early events in damage related neural death and provide potential focus for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gómez-Deza
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew Nebiyou
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mor R Alkaslasi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Anastasia L Slavutsky
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wei Li
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael E Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Trent A Watkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Claire E Le Pichon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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2
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Bauer D, Böhm MRR, Wu X, Wang B, Jalilvand TV, Busch M, Kasper M, Brockhaus K, Wildschütz L, Melkonyan H, Laffer B, Meyer Zu Hörste G, Heiligenhaus A, Thanos S. Crystallin β-b2 promotes retinal ganglion cell protection in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1379540. [PMID: 39318470 PMCID: PMC11419989 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1379540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Crystallin βb2 (crybb2) is upregulated in regenerating retinas and in various pathological conditions of the retina, including uveoretinitis. However, the role of crybb2 in this disease is largely unknown. Therefore, we used recombinant crybb2 (rcrybb2) as intravitreal treatment of B10.RIII mice prior to immunization with human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein peptide 161-180 (hIRBPp161-180) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and concomitant injection of pertussis toxin (PTX) to induce experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). In naïve mice, more beta III-tubulin (TUBB3) + and RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS) + cells were found in the ganglion cell layer of the retina than in EAU eyes, suggesting a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) during the development of EAU. At the same time, the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) + cells increased in EAU eyes. RGCs were better protected in EAU eyes treated with rcrybb2, while the number of GFAP+ cells decreased. However, in retinal flatmounts, both retinal ganglion cells and retinal endothelial cells stained positive for TUBB3, indicating that TUBB3 is present in naïve B10.RIII mouse eyes not exclusive to RGCs. A significant decline in the number of RBPMS-positive retinal ganglion cells was observed in retinal flatmounts from EAU retinas in comparison to naïve retinas or EAU retinas with intravitreal rcrybb2 treatment. Whereas no significant decrease in TUBB3 levels was detected using Western blot and RT-qPCR, GFAP level, as a marker for astrocytes, increased in EAU mice compared to naïve mice. Level of Bax and Bcl2 in the retina was altered by treatment, suggesting better cell survival and inhibition of apoptosis. Furthermore, our histologic observations of the eyes showed no change in the incidence and severity of EAU, nor was the immune response affected by intravitreal rcrybb2 treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that intravitreal injection of rcrybb2 reduces retinal RGC death during the course of EAU, independent of local or systemic autoimmune responses. In the future, treating posterior uveitis with rcrybb2 to protect RGCs may offer a promising novel therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Bauer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael R. R. Böhm
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Ophthalmology, Westfalian-Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyu Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Tida Viola Jalilvand
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Ophthalmology, Westfalian-Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Busch
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Maren Kasper
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Katrin Brockhaus
- Institute for Experimental Ophthalmology, Westfalian-Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Physiological Biochemistry, Westfalian-Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Wildschütz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Harutyun Melkonyan
- Institute for Experimental Ophthalmology, Westfalian-Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Björn Laffer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Arnd Heiligenhaus
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ophtha-Lab at St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Solon Thanos
- Institute for Experimental Ophthalmology, Westfalian-Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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3
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Gómez-Deza J, Nebiyou M, Alkaslasi MR, Nadal-Nicolás FM, Somasundaran P, Slavutsky AL, Ward ME, Li W, Watkins TA, Le Pichon CE. DLK-dependent axonal mitochondrial fission drives degeneration following axotomy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.30.526132. [PMID: 36778383 PMCID: PMC9915495 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Currently there are no effective treatments for an array of neurodegenerative disorders to a large part because cell-based models fail to recapitulate disease. Here we developed a reproducible human iPSC-based model where laser axotomy causes retrograde axon degeneration leading to neuronal cell death. Time-lapse confocal imaging revealed that damage triggers an apoptotic wave of mitochondrial fission proceeding from the site of injury to the soma. We demonstrated that this apoptotic wave is locally initiated in the axon by dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK). We found that mitochondrial fission and resultant cell death are entirely dependent on phosphorylation of dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1) downstream of DLK, revealing a new mechanism by which DLK can drive apoptosis. Importantly, we show that CRISPR mediated Drp1 depletion protected mouse retinal ganglion neurons from degeneration after optic nerve crush. Our results provide a powerful platform for studying degeneration of human neurons, pinpoint key early events in damage related neural death and new focus for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gómez-Deza
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Matthew Nebiyou
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Mor R Alkaslasi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | | | | | - Anastasia L Slavutsky
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Michael E Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Wei Li
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Trent A Watkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco
| | - Claire E Le Pichon
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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4
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Yao Y, Xu Y, Liang JJ, Zhuang X, Ng TK. Longitudinal and simultaneous profiling of 11 modes of cell death in mouse retina post-optic nerve injury. Exp Eye Res 2022; 222:109159. [PMID: 35753433 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death is a critical pathological trigger leading to irreversible visual impairment and blindness after optic nerve (ON) injury. Yet, there is still no effective clinical treatment to rescue RGC death after ON injury. Understanding the involvement of different modes of cell death post-ON injury could facilitate the development of targeting treatments against RGC death. Herein we aimed to characterize the regulation of 11 modes of cell death simultaneously and longitudinally in mouse retina post-ON injury. The number of RGCs gradually decreased from Day 3-14 in mice post-ON injury. Increase in the apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3), autolysis (cleaved cathespin B) and pyroptosis (cleaved caspase-1) marker expression in the retina began at Day 3 post-ON injury. Meanwhile, the markers for autophagy (Atg7 and Becn1) and phagocytosis (Mfge8 and Mertk) were downregulated from Day 1 to Day 5. Additionally, the expression of ferroptosis marker (4-hydroxynonenal) was upregulated from Day 7 to Day 14 post-ON injury following the early reduction of Gpx4. Yet, the reduction of parthanatos, sarmoptosis, and mitochondrial permeable transition could be related to autophagy and apoptosis. The markers for necroptosis did not show significant changes post-ON injury. In summary, this study revealed that the activation of apoptosis, autolysis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, together with the early downregulation of autophagy and phagocytosis, are the major modes of cell death involved in the RGC death post-ON injury. Simultaneously targeting multiple modes of cell death at different time courses could be a potential treatment approach against RGC death for traumatic optic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanxuan Xu
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Jian Liang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Zhuang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tsz Kin Ng
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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5
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Shi L, Hou B. Urokinase Regulates Heat Shock Protein 27 to Treat Chronic Glaucoma Rats. J BIOMATER TISS ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbt.2022.3036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study explored urokinase’s effect on the production of heat shock protein 27 in chronic glaucoma rats. 45 SD rats were equally assigned into healthy group, glaucoma group, and urokinase group followed by analysis of intraocular pressure by TONO-PENAVVI tonometer, apoptosis
of retinal ganglion cells by TUNEL staining, pathological morphology by H&E staining, levels of SOD, MDA, and NO as well as the expression of HSP27 and p-p38MAPK. After treatment, the intraocular pressure was increased in glaucoma group and decreased in urokinase group (P < 0.05).
In addition, glaucoma group showed significantly increased apoptosis rate (P < 0.05) which was decreased in urokinase group (P < 0.05). In glaucoma group, the nerve fibers were disorderly arranged and ganglion cells were greatly reduced which were improved in urokinase
group. Compared to healthy group, glaucoma group had lower MDA level and higher SOD levels (P < 0.05) which were reversed in urokinase group (P < 0.05). HSP27 and P-P38MAPK levels in glaucoma group were higher than healthy group (P < 0.05) and urokinase group
(P < 0.05). In conclusion, urokinase can reduce the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma rats and protect the function of the optic nerve by reducing the level of HSP27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shi
- Department of Outpatient, Jingnan Medical Treatment Area, Chinese the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, 100036, China
| | - Baoke Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chinese the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, 100036, China
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6
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Histological and molecular characterization of glaucoma model induced by one or two injections of microbeads to the anterior chamber of mice. Int Ophthalmol 2022; 42:3763-3775. [PMID: 35731354 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize glaucoma-induced damage following injections of plastic microbeads into the anterior chamber of mice. METHODS Mice were divided into three groups: a single plastic microbeads injection (n = 21); two consecutive plastic microbead injections to the right eye at 1-week intervals, 4 of which with two consecutive saline injections in the left eye (n = 15); and an additional control group of two consecutive saline injections at 1-week intervals (n = 6). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured weekly. Retinal thickness, ganglion cells (RGCs) and axonal loss, inflammatory and gliosis reactions were measured at week four. Molecular analysis using qRT-PCR in the microbeads injection groups focused on expression levels of inflammation and glaucoma-related genes. RESULTS Mean IOP following single injection at 4 weeks was significantly elevated compared to baseline in injected eyes (14.5 ± 3.3 mmHg vs. 11.1 ± 2.5 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.003) and not in fellow eyes (13.2 ± 2.9 mmHg vs. 12.2 ± 2.9, respectively, NS). Six (35.3%) bead-injected eyes had IOP ≥ 17 mmHg compared with 2 (11.8%) saline-injected control eyes. Retinal thickness in injected and fellow eyes was 193.7 ± 15.5 µm and 223.9 ± 15.5 µm, respectively (p = 0.03). RGC loss in injected and fellow eyes was 16.0 ± 0.5 and 17.6 ± 0.7 cells per 200 µm, respectively (p = 0.005). Retinal gliosis, axonal loss and inflammatory cell infiltration to the bead-injected eyes were noted. Molecular analysis following double injection showed STAT3 expression decreased in the glaucoma-induced optic nerves (0.69 ± 0.3 vs. 1.16 ± 0.3, p = 0.04), but increased in the glaucoma-induced retinae (p = 0.05) versus saline; retinal IL-1β decreased significantly (0.04 ± 0.04 vs. 0.36 ± 0.2, p = 0.02). TNF-α, NFkB and SOD-1 expression did not change. CONCLUSION One/two injections of microbeads elevated IOP, with measurable neuronal damage. An inflammatory response was detected in the injured retina and optic nerve. The therapeutic significance of these findings should be explored.
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7
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Huang T, Li H, Zhang S, Liu F, Wang D, Xu J. Nrn1 Overexpression Attenuates Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis, Promotes Axonal Regeneration, and Improves Visual Function Following Optic Nerve Crush in Rats. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 71:66-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01627-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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8
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Millán-Rivero JE, Nadal-Nicolás FM, García-Bernal D, Sobrado-Calvo P, Blanquer M, Moraleda JM, Vidal-Sanz M, Agudo-Barriuso M. Human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells protect axotomized rat retinal ganglion cells via secretion of anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic factors. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16299. [PMID: 30389962 PMCID: PMC6214908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is emerging as an ideal tool to restore the wounded central nervous system (CNS). MSCs isolated from extra-embryonic tissues have some advantages compared to MSCs derived from adult ones, such as an improved proliferative capacity, life span, differentiation potential and immunomodulatory properties. In addition, they are more immunoprivileged, reducing the probability of being rejected by the recipient. Umbilical cords (UCs) are a good source of MSCs because they are abundant, safe, non-invasively harvested after birth and, importantly, they are not encumbered with ethical problems. Here we show that the intravitreal transplant of Wharton´s jelly mesenchymal stem cells isolated from three different human UCs (hWJMSCs) delays axotomy-induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. In vivo, hWJMSCs secrete anti-inflammatory molecules and trophic factors, the latter alone may account for the elicited neuroprotection. Interestingly, this expression profile differs between naive and injured retinas, suggesting that the environment in which the hWJMSCs are modulates their secretome. Finally, even though the transplant itself is not toxic for RGCs, it is not innocuous as it triggers a transient but massive infiltration of Iba1+cells from the choroid to the retina that alters the retinal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose E Millán-Rivero
- Unidad de Terapia Celular y Trasplante Hematopoyético. Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,Dpto Medicina Interna, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco M Nadal-Nicolás
- Dpto Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Grupo de Oftalmología Experimental, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,Retinal Neurophysiology Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David García-Bernal
- Unidad de Terapia Celular y Trasplante Hematopoyético. Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,Dpto Medicina Interna, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Paloma Sobrado-Calvo
- Dpto Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Grupo de Oftalmología Experimental, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Miguel Blanquer
- Unidad de Terapia Celular y Trasplante Hematopoyético. Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,Dpto Medicina Interna, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose M Moraleda
- Unidad de Terapia Celular y Trasplante Hematopoyético. Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,Dpto Medicina Interna, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Vidal-Sanz
- Dpto Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Grupo de Oftalmología Experimental, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Marta Agudo-Barriuso
- Dpto Oftalmología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain. .,Grupo de Oftalmología Experimental, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.
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9
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Daniel S, Clark AF, McDowell CM. Subtype-specific response of retinal ganglion cells to optic nerve crush. Cell Death Discov 2018; 4:7. [PMID: 30062056 PMCID: PMC6054657 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-018-0069-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss, optic nerve degeneration and subsequent vision loss. There are about 30 different subtypes of RGCs whose response to glaucomatous injury is not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of 4 RGC subtypes in a mouse model of optic nerve crush (ONC). In this study, we also evaluated the pattern of axonal degeneration in RGC subtypes after nerve injury. We found that out of the 4 subtypes, transient-Off α RGCs are the most susceptible to injury followed by On-Off direction selective RGCs (DSGC). Non-image forming RGCs are more resilient with ipRGCs exhibiting the most resistance of them all. In contrast, axons degenerate irrespective of their retinal soma after ONC injury. In conclusion, we show that RGCs have subtype specific cell death response to ONC injury and that RGC axons disintegrate in an autonomous fashion undergoing Wallerian degeneration. These discoveries can further direct us towards effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to treat optic neuropathies, such as glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Daniel
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas United States
| | - AF Clark
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas United States
| | - CM McDowell
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas United States
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10
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Involvement of P2X7 receptor in neuronal degeneration triggered by traumatic injury. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38499. [PMID: 27929040 PMCID: PMC5144087 DOI: 10.1038/srep38499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal injury is a common feature of central nervous system insults that culminates with the death of the affected neurons, and an irreversible loss of function. Inflammation is an important component of the neurodegenerative process, where the microglia plays an important role by releasing proinflammatory factors as well as clearing the death neurons by phagocytosis. Here we have identified the purinergic signaling through the P2X7 receptor as an important component for the neuronal death in a model of optic nerve axotomy. We have found that in P2X7 receptor deficient mice there is a delayed loss of retinal ganglion cells and a decrease of phagocytic microglia at early times points after axotomy. In contralateral to the axotomy retinas, P2X7 receptor controlled the numbers of phagocytic microglia, suggesting that extracellular ATP could act as a danger signal activating the P2X7 receptor in mediating the loss of neurons in contralateral retinas. Finally, we show that intravitreal administration of the selective P2X7 receptor antagonist A438079 also delays axotomy-induced retinal ganglion cell death in retinas from wild type mice. Thus, our work demonstrates that P2X7 receptor signaling is involved in neuronal cell death after axonal injury, being P2X7 receptor antagonism a potential therapeutic strategy.
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11
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Hong CJH, Siddiqui AM, Sabljic TF, Ball AK. Changes in parvalbumin immunoreactive retinal ganglion cells and amacrine cells after optic nerve injury. Exp Eye Res 2015; 145:363-372. [PMID: 26601926 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PARV) is a Ca(2+)-binding protein that may offer resistance to cell death as it primarily functions to maintain Ca(2+) homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PARV expressing retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) would be more resistant to cell death than RGCs that do not express PARV. RGCs in Sprague-Dawley rats were retrogradely labeled with Fluorogold (FG). After 2-28 days following an optic nerve crush (ONC) injury immunohistochemistry was performed on the sections using antibodies against PARV and markers of RGCs. The proportion of retinal ganglion cell layer cells labeled with PARV colocalized with FG or Brn3a and labeled only with PARV (displaced amacrine cells; dACs) were analyzed. PARV staining intensity was measured in ACs, dACs, and RGCs. Double labeling studies revealed that 49% of RGCs and 22% of dACs expressed PARV. There was an immediate reduction in RGC PARV staining after ONC but the overall rate of cell death after 28 days was similar in PARV and non-PARV expressing RGCs. There was no change in PARV AC or dAC number or staining intensity. Although this study suggests that there is no selective survival of the subpopulation of RGCs that contain PARV, there is down-regulation of PARV expression by these RGCs. This suggests that down-regulation of PARV may contribute to RGC death due to a compromised Ca(2+) buffering capacity. Maintaining PARV expression after injury could be an important neuroprotective strategy to improve RGC survival after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Joon Ho Hong
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Ahad M Siddiqui
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Thomas F Sabljic
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Alexander K Ball
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5, Canada.
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12
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Morzaev D, Nicholson JD, Caspi T, Weiss S, Hochhauser E, Goldenberg-Cohen N. Toll-like receptor-4 knockout mice are more resistant to optic nerve crush damage than wild-type mice. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2015; 43:655-65. [PMID: 25752496 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to investigate the role of the inflammatory response following optic nerve crush (ONC) in knockout mice for the toll-like receptor-4 gene (TLR4-/-) compared to wild-type (WT) mice. METHODS ONC was induced in TLR4-/- and C57BL6 WT mice. Histological sections of the retina and optic nerve were analysed on days 1, 3 or 21 after injury. Molecular analysis with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to study the expression of CD45, tumour necrosis-alpha (TNF-α) and glial fibrillary acidic protein, as well as retinal ganglion cell (RGC) markers THY-1 and Brn3b. RESULTS There was a 25.5% and 38% loss in the RGC layer of the ONC-injured eyes of the TLR4-/- and the WT mice, respectively (with 27% and 9% of the remaining cells positive for Brn3a, respectively). Mean levels of Thy-1 and Brn3b were higher in the TLR4-/- mice. CD45 and Iba1 staining revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells into the injured nerve and retina in both groups. Molecular analysis of the optic nerve on day 1 showed increased TNF-α expression and reduced CD45 and GFAP expression; on day 3, CD45 reverted to baseline but GFAP remained low; on day 21, all 3 markers were at baseline in the TLR4-/- group and decreased in the WT group. CONCLUSION Inflammation plays a major role in the response to ONC injury. Reduced levels of inflammation are associated with improved RGC preservation. The increase in TNF-α and reduction in CD45 in both TLR4-/- and WT mice may indicate the presence of an alternative pathway for induction of RGC death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Morzaev
- The Krieger Eye Research Laboratory, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - James D Nicholson
- The Krieger Eye Research Laboratory, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tomm Caspi
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shirel Weiss
- The Krieger Eye Research Laboratory, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Edith Hochhauser
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Laboratory of Cardiac Research, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Nitza Goldenberg-Cohen
- The Krieger Eye Research Laboratory, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Ophthalmology, Pediatric Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
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13
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Li D, Wang C, Shan W, Zeng R, Fang Y, Wang P. Human amnion tissue injected with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells repairs damaged sciatic nerves in rats. Neural Regen Res 2015; 7:1771-8. [PMID: 25624800 PMCID: PMC4302525 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.23.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, incorporated into an amnion carrier tubes, were assessed for nerve regeneration potential in a rat nerve defect model. Damaged nerves were exposed to human amnion carriers containing either human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (cell transplantation group) or saline (control group). At 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after cell implantation, the sciatic functional index was higher in the cell transplantation group compared with the control group. Furthermore, electrophysiological examination showed that threshold stimulus and maximum stimulus intensity gradually decreased while compound action potential amplitude gradually increased. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that regenerating nerve fibers were arranged in nerve tracts in the cell transplantation group and connective tissue between nerve tracts and amnion tissue reduced over time. Gastrocnemius muscle cell diameter, wet weight and restoration ratio were increased. These data indicate that transplanted human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, using the amnion tube connection method, promote restoration of damaged sciatic nerves in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Li
- Department of Anatomy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Changhui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Fushun Second Hospital, Fushun 113001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei Shan
- Department of Anatomy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ruixia Zeng
- Department of Anatomy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yan Fang
- Department of Anatomy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China
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14
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Huang Y, Xu Y, Cheng Q, Yu S, Gao Y, Shu Q, Yang C, Sun Y, Wang J, Xu F, Liang X. The expression changes of myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) following optic nerve crush in adult rats retinal ganglion cells. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 54:614-21. [PMID: 24878628 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0332-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL), a component of compact myelin, is highly expressed in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. It has been reported that MAL may play a vital role in the process of neuronal apoptosis following acute spinal cord injury. However, acquaintance regarding its distribution and possible function in the retina is limited. Therefore, in a rodent model of optic nerve crush (ONC), the dynamic changes of MAL in retina was detected. The expression of MAL was mainly located in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and was increased strongly after ONC. The peak of MAL expression appeared on the third day. In addition, there was a concomitant upregulation of active-caspase-3, which also co-localized with MAL in RGCs. Moreover, co-localization of MAL with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was detected in RGCs after ONC. Collectively, all these results suggested that the upregulation of MAL might play an important role in the pathophysiology of RGCs after ONC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
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15
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Sharma TP, McDowell CM, Liu Y, Wagner AH, Thole D, Faga BP, Wordinger RJ, Braun TA, Clark AF. Optic nerve crush induces spatial and temporal gene expression patterns in retina and optic nerve of BALB/cJ mice. Mol Neurodegener 2014; 9:14. [PMID: 24767545 PMCID: PMC4113182 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-9-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Central nervous system (CNS) trauma and neurodegenerative disorders trigger a cascade of cellular and molecular events resulting in neuronal apoptosis and regenerative failure. The pathogenic mechanisms and gene expression changes associated with these detrimental events can be effectively studied using a rodent optic nerve crush (ONC) model. The purpose of this study was to use a mouse ONC model to: (a) evaluate changes in retina and optic nerve (ON) gene expression, (b) identify neurodegenerative pathogenic pathways and (c) discover potential new therapeutic targets. Results Only 54% of total neurons survived in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) 28 days post crush. Using Bayesian Estimation of Temporal Regulation (BETR) gene expression analysis, we identified significantly altered expression of 1,723 and 2,110 genes in the retina and ON, respectively. Meta-analysis of altered gene expression (≥1.5, ≤-1.5, p < 0.05) using Partek and DAVID demonstrated 28 up and 20 down-regulated retinal gene clusters and 57 up and 41 down-regulated optic nerve clusters. Regulated gene clusters included regenerative change, synaptic plasticity, axonogenesis, neuron projection, and neuron differentiation. Expression of selected genes (Vsnl1, Syt1, Synpr and Nrn1) from retinal and ON neuronal clusters were quantitatively and qualitatively examined for their relation to axonal neurodegeneration by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Conclusion A number of detrimental gene expression changes occur that contribute to trauma-induced neurodegeneration after injury to ON axons. Nrn1 (synaptic plasticity gene), Synpr and Syt1 (synaptic vesicle fusion genes), and Vsnl1 (neuron differentiation associated gene) were a few of the potentially unique genes identified that were down-regulated spatially and temporally in our rodent ONC model. Bioinformatic meta-analysis identified significant tissue-specific and time-dependent gene clusters associated with regenerative changes, synaptic plasticity, axonogenesis, neuron projection, and neuron differentiation. These ONC induced neuronal loss and regenerative failure associated clusters can be extrapolated to changes occurring in other forms of CNS trauma or in clinical neurodegenerative pathological settings. In conclusion, this study identified potential therapeutic targets to address two key mechanisms of CNS trauma and neurodegeneration: neuronal loss and regenerative failure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Abbot F Clark
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Ft, Worth, TX USA.
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16
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Romano MR, Biagioni F, Besozzi G, Carrizzo A, Vecchione C, Fornai F, Lograno MD. Effects of bevacizumab on neuronal viability of retinal ganglion cells in rats. Brain Res 2012; 1478:55-63. [PMID: 23046588 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Revised: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of single and repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab on various retinal layers focusing more on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in healthy rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizimab (4 μL) within right eye. Left eyes were injected with the same volume of balanced salt solution (BSS) and used as control. Ten rats received a single intravitreal injection and ten rats had three injections, with seven days time interval. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed in order to find out if some degree of apoptosis could occur on RGCs. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed that bevacizumab induces neuronal loss compared to control eyes, after multiple injections. RGCs apoptosis after multiple treatments was demonstrated to occur by TUNEL, Annexin V and Bax assays. The loss of ganglion cells following repeated injections was confirmed and quantified by the decrease in RGC specific protein Brn3a measured by western blotting in ten additional rats. The present results need to be considered when multiple intravitreal injection of bevacizumab are performed to treat retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Romano
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Scienze Farmacologiche, Università di Bari, Bari, Italy.
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17
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Goldenberg-Cohen N, Raiter A, Gaydar V, Dratviman-Storobinsky O, Goldstein T, Weizman A, Hardy B. Peptide-binding GRP78 protects neurons from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis 2012; 17:278-288. [PMID: 22120956 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-011-0678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Brain ischemia has major consequences leading to the apoptosis of astrocytes and neurons. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) known for its role in endoplasmic reticulum stress alleviation was discovered on several cell surfaces acting as a receptor for signaling pathways. We have previously described peptides that bind cell surface GRP78 on endothelial cells to induce angiogenesis. We have also reported that ADoPep1 binds cardiomyocytes to prevent apoptosis of ischemic heart cells. In this study we describe the effect of hypoxia on astrocytes and neurons cell surface GRP78. Under hypoxic conditions, there was an increase of more than fivefold in GRP78 on cell surface of neurons while astrocytes were not affected. The addition of the GRP78 binding peptide, ADoPep1, to neurons decreased the percentage of GRP78 positive cells and did not change the percent of astrocytes. However, a significant increase in early and late apoptosis of both astrocytes and neurons under hypoxia was attenuated in the presence of ADoPep1. Intravitreal administration of ADoPep1 to mice in a model of optic nerve crush significantly reduced retinal cell loss after 21 days compared to the crush-damaged eyes without treatment or by control saline vehicle injection. Histological staining demonstrated reduced GRP78 after ADoPep1 treatment. The mechanism of peptide neuroprotection was demonstrated by the inhibition of hypoxia induced caspase 3/7 activity, cytochrome c release and p38 phosphorylation. This study is the first report on hypoxic neuronal and astrocyte cell surface GRP78 and suggests a potential therapeutic target for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitza Goldenberg-Cohen
- Eye Research Laboratory, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Tel-Aviv University, School of Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel
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