Histone Deacetylases Inhibitors in the Treatment of Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Overview and Perspectives

Epigenetic Switches in Retinal Homeostasis and Target for Drug Development

Retinal homeostasis, a tightly regulated process maintaining the functional integrity of the retina, is vital for visual function. Emerging research has unveiled the critical role of epigenetic regulation in controlling gene expression patterns during retinal development, maintenance, and response to mutational loads and injuries. Epigenetic switches, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, play pivotal roles in orchestrating retinal gene expression and cellular responses through various intracellular, extracellular, and environmental modulators. This review compiles the current knowledge on epigenetic switches in retinal homeostasis, providing a deeper understanding of their impact on retinal structural integrity and function and using them as potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Advances in Ophthalmic Epigenetics and Implications for Epigenetic Therapies: A Review

The epigenome represents a vast molecular apparatus that writes, reads, and erases chemical modifications to the DNA and histone code without changing the DNA base-pair sequence itself. Recent advances in molecular sequencing technology have revealed that epigenetic chromatin marks directly mediate critical events in retinal development, aging, and degeneration. Epigenetic signaling regulates retinal progenitor (RPC) cell cycle exit during retinal laminar development, giving rise to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), amacrine cells, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, photoreceptors, and Müller glia. Age-related epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation in the retina and optic nerve are accelerated in pathogenic conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, but reversing these epigenetic marks may represent a novel therapeutic target. Epigenetic writers also integrate environmental signals such as hypoxia, inflammation, and hyperglycemia in complex retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors protect against apoptosis and photoreceptor degeneration in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The epigenome represents an intriguing therapeutic target for age-, genetic-, and neovascular-related retinal diseases, though more work is needed before advancement to clinical trials.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor butyrate inhibits the cellular immunity and increases the serum immunity of pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii

Histone acetylation is a dynamic epigenetic modification and sensitive to the changes in extracellular environment. Butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, can inhibit the deacetylation process of histones. In this study, we found that the acetylation level of H3 was enhanced at 12 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and increased at 6 h after combining treatment with LPS and butyrate in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. Transcriptome analysis indicated that butyrate counter-regulated 29.95%-36.35% of the genes repressed by LPS, and these genes were mainly enriched in the "cell proliferation" and "Notch signaling pathway". Meanwhile, butyrate inhibited the up-regulation of 31.54%-54.96% of the genes induced by LPS, and these genes were mainly enriched in "Notch signaling pathway", "cell proliferation", "NF-kappa B signaling pathway", "TNF signaling pathway", "apoptosis", "NOD-like receptor signaling pathway", "RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway" and "cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway". Gene expression analysis showed that butyrate downregulated most of cell proliferation, immune-related genes effected by LPS. The activities of LAP, LYS, ACP, ALP, and GSH-Px were up-regulated at 6 h after combining treatment with LPS and butyrate, suggesting that butyrate could activate serum immune-related enzymes in pearl oyster. These results can improve our understanding of the function of histone deacetylase in the immune response of pearl oyster and provide references for an in-depth study of the functions of histone deacetylase in mollusks.

Innate immunity dysregulation in aging eye and therapeutic interventions

The prevalence of eye diseases increases considerably with age, resulting in significant vision impairment. Although the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases has been studied extensively, the contribution of immune-related changes due to aging remains elusive. In the eye, tissue-resident cells and infiltrating immune cells regulate innate responses during injury or infection. But due to aging, these cells lose their protective functions and acquire pathological phenotypes. Thus, dysregulated ocular innate immunity in the elderly increases the susceptibility and severity of eye diseases. Herein, we emphasize the impact of aging on the ocular innate immune system in the pathogenesis of infectious and non-infectious eye diseases. We discuss the role of age-related alterations in cellular metabolism, epigenetics, and cellular senescence as mechanisms underlying altered innate immune functions. Finally, we describe approaches to restore protective innate immune functions in the aging eye. Overall, the review summarizes our current understanding of innate immune functions in eye diseases and their dysregulation during aging.

Chondroprotective Effects of a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Panobinostat, on Pain Behavior and Cartilage Degradation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection-Induced Experimental Osteoarthritic Rats

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common articular degenerative disease characterized by chronic pain, joint inflammation, and movement limitations, which are significantly influenced by aberrant epigenetic modifications of numerous OA-susceptible genes. Recent studies revealed that both the abnormal activation and differential expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) might contribute to OA pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the chondroprotective effects of a marine-derived HDAC inhibitor, panobinostat, on anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced experimental OA rats. The intra-articular administration of 2 or 10 µg of panobinostat (each group, n = 7) per week from the 6th to 17th week attenuates ACLT-induced nociceptive behaviors, including secondary mechanical allodynia and weight-bearing distribution. Histopathological and microcomputed tomography analysis showed that panobinostat significantly prevents cartilage degeneration after ACLT. Moreover, intra-articular panobinostat exerts hypertrophic effects in the chondrocytes of articular cartilage by regulating the protein expressions of HDAC4, HDAC6, HDAC7, runt-domain transcription factor-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-13. The study indicated that HDACs might have different modulations on the chondrocyte phenotype in the early stages of OA development. These results provide new evidence that panobinostat may be a potential therapeutic drug for OA.

Inhibition of Epigenetic Modifiers LSD1 and HDAC1 Blocks Rod Photoreceptor Death in Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Epigenetic modifiers are increasingly being investigated as potential therapeutics to modify and overcome disease phenotypes. Diseases of the nervous system present a particular problem as neurons are postmitotic and demonstrate relatively stable gene expression patterns and chromatin organization. We have explored the ability of epigenetic modifiers to prevent degeneration of rod photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), using rd10 mice of both sexes. The histone modification eraser enzymes lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) are known to have dramatic effects on the development of rod photoreceptors. In the RP mouse model, inhibitors of these enzymes blocked rod degeneration, preserved vision, and affected the expression of multiple genes including maintenance of rod-specific transcripts and downregulation of those involved in inflammation, gliosis, and cell death. The neuroprotective activity of LSD1 inhibitors includes two pathways. First, through targeting histone modifications, they increase accessibility of chromatin and upregulate neuroprotective genes, such as from the Wnt pathway. We propose that this process is going in rod photoreceptors. Second, through nonhistone targets, they inhibit transcription of inflammatory genes and inflammation. This process is going in microglia, and lack of inflammation keeps rod photoreceptors alive.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Retinal degenerations are a leading cause of vision loss. RP is genetically very heterogeneous, and the multiple pathways leading to cell death are one reason for the slow progress in identifying suitable treatments for patients. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of LSD1and HDAC1 in a mouse model of RP leads to preservation of rod photoreceptors and visual function, retaining of expression of rod-specific genes, and with decreased inflammation, cell death, and Müller cell gliosis. We propose that these epigenetic inhibitors cause more open and accessible chromatin, allowing expression of neuroprotective genes. A second mechanism that allows rod photoreceptor survival is suppression of inflammation by epigenetic inhibitors in microglia. Manipulation of epigenetic modifiers is a new strategy to fight neurodegeneration in RP.

The role of HPV-induced epigenetic changes in cervical carcinogenesis (Review)

Cervical cancer is associated with infection by certain types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs), and this affects women worldwide. Despite the improvements in prevention and cure of HPV-induced cervical cancer, it remains the second most common type of cancer in women in the least developed regions of the world. Epigenetic modifications are stable long-term changes that occur in the DNA, and are part of a natural evolutionary process of necessary adaptations to the environment. They do not result in changes in the DNA sequence, but do affect gene expression and genomic stability. Epigenetic changes are important in several biological processes. The effects of the environment on gene expression can contribute to the development of numerous diseases. Epigenetic modifications may serve a critical role in cancer cells, by silencing tumor suppressor genes, activating oncogenes, and exacerbating defects in DNA repair mechanisms. Although cervical cancer is directly related to a persistent high-risk HPV infection, several epigenetic changes have been identified in both the viral DNA and the genome of the infected cells: DNA methylation, histone modification and gene silencing by non-coding RNAs, which initiate and sustain epigenetic changes. In the present review, recent advances in the role of epigenetic changes in cervical cancer are summarized.

Selective Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibitors Restore Cone Photoreceptor Vision or Outer Segment Morphology in Zebrafish and Mouse Models of Retinal Blindness

Blindness arising from retinal or macular degeneration results in significant social, health and economic burden. While approved treatments exist for neovascular (‘wet’) age-related macular degeneration, new therapeutic targets/interventions are needed for the more prevalent atrophic (‘dry’) form of age-related macular degeneration. Similarly, in inherited retinal diseases, most patients have no access to an effective treatment. Although macular and retinal degenerations are genetically and clinically distinct, common pathological hallmarks can include photoreceptor degeneration, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, oxidative stress, hypoxia and defective autophagy. Here, we evaluated the potential of selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibitors to preserve retinal morphology or restore vision in zebrafish atp6v0e1^–/– and mouse rd10 models. Histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor, tubastatin A-treated atp6v0e1^–/– zebrafish show marked improvement in photoreceptor outer segment area (44.7%, p = 0.027) and significant improvement in vision (8-fold, p ≤ 0.0001). Tubastatin A-treated rd10/rd10 retinal explants show a significantly (p = 0.016) increased number of outer-segment labeled cone photoreceptors. In vitro, ATP6V0E1 regulated HIF-1α activity, but significant regulation of HIF-1α by histone deacetylase 6 inhibition in the retina was not detected. Proteomic profiling identified ubiquitin-proteasome, phototransduction, metabolism and phagosome as pathways, whose altered expression correlated with histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor mediated restoration of vision.

The Chromatin Response to Double-Strand DNA Breaks and Their Repair

Cellular DNA is constantly being damaged by numerous internal and external mutagenic factors. Probably the most severe type of insults DNA could suffer are the double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). They sever both DNA strands and compromise genomic stability, causing deleterious chromosomal aberrations that are implicated in numerous maladies, including cancer. Not surprisingly, cells have evolved several DSB repair pathways encompassing hundreds of different DNA repair proteins to cope with this challenge. In eukaryotic cells, DSB repair is fulfilled in the immensely complex environment of the chromatin. The chromatin is not just a passive background that accommodates the multitude of DNA repair proteins, but it is a highly dynamic and active participant in the repair process. Chromatin alterations, such as changing patterns of histone modifications shaped by numerous histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling, are pivotal for proficient DSB repair. Dynamic chromatin changes ensure accessibility to the damaged region, recruit DNA repair proteins, and regulate their association and activity, contributing to DSB repair pathway choice and coordination. Given the paramount importance of DSB repair in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, DSB repair has turned into an attractive target for the development of novel anticancer therapies, some of which have already entered the clinic.

Retinitis Pigmentosa and Retinal Degenerations: Deciphering Pathways and Targets for Drug Discovery and Development

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of retinopathies generally caused by genetic mutations. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents one of the most studied IRDs. RP leads to intense vision loss or blindness resulting from the degeneration of photoreceptor cells. To date, RP is mainly treated with palliative supplementation of vitamin A and retinoids, gene therapies, or surgical interventions. Therefore, a pharmacologically based therapy is an urgent need requiring a medicinal chemistry approach, to validate molecular targets able to deal with retinal degeneration. This Review aims at outlining the recent research efforts in identifying new drug targets for RP, especially focusing on the neuroprotective role of the Wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β pathway and apoptosis modulators (in particular PARP-1) but also on growth factors such as VEGF and BDNF. Furthermore, the role of spatiotemporally expressed G protein-coupled receptors (GPR124) in the retina and the emerging function of histone deacetylase inhibitors in promoting retinal neuroprotection will be discussed.

Epigenetic regulation of anterior segment diseases and potential therapeutics

In recent years, technological advances in sequencing have accelerated our understanding of epigenetics in ocular development and ophthalmic diseases. We now know that epigenetic modifications are necessary for normal ocular development and biological processes such as corneal wound healing and ocular surface repair, while aberrant epigenetic regulation underlies the pathogenesis of a wide range of ocular diseases, including cataracts and various diseases of the ocular surface. As the epigenetics of the eye is a constantly changing field of medicine, this comprehensive review focuses on innovations and scientific discoveries related to epigenetic control of anterior segment diseases that were published in the English literature in the past five years. These recent studies attempt to elucidate therapeutic targets for the anterior segment pathological processes. Already, recent studies have shown therapeutic potential in targeting epigenetic mechanisms of ocular diseases, and new epigenetic therapies are on the verge of being introduced to clinical practice. New drug targets can potentially emerge as we make further discoveries within this field.

Epigenetics in age-related macular degeneration: new discoveries and future perspectives

The study of epigenetics has explained some of the 'missing heritability' of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The epigenome also provides a substantial contribution to the organisation of the functional retina. There is emerging evidence of specific epigenetic mechanisms associated with AMD. This 'AMD epigenome' may offer the chance to develop novel AMD treatments.

Characterization of LSD1 Expression Within the Murine Eye

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to extend the current understanding of endogenous lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) expression spatially and temporally in the retina. Toward that end, we determined the localization and levels of LSD1 and its substrates H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 (H3K4me1/2) within the murine eye.

Methods

Immunofluorescent microscopy for LSD1, H3K4me1, and H3K4me2 was conducted on murine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded eye sections across development in addition to Western immunoblotting to assess localization and protein levels.

Results

Retinal LSD1 protein levels were highest at postnatal day 7 (P7), whereas its substrates H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 had equally high levels at P2 and P14. Concentrations of all three proteins gradually decreased over developmental time until reaching a basement level of ∼60% of maximum at P36. LSD1 and H3K4me1/2 were expressed uniformly in all retinal progenitor cells. By P36, there was variability in LSD1 expression in the ganglion cell layer, uniform expression in the inner nuclear layer, and dichotomous expression between photoreceptors in the outer nuclear layer. This contrasted with H3K4me1/2 expression, which remained uniform. Additionally, LSD1 was widely expressed in the lens, cornea, and retinal pigment epithelium.

Conclusions

Consistent with its known role in neuronal differentiation, LSD1 is highly and uniformly expressed throughout all retinal progenitor cells. Variability in LSD1 expression, particularly in photoreceptors, may be indicative of their unique transcriptomes and epigenetic patterns of rods and cones. Murine rod nuclei exhibit LSD1 expression in a ring or shell, rather than throughout the nucleus, consistent with their unique inverted chromatin organization. LSD1 has substantial expression throughout adulthood, especially in cone nuclei. By providing insight into endogenous LSD1 expression, our current findings could directly inform future studies to determine the exact role of Lsd1 in the development and maintenance of specific structures and cell types within the eye.

The Role of Histone Acetyltransferases and Histone Deacetylases in Photoreceptor Differentiation and Degeneration

Photoreceptors are critical components of the retina and play a role in the first step of the conversion of light to electrical signals. The differentiation and degeneration of photoreceptors are regulated by specific genes and proteins. With the development of epigenetic approaches, scientists have discovered that histone modifications, such as acetylation, methylation, ubiquitylation, and phosphorylation, may modulate the processes of photoreceptor differentiation and degeneration. Histone acetylation is regulated by two opposing classes of enzymes, namely, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), which add and remove acetyl groups to and from target histones, respectively, causing changes in transcriptional activity. Herein, we review the effects of HATs and HDACs on the differentiation and degeneration of photoreceptors and discuss the underlying mechanisms of these effects.

Astragalus root extract inhibits retinal cell apoptosis and repairs damaged retinal neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity

Since the functions of Astragalus root extract in retinopathy remain to be unraveled, this study is performed to elucidate whether Astragalus root extract functions in retinal cell apoptosis and angiogenesis in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Newborn mice were selected for establishing mice models of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), which were treated with high-, medium- or low-Astragalus root extract. Evans Blue (EB) was perfused to detect the blood retinal barrier. Additionally, the vascular morphology, number of endothelial cell nuclei of neovascularization, proliferation of blood vessels, ultrastructural changes were determined via a series of assays. Moreover, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), expression of other factors such as VEGF, PEDF, IGF-1, HIF-1α, Bax, Bcl-2, eNOS, nNOS, and iNOS were detected. Astragalus root extract was found to protect blood-retinal barrier in the OIR model mice through repairing the structure and morphology of retina, inhibiting ROS production, retinal cell apoptosis, as well as improving retinal vascular angiogenesis. Astragalus root extract was also found to decrease VEGF and HIF-1α expression, but enhance PEDF and IGF-1 expression in the OIR model mice, thereby protecting retinas in ROP. This study highlights that Astragalus root extract is able to suppress retinal cell apoptosis and repair damaged retinal neovascularization in ROP, which provides basis for ROP therapy.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor attenuates experimental fungal keratitis in mice

Fungal keratitis is one of the leading causes of blindness of infected corneal diseases, but the pathogenesis of fungal keratitis is not fully understood and therefore the treatment of the disease by medication is still under investigation. In the current study, we sought to study the effect of HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on experimental fungal keratitis in mice. SAHA (25 mg/kg) (n = 30) or vehicle (DMSO) (n = 30) was delivered through intraperitoneal injection (IP) 24 hours after the fungal inoculation, and the same amount of SAHA injection or DMSO was followed at day 2. The expression of histone H3 (H3), acetylated histone H3 (AC-H3), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC)1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in surgically excised specimens from the patients and mice with fungal keratitis were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of mRNAs for Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), TNFα, and TLR4 were evaluated in the corneas of the mice with fungal infection and the control corneas by real-time PCR. The quantification of IL-1β and TNFα in the corneas of the mice with fungal infection was determined by ELISA. The inhibitory effect of SAHA on mice fungal keratitis was revealed by GMS and H&E staining. We found that the downregulation of histone acetylation and upregulation of HDAC1 expression were associated with the increased inflammation response in fungal keratitis not only in humans but also in experimental animals. SAHA was able to inhibit experimental fungal keratitis in mouse by suppressing TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-1β; the inhibition of HDAC may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of fungal keratitis.

The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor AN7, Attenuates Choroidal Neovascularization in a Mouse Model

: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a complication of age-related macular degeneration and a major contributing factor to vision loss. In this paper, we show that in a mouse model of laser-induced CNV, systemic administration of Butyroyloxymethyl-diethyl phosphate (AN7), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), significantly reduced CNV area and vascular leakage, as measured by choroidal flatmounts and fluorescein angiography. CNV area reduction by systemic AN7 treatment was similar to that achieved by intravitreal bevacizumab treatment. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and the endothelial cells marker CD31, was lower in the AN7 treated group in comparison to the control group at the laser lesion site. In vitro, AN7 facilitated retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells tight junctions' integrity during hypoxia, by protecting the hexagonal pattern of ZO-1 protein in the cell borders, hence reducing RPE permeability. In conclusion, systemic AN7 should be further investigated as a possible effective treatment for CNV.

Upregulation of Znf179 acetylation by SAHA protects cells against oxidative stress

The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) commonly occurs during normal aging and during some acute/chronic progressive disorders. In order to avoid oxidative damage, scavenging of these radicals is important. Previously, we identified zinc finger protein 179 (Znf179) as a neuroprotector that increases antioxidant enzymes against superoxide radicals. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the activation and regulation of Znf179 remain unresolved. Here, by performing sequence alignment, bioinformatics analysis, immunoprecipitation using two specific acetyl-lysine antibodies, and treatment with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor SAHA, we determined the lysine-specific acetylation of Znf179. Furthermore, we investigated Znf179 interaction with HDACs and revealed that peroxide insult induced a dissociation of Znf179-HDAC1/HDAC6, causing an increase in Znf179 acetylation. Importantly, HDAC inhibition by SAHA further prompted Znf179 hyperacetylation, which promoted Znf179 to form a transcriptional complex with Sp1 and increased antioxidant gene expression against oxidative attack. In summary, the results obtained in this study showed that Znf179 was regulated by HDACs and that Znf179 acetylation was a critical mechanism in the induction of antioxidant defense systems. Additionally, HDAC inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for induction of Znf179 acetylation, strengthening the Znf179 protective functions against neurodegenerative processes.

Epigenetic modifications in hyperhomocysteinemia: potential role in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration

To study Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-induced epigenetic modifications as potential mechanisms of blood retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction, retinas isolated from three- week-old mice with elevated level of Homocysteine (Hcy) due to lack of the enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (cbs^-/- , cbs^+/- and cbs^+/+ ), human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs), and human retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19) treated with or without Hcy were evaluated for (1) histone deacetylases (HDAC), (2) DNA methylation (DNMT), and (3) miRNA analysis. Differentially expressed miRNAs in mice with HHcy were further compared with miRNA analysis of diabetic mice retinas (STZ) and miRNAs within the exosomes released from Hcy-treated RPEs. Differentially expressed miRNAs were further evaluated for predicted target genes and associated pathways using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. HHcy significantly increased HDAC and DNMT activity in HRECs, ARPE-19, and cbs mice retinas, whereas inhibition of HDAC and DNMT decreased Hcy-induced BRB dysfunction. MiRNA profiling detected 127 miRNAs in cbs^+/- and 39 miRNAs in cbs^-/- mice retinas, which were significantly differentially expressed compared to cbs^+/+ . MiRNA pathway analysis showed their involvement in HDAC and DNMT activation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and oxidative stresses, inflammation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis pathways. Hcy-induced epigenetic modifications may be involved in retinopathies associated with HHcy, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The Degeneration and Apoptosis Patterns of Cone Photoreceptors in rd11 Mice

The retinal degeneration 11 (rd11) mouse is a new animal model with rapid photoreceptor degeneration. The long-term efficacy of gene therapy has a direct relationship with the onset of photoreceptor degeneration or apoptosis, whereas the degeneration or apoptosis patterns of photoreceptors are still unclear in rd11 mice. The distribution patterns of cone function-related L- and S-opsin were examined by immunofluorescence staining, and the apoptosis was performed by TUNEL assay in rd11 mice. The expression pattern of L-opsin or S-opsin in rd11 retina at postnatal day (P) 14 was similar to the pattern observed in wildtype retina. With increasing age, the expression of L-opsin and S-opsin, especially S-opsin, decreased significantly in rd11 mice. The degeneration of L-opsin began around the optic nerve and expanded to the periphery of the retina, from the ventral/nasal to dorsal/temporal retina, whereas the expression of S-opsin gradually decreased from the dorsal/temporal to ventral/nasal retina. Apoptotic signal appeared at P14 and was strongest at P28 of rd11 mice. The key genes associated with apoptosis confirmed those changes. These indicated that the degeneration and apoptosis of cone photoreceptors began at P14 of rd11 mice, which was a key point for gene therapy.

EP300 Protects from Light-Induced Retinopathy in Zebrafish

Exposure of rhodopsin to bright white light can induce photoreceptor cell damage and degeneration. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying light-induced retinopathy remains elusive. In this study, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis of three rodent models of light-induced retinopathy, and we identified 37 genes that are dysregulated in all three models. Gene ontology analysis revealed that this gene set is significantly associated with a cytokine signaling axis composed of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1/3), interleukin 6 signal transducer (IL6ST), and oncostatin M receptor (OSMR). Furthermore, the analysis suggested that the histone acetyltransferase EP300 may be a key upstream regulator of the STAT1/3–IL6ST/OSMR axis. To examine the role of EP300 directly, we developed a larval zebrafish model of light-induced retinopathy. Using this model, we demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of EP300 significantly increased retinal cell apoptosis, decreased photoreceptor cell outer segments, and increased proliferation of putative Müller cells upon exposure to intense light. These results suggest that EP300 may protect photoreceptor cells from light-induced damage and that activation of EP300 may be a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.

Protection mechanism of deacetylase inhibitor on spleen of rats with severe hemorrhagic shock

OBJECTIVE

To explore the protection and molecular mechanism of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) on the spleen of rats with hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

A total of 60 SPF male SD rats were selected for the modeling of severe hemorrhagic shock using the method of arterial and venous cannulation with the time-divided bleeding. The measurement of mean arterial blood pressure and blood lactic acid was used to verify the modeling. The modeled rats were randomly divided into shock group, shock + suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) group, shock + autogenous transfusion group and shock + SAHA + autogenous transfusion group. Three hours after the treatment, the spleen of rats was collected and TUNEL method was employed to detect the apoptosis of spleen cells in each group. The statistical analysis was performed. Afterwards, real-time PCR and western blot were employed to detect the expression of BCL-2, BAX and caspass3 in the spleen of rats in each group.

RESULTS

A total of 53 rats had successful modeling of severe hemorrhagic shock, with success rate of 88%. Cell apoptosis in the severe hemorrhagic model group was the most serious. After the intervention of HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion, the tissue injury was a bit recovered. Cell apoptosis was least in the shock + SAHA + autogenous transfusion group (P < 0.05). After the intervention of HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion, the relative expression of BCL-2 was significantly increased (P < 0.05), with highest relative expression of BCL-2 in shock + SAHA + autogenous transfusion group (P < 0.05). After the intervention of HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion, the relative expression of BAX was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), with lowest relative expression of BAX in the intervention group of single HDACIs. The change in the expression of caspass3 was similar to BAX, namely the relative expression of caspass3 was significantly decreased after the intervention of HDACIs and the autogenous transfusion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

HDACIs and autogenous transfusion can all protect the spleen injury because of the severe hemorrhagic shock. Its molecular mechanism may be related to the regulation on the expression of BCL-2/BAX and caspass3, which may affect the apoptosis process of cells.

Epigenetic Mechanisms of the Aging Human Retina

Degenerative retinal diseases, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, have complex etiologies with environmental, genetic, and epigenetic contributions to disease pathology. Much effort has gone into elucidating both the genetic and the environmental risk factors for these retinal diseases. However, little is known about how these genetic and environmental risk factors bring about molecular changes that lead to pathology. Epigenetic mechanisms have received extensive attention of late for their promise of bridging the gap between environmental exposures and disease development via their influence on gene expression. Recent studies have identified epigenetic changes that associate with the incidence and/or progression of each of these retinal diseases. Therefore, these epigenetic modifications may be involved in the underlying pathological mechanisms leading to blindness. Further genome-wide epigenetic studies that incorporate well-characterized tissue samples, consider challenges similar to those relevant to gene expression studies, and combine the genome-wide epigenetic data with genome-wide genetic and expression data to identify additional potentially causative agents of disease are needed. Such studies will allow researchers to create much-needed therapeutics to prevent and/or intervene in disease progression. Improved therapeutics will greatly enhance the quality of life and reduce the burden of disease management for millions of patients living with these potentially blinding conditions.

Histone Acetylation and Its Modifiers in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide despite advances in its prevention and management. A comprehensive understanding of factors contributing to DN is required to develop more effective therapeutic options. It is becoming more evident that histone acetylation (HAc), as one of the epigenetic mechanisms, is thought to be associated with the etiology of diabetic vascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), and DN. Histone acetylases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are the well-known regulators of reversible acetylation in the amino-terminal domains of histone and nonhistone proteins. In DN, however, the roles of histone acetylation (HAc) and these enzymes are still controversial. Some new evidence has revealed that HATs and HDACs inhibitors are renoprotective in cellular and animal models of DN, while, on the other hand, upregulation of HAc has been implicated in the pathogenesis of DN. In this review, we focus on the recent advances on the roles of HAc and their covalent enzymes in the development and progression of DN in certain cellular processes including fibrosis, inflammation, hypertrophy, and oxidative stress and discuss how targeting these enzymes and their inhibitors can ultimately lead to the therapeutic approaches for treating DN.