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Coutant K, Magne B, Ferland K, Fuentes-Rodriguez A, Chancy O, Mitchell A, Germain L, Landreville S. Melanocytes in regenerative medicine applications and disease modeling. J Transl Med 2024; 22:336. [PMID: 38589876 PMCID: PMC11003097 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05113-x] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanocytes are dendritic cells localized in skin, eyes, hair follicles, ears, heart and central nervous system. They are characterized by the presence of melanosomes enriched in melanin which are responsible for skin, eye and hair pigmentation. They also have different functions in photoprotection, immunity and sound perception. Melanocyte dysfunction can cause pigmentary disorders, hearing and vision impairments or increased cancer susceptibility. This review focuses on the role of melanocytes in homeostasis and disease, before discussing their potential in regenerative medicine applications, such as for disease modeling, drug testing or therapy development using stem cell technologies, tissue engineering and extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Coutant
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology-Cervico-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Brice Magne
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Karel Ferland
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Aurélie Fuentes-Rodriguez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology-Cervico-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Olivier Chancy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology-Cervico-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Andrew Mitchell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology-Cervico-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Lucie Germain
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Solange Landreville
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology-Cervico-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Hu DN, Zhang R, Iacob CE, Yao S, Yang SF, Chan CC, Rosen RB. Effects of Toll-like receptor 1 and 2 agonist Pam3CSK4 on uveal melanocytes and relevant experimental mouse model. Exp Eye Res 2024; 239:109749. [PMID: 38113956 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Pam3CSK4 activates Toll-like receptors 2 and 1 (TLR1/2), which recognize mainly molecules from gram-positive pathogens. The effect of Pam3CSK4 on various cytokine and chemokine expression in cultured human uveal melanocytes (UM) has not been studied systematically. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanistic expressions of seven cytokines and chemokines of interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-10, MCP-1 (CCL-2), CXCL-1 (GRO-α), CXCL-8 (IL-8), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in UM. These cytokines are reported to be increased in intraocular fluids or tissues of the patients with endophthalmitis and non-infectious uveitis, as well as in various experimental animal uveitic models in the literature. Flow cytometry was used to measure the effects of Pam3CSK4 on the expression of TLR1/2 in UM. ELISA and Real-time PCR analysis were used to estimate the ability of Pam3CSK4 to elevate these cytokines and chemokines levels in conditioned media and cell lysates of UM, respectively. Flow cytometry measured and compared the phosphorylated MAPK pathway and activated NF-κB signals pathway in UM, treated with and without Pam3CSK4. ELISA analysis tested the effect of various signal inhibitors (ERK1/2, JNK1/2, p38 and NF-κB) on Pam3CSK4-induced IL-6 levels in cultured UM. The role of TLR2 in Pam3CSK4-induced acute anterior uveitis in experimental mouse model was tested in TLR2 knockout (TLR2 KO) mice and their wild-type C57Bl/6 controls. Pam3CSK4 increased the expression of TLR1/2 proteins in cultured UM. Pam3CSK4 significantly elevated the IL-6, MCP-1, CXCL-1, CXCL-8 protein, and mRNA levels in cultured UM, but not IL-10, TNF-α, or IFN-γ. Pam3CSK4 activated NF-κB, ERK, JNK, and p38 expression. Pam3CSK4-induced expression of IL-6 was decreased by NF-κB, ERK, INK, and p38 inhibitors; especially the NF-κB inhibitor, which can completely block the IL-6 stimulation. Intravitreal injection of Pam3CSK4 induced acute anterior uveitis in C57Bl/6 mice, this effect was significantly reduced in TLR2 KO mice. TLR1/2 plays an important role against invading pathogens, especially gram-positive bacteria; but an excessive reaction to molecules from gram-positive bacteria may promote non-infectious uveitis. UM can produce IL-6, MCP-1, CXCL-1, and CXCL-8, and are one of the target cells of TNF-α and IFN-γ. TLR-2 inhibitors might have a beneficial effect in the treatment of certain types of uveitis and other ocular inflammatory-related diseases and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Ning Hu
- New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruihua Zhang
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Codrin E Iacob
- New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shen Yao
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chao Chan
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard B Rosen
- New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Sarkar H, Tracey-White D, Hagag AM, Burgoyne T, Nair N, Jensen LD, Edwards MM, Moosajee M. Loss of REP1 impacts choroidal melanogenesis and vasculogenesis in choroideremia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166963. [PMID: 37989423 PMCID: PMC11157692 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Choroideremia (CHM) is a rare X-linked chorioretinal dystrophy affecting the photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, however, the involvement of the choroid in disease progression is not fully understood. CHM is caused by mutations in the CHM gene, encoding the ubiquitously expressed Rab escort protein 1 (REP1). REP1 plays an important role in intracellular trafficking of vesicles, including melanosomes. In this study, we examined the ultrastructure of the choroid in chmru848 fish and Chmnull/WT mouse models using transmission electron and confocal microscopy. Significant pigmentary disruptions were observed, with lack of melanosomes in the choroid of chmru848 fish from 4 days post fertilisation (4dpf), and a reduction in choroidal blood vessel diameter and interstitial pillars suggesting a defect in vasculogenesis. Total melanin and expression of melanogenesis genes tyr, tryp1a, mitf, dct and pmel were also reduced from 4dpf. In Chmnull/WT mice, choroidal melanosomes were significantly smaller at 1 month, with reduced eumelanin at 1 year. The choroid in CHM patients were also examined using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A) and the area of preserved choriocapillaris (CC) was found to be smaller than that of overlying photoreceptors, suggesting that the choroid is degenerating at a faster rate. Histopathology of an enucleated eye from a 74-year-old CHM male patient revealed isolated areas of RPE but no associated underlying CC. Pigmentary disruptions in CHM animal models reveal an important role for REP1 in melanogenesis, and drugs that improve melanin production represent a potential novel therapeutic avenue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajrah Sarkar
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Dhani Tracey-White
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Ahmed M Hagag
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK; Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Bracknell, UK
| | - Thomas Burgoyne
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Neelima Nair
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Lasse D Jensen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Malia M Edwards
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK; Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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Wang W, Li F, Wang J, Liu Z, Tian M, Wang Z, Li H, Qu J, Chen Y, Hou L. Disrupting Hedgehog signaling in melanocytes by SUFU knockout leads to ocular melanocytosis and anterior segment malformation. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050210. [PMID: 37577930 PMCID: PMC10481947 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050210] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is well known for its crucial role during development, but its specific role in individual cell lineages is less well characterized. Here, we disrupted Hh signaling specifically in melanocytes by using Cre-mediated cell-type-specific knockout of the Hh regulator suppressor of fused (Sufu). Interestingly, corresponding mice were fully pigmented and showed no developmental alterations in melanocyte numbers or distribution in skin and hair follicles. However, there were ectopic melanoblasts visible in the anterior chamber of the eye that eventually displayed severe malformation. Choroidal melanocytes remained unaltered. Surprisingly, the abnormal accumulation of anterior uveal melanoblasts was not the result of increased cell proliferation but of increased migration to ectopic locations such as the cornea. In melanoblasts in vitro, Sufu knockdown replicated the increase in cell migration without affecting proliferation and was mediated by an increased level of phosphorylated-ERK brought about by a reduction in the levels of the repressor form of GLI3. These results highlight the developmental divergence of distinct melanocyte subpopulations and may shed light on the pathogenesis of human ocular melanocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhuo Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Feiyang Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zuimeng Liu
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Meiyu Tian
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zhenhang Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Huirong Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Jia Qu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Ling Hou
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
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Molecular and Cellular Regulations in the Development of the Choroidal Circulation System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065371. [PMID: 36982446 PMCID: PMC10048934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Disorders in the development and regulation of blood vessels are involved in various ocular disorders, such as persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, and choroidal dystrophy. Thus, the appropriate regulation of vascular development is essential for healthy ocular functions. However, regulation of the developing choroidal circulation system has not been well studied compared with vascular regulation in the vitreous and the retina. The choroid is a vascular-rich and uniquely structured tissue supplying oxygen and nutrients to the retina, and hypoplasia and the degeneration of the choroid are involved in many ocular disorders. Therefore, understanding the developing choroidal circulation system expands our knowledge of ocular development and supports our understanding of ocular disorders. In this review, we examine studies on regulating the developing choroidal circulation system at the cellular and molecular levels and discuss the relevance to human diseases.
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Jiang L, Liu X, Zhou L, Busoy JMF, Khine MT, Dan YS, Ke M, Brennan NA, Catbagan KJV, Schmetterer L, Barathi VA, Hoang QV. Choroidal Thickness in Early Postnatal Guinea Pigs Predicts Subsequent Naturally Occurring and Form-Deprivation Myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:10. [PMID: 36239975 PMCID: PMC9586133 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.11.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To identify choroidal characteristics associated with susceptibility to development of naturally occurring and experimentally induced myopia. Methods We compared choroidal properties between pigmented and albino guinea pig (GP) strains. Biometry, cycloplegic refractive error (RE), and eye wall sublayer thickness were measured from 171 GPs at postnatal day (P)6, 14, and 28. Forty-three P14 GPs underwent two-week monocular form-deprivation myopia (FDM). En face images of choroidal vasculature were obtained with a customized swept-source optical coherence tomography. Multivariate regression analyses were performed, with P28 RE as the outcome and P14 choroidal thickness (ChT) as the main predictor variable. Proteomic analysis was performed on choroidal tissue from P14 albino and pigmented GPs. Results At P14, RE was correlated with thickness of the choroid (β = 0.06), sclera (β = 0.12), and retina (β = 0.27; all P < 0.001). P14 ChT was correlated with P28 RE both with (β = 0.06, P = 0.0007) and without FDM (β = 0.05, P = 0.008). Multivariate regression analysis, taking into account FDM (versus physiological growth) and strain, revealed that for every 10-µm greater ChT at P14, P28 RE was 0.50D more positive (P = 0.005, n = 70). En face images of choroidal sublayers showed that albino choroids were relatively underdeveloped, with frequent avascular regions. Consistent with this finding, proteomic analysis suggested abnormalities of the nitric oxide system in the albino GP choroid. Conclusions Current results are consistent with the notion that greater ChT could protect from or delay the onset of myopia, while lower ChT is associated with greater susceptibility to myopia development. The underlying mechanism could be related to dysfunction of the choroidal vascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Jiang
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Lei Zhou
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joanna M Fianza Busoy
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Myo Thu Khine
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Yee Shan Dan
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Mengyuan Ke
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Noel A Brennan
- Johnson & Johnson Vision, Jacksonville, Florida, United States
| | - Karen J V Catbagan
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Leopold Schmetterer
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Veluchamy A Barathi
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Quan V Hoang
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
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Murakami S, Tsuchiya K, Nakata K, Nishikata M, Kitada K, Suzuki H. A Kit Mutation Associated with Black-Eyed White Phenotype in the Grey Red-Backed Vole, Myodes rufocanus. MAMMAL STUDY 2022. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2022-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shota Murakami
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kimiyuki Tsuchiya
- Laboratory of Bioresources, Applied Biology Co. Ltd, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nakata
- Forestry Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization, Bibai, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mana Nishikata
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kitada
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Suzuki
- Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Recognition of Melanocytes in Immuno-Neuroendocrinology and Circadian Rhythms: Beyond the Conventional Melanin Synthesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132082. [PMID: 35805166 PMCID: PMC9266247 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132082] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanocytes produce melanin to protect the skin from UV-B radiation. Notwithstanding, the spectrum of their functions extends far beyond their well-known role as melanin production factories. Melanocytes have been considered as sensory and computational cells. The neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and other hormones produced by melanocytes make them part of the skin’s well-orchestrated and complex neuroendocrine network, counteracting environmental stressors. Melanocytes can also actively mediate the epidermal immune response. Melanocytes are equipped with ectopic sensory systems similar to the eye and nose and can sense light and odor. The ubiquitous inner circadian rhythm controls the body’s basic physiological processes. Light not only affects skin photoaging, but also regulates inner circadian rhythms and communicates with the local neuroendocrine system. Do melanocytes “see” light and play a unique role in photoentrainment of the local circadian clock system? Why, then, are melanocytes responsible for so many mysterious functions? Do these complex functional devices work to maintain homeostasis locally and throughout the body? In addition, melanocytes have also been shown to be localized in internal sites such as the inner ear, brain, and heart, locations not stimulated by sunlight. Thus, what can the observation of extracutaneous melanocytes tell us about the “secret identity” of melanocytes? While the answers to some of these intriguing questions remain to be discovered, here we summarize and weave a thread around available data to explore the established and potential roles of melanocytes in the biological communication of skin and systemic homeostasis, and elaborate on important open issues and propose ways forward.
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Gelmi MC, Houtzagers LE, Strub T, Krossa I, Jager MJ. MITF in Normal Melanocytes, Cutaneous and Uveal Melanoma: A Delicate Balance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6001. [PMID: 35682684 PMCID: PMC9181002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is an important regulator of melanogenesis and melanocyte development. Although it has been studied extensively in cutaneous melanoma, the role of MITF in uveal melanoma (UM) has not been explored in much detail. We review the literature about the role of MITF in normal melanocytes, in cutaneous melanoma, and in UM. In normal melanocytes, MITF regulates melanocyte development, melanin synthesis, and melanocyte survival. The expression profile and the behaviour of MITF-expressing cells suggest that MITF promotes local proliferation and inhibits invasion, inflammation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition. Loss of MITF expression leads to increased invasion and inflammation and is more prevalent in malignant cells. Cutaneous melanoma cells switch between MITF-high and MITF-low states in different phases of tumour development. In UM, MITF loss is associated with loss of BAP1 protein expression, which is a marker of poor prognosis. These data indicate a dual role for MITF in benign and malignant melanocytic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.C.G.); (L.E.H.)
| | - Laurien E. Houtzagers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.C.G.); (L.E.H.)
| | - Thomas Strub
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (T.S.); (I.K.)
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Imène Krossa
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (T.S.); (I.K.)
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.C.G.); (L.E.H.)
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10
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Ting HC, Ma SH, Tai YH, Dai YX, Chang YT, Chen TJ, Chen MH. Association between alopecia areata and retinal diseases: A nationwide population-based cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021; 87:771-778. [PMID: 34794815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.10.045] [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: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence has revealed abnormalities in the retinal structures of patients with alopecia areata (AA). However, the relationship between AA and retinopathy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between AA and retinal diseases. METHODS The study participants were recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We included 9909 patients with AA and 99,090 matched controls to assess the risk of retinal diseases. A Cox regression model was used for all analyses. RESULTS Compared with the controls, patients with AA had an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 3.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.26-4.26) for retinal diseases. With respect to individual retinal diseases, Patients with AA had significantly higher risks of developing retinal detachment (aHR 3.98; 95% CI 2.00-7.95), retinal vascular occlusion (aHR 2.45; 95% CI 1.22-4.92), and retinopathy (aHR 3.24; 95% CI 2.19-4.81) than controls. LIMITATIONS This was a retrospective cohort study. Meanwhile, almost all the participating individuals were residents of Taiwan; therefore, the validity of our findings in other demographics remains unclear. CONCLUSION Patients with AA had a significantly higher risk of retinal disease than controls. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiology of AA and retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chu Ting
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hsiang Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsuan Tai
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Xiu Dai
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yun-Ting Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzeng-Ji Chen
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hong Chen
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Cioanca AV, Wu C(S, Natoli R, Conway RM, McCluskey PJ, Jager MJ, Sitiwin EI, Eamegdool SS, Madigan MC. The role of melanocytes in the human choroidal microenvironment and inflammation: Insights from the transcriptome. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:928-945. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian V. Cioanca
- John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Chieh‐Lin (Stanley) Wu
- School of Optometry and Vision Science University of NSW Sydney NSW Australia
- Save Sight Institute University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - R. Max Conway
- Save Sight Institute University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | | | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
| | | | - Steven S. Eamegdool
- Save Sight Institute University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
- Eye Genetics Research Unit Children’s Medical Research Institute Westmead Hospital Westmead NSW Australia
| | - Michele C. Madigan
- School of Optometry and Vision Science University of NSW Sydney NSW Australia
- Save Sight Institute University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
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Kuiper JJW, Venema WJ. HLA-A29 and Birdshot Uveitis: Further Down the Rabbit Hole. Front Immunol 2020; 11:599558. [PMID: 33262772 PMCID: PMC7687429 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.599558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA class I alleles constitute established risk factors for non-infectious uveitis and preemptive genotyping of HLA class I alleles is standard practice in the diagnostic work-up. The HLA-A29 serotype is indispensable to Birdshot Uveitis (BU) and renders this enigmatic eye condition a unique model to better understand how the antigen processing and presentation machinery contributes to non-infectious uveitis or chronic inflammatory conditions in general. This review will discuss salient points regarding the protein structure of HLA-A29 and how key amino acid positions impact the peptide binding preference and interaction with T cells. We discuss to what extent the risk genes ERAP1 and ERAP2 uniquely affect HLA-A29 and how the discovery of a HLA-A29-specific submotif may impact autoantigen discovery. We further provide a compelling argument to solve the long-standing question why BU only affects HLA-A29-positive individuals from Western-European ancestry by exploiting data from the 1000 Genomes Project. We combine novel insights from structural and immunopeptidomic studies and discuss the functional implications of genetic associations across the HLA class I antigen presentation pathway to refine the etiological basis of Birdshot Uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas J. W. Kuiper
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wouter J. Venema
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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McMenamin PG, Shields GT, Seyed-Razavi Y, Kalirai H, Insall RH, Machesky LM, Coupland SE. Melanoblasts Populate the Mouse Choroid Earlier in Development Than Previously Described. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 61:33. [PMID: 32797202 PMCID: PMC7441366 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.10.33] [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: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Human choroidal melanocytes become evident in the last trimester of development, but very little is known about them. To better understand normal and diseased choroidal melanocyte biology we examined their precursors, melanoblasts (MB), in mouse eyes during development, particularly their relation to the developing vasculature and immune cells. Methods Naïve B6(Cg)-Tyrc-2J/J albino mice were used between embryonic (E) day 15.5 and postnatal (P) day 8, with adult controls. Whole eyes, posterior segments, or dissected choroidal wholemounts were stained with antibodies against tyrosinase-related protein 2, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 or isolectin B4, and examined by confocal microscopy. Immunoreactive cell numbers in the choroid were quantified with Imaris. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test assessed statistical significance. Results Small numbers of MB were present in the presumptive choroid at E15.5 and E18.5. The density significantly increased between E18.5 (381.4 ± 45.8 cells/mm2) and P0 (695.2 ± 87.1 cells/mm2; P = 0.032). In postnatal eyes MB increased in density and formed multiple layers beneath the choriocapillaris. MB in the periocular mesenchyme preceded the appearance of vascular structures at E15.5. Myeloid cells (Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1-positive) were also present at high densities from this time, and attained adult-equivalent densities by P8 (556.4 ± 73.6 cells/mm2). Conclusions We demonstrate that choroidal MB and myeloid cells are both present at very early stages of mouse eye development (E15.5). Although MB and vascularization seemed to be unlinked early in choroidal development, they were closely associated at later stages. MB did not migrate into the choroid in waves, nor did they have a consistent relationship with nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G. McMenamin
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham T. Shields
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yashar Seyed-Razavi
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Robert H. Insall
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Bearsden, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Laura M. Machesky
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Bearsden, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E. Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Ma X, Li H, Chen Y, Yang J, Chen H, Arnheiter H, Hou L. The transcription factor MITF in RPE function and dysfunction. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 73:100766. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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