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Abstract
Physical forces are ubiquitous in biological processes across scales and diverse contexts. This review highlights the significance of mechanical forces in nervous system development, homeostasis, and disease. We provide an overview of mechanical signals present in the nervous system and delve into mechanotransduction mechanisms translating these mechanical cues into biochemical signals. During development, mechanical cues regulate a plethora of processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, network formation, and cortex folding. Forces then continue exerting their influence on physiological processes, such as neuronal activity, glial cell function, and the interplay between these different cell types. Notably, changes in tissue mechanics manifest in neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors, potentially offering new diagnostic and therapeutic target opportunities. Understanding the role of cellular forces and tissue mechanics in nervous system physiology and pathology adds a new facet to neurobiology, shedding new light on many processes that remain incompletely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva K Pillai
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Institute of Medical Physics and Microtissue Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 91, 91052 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Kussmaulallee 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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Pereiro X, Ruzafa N, Azkargorta M, Elortza F, Acera A, Ambrósio AF, Santiago AR, Vecino E. Müller glial cells located in the peripheral retina are more susceptible to high pressure: implications for glaucoma. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:5. [PMID: 38183095 PMCID: PMC10770903 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01186-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glaucoma, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. This study aims to elucidate the critical role of Müller glia (MG) in the context of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, particularly focusing on the influence of peripheral MG sensitivity to high pressure (HP). METHODS Co-cultures of porcine RGCs with MG were isolated from both the central and peripheral regions of pig retinas and subjected to both normal and HP conditions. Mass spectrometry analysis of the MG-conditioned medium was conducted to identify the proteins released by MG under all conditions. RESULTS Peripheral MG were found to secrete a higher quantity of neuroprotective factors, effectively promoting RGC survival under normal physiological conditions. However, under HP conditions, co-cultures with peripheral MG exhibited impaired RGC survival. Moreover, under HP conditions, peripheral MG significantly upregulated the secretion of proteins associated with apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS This study provides robust evidence suggesting the involvement of MG in RGC death in glaucoma, thus paving the way for future therapeutic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xandra Pereiro
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Noelia Ruzafa
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - Mikel Azkargorta
- Proteomics Platform, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIBERehdProteoRed-ISCIII, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Félix Elortza
- Proteomics Platform, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIBERehdProteoRed-ISCIII, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Arantxa Acera
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Santiago
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elena Vecino
- Experimental Ophthalmo-Biology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain.
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Sun W, Gu S, Zhang F, Xu M, Chang P, Zhao Y. Congenital cataracts affect the retinal visual cycle and mitochondrial function: A multi-omics study of GJA8 knockout rabbits. J Proteomics 2023; 287:104972. [PMID: 37467890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Congenital cataracts are a threat to visual development in children, and the visual impairment persists after surgical treatment; however, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Previous clinical studies have identified the effect of congenital cataracts on retinal morphology and function. To further understand the molecular mechanisms by which congenital cataracts affect retinal development, we analyzed retina samples from 7-week-old GJA8-knockout rabbits with congenital cataracts and controls by four-dimensional label-free quantification proteomics and untargeted metabolomics. Bioinformatics analysis of proteomic data showed that retinol metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid degradation pathways were downregulated in the retinas of rabbits with congenital cataracts, indicating that their visual cycle and mitochondrial function were affected. Additional validation of differentially abundant proteins related to the visual cycle and mitochondrial function was performed using Parallel reaction monitoring and western blot experiments. Untargeted metabolome analysis showed significant upregulation of the antioxidant glutathione and ascorbic acid in the retinas of rabbits with congenital cataracts, indicating that their oxidative stress balance was not dysregulated. SIGNIFICANCE: Congenital cataracts in children can alter retinal structure and function, yet the mechanisms are uncertain. Here is the first study to use proteomics and metabolomics approaches to investigate the effects of congenital cataracts on retinal development in the early postnatal period. Our findings suggest that congenital cataracts have an impact on the retinal visual cycle and mitochondrial function. These findings give insight on the molecular pathways behind congenital cataract-induced visual function impairment in the early postnatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Sun
- Wenzhou Medical University School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; The State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; National Center for Clinical and Medical Research, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China
| | - Siyi Gu
- Wenzhou Medical University School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; The State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; National Center for Clinical and Medical Research, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Wenzhou Medical University School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; The State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; National Center for Clinical and Medical Research, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China
| | - Mengxiang Xu
- Wenzhou Medical University School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; The State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; National Center for Clinical and Medical Research, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China
| | - Pingjun Chang
- Wenzhou Medical University School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; The State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; National Center for Clinical and Medical Research, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China.
| | - Yune Zhao
- Wenzhou Medical University School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Eye Hospital, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; The State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China; National Center for Clinical and Medical Research, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, China.
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