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Rajan ARD, Huang Y, Stundl J, Chu K, Irodi A, Yang Z, Applegate BE, Bronner ME. Generation of a zebrafish neurofibromatosis model via inducible knockout of nf2. bioRxiv 2024:2024.04.23.590787. [PMID: 38712289 PMCID: PMC11071375 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.23.590787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF-2) is a dominantly inherited genetic disorder that results from mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, neurofibromin 2 (NF2) gene. Here, we report the generation of a conditional zebrafish model of neurofibromatosis established by an inducible genetic knockout of nf2a/b, the zebrafish homolog of human NF2. Analysis of nf2a and nf2b expression reveals ubiquitous expression of nf2b in the early embryo, with overlapping expression in the neural crest and its derivatives and in the cranial mesenchyme. In contrast, nf2a displays lower expression levels. Induction of nf2a/b knockout at early stages increases the proliferation of larval Schwann cells and meningeal fibroblasts. Subsequently, in adult zebrafish, nf2a/b knockout triggers the development of a spectrum of tumors, including vestibular schwannomas, spinal schwannomas, meningiomas, and retinal hamartomas, mirroring the tumor manifestations observed in patients with NF-2. Collectively, these findings highlight the generation of a novel zebrafish model that mimics the complexities of the human NF-2 disorder. Consequently, this model holds significant potential for facilitating therapeutic screening and elucidating key driver genes implicated in NF-2 onset.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuanyun Huang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jan Stundl
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Katelyn Chu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Anushka Irodi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zihan Yang
- University of Southern California, Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian E. Applegate
- University of Southern California, Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Alfred Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marianne E. Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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Luo J, Zhang M, Chen Y, Zhang G, Zhou T, Kang L, Chen X, Guan H. Comprehensive analysis of the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network involved in spontaneous recovery of an H 2O 2-induced zebrafish cataract model. Exp Eye Res 2024; 240:109820. [PMID: 38340946 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109820] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the hub miRNAs and mRNAs contributing to the spontaneous recovery of an H2O2-induced zebrafish cataract model. METHODS Zebrafishes were divided into three groups, i.e., Group A, which included normal control fish (day 0), and Groups B and C, where fish were injected with 2.5% hydrogen peroxide into the anterior chamber and reared for 14 and 30 days, respectively. Fish eyes were examined by stereomicroscope photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). RNA profiles of fish lenses were detected by RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) were identified among three groups. The DEGs and DEmiRs, which changed in opposite positions between "B vs. A" and "C vs. B" were defined as ODGs (opposite positions changed DEGs) and ODmiRs (opposite positions changed DEmiRs). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) analysis were carried out by R language. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed using STRING. Potential targets of miRNAs were obtained using miRanda. miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed by Cytoscape. RESULTS The fish lens opacity formed on day 14 and recovered to transparent on day 30 after injection. Compared to group B, 1366 DEGs and 54 DEmiRs were identified in group C. "C vs. B" DEGs were enriched in gene clusters related to development and oxidative phosphorylation. Target genes of DEmiRs were enriched in clusters such as development and cysteine metabolism. Among three groups, 786 ODGs and 27 ODmiRs were identified, and 480 ODGs were predicted as targets of ODmiRs. Target ODGs were enriched in pathways related to methionine metabolism, ubiquitin, sensory system development, and structural constituents of the eye lens. In addition, we established an ODmiRs-ODGs regulation network. CONCLUSION We identified several hub mRNAs and altered miRNAs in the formation and reversal of zebrafish cataracts. These hub miRNAs/mRNAs could be potential targets for the non-surgical treatment of ARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Luo
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mu Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanhua Chen
- Nantong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guowei Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tianqiu Zhou
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lihua Kang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- Department of Party Committee Personnel Work, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Huaijin Guan
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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Chang Y, Wu S, Li J, Bao H, Wu C. Identification of Candidate Genes for Red-Eyed (Albinism) Domestic Guppies Using Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2175. [PMID: 38396851 PMCID: PMC10888696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042175] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Guppies are small tropical fish with brightly colored bodies and variable tail shapes. There are two phenotypes of domestic guppy eye color: red and black. The wild type is black-eyed. The main object of this study was to identify candidate genes for the red-eyed phenotype in domestic guppies. We hope to provide molecular genetic information for the development of new domestic guppy strains. Additionally, the results also contribute to basic research concerning guppies. In this study, 121 domestic guppies were used for genomic analysis (GWAS), and 44 genes were identified. Furthermore, 21 domestic guppies were used for transcriptomic analysis, and 874 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 357 upregulated and 517 downregulated genes. Through GO and KEGG enrichment, we identified some important terms or pathways mainly related to melanin biosynthesis and ion transport. qRT-PCR was also performed to verify the differential expression levels of four important candidate genes (TYR, OCA2, SLC45A2, and SLC24A5) between red-eyed and black-eyed guppies. Based on the results of genomic and transcriptomic analyses, we propose that OCA2 is the most important candidate gene for the red-eyed phenotype in guppies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Haigang Bao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.C.); (S.W.); (J.L.); (C.W.)
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Kong W, Cheng G, Cao J, Yu J, Wang X, Xu Z. Ocular mucosal homeostasis of teleost fish provides insight into the coevolution between microbiome and mucosal immunity. Microbiome 2024; 12:10. [PMID: 38218870 PMCID: PMC10787490 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01716-6] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The visual organ plays a crucial role in sensing environmental information. However, its mucosal surfaces are constantly exposed to selective pressures from aquatic or airborne pathogens and microbial communities. Although few studies have characterized the conjunctival-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in the ocular mucosa (OM) of birds and mammals, little is known regarding the evolutionary origins and functions of immune defense and microbiota homeostasis of the OM in the early vertebrates. RESULTS Our study characterized the structure of the OM microbial ecosystem in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and confirmed for the first time the presence of a diffuse mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in fish OM. Moreover, the microbial communities residing on the ocular mucosal surface contribute to shaping its immune environment. Interestingly, following IHNV infection, we observed robust immune responses, significant tissue damage, and microbial dysbiosis in the trout OM, particularly in the fornix conjunctiva (FC), which is characterized by the increase of pathobionts and a reduction of beneficial taxa in the relative abundance in OM. Critically, we identified a significant correlation between viral-induced immune responses and microbiome homeostasis in the OM, underscoring its key role in mucosal immunity and microbiota homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that immune defense and microbiota homeostasis in OM occurred concurrently in early vertebrate species, shedding light on the coevolution between microbiota and mucosal immunity. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguang Kong
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Gaofeng Cheng
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Jiafeng Cao
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315832, China
| | - Jiaqian Yu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xinyou Wang
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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Tao T, Xu N, Li J, Zhao M, Li X, Huang L. Conditional loss of Ube3d in the retinal pigment epithelium accelerates age-associated alterations in the retina of mice. J Pathol 2023; 261:442-454. [PMID: 37772657 DOI: 10.1002/path.6201] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have suggested a correlation between the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with its phenotypic severity ranging from mild visual impairment to blindness, but the mechanism for UPS dysfunction contributing to disease progression is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of ubiquitin protein ligase E3D (UBE3D) in aging and degeneration in mouse retina. Conditional knockout of Ube3d in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of mice led to progressive and irregular fundus lesions, attenuation of the retinal vascular system, and age-associated deterioration of rod and cone responses. Simultaneously, RPE-specific Ube3d knockout mice also presented morphological changes similar to the histopathological characteristics of human AMD, in which a defective UPS led to RPE abnormalities such as phagocytosis or degradation of metabolites, the interaction with photoreceptor outer segment, and the transport of nutrients or waste products with choroidal capillaries via Bruch's membrane. Moreover, conditional loss of Ube3d resulted in aberrant molecular characterizations associated with the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, oxidative stress damage, and cell-cycle regulation, which are implicated in AMD pathology. Thus, our findings strengthen and expand the impact of UPS dysfunction on retinal pathophysiology during aging, indicating that genetic Ube3d deficiency in the RPE could lead to the abnormal formation of pigment deposits and secondary fundus alterations. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchang Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, PR China
- College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Ningda Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, PR China
- College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiarui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, PR China
- College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
| | - Mingwei Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, PR China
- College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoxin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, PR China
- College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
| | - Lvzhen Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, PR China
- College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
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Gómez Sánchez A, Colucci P, Moran A, Moya López A, Colligris B, Álvarez Y, Kennedy BN. Systemic treatment with cigarette smoke extract affects zebrafish visual behaviour, intraocular vasculature morphology and outer segment phagocytosis. Open Res Eur 2023; 3:48. [PMID: 38283058 PMCID: PMC10822043 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.15491.2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Cigarette smoking adversely affects multiple aspects of human health including eye disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and dry eye disease. However, there remains a knowledge gap in how constituents of cigarette smoke affect vision and retinal biology. We used zebrafish to assess effects of short-term acute exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on visual behaviour and retinal biology. Methods Zebrafish larvae with a developed visual system at three days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed to CSE for 4, 24 or 48 hours. Visual behaviour, hyaloid vasculature morphology, retinal histology, oxidative stress gene expression and outer segment phagocytosis were investigated using visual behavioural optokinetic and visual motor response assays (OKR and VMR), microscopy (light, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy), and real-time PCR. Results In zebrafish larvae, 48 hours of CSE treatment resulted in significantly reduced visual behaviour. Larvae treated with 10, 15 or 20 μg/mL CSE showed an average of 13.7, 10.7 or 9.4 saccades per minute, respectively, significantly lower compared with 0.05% DMSO controls (p=0.0093, p=0.0004 and p<0.0001, respectively) that exhibited 19.7 saccades per minute. The diameter of intraocular vessels increased from 4.833 μm in 0.05% DMSO controls to 5.885 μm in the 20 μg/mL CSE-treated larvae (p=0.0333). Biometry analysis highlighted a significant axial length elongation in 20 μg/mL CSE-treated larvae (216.9 μm, p<0.0001) compared to 0.05% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) controls (205.1 μm). Larvae exposed to 20 μg/mL CSE had significantly (p=0.0002) higher numbers of RPE phagosomes compared to vehicle controls (0.1425 and 0.093 phagosomes/μm RPE, respectively). Conclusions Zebrafish larvae with a developed visual system display apparent defects in visual behaviour and retinal biology after acute exposure to CSE, establishing a valuable in vivo model to investigate ocular disorders related to cigarette smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Gómez Sánchez
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Ocupharm Diagnostic Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrizia Colucci
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ailis Moran
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Alexandro Moya López
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- Ocupharm Diagnostic Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Basilio Colligris
- Ocupharm Diagnostic Group Research, Faculty of Optic and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yolanda Álvarez
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Breandán N. Kennedy
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
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Mirzaei F, Eslahi A, Karimi S, Alizadeh F, Salmaninejad A, Rezaei M, Mozaffari S, Hamzehloei T, Pasdar A, Mojarrad M. Generation of Zebrafish Models of Human Retinitis Pigmentosa Diseases Using CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing System. Mol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12033-023-00907-8. [PMID: 37980693 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00907-8] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Generating animal models can explore the role of new candidate genes in causing diseases and the pathogenicity of a specific mutation in the underlying genes. These animals can be used to identify new pharmaceutical or genetic therapeutic methods. In the present experiment, we developed a rpe65a knock out (KO) zebrafish as a retinitis pigmentosa (RP) disease model. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the rpe65a gene was KO in zebrafish. Two specific single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed for the zebrafish rpe65a gene. SgRNAs were cloned into the DR274 plasmid and synthesized using in vitro transcription method. The efficiency of Ribonucleoprotein (synthesized sgRNA and recombinant Cas9) was evaluated by in vitro digestion experiment. Ribonucleoprotein complexes were microinjected into one to four-celled eggs of the TU zebrafish strain. The effectiveness of sgRNAs in KO the target gene was determined using the Heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and Sanger sequencing. Online software was used to determine the percent of mosaicism in the sequenced samples. By examining the sequences of the larvae that showed a mobility shift in the HMA method, the presence of indels in the binding region of sgRNAs was confirmed, so the zebrafish model for RP disease established. Zebrafish is an ideal animal model for the functional study of various diseases involving different genes and mutations and used for evaluating different therapeutic approaches in human diseases. This study presents the production of rpe65a gene KO zebrafish models using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This model can be used in RP pathophysiology studies and preclinical gene therapy experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Mirzaei
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atiyeh Eslahi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sareh Karimi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Alizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Arash Salmaninejad
- Regenerative Medicine, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Multi-Disciplinary Center, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rezaei
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Tayebeh Hamzehloei
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Pasdar
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Mojarrad
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Sun K, Han Y, Li J, Yu S, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Reilly J, Tu J, Gao P, Jia D, Chen X, Hu H, Ren M, Li P, Luo J, Ren X, Zhang X, Shu X, Liu F, Liu M, Tang Z. The splicing factor DHX38 enables retinal development through safeguarding genome integrity. iScience 2023; 26:108103. [PMID: 37867960 PMCID: PMC10589891 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108103] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
DEAH-Box Helicase 38 (DHX38) is a pre-mRNA splicing factor and also a disease-causing gene of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP). The role of DHX38 in the development and maintenance of the retina remains largely unknown. In this study, by using the dhx38 knockout zebrafish model, we demonstrated that Dhx38 deficiency causes severe differentiation defects and apoptosis of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) through disrupted mitosis and increased DNA damage. Furthermore, we found a significant accumulation of R-loops in the dhx38-deficient RPCs and human cell lines. Finally, we found that DNA replication stress is the prerequisite for R-loop-induced DNA damage in the DHX38 knockdown cells. Taken together, our study demonstrates a necessary role of DHX38 in the development of retina and reveals a DHX38/R-loop/replication stress/DNA damage regulatory axis that is relatively independent of the known functions of DHX38 in mitosis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Yunqiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Jingzhen Li
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430081, P.R. China
| | - Yuwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Yangjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Jamas Reilly
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland G4 0BA, UK
| | - Jiayi Tu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Danna Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Hualei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Mengmeng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Pei Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Jiong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Xinhua Shu
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland G4 0BA, UK
| | - Fei Liu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China
| | - Mugen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, P.R. China
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Uttley K, Papanastasiou AS, Lahne M, Brisbane JM, MacDonald RB, Bickmore WA, Bhatia S. Unique activities of two overlapping PAX6 retinal enhancers. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302126. [PMID: 37643867 PMCID: PMC10465922 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancers play a critical role in development by precisely modulating spatial, temporal, and cell type-specific gene expression. Sequence variants in enhancers have been implicated in diseases; however, establishing the functional consequences of these variants is challenging because of a lack of understanding of precise cell types and developmental stages where the enhancers are normally active. PAX6 is the master regulator of eye development, with a regulatory landscape containing multiple enhancers driving the expression in the eye. Whether these enhancers perform additive, redundant or distinct functions is unknown. Here, we describe the precise cell types and regulatory activity of two PAX6 retinal enhancers, HS5 and NRE. Using a unique combination of live imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing in dual enhancer-reporter zebrafish embryos, we uncover differences in the spatiotemporal activity of these enhancers. Our results show that although overlapping, these enhancers have distinct activities in different cell types and therefore likely nonredundant functions. This work demonstrates that unique cell type-specific activities can be uncovered for apparently similar enhancers when investigated at high resolution in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Uttley
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew S Papanastasiou
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Manuela Lahne
- https://ror.org/02jx3x895 UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Greater London, UK
| | - Jennifer M Brisbane
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ryan B MacDonald
- https://ror.org/02jx3x895 UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Greater London, UK
| | - Wendy A Bickmore
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shipra Bhatia
- https://ror.org/011jsc803 MRC Human Genetics Unithttps://ror.org/01nrxwf90 , Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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10
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Duot M, Viel R, Viet J, Le Goff-Gaillard C, Paillard L, Lachke SA, Gautier-Courteille C, Reboutier D. Eye Lens Organoids Made Simple: Characterization of a New Three-Dimensional Organoid Model for Lens Development and Pathology. Cells 2023; 12:2478. [PMID: 37887322 PMCID: PMC10605248 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202478] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cataract, the opacification of the lens, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Although effective, cataract surgery is costly and can lead to complications. Toward identifying alternate treatments, it is imperative to develop organoid models relevant for lens studies and drug screening. Here, we demonstrate that by culturing mouse lens epithelial cells under defined three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions, it is possible to generate organoids that display optical properties and recapitulate many aspects of lens organization and biology. These organoids can be rapidly produced in large amounts. High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on specific organoid regions isolated via laser capture microdissection (LCM) and immunofluorescence assays demonstrate that these lens organoids display a spatiotemporal expression of key lens genes, e.g., Jag1, Pax6, Prox1, Hsf4 and Cryab. Further, these lens organoids are amenable to the induction of opacities. Finally, the knockdown of a cataract-linked RNA-binding protein encoding gene, Celf1, induces opacities in these organoids, indicating their use in rapidly screening for genes that are functionally relevant to lens biology and cataract. In sum, this lens organoid model represents a compelling new tool to advance the understanding of lens biology and pathology and can find future use in the rapid screening of compounds aimed at preventing and/or treating cataracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Duot
- CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Roselyne Viel
- CNRS, Inserm UMS Biosit, H2P2 Core Facility, Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Justine Viet
- CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Catherine Le Goff-Gaillard
- CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Luc Paillard
- CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Salil A. Lachke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Carole Gautier-Courteille
- CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - David Reboutier
- CNRS, UMR 6290, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
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11
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Chen C, Zuo Y, Hu H, Shao Y, Dong S, Zeng J, Huang L, Liu Z, Shen Q, Liu F, Liao X, Cao Z, Zhong Z, Lu H, Bi Y, Chen J. Cysteamine hydrochloride affects ocular development and triggers associated inflammation in zebrafish. J Hazard Mater 2023; 459:132175. [PMID: 37517235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132175] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of cosmetics has raised widespread concerns regarding their ingredients. Cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH) is a newly identified allergenic component in cosmetics, and therefore its potential toxicity needs further elucidation. Here, we investigated the in vivo toxicity of CSH during ocular development utilizing a zebrafish model. CSH exposure was linked to smaller eyes, increased vasculature of the fundus and decreased vessel diameter in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, CSH exposure accelerated the process of vascular sprouting and enhanced the proliferation of ocular vascular endothelial cells. Diminished behavior in response to visual stimuli and ocular structural damage in zebrafish larvae after CSH treatment were confirmed by analysis of the photo-visual motor response and pathological examination, respectively. Through transcriptional assays, transgenic fluorescence photography and molecular docking analysis, we determined that CSH inhibited Notch receptor transcription, leading to an aberrant proliferation of ocular vascular endothelial cells mediated by Vegf signaling activation. This process disrupted ocular homeostasis, and induced an inflammatory response with neutrophil accumulation, in addition to the generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species, which in turn promoted the occurrence of apoptotic cells in the eye and ultimately impaired ocular structure and visual function during zebrafish development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yuhua Zuo
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325003, China
| | - Hongmei Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yuting Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Si Dong
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China; Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Junquan Zeng
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Department of Interventional and Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qinyuan Shen
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fasheng Liu
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinjun Liao
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zigang Cao
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zilin Zhong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Huiqiang Lu
- Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory of Zebrafish Modeling and Drug Screening for Human Diseases, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Organs, Clinical Research Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Yanlong Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, China; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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12
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Wu X, Hua X, Xu K, Song Y, Lv T. Zebrafish in Lung Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4721. [PMID: 37835415 PMCID: PMC10571557 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194721] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish is increasingly used as a model organism for cancer research because of its genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Modeling lung cancer (LC) in zebrafish has received significant attention. This review focuses on the insights gained from using zebrafish in LC research. These insights range from investigating the genetic and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development and progression of LC to identifying potential drug targets, testing the efficacy and toxicity of new therapies, and applying zebrafish for personalized medicine studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of LC research performed using zebrafish, highlights the advantages and limitations of this model organism, and discusses future directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; (X.W.); (K.X.)
| | - Xin Hua
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Southeast University Medical College, Nanjing 210096, China;
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; (X.W.); (K.X.)
| | - Yong Song
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Southeast University Medical College, Nanjing 210096, China;
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Tangfeng Lv
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; (X.W.); (K.X.)
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
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13
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Soucy JR, Aguzzi EA, Cho J, Gilhooley MJ, Keuthan C, Luo Z, Monavarfeshani A, Saleem MA, Wang XW, Wohlschlegel J, Baranov P, Di Polo A, Fortune B, Gokoffski KK, Goldberg JL, Guido W, Kolodkin AL, Mason CA, Ou Y, Reh TA, Ross AG, Samuels BC, Welsbie D, Zack DJ, Johnson TV. Retinal ganglion cell repopulation for vision restoration in optic neuropathy: a roadmap from the RReSTORe Consortium. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:64. [PMID: 37735444 PMCID: PMC10514988 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies results in irreversible vision loss due to the mammalian central nervous system's limited regenerative capacity. RGC repopulation is a promising therapeutic approach to reverse vision loss from optic neuropathies if the newly introduced neurons can reestablish functional retinal and thalamic circuits. In theory, RGCs might be repopulated through the transplantation of stem cell-derived neurons or via the induction of endogenous transdifferentiation. The RGC Repopulation, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Optic Nerve Regeneration (RReSTORe) Consortium was established to address the challenges associated with the therapeutic repair of the visual pathway in optic neuropathy. In 2022, the RReSTORe Consortium initiated ongoing international collaborative discussions to advance the RGC repopulation field and has identified five critical areas of focus: (1) RGC development and differentiation, (2) Transplantation methods and models, (3) RGC survival, maturation, and host interactions, (4) Inner retinal wiring, and (5) Eye-to-brain connectivity. Here, we discuss the most pertinent questions and challenges that exist on the path to clinical translation and suggest experimental directions to propel this work going forward. Using these five subtopic discussion groups (SDGs) as a framework, we suggest multidisciplinary approaches to restore the diseased visual pathway by leveraging groundbreaking insights from developmental neuroscience, stem cell biology, molecular biology, optical imaging, animal models of optic neuropathy, immunology & immunotolerance, neuropathology & neuroprotection, materials science & biomedical engineering, and regenerative neuroscience. While significant hurdles remain, the RReSTORe Consortium's efforts provide a comprehensive roadmap for advancing the RGC repopulation field and hold potential for transformative progress in restoring vision in patients suffering from optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Soucy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erika A Aguzzi
- The Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - Julie Cho
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Michael James Gilhooley
- The Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, England, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England, UK
| | - Casey Keuthan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ziming Luo
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meher A Saleem
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xue-Wei Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Petr Baranov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana Di Polo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Brad Fortune
- Discoveries in Sight Research Laboratories, Devers Eye Institute and Legacy Research Institute, Legacy Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kimberly K Gokoffski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - William Guido
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Alex L Kolodkin
- The Solomon H Snyder, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carol A Mason
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yvonne Ou
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ahmara G Ross
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian C Samuels
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Callahan Eye Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Derek Welsbie
- Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Glaucoma Center of Excellence, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21287 MD, USA
- Departments of Neuroscience, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas V Johnson
- Departments of Neuroscience, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Cellular & Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21287 MD, USA.
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14
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Maslov GO, Zabegalov KN, Demin KA, Kolesnikova TO, Kositsyn YM, de Abreu MS, Petersen EV, Kalueff AV. Towards experimental models of delirium utilizing zebrafish. Behav Brain Res 2023; 453:114607. [PMID: 37524203 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114607] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Delirium is an acute neuropsychiatric condition characterized by impaired behavior and cognition. Although the syndrome has been known for millennia, its CNS mechanisms and risk factors remain poorly understood. Experimental animal models, especially rodent-based, are commonly used to probe various pathogenetic aspects of delirium. Complementing rodents, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerges as a promising novel model organism to study delirium. Zebrafish demonstrate high genetic and physiological homology to mammals, easy maintenance, robust behaviors in various sensitive behavioral tests, and the potential to screen for pharmacological agents relevant to delirium. Here, we critically discuss recent developments in the field, and emphasize the developing utility of zebrafish models for translational studies of delirium and deliriant drugs. Overall, the zebrafish represents a valuable and promising aquatic model species whose use may help understand delirium etiology, as well as develop novel therapies for this severely debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb O Maslov
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | | | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana O Kolesnikova
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yuriy M Kositsyn
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elena V Petersen
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia; Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
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15
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Parameswarappa DC, Sheth J, Agarwal K. RETINAL CHANGES IN PORETTI-BOLTSHAUSER SYNDROME: RETINA AS A WINDOW TO THE BRAIN. Retin Cases Brief Rep 2023; 17:511-514. [PMID: 35671446 DOI: 10.1097/icb.0000000000001233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE LAMA 1 gene as a pathologic variant leading to cerebellar dysplasia and cysts, nonprogressive ataxia, language, and motor developmental delay without any muscular involvement was recently described as Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome (PBS). Ocular involvement is a common associated feature in this neurodegenerative disorder. In this case report, we describe the retinal changes associated with Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome. METHODS, PATIENT, AND RESULTS A 4-year-old female child presented with the progressive decreased vision for the past 6 to 8 months. Ophthalmic examination revealed mild myopia and ocular motor apraxia with retinal disruptions appearing as holes that were confined only to inner retinal layers. The child also had motor and speech developmental delays. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed vermis hypoplasia with cerebellar dysgenesis and multiple cystic spaces in both cerebellar hemispheres. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous pathogenic variant of exon 2-63 deletion in the LAMA 1 gene, which was confirmatory for Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome. CONCLUSION Oculomotor apraxia and retinal changes can lead to visual disturbances in Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome. Identification of these features and prompt rehabilitative measures can improve the quality of life of these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika C Parameswarappa
- Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Centre for Vitreo-Retinal Diseases, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India; and
| | - Jenil Sheth
- Child Sight Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Komal Agarwal
- Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Centre for Vitreo-Retinal Diseases, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India; and
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16
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Moran AL, Fehilly JD, Blacque O, Kennedy BN. Gene therapy for RAB28: What can we learn from zebrafish? Vision Res 2023; 210:108270. [PMID: 37321111 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108270] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The eye is particularly suited to gene therapy due to its accessibility, immunoprivileged state and compartmentalised structure. Indeed, many clinical trials are underway for therapeutic gene strategies for inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs). However, as there are currently 281 genes associated with IRD, there is still a large unmet need for effective therapies for the majority of IRD-causing genes. In humans, RAB28 null and hypomorphic alleles cause autosomal recessive cone-rod dystrophy (arCORD). Previous work demonstrated that restoring wild type zebrafish Rab28 via germline transgenesis, specifically in cone photoreceptors, is sufficient to rescue the defects in outer segment phagocytosis (OSP) observed in zebrafish rab28-/- knockouts (KO). This rescue suggests that gene therapy for RAB28-associated CORD may be successful by RAB28 gene restoration to cones. It also inspired us to critically consider the scenarios in which zebrafish can provide informative preclinical data for development of gene therapies. Thus, this review focuses on RAB28 biology and disease, and delves into both the opportunities and limitations of using zebrafish as a model for both gene therapy development and as a diagnostic tool for patient variants of unknown significance (VUS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailis L Moran
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John D Fehilly
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Oliver Blacque
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Breandán N Kennedy
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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17
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Jackson D, Moosajee M. The Genetic Determinants of Axial Length: From Microphthalmia to High Myopia in Childhood. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2023; 24:177-202. [PMID: 37624667 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-102722-090617] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The axial length of the eye is critical for normal visual function by enabling light to precisely focus on the retina. The mean axial length of the adult human eye is 23.5 mm, but the molecular mechanisms regulating ocular axial length remain poorly understood. Underdevelopment can lead to microphthalmia (defined as a small eye with an axial length of less than 19 mm at 1 year of age or less than 21 mm in adulthood) within the first trimester of pregnancy. However, continued overgrowth can lead to axial high myopia (an enlarged eye with an axial length of 26.5 mm or more) at any age. Both conditions show high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity associated with significant visual morbidity worldwide. More than 90 genes can contribute to microphthalmia, and several hundred genes are associated with myopia, yet diagnostic yields are low. Crucially, the genetic pathways underpinning the specification of eye size are only now being discovered, with evidence suggesting that shared molecular pathways regulate under- or overgrowth of the eye. Improving our mechanistic understanding of axial length determination will help better inform us of genotype-phenotype correlations in both microphthalmia and myopia, dissect gene-environment interactions in myopia, and develop postnatal therapies that may influence overall eye growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jackson
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom;
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Yi J, Ma Y, Ma J, Yu H, Zhang K, Jin L, Yang Q, Sun D, Wu D. Rapid Assessment of Ocular Toxicity from Environmental Contaminants Based on Visually Mediated Zebrafish Behavior Studies. Toxics 2023; 11:706. [PMID: 37624211 PMCID: PMC10459940 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The presence of contaminants in the environment has increased in recent years, and studies have demonstrated that these contaminants have the ability to penetrate the blood-retinal barrier and directly affect the visual systems of organisms. Zebrafish are recognized as an ideal model for human eye diseases due to their anatomical and functional similarities to the human eye, making them an efficient and versatile organism for studying ocular toxicity caused by environmental contaminants in the field of environmental toxicology. Meanwhile, zebrafish exhibit a diverse repertoire of visually mediated behaviors, and their visual system undergoes complex changes in behavioral responses when exposed to environmental contaminants, enabling rapid assessment of the ocular toxicity induced by such pollutants. Therefore, this review aimed to highlight the effectiveness of zebrafish as a model for examining the effects of environmental contaminants on ocular development. Special attention is given to the visually mediated behavior of zebrafish, which allows for a rapid assessment of ocular toxicity resulting from exposure to environmental contaminants. Additionally, the potential mechanisms by which environmental contaminants may induce ocular toxicity are briefly outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yi
- Institute of Life Science & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yilei Ma
- Institute of Life Science & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jiahui Ma
- Institute of Life Science & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Institute of Life Science & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Libo Jin
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ecological Treatment Technology of Urban Water Pollution, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China;
| | - Qinsi Yang
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325000, China;
| | - Da Sun
- Institute of Life Science & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ecological Treatment Technology of Urban Water Pollution, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China;
| | - Dejun Wu
- Emergency Department, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou 324000, China
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19
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Nwagbo U, Bernstein PS. Understanding the Roles of Very-Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFAs) in Eye Health. Nutrients 2023; 15:3096. [PMID: 37513514 PMCID: PMC10383069 DOI: 10.3390/nu15143096] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipids serve many roles in the neural system, from synaptic stabilization and signaling to DNA regulation and neuroprotection. They also regulate inflammatory responses, maintain cellular membrane structure, and regulate the homeostatic balance of ions and signaling molecules. An imbalance of lipid subgroups is implicated in the progression of many retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy, and diet can play a key role in influencing these diseases' onset, progression, and severity. A special class of lipids termed very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) is found exclusively in mammalian vertebrate retinas and a few other tissues. They comprise <2% of fatty acids in the retina and are depleted in the retinas of patients with diseases like diabetic retinopathy and AMD. However, the implications of the reduction in VLC-PUFA levels are poorly understood. Dietary supplementation studies and ELOVL4 transgene studies have had positive outcomes. However, much remains to be understood about their role in retinal health and the potential for targeted therapies against retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzoamaka Nwagbo
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Paul S. Bernstein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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20
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Vöcking O, Famulski JK. Single cell transcriptome analyses of the developing zebrafish eye- perspectives and applications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1213382. [PMID: 37457291 PMCID: PMC10346855 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1213382] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Within a relatively short period of time, single cell transcriptome analyses (SCT) have become increasingly ubiquitous with transcriptomic research, uncovering plentiful details that boost our molecular understanding of various biological processes. Stemming from SCT analyses, the ever-growing number of newly assigned genetic markers increases our understanding of general function and development, while providing opportunities for identifying genes associated with disease. SCT analyses have been carried out using tissue from numerous organisms. However, despite the great potential of zebrafish as a model organism, other models are still preferably used. In this mini review, we focus on eye research as an example of the advantages in using zebrafish, particularly its usefulness for single cell transcriptome analyses of developmental processes. As studies have already shown, the unique opportunities offered by zebrafish, including similarities to the human eye, in combination with the possibility to analyze and extract specific cells at distinct developmental time points makes the model a uniquely powerful one. Particularly the practicality of collecting large numbers of embryos and therefore isolation of sufficient numbers of developing cells is a distinct advantage compared to other model organisms. Lastly, the advent of highly efficient genetic knockouts methods offers opportunities to characterize target gene function in a more cost-efficient way. In conclusion, we argue that the use of zebrafish for SCT approaches has great potential to further deepen our molecular understanding of not only eye development, but also many other organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakub K. Famulski
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Yang S, Huang L, Liang H, Guo J, Liu L, Chen S, Cao M. Loss of flrt2 gene leads to microphthalmia in zebrafish. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio059784. [PMID: 37259881 PMCID: PMC10281255 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059784] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
As a member of the fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane (flrt) gene family, fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane 2 (flrt2) is strongly expressed in a subset of sclerotome cells, and the resultant protein interacts with FGFR1 in the FGF signaling pathway during development. Studies on flrt2 have focused mainly on its roles in the brain, heart and chondrogenesis. However, reports on its expression and function in the zebrafish retina are lacking. Here, we detected the high expression of flrt2 in zebrafish retina using in situ hybridization technique and developed an flrt2-knockout (KO) zebrafish line using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of flrt2, which results in an approximately 60% mRNA reduction. The flrt2-KO zebrafish eyes' altered morphological, cellular, and molecular events were identified using BrdU labeling, TUNEL assay, immunofluorescent staining, fluorescent dye injection and RNA sequencing. Abnormal eye development, known as microphthalmia, was found in flrt2-KO larvae, and the retinal progenitor cells exhibited increased apoptosis, perhaps owing to the combined effects of crx, neurod4, atoh7, and pcdh8 downregulation and Casp3a and Caspbl upregulation. In contrast, the retinal neural development, as well as retinal progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation, were not affected by the flrt2 deletion. Thus, flrt2 appears to play important roles in retinal development and function, which may provide the basis for further investigations into the molecular mechanisms of retinal development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Lianggui Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Huiling Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jingyi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Liyue Liu
- China Zebrafish Resource Center, National Aquatic Biological Resource Center, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shuyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Mingzhe Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
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22
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Huang W, Wu T, Wu R, Peng J, Zhang Q, Shi X, Wu K. Fish to learn: insights into the effects of environmental chemicals on eye development and visual function in zebrafish. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27629-3. [PMID: 37195602 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27629-3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Vision is the most essential sense system for the human being. Congenital visual impairment affects millions of people globally. It is increasingly realized that visual system development is an impressionable target of environmental chemicals. However, due to inaccessibility and ethical issues, the use of humans and other placental mammals is constrained, which limits our better understanding of environmental factors on ocular development and visual function in the embryonic stage. Therefore, as complementing laboratory rodents, zebrafish has been the most frequently employed to understand the effects of environmental chemicals on eye development and visual function. One of the major reasons for the increasing use of zebrafish is their polychromatic vision. Zebrafish retinas are morphologically and functionally analogous to those of mammalian, as well as evolutionary conservation among vertebrate eye. This review provides an update on harmful effects from exposure to environmental chemicals, involving metallic elements (ions), metal-derived nanoparticles, microplastics, nanoplastics, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, and pharmaceutical pollutants on the eye development and visual function in zebrafish embryos. The collected data provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental factors on ocular development and visual function. This report highlights that zebrafish is promising as a model to identify hazardous toxicants toward eye development and is hopeful for developing preventative or postnatal therapies for human congenital visual impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Xinling Rd., No. 22, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianjie Wu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruotong Wu
- School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Jiajun Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Xinling Rd., No. 22, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Xinling Rd., No. 22, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoling Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Xinling Rd., No. 22, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Kusheng Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Xinling Rd., No. 22, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
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23
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Vig V, Garg I, Tuz-Zahra F, Xu J, Tripodis Y, Nicks R, Xia W, Alvarez VE, Alosco ML, Stein TD, Subramanian ML. Vitreous Humor Biomarkers Reflect Pathological Changes in the Brain for Alzheimer's Disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. J Alzheimers Dis 2023:JAD230167. [PMID: 37182888 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230167] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with eye disease have an increased risk for developing neurodegenerative disease. Neurodegenerative proteins can be measured in the eye; however, correlations between biomarker levels in eye fluid and neuropathological diagnoses have not been established. OBJECTIVE This exploratory, retrospective study examined vitreous humor from 41 postmortem eyes and brain tissue with neuropathological diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 7), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE, n = 15), both AD + CTE (n = 10), and without significant neuropathology (controls, n = 9). METHODS Protein biomarkers i.e., amyloid-β (Aβ 40,42), total tau (tTau), phosphorylated tau (pTau181,231), neurofilament light chain (NfL), and eotaxin-1 were quantitatively measured by immunoassay. Non-parametric tests were used to compare vitreous biomarker levels between groups. Spearman's rank correlation tests were used to correlate biomarker levels in vitreous and cortical tissue. The level of significance was set to α= 0.10. RESULTS In pairwise comparisons, tTau levels were significantly increased in AD and CTE groups versus controls (p = 0.08 for both) as well as AD versus AD+CTE group and CTE versus AD+CTE group (p = 0.049 for both). Vitreous NfL levels were significantly increased in low CTE (Stage I/II) versus no CTE (p = 0.096) and in low CTE versus high CTE stage (p = 0.03). Vitreous and cortical tissue levels of pTau 231 (p = 0.02, r = 0.38) and t-Tau (p = 0.04, r = -0.34) were significantly correlated. CONCLUSION The postmortem vitreous humor biomarker levels significantly correlate with AD and CTE pathology in corresponding brains, while vitreous NfL was correlated with the CTE staging. This exploratory study indicates that biomarkers in the vitreous humor may serve as a proxy for neuropathological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viha Vig
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Itika Garg
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Fatima Tuz-Zahra
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raymond Nicks
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weiming Xia
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manju L Subramanian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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24
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Colucci P, Giannaccini M, Baggiani M, Kennedy BN, Dente L, Raffa V, Gabellini C. Neuroprotective Nanoparticles Targeting the Retina: A Polymeric Platform for Ocular Drug Delivery Applications. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041096. [PMID: 37111581 PMCID: PMC10144786 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroprotective drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye represents a major challenge to counteract vision loss. This work focuses on the development of a polymer-based nanocarrier, specifically designed for targeting the posterior eye. Polyacrylamide nanoparticles (ANPs) were synthesised and characterised, and their high binding efficiency was exploited to gain both ocular targeting and neuroprotective capabilities, through conjugation with peanut agglutinin (ANP:PNA) and neurotrophin nerve growth factor (ANP:PNA:NGF). The neuroprotective activity of ANP:PNA:NGF was assessed in an oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration model using the teleost zebrafish. Upon nanoformulation, NGF improved the visual function of zebrafish larvae after the intravitreal injection of hydrogen peroxide, accompanied by a reduction in the number of apoptotic cells in the retina. Additionally, ANP:PNA:NGF counteracted the impairment of visual behaviour in zebrafish larvae exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Collectively, these data suggest that our polymeric drug delivery system represents a promising strategy for implementing targeted treatment against retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Colucci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Matteo Baggiani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Breandán N Kennedy
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luciana Dente
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittoria Raffa
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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25
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Tarique I, Lu T, Tariq M. Cellular activity of autophagy and multivesicular bodies in lens fiber cells during early lens development in rbm24a mutant of zebrafish: Ultrastructure analysis. Micron 2023; 169:103446. [PMID: 36965272 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103446] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Use of zebrafish as animal model for various diseases during early developmental stages has been exponentially increased with the aim to achieve the best representative results in this transparent fish. Recent studies documented that Rbm24a mutant causes cataract formation and resulted in blindness using the zebrafish model. Therefore, correct interpretation of studies that aimed for molecular approaches, a description of comparative and in-depth analysis of development of lens in wildtype and mutant is crucial to obtain the correct conclusion. In this study, we use a gold standard method the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to analysis the lens development in rbm24a mutant zebrafish. Firstly, we compare the cellular structures at 16-20 h post fertilization (hpf), the lens placode in ectoderm indicated delay lens development in rbm24a mutant than wildtype (siblings) zebrafish. At 33 hpf, loosely appeared lens fiber cells showed heterogenous electron density with numbers of mitochondria in lens of rbm24a mutant, revealed the influence of gene mutation in lens development. A detail ultrastructure of lens of rbm24a mutant also presented at 33 hpf. Comparatively in wildtype (siblings) at 33 hpf, lens exhibited homogenous electron density in tightly packed lens fiber cells with few mitochondria. Furthermore, to characterize the lens in rbm24a mutant we obtained data of cellular structures on 25 hpf and 1.5 days' post fertilization (dpf). At 25 hpf in mutant zebrafish, the detached solid sphere lens mass from ectoderm showed karyorrhexis, mitophagy and vesicles (also multivesicular bodies), these cellular structures supposed to hamper the development of future fiber cells. Moreover, at 1.5 dpf in mutant, nuclear excisosome, multilamellar bodies and irregular shaped mitochondria in heterogenous electron dense cytoplasm of lens fiber cells, collectively shown affected lens transparency. In summary the ultrastructure results of lens of rbm24a mutant zebrafish expand our knowledge and give reflection of different cellular activities like autophagy, apoptosis, vesicles (multivesicular bodies) and nuclear excisosomes which play their role in transparency achievement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Tarique
- Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta Ur Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Tong Lu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Mansoor Tariq
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam 70060, Sindh, Pakistan
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26
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Rosa JGS, Lopes-ferreira M, Lima C. An Overview towards Zebrafish Larvae as a Model for Ocular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5387. [PMID: 36982479 PMCID: PMC10048880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the obvious morphological differences in the visual system, zebrafish share a similar architecture and components of the same embryonic origin as humans. The zebrafish retina has the same layered structure and cell types with similar metabolic and phototransduction support as humans, and is functional 72 h after fertilization, allowing tests of visual function to be performed. The zebrafish genomic database supports genetic mapping studies as well as gene editing, both of which are useful in the ophthalmological field. It is possible to model ocular disorders in zebrafish, as well as inherited retinal diseases or congenital or acquired malformations. Several approaches allow the evaluation of local pathological processes derived from systemic disorders, such as chemical exposure to produce retinal hypoxia or glucose exposure to produce hyperglycemia, mimicking retinopathy of prematurity or diabetic retinopathy, respectively. The pathogenesis of ocular infections, autoimmune diseases, or aging can also be assessed in zebrafish larvae, and the preserved cellular and molecular immune mechanisms can be assessed. Finally, the zebrafish model for the study of the pathologies of the visual system complements certain deficiencies in experimental models of mammals since the regeneration of the zebrafish retina is a valuable tool for the study of degenerative processes and the discovery of new drugs and therapies.
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27
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Zizioli D, Ferretti S, Mignani L, Castelli F, Tiecco G, Zanella I, Quiros-Roldan E. Developmental safety of nirmatrelvir in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:430-440. [PMID: 36373861 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nirmatrelvir, in combination with ritonavir, is one of the first orally available antiviral treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Symptomatic pregnant women are at increased risk for severe illness and complications that can affect the developing baby. No malformations or lower embryo-fetal survival have been observed when nirmatrelvir were administered to pregnant rats and rabbits. Safety evaluation of drugs used for treating COVID-19 also in pregnancy is urgent for public health, then in this study we further investigated nirmatrelvir developmental toxicity using zebrafish as in vivo model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using the standardized Fish Embryo Toxicity (FET) test, we first determined the lethal concentration 50 (LC50), exposing embryos from gastrula stage up to 120 hr post fertilization (hpf) and daily recording lethality. Then, we exposed embryos to five doses comprising the human therapeutic one and up to the LC50 (25 μM). Morphology was evaluated at 72 and 120 hpf. RESULTS Nirmatrelvir did not affect survival rate and did not induce morphological defects up to the human therapeutic dose. Exposure at higher doses (2.4× and 3× the human Cmax ) however resulted in decreased hatching rate, reduced growth, slower heartbeat with pericardial edema, reduction of eye dimension, absence of the swim bladder and disruption of the anterior-posterior axis, with lack of tail detachment, spinal curvature and straight and smaller head. CONCLUSIONS Our findings in zebrafish embryos add further information about developmental nirmatrelvir safety. Further studies are needed for pharmacological safety assessment of nirmatrelvir exposure during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Ferretti
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Mignani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Castelli
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tiecco
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Isabella Zanella
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Section, Diagnostic Department, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eugenia Quiros-Roldan
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Jarayseh T, Guillemyn B, De Saffel H, Bek JW, Syx D, Symoens S, Gansemans Y, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Jagadeesh S, Raja J, Malfait F, Coucke PJ, De Clercq A, Willaert A. A tapt1 knock-out zebrafish line with aberrant lens development and impaired vision models human early-onset cataract. Hum Genet 2023; 142:457-76. [PMID: 36697720 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02518-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Bi-allelic mutations in the gene coding for human trans-membrane anterior-posterior transformation protein 1 (TAPT1) result in a broad phenotypic spectrum, ranging from syndromic disease with severe skeletal and congenital abnormalities to isolated early-onset cataract. We present here the first patient with a frameshift mutation in the TAPT1 gene, resulting in both bilateral early-onset cataract and skeletal abnormalities, in addition to several dysmorphic features, in this way further expanding the phenotypic spectrum associated with TAPT1 mutations. A tapt1a/tapt1b double knock-out (KO) zebrafish model generated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing revealed an early larval phenotype with eye malformations, loss of vision, increased photokinetics and hyperpigmentation, without visible skeletal involvement. Ultrastructural analysis of the eyes showed a smaller condensed lens, loss of integrity of the lens capsule with formation of a secondary lens and hyperplasia of the cells in the ganglion and inner plexiform layers of the retina. Transcriptomic analysis pointed to an impaired lens development with aberrant expression of many of the crystallin and other lens-specific genes. Furthermore, the phototransduction and visual perception pathways were found to be significantly disturbed. Differences in light perception are likely the cause of the increased dark photokinetics and generalized hyperpigmentation observed in this zebrafish model. In conclusion, this study validates TAPT1 as a new gene for early-onset cataract and sheds light on its ultrastructural and molecular characteristics.
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Adhish M, Manjubala I. Effectiveness of zebrafish models in understanding human diseases-A review of models. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14557. [PMID: 36950605 PMCID: PMC10025926 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the detailed mechanism behind every human disease, disorder, defect, and deficiency is a daunting task concerning the clinical diagnostic tools for patients. Hence, a closely resembling living or simulated model is of paramount interest for the development and testing of a probable novel drug for rectifying the conditions pertaining to the various ailments. The animal model that can be easily genetically manipulated to suit the study of the therapeutic motive is an indispensable asset and within the last few decades, the zebrafish models have proven their effectiveness by becoming such potent human disease models with their use being extended to various avenues of research to understand the underlying mechanisms of the diseases. As zebrafish are explored as model animals in understanding the molecular basis and genetics of many diseases owing to the 70% genetic homology between the human and zebrafish genes; new and fascinating facts about the diseases are being surfaced, establishing it as a very powerful tool for upcoming research. These prospective research areas can be explored in the near future using zebrafish as a model. In this review, the effectiveness of the zebrafish as an animal model against several human diseases such as osteoporosis, atrial fibrillation, Noonan syndrome, leukemia, autism spectrum disorders, etc. has been discussed.
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Kugler E, Bravo I, Durmishi X, Marcotti S, Beqiri S, Carrington A, Stramer B, Mattar P, MacDonald RB. GliaMorph: a modular image analysis toolkit to quantify Müller glial cell morphology. Development 2023; 150:dev201008. [PMID: 36625162 PMCID: PMC10110500 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cell morphology is crucial for all cell functions. This is particularly true for glial cells as they rely on complex shape to contact and support neurons. However, methods to quantify complex glial cell shape accurately and reproducibly are lacking. To address this, we developed the image analysis pipeline 'GliaMorph'. GliaMorph is a modular analysis toolkit developed to perform (1) image pre-processing, (2) semi-automatic region-of-interest selection, (3) apicobasal texture analysis, (4) glia segmentation, and (5) cell feature quantification. Müller glia (MG) have a stereotypic shape linked to their maturation and physiological status. Here, we characterized MG on three levels: (1) global image-level, (2) apicobasal texture, and (3) regional apicobasal vertical-to-horizontal alignment. Using GliaMorph, we quantified MG development on a global and single-cell level, showing increased feature elaboration and subcellular morphological rearrangement in the zebrafish retina. As proof of principle, we analysed expression changes in a mouse glaucoma model, identifying subcellular protein localization changes in MG. Together, these data demonstrate that GliaMorph enables an in-depth understanding of MG morphology in the developing and diseased retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kugler
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Isabel Bravo
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Xhuljana Durmishi
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Stefania Marcotti
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sara Beqiri
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Alicia Carrington
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Brian Stramer
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Pierre Mattar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ryan B. MacDonald
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
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Xu KF, Jia HR, Wang Z, Feng HH, Li LY, Zhang R, Durrani S, Lin F, Wu FG. See the Unseen: Red-Emissive Carbon Dots for Visualizing the Nucleolar Structures in Two Model Animals and In Vivo Drug Toxicity. Small 2023:e2205890. [PMID: 36634974 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Nucleolus, which participates in many crucial cellular activities, is an ideal target for evaluating the state of a cell or an organism. Here, bright red-emissive carbon dots (termed CPCDs) with excitation-independent/polarity-dependent fluorescence emission are synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal reaction between congo red and p-phenylenediamine. The CPCDs can achieve wash-free, real-time, long-term, and high-quality nucleolus imaging in live cells, as well as in vivo imaging of two common model animals-zebrafish and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Strikingly, CPCDs realize the nucleolus imaging of organs/flowing blood cells in zebrafish at a cellular level for the first time, and the superb nucleolus imaging of C. elegans suggests that the germ cells in the spermatheca probably have no intact nuclei. These previously unachieved imaging results of the cells/tissues/organs may guide the zebrafish-related studies and benefit the research of C. elegans development. More importantly, a novel strategy based on CPCDs for in vivo toxicity evaluation of materials/drugs (e.g., Ag+ ), which can visualize the otherwise unseen injuries in zebrafish, is developed. In conclusion, the CPCDs represent a robust tool for visualizing the structures and dynamic behaviors of live zebrafish and C. elegans, and may find important applications in cell biology and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Fei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Hao-Ran Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Zihao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Hui-Heng Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Ling-Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Rufeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Samran Durrani
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Fengming Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Fu-Gen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 2 Sipailou Road, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
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Berger S, D. Currie P, Berger J. The Role of TRiC-enhanced Actin Folding in Leber Congenital Amaurosis. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2023; 18:60-67. [PMID: 36937198 PMCID: PMC10020782 DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v18i1.12726] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Mutations in TCP-1 ring complex (TRiC) have been associated with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). TRiC is involved in protein folding and has 8 essential subunits including CCT5. Herein, we studied the retina of TRiC mutant zebrafish to evaluate the possible role of impaired actin and tubulin folding in LCA. Methods The cct5 t f 212 b retina was histologically studied using Toluidine Blue staining as well as TUNEL, BrdU-labeling, and Phalloidin assays. Retinal organisation was assessed by quantification of the cellularity utilising DAPI. Results Laminar organization of cct5 t f 212 b retinas was intact. Enhanced apoptosis throughout the cct5 t f 212 b retina was not compensated by higher proliferation rates, leaving the cct5 t f 212 b retina smaller in size. Quantification of retinal layer cellularity demonstrated that specifically the numbers of the amacrine and the retinal ganglion cells were depleted, suggesting that the cct5 t f 212 b retina was not uniformly affected by the reduced actin folding. Conclusion Whereas the current literature suggests that LCA is predominantly affecting retinal photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigment epithelium, cct5 t f 212 b analyses demonstrated the important role of folding of actin by TRiC, suggesting that cct5 t f 212 b is a useful tool to specifically analyze the role of F-actin filaments in the context of LCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Berger
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Victoria Node, EMBL Australia, Clayton, Australia
| | - Peter D. Currie
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Victoria Node, EMBL Australia, Clayton, Australia
| | - Joachim Berger
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Victoria Node, EMBL Australia, Clayton, Australia
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Ziermann JM. Overview of Head Muscles with Special Emphasis on Extraocular Muscle Development. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2023; 236:57-80. [PMID: 37955771 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-38215-4_3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The head is often considered the most complex part of the vertebrate body as many different cell types contribute to a huge variation of structures in a very limited space. Most of these cell types also interact with each other to ensure the proper development of skull, brain, muscles, nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. While there are general mechanisms that are true for muscle development all over the body, the head and postcranial muscle development differ from each other. In the head, specific gene regulatory networks underlie the differentiation in subgroups, which include extraocular muscles, muscles of mastication, muscles of facial expression, laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles, as well as cranial nerve innervated neck muscles. Here, I provide an overview of the difference between head and trunk muscle development. This is followed by a short excursion to the cardiopharyngeal field which gives rise to heart and head musculature and a summary of pharyngeal arch muscle development, including interactions between neural crest cells, mesodermal cells, and endodermal signals. Lastly, a more detailed description of the eye development, tissue interactions, and involved genes is provided.
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Cardenas-rodriguez M, Drummond IA. The challenge of dissecting gene function in model organisms: Tools to characterize genetic mutants and assess transcriptional adaptation in zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2023. [PMID: 37164532 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing technologies including the CRISPR/Cas9 system have greatly improved our knowledge of gene function and biological processes, however, these approaches have also brought new challenges to determining genotype-phenotype correlations. In this chapter, we briefly review gene-editing technologies used in zebrafish and discuss the differences in phenotypes that can arise when gene expression is inhibited by anti-sense or by gene editing techniques. We outline possible explanations for why knockout phenotypes are milder, tissue-restricted, or even absent, compared with severe knockdown phenotypes. One proposed explanation is transcriptional adaptation, a form of genetic robustness that is induced by deleterious mutations but not gene knockdowns. Although much is unknown about what triggers this process, its relevance in shaping genome expression has been shown in multiple animal models. We recently explored if transcriptional adaptation could explain genotype-phenotype discrepancies seen between two zebrafish models of the centrosomal protein Cep290 deficiency. We compared cilia-related phenotypes in knockdown (anti-sense) and knockout (mutation) Cep290 models and showed that only cep290 gene mutation induces the upregulation of genes encoding the cilia-associated small GTPases Arl3, Arl13b, and Unc119b. Importantly, the ectopic expression of Arl3, Arl13b, and Unc119b in cep290 morphant zebrafish embryos rescued cilia defects. Here we provide protocols and experimental approaches that can be used to explore if transcriptional adaptation may be modulating gene expression in a zebrafish ciliary mutant model.
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35
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Kugler E, Breitenbach EM, MacDonald R. Glia Cell Morphology Analysis Using the Fiji GliaMorph Toolkit. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e654. [PMID: 36688682 PMCID: PMC10108223 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.654] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Glial cells are the support cells of the nervous system. Glial cells typically have elaborate morphologies that facilitate close contacts with neighboring neurons, synapses, and the vasculature. In the retina, Müller glia (MG) are the principal glial cell type that supports neuronal function by providing a myriad of supportive functions via intricate cell morphologies and precise contacts. Thus, complex glial morphology is critical for glial function, but remains challenging to resolve at a sub-cellular level or reproducibly quantify in complex tissues. To address this issue, we developed GliaMorph as a Fiji-based macro toolkit that allows 3D glial cell morphology analysis in the developing and mature retina. As GliaMorph is implemented in a modular fashion, here we present guides to (a) setup of GliaMorph, (b) data understanding in 3D, including z-axis intensity decay and signal-to-noise ratio, (c) pre-processing data to enhance image quality, (d) performing and examining image segmentation, and (e) 3D quantification of MG features, including apicobasal texture analysis. To allow easier application, GliaMorph tools are supported with graphical user interfaces where appropriate, and example data are publicly available to facilitate adoption. Further, GliaMorph can be modified to meet users' morphological analysis needs for other glial or neuronal shapes. Finally, this article provides users with an in-depth understanding of data requirements and the workflow of GliaMorph. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Download and installation of GliaMorph components including example data Basic Protocol 2: Understanding data properties and quality 3D-essential for subsequent analysis and capturing data property issues early Basic Protocol 3: Pre-processing AiryScan microscopy data for analysis Alternate Protocol: Pre-processing confocal microscopy data for analysis Basic Protocol 4: Segmentation of glial cells Basic Protocol 5: 3D quantification of glial cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kugler
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Greater London, UK
| | | | - Ryan MacDonald
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Greater London, UK
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Kranert K, Woźny M, Podlasz P, Wąsowicz K, Brzuzan P. MiR92b-3p synthetic analogue impairs zebrafish embryonic development, leading to ocular defects, decreased movement and hatching rate, and increased mortality. J Appl Genet 2023; 64:145-157. [PMID: 36274083 PMCID: PMC9837005 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-022-00732-w] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of microRNA 92b-3p (MiR92b-3p) overexpression on the embryonic development of zebrafish. A synthetic MiR92b-3p analogue (mirVana™ mimic, in vivo-ready) was injected at doses up to 5 ng/embryo into the yolk sac of embryos (2-16 cell stage). At 24 h post fertilization (hpf), the locomotor activity of the embryos was measured, and after hatching (72 hpf), the rates of malformation occurrence, hatching, and mortality were determined. Next, the larvae were fixed for histological and molecular examinations. Exposure to the MiR92b-3p mimic impaired embryonic development, leading to increased occurrence of malformations (i.e., pericardial edema, spine curvature, smaller eyes), decreased locomotor activity and hatching rate, and increased mortality. Importantly, the mimic affected retinal differentiation and lens formation during zebrafish embryogenesis, which suggests that MiR92b-3p could be an important factor in the regulation of fish embryogenesis and ocular development. The expression level of MiR92b-3p was substantially higher in the exposed larvae than in the untreated larvae, indicating that the mimic was successfully delivered to the zebrafish. Although screening of potential MiR92b-3p target genes suggested some changes in their expression levels, these results were inconclusive. Together, this study indicates that MiR92b-3p mimic impairs zebrafish embryonic development, and further research is necessary to identify the MiR92b-3p-regulated cell pathways involved in the impairment of the fish's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Kranert
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Słoneczna 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Maciej Woźny
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Słoneczna 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Piotr Podlasz
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Wąsowicz
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Paweł Brzuzan
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering and Environment Protection, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Słoneczna 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland
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Gaaied S, Oliveira M, Barreto A, Zakhama A, Banni M. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) affects DNA integrity and retina structure in zebrafish larvae. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:85402-85412. [PMID: 35794326 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21793-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the potential risk of herbicides in non-target organisms is a crucial issue for environmental safety. 2,4-D is an herbicide of high environmental relevance that has been shown to exert toxic effects to soil and aquatic biota. In the present study, we investigated the possible genotoxic and retinal development effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide in early life stages zebrafish (Danio rerio). Genotoxicity was evaluated by measuring DNA damage using the comet assay and also by the mRNA expression of genes implicated in apoptosis and/or DNA repair. Retinal development toxicity was evaluated with histological approach. The results obtained revealed that 2,4-D alters DNA integrity of zebrafish larvae. Moreover, transcriptomic data showed a significant induction of p-53 and casp-3 genes and a significant decrease of lig-4 in larvae exposed to the highest tested concentration of 2,4-D (0.8 mg/L). This suggested that p-53 gene regulates the process of DNA repair and apoptosis with increased levels of 2,4-D. The histopathological analysis revealed that early exposure to 2,4-D damaged the structure of larvae retina. Overall, this study is the first to report the DNA damage, casp-3, lig-4 and p-53 regulation, as well as the ocular developmental toxicity in zebrafish larvae at environmentally relevant concentrations of 2,4-D herbicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Gaaied
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology "LR02AGR21", ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042, Sousse, Tunisia.
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Angela Barreto
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Abdelfattah Zakhama
- Department of Pathology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology "LR02AGR21", ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042, Sousse, Tunisia
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Abstract
Aniridia is a pan-ocular genetic developmental eye disorder characterized by complete or partial iris and foveal hypoplasia, for which there is no treatment currently. Progressive sight loss can arise from cataracts, glaucoma, and aniridia-related keratopathy, which can be managed conservatively or through surgical intervention. The vast majority of patients harbor heterozygous mutations involving the PAX6 gene, which is considered the master transcription factor of early eye development. Over the past decades, several disease models have been investigated to gain a better understanding of the molecular pathophysiology, including several mouse and zebrafish strains and, more recently, human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from aniridia patients. The latter provides a more faithful cellular system to study early human eye development. This review outlines the main aniridia-related animal and cellular models used to study aniridia and highlights the key discoveries that are bringing us closer to a therapy for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dulce Lima Cunha
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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Burgoyne T, Toms M, Way C, Tracey-White D, Futter CE, Moosajee M. Changes in Mitochondrial Size and Morphology in the RPE and Photoreceptors of the Developing and Ageing Zebrafish. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223542. [PMID: 36428971 PMCID: PMC9688747 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223542] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-generating cellular organelles. In the retina, they are highly numerous in the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to their high energetic requirements. Fission and fusion of the mitochondria within these cells allow them to adapt to changing demands over the lifespan of the organism. Using transmission electron microscopy, we examined the mitochondrial ultrastructure of zebrafish photoreceptors and RPE from 5 days post fertilisation (dpf) through to late adulthood (3 years). Notably, mitochondria in the youngest animals were large and irregular shaped with a loose cristae architecture, but by 8 dpf they had reduced in size and expanded in number with more defined cristae. Investigation of temporal gene expression of several mitochondrial-related markers indicated fission as the dominant mechanism contributing to the changes observed over time. This is likely to be due to continued mitochondrial stress resulting from the oxidative environment of the retina and prolonged light exposure. We have characterised retinal mitochondrial ageing in a key vertebrate model organism, that provides a basis for future studies of retinal diseases that are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Burgoyne
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Royal Brompton Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6NP, UK
| | - Maria Toms
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Chris Way
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Dhani Tracey-White
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Clare E. Futter
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- Correspondence:
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Edirisinghe SL, Nikapitiya C, Dananjaya SHS, Park J, Kim D, Choi D, De Zoysa M. Effect of Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) Treatment on Corneal Wound Healing in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23. [PMID: 36362312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a corneal epithelial injury model in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and investigate the effectiveness of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) treatment on in vivo corneal epithelial regeneration and wound healing. Chemical injury to zebrafish cornea was produced by placing a small cotton swab containing 3% acetic acid solution. PDRN treatment was performed by immersing corneal-injured zebrafish in water containing PDRN (2 mg/mL) for 10 min at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-injury (hpi). The level of corneal healing was evaluated by fluorescein staining, histological examination, transcriptional profiling, and immunoblotting techniques. Fluorescein staining results demonstrate that PDRN treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the wounded area of the zebrafish eye at 48 and 72 hpi, suggesting that PDRN may accelerate the corneal re-epithelialization. Histopathological evaluation revealed that injured corneal epithelial cells were re-organized at 72 hpi upon PDRN treatment with increased goblet cell density and size. Moreover, transcriptional analysis results demonstrate that PDRN treatment induced the mRNA expression of adora2ab (6.3-fold), pax6a (7.8-fold), pax6b (29.3-fold), klf4 (7.3-fold), and muc2.1 (5.0-fold) after the first treatment. Besides, tnf-α (2.0-fold) and heat-shock proteins (hsp70; 2.8-fold and hsp90ab1; 1.6-fold) have modulated the gene expression following the PDRN treatment. Immunoblotting results convincingly confirmed the modulation of Mmp-9, Hsp70, and Tnf-α expression levels upon PDRN treatment. Overall, our corneal injury model in zebrafish allows for understanding the morphological and molecular events of corneal epithelial healing, and ophthalmic responses for PDRN treatment following acid injury in zebrafish.
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Chen ZF, Lin ZC, Lu SQ, Chen XF, Liao XL, Qi Z, Cai Z. Azole-Induced Color Vision Deficiency Associated with Thyroid Hormone Signaling: An Integrated In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Study. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:13264-13273. [PMID: 36082512 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Azoles that are used in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products can have toxic effects on fish. However, there is no information regarding azole-induced visual disorder associated with thyroid disruption. We evaluated changes in retinal morphology, optokinetic response, transcript abundance of the genes involved in color perception and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, and thyroid hormone (TH) levels in zebrafish larvae exposed to common azoles, such as climbazole (CBZ, 0.1 and 10 μg/L) and triadimefon (TDF, 50 and 500 μg/L), at environmentally relevant and predicted worst-case environmental concentrations. Subsequently, the effect of azoles on TH-dependent GH3 cell proliferation and thyroid receptor (TR)-regulated transcriptional activity, as well as the in silico binding affinity between azoles and TR isoforms, was investigated. Azole exposure decreased cell densities of the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, and photoreceptor layer. Zebrafish larvae exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of CBZ and TDF showed a decrease in optokinetic response to green-white and red-white stripes but not blue-white stripes, consistent with disturbance in the corresponding opsin gene expression. Azole exposure also reduced triiodothyronine levels and concomitantly increased HPT-related gene expression. Molecular docking analysis combined with in vitro TR-mediated transactivation and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that CBZ and TDF exhibited TR antagonism. These results are comparable to those obtained from a known TR antagonist, namely, TR antagonist 1, as a positive control. Therefore, damage to specific color perception by azoles appears to result from lowered TH signaling, indicating the potential threat of environmental TH disruptors to the visual function of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Feng Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Si-Qi Lu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Liang Liao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zenghua Qi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China
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Catalani E, Cherubini A, Del Quondam S, Cervia D. Regenerative Strategies for Retinal Neurons: Novel Insights in Non-Mammalian Model Organisms. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158180. [PMID: 35897754 PMCID: PMC9331597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A detailed knowledge of the status of the retina in neurodegenerative conditions is a crucial point for the development of therapeutics in retinal pathologies and to translate eye research to CNS disease. In this context, manipulating signaling pathways that lead to neuronal regeneration offers an excellent opportunity to substitute damaged cells and, thus, restore the tissue functionality. Alternative systems and methods are increasingly being considered to replace/reduce in vivo approaches in the study of retina pathophysiology. Herein, we present recent data obtained from the zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that bring promising advantages into studying and modeling, at a preclinical level, neurodegeneration and regenerative approaches in retinal diseases. Indeed, the regenerative ability of vertebrate model zebrafish is particularly appealing. In addition, the fruit fly is ideal for regenerative studies due to its high degree of conservation with vertebrates and the broad spectrum of genetic variants achievable. Furthermore, a large part of the drosophila brain is dedicated to sight, thus offering the possibility of studying common mechanisms of the visual system and the brain at once. The knowledge acquired from these alternative models may help to investigate specific well-conserved factors of interest in human neuroregeneration after injuries or during pathologies.
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Li J, Yang W, Wang YJ, Ma C, Curry CJ, McGoldrick D, Nickerson DA, Chong JX, Blue EE, Mullikin JC, Reefhuis J, Nembhard WN, Romitti PA, Werler MM, Browne ML, Olshan AF, Finnell RH, Feldkamp ML, Pangilinan F, Almli LM, Bamshad MJ, Brody LC, Jenkins MM, Shaw GM. Exome sequencing identifies genetic variants in anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:2376-2388. [PMID: 35716026 PMCID: PMC9283271 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62874] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Anophthalmia and microphthalmia (A/M) are rare birth defects affecting up to 2 per 10,000 live births. These conditions are manifested by the absence of an eye or reduced eye volumes within the orbit leading to vision loss. Although clinical case series suggest a strong genetic component in A/M, few systematic investigations have been conducted on potential genetic contributions owing to low population prevalence. To overcome this challenge, we utilized DNA samples and data collected as part of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). The NBDPS employed multi-center ascertainment of infants affected by A/M. We performed exome sequencing on 67 family trios and identified numerous genes affected by rare deleterious nonsense and missense variants in this cohort, including de novo variants. We identified 9 nonsense changes and 86 missense variants that are absent from the reference human population (Genome Aggregation Database), and we suggest that these are high priority candidate genes for A/M. We also performed literature curation, single cell transcriptome comparisons, and molecular pathway analysis on the candidate genes and performed protein structure modeling to determine the potential pathogenic variant consequences on PAX6 in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Department of Neurology School of Medicine, The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, The Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yuejun Jessie Wang
- Department of Neurology School of Medicine, The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, The Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chen Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Cynthia J Curry
- Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel McGoldrick
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Deborah A Nickerson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica X Chong
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Blue
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - James C Mullikin
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wendy N Nembhard
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Paul A Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Martha M Werler
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marilyn L Browne
- Birth Defects Registry, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | - Andrew F Olshan
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Medicine, Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Marcia L Feldkamp
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Faith Pangilinan
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lynn M Almli
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mike J Bamshad
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lawrence C Brody
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary M Jenkins
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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- NIH Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Rosa JGS, Lima C, Lopes-Ferreira M. Zebrafish Larvae Behavior Models as a Tool for Drug Screenings and Pre-Clinical Trials: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6647. [PMID: 35743088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
To discover new molecules or review the biological activity and toxicity of therapeutic substances, drug development, and research relies on robust biological systems to obtain reliable results. Phenotype-based screenings can transpose the organism’s compensatory pathways by adopting multi-target strategies for treating complex diseases, and zebrafish emerged as an important model for biomedical research and drug screenings. Zebrafish’s clear correlation between neuro-anatomical and physiological features and behavior is very similar to that verified in mammals, enabling the construction of reliable and relevant experimental models for neurological disorders research. Zebrafish presents highly conserved physiological pathways that are found in higher vertebrates, including mammals, along with a robust behavioral repertoire. Moreover, it is very sensitive to pharmacological/environmental manipulations, and these behavioral phenotypes are detected in both larvae and adults. These advantages align with the 3Rs concept and qualify the zebrafish as a powerful tool for drug screenings and pre-clinical trials. This review highlights important behavioral domains studied in zebrafish larvae and their neurotransmitter systems and summarizes currently used techniques to evaluate and quantify zebrafish larvae behavior in laboratory studies.
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Maleski ALA, Rosa JGS, Bernardo JTG, Astray RM, Walker CIB, Lopes-Ferreira M, Lima C. Recapitulation of Retinal Damage in Zebrafish Larvae Infected with Zika Virus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091457. [PMID: 35563763 PMCID: PMC9100881 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are increasingly being utilized as a model to investigate infectious diseases and to advance the understanding of pathogen–host interactions. Here, we take advantage of the zebrafish to recapitulate congenital ZIKV infection and, for the first time, demonstrate that it can be used to model infection and reinfection and monitor anti-viral and inflammatory immune responses, as well as brain growth and eye abnormalities during embryonic development. By injecting a Brazilian strain of ZIKV into the yolk sac of one-cell stage embryos, we confirmed that, after 72 h, ZIKV successfully infected larvae, and the physical condition of the virus-infected hosts included gross morphological changes in surviving embryos (84%), with a reduction in larval head size and retinal damage characterized by increased thickness of the lens and inner nuclear layer. Changes in locomotor activity and the inability to perceive visual stimuli are a result of changes in retinal morphology caused by ZIKV. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability of ZIKV to replicate in zebrafish larvae and infect new healthy larvae, impairing their visual and neurological functions. These data reinforce the deleterious activity of ZIKV in the brain and visual structures and establish the zebrafish as a model to study the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathology of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Luis Almeida Maleski
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.L.A.M.); (J.G.S.R.); (J.T.G.B.); (M.L.-F.)
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacological Studies (LABEN), Post-Graduation Program of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Paulo 05503-009, Brazil;
| | - Joao Gabriel Santos Rosa
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.L.A.M.); (J.G.S.R.); (J.T.G.B.); (M.L.-F.)
| | - Jefferson Thiago Gonçalves Bernardo
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.L.A.M.); (J.G.S.R.); (J.T.G.B.); (M.L.-F.)
| | | | - Cristiani Isabel Banderó Walker
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacological Studies (LABEN), Post-Graduation Program of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Sergipe, São Paulo 05503-009, Brazil;
| | - Monica Lopes-Ferreira
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.L.A.M.); (J.G.S.R.); (J.T.G.B.); (M.L.-F.)
| | - Carla Lima
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICs/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (A.L.A.M.); (J.G.S.R.); (J.T.G.B.); (M.L.-F.)
- Correspondence:
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46
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Chen C, Liu D. Establishment of Zebrafish Models for Diabetes Mellitus and Its Microvascular Complications. J Vasc Res 2022; 59:251-260. [PMID: 35378543 DOI: 10.1159/000522471] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease known to cause several microvascular complications, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy. Hyperglycemia plays a key role in inducing diabetic microvascular complications. A cohort of diabetic animal models has been established to study diabetes-related vascular diseases. However, the zebrafish model offers unique advantages in this field. The tiny size and huge offspring numbers of zebrafish make it amenable to perform large-scale analysis or screening. The easily accessible strategies for gene manipulation with morpholino or CRISPR/Cas9 and chemical/drug treatment through microinjection or skin absorption allow establishing the zebrafish DM models by a variety of means. In addition, the transparency of zebrafish embryos makes it accessible to perform in vivo high-resolution imaging of the vascular system. In this review, we focus on the strategies to establish diabetic or hyperglycemic models with zebrafish and the achievements and disadvantages of using zebrafish as a model to study diabetic microvascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsheng Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong Laboratory of Development and Diseases, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Abstract
Early in vertebrate evolution, a single homeobox (Hox) cluster in basal chordates was quadrupled to generate the Hox gene clusters present in extant vertebrates. Here we ask how this expanded gene pool may have influenced the evolution of the visual system. We suggest that a single neurosensory cell type split into ciliated sensory cells (photoreceptors, which transduce light) and retinal ganglion cells (RGC, which project to the brain). In vertebrates, development of photoreceptors is regulated by the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Neurod1 whereas RGC development depends on Atoh7 and related bHLH genes. Lancelet (a basal chordate) does not express Neurod or Atoh7 and possesses a few neurosensory cells with cilia that reach out of the opening of the neural tube. Sea-squirts (Ascidians) do not express Neurod and express a different bHLH gene, Atoh8, that is likely expressed in the anterior vesicle. Recent data indicate the neurosensory cells in lancelets may correspond to three distinct eye fields in ascidians, which in turn may be the basis of the vertebrate retina, pineal and parapineal. In this review we contrast the genetic control of visual structure development in these chordates with that of basal vertebrates such as lampreys and hagfish, and jawed vertebrates. We propose an evolutionary sequence linking whole-genome duplications, initially to a split between photoreceptor and projection neurons (RGC) and subsequently between pineal and lateral eye structures.
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48
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Abstract
Animal models have provided many insights into ocular development and disease, but they remain suboptimal for understanding human oculogenesis. Eye development requires spatiotemporal gene expression patterns and disease phenotypes can differ significantly between humans and animal models, with patient-associated mutations causing embryonic lethality reported in some animal models. The emergence of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology has provided a new resource for dissecting the complex nature of early eye morphogenesis through the generation of three-dimensional (3D) cellular models. By using patient-specific hiPSCs to generate in vitro optic vesicle-like models, we can enhance the understanding of early developmental eye disorders and provide a pre-clinical platform for disease modelling and therapeutics testing. A major challenge of in vitro optic vesicle generation is the low efficiency of differentiation in 3D cultures. To address this, we adapted a previously published protocol of retinal organoid differentiation to improve embryoid body formation using a microwell plate. Established morphology, upregulated transcript levels of known early eye-field transcription factors and protein expression of standard retinal progenitor markers confirmed the optic vesicle/presumptive optic cup identity of in vitro models between day 20 and 50 of culture. This adapted protocol is relevant to researchers seeking a physiologically relevant model of early human ocular development and disease with a view to replacing animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Eintracht
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Philippa Harding
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Dulce Lima Cunha
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, WC1N 3JH, UK
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49
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Cocchiaro P, Di Donato V, Rubbini D, Mastropasqua R, Allegretti M, Mantelli F, Aramini A, Brandolini L. Intravitreal Administration of rhNGF Enhances Regenerative Processes in a Zebrafish Model of Retinal Degeneration. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:822359. [PMID: 35330834 PMCID: PMC8940169 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.822359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the best characterized neurotrophin, and it is known to play an important role in ocular homeostasis. Here, we demonstrated the expression of NGF receptors in adult zebrafish retina and optimized a light-induced retina degeneration (LID) zebrafish model that mimics human cone-rod disorders, demonstrating that intravitreal (IV) administration of rhNGF can boost zebrafish retinal regeneration in this model. Adult zebrafish retinae exposed to 60 h of light irradiation (60 h LID) displayed evident reduction of outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and cell number with presence of apoptotic cells. Retinal histologic evaluation at different time points showed that IV therapeutic injection of rhNGF resulted in an increase of ONL thickness and cell number at late time points after damage (14 and 21 days post injury), ultimately accelerating retinal tissue recovery by driving retinal cell proliferation. At a molecular level, rhNGF activated the ERK1/2 pathway and enhanced the regenerative potential of Müller glia gfap- and vim-expressing cells by stimulating at early time points the expression of the photoreceptor regeneration factor Drgal1-L2. Our results demonstrate the highly conserved nature of NGF canonical pathway in zebrafish and thus support the use of zebrafish models for testing new compounds with potential retinal regenerative properties. Moreover, the pro-regenerative effects of IV-injected NGF that we observed pave the way to further studies aimed at evaluating its effects also in mammals, in order to expedite the development of novel rhNGF-based therapeutic approaches for ophthalmological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo Di Donato
- ZeClinics SL, IGTP (Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Vincenzo Di Donato, ; Laura Brandolini,
| | - Davide Rubbini
- ZeClinics SL, IGTP (Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rodolfo Mastropasqua
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Laura Brandolini
- Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, Napoli, Italy
- *Correspondence: Vincenzo Di Donato, ; Laura Brandolini,
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50
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Cáceres-Vélez PR, Hui F, Hercus J, Bui B, Jusuf PR. Restoring the oxidative balance in age-related diseases - An approach in glaucoma. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 75:101572. [PMID: 35065274 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As human life expectancy increases, age-related health issues including neurodegenerative diseases continue to rise. Regardless of genetic or environmental factors, many neurodegenerative conditions share common pathological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, a hallmark of many age-related health burdens. In this review, we describe oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma, an age-related neurodegenerative eye disease affecting 80 million people worldwide. We consider therapeutic approaches used to counteract oxidative stress in glaucoma, including untapped treatment options such as novel plant-derived antioxidant compounds that can reduce oxidative stress and prevent neuronal loss. We summarize the current pre-clinical models and clinical work exploring the therapeutic potential of a range of candidate plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Finally, we explore advances in drug delivery systems, particular those employing nanotechnology-based carriers which hold significant promise as a carrier for antioxidants to treat age-related disease, thus reviewing the key current state of all of the aspects required towards translation.
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