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Becker S, L'Ecuyer Z, Jones BW, Zouache MA, McDonnell FS, Vinberg F. Modeling complex age-related eye disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101247. [PMID: 38365085 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101247] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Modeling complex eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma poses significant challenges, since these conditions depend highly on age-related changes that occur over several decades, with many contributing factors remaining unknown. Although both diseases exhibit a relatively high heritability of >50%, a large proportion of individuals carrying AMD- or glaucoma-associated genetic risk variants will never develop these diseases. Furthermore, several environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to and modulate the pathogenesis and progression of AMD and glaucoma. Several strategies replicate the impact of genetic risk variants, pathobiological pathways and environmental and lifestyle factors in AMD and glaucoma in mice and other species. In this review we will primarily discuss the most commonly available mouse models, which have and will likely continue to improve our understanding of the pathobiology of age-related eye diseases. Uncertainties persist whether small animal models can truly recapitulate disease progression and vision loss in patients, raising doubts regarding their usefulness when testing novel gene or drug therapies. We will elaborate on concerns that relate to shorter lifespan, body size and allometries, lack of macula and a true lamina cribrosa, as well as absence and sequence disparities of certain genes and differences in their chromosomal location in mice. Since biological, rather than chronological, age likely predisposes an organism for both glaucoma and AMD, more rapidly aging organisms like small rodents may open up possibilities that will make research of these diseases more timely and financially feasible. On the other hand, due to the above-mentioned anatomical and physiological features, as well as pharmacokinetic and -dynamic differences small animal models are not ideal to study the natural progression of vision loss or the efficacy and safety of novel therapies. In this context, we will also discuss the advantages and pitfalls of alternative models that include larger species, such as non-human primates and rabbits, patient-derived retinal organoids, and human organ donor eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Becker
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Zia L'Ecuyer
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bryan W Jones
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Moussa A Zouache
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Fiona S McDonnell
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Frans Vinberg
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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Bou Ghanem GO, Wareham LK, Calkins DJ. Addressing neurodegeneration in glaucoma: Mechanisms, challenges, and treatments. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101261. [PMID: 38527623 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101261] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. The disease causes vision loss due to neurodegeneration of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) projection to the brain through the optic nerve. Glaucoma is associated with sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP). Thus, mainstay treatments seek to manage IOP, though many patients continue to lose vision. To address neurodegeneration directly, numerous preclinical studies seek to develop protective or reparative therapies that act independently of IOP. These include growth factors, compounds targeting metabolism, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents, and neuromodulators. Despite success in experimental models, many of these approaches fail to translate into clinical benefits. Several factors contribute to this challenge. Firstly, the anatomic structure of the optic nerve head differs between rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans. Additionally, animal models do not replicate the complex glaucoma pathophysiology in humans. Therefore, to enhance the success of translating these findings, we propose two approaches. First, thorough evaluation of experimental targets in multiple animal models, including nonhuman primates, should precede clinical trials. Second, we advocate for combination therapy, which involves using multiple agents simultaneously, especially in the early and potentially reversible stages of the disease. These strategies aim to increase the chances of successful neuroprotective treatment for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazi O Bou Ghanem
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Lauren K Wareham
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - David J Calkins
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Hong E, Tian F, Glynn C, Tsekov S, Huang S, Zhou S, He Z, Rao S, Wang Q. Biologically Driven In Vivo Occlusion Design Provides a Reliable Experimental Glaucoma Model. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.18.576306. [PMID: 38328239 PMCID: PMC10849511 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.18.576306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Fluid flow transport through the trabecular meshwork tissues is a major regulator of intraocular pressure (IOP) modulation in healthy and glaucomatous individuals. Microbead occlusion models of ocular hypertension regulate aqueous humor drainage to induce high IOP to allow for in vivo study of pressure-related glaucomatous pathology. However, the reliability and application of current injectable microbeads are hindered by inadequate design of the beads-tissue interfaces to maintain a stable IOP elevation over the long term. Considering the graded, porous architecture and fluid transport of the trabecular meshwork, we developed a tailored, injectable "viscobeads" technique, which induced a sustained elevation of IOP for at least 8 weeks. These composite viscobeads contain a non-degradable polystyrene (PS) core for structural support and a biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) viscoelastic surface. This approach enhances the obstruction of aqueous humor drainage through heterogeneous sizes of trabecular meshwork fenestrations and reliably modulates the magnitude and duration of ocular hypertension. In a mouse model, a single viscobeads injection resulted in sustained IOP elevation (average 21.4±1.39 mm Hg), leading to a 34% retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss by 56 days. In an earlier stage of glaucoma progression, we conducted non-invasive electroretinography (ERG) recording and revealed glaucomatous progression by analyzing high-frequency oscillatory potentials. To further explore the application of the viscobeads glaucoma models, we assayed a series of genes through adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated screening in mice and assessed the impact of genetic manipulation on RGC survivals. CRISPR mediated disruption of the genes, PTEN, ATF3 and CHOP enhanced RGC survival while LIN 28 disruption negatively impacted RGC survival. This biologically driven viscobeads design provides an accessible approach to investigate chronic intraocular hypertension and glaucoma-like neurodegeneration and ultimately tenders the opportunity to evaluate genetic and pharmacological therapeutics.
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4
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Zeng L, Ying Q, Lou H, Wang F, Pang Y, Hu H, Zhang Z, Song Y, Liu P, Zhang X. Protective effect of the natural flavonoid naringenin in mouse models of retinal injury. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 962:176231. [PMID: 38052414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176231] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is an eye disease with a high rate of blindness and a complex pathogenesis. Ocular hypertension (OHT) is a critical risk factor, and retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is an important pathophysiological basis. This study was designed to investigate the retinal neuroprotective effect of oral naringenin in an acute retinal I/R model and a chronic OHT model and the possible mechanism involved. After the I/R and OHT models were established, mice were given vehicle or naringenin (100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunostaining of RBPMS and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to evaluate retinal injury. GFAP, CD38, Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression levels were measured by Western blotting. In the OHT model, intraocular pressure (IOP) was dynamically maintained at approximately 20-25 mmHg after injury. The retinal structure was damaged, and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were lost in both models. Naringenin ameliorated the abovementioned indications but also demonstrated that high concentrations of naringenin significantly inhibited retinal astrocyte activation and inhibited damage-induced increases in the expression of GFAP, NLRP3, and CD38 proteins, while SIRT1 protein expression was upregulated. This study showed for the first time that naringenin can reduce microbead-induced IOP elevation in the OHT model, providing new evidence for the application of naringenin in glaucoma. Naringenin may mediate the CD38/SIRT1 signaling pathway, inhibit astrocyte activation, and ultimately exert an anti-inflammatory effect to achieve retinal neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zeng
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qian Ying
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hongdou Lou
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yulian Pang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Haijian Hu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ziqiao Zhang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yuning Song
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Peiyu Liu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Ophthalmology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
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Hu C, Feng Y, Huang G, Cui K, Fan M, Xiang W, Shi Y, Ye D, Ye H, Bai X, Xu F, Xu Y, Huang J. Melatonin prevents EAAC1 deletion-induced retinal ganglion cell degeneration by inhibiting apoptosis and senescence. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12916. [PMID: 37786968 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12916] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is referred to as a progressive degenerative disorder of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), resulting in nonreversible visual defects, despite intraocular pressure levels within the statistically normal range. Current therapeutic strategies for NTG yield limited benefits. Excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) knockout (EAAC1-/- ) in mice has been shown to induce RGC degeneration without elevating intraocular pressure, mimicking pathological characteristics of NTG. In this study, we explored whether daily oral administration of melatonin could block RGCs loss and prevent retinal morphology and function defects associated with EAAC1 deletion. We also explored the molecular mechanisms underlying EAAC1 deletion-induced RGC degeneration and the neuroprotective effects of melatonin. Our RNA sequencing and in vivo data indicated EAAC1 deletion caused elevated oxidative stress, activation of apoptosis and cellular senescence pathways, and neuroinflammation in RGCs. However, melatonin administration efficiently prevented these detrimental effects. Furthermore, we investigated the potential role of apoptosis- and senescence-related redox-sensitive factors in EAAC1 deletion-induced RGCs degeneration and the neuroprotective effects of melatonin administration. We observed remarkable upregulation of p53, whereas NRF2 and Sirt1 expression were significantly decreased in EAAC1-/- mice, which were prevented by melatonin treatment, suggesting that melatonin exerted its neuroprotective effects possibly through modulating NRF2/p53/Sirt1 redox-sensitive signaling pathways. Overall, our study provided a solid foundation for the application of melatonin in the management of NTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangyi Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Eye Health & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Related Systemic Diseases Artificial Intelligence Screening Technology, Department of Ophthalmology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Institute of Ophthalmic Diseases, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Kaixuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Matthew Fan
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Wu Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiwen Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Xu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Eye Health & Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Related Systemic Diseases Artificial Intelligence Screening Technology, Department of Ophthalmology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Institute of Ophthalmic Diseases, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
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Cole JD, McDaniel JA, Nilak J, Ban A, Rodriguez C, Hameed Z, Grannonico M, Netland PA, Yang H, Provencio I, Liu X. Characterization of neural damage and neuroinflammation in Pax6 small-eye mice. Exp Eye Res 2024; 238:109723. [PMID: 37979905 PMCID: PMC10843716 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109723] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Aniridia is a panocular condition characterized by a partial or complete loss of the iris. It manifests various developmental deficits in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, leading to a progressive vision loss. The homeobox gene PAX6 plays an important role in ocular development and mutations of PAX6 have been the main causative factors for aniridia. In this study, we assessed how Pax6-haploinsufficiency affects retinal morphology and vision of Pax6Sey mice using in vivo and ex vivo metrics. We used mice of C57BL/6 and 129S1/Svlmj genetic backgrounds to examine the variable severity of symptoms as reflected in human aniridia patients. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was observed in Pax6Sey mice starting from post-natal day 20 (P20). Correspondingly, visual acuity showed a steady age-dependent decline in Pax6Sey mice, though these phenotypes were less severe in the 129S1/Svlmj mice. Local retinal damage with layer disorganization was assessed at P30 and P80 in the Pax6Sey mice. Interestingly, we also observed a greater number of activated Iba1+ microglia and GFAP + astrocytes in the Pax6Sey mice than in littermate controls, suggesting a possible neuroinflammatory response to Pax6 deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Cole
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John A McDaniel
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Joelle Nilak
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ashley Ban
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Carlos Rodriguez
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Zuhaad Hameed
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Marta Grannonico
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Peter A Netland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hu Yang
- Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Ignacio Provencio
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Mazumder AG, Julé AM, Sun D. Astrocytes of the optic nerve exhibit a region-specific and temporally distinct response to elevated intraocular pressure. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:68. [PMID: 37759301 PMCID: PMC10523752 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00658-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optic nerve is an important tissue in glaucoma and the unmyelinated nerve head region remains an important site of many early neurodegenerative changes. In both humans and mice, astrocytes constitute the major glial cell type in the region, and in glaucoma they become reactive, influencing the optic nerve head (ONH) microenvironment and disease outcome. Despite recognizing their importance in the progression of the disease, the reactive response of optic nerve head astrocytes remains poorly understood. METHODS To determine the global reactive response of ONH astrocytes in glaucoma we studied their transcriptional response to an elevation in IOP induced by the microbead occlusion model. To specifically isolate astrocyte mRNA in vivo from complex tissues, we used the ribotag method to genetically tag ribosomes in astrocytes, restricting analysis to astrocytes and enabling purification of astrocyte-associated mRNA throughout the entire cell, including the fine processes, for bulk RNA-sequencing. We also assessed the response of astrocytes in the more distal myelinated optic nerve proper (ONP) as glaucomatous changes manifest differently between the two regions. RESULTS Astrocytes of the optic nerve exhibited a region-specific and temporally distinct response. Surprisingly, ONH astrocytes showed very few early transcriptional changes and ONP astrocytes demonstrated substantially larger changes over the course of the experimental period. Energy metabolism, particularly oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial protein translation emerged as highly upregulated processes in both ONH and ONP astrocytes, with the former showing additional upregulation in antioxidative capacity and proteolysis. Interestingly, optic nerve astrocytes demonstrated a limited neuroinflammatory response, even when challenged with a more severe elevation in IOP. Lastly, there were a greater number of downregulated processes in both astrocyte populations compared to upregulated processes. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate an essential role for energy metabolism in the response of optic nerve astrocytes to elevated IOP, and contrary to expectations, neuroinflammation had a limited overall role. The transcriptional response profile is supportive of the notion that optic nerve astrocytes have a beneficial role in glaucoma. These previously uncharacterized transcriptional response of optic nerve astrocytes to injury reveal their functional diversity and a greater heterogeneity than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpan G Mazumder
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Amélie M Julé
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Daniel Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Wong NK, Yip SP, Huang CL. Establishing Functional Retina in a Dish: Progress and Promises of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Retinal Neuron Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13652. [PMID: 37686457 PMCID: PMC10487913 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713652] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human eye plays a critical role in vision perception, but various retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to vision loss or blindness. Although progress has been made in understanding retinal development and in clinical research, current treatments remain inadequate for curing or reversing these degenerative conditions. Animal models have limited relevance to humans, and obtaining human eye tissue samples is challenging due to ethical and legal considerations. Consequently, researchers have turned to stem cell-based approaches, specifically induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to generate distinct retinal cell populations and develop cell replacement therapies. iPSCs offer a novel platform for studying the key stages of human retinogenesis and disease-specific mechanisms. Stem cell technology has facilitated the production of diverse retinal cell types, including retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and photoreceptors, and the development of retinal organoids has emerged as a valuable in vitro tool for investigating retinal neuron differentiation and modeling retinal diseases. This review focuses on the protocols, culture conditions, and techniques employed in differentiating retinal neurons from iPSCs. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of molecular and functional validation of the differentiated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonthaphat Kent Wong
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shea Ping Yip
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chien-Ling Huang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
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9
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Pan L, Cho KS, Wei X, Xu F, Lennikov A, Hu G, Tang J, Guo S, Chen J, Kriukov E, Kyle R, Elzaridi F, Jiang S, Dromel PA, Young M, Baranov P, Do CW, Williams RW, Chen J, Lu L, Chen DF. IGFBPL1 is a master driver of microglia homeostasis and resolution of neuroinflammation in glaucoma and brain tauopathy. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112889. [PMID: 37527036 PMCID: PMC10528709 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia shift toward an inflammatory phenotype during aging that is thought to exacerbate age-related neurodegeneration. The molecular and cellular signals that resolve neuroinflammation post-injury are largely undefined. Here, we exploit systems genetics methods based on the extended BXD murine reference family and identify IGFBPL1 as an upstream cis-regulator of microglia-specific genes to switch off inflammation. IGFBPL1 is expressed by mouse and human microglia, and higher levels of its expression resolve lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation by resetting the transcriptome signature back to a homeostatic state via IGF1R signaling. Conversely, IGFBPL1 deficiency or selective deletion of IGF1R in microglia shifts these cells to an inflammatory landscape and induces early manifestation of brain tauopathy and retinal neurodegeneration. Therapeutic administration of IGFBPL1 drives pro-homeostatic microglia and prevents glaucomatous neurodegeneration and vision loss in mice. These results identify IGFBPL1 as a master driver of the counter-inflammatory microglial modulator that presents an endogenous resolution of neuroinflammation to prevent neurodegeneration in eye and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Pan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Kin-Sang Cho
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xin Wei
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Fuyi Xu
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Shandong Technology Innovation Center of Molecular Targeting and Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment, School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
| | - Anton Lennikov
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Guangan Hu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jing Tang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Julie Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emil Kriukov
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Robert Kyle
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Farris Elzaridi
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shuhong Jiang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pierre A Dromel
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michael Young
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Petr Baranov
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Chi-Wai Do
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Robert W Williams
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Dong Feng Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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10
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Zhu Y, Wang R, Pappas AC, Seifert P, Savol A, Sadreyev RI, Sun D, Jakobs TC. Astrocytes in the Optic Nerve Are Heterogeneous in Their Reactivity to Glaucomatous Injury. Cells 2023; 12:2131. [PMID: 37681863 PMCID: PMC10486930 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The optic nerve head is thought to be the site of initial injury to retinal ganglion cell injury in glaucoma. In the initial segment of the optic nerve directly behind the globe, the ganglion cell axons are unmyelinated and come into direct contact to astrocytes, suggesting that astrocytes may play a role in the pathology of glaucoma. As in other parts of the CNS, optic nerve head astrocytes respond to injury by characteristic changes in cell morphology and gene expression profile. Using RNA-sequencing of glaucomatous optic nerve heads, single-cell PCR, and an in-vivo assay, we demonstrate that an up-regulation of astrocytic phagocytosis is an early event after the onset of increased intraocular pressure. We also show that astrocytes in the glial lamina of the optic nerve are apparently functionally heterogeneous. At any time, even in naïve nerves, some of the cells show signs of reactivity-process hypertrophy, high phagocytic activity, and expression of genetic markers of reactivity whereas neighboring cells apparently are inactive. A period of increased intraocular pressure moves more astrocytes towards the reactive phenotype; however, some cells remain unreactive even in glaucomatous nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, 1651 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an 710002, China
| | - Anthony C. Pappas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Philip Seifert
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrej Savol
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ruslan I. Sadreyev
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Daniel Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Tatjana C. Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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11
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Li S, Jakobs TC. Vitamin C protects retinal ganglion cells via SPP1 in glaucoma and after optic nerve damage. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301976. [PMID: 37160307 PMCID: PMC10172762 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301976] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by retinal ganglion cell death, astrocyte reactivity in the optic nerve, and vision loss. Currently, lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) is the first-line treatment, but adjuvant neuroprotective approaches would be welcome. Vitamin C possesses neuroprotective activities that are thought to be related to its properties as a co-factor of enzymes and its antioxidant effects. Here, we show that vitamin C promotes a neuroprotective phenotype and increases gene expression related to neurotropic factors, phagocytosis, and mitochondrial ATP production. This effect is dependent on the up-regulation of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) in reactive astrocytes via the transcription factor E2F1. SPP1+ astrocytes in turn promote retinal ganglion cell survival in a mouse model of glaucoma. In addition, oral administration of vitamin C lowers the IOP in mice. This study identifies an additional neuroprotective pathway for vitamin C and suggests a potential therapeutic role of vitamin C in neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatjana C Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Wei M, Zhang G, Huang Z, Ding X, Sun Q, Zhang Y, Zhu R, Guan H, Ji M. ATP-P2X 7R-mediated microglia senescence aggravates retinal ganglion cell injury in chronic ocular hypertension. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:180. [PMID: 37525172 PMCID: PMC10392012 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02855-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysfunction of microglia during aging affects normal neuronal function and results in the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. Retinal microglial senescence attributes to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma. This study aims to examine the role of ATP-P2X7R in the mediation of microglia senescence and glaucoma progression. METHODS Forty-eight participants were enrolled, including 24 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related cataract (ARC) and 24 patients with ARC only. We used ARC as the inclusion criteria because of the availability of aqueous humor (AH) before phacoemulsification. AH was collected and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration was measured by ATP Assay Kit. The chronic ocular hypertension (COH) mouse model was established by microbead occlusion. Microglia were ablated by feeding PLX5622 orally. Mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs) were prepared and infused into mice through the tail vein for the restoration of microglia function. Western blotting, qPCR and ELISA were performed to analyze protein and mRNA expression in the ocular tissue, respectively. Microglial phenotype and RGC survival were assessed by immunofluorescence. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using a JC-1 assay kit by flow cytometry. RESULTS ATP concentrations in the AH were increased in older adults and patients with POAG. The expression of P2X7R was upregulated in the retinal tissues of mice with glaucoma, and functional enrichment analysis showed that P2X7R was closely related to cell aging. Through in vivo and in vitro approaches, we showed that pathological activation of ATP-P2X7R induced accelerated microglial senescence through impairing PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)-mediated mitophagy, which led to RGC damage. Additionally, we found that replacement of senescent microglia in COH model of old mice with BMCs from young mice reversed RGC damage. CONCLUSION ATP-P2X7R induces microglia senescence by inhibiting PINK1-mediated mitophagy pathway. Specific inhibition of ATP-P2X7R may be a fundamental approach for targeted therapy of RGC injury in microglial aging-related glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Wei
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Guowei Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Xuemeng Ding
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Qing Sun
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yujian Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Rongrong Zhu
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Huaijin Guan
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Min Ji
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China.
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13
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McGrady NR, Boal AM, Risner ML, Taiel M, Sahel JA, Calkins DJ. Ocular stress enhances contralateral transfer of lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy through astrocyte networks. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2005-2013. [PMID: 37016579 PMCID: PMC10362393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.035] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lenadogene nolparvovec (GS010) was developed to treat a point mutation in mitochondrial ND4 that causes Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. GS010 delivers human cDNA encoding wild-type ND4 packaged into an rAAV2/2 vector that transduces retinal ganglion cells, to induce allotopic expression of hybrid mitochondrial ND4. GS010 clinical trials improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) up to 5 years after treatment. Interestingly, unilateral treatment improved BCVA bilaterally. Subsequent studies revealed GS010 DNA in visual tissues contralateral to the injected eye, suggesting migration. Here we tested whether unilateral intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation could influence the transfer of viral ND4 RNA in contralateral tissues after GS010 delivery to the IOP-elevated eye and probed a potential mechanism mediating translocation in mice. We found IOP elevation enhanced viral ND4 RNA transcripts in contralateral visual tissues, including retinas. Using conditional transgenic mice, we depleted astrocytic gap junction connexin 43 (Cx43), required for distant redistribution of metabolic resources between astrocytes during stress. After unilateral IOP elevation and GS010 injection, Cx43 knockdown eradicated ND4 RNA transcript detection in contralateral retinal tissues, while transcript was still detectable in optic nerves. Overall, our study indicates long-range migration of GS010 product to contralateral visual tissues is enhanced by Cx43-linked astrocyte networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew M Boal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael L Risner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Jose A Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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14
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McLaughlin T, Wang J, Jia L, Wu F, Wang Y, Wang JJ, Mu X, Zhang SX. Neuronal p58 IPK Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells Independently of Macrophage/Microglia Activation in Ocular Hypertension. Cells 2023; 12:1558. [PMID: 37371028 PMCID: PMC10297187 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121558] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
p58IPK is a multifaceted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone and a regulator of eIF2α kinases involved in a wide range of cellular processes including protein synthesis, ER stress response, and macrophage-mediated inflammation. Systemic deletion of p58IPK leads to age-related loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and exacerbates RGC damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion and increased intraocular pressure (IOP), suggesting a protective role of p58IPK in the retina. However, the mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we investigated the cellular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection action of p58IPK using conditional knockout (cKO) mouse lines where p58IPK is deleted in retinal neurons (Chx10-p58IPK cKO) or in myeloid cells (Lyz2-p58IPK cKO). In addition, we overexpressed p58IPK by adeno-associated virus (AAV) in the retina to examine the effect of p58IPK on RGC survival after ocular hypertension (OHT) in wild type (WT) mice. Our results show that overexpression of p58IPK by AAV significantly improved RGC survival after OHT in WT mice, suggesting a protective effect of p58IPK on reducing RGC injury. Conditional knockout of p58IPK in retinal neurons or in myeloid cells did not alter retinal structure or cellular composition. However, a significant reduction in the b wave of light-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) was observed in Chx10-p58IPK cKO mice. Deletion of p58IPK in retinal neurons exacerbates RGC loss at 14 days after OHT. In contrast, deficiency of p58IPK in myeloid cells increased the microglia/macrophage activation but had no effect on RGC loss. We conclude that deletion of p58IPK in macrophages increases their activation, but does not influence RGC survival. These results suggest that the neuroprotective action of p58IPK is mediated by its expression in retinal neurons, but not in macrophages. Therefore, targeting p58IPK specifically in retinal neurons is a promising approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative retinal diseases including glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd McLaughlin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jinli Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Liyun Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Fuguo Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yaqin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442005, China
| | - Joshua J. Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Xiuqian Mu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Sarah X. Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ross Eye Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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15
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Abstract
Viral transduction of the mouse trabecular meshwork using a variety of transgenes associated with glaucoma generates an inducible and reproducible method for generating ocular hypertension due to increased aqueous humor outflow resistance of the conventional outflow pathway. Both adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) and lentiviruses have selective tropism for the mouse trabecular meshwork with intraocular injections. Accurate intraocular pressures are easily measured using a rebound tonometer, and aqueous humor outflow facilities can be measured in anesthetized live mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cameron Millar
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Yogapriya Sundaresan
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gaven Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Gulab S Zode
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gaven Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Abbot F Clark
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
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Li S, Jakobs TC. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 slows neurodegeneration and rescues visual function in mouse models of aging and glaucoma. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111880. [PMID: 36577373 PMCID: PMC9847489 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging causes an irreversible, cumulative decline in neuronal function. Using the visual system as a model, we show that astrocytes play a critical role in maintaining retinal ganglion cell health and that deletion of SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1, or osteopontin) from astrocytes leads to increased vulnerability of ganglion cells to age, elevated intraocular pressure, and traumatic optic nerve damage. Overexpression of SPP1 slows the age-related decline in ganglion cell numbers and is highly protective of visual function in a mouse model of glaucoma. SPP1 acts by promoting phagocytosis and secretion of neurotrophic factors while inhibiting production of neurotoxic and pro-inflammatory factors. SPP1 up-regulates transcription of genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, functionally enhances mitochondrial respiration, and promotes the integrity of mitochondrial microstructure. SPP1 increases intracellular ATP concentration via up-regulation of VDAC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Tatjana C Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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17
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Tan Z, Guo Y, Shrestha M, Sun D, Gregory-Ksander M, Jakobs TC. Microglia depletion exacerbates retinal ganglion cell loss in a mouse model of glaucoma. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109273. [PMID: 36206859 PMCID: PMC10970711 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
To test whether depletion of microglia in the optic nerve head has a beneficial effect on retinal ganglion cell numbers and function, we depleted microglia by oral administration of the CSF1R antagonist PLX5622. Then, ocular hypertension was induced by unilateral injection of magnetic microbeads into the anterior chamber. Visual function was assessed with pattern electroretinography and measurement of the optomotor reflex. Retinal ganglion cell bodies and axons were counted and gene expression patterns in optic nerve head astrocytes were tested on freshly dissociated astrocytes. PLX5622 efficiently depleted microglia in the retina and the optic nerve head, but about 20% of microglia persisted in the myelinated optic nerve proper even after prolonged exposure to the drug. PLX5622 did not affect ganglion cell function by itself. Elevation of the IOP for four weeks led to the expected decrease in visual acuity and pattern ERG amplitude. Microglia ablation did not affect these parameters. Ganglion cell and axon numbers were counted histologically post mortem. Mice in the microglia depletion group showed a moderate but significantly greater loss of ganglion cells than the control group. At four weeks post microbead injection, gene expression patterns in optic nerve head astrocytes are consistent with an A2 (or neuroprotective) pattern. Microglia depletion blunted the up-regulation of A2 genes in astrocytes. In conclusion, microglia depletion is unlikely to protect retinal ganglion cells in early glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhu Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard University School of Medicine, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Yinjie Guo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard University School of Medicine, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Maleeka Shrestha
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard University School of Medicine, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Daniel Sun
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard University School of Medicine, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Meredith Gregory-Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard University School of Medicine, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Tatjana C Jakobs
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard University School of Medicine, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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18
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Nam MH, Stankowska DL, Johnson GA, Nahomi RB, Pantcheva MB, Nagaraj RH. Peptains block retinal ganglion cell death in animal models of ocular hypertension: implications for neuroprotection in glaucoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:958. [PMID: 36379926 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ocular hypertension is a significant risk factor for vision loss in glaucoma due to the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). This study investigated the effects of the antiapoptotic peptides peptain-1 and peptain-3a on RGC death in vitro in rat primary RGCs and in mouse models of ocular hypertension. Apoptosis was induced in primary rat RGCs by trophic factor deprivation for 48 h in the presence or absence of peptains. The effects of intravitreally injected peptains on RGC death were investigated in mice subjected to retinal ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). I/R injury was induced in mice by elevating the IOP to 120 mm Hg for 1 h, followed by rapid reperfusion. Ocular hypertension was induced in mice by injecting microbeads (MB) or silicone oil (SO) into the anterior chamber of the eye. Retinal flatmounts were immunostained with RGC and activated glial markers. Effects on anterograde axonal transport were determined by intravitreal injection of cholera toxin-B. Peptain-1 and peptain-3a inhibited neurotrophic factor deprivation-mediated RGC apoptosis by 29% and 35%, respectively. I/R injury caused 52% RGC loss, but peptain-1 and peptain-3a restricted RGC loss to 13% and 16%, respectively. MB and SO injections resulted in 31% and 36% loss in RGCs following 6 weeks and 4 weeks of IOP elevation, respectively. Peptain-1 and peptain-3a inhibited RGC death; the loss was only 4% and 12% in MB-injected eyes and 16% and 15% in SO-injected eyes, respectively. Anterograde transport was defective in eyes with ocular hypertension, but this defect was substantially ameliorated in peptain-injected eyes. Peptains suppressed ocular hypertension-mediated retinal glial activation. In summary, our results showed that peptains block RGC somal and axonal damage and neuroinflammation in animal models of glaucoma. We propose that peptains have the potential to be developed as therapeutics against neurodegeneration in glaucoma.
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Jiang J, Xu J, Tao Y, Hu C, Zhang C, Sun X, Ye C, Zhang S, Liang Y. A Novel and Reversible Experimental Primate Ocular Hypertension Model: Blocking Schlemm's Canal. Ophthalmic Res 2022; 66:354-366. [PMID: 36380650 DOI: 10.1159/000527099] [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: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to establish a novel and reversible experimental ocular hypertension primate model by blocking Schlemm's canal. METHODS A model was induced in adult cynomolgus monkeys (n = 4) by blocking Schlemm's canal with an inserted microcatheter (200 μm diameter); it was removed 6 weeks later from one monkey to reverse the elevated intraocular hypertension. All animals were monitored for 11 months; weekly measurements of intraocular pressure and biweekly examinations with spectral domain optical coherence tomography and disc photography were performed. Histopathology of the eye and retinal ganglion cell counts were completed at the end of the study. RESULTS The intraocular pressure of the blocked eyes was significantly higher than that of the contralateral eyes at 1 month after the blockage (p < 0.001); the mean intraocular pressure was similar to the contralateral eye from 1 week to 11 months after the microcatheter was removed in monkey A (p = 0.170). The mean intraocular pressure of the blocked eyes of the remaining monkeys was significantly higher than that of the contralateral eyes throughout the follow-up period (p < 0.001). The fundus imaging showed decreases in the retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, and localized defects were observed in two blocked eyes. A histological examination demonstrated that the number of retinal ganglion cells in the blocked eyes of monkeys A, B, and C was significantly decreased compared with the control. CONCLUSION Schlemm's canal blockage alone in the monkey model produces sustained elevation of intraocular pressure, which presents a novel animal model for studying the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhong Jiang
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jing Xu
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yan Tao
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Cheng Hu
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | | | - Cong Ye
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Glaucoma Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shaodan Zhang
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Glaucoma Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yuanbo Liang
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Glaucoma Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Fan J, Liu J, Liu J, Angel PM, Drake RR, Wu Y, Fan H, Koutalos Y, Crosson CE. Sphingomyelinases in retinas and optic nerve heads: Effects of ocular hypertension and ischemia. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109250. [PMID: 36122624 PMCID: PMC10694736 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109250] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sphingomyelinases (SMase), enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide, are important sensors for inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic signaling. Studies have provided evidence that increased SMase activity can contribute to retinal injury. In most tissues, two major SMases are responsible for stress-induced increases in ceramide: acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) and Mg2+-dependent neutral sphingomyelinase (NSMase). The purposes of the current study were to determine the localization of SMases and their substrates in the retina and optic nerve head and to investigate the effects of ocular hypertension and ischemia on ASMase and NSMase activities. Tissue and cellular localization of ASMase and NSMase were determined by immunofluorescence imaging. Tissue localization of sphingomyelin in retinas was further determined by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization mass spectrometry imaging. Tissue levels of sphingomyelins and ceramide were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Sphingomyelinase activities under basal conditions and following acute ischemic and ocular hypotensive stress were measured using the Amplex Red Sphingomyelinase Assay Kit. Our data show that ASMase is in the optic nerve head and the retinal ganglion cell layer. NSMase is in the optic nerve head, photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell layers. Both ASMase and NSMase were identified in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve head astrocytes. The retina and optic nerve head each exhibited unique distribution of sphingomyelins with the abundance of very long chain species being higher in the optic nerve head than in the retina. Basal activities for ASMase in retinas and optic nerve heads were 54.98 ± 2.5 and 95.6 ± 19.5 mU/mg protein, respectively. Ocular ischemia significantly increased ASMase activity to 86.2 ± 15.3 mU/mg protein in retinas (P = 0.03) but not in optic nerve heads (81.1 ± 15.3 mU/mg protein). Ocular hypertension significantly increased ASMase activity to 121.6 ± 7.3 mU/mg protein in retinas (P < 0.001) and 267.0 ± 66.3 mU/mg protein in optic nerve heads (P = 0.03). Basal activities for NSMase in retinas and optic nerve heads were 12.3 ± 2.1 and 37.9 ± 8.7 mU/mg protein, respectively. No significant change in NSMase activity was measured following ocular ischemia or hypertension. Our results provide evidence that both ASMase and NSMase are expressed in retinas and optic nerve heads; however, basal ASMase activity is significantly higher than NSMase activity in retinas and optic nerve heads. In addition, only ASMase activity was significantly increased in ocular ischemia or hypertension. These data support a role for ASMase-mediated sphingolipid metabolism in the development of retinal ischemic and hypertensive injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fan
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Jian Liu
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jiali Liu
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, 274 Middle Zhijiang Road, Jingan District, Shanghai, 200071, China
| | - Peggi M Angel
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and MUSC Proteomics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Richard R Drake
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and MUSC Proteomics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Yiannis Koutalos
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Craig E Crosson
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, Charleston, SC, USA
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21
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McGrady NR, Holden JM, Ribeiro M, Boal AM, Risner ML, Calkins DJ. Axon hyperexcitability in the contralateral projection following unilateral optic nerve crush in mice. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac251. [PMID: 36267329 PMCID: PMC9576152 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac251] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic neuropathies are characterized by degeneration of retinal ganglion cell axonal projections to the brain, including acute conditions like optic nerve trauma and progressive conditions such as glaucoma. Despite different aetiologies, retinal ganglion cell axon degeneration in traumatic optic neuropathy and glaucoma share common pathological signatures. We compared how early pathogenesis of optic nerve trauma and glaucoma influence axon function in the mouse optic projection. We assessed pathology by measuring anterograde axonal transport from retina to superior colliculus, current-evoked optic nerve compound action potential and retinal ganglion cell density 1 week following unilateral optic nerve crush or intraocular pressure elevation. Nerve crush reduced axon transport, compound axon potential and retinal ganglion cell density, which were unaffected by intraocular pressure elevation. Surprisingly, optic nerves contralateral to crush demonstrated 5-fold enhanced excitability in compound action potential compared with naïve nerves. Enhanced excitability in contralateral sham nerves is not due to increased accumulation of voltage-gated sodium channel 1.6, or ectopic voltage-gated sodium channel 1.2 expression within nodes of Ranvier. Our results indicate hyperexcitability is driven by intrinsic responses of αON-sustained retinal ganglion cells. We found αON-sustained retinal ganglion cells in contralateral, sham and eyes demonstrated increased responses to depolarizing currents compared with those from naïve eyes, while light-driven responses remained intact. Dendritic arbours of αON-sustained retinal ganglion cells of the sham eye were like naïve, but soma area and non-phosphorylated neurofilament H increased. Current- and light-evoked responses of sham αOFF-sustained retinal ganglion cells remained stable along with somato-dendritic morphologies. In retinas directly affected by crush, light responses of αON- and αOFF-sustained retinal ganglion cells diminished compared with naïve cells along with decreased dendritic field area or branch points. Like light responses, αOFF-sustained retinal ganglion cell current-evoked responses diminished, but surprisingly, αON-sustained retinal ganglion cell responses were similar to those from naïve retinas. Optic nerve crush reduced dendritic length and area in αON-sustained retinal ganglion cells in eyes ipsilateral to injury, while crush significantly reduced dendritic branching in αOFF-sustained retinal ganglion cells. Interestingly, 1 week of intraocular pressure elevation only affected αOFF-sustained retinal ganglion cell physiology, depolarizing resting membrane potential in cells of affected eyes and blunting current-evoked responses in cells of saline-injected eyes. Collectively, our results suggest that neither saline nor sham surgery provide a true control, chronic versus acute optic neuropathies differentially affect retinal ganglion cells composing the ON and OFF pathways, and acute stress can have near-term effects on the contralateral projection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Joseph M Holden
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Marcio Ribeiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew M Boal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael L Risner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - David J Calkins
- Correspondence to: David J. Calkins, PhD AA7103 MCN/VUIIS 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA E-mail:
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22
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Van Hook MJ. Influences of Glaucoma on the Structure and Function of Synapses in the Visual System. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:842-861. [PMID: 35044228 PMCID: PMC9587776 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0253] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Glaucoma is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder of the visual system associated with sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP). It is the leading irreversible cause of vision loss worldwide, and vision loss results from damage and dysfunction of the retinal output neurons known as retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Recent Advances: Elevated IOP and optic nerve injury triggers pruning of RGC dendrites, altered morphology of excitatory inputs from presynaptic bipolar cells, and disrupted RGC synaptic function. Less is known about RGC outputs, although evidence to date indicates that glaucoma is associated with altered mitochondrial and synaptic structure and function in RGC-projection targets in the brain. These early functional changes likely contribute to vision loss and might be a window into early diagnosis and treatment. Critical Issues: Glaucoma affects different RGC populations to varying extents and along distinct time courses. The influence of glaucoma on RGC synaptic function as well as the mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be determined. Since RGCs are an especially energetically demanding population of neurons, altered intracellular axon transport of mitochondria and mitochondrial function might contribute to RGC synaptic dysfunction in the retina and brain as well as RGC vulnerability in glaucoma. Future Directions: The mechanisms underlying differential RGC vulnerability remain to be determined. Moreover, the timing and mechanisms of RGCs synaptic dysfunction and degeneration will provide valuable insight into the disease process in glaucoma. Future work will be able to capitalize on these findings to better design diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to detect disease and prevent vision loss. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 842-861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Van Hook
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science and Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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23
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Margeta MA, Yin Z, Madore C, Pitts KM, Letcher SM, Tang J, Jiang S, Gauthier CD, Silveira SR, Schroeder CM, Lad EM, Proia AD, Tanzi RE, Holtzman DM, Krasemann S, Chen DF, Butovsky O. Apolipoprotein E4 impairs the response of neurodegenerative retinal microglia and prevents neuronal loss in glaucoma. Immunity 2022; 55:1627-1644.e7. [PMID: 35977543 PMCID: PMC9488669 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [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: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) allele is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer disease and a decreased risk of glaucoma, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we found that in two mouse glaucoma models, microglia transitioned to a neurodegenerative phenotype characterized by upregulation of Apoe and Lgals3 (Galectin-3), which were also upregulated in human glaucomatous retinas. Mice with targeted deletion of Apoe in microglia or carrying the human APOE4 allele were protected from retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss, despite elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Similarly to Apoe-/- retinal microglia, APOE4-expressing microglia did not upregulate neurodegeneration-associated genes, including Lgals3, following IOP elevation. Genetic and pharmacologic targeting of Galectin-3 ameliorated RGC degeneration, and Galectin-3 expression was attenuated in human APOE4 glaucoma samples. These results demonstrate that impaired activation of APOE4 microglia is protective in glaucoma and that the APOE-Galectin-3 signaling can be targeted to treat this blinding disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica A Margeta
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhuoran Yin
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charlotte Madore
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeuro, UMR 1286, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Kristen M Pitts
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sophia M Letcher
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jing Tang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuhong Jiang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian D Gauthier
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sebastian R Silveira
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin M Schroeder
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eleonora M Lad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alan D Proia
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Pathology, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, NC, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dong Feng Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oleg Butovsky
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Lee KM, Song DY, Kim SH. Effect of Strain on Rodent Glaucoma Models: Magnetic Bead Injection Versus Hydrogel Injection Versus Circumlimbal Suture. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:31. [PMID: 36173647 PMCID: PMC9527335 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.9.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To compare the inter-strain differences of three rodent glaucoma models as induced by magnetic bead injection, hydrogel injection, and circumlimbal suture. Methods In Brown Norway (BN) and Sprague Dawley (SD) rat strains, intraocular pressure (IOP) was elevated by injection of magnetic beads or hydrogel to obstruct the aqueous humor outflow or by external compression of circumlimbal suture. Maximum and average IOP values were compared according to both procedure and rat strain over 1 month postoperatively. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) density loss was evaluated using confocal microscopic images of the flat-mounted retina obtained at postoperative days 14 and 30. Results The maximum IOPs were higher in the hydrogel injection or circumlimbal injection models than in the magnetic bead injection model (P < 0.001), whereas average IOP showed no difference between the two strains (both P ≥ 0.05). A generalized estimating equation regression model showed that the IOP increase was maintained better in the BN rats than in the SD rats (P < 0.001). Such inter-strain difference was smaller in the circumlimbal suture model. A significant decrease in RGC density was observed in all of the models for the BN rats and in the circumlimbal suture model for the SD rats at postoperative day 30. Conclusions BN rats were advantageous for the magnetic bead or hydrogel injection model, but either rat strain could be used for the circumlimbal suture model. Strains should be considered cautiously when establishing rodent glaucoma models with different IOP profiles. Translational Relevance This comparison offers the best strain for each rodent glaucoma model for assessment of glaucoma-relevant therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Min Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Da Young Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok Hwan Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
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Yang Y, Wu J, Lu W, Dai Y, Zhang Y, Sun X. Olaparib, a PARP-1 inhibitor, protects retinal cells from ocular hypertension-associated oxidative damage. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:925835. [PMID: 36092711 PMCID: PMC9459396 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.925835] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and relative hypoxia in the retina stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, in turn, puts the retina and optic nerve under chronic oxidative stress. Emerging evidence has shown that oxidative stress can trigger PARP-1 overactivation, mitochondrial-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) dysregulation, and NLRP3 activation. Oxidative damage can trigger inflammasome activation, and NLRP3 is the only inflammasome associated with MAM dysregulation. In addition, multiple transcription factors are located on the MAM. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of a PARP-1 inhibitor (olaparib) against chronic ocular hypertension-associated retinal cell damage. We also mimicked hypoxic stimulation of a retinal precursor cell line by exposing the cells to 0.2% O2in vitro. We discovered that chronic ocular hypertension (COH) induces oxidative damage and MAM dysregulation in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The protein levels of cleaved-PARP and NLRP3 were upregulated in the retinas of the COH rats. Olaparib, a PARP-1 inhibitor, alleviated COH-induced RGC loss, retinal morphological alterations, and photopic negative response amplitude reduction. Olaparib also relieved hypoxic stimulation-induced loss of cell viability and MAM dysregulation. Additionally, some indicators of mitochondrial performance, such as reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial Ca2+ influx, and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, decreased after olaparib treatment. Olaparib attenuated the hypoxia-induced upregulation of NLRP3 protein levels as well as the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and histone H2A.X. These results suggest that olaparib protects RGCs from chronic intraocular pressure elevation in vivo and alleviates the abnormal MAM dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by hypoxia in vitro. This protection may be achieved by inhibiting PARP-1 overactivation, NLRP3 upregulation, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jihong Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqin Dai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youjia Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinghuai Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xinghuai Sun,
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Sun D, Zhan Z, Zeng R, Liu X, Wang B, Yang F, Huang S, Li Y, Yang Z, Su Y, Lan Y. Long-term and potent IOP-lowering effect of IκBα-siRNA in a nonhuman primate model of chronic ocular hypertension. iScience 2022; 25:104149. [PMID: 35445186 PMCID: PMC9014385 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness. It is acknowledged that lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the effective treatment to slow glaucoma disease progression. The main obstacle of existing drugs is that the effect of reducing IOP does not last long. Degradation of IκB stimulates the transcription of NF-κB, which could upregulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Whether a IκB-targeted gene therapy works in glaucoma is unclear. Here, we established a chronic ocular hypertension (COHT) model in rhesus monkey by laser photocoagulation and verified that intracameral delivery of IκBα-siRNA showed long-lasting and potent effects of reducing IOP without obvious inflammation in monkeys with COHT. We also verified that IκBα-siRNA could increase the expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 by knocking down IκBα in vitro and in vivo. Our results in nonhuman primates indicated that IκBα-siRNA may become a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of glaucoma. Knocking down IκBα could upregulate the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in MCM and MTM LP could induce COHT model in rhesus monkeys successfully IκBα-siRNA has a long-term and potent IOP-lowering effect in LP-induced monkeys with COHT
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Affiliation(s)
- Difang Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongyi Zhan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sa Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunfeng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenlan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Lan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Ribeiro M, McGrady NR, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Calkins DJ. Intraocular Delivery of a Collagen Mimetic Peptide Repairs Retinal Ganglion Cell Axons in Chronic and Acute Injury Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062911. [PMID: 35328332 PMCID: PMC8949359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vision loss through the degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons occurs in both chronic and acute conditions that target the optic nerve. These include glaucoma, in which sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) causes early RGC axonal dysfunction, and optic nerve trauma, which causes rapid axon degeneration from the site of injury. In each case, degeneration is irreversible, necessitating new therapeutics that protect, repair, and regenerate RGC axons. Recently, we demonstrated the reparative capacity of using collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) to heal fragmented collagen in the neuronal extracellular milieu. This was an important step in the development of neuronal-based therapies since neurodegeneration involves matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated remodeling of the collagen-rich environment in which neurons and their axons exist. We found that intraocular delivery of a CMP comprising single-strand fractions of triple helix human type I collagen prevented early RGC axon dysfunction in an inducible glaucoma model. Additionally, CMPs also promoted neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia, challenged in vitro by partial digestion of collagen. Here, we compared the ability of a CMP sequence to protect RGC axons in both inducible glaucoma and optic nerve crush. A three-week +40% elevation in IOP caused a 67% degradation in anterograde transport to the superior colliculus, the primary retinal projection target in rodents. We found that a single intravitreal injection of CMP during the period of IOP elevation significantly reduced this degradation. The same CMP delivered shortly after optic nerve crush promoted significant axonal recovery during the two-week period following injury. Together, these findings support a novel protective and reparative role for the use of CMPs in both chronic and acute conditions affecting the survival of RGC axons in the optic projection to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio Ribeiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (M.R.); (N.R.M.)
| | - Nolan R. McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (M.R.); (N.R.M.)
| | - Robert O. Baratta
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St., Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (B.J.D.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Brian J. Del Buono
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St., Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (B.J.D.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St., Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (B.J.D.B.); (E.S.)
| | - David J. Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (M.R.); (N.R.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(615)-936-1424; Fax: +1-(615)-936-6410
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Mathew DJ, Livne-Bar I, Sivak JM. An inducible rodent glaucoma model that exhibits gradual sustained increase in intraocular pressure with distinct inner retina and optic nerve inflammation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22880. [PMID: 34819548 PMCID: PMC8613281 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02057-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve resulting in loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and vision. The most prominent glaucoma risk factor is increased intraocular pressure (IOP), and most models focus on reproducing this aspect to study disease mechanisms and targets. Yet, current models result in IOP profiles that often do not resemble clinical glaucoma. Here we introduce a new model that results in a gradual and sustained IOP increase over time. This approach modifies a circumlimbal suture method, taking care to make the sutures 'snug' instead of tight, without inducing an initial IOP spike. This approach did not immediately affect IOPs, but generated gradual ocular hypertension (gOHT) as the sutures tighten over time, in comparison to loosely sutured control eyes (CON), resulting in an average 12.6 mmHg increase in IOP at 17 weeks (p < 0.001). Corresponding characterization revealed relevant retinal and optic nerve pathology, such as thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, decreased optokinetic response, RGC loss, and optic nerve head remodeling. Yet, angles remained open, with no evidence of inflammation. Corresponding biochemical profiling indicated significant increases in TGF-β2 and 3, and IL-1 family cytokines in gOHT optic nerve tissues compared to CON, with accompanying microglial reactivity, consistent with active tissue injury and repair mechanisms. Remarkably, this signature was absent from optic nerves following acute ocular hypertension (aOHT) associated with intentionally tightened sutures, although the resulting RGC loss was similar in both methods. These results suggest that the pattern of IOP change has an important impact on underlying pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Mathew
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Lab Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Izhar Livne-Bar
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Lab Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Sivak
- Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Lab Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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29
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McGrady NR, Pasini S, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Calkins DJ. Restoring the Extracellular Matrix: A Neuroprotective Role for Collagen Mimetic Peptides in Experimental Glaucoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:764709. [PMID: 34795592 PMCID: PMC8592892 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.764709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic neuropathies are a major cause of visual disabilities worldwide, causing irreversible vision loss through the degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons, which comprise the optic nerve. Chief among these is glaucoma, in which sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) leads to RGC axon dysfunction followed by outright degeneration of the optic projection. Current treatments focus entirely on lowering IOP through topical hypotensive drugs, surgery to facilitate aqueous fluid outflow, or both. Despite this investment in time and resources, many patients continue to lose vision, underscoring the need for new therapeutics that target neurodegeneration directly. One element of progression in glaucoma involves matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) remodeling of the collagen-rich extracellular milieu of RGC axons as they exit the retina through the optic nerve head. Thus, we investigated the ability of collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) representing various single strand fractions of triple helix human type I collagen to protect RGC axons in an inducible model of glaucoma. First, using dorsal root ganglia maintained in vitro on human type I collagen, we found that multiple CMPs significantly promote neurite outgrowth (+35%) compared to vehicle following MMP-induced fragmentation of the α1(I) and α2(I) chains. We then applied CMP to adult mouse eyes in vivo following microbead occlusion to elevate IOP and determined its influence on anterograde axon transport to the superior colliculus, the primary RGC projection target in rodents. In glaucoma models, sensitivity to IOP causes early degradation in axon function, including anterograde transport from retina to central brain targets. We found that CMP treatment rescued anterograde transport following a 3-week +50% elevation in IOP. These results suggest that CMPs generally may represent a novel therapeutic to supplement existing treatments or as a neuroprotective option for patients who do not respond to IOP-lowering regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Silvia Pasini
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | | | | | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., Stuart, FL, United States
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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30
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Di Pierdomenico J, Henderson DCM, Giammaria S, Smith VL, Jamet AJ, Smith CA, Hooper ML, Chauhan BC. Age and intraocular pressure in murine experimental glaucoma. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 88:101021. [PMID: 34801667 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Age and intraocular pressure (IOP) are the two most important risk factors for the development and progression of open-angle glaucoma. While IOP is commonly considered in models of experimental glaucoma (EG), most studies use juvenile or adult animals and seldom older animals which are representative of the human disease. This paper provides a concise review of how retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss, the hallmark of glaucoma, can be evaluated in EG with a special emphasis on serial in vivo imaging, a parallel approach used in clinical practice. It appraises the suitability of EG models for the purpose of in vivo imaging and argues for the use of models that provide a sustained elevation of IOP, without compromise of the ocular media. In a study with parallel cohorts of adult (3-month-old, equivalent to 20 human years) and old (2-year-old, equivalent to 70 human years) mice, we compare the effects of elevated IOP on serial ganglion cell complex thickness and individual RGC dendritic morphology changes obtained in vivo. We also evaluate how age modulates the impact of elevated IOP on RGC somal and axonal density in histological analysis as well the density of melanopsin RGCs. We discuss the challenges of using old animals and emphasize the potential of single RGC imaging for understanding the pathobiology of RGC loss and evaluating new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Di Pierdomenico
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Delaney C M Henderson
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Sara Giammaria
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Victoria L Smith
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Aliénor J Jamet
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Corey A Smith
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michele L Hooper
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Balwantray C Chauhan
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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31
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Fan J, Liu J, Liu J, Chen C, Koutalos Y, Crosson CE. Evidence for ceramide induced cytotoxicity in retinal ganglion cells. Exp Eye Res 2021; 211:108762. [PMID: 34499916 PMCID: PMC8511283 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108762] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Ceramides are bioactive compounds that play important roles in regulating cellular responses to extracellular stimuli and stress. Previous studies have shown that ceramides contribute to retinal degeneration associated with ischemic and ocular hypertensive stress. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) is one of the major enzymes responsible for the stress-induced generation of ceramides. The goals of this study are to investigate the effects of ceramides on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and of ASMase inhibition in ocular hypertensive mice. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RGCs and primary cultures of human optic nerve head astrocytes were used to characterize the response to C2-ceramide. Microbead-induced ocular hypertension in the ASMase heterozygote mouse model was used to confirm the physiological relevance of in vitro studies. In mice, RGC function and morphology were assessed with pattern ERG (pERG) and immunofluorescence. The addition of C2-ceramide to iPSC-derived RGCs produced a significant concentration- and time-dependent reduction in cell numbers when compared to control cultures. While the addition of C2-ceramide to astrocytes did not affect viability, it resulted in a 2.6-fold increase in TNF-α secretion. The addition of TNF-α or conditioned media from C2-ceramide-treated astrocytes to RGC cultures significantly reduced cell numbers by 56.1 ± 8.4% and 24.7 ± 4.8%, respectively. This cytotoxic response to astrocyte-conditioned media was blocked by TNF-α antibody. In ASMase heterozygote mice, functional and morphological analyses of ocular hypertensive eyes reveal significantly less RGC degeneration when compared with hypertensive eyes from wild-type mice. These results provide evidence that ceramides can induce RGC cell death by acting directly, as well as indirectly via the secretion of TNF-α from optic nerve head astrocytes. In vivo studies in mice provide evidence that ceramides derived through the activity of ASMase contribute to ocular hypertensive injury. Together these results support the importance of ceramides in the pathogenesis of ocular hypertensive injury to the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fan
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, 167 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Jiali Liu
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, 274 Middle Zhijiang Road, Jingan District, Shanghai, 200071, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, 167 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Chunhe Chen
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, 167 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Yiannis Koutalos
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, 167 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Craig E Crosson
- Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Ophthalmology, 167 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
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32
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Colbert MK, Ho LC, van der Merwe Y, Yang X, McLellan GJ, Hurley SA, Field AS, Yun H, Du Y, Conner IP, Parra C, Faiq MA, Fingert JH, Wollstein G, Schuman JS, Chan KC. Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Visual Pathway Abnormalities in Five Glaucoma Animal Models. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:21. [PMID: 34410298 PMCID: PMC8383913 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.10.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize the visual pathway integrity of five glaucoma animal models using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods Two experimentally induced and three genetically determined models of glaucoma were evaluated. For inducible models, chronic IOP elevation was achieved via intracameral injection of microbeads or laser photocoagulation of the trabecular meshwork in adult rodent eyes. For genetic models, the DBA/2J mouse model of pigmentary glaucoma, the LTBP2 mutant feline model of congenital glaucoma, and the transgenic TBK1 mouse model of normotensive glaucoma were compared with their respective genetically matched healthy controls. DTI parameters, including fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity, were evaluated along the optic nerve and optic tract. Results Significantly elevated IOP relative to controls was observed in each animal model except for the transgenic TBK1 mice. Significantly lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity were observed along the visual pathways of the microbead- and laser-induced rodent models, the DBA/2J mice, and the LTBP2-mutant cats compared with their respective healthy controls. The DBA/2J mice also exhibited lower axial diffusivity, which was not observed in the other models examined. No apparent DTI change was observed in the transgenic TBK1 mice compared with controls. Conclusions Chronic IOP elevation was accompanied by decreased fractional anisotropy and increased radial diffusivity along the optic nerve or optic tract, suggestive of disrupted microstructural integrity in both inducible and genetic glaucoma animal models. The effects on axial diffusivity differed between models, indicating that this DTI metric may represent different aspects of pathological changes over time and with severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max K Colbert
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Leon C Ho
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Yolandi van der Merwe
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Xiaoling Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Gillian J McLellan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Samuel A Hurley
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Aaron S Field
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Hongmin Yun
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Ian P Conner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Carlos Parra
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Muneeb A Faiq
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States
| | - John H Fingert
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Gadi Wollstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, United States
| | - Joel S Schuman
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, United States.,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, United States.,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States.,Department of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States
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33
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Hamada K, Shinozaki Y, Namekata K, Matsumoto M, Ohno N, Segawa T, Kashiwagi K, Harada T, Koizumi S. Loss of P2Y 1 receptors triggers glaucoma-like pathology in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:4552-4571. [PMID: 34309010 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness, damages the retinal ganglion cells. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a high-risk factor for glaucoma, so topical hypotensive drugs are usually used for treatment. Because not all patients do not respond adequately to current treatments, there is a need to identify a new molecular target to reduce IOP. Here, we have assessed the role of P2Y1 receptors in mediating elevated IOP. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH P2Y1 receptor agonist was instilled into the eyes of mice, and the IOP changes were measured by a rebound-type tonometer. Expression of P2Y1 receptors was estimated by immunohistochemistry. Ocular function was measured by a multifocal electroretinogram. KEY RESULTS A single dose of the P2Y1 receptor agonist transiently reduced IOP and such effects were absent in P2Y1 receptor-deficient (P2Y1 KO) mice. P2Y1 receptors were functionally expressed in the ciliary body, trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. Activation of P2Y1 receptors negatively regulated aquaporin 4 (AQP4) function but up-regulated endothelial NOS (eNOS). P2Y1 KO mice showed chronic ocular hypertension regardless of age. P2Y1 KO mice at 3 months old showed no damage to retinal ganglion cells, whereas 12-month-old mice showed a significant loss of these cells and impairment of ocular functions. Damage to retinal ganglion cells was attenuated by chronic administration of an IOP-reducing agent. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Activation of P2Y1 receptors reduced IOP via dual pathways including AQP4 and eNOS. Loss of P2Y1 receptors resulted in glaucomatous optic neuropathy, suggesting that P2Y1 receptors might provide an effective target in the treatment of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Hamada
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Youichi Shinozaki
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.,GLIA Center, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Namekata
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Matsumoto
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Ohno
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Anatomy, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Segawa
- Center for Life Science Research, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kenji Kashiwagi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Takayuki Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Schuichi Koizumi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.,GLIA Center, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
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Abstract
Optic nerve crush in mouse model is widely used for investigating the course following retinal ganglion cell (RGCs) injury. Manual cell counting from β-III tubulin stained microscopic images has been routinely performed to monitor RGCs after an optic nerve crush injury, but is time-consuming and prone to observer variability. This paper describes an automatic technique for RGC identification. We developed and validated (i) a sensitive cell candidate segmentation scheme and (ii) a classifier that removed false positives while retaining true positives. Two major contributions were made in cell candidate segmentation. First, a homomorphic filter was designed to adjust for the inhomogeneous illumination caused by uneven penetration of β-III tubulin antibody. Second, the optimal segmentation parameters for cell detection are highly image-specific. To address this issue, we introduced an offline-online parameter tuning approach. Offline tuning optimized model parameters based on training images and online tuning further optimized the parameters at the testing stage without needing access to the ground truth. In the cell identification stage, 31 geometric, statistical and textural features were extracted from each segmented cell candidate, which was subsequently classified as true or false positives by support vector machine. The homomorphic filter and the online parameter tuning approach together increased cell recall by 28%. The entire pipeline attained a recall, precision and coefficient of determination (r2) of 85.3%, 97.1% and 0.994. The availability of the proposed pipeline will allow efficient, accurate and reproducible RGC quantification required for assessing the death/survival of RGCs in disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Gai
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Leanne L H Chan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Bernard Chiu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Henderson DCM, Vianna JR, Gobran J, Pierdomenico JD, Hooper ML, Farrell SRM, Chauhan BC. Longitudinal In Vivo Changes in Retinal Ganglion Cell Dendritic Morphology After Acute and Chronic Optic Nerve Injury. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:5. [PMID: 34232261 PMCID: PMC8267182 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.9.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize in vivo dendritic changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after acute (optic nerve transection, ONT) and chronic (experimental glaucoma, EG) optic nerve injury. Methods ONT and EG (microbead model) were carried out in Thy1-YFP mice in which the entire RGC dendritic arbor was imaged with confocal fluorescence scanning laser ophthalmoscopy over two weeks in the ONT group and over two and six months, respectively, in two (groups 1 and 2) EG groups. Sholl analysis was used to quantify dendritic structure with the parameters: area under the curve (AUC), radius of the dendritic field, peak number of intersections (PI), and distance to the PI (PD). Results Dendritic changes were observed after three days post-ONT with significant decreases in all parameters at two weeks. In group 1 EG mice, mean (SD) intraocular pressure (IOP) was 15.2 (1.1) and 9.8 (0.3) mmHg in the EG and untreated contralateral eyes, respectively, with a significant corresponding decrease in AUC, PI, and PD, but not radius. In group 2 mice, the respective IOP was 13.1 (1.0) and 8.8 (0.1) mmHg, peaking at two months before trending towards baseline. Over the first two months, AUC, PI, and PD decreased significantly, with no further subsequent changes. The rates of change of the parameters after ONT was 5 to 10 times faster than in EG. Conclusions Rapid dendritic changes occurred after ONT, while changes in EG were slower and associated with level of IOP increase. The earliest alterations were loss of inner neurites without change in dendritic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaney C M Henderson
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jayme R Vianna
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - John Gobran
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Johnny Di Pierdomenico
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michele L Hooper
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Spring R M Farrell
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Balwantray C Chauhan
- Retina and Optic Nerve Research Laboratory, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Rodrigo MJ, Garcia-Herranz D, Subias M, Martinez-Rincón T, Mendez-Martínez S, Bravo-Osuna I, Carretero A, Ruberte J, Garcia-Feijoo J, Pablo LE, Herrero-Vanrell R, Garcia-Martin E. Chronic Glaucoma Using Biodegradable Microspheres to Induce Intraocular Pressure Elevation. Six-Month Follow-Up. Biomedicines 2021; 9:682. [PMID: 34208744 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To compare two prolonged animal models of glaucoma over 24 weeks of follow-up. A novel pre-trabecular model of chronic glaucoma was achieved by injection of biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres (10–20 µm) (Ms20/10) into the ocular anterior chamber to progressively increase ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: Rat right eyes were injected to induce OHT: 50% received a suspension of Ms20/10 in the anterior chamber at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks, and the other 50% received a sclerosing episcleral vein injection biweekly (EPIm). Ophthalmological clinical signs, intraocular pressure (IOP), neuroretinal functionality measured by electroretinography (ERG), and structural analysis of the retina, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) protocols using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histological exams were performed. Results: Both models showed progressive neuroretinal degeneration (p < 0.05), and contralateral eye affectation. The Ms20/10 model showed a more progressive increase in IOP and better preservation of ocular surface. Although no statistical differences were found between models, the EPIm showed a tendency to produce thicker retinal and thinner GCL thicknesses, slower latency and smaller amplitude as measured using ERG, and more aggressive disturbances in retinal histology. In both models, while the GCL showed the greatest percentage loss of thickness, the RNFL showed the greatest and earliest rate of thickness loss. Conclusions: The intracameral model with biodegradable microspheres resulted more like the conditions observed in humans. It was obtained by a less-aggressive mechanism, which allows for adequate study of the pathology over longer periods.
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Lehmann P, Hohberger B, Lämmer R, Mardin C. Extended Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness Deviation Maps With OCT in Glaucoma Diagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:684676. [PMID: 34150817 PMCID: PMC8212507 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.684676] [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: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic power of RGCL in the macula quantitatively and qualitatively by using a conventional and extended elliptic grid with deviation maps. Subjects and Methods: Thickness of RGCL was measured using SPECTRALIS® OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) in 150 eyes of 150 subjects of the Erlangen Glaucoma Registry (EGR; NTC00494923): 26 ocular hypertension (OHT), 39 pre-perimetric open-angle glaucoma (pre-OAG), 19 normal tension glaucoma (NTG), 34 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), 16 secondary open-angle glaucoma (SOAG), and 16 controls. Analysis of RGCL was done quantitatively (global value, GV) and qualitatively (qualitative total value, QTV) by using a color-coded point score for data of the common elliptic macular grid of deviation maps. Furthermore, qualitative analysis of RGCL was done for an extended elliptic macula grid (extended qualitative total value, eQTV). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for the conventional and the enlarged macular grid for all subjects' groups. Results: GV of RGCL thickness differed significantly between pre-OAG (p < 0.05), NTG (p < 0.001), POAG (p < 0.001), SOAG (p < 0.001), yet not OHT (p > 0.05) and controls, respectively. Quantitative ROC analysis of GV showed AUC of 0.965 (SOAG), 0.942 (POAG), 0.916 (NTG), 0.772 (pre-OAG), and 0.526 (OHT). QTV differed significantly between pre-POAG (p < 0.05), NTG (p < 0.001), POAG (p < 0.001), SOAG (p < 0.001), yet not OHT (p > 0.05) and controls, respectively. Qualitative ROC analysis of QTV showed AUCs of 0.908 (NTG) 0.914 (POAG), 0.930 (SOAG), 0.734 (pre-POAG), and 0.519 (OHT). Implementation of eQTV yielded even higher AUCs for NTG (0.919), POAG (0.969), and SOAG (0.973) compared to GV. Similar AUCs of eQTV and GV were observed for OHT (0.514) and pre-OAG (0.770). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that quantitative and qualitative analysis of RGCL thickness yielded similar diagnostic impacts compared to RNFL. Qualitative analysis might be a quick and easy useable tool for clinical all-day life. The present data suggest that analysis of an extended macula region might improve its diagnostic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lehmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bettina Hohberger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert Lämmer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Mardin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Wang J, Struebing FL, Geisert EE. Commonalities of optic nerve injury and glaucoma-induced neurodegeneration: Insights from transcriptome-wide studies. Exp Eye Res 2021; 207:108571. [PMID: 33844961 PMCID: PMC9890784 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a collection of diseases that lead to an irreversible vision loss due to damage of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Although the underlying events leading to RGC death are not fully understood, recent research efforts are beginning to define the genetic changes that play a critical role in the initiation and progression of glaucomatous injury and RGC death. Several genetic and experimental animal models have been developed to mimic glaucomatous neurodegeneration. These models differ in many respects but all result in the loss of RGCs. Assessing transcriptional changes across different models could provide a more complete perspective on the molecular drivers of RGC degeneration. For the past several decades, changes in the retinal transcriptome during neurodegeneration process were defined using microarray methods, RNA sequencing and now single cell RNA sequencing. It is understood that these methods have strengths and weaknesses due to technical differences and variations in the analytical tools used. In this review, we focus on the use of transcriptome-wide expression profiling of the changes occurring as RGCs are lost across different glaucoma models. Commonalities of optic nerve crush and glaucoma-induced neurodegeneration are identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Wang
- Emory Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Felix L. Struebing
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany,Department for Translational Brain Research, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Eldon E. Geisert
- Emory Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA,Corresponding author: (E.E. Geisert)
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Abstract
Purpose Functional adaptation to ambient light is a key characteristic of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), but little is known about how adaptation is affected by factors that are harmful to RGC health. We explored adaptation-induced changes to RGC physiology when exposed to increased intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for glaucoma. Methods Wild-type mice of both sexes were subjected to 2 weeks of IOP elevation using the bead model. Retinas were assessed using a multielectrode array to record RGC responses to checkerboard white noise stimulation under both scotopic and photopic light levels. This information was used to calculate a spike-triggered average (STA) for each RGC with which to compare between lighting levels. Results Low but not high IOP elevation resulted in several distinct RGC functional changes: (1) diminished adaptation-dependent receptive field (RF) center-surround interactions; (2) increased likelihood of a scotopic STA; and (3) increased spontaneous firing rate. Center RF size change with lighting level varied among RGCs, and both the center and surround STA peak times were consistently increased under scotopic illumination, although none of these properties were impacted by IOP level. Conclusions These findings provide novel evidence that RGCs exhibit reduced light-dependent adaptation and increased excitability when IOP is elevated to low but not high levels. These results may reveal functional changes that occur early in glaucoma, which can potentially be used to identify patients with glaucoma at earlier stages when intervention is most beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Jasdeep Sabharwal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Samuel M Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Benjamin J Frankfort
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
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Guttenplan KA, Stafford BK, El-Danaf RN, Adler DI, Münch AE, Weigel MK, Huberman AD, Liddelow SA. Neurotoxic Reactive Astrocytes Drive Neuronal Death after Retinal Injury. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107776. [PMID: 32579912 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [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: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that features the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina, often as a result of prolonged increases in intraocular pressure. We show that preventing the formation of neuroinflammatory reactive astrocytes prevents the death of RGCs normally seen in a mouse model of glaucoma. Furthermore, we show that these spared RGCs are electrophysiologically functional and thus still have potential value for the function and regeneration of the retina. Finally, we demonstrate that the death of RGCs depends on a combination of both an injury to the neurons and the presence of reactive astrocytes, suggesting a model that may explain why reactive astrocytes are toxic only in some circumstances. Altogether, these findings highlight reactive astrocytes as drivers of RGC death in a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Guttenplan
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | | | - Rana N El-Danaf
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, NYU Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Drew I Adler
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alexandra E Münch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maya K Weigel
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrew D Huberman
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Mathew B, Torres LA, Gamboa Acha L, Tran S, Liu A, Patel R, Chennakesavalu M, Aneesh A, Huang CC, Feinstein DL, Mehraeen S, Ravindran S, Roth S. Uptake and Distribution of Administered Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles in Retina. Cells 2021; 10:730. [PMID: 33806128 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [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: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy using mesenchymal (MSC) and other stem cells has been evaluated for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. This approach has significant limitations, including few cells integrated, aberrant growth, and surgical complications. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes/Extracellular Vesicles (MSC EVs), which include exosomes and microvesicles, are an emerging alternative, promoting immunomodulation, repair, and regeneration by mediating MSC’s paracrine effects. For the clinical translation of EV therapy, it is important to determine the cellular destination and time course of EV uptake in the retina following administration. Here, we tested the cellular fate of EVs using in vivo rat retinas, ex vivo retinal explant, and primary retinal cells. Intravitreally administered fluorescent EVs were rapidly cleared from the vitreous. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) had maximal EV fluorescence at 14 days post administration, and microglia at 7 days. Both in vivo and in the explant model, most EVs were no deeper than the inner nuclear layer. Retinal astrocytes, microglia, and mixed neurons in vitro endocytosed EVs in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our results indicate that intravitreal EVs are suited for the treatment of retinal diseases affecting the inner retina. Modification of the EV surface should be considered for maintaining EVs in the vitreous for prolonged delivery.
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Chen J, Sun J, Yu H, Huang P, Zhong Y. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Chronic Ocular Hypertension Mouse Model Induced by Intracameral Injection of Cross-Linking Hydrogel. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:643402. [PMID: 33829024 PMCID: PMC8019751 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.643402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is an irreversible and blinding neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells. The current animal models of glaucoma fail to provide a chronic elevated intraocular pressure and cannot maintain the optical media clarity for a long time, which brings some difficulties to the study of glaucoma. Here, we developed a new chronic ocular hypertension model of mice induced by cross-linking hydrogel intracameral injection. Methods: C57BL/6J mice aged 6–8 weeks were randomly divided into the control group and the operation group. The mice of the operation group were injected with cross-linking hydrogel to induce ocular hypertension. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively, 3 days after surgery, and weekly until the end of the study. Flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP) was used to observe optic nerve function at different times (preoperatively and 2, 4, and 6 weeks) after chronic ocular hypertension (COH). Retinal TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17A protein expression were measured by western blotting in the control group and in mice at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH. Microglial cell activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. Apoptosis and loss of retinal ganglion cells after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of intracameral injection of cross-linking hydrogel were observed by the TUNEL assay and Brn3a protein labeling. The loss of optic nerve axons in COH mice was evaluated by neurofilament heavy polypeptide protein labeling. Results: Intracameral injection of the cross-linking hydrogel induces increased intraocular pressure (IOP) to a mean value of 19.3 ± 4.1 mmHg, which was sustained for at least 8 weeks. A significant difference in IOP was noted between COH mice and sham-operation mice (p < 0.0001). The success rate was 75%. The average amplitude of F-VEP in mice with COH was reduced (p = 0.0149, 0.0012, and 0.0009 at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH vs. the control group, respectively), and the average latent period in mice with COH was longer (p = 0.0290, <0.0001, and <0.0001 at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH vs. the control group, respectively) compared with that in the control group. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, Iba-1, and CD68 protein expression increased in COH mice. During the processing of COH, the number of microglial cells increased along with cellular morphological changes of rounder bodies and thicker processes compared with the control group. Apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was clearly observed in mice at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH (p = 0.0061, 0.0012, <0.0001, and 0.0371 at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH vs. the control group, respectively). The RGC density decreased significantly in the COH mice compared with the control group (p = 0.0042, 0.0036, and <0.0001 at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH vs. the control group, respectively). There was a significant loss of optic nerve axons in mice after intracameral injection of cross-linking hydrogel (p = 0.0095, 0.0002, and <0.0001 at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after COH vs. the control group, respectively). Conclusions: A single intracameral injection of cross-linking hydrogel can effectively induce chronic ocular hypertension in mice, which causes progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells, increased expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and microglial cell activation, and deterioration of optic nerve function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yisheng Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Oswald J, Kegeles E, Minelli T, Volchkov P, Baranov P. Transplantation of miPSC/mESC-derived retinal ganglion cells into healthy and glaucomatous retinas. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 21:180-198. [PMID: 33816648 PMCID: PMC7994731 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Optic neuropathies, including glaucoma, are a group of neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), leading to irreversible vision loss. While previous studies demonstrated the potential to replace RGCs with primary neurons from developing mouse retinas, their use is limited clinically. We demonstrate successful transplantation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cell (miPSC)/mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)-derived RGCs into healthy and glaucomatous mouse retinas, at a success rate exceeding 65% and a donor cell survival window of up to 12 months. Transplanted Thy1-GFP+ RGCs were able to polarize within the host retina and formed axonal processes that followed host axons along the retinal surface and entered the optic nerve head. RNA sequencing of donor RGCs re-isolated from host retinas at 24 h and 1 week post-transplantation showed upregulation of cellular pathways mediating axonal outgrowth, extension, and guidance. Additionally, we provide evidence of subtype-specific diversity within miPSC-derived RGCs prior to transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Oswald
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Evgenii Kegeles
- Life Sciences Research Center, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudniy 141700, Russia
| | - Tomas Minelli
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pavel Volchkov
- Life Sciences Research Center, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudniy 141700, Russia
- Research Institute of Personalized Medicine, National Center for Personalized Medicine of Endocrine Diseases, The National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Moscow 117036, Russia
| | - Petr Baranov
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Corresponding author: Petr Baranov, The Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Abstract
Glaucoma causes loss of vision through degeneration of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) projection to the brain. The disease is characterized by sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) conveyed at the optic nerve head, through which RGC axons pass unmyelinated to form the optic nerve. From this point, a pathogenic triumvirate comprising inflammatory, oxidative, and metabolic stress influence both proximal structures in the retina and distal structures in the optic projection. This review focuses on metabolic stress and how the optic projection may compensate through novel adaptive mechanisms to protect excitatory signaling to the brain. In the retina and proximal nerve head, the unmyelinated RGC axon segment is energy-inefficient, which leads to increased demand for adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) at the risk of vulnerability to Ca2+-related metabolic and oxidative pressure. This vulnerability may underlie the bidirectional nature of progression. However, recent evidence highlights that the optic projection in glaucoma is not passive but rather demonstrates adaptive processes that may push back against neurodegeneration. In the retina, even as synaptic and dendritic pruning ensues, early progression involves enhanced excitability of RGCs. Enhancement involves depolarization of the resting membrane potential and increased response to light, independent of RGC morphological type. This response is axogenic, arising from increased levels and translocation of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) in the unmyelinated segment. During this same early period, large-scale networks of gap-junction coupled astrocytes redistribute metabolic resources to the optic projection stressed by elevated IOP to slow loss of axon function. This redistribution may reflect more local remodeling, as astrocyte processes respond to focal metabolic duress by boosting glycogen turnover in response to axonal activity in an effort to promote survival of the healthiest axons. Both enhanced excitability and metabolic redistribution are transient, indicating that the same adaptive mechanisms that apparently serve to slow progression ultimately may be too expensive for the system to sustain over longer periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Calkins
- The Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Vision Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S, AA7100 Medical Center North Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, USA.
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Garcia-Herranz D, Rodrigo MJ, Subias M, Martinez-Rincon T, Mendez-Martinez S, Bravo-Osuna I, Bonet A, Ruberte J, Garcia-Feijoo J, Pablo L, Garcia-Martin E, Herrero-Vanrell R. Novel Use of PLGA Microspheres to Create an Animal Model of Glaucoma with Progressive Neuroretinal Degeneration. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020237. [PMID: 33567776 PMCID: PMC7915113 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive degeneration of neuroretinal tissue with maintained elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) to simulate chronic glaucoma was produced by intracameral injections of poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres (Ms) in rat eyes. The right eye of 39 rats received different sizes of PLGA-Ms (2 µL suspension; 10% w/v): 14 with 38–20 µm Ms (Ms38/20 model) and 25 with 20–10 µm particles (Ms20/10 model). This novel glaucoma animal model was compared to the episcleral vein sclerosis (EPI) model (25 eyes). Injections were performed at baseline, two, four and six weeks. Clinical signs, IOP, retina and optic nerve thicknesses (using in vivo optical coherence tomography; OCT), and histological studies were performed. An IOP increment was observed in all three groups, however, the values obtained from the PLGA-Ms injection resulted lower with a better preservation of the ocular surface. In fact, the injection of Ms20/10 created a gentler, more progressive, and more sustained increase in IOP. This IOP alteration was correlated with a significant decrease in most OCT parameters and in histological ganglion-cell count for the three conditions throughout the eight-week follow-up. In all cases, progressive degeneration of the retina, retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve, simulating chronic glaucoma, was detected by OCT and corroborated by histological study. Results showed an alternative glaucoma model to the well-known episcleral vein model, which was simpler to perform, more reproducible and easier to monitor in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Garcia-Herranz
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.G.-H.); (I.B.-O.); (J.G.-F.)
- Departamento de Farmacia Galénica y Tecnología Alimentaria, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Jesus Rodrigo
- Thematic Research Network in Ophthalmology (Oftared), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.J.R.); (L.P.); (E.G.-M.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.S.); (T.M.-R.); (S.M.-M.)
- Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Manuel Subias
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.S.); (T.M.-R.); (S.M.-M.)
- Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Teresa Martinez-Rincon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.S.); (T.M.-R.); (S.M.-M.)
- Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Mendez-Martinez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.S.); (T.M.-R.); (S.M.-M.)
- Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Irene Bravo-Osuna
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.G.-H.); (I.B.-O.); (J.G.-F.)
- Departamento de Farmacia Galénica y Tecnología Alimentaria, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Thematic Research Network in Ophthalmology (Oftared), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.J.R.); (L.P.); (E.G.-M.)
- Instituto Universitario de Farmacia Industrial (IUFI), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina Bonet
- Center for Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.B.); (J.R.)
- CIBER for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jesus Ruberte
- Center for Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.B.); (J.R.)
- CIBER for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Julian Garcia-Feijoo
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.G.-H.); (I.B.-O.); (J.G.-F.)
- Thematic Research Network in Ophthalmology (Oftared), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.J.R.); (L.P.); (E.G.-M.)
- Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Pablo
- Thematic Research Network in Ophthalmology (Oftared), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.J.R.); (L.P.); (E.G.-M.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.S.); (T.M.-R.); (S.M.-M.)
- Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Martin
- Thematic Research Network in Ophthalmology (Oftared), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.J.R.); (L.P.); (E.G.-M.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.S.); (T.M.-R.); (S.M.-M.)
- Miguel Servet Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rocío Herrero-Vanrell
- Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal) Research Group, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.G.-H.); (I.B.-O.); (J.G.-F.)
- Departamento de Farmacia Galénica y Tecnología Alimentaria, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Thematic Research Network in Ophthalmology (Oftared), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.J.R.); (L.P.); (E.G.-M.)
- Instituto Universitario de Farmacia Industrial (IUFI), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-394-1739; Fax: +34-91-394-1736
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Yang X, Zeng Q, Tezel G. Regulation of distinct caspase-8 functions in retinal ganglion cells and astroglia in experimental glaucoma. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 150:105258. [PMID: 33434617 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) expanding from the retina to the brain are primary victims of neurodegeneration in glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness; however, the neighboring astroglia survive the glaucoma-related stress and promote neuroinflammation. In light of diverse functions of caspase-8 in apoptosis, cell survival, and inflammation, this study investigated the importance of caspase-8 in different fates of glaucomatous RGCs and astroglia using two experimental approaches in parallel. In the first approach, cell type-specific responses of RGCs and astroglia to a caspase-8 cleavage-inhibiting pharmacological treatment were studied in rat eyes with or without experimentally induced glaucoma. The second approach utilized an experimental model of glaucoma in mice in which astroglial caspase-8 was conditionally deleted by cre/lox. Findings of these experiments revealed cell type-specific distinct processes that regulate caspase-8 functions in experimental glaucoma, which are involved in inducing the apoptosis of RGCs and promoting the survival and inflammatory responses of astroglia. Deletion of caspase-8 in astroglia protected RGCs against glia-driven inflammatory injury, while the inhibition of caspase-8 cleavage inhibited apoptosis in RGCs themselves. Various caspase-8 functions impacting both RGC apoptosis and astroglia-driven neuroinflammation may suggest the multi-target potential of caspase-8 regulation to provide neuroprotection and immunomodulation in glaucoma.
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Tang Y, Xiao Z, Pan L, Zhuang D, Cho KS, Robert K, Chen X, Shu L, Tang G, Wu J, Sun X, Chen DF. Therapeutic Targeting of Retinal Immune Microenvironment With CSF-1 Receptor Antibody Promotes Visual Function Recovery After Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:585918. [PMID: 33281816 PMCID: PMC7691249 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI) is a common cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness in elderly and critical unmet medical need. While no effective treatment is available for RI, microglial activation and local immune responses in the retina are thought to play important roles in the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration. While survival and activation of microglia depend critically on colony-stimulating factor receptor (CSF-1R) signaling, it remains unclear if targeting the retinal immune microenvironments by CSF-1RAb after RI is sufficient to rescue vision and present a potentially effective therapy. Here we used rodent models of RI and showed that retinal ischemia induced by acute elevation of intraocular pressure triggered an early activation of microglia and macrophages in the retina within 12 h. This was followed by lymphocyte infiltration and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Intravitreal injection of CSF-1R neutralizing antibody (CSF-1RAb) after RI significantly blocked microglial activation and the subsequent T cell recruitment. This also led to improved retinal ganglion cell survival and function measured by cell quantification and electroretinogram positive scotopic threshold responses, as well as increased visual acuity and contrast sensitivity as assessed by optomotor reflex-based assays, when compared to the isotype-treated control group. Moreover, the administration of CSF-1RAb efficiently attenuated inflammatory responses and activation of human microglia in culture, suggesting a therapeutic target with human relevance. These results, together with the existing clinical safety profiles, support that CSF-1RAb may present a promising therapeutic avenue for RI, a currently untreatable condition, by targeting microglia and the immune microenvironment in the retina to facilitate neural survival and visual function recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhen Tang
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zebin Xiao
- Department of Radiology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Pan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Dongli Zhuang
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kin-Sang Cho
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kyle Robert
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaoxiao Chen
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian Shu
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxian Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, 1st Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jihong Wu
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinghuai Sun
- Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong F. Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Wong VHY, Zhao D, Bui BV, Millar CJ, Nguyen CTO. Increased episcleral venous pressure in a mouse model of circumlimbal suture induced ocular hypertension. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108348. [PMID: 33166503 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate changes in aqueous humor dynamics during intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation induced by circumlimbal suture in mice. METHODS Ocular hypertension (OHT) was induced by applying a circumlimbal suture behind the limbus in male adult C57BL6/J mice. In the OHT group, the suture was left in place for an average of 8 weeks (n = 10, OHT group). In the sham control group the suture was cut at 2 days (n = 9, sham group) and in the naïve control group (n = 5) no suture was implanted. IOP was measured at baseline across 3 days, 1 h post-suture implantation, and at the chronic endpoint. Anterior segments were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Episcleral venous pressure (EVP), total outflow facility (C), uveoscleral outflow (Fu) and aqueous humor flow rate (Fin) were determined using a constant-flow infusion model. RESULTS All aqueous dynamic and chronic IOP outcome measures showed no difference between sham and naïve controls (p > 0.05) and thus these groups were combined into a single control group. IOP was elevated in OHT group compared with controls (p < 0.01). Chronic suture implantation did not change pupil size, anterior chamber depth or iridocorneal angles (p > 0.05). EVP was significantly higher in OHT eyes compared to control eyes (p < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in C, Fu and Fin between groups (p > 0.05). A significant linear correlation was found between IOP and EVP (R2 = 0.35, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Circumlimbal suture implantation in mouse eyes results in chronic IOP elevation without angle closure. Chronic IOP elevation is likely to reflect higher EVP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vickie H Y Wong
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Da Zhao
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bang V Bui
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cameron J Millar
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Christine T O Nguyen
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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VanderWall KB, Lu B, Alfaro JS, Allsop AR, Carr AS, Wang S, Meyer JS. Differential susceptibility of retinal ganglion cell subtypes in acute and chronic models of injury and disease. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17359. [PMID: 33060618 PMCID: PMC7566630 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71460-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are a heterogeneous population of neurons, comprised of numerous subtypes that work synchronously to transmit visual information to the brain. In blinding disorders such as glaucoma, RGCs are the main cell type to degenerate and lead to loss of vision. Previous studies have identified and characterized a variety of RGC subtypes in animal models, although only a handful of studies demonstrate the differential loss of these RGC subtypes in response to disease or injury. Thus, efforts of the current study utilized both chronic (bead occlusion) and acute (optic nerve crush, ONC) rat models to characterize disease response and differential loss of RGC subtypes. Bead occlusion and ONC retinas demonstrated significant RGC loss, glial reactivity and apoptosis compared to control retinas. Importantly, bead occlusion and ONC retinas resulted in differential subtype-specific loss of RGCs, with a high susceptibility for alpha- and direction selective-RGCs and preferential survival of ipRGCs. Results of this study serve as an important foundation for future experiments focused on the mechanisms resulting in the loss of RGCs in optic neuropathies, as well as the development of targeted therapeutics for RGC subtype-specific neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin B VanderWall
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Jorge S Alfaro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Anna R Allsop
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Alexa S Carr
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Shaomei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Deparment of Ophthalmology, Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Chen X, Zhou R, Shan K, Sun Y, Yan B, Sun X, Wang J. Circular RNA Expression Profiling Identifies Glaucoma-Related Circular RNAs in Various Chronic Ocular Hypertension Rat Models. Front Genet 2020; 11:556712. [PMID: 33133146 PMCID: PMC7575816 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.556712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs are characterized as a class of covalently closed circular RNA transcripts and are associated with a variety of cellular processes and neurological diseases by sponging microRNAs. Expression profiling of circular RNAs in glaucoma, which is a form of optic neuropathy, has not been performed to date. The most common characteristic of all forms of glaucoma is the loss of retinal ganglion cells. While the pathogenesis of glaucoma is not fully understood, intraocular pressure is unquestionably the only proven modifiable factor which makes chronic ocular hypertension (COH) animals the classical glaucoma models. Based on these findings, we completed the first in-depth study of rat retinal circular RNA expression profiling to identify probable biomarkers for the diagnosis of glaucoma. Two ocular hypertension models were induced by episcleral vein ligation (EVL) and microbead injection in rats. Overall, 15,819 circular RNA were detected. Furthermore, 3,502 differentially expressed circular RNAs verified in both COH rats were identified, of which 691 were upregulated and 2,811 were downregulated. Seven significantly downregulated (both log2FoldChange < -2.5 and adjusted P < 0.001) and seven significantly upregulated (both log2FoldChange > 2.5 and adjusted P < 0.001) circular RNAs were shown. Six target microRNAs aligned with the top 14 circular RNAs were identified. According to the construction of the circular RNA-microRNA network and circBase information, only RNO_CIRCpedia_1775 had the homologous hsa_circ_0023826 in the human genome. The hsa_circ_0023826 and mRNA of the host gene TENM4 (teneurin transmembrane protein 4) were validated in aqueous humor samples of five glaucoma patients and five cataract control patients. The expression of hsa_circ_0023826 showed a significant decrease in glaucoma patients, while TENM4 mRNA showed no significant difference compared to cataract patients (P = 0.024 and P = 0.294, respectively). The results of this study comprehensively characterized the expression profiles of circular RNA in glaucoma-affected eyes, as verified by two different ocular hypertension rat models. Together with the target microRNAs underlying the top differentially expressed circular RNAs, a new target of hsa_circ_0023826 and its host gene TENM4 were identified and further verified in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients, indicating a promising biomarker for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongmei Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Shan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Biao Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinghuai Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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