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Böhm EW, Buonfiglio F, Voigt AM, Bachmann P, Safi T, Pfeiffer N, Gericke A. Oxidative stress in the eye and its role in the pathophysiology of ocular diseases. Redox Biol 2023; 68:102967. [PMID: 38006824 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102967] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs through an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense mechanisms of cells. The eye is particularly exposed to oxidative stress because of its permanent exposure to light and due to several structures having high metabolic activities. The anterior part of the eye is highly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and possesses a complex antioxidant defense system to protect the retina from UV radiation. The posterior part of the eye exhibits high metabolic rates and oxygen consumption leading subsequently to a high production rate of ROS. Furthermore, inflammation, aging, genetic factors, and environmental pollution, are all elements promoting ROS generation and impairing antioxidant defense mechanisms and thereby representing risk factors leading to oxidative stress. An abnormal redox status was shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of various ocular diseases in the anterior and posterior segment of the eye. In this review, we aim to summarize the mechanisms of oxidative stress in ocular diseases to provide an updated understanding on the pathogenesis of common diseases affecting the ocular surface, the lens, the retina, and the optic nerve. Moreover, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing oxidative stress in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Wilma Böhm
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Francesco Buonfiglio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Voigt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp Bachmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tarek Safi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Adrian Gericke
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
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Hong S, Weerasinghe-Mudiyanselage PDE, Kang S, Moon C, Shin T. Retinal transcriptome profiling identifies novel candidate genes associated with visual impairment in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2023; 27:219-233. [PMID: 37808551 PMCID: PMC10552570 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2023.2264354] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual impairment is occasionally observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Although uveitis and optic neuritis have been reported in MS and EAE, the precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these visual impairments remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the retinas of mice with EAE to identify genes that may be implicated in EAE-induced visual impairment. Fourteen adult mice were injected with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35-55 to induce the EAE model. Transcriptomes of retinas with EAE were analyzed by RNA-sequencing. Gene expression analysis revealed 347 DEGs in the retinas of mice with EAE: 345 were upregulated, and 2 were downregulated (adjusted p-value < 0.05 and absolute log2 fold change > 1). Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the upregulated genes in the retinas of mice with EAE were primarily related to immune responses, responses to external biotic stimuli, defense responses, and leukocyte-mediated immunity in the GO biological process. The expression of six upregulated hub genes (c1qb, ctss, itgam, itgb2, syk, and tyrobp) from the STRING analysis and the two significantly downregulated DEGs (hapln1 and ndst4) were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis showed that the negatively enriched gene sets in EAE-affected retinas were associated with the neuronal system and phototransduction cascade. This study provides novel molecular evidence for visual impairments in EAE and indicates directions for further research to elucidate the mechanisms of these visual impairments in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungmoo Hong
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Poornima D. E. Weerasinghe-Mudiyanselage
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohi Kang
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjong Moon
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Animal Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Taekyun Shin
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
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Fang W, Zhai J, Qian ZB, Li HD, Wang MD, Shen LJ. Effect of a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib on bFGF and VEGF concentrations in a rabbit retinal vein occlusion model. Int J Ophthalmol 2023; 16:1450-1455. [PMID: 37724275 PMCID: PMC10475619 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2023.09.11] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate whether a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib could inhibit basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) simultaneously for retinal vascular disease in vivo. METHODS After a laser induced rabbit retinal vein occlusion (RVO) model was made, 0.5 mg of nintedanib was injected intravitreally in the left eye on the third day while the right eye was as a control. Intracameral samples were taken on the day before laser treatment and days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the bFGF and VEGF-A concentrations in the aqueous humor. RESULTS Both bFGF and VEGF-A rose significantly on the third day after laser treatment in both eyes. In the control eye the bFGF concentration peaked on the 14th day while the VEGF-A concentration dropped rapidly soon after the third day. After nintadanib injection in the study eye, both bFGF and VEGF-A showed a significant reduction on the 4th day (7th day after laser treatment) when compared to the control eye, and kept on low level in the following several weeks. CONCLUSION Intravitreal injection of nintedanib can inhibit the expression of bFGF and VEGF in the process of RVO model to a certain extent, which is expected to become a new method for the treatment of retinal vascular diseases or fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fang
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, School of Opthalmology & Optometry, WMU, Zhejiang Eye Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jing Zhai
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, School of Opthalmology & Optometry, WMU, Zhejiang Eye Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhen-Bin Qian
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, School of Opthalmology & Optometry, WMU, Zhejiang Eye Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hai-Dong Li
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, School of Opthalmology & Optometry, WMU, Zhejiang Eye Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Meng-Di Wang
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, School of Opthalmology & Optometry, WMU, Zhejiang Eye Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li-Jun Shen
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, School of Opthalmology & Optometry, WMU, Zhejiang Eye Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Lendzioszek M, Mrugacz M, Bryl A, Poppe E, Zorena K. Prevention and Treatment of Retinal Vein Occlusion: The Role of Diet-A Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:3237. [PMID: 37513655 PMCID: PMC10383741 DOI: 10.3390/nu15143237] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal disorder. In comparison to diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration, RVO is usually an unexpected event that carries a greater psychological impact. There is strong evidence to suggest that cardiovascular diseases are the most common risk factors in this pathology and it has long been known that a higher consumption of fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables has a protective effect against these types of conditions. In the last several years, interest in plant-based diets has grown in both the general population and in the scientific community, to the point to which it has become one of the main dietary patterns adopted in Western countries. The aim of this review is to investigate the potential impact of macro- and micronutrients on retinal vein occlusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lendzioszek
- Department of Ophthalmology, Voivodship Hospital in Lomza, 18-400 Lomza, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Mrugacz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Anna Bryl
- Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Ewa Poppe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Voivodship Hospital in Lomza, 18-400 Lomza, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Zorena
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
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Nagaya M, Kanada F, Takashima M, Takamura Y, Inatani M, Oki M. Atm inhibition decreases lens opacity in a rat model of galactose-induced cataract. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274735. [PMID: 36149903 PMCID: PMC9506662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274735] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cataract causes vision loss and blindness due to formation of opacities of the lens. The regulatory mechanisms of cataract formation and progression remain unclear, and no effective drug treatments are clinically available. In the present study, we tested the effect of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (Atm) inhibitors using an ex vivo model in which rat lenses were cultured in galactose-containing medium to induce opacity formation. After lens opacities were induced by galactose, the lenses were further incubated with the Atm inhibitors AZD0156 or KU55933, which decreased lens opacity. Subsequently, we used microarray analysis to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action, and extracted genes that were upregulated by galactose-induced opacity, but not by inhibitor treatment. Quantitative measurement of mRNA levels and subsequent STRING analysis revealed that a functional network consisting primarily of actin family and actin-binding proteins was upregulated by galactose treatment and downregulated by both Atm inhibitors. In particular, Acta2 is a known marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells, and other genes connected in this functional network (Actn1, Tagln, Thbs1, and Angptl4) also suggested involvement of EMT. Abnormal differentiation of lens epithelial cells via EMT could contribute to formation of opacities; therefore, suppression of these genes by Atm inhibition is a potential therapeutic target for reducing opacities and alleviating cataract-related visual impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Nagaya
- Department of Industrial Creation Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Fumito Kanada
- Department of Industrial Creation Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Masaru Takashima
- Department of Industrial Creation Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takamura
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Masaru Inatani
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Masaya Oki
- Department of Industrial Creation Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Xi L, Tikhonovich M, Biesemeier A, Julien-schraermeyer S, Schraermeyer U, Tschulakow AV, Romero FJ. Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Protects Retinal Neural Cells and Prevents Pathological Angiogenesis in an Ex Vivo Ischemia Model. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2022; 2022:1-10. [PMID: 36035211 PMCID: PMC9410835 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4199394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ocular ischemia/hypoxia is a severe problem in ophthalmology that can cause vision impairment and blindness. However, little is known about the changes occurring in the existing fully formed choroidal blood vessels. We developed a new whole organ culture model for ischemia/hypoxia in rat eyes and investigate the effects of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) protein on the eye tissues. The concentration of oxygen within the vitreous was measured in the enucleated rat eyes and living rats. Then, ischemia was mimicked by incubating the freshly enucleated eyes in medium at 4°C for 14 h. Eyes were fixed immediately after enucleation or were intravitreally injected with PEDF protein or with vehicle before incubation. After incubation, light and electron microscopy (EM) as well as Tunel staining was performed. In the living rats, the intravitreal oxygen concentration was on average at 16.4% of the oxygen concentration in the air and did not change throughout the experiment whereas it was ca. 28% at the beginning of the experiment and gradually decreased over time in the enucleated eyes. EM analysis revealed that the shape of the choriocapillaris changed dramatically after 14 h incubation in the enucleated eyes. The endothelial cells made filopodia-like projections into the vessel lumen. They appeared identical to the labyrinth capillaries found in surgically extracted choroidal neovascular membranes from patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These filopodia-like projections nearly closed the vessel lumen and showed open gaps between neighboring endothelial cells. PEDF significantly inhibited labyrinth capillary formation and kept the capillary lumen open. The number of TUNEL-positive ganglion cells and inner nuclear layer cells was significantly reduced in the PEDF-treated eyes compared to the vehicle-treated eyes. The structural changes in the chroidal vessels observed under ischemia/hypoxia conditions can mimic early changes in the process of pathological angiogenesis as observed in wet AMD patients. This new model can be used to investigate short-term drug effects on the choriocapillaris after ischemia/hypoxia and it highlighted the potential of PEDF as a promising candidate for treating wet AMD.
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Suk-Gyu H, Kang B, Song JS. Increased angiogenic factors in the aqueous and vitreous humors after disinsertion of extraocular muscle and the effects of triamcinolone acetate injection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5276. [PMID: 35347212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The four extraocular rectus muscles in the rabbits were disinserted for induction of anterior segment ischemia (ASI) and the changes in the concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the aqueous and vitreous humor were evaluated. Disinsertion of four rectus muscles in rabbits was performed in the right eyes of rabbits (ASI group). The concentrations of PGE2, HIF-1α, and VEGF in the aqueous and vitreous humor were measured at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h by ELISA. The concentrations were compared with those of the fellow eyes (contralateral group) and normal healthy eyes (control group). Subconjunctival injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) was administered and three cytokine concentrations in the aqueous humor and vitreous humor were measured at 12 h after TA injection. A total of 48 eyes from 28 rabbits were included. The concentrations of PGE2, HIF-1α, and VEGF in the aqueous humor in the ASI and contralateral groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05, all). The aqueous and vitreous humor concentrations of VEGF in eyes with simultaneous TA injection were significantly lower than were those in the ASI group (p = 0.02, all). The concentration of PGE2, HIF-1α, and VEGF in the aqueous humor was increased after induction of ASI and TA injection seems to be effective in inhibiting VEGF elevation in ASI.
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Uemura A, Fruttiger M, D'Amore PA, De Falco S, Joussen AM, Sennlaub F, Brunck LR, Johnson KT, Lambrou GN, Rittenhouse KD, Langmann T. VEGFR1 signaling in retinal angiogenesis and microinflammation. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 84:100954. [PMID: 33640465 PMCID: PMC8385046 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [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: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Five vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) ligands (VEGF-A, -B, -C, -D, and placental growth factor [PlGF]) constitute the VEGF family. VEGF-A binds VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1/2), whereas VEGF-B and PlGF only bind VEGFR1. Although much research has been conducted on VEGFR2 to elucidate its key role in retinal diseases, recent efforts have shown the importance and involvement of VEGFR1 and its family of ligands in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and microinflammatory cascades within the retina. Expression of VEGFR1 depends on the microenvironment, is differentially regulated under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions, and it has been detected in retinal and choroidal endothelial cells, pericytes, retinal and choroidal mononuclear phagocytes (including microglia), Müller cells, photoreceptor cells, and the retinal pigment epithelium. Whilst the VEGF-A decoy function of VEGFR1 is well established, consequences of its direct signaling are less clear. VEGFR1 activation can affect vascular permeability and induce macrophage and microglia production of proinflammatory and proangiogenic mediators. However the ability of the VEGFR1 ligands (VEGF-A, PlGF, and VEGF-B) to compete against each other for receptor binding and to heterodimerize complicates our understanding of the relative contribution of VEGFR1 signaling alone toward the pathologic processes seen in diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, retinopathy of prematurity, and age-related macular degeneration. Clinically, anti-VEGF drugs have proven transformational in these pathologies and their impact on modulation of VEGFR1 signaling is still an opportunity-rich field for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Uemura
- Department of Retinal Vascular Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Marcus Fruttiger
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Sandro De Falco
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; ANBITION S.r.l., Via Manzoni 1, 80123, Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonia M Joussen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, and Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Florian Sennlaub
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012, Paris, France.
| | - Lynne R Brunck
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Kristian T Johnson
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - George N Lambrou
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Kay D Rittenhouse
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Langmann
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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Ingensiep C, Schaffrath K, Denecke B, Walter P, Johnen S. A multielectrode array-based hypoxia model for the analysis of electrical activity in murine retinae. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2172-2187. [PMID: 34110645 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Several eye diseases, for example, retinal artery occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, are associated with retinal hypoxia. The lack of oxygen in the retina, especially in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), causes cell damage up to cell degeneration and leads to blindness. Using multielectrode array recordings, an ex vivo hypoxia acute model was established to analyze the electrical activity of murine wild-type retinae under hypoxic stress conditions. Hypoxia was induced by exchanging the perfusion with oxygen-saturated medium by nitrogen-saturated medium. Hypoxic periods of 0 min (control) up to 60 min were tested on the retinae of adult female C57BL/6J mice. The electrical RGC activity vanished during hypoxia, but conditionally returned after the reestablishment of conventional test conditions. With increasing duration of hypoxia, the returning RGC activity decreased. After a hypoxic period of 30 min and a subsequent recovery time of 30 min, 59.43 ± 11.35% of the initially active channels showed a restored RGC activity. The survival rate of retinal cells after hypoxic stress was analyzed by a live/dead staining assay using two-photon laser scanning microscopy. For detailed information about molecular changes caused by hypoxia, a microarray gene expression analysis was performed. Furthermore, the effect of 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine, 1 mM) on retinae under hypoxic stress was tested. Treatment with taurine resulted in an increase in the RGC response rate after hypoxia and also increased the survival rate of retinal cells under hypoxic stress, confirming its potential as promising candidate for neuroprotective therapies of eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ingensiep
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kim Schaffrath
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernd Denecke
- Genomics Facility, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Walter
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Johnen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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