A New Immortalized Human Lacrimal Gland Cell Line

The lacrimal gland is crucial for maintaining ocular health by producing the aqueous component of the tear film, which hydrates and nourishes the ocular surface. Decreased production of this component results in dry eye disease, a condition affecting over 250 million people worldwide. However, the scarcity of primary human material for studying its underlying mechanisms and the absence of a cell model for human lacrimal gland epithelial cells present significant challenges. Here, we describe the generation of immortalized human lacrimal gland cell lines through the introduction of an SV40 antigen. We successfully isolated and characterized three cell clones from a female lacrimal gland donor, confirming their epithelial identity through genomic and protein analyses, including PCR, RNAseq, immunofluorescence and cultivation in a 3D spheroid model. Our findings represent a significant advancement, providing improved accessibility to investigate the molecular pathogenesis mechanisms of dry eye disease and potential therapeutic interventions. We identified the expression of typical epithelial cell marker genes and demonstrated the cells' capability to form 2D cell sheets and 3D spheroids. This establishment of immortalized human lacrimal gland cells with epithelial characteristics holds promise for future comprehensive studies, contributing to a deeper understanding of dry eye disease and its cellular mechanisms.

Hypoxia controls expression of kidney-pathogenic MUC1 variants

The interplay between genetic and environmental factors influences the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this context, genetic alterations in the kidney disease gene MUC1 (Mucin1) predispose to the development of CKD. These variations comprise the polymorphism rs4072037, which alters splicing of MUC1 mRNA, the length of a region with variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), and rare autosomal-dominant inherited dominant-negative mutations in or 5' to the VNTR that causes autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD-MUC1). As hypoxia plays a pivotal role in states of acute and chronic kidney injury, we explored the effects of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) on the expression of MUC1 and its pathogenic variants in isolated primary human renal tubular cells. We defined a HIF-binding DNA regulatory element in the promoter-proximal region of MUC1 from which hypoxia or treatment with HIF stabilizers, which were recently approved for an anti-anemic therapy in CKD patients, increased levels of wild-type MUC1 and the disease-associated variants. Thus, application of these compounds might exert unfavorable effects in patients carrying MUC1 risk variants.

Rhesus Monkey Rhadinovirus Isolated from Hemangioma Tissue

We isolated a rhesus monkey rhadinovirus, isolate RRVmmu 209-07, from hemangioma tissue. The virion DNA was sequenced by Illumina-based sequencing. Isolate RRVmmu 209-07 is highly similar overall to RRV 26-95, but considerable differences exist in the 3' region of the genome.

Investigation of lateral geniculate nucleus volume and diffusion tensor imaging in patients with normal tension glaucoma using 7 tesla magnetic resonance imaging

Background

There is evidence that glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease involving the whole visual pathway. We prospectively examined potential benefits of volumetry of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using a new 7T scanner.

Methods

20 patients with normal tension glaucoma and 16 control individuals were examined. LGN volume and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the optic tract (OT) and the optic radiation (OR) and their correlation with RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) thickness were analyzed.

Results

LGN volume was significantly reduced in NTG (60.9 vs 88.3; p < 0.05). FA of the OT (right: 0.35 vs 0.66, left: 0.36 vs 0.67; p < 0.05) and of the OR (right: 0.41 vs 0.70, left: 0.41 vs 0.69; p < 0.05) was also significantly reduced. Nasal RNFL thickness correlated with the volume of the contralateral LGN (r = 0.471, p = 0.05). Temporal RNFL thickness correlated with the volume of the ipsilateral LGN (r = 0.603, p = 0.015).

Conclusion

NTG leads to significant atrophy of the LGN compared to controls. FA of the optic tract and the optic radiation is reduced in NTG as sign of axonal degeneration. RNFL thickness but not FA correlates with LGN volume.