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Li S, Ouyang G, Yuan L, Wu X, Zhang L. SRY-box transcription factor 9 modulates Müller cell gliosis in diabetic retinopathy by upregulating TXNIP transcription. Exp Anim 2023; 72:302-313. [PMID: 36642539 PMCID: PMC10435361 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.22-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common complication of diabetes, involves excessive proliferation and inflammation of Muller cells and ultimately leads to vision loss and blindness. SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) has been reported to be highly expressed in Müller cells in light-induced retinal damage rats, but the functional role of SOX9 in DR remains unclear. To explore this issue, the DR rat model was successfully constructed via injection with streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and the retinal thicknesses and blood glucose levels were evaluated. Müller cells were treated with 25 mmol/l glucose to create a cell model in vitro. The results indicated that SOX9 expression was significantly increased in DR rat retinas and in Müller cells stimulated with a high glucose (HG) concentration. HG treatment promoted the proliferation and migration capabilities of Müller cells, whereas SOX9 knockdown reversed those behaviors. Moreover, SOX9 knockdown provided protection against an HG-induced inflammatory response, as evidenced by reduced tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in serum and decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Notably, SOX9 acted as a transcription factor that positively regulated thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a positive regulator of Müller cells gliosis under HG conditions. A dual-luciferase assay demonstrated that SOX9 could enhance TXNIP expression at the transcriptional level through binding to the promoter of TXNIP. Moreover, TXNIP overexpression restored the effects caused by SOX9 silencing. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that SOX9 may accelerate the progression of DR by promoting glial cell proliferation, metastasis, and inflammation, which involves the transcriptional regulation of TXNIP, providing new theoretical fundamentals for DR therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dalian No. 3 People's Hospital, No. 40, Qianshan Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, P.R. China
| | - Gaoxiang Ouyang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dalian No. 3 People's Hospital, No. 40, Qianshan Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, P.R. China
| | - Linhui Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dalian No. 3 People's Hospital, No. 40, Qianshan Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dalian No. 3 People's Hospital, No. 40, Qianshan Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, P.R. China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dalian No. 3 People's Hospital, No. 40, Qianshan Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116033, P.R. China
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Ji M, Sun Q, Zhang G, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Shen Q, Guan H. Microglia-derived TNF-α mediates Müller cell activation by activating the TNFR1-NF-κB pathway. Exp Eye Res 2021; 214:108852. [PMID: 34801535 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108852] [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: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microglia and its interaction with Müller cells are responsible to retinal surveillance during retinal neurodegeneration, however, the role and mechanism of microglia-derived tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the activation of retinal Müller cells have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, primary microglia and Müller cells were isolated from newborn Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with purities of 88.2 ± 6.2% and 92.2 ± 2.2%, respectively. By performing immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis, we found that TNF receptor (TNFR)-1 and TNFR2 were expressed in Müller cells. After co-cultured with microglia-conditioned medium (MCM), the elevated mRNA levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, CXCL-1, CSF-1, NOS2, COX2) and decreased CNTF mRNA levels were found in Müller cells. However, pretreatment with R-7050 (a TNF-α receptor inhibitor) or anti-TNFR1 significantly abrogated the changes. Simultaneously, pretreatment with anti-TNFR2 slightly inhibited the expression of GFAP in MCM-incubated Müller cells. Meanwhile, anti-TNFR1 treatment reversed the increased expression of CSF-1 and IL-1β induced by TNF-α. Compared to the control groups, the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65, MAPK P38 and ERK1/2 in TNF-α-treated Müller cells was significantly increased. Nevertheless, pretreatment with anti-TNFR1 inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65 and MAPK p38, especially NF-κB P65. Additionally, pretreatment with Bay117082 (an NF-κB inhibitor) also significantly inhibited NF-κB P65 phosphorylation and GFAP expression. Moreover, anti-TNFR1 and Bay117082 treatment reduced NF-κB P65 phosphorylation of Müller cells induced by MCM. These results suggested that microglia-derived TNF-α served as a vital role in regulating Müller cells activation during retinal neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ji
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Qing Sun
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Guowei Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yujian Zhang
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Qianyi Shen
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Huaijin Guan
- Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Cammalleri M, Dal Monte M, Locri F, Pecci V, De Rosa M, Pavone V, Bagnoli P. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator system as drug target in retinitis pigmentosa: New pre-clinical evidence in the rd10 mouse model. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:5176-5192. [PMID: 31251468 PMCID: PMC6653070 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by progressive loss of vision due to photoreceptor degeneration leading to secondary inflammation. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system contributes to retinal inflammation, but its role in RP is unknown. In the rd10 mouse model of RP, we addressed this question with the use of the peptide UPARANT designed to interact with the uPA system. UPARANT was systemically administered from post-natal day (PD) 10 to PD30 when its efficacy in RP rescue was investigated using electroretinographic recordings, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Temporal profile of protein expression in the uPA system was also investigated. UPARANT reduced both Müller cell gliosis and up-regulated levels of inflammatory markers and exerted major anti-apoptotic effects without influencing the autophagy cascade. Rescue from retinal cell degeneration was accompanied by improved retinal function. No scotopic phototransduction was rescued in the UPARANT-treated animals as determined by the kinetic analysis of rod-mediated a-waves and confirmed by rod photoreceptor markers. In contrast, the cone photopic b-wave was recovered and its rescue was confirmed in the whole mounts using cone arrestin antibody. Investigation of the uPA system regulation over RP progression revealed extremely low levels of uPA and its receptor uPAR both of which were recovered by HIF-1α stabilization indicating that HIF-1 regulates the expression of the uPA/uPAR gene in the retina. Ameliorative effects of UPARANT were likely to occur through an inhibitory action on up-regulated activity of the αvβ3 integrin/Rac1 pathway that was suggested as a novel target for the development of therapeutic approaches against RP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Filippo Locri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Pecci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario De Rosa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Li HJ, Sun ZL, Pan YB, Sun YY, Xu MH, Feng DF. Inhibition of miRNA-21 promotes retinal ganglion cell survival and visual function by modulating Müller cell gliosis after optic nerve crush. Exp Cell Res 2019; 375:10-19. [PMID: 30639060 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Müller cell gliosis not only plays an important physiological role by maintaining retinal neuronal homeostasis but is also associated with multiple pathological events in the retina, including optic nerve crush (ONC) injury. Modulating Müller cell gliosis contributes to the creation of a permissive environment for neuronal survival. However, the underlying mechanism of Müller cell gliosis has remained elusive. OBJECTIVE To investigate the underlying mechanism of Müller cell gliosis after ONC. METHODS Rats with ONC injury were transfected with miRNA-21 (miR-21) agomir (overexpressing miR-21) or antagomir (inhibiting miR-21) via intravitreous injection. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to confirm the effects of miR-21 on Müller cell gliosis. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography and the positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR) was recorded using electroretinogram. RESULTS In the acute phase (14 days) after ONC, compared with the crushed group, inhibiting miR-21 promoted Müller cell gliosis, exhibiting thicker processes and increased GFAP expression. In the chronic phase (35 days), inhibiting miR-21 ameliorated Müller cell gliosis, which exhibited thicker and denser processes and increased GFAP expression. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) counts in retinas showed that the number of surviving RGCs increased significantly in the antagomir group. The thickness of the RNFL increased significantly, and pSTR showed significant preservation of the amplitudes in the antagomir group. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of miR-21 promotes RGC survival, RNFL thickness and the recovery of RGC function by modulating Müller cell gliosis after ONC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China; Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Zhao-Liang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yuan-Bo Pan
- Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Yi-Yu Sun
- Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Mang-Hua Xu
- Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China
| | - Dong-Fu Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China; Institute of Traumatic Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, China.
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Roche SL, Ruiz-Lopez AM, Moloney JN, Byrne AM, Cotter TG. Microglial-induced Müller cell gliosis is attenuated by progesterone in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Glia 2017; 66:295-310. [PMID: 29034506 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Norgestrel, a progesterone analogue, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Neuroprotection is achieved in part through Norgestrels anti-inflammatory properties, alleviating detrimental microglial activity. Gliosis is a feature of many neurodegenerative diseases of the retina, including retinitis pigmentosa. Müller glia, a type of macroglia found in the retina, are major contributors of gliosis, characterized by the upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Microglia-Müller glia crosstalk has been implicated in the initiation of gliosis. In the rd10 retina, increased microglial activity and gliotic events are observed prior to the onset of photoreceptor loss. We hypothesized that Norgestrels dampening effects on harmful microglial activity would consequently impact on gliosis. In the current study, we explore the role of microglia-Müller glia crosstalk in degeneration and Norgestrel-mediated neuroprotection in the rd10 retina. Norgestrels neuroprotective effects in the rd10 retina coincide with significant decreases in both microglial activity and Müller cell gliosis. Using a Müller glial cell line, rMC-1, and isolated microglia, we show that rd10 microglia stimulate GFAP production in rMC-1 cells. Norgestrel attenuates gliosis through direct actions on both microglia and Müller glia. Norgestrel reduces the release of harmful stimuli from microglia, such as interferon-γ, which might otherwise signal to Müller glia and stimulate gliosis. We propose that Norgestrel also targets Müller cell gliosis directly, by limiting the availability of pSTAT3, a known transcription factor for GFAP. These findings highlight an important aspect to Norgestrels neuroprotective effects in the diseased retina, in combating Müller cell gliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Roche
- Cell Development and Disease Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ana M Ruiz-Lopez
- Cell Development and Disease Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Jennifer N Moloney
- Cell Development and Disease Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ashleigh M Byrne
- Cell Development and Disease Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Thomas G Cotter
- Cell Development and Disease Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Xue B, Xie Y, Xue Y, Hu N, Zhang G, Guan H, Ji M. Involvement of P2X 7 receptors in retinal ganglion cell apoptosis induced by activated Müller cells. Exp Eye Res 2016; 153:42-50. [PMID: 27720859 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Müller cell reactivation (gliosis) is an early response in glaucomatous retina. Previous studies have demonstrated that activation of P2X7 receptors results in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis. Here, the issues of whether and how activated Müller cells may contribute to RGC apoptosis through P2X7 receptors were investigated. Either intravitreal injection of (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR I) agonist, in normal rat retinas, or DHPG treatment of purified cultured rat retinal Müller cells induced an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, indicative of Müller cell gliosis. In addition, an increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from purified cultured Müller cells was detected during DHPG treatment (for 10 min to 48 h), which was mediated by the intracellular mGluR5/Gq/PI-PLC/PKC signaling pathway. Intravitreal injection of DHPG mimicked the reduction in the number of fluorogold retrogradely labeled RGCs in chronic ocular hypertension (COH) rats. Treatment with the conditioned culture medium (CM) obtained from the DHPG-activated Müller cell medium induced an increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in cultured RGCs, which was mimicked by benzoylbenzoyl adenosine triphosphate (BzATP), a P2X7 receptor agonist, but was partially blocked by brilliant blue G (BBG), a P2X7 receptor antagonist. Moreover, the CM treatment of cultured RGCs significantly increased Bax protein level and decreased Bcl-2 protein level, which was also mimicked by BzATP and partially blocked by BBG, respectively. These results suggest that reactivated Müller cells may release excessive ATP, in turn leading to RGC apoptosis through activating P2X7 receptors in these cells.
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