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Yan J, Mehta S, Patel K, Dhupar N, Little N, Ong Tone S. Transcription factor 4 promotes increased corneal endothelial cellular migration by altering microtubules in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10276. [PMID: 38704483 PMCID: PMC11069521 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a complex corneal disease characterized by the progressive decline and morphological changes of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) that leads to corneal edema and vision loss. The most common mutation in FECD is an intronic CTG repeat expansion in transcription factor 4 (TCF4) that leads to its altered expression. Corneal endothelial wound healing occurs primarily through cell enlargement and migration, and FECD CECs have been shown to display increased migration speeds. In this study, we aim to determine whether TCF4 can promote cellular migration in FECD CECs. We generated stable CEC lines derived from FECD patients that overexpressed different TCF4 isoforms and investigated epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) expression, morphological analysis and cellular migration speeds. We found that full length TCF4-B isoform overexpression promotes cellular migration in FECD CECs in an EMT-independent manner. RNA-sequencing identified several pathways including the negative regulation of microtubules, with TUBB4A (tubulin beta 4A class IVa) as the top upregulated gene. TUBB4A expression was increased in FECD ex vivo specimens, and there was altered expression of cytoskeleton proteins, tubulin and actin, compared to normal healthy donor ex vivo specimens. Additionally, there was increased acetylation and detyrosination of microtubules in FECD supporting that microtubule stability is altered in FECD and could promote cellular migration. Future studies could be aimed at investigating if targeting the cytoskeleton and microtubules would have therapeutic potential for FECD by promoting cellular migration and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Yan
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Shanti Mehta
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Keya Patel
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Narisa Dhupar
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ness Little
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephan Ong Tone
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, M-wing, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Gorman BR, Francis M, Nealon CL, Halladay CW, Duro N, Markianos K, Genovese G, Hysi PG, Choquet H, Afshari NA, Li YJ, Gaziano JM, Hung AM, Wu WC, Greenberg PB, Pyarajan S, Lass JH, Peachey NS, Iyengar SK. A multi-ancestry GWAS of Fuchs corneal dystrophy highlights the contributions of laminins, collagen, and endothelial cell regulation. Commun Biol 2024; 7:418. [PMID: 38582945 PMCID: PMC10998918 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading indication for corneal transplantation, but its molecular etiology remains poorly understood. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of FECD in the Million Veteran Program followed by multi-ancestry meta-analysis with the previous largest FECD GWAS, for a total of 3970 cases and 333,794 controls. We confirm the previous four loci, and identify eight novel loci: SSBP3, THSD7A, LAMB1, PIDD1, RORA, HS3ST3B1, LAMA5, and COL18A1. We further confirm the TCF4 locus in GWAS for admixed African and Hispanic/Latino ancestries and show an enrichment of European-ancestry haplotypes at TCF4 in FECD cases. Among the novel associations are low frequency missense variants in laminin genes LAMA5 and LAMB1 which, together with previously reported LAMC1, form laminin-511 (LM511). AlphaFold 2 protein modeling, validated through homology, suggests that mutations at LAMA5 and LAMB1 may destabilize LM511 by altering inter-domain interactions or extracellular matrix binding. Finally, phenome-wide association scans and colocalization analyses suggest that the TCF4 CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion leads to dysregulation of ion transport in the corneal endothelium and has pleiotropic effects on renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Gorman
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Michael Francis
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Cari L Nealon
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Christopher W Halladay
- Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nalvi Duro
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Kyriacos Markianos
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giulio Genovese
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Stanley Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Ophthalmology, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Twins Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hélène Choquet
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Natalie A Afshari
- Shiley Eye Institute, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J Michael Gaziano
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Aging, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana M Hung
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Kidney Disease, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wen-Chih Wu
- Cardiology Section, Medical Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Paul B Greenberg
- Ophthalmology Section, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Saiju Pyarajan
- Center for Data and Computational Sciences (C-DACS), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan H Lass
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Neal S Peachey
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Sudha K Iyengar
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Tchatchouang A, Brunette I, Rochette PJ, Proulx S. Expression and Impact of Fibronectin, Tenascin-C, Osteopontin, and Type XIV Collagen in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:38. [PMID: 38656280 PMCID: PMC11044831 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.38] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is characterized by Descemet's membrane (DM) abnormalities, namely an increased thickness and a progressive appearance of guttae and fibrillar membranes. The goal of this study was to identify abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins expressed in FECD DMs and to evaluate their impact on cell adhesion and migration. Methods Gene expression profiles from in vitro (GSE112039) and ex vivo (GSE74123) healthy and FECD corneal endothelial cells were analyzed to identify deregulated matrisome genes. Healthy and end-stage FECD DMs were fixed and analyzed for guttae size and height. Immunostaining of fibronectin, tenascin-C, osteopontin, and type XIV collagen was performed on ex vivo specimens, as well as on tissue-engineered corneal endothelium reconstructed using healthy and FECD cells. An analysis of ECM protein expression according to guttae and fibrillar membrane was performed using immunofluorescent staining and phase contrast microscopy. Finally, cell adhesion was evaluated on fibronectin, tenascin-C, and osteopontin, and cell migration was studied on fibronectin and tenascin-C. Results SPP1 (osteopontin), FN1 (fibronectin), and TNC (tenascin-C) genes were upregulated in FECD ex vivo cells, and SSP1 was upregulated in both in vitro and ex vivo FECD conditions. Osteopontin, fibronectin, tenascin-C, and type XIV collagen were expressed in FECD specimens, with differences in their location. Corneal endothelial cell adhesion was not significantly affected by fibronectin or tenascin-C but was decreased by osteopontin. The combination of fibronectin and tenascin-C significantly increased cell migration. Conclusions This study highlights new abnormal ECM components in FECD, suggests a certain chronology in their deposition, and demonstrates their impact on cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ange Tchatchouang
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, axe médecine régénératrice, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département d'ophtalmologie et d'ORL–CCF, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Brunette
- Centre de recherche de l'hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick J. Rochette
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, axe médecine régénératrice, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département d'ophtalmologie et d'ORL–CCF, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Proulx
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, axe médecine régénératrice, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département d'ophtalmologie et d'ORL–CCF, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Québec, Québec, Canada
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Murugan S, de Campos VS, Ghag SA, Ng M, Shyam R. Characterization of a Novel Mouse Model for Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:18. [PMID: 38587441 PMCID: PMC11005065 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.18] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive blinding disorder, characterized by increased corneal endothelial excrescences (guttae), corneal endothelial cell loss, and edema. These symptoms are hypothesized to be caused by changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and mitochondrial dysfunction in the corneal endothelium. Despite this clinical and biological relevance, a comprehensive animal model that recapitulates all the major disease characteristics is currently unavailable. In this study, we develop such a model to improve our understanding of the signaling pathways involved in the FECD progression and develop strategies for early intervention. Method To generate a comprehensive FECD model, we generated a double mutant mouse bearing tamoxifen-inducible knockdown of Slc4a11 and the Col8a2 (Q455K) mutation. We performed optical coherence tomography (OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy using the Heidelberg Retinal Tomography 3 - Rostock Cornea module (HRT3-RCM) on the mice at 5 weeks of age before tamoxifen feeding to establish baseline values for corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, and test for the presence of guttae. We measured these parameters again post-tamoxifen treatment at 16 weeks of age. We collected corneas at 16 weeks to perform histopathology, immunofluorescence staining for tight junctions, adherens junctions, and oxidative stress. We evaluated endothelial pump function using a lactate assay. Results The double mutant tamoxifen-fed animals showed the presence of guttae, and displayed increased corneal thickness and decreased endothelial cell density. Endothelial cells showed altered morphology with disrupted adherens junctions and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, we found that stromal lactate concentrations were elevated in the double mutant mice, indicative of compromised endothelial pump function. Conclusions Overall, this mouse model recapitulates all the important phenotypic features associated with FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subashree Murugan
- Vision Science Program, School of Optometry, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Viviane Souza de Campos
- Vision Science Program, School of Optometry, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Sachin Anil Ghag
- Vision Science Program, School of Optometry, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Matthew Ng
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Rajalekshmy Shyam
- Vision Science Program, School of Optometry, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, United States
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Qiu J, Gu R, Shi Q, Zhang X, Gu J, Xiang J, Xu J, Yang Y, Shan K. Long noncoding RNA ZFAS1: A novel anti-apoptotic target in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109832. [PMID: 38369232 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109832] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the leading cause of endothelial keratoplasty without efficacious drug treatment. Recent studies have emphasized the involvement of epigenetic regulation in FECD development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recognized as crucial epigenetic regulators in diverse cellular processes and ocular diseases. In this study, we revealed the expression patterns of lncRNAs using high-throughput sequencing technology in FECD mouse model, and identified 979 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs. By comparing the data from FECD human cell model, we obtained a series of homologous lncRNAs with similar expression patterns, and revealed that these homologous lncRNAs were enriched in FECD related biological functions, with apoptosis (mmu04210) showing the highest enrichment score. In addition, we investigated the role of lncRNA zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1) in apoptotic process. This study would broaden our understanding of epigenetic regulation in FECD development, and provide potential anti-apoptotic targets for FECD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jini Qiu
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Ruiping Gu
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Qian Shi
- Yixing Eye Hospital, Yixing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueling Zhang
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jiayu Gu
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jun Xiang
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jianjiang Xu
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Yujing Yang
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
| | - Kun Shan
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
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Sahın Vural G, Bolat H. Nanopore sequencing method for CTG18.1 expansion in TCF4 in late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and a comparison of the structural features of cornea with first-degree relatives. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 262:903-911. [PMID: 37747538 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06243-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the relationship between the number of trinucleotide repeats (TNR) in late-onset Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy (FCED) and to compare the endothelial properties of FCED, first-degree relatives, and controls. METHODS Blood samples were collected from FCEDs to determine TNR number. The FCED patients, first-degree relatives, and controls were examined with specular microscopy for central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell density (ECD), pleomorphism and polymegatism, and with corneal topography for specific indicators such as (i) displacement of thinnest point of cornea, (ii) loss of isopachs, (iii) focal posterior surface depression towards anterior chamber. RESULTS This study included 92 patients with FCED, 92 first-degree relatives, and 96 controls. CCT was thickest in FCEDs (558.0 μm) (p < 0.05) while there was no difference between relatives (533.0 μm) and controls (530.4 μm) (p = 0.845). ECD was decreased in both FCED (2069.2 mm2) and relatives (2171.4 mm2) than controls (2822.9 mm2) (p < 0.05 in both). The presence of pleomorphism and polymegatism was significant in patients with FCED (93.4% and 93.4%, respectively), relatives (86.9% and 86.04%, respectively), and controls (8.33% and 1.04%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Specific topographic indicators differed among the groups (p < 0.05). The mean repeat number of the FCED patients was 17.48 ± 4.54 (12-25) times. The TNR number of FCED cases correlated with the relative CCT (p < 0.05, R = 0.615) and cell density (p = 0.009, R = -0.499). CONCLUSIONS A strong association between the corneal endothelium in relatives and TNR number of FCEDs was defined. Relatives tended to have fewer corneal endothelial cells, even though they did not have clinical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gozde Sahın Vural
- Department of Ophthalmology, Balıkesir University Medicine Faculty, Balıkesir, Turkey.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Balıkesir University Medicine Faculty Hospital, Balıkesir, Turkey.
| | - Hilmi Bolat
- Department of Genetics, Balıkesir University Medicine Faculty, Balıkesir, Turkey
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Altamirano F, Ortiz-Morales G, O'Connor-Cordova MA, Sancén-Herrera JP, Zavala J, Valdez-Garcia JE. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: an updated review. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:61. [PMID: 38345780 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-02994-1] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present review will summarize FECD-associated genes and pathophysiology, diagnosis, current therapeutic approaches, and future treatment perspectives. METHODS Literature review. RESULTS Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common bilateral corneal dystrophy and accounts for one-third of all corneal transplants performed in the US. FECD is caused by a combination of genetic and non-heritable factors, and there are two types: early-onset FECD, which affects individuals from an early age and is usually more severe, and late-onset FECD, which is more common and typically manifests around the age of 40. The hallmark findings of FECD include progressive loss of corneal endothelial cells and the formation of focal excrescences (guttae) on the Descemet membrane. These pathophysiological changes result in progressive endothelial dysfunction, leading to a decrease in visual acuity and blindness in later stages. The present review will summarize FECD-associated genes and pathophysiology, diagnosis, current therapeutic approaches, and future treatment perspectives. CONCLUSION With the characterization and understanding of FECD-related genes and ongoing research into regenerative therapies for corneal endothelium, we can hope to see more significant improvements in the future in the management and care of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Altamirano
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Judith Zavala
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jorge E Valdez-Garcia
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Mexico.
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Kumar V, Deshpande N, Parekh M, Wong R, Ashraf S, Zahid M, Hui H, Miall A, Kimpton S, Price MO, Price FW, Gonzalez FJ, Rogan E, Jurkunas UV. Estrogen genotoxicity causes preferential development of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy in females. Redox Biol 2024; 69:102986. [PMID: 38091879 PMCID: PMC10716776 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102986] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically complex, age-related, female-predominant disorder characterized by loss of post-mitotic corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs). Ultraviolet-A (UVA) light has been shown to recapitulate the morphological and molecular changes seen in FECD to a greater extent in females than males, by triggering CYP1B1 upregulation in females. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of greater CEnC susceptibility to UVA in females by studying estrogen metabolism in response to UVA in the cornea. Loss of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) resulted in increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial-DNA adducts, with a higher CEnC loss in Nqo1-/- female compared to wild-type male and female mice. The CYP1B1 inhibitors, trans-2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) and berberine, rescued CEnC loss. Injection of wild-type male mice with estrogen (E2; 17β-estradiol) increased CEnC loss, followed by increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, not seen in E2-treated Cyp1b1-/-male mice. This study demonstrates that the endo-degenerative phenotype is driven by estrogen metabolite-dependent CEnC loss that is exacerbated in the absence of NQO1; thus, explaining the mechanism accounting for the higher incidence of FECD in females. The mitigation of estrogen-adduct production by CYP1B1 inhibitors could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Neha Deshpande
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Raymond Wong
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shazia Ashraf
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Muhammad Zahid
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4388, USA
| | - Hanna Hui
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Annie Miall
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sylvie Kimpton
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Marianne O Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Francis W Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eleanor Rogan
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4388, USA
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Ward KW. Targeting the NRF2 pathway: A promising approach for corneal endothelial dysfunction. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2024; 74:102429. [PMID: 38171062 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102429] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Maintaining corneal endothelial function is required for vision, and corneal endothelial dysfunction is a major cause of visual deficits and blindness worldwide. To date there has been a dearth of innovation for therapeutics targeting the corneal endothelium. However, recent advances in understanding the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have revealed potential avenues for the development of new therapies. This review summarizes recent developments in elucidating the role of the NRF2 pathway in corneal endothelial health and disease, focusing specifically on Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy and the loss of corneal endothelial cells associated with cataract surgery. The pro-mitochondrial and antioxidant phenotype elicited by NRF2 activation offers a promising opportunity for new therapeutics for the diseased corneal endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith W Ward
- Kuria Therapeutics, Inc, 6834 Cantrell Road, Suite 1651, Little Rock, AR 72207, USA.
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10
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Chung DD, Chen AC, Choo CH, Zhang W, Williams D, Griffis CG, Bonezzi P, Jatavallabhula K, Sampath AP, Aldave AJ. Investigation of the functional impact of CHED- and FECD4-associated SLC4A11 mutations in human corneal endothelial cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296928. [PMID: 38252645 PMCID: PMC10802951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296928] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the solute linked carrier family 4 member 11 (SLC4A11) gene are associated with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy type 4 (FECD4), both characterized by corneal endothelial cell (CEnC) dysfunction and/or cell loss leading to corneal edema and visual impairment. In this study, we characterize the impact of CHED-/FECD4-associated SLC4A11 mutations on CEnC function and SLC4A11 protein localization by generating and comparing human CEnC (hCEnC) lines expressing wild type SLC4A11 (SLC4A11WT) or mutant SLC4A11 harboring CHED-/FECD4-associated SLC4A11 mutations (SLC4A11MU). SLC4A11WT and SLC4A11MU hCEnC lines were generated to express either SLC4A11 variant 2 (V2WT and V2MU) or variant 3 (V3WT and V3MU), the two major variants expressed in ex vivo hCEnC. Functional assays were performed to assess cell barrier, proliferation, viability, migration, and NH3-induced membrane conductance. We demonstrate SLC4A11-/- and SLC4A11MU hCEnC lines exhibited increased migration rates, altered proliferation and decreased cell viability compared to SLC4A11WT hCEnC. Additionally, SLC4A11-/- hCEnC demonstrated decreased cell-substrate adhesion and membrane capacitances compared to SLC4A11WT hCEnC. Induction with 10mM NH4Cl led SLC4A11WT hCEnC to depolarize; conversely, SLC4A11-/- hCEnC hyperpolarized and the majority of SLC4A11MU hCEnC either hyperpolarized or had minimal membrane potential changes following NH4Cl induction. Immunostaining of primary hCEnC and SLC4A11WT hCEnC lines for SLC4A11 demonstrated predominately plasma membrane staining with poor or partial colocalization with mitochondrial marker COX4 within a subset of punctate subcellular structures. Overall, our findings suggest CHED-associated SLC4A11 mutations likely lead to hCEnC dysfunction, and ultimately CHED, by interfering with cell migration, proliferation, viability, membrane conductance, barrier function, and/or cell surface localization of the SLC4A11 protein in hCEnC. Additionally, based on their similar subcellular localization and exhibiting similar cell functional profiles, protein isoforms encoded by SLC4A11 variant 2 and variant 3 likely have highly overlapping functional roles in hCEnC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug D. Chung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Angela C. Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Charlene H. Choo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Wenlin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Dominic Williams
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher G. Griffis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Paul Bonezzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kavya Jatavallabhula
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Alapakkam P. Sampath
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anthony J. Aldave
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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11
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Zhang X, Kumar A, Sathe AA, Mootha VV, Xing C. Transcriptomic meta-analysis reveals ERRα-mediated oxidative phosphorylation is downregulated in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295542. [PMID: 38096202 PMCID: PMC10721014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295542] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-onset Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a degenerative disease of cornea and the leading indication for corneal transplantation. Genetically, FECD patients can be categorized as with (RE+) or without (RE-) the CTG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the transcription factor 4 gene. The molecular mechanisms underlying FECD remain unclear, though there are plausible pathogenic models proposed for RE+ FECD. METHOD In this study, we performed a meta-analysis on RNA sequencing datasets of FECD corneal endothelium including 3 RE+ datasets and 2 RE- datasets, aiming to compare the transcriptomic profiles of RE+ and RE- FECD. Gene differential expression analysis, co-expression networks analysis, and pathway analysis were conducted. RESULTS There was a striking similarity between RE+ and RE- transcriptomes. There were 1,184 genes significantly upregulated and 1,018 genes significantly downregulated in both RE+ and RE- cases. Pathway analysis identified multiple biological processes significantly enriched in both-mitochondrial functions, energy-related processes, ER-nucleus signaling pathway, demethylation, and RNA splicing were negatively enriched, whereas small GTPase mediated signaling, actin-filament processes, extracellular matrix organization, stem cell differentiation, and neutrophil mediated immunity were positively enriched. The translational initiation process was downregulated in the RE+ transcriptomes. Gene co-expression analysis identified modules with relatively distinct biological processes enriched including downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assembly. The majority of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunit genes, as well as their upstream regulator gene estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA), encoding ERRα, were downregulated in both RE+ and RE- cases, and the expression level of ESRRA was correlated with that of OXPHOS subunit genes. CONCLUSION Meta-analysis increased the power of detecting differentially expressed genes. Integrating differential expression analysis with co-expression analysis helped understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. FECD RE+ and RE- transcriptomic profiles are much alike with the hallmark of downregulation of genes in pathways related to ERRα-mediated OXPHOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunzhi Zhang
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Adwait A. Sathe
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - V. Vinod Mootha
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- O’Donnell School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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12
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Lu Y, Zuo P, Chen H, Shan H, Wang W, Dai Z, Xu H, Chen Y, Liang L, Ding D, Jin Y, Yin Y. Structural insights into the conformational changes of BTR1/SLC4A11 in complex with PIP 2. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6157. [PMID: 37788993 PMCID: PMC10547724 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41924-0] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BTR1 (SLC4A11) is a NH3 stimulated H+ (OH-) transporter belonging to the SLC4 family. Dysfunction of BTR1 leads to diseases such as congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). However, the mechanistic basis of BTR1 activation by alkaline pH, transport activity regulation and pathogenic mutations remains elusive. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of human BTR1 in the outward-facing state in complex with its activating ligands PIP2 and the inward-facing state with the pathogenic R125H mutation. We reveal that PIP2 binds at the interface between the transmembrane domain and the N-terminal cytosolic domain of BTR1. Disruption of either the PIP2 binding site or protonation of PIP2 phosphate groups by acidic pH can transform BTR1 into an inward-facing conformation. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms of how the transport activity and conformation changes of BTR1 are regulated by PIP2 binding and interaction of TMD and NTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishuo Lu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Peng Zuo
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongyi Chen
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hui Shan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Weize Wang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zonglin Dai
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | | | | | - Ling Liang
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Dian Ding
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuxin Yin
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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13
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Cai Y, Chen J, Sun H, Zhou T, Cai X, Fu Y. Crosstalk between TRPV1 and immune regulation in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Clin Immunol 2023; 254:109701. [PMID: 37482117 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109701] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the leading indication for corneal transplantation worldwide. Our aim was to investigate the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and the associated immune regulation contributing to this pathological condition. Significant upregulation of TRPV1 was detected in the H2O2-induced in vitro FECD model. Based on gene expression microarray dataset GSE142538 and in vitro results, a comprehensive immune landscape was studied and a negative correlation was found between TRPV1 with different immune cells, especially regulatory T cells (Tregs). Functional analyses of the 313 TRPV1-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed the involvement of TRP-regulated calcium transport, as well as inflammatory and immune pathways. Four TRPV1-related core genes (MAPK14, GNB1, GNAQ, and ARRB2) were screened, validated by microarray dataset GSE112039 and the combined validation dataset E-GEAD-399 & 564, and verified by in vitro experiments. Our study suggested a potential crosstalk between TRPV1 and immune regulation contributing to FECD pathogenesis. The identified pivotal biomarkers and immune-related pathways provide a novel framework for future mechanistic and therapeutic studies of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyao Cai
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China.
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14
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Nealon CL, Halladay CW, Gorman BR, Simpson P, Roncone DP, Canania RL, Anthony SA, Rogers LRS, Leber JN, Dougherty JM, Bailey JNC, Crawford DC, Sullivan JM, Galor A, Wu WC, Greenberg PB, Lass JH, Iyengar SK, Peachey NS. Association Between Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy, Diabetes Mellitus, and Multimorbidity. Cornea 2023; 42:1140-1149. [PMID: 37170406 PMCID: PMC10523841 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003311] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess risk for demographic variables and other health conditions that are associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). METHODS We developed a FECD case-control algorithm based on structured electronic health record data and confirmed accuracy by individual review of charts at 3 Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. This algorithm was applied to the Department of VA Million Veteran Program cohort from whom sex, genetic ancestry, comorbidities, diagnostic phecodes, and laboratory values were extracted. Single-variable and multiple variable logistic regression models were used to determine the association of these risk factors with FECD diagnosis. RESULTS Being a FECD case was associated with female sex, European genetic ancestry, and a greater number of comorbidities. Of 1417 diagnostic phecodes evaluated, 213 had a significant association with FECD, falling in both ocular and nonocular conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM). Five of 69 laboratory values were associated with FECD, with the direction of change for 4 being consistent with DM. Insulin dependency and type 1 DM raised risk to a greater degree than type 2 DM, like other microvascular diabetic complications. CONCLUSIONS Female sex, European ancestry, and multimorbidity increased FECD risk. Endocrine/metabolic clinic encounter codes and altered patterns of laboratory values support DM increasing FECD risk. Our results evoke a threshold model in which the FECD phenotype is intensified by DM and potentially other health conditions that alter corneal physiology. Further studies to better understand the relationship between FECD and DM are indicated and may help identify opportunities for slowing FECD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari L. Nealon
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Christopher W. Halladay
- Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Bryan R. Gorman
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia, USA
| | - Piana Simpson
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - David P. Roncone
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Scott A. Anthony
- Eye Clinic, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Jenna N. Leber
- Ophthalmology Section, VA Western NY Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Jessica N. Cooke Bailey
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dana C. Crawford
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jack M. Sullivan
- Ophthalmology Section, VA Western NY Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Research Service, VA Western NY Health Care System, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology (Ross Eye Institute), University at Buffalo-SUNY, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Anat Galor
- Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Wen-Chih Wu
- Cardiology Section, Medical Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Paul B. Greenberg
- Ophthalmology Section, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Jonathan H. Lass
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Sudha K. Iyengar
- Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Neal S. Peachey
- Research Service, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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15
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Chan MF, Pan P, Wolfreys FD. Novel Mechanisms Guide Innovative Molecular-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea 2023; 42:929-933. [PMID: 37318135 PMCID: PMC10313750 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003292] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Major advances in genomics have dramatically increased our understanding of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and identified diverse genetic causes and associations. Biomarkers derived from these studies have the potential to inform both clinical treatment and yield novel therapeutics for this corneal dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda F. Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Peipei Pan
- Center for Cerebrovascular Research, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Finn D. Wolfreys
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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16
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Chakraborty M, Jandhyam H, Basak SK, Das S, Alone DP. Intergenic variants, rs1200114 and rs1200108 are genetically associated along with a decreased ATP1B1 expression in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2023; 228:109403. [PMID: 36736852 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109403] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related, bilateral corneal condition, characterized by apoptosis of the terminally differentiated endothelial cells. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in the European population in 2017, identified a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1200114 in the intergenic region between long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 970 (LINC00970) and ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit beta 1 (ATP1B1). The major focus of the current study is to understand the genetic association of this intergenic variant, rs1200114 with FECD in the Indian population. Sanger sequencing followed by statistical analysis indicated a significant difference in the allelic frequency between controls and cases (P = 0.01) with the minor allele 'G' of rs1200114 imparting a 1.64 fold increased risk for the disease. Luciferase reporter assay revealed no significant difference in the luciferase activity between allele 'A' and 'G' of rs1200114. However, quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed lower expression of ATP1B1 in FECD subjects compared with controls (P = 0.007). Therefore, to find whether another nearby SNP imparts regulatory effect, tag SNP association analysis was carried out; which revealed a significant association of another SNP, rs1200108, present in the intergenic region between LINC00970 and ATP1B1 with FECD (P = 0.009). The protective allele 'A' of rs1200108 displayed reduced reporter activity as opposed to the risk allele 'G' (P = 0.014). Furthermore, haplotype 'A-A' of rs1200108 - rs1200114 was present at a higher frequency in control subjects, suggesting it as a protective haplotype. Altogether, this study inferred the genetic association of rs1200114 and rs1200108 along with the decreased expression of ATP1B1 related to FECD pathogenesis in the Indian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maynak Chakraborty
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Harithalakshmi Jandhyam
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | | | - Sujata Das
- LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Debasmita Pankaj Alone
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, P.O. Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatni, Khurda, Odisha, 752050, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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17
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Stunf Pukl S. MicroRNA of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101711. [PMID: 36292595 PMCID: PMC9601291 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: a review of miRNA expression connected to epithelial mesenchymal transition studies in Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Methods: literature search strategy—PubMed central database, using “miRNA” or “microRNA” and “epithelial mesenchymal transition” or “EMT” and “Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy” or “FECD” as keywords. Experimental or clinical studies on humans published in English regarding miRNA profiles of epithelial mesenchymal transition in Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy published between 2009 and 2022 were included. Conclusion: The publications regarding the miRNA profiles of epithelial mesenchymal transition in Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy are scarce but provide some valuable information about the potential biomarkers differentiating aging changes from early disease stages characterized by epithelial mesenchymal transition. In the corneal tissue of FECD patients, miRNA-184 seed-region mutation as well as unidirectional downregulation of total miRNA expression led by the miRNA-29 were demonstrated. For early diagnostics the miRNA of epithelial mesenchymal transition in aqueous humor should be analyzed and used as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spela Stunf Pukl
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; ; Tel.: +386-41-382-487
- University Eye Hospital, University Clinical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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18
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Okumura N, Yamada S, Nishikawa T, Narimoto K, Okamura K, Izumi A, Hiwa S, Hiroyasu T, Koizumi N. U-Net Convolutional Neural Network for Segmenting the Corneal Endothelium in a Mouse Model of Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea 2022; 41:901-907. [PMID: 34864800 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the U-Net-based convolutional neural network performance for segmenting corneal endothelium and guttae of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. METHODS Twenty-eight images of corneal endothelial cells and guttae of Col8a2L450W/L450W knock-in mice were obtained by specular microscopy. We used 20 images as training data to develop the U-Net for analyzing guttae and cell borders. The proposed network was validated using independent test data of 8 images. Cell density, hexagonality, and coefficient of variation were calculated from the predicted cell borders and compared with ground truth. RESULTS U-Net allowed the prediction of cell borders and guttae, and overlays of those segmentations on specular microscopy images highly corresponded to ground truth. The average number of guttae per field was 6.25 ± 8.07 for ground truth and 6.25 ± 7.87 when predicted by the network (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.989, P = 3.25 × 10 -6 ). The guttae areas were 1.60% ± 1.79% by manual determination and 1.90% ± 2.02% determined by the network (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.970, P = 6.72 × 10 -5 ). Cell density, hexagonality, and coefficient of variation analyzed by the proposed network for cell borders showed very strong correlations with ground truth (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.989, P = 3.23 × 10 -6 , Pearson correlation coefficient 0.978, P = 2.66 × 10 -5 , and Pearson correlation coefficient 0.936, P = 6.20 × 10 -4 , respectively). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated proof of concept for application of U-Net for objective analysis of corneal endothelial cells and guttae in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, based on limited ground truth data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Okumura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Shohei Yamada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Informatics, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | - Takeru Nishikawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Informatics, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | - Kaito Narimoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Informatics, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | - Kengo Okamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Informatics, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | | | - Satoru Hiwa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Informatics, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | - Tomoyuki Hiroyasu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Informatics, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan; and
| | - Noriko Koizumi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
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19
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Westin IM, Viberg A, Byström B, Golovleva I. Lower Fractions of TCF4 Transcripts Spanning over the CTG18.1 Trinucleotide Repeat in Human Corneal Endothelium. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12122006. [PMID: 34946954 PMCID: PMC8702116 DOI: 10.3390/genes12122006] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a bilateral disease of the cornea caused by gradual loss of corneal endothelial cells. Late-onset FECD is strongly associated with the CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion in the Transcription Factor 4 gene (TCF4), which forms RNA nuclear foci in corneal endothelial cells. To date, 46 RefSeq transcripts of TCF4 are annotated by the National Center of Biotechnology information (NCBI), however the effect of the CTG18.1 expansion on expression of alternative TCF4 transcripts is not completely understood. To investigate this, we used droplet digital PCR for quantification of TCF4 transcripts spanning over the CTG18.1 and transcripts with transcription start sites immediately downstream of the CTG18.1. TCF4 expression was analysed in corneal endothelium and in whole blood of FECD patients with and without CTG18.1 expansion, in non-FECD controls without CTG18.1 expansion, and in five additional control tissues. Subtle changes in transcription levels in groups of TCF4 transcripts were detected. In corneal endothelium, we found a lower fraction of transcripts spanning over the CTG18.1 tract compared to all other tissues investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Maria Westin
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Umeå, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Andreas Viberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, University of Umeå, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (A.V.); (B.B.)
| | - Berit Byström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, University of Umeå, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden; (A.V.); (B.B.)
| | - Irina Golovleva
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Umeå, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-(90)-7856820
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20
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Kinariwala BB, Xu TT, Baratz KH, Aleff RA, Patel SV, Maguire LJ, Fautsch MP, Wieben ED, Millen AE, Patel SP. Relationship of Body Mass Index With Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Severity and TCF4 CTG18.1 Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion. Cornea 2021; 40:1567-1570. [PMID: 33782268 PMCID: PMC8478960 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002689] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) severity and TCF4 CTG18.1 expansion. METHODS A total of 343 patients with FECD were enrolled from the Mayo Clinic. FECD severity was graded by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. BMI values were obtained from the electronic medical records. DNA extracted from leukocytes was analyzed for CTG18.1 expansion length, with ≥40 repeats considered expanded. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare FECD grade and CTG18.1 expansion length in patients by BMI (<25, ≥25 to <30, and ≥30 kg/m2). FECD grade was regressed on age, sex, BMI, and CTG18.1 expansion and, separately, BMI on CTG18.1 expansion. Models were investigated for effect modification by age and sex with an interaction term of P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS When examining the association between BMI and FECD, there was a significant interaction between BMI and sex (P for interaction = 0.004). When controlling for age and CTG18.1 expansion, a positive association was observed between BMI and FECD grade in women, but not in men. In addition, BMI was not associated with CTG18.1 expansion when controlling for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS BMI was positively associated with FECD severity among women but not men. There was no significant association between BMI and CTG18.1 expansion. These findings suggest that increased BMI is potentially a modifiable risk factor for FECD disease progression among women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhumi B. Kinariwala
- Ross Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Timothy T. Xu
- Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ross A. Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sanjay V. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Leo J. Maguire
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Eric D. Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amy E. Millen
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sangita P. Patel
- Ross Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Research and Ophthalmology Services, Veterans Administration of Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY, USA
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21
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Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically complex, heterogenous, age-related degenerative disease of corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs), occurring in the fifth decade of life with a higher incidence in females. It is characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) protein deposition called corneal guttae, causing light glare and visual complaints in patients. Corneal transplantation is the only treatment option for FECD patients, which imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. In FECD, CEnCs exhibit stress-induced senescence, oxidative stress, DNA damage, heightened reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial damage, and dysfunction as well as sustained endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Among all of these, mitochondrial dysfunction involving altered mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics plays a critical role in FECD pathogenesis. Extreme stress initiates mitochondrial damage, leading to activation of autophagy, which involves clearance of damaged mitochondria called auto(mito)phagy. In this review, we discuss the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in FECD. This will provide insights into a novel mechanism of mitophagy in post-mitotic ocular cell loss and help us explore the potential treatment options for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ula V. Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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22
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Kuot A, Corbett MA, Mills RA, Snibson G, Wiffen S, Loh R, Burdon KP, Craig JE, Sharma S. Differential gene expression analysis of corneal endothelium indicates involvement of phagocytic activity in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2021; 210:108692. [PMID: 34228965 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108692] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive vision impairing disease caused by thickening of Descemet's membrane and gradual degeneration and loss of corneal endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes between FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease. Microarray gene expression analysis was performed on total RNA from FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium-Descemet's membrane (CE-DM) specimens using the Illumina HumanHT-12 v4.0 expression array. RNA from pools of FECD-affected (n = 3 per pool) and individual unaffected (n = 3) specimens was used for comparison. Altered expression of a sub-set of differentially expressed genes was validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in independent specimens. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using InnateDB to reveal functional relationships among the differentially expressed genes and molecular pathways involved in the disease. A total of 16,513 genes were found expressed in the corneal endothelium of which 142 genes were differentially expressed between FECD-affected and unaffected endothelium (log2 fold-change ≥1.5, corrected p-value ≤0.05). Most of the genes were up-regulated (126) and a small proportion down-regulated (16) in affected corneal endothelium. Of the twelve genes prioritised for validation, differential expression of 10 genes, including those ranked 57th and 81st by significance validated by qRT-PCR (8 up-regulated and 2 downregulated, corrected p ≤ 0.05), one gene showed a trend for up-regulation in affected endothelium, consistent with the microarray analysis and another was up-regulated in an independent study indicating robustness of the differential expression dataset. Bioinformatic analysis revealed significant over-representation of differentially expressed genes in extracellular matrix reorganisation, cellular remodelling, immune response, and inflammation. Network analysis showed functional inter-relatedness of the majority of the dysregulated genes and revealed known direct functional relationships between 20 of the genes; many of these genes have roles in macrophage differentiation, phagocytosis and inflammation. This is the second report of microarray gene expression analysis in FECD. This study revealed a set of highly dysregulated genes in the corneal endothelium in FECD. More than a third of the dysregulated genes in the disease have been discovered for the first time and thus are novel. The dysregulated genes strongly suggest the presence of phagocytic cells, most likely immune cells, and inflammation in corneal endothelium in the disease. This study provides a molecular framework for delineating the mechanisms underlying these cellular processes in FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Kuot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Mark A Corbett
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Richard A Mills
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Grant Snibson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Steven Wiffen
- The Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Raymond Loh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Kathryn P Burdon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia; Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Jamie E Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia
| | - Shiwani Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.
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Uehara H, Zhang X, Pereira F, Narendran S, Choi S, Bhuvanagiri S, Liu J, Ravi Kumar S, Bohner A, Carroll L, Archer B, Zhang Y, Liu W, Gao G, Ambati J, Jun AS, Ambati BK. Start codon disruption with CRISPR/Cas9 prevents murine Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. eLife 2021; 10:e55637. [PMID: 34100716 PMCID: PMC8216720 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A missense mutation of collagen type VIII alpha 2 chain (COL8A2) gene leads to early-onset Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), which progressively impairs vision through the loss of corneal endothelial cells. We demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-based postnatal gene editing achieves structural and functional rescue in a mouse model of FECD. A single intraocular injection of an adenovirus encoding both the Cas9 gene and guide RNA (Ad-Cas9-Col8a2gRNA) efficiently knocked down mutant COL8A2 expression in corneal endothelial cells, prevented endothelial cell loss, and rescued corneal endothelium pumping function in adult Col8a2 mutant mice. There were no adverse sequelae on histology or electroretinography. Col8a2 start codon disruption represents a non-surgical strategy to prevent vision loss in early-onset FECD. As this demonstrates the ability of Ad-Cas9-gRNA to restore the phenotype in adult post-mitotic cells, this method may be widely applicable to adult-onset diseases, even in tissues affected with disorders of non-reproducing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Uehara
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Felipe Pereira
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Siddharth Narendran
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Susie Choi
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Sai Bhuvanagiri
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Jinlu Liu
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Sangeetha Ravi Kumar
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Austin Bohner
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Lara Carroll
- Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Bonnie Archer
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
| | - Yue Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Wei Liu
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Microbiology and Physiological Science Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Jayakrishna Ambati
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Albert S Jun
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Balamurali K Ambati
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of OregonEugene, ORUnited States
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24
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White TL, Deshpande N, Kumar V, Gauthier AG, Jurkunas UV. Cell cycle re-entry and arrest in G2/M phase induces senescence and fibrosis in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 164:34-43. [PMID: 33418109 PMCID: PMC7897316 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.12.445] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related disease whereby progressive loss of corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) leads to loss of vision. There is currently a lack of therapeutic interventions as the etiology of the disease is complex, with both genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we have provided further insights into the pathogenesis of the disease, showing a causal relationship between senescence and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) using in vitro and in vivo models. Ultraviolet A (UVA) light induced EMT and senescence in CEnCs. Senescent cells were arrested in G2/M phase of the cell cycle and responsible for the resulting profibrotic phenotype. Inhibiting ATR signaling and subsequently preventing G2/M arrest attenuated EMT. In vivo, UVA irradiation induced cell cycle re-entry in post mitotic CEnCs, resulting in senescence and fibrosis at 1- and 2-weeks post-UVA. Selectively eliminating senescent cells using the senolytic cocktail of dasatinib and quercetin attenuated UVA-induced fibrosis, highlighting the potential for a new therapeutic intervention for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas L White
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Neha Deshpande
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Alex G Gauthier
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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25
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Lovatt M, Kocaba V, Hui Neo DJ, Soh YQ, Mehta JS. Nrf2: A unifying transcription factor in the pathogenesis of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Redox Biol 2020; 37:101763. [PMID: 33099215 PMCID: PMC7578533 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2), is an oxidative stress induced transcription factor that regulates cytoprotective gene expression. Thus, Nrf2 is essential for cellular redox homeostasis. Loss or dysregulation of Nrf2 expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases, including diseases of the cornea. One of the most common diseases of the cornea in which Nrf2 is implicated is Fuchs’ endothelial cornea dystrophy (FECD). FECD is the leading indication for corneal transplantation; and is associated with a loss of corneal endothelial cell (CEC) function. In this review, we propose that Nrf2 is an essential regulator of CEC function. Furthermore, we demonstrate that deficiency of Nrf2 function is a hallmark of FECD. In addition, we advocate that pharmacological targeting of Nrf2 as a possible therapy for FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Viridiana Kocaba
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dawn Jing Hui Neo
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Yu Qiang Soh
- Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
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26
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Fautsch MP, Wieben ED, Baratz KH, Bhattacharyya N, Sadan AN, Hafford-Tear NJ, Tuft SJ, Davidson AE. TCF4-mediated Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: Insights into a common trinucleotide repeat-associated disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100883. [PMID: 32735996 PMCID: PMC7988464 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common cause for heritable visual loss in the elderly. Since the first description of an association between FECD and common polymorphisms situated within the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene, genetic and molecular studies have implicated an intronic CTG trinucleotide repeat (CTG18.1) expansion as a causal variant in the majority of FECD patients. To date, several non-mutually exclusive mechanisms have been proposed that drive and/or exacerbate the onset of disease. These mechanisms include (i) TCF4 dysregulation; (ii) toxic gain-of-function from TCF4 repeat-containing RNA; (iii) toxic gain-of-function from repeat-associated non-AUG dependent (RAN) translation; and (iv) somatic instability of CTG18.1. However, the relative contribution of these proposed mechanisms in disease pathogenesis is currently unknown. In this review, we summarise research implicating the repeat expansion in disease pathogenesis, define the phenotype-genotype correlations between FECD and CTG18.1 expansion, and provide an update on research tools that are available to study FECD as a trinucleotide repeat expansion disease. Furthermore, ongoing international research efforts to develop novel CTG18.1 expansion-mediated FECD therapeutics are highlighted and we provide a forward-thinking perspective on key unanswered questions that remain in the field. FECD is a common, age-related corneal dystrophy. The majority of cases are associated with expansion of a CTG repeat (CTG18.1). FECD is the most common trinucleotide repeat expansion disease in humans. Evidence supports multiple molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology. Novel CTG18.1-targeted therapeutics are in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Eric D Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Keith H Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | | | - Amanda N Sadan
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK.
| | | | - Stephen J Tuft
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.
| | - Alice E Davidson
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK.
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27
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Miyajima T, Melangath G, Zhu S, Deshpande N, Vasanth S, Mondal B, Kumar V, Chen Y, Price MO, Price FW, Rogan EG, Zahid M, Jurkunas UV. Loss of NQO1 generates genotoxic estrogen-DNA adducts in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 147:69-79. [PMID: 31857234 PMCID: PMC6939626 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related genetically complex disease characterized by increased oxidative DNA damage and progressive degeneration of corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs). FECD has a greater incidence and advanced phenotype in women, suggesting a possible role of hormones in the sex-driven differences seen in the disease pathogenesis. In this study, catechol estrogen (4-OHE2), the byproduct of estrogen metabolism, induced genotoxic estrogen-DNA adducts formation, macromolecular DNA damage, and apoptotic cell death in HCEnCs; these findings were potentiated by menadione (MN)-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Expression of NQO1, a key enzyme that neutralizes reactive estrogen metabolites, was downregulated in FECD, indicating HCEnC susceptibility to reactive estrogen metabolism in FECD. NQO1 deficiency in vitro exacerbated the estrogen-DNA adduct formation and loss of cell viability, which was rescued by the supplementation of N-acetylcysteine, a ROS scavenger. Notably, overexpression of NQO1 in HCEnCs treated with MN and 4-OHE2 quenched the ROS formation, thereby reducing the DNA damage and endothelial cell loss. This study signifies a pivotal role for NQO1 in mitigating the macromolecular oxidative DNA damage arising from the interplay between intracellular ROS and impaired endogenous estrogen metabolism in post-mitotic ocular tissue cells. A dysfunctional Nrf2-NQO1 axis in FECD renders HCEnCs susceptible to catechol estrogens and estrogen-DNA adducts formation. This novel study highlights the potential role of NQO1-mediated estrogen metabolite genotoxicity in explaining the higher incidence of FECD in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiga Miyajima
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan
| | - Geetha Melangath
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan Zhu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neha Deshpande
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shivakumar Vasanth
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bodhisattwa Mondal
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuming Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marianne O Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Francis W Price
- Price Vision Group and Cornea Research Foundation of America, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Eleanor G Rogan
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Muhammad Zahid
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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28
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Abstract
The cornea, the eye's outermost layer, protects the eye from the environment. The cornea's innermost layer is an endothelium separating the stromal layer from the aqueous humor. A central role of the endothelium is to maintain stromal hydration state. Defects in maintaining this hydration can impair corneal clarity and thus visual acuity. Two endothelial corneal dystrophies, Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) and Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy (CHED), are blinding corneal diseases with varied clinical presentation in patients across different age demographics. Recessive CHED with an early onset (typically age: 0-3 years) and dominantly inherited FECD with a late onset (age: 40-50 years) have similar phenotypes, although caused by defects in several different genes. A range of molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain FECD and CHED pathology given the involvement of multiple causative genes. This critical review provides insight into the proposed molecular mechanisms underlying FECD and CHED pathology along with common pathways that may explain the link between the defective gene products and provide a new perspective to view these genetic blinding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darpan Malhotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Joseph R Casey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Rong Z, Hu J, Corey DR, Mootha VV. Quantitative Studies of Muscleblind Proteins and Their Interaction With TCF4 RNA Foci Support Involvement in the Mechanism of Fuchs' Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:3980-3991. [PMID: 31560764 PMCID: PMC6779288 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a major cause of vision loss and the most common nucleotide repeat disorder, affecting 4% of United States population greater than 40 years of age. Seventy percent of FECD cases are due to an intronic CTG expansion within the TCF4 gene, resulting in accumulation of CUG repeat RNA nuclear foci in corneal endothelium. Each endothelial cell has approximately two sense foci, and each focus is a single RNA molecule. This study aimed to obtain a better understanding of how rare repeat RNA species lead to disease. Methods We quantitatively examined muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins and their interaction with foci in both patient-derived corneal endothelial cell lines and human corneal endothelial tissue. Results Using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, we found that depletion of both MBNL1 and MBNL2 reduces nuclear RNA foci formed by the repeat, suggesting that both are necessary for foci. Quantitative studies of RNA and protein copy number revealed MBNLs to be abundant in the total cellular pool in endothelial cell lines but are much lower in human corneal endothelial tissue. Studies using human tissue nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions indicate that most MBNL proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. Conclusions The low levels of MBNL1/2 in corneal tissue, in combination with the small fraction of protein in the nucleus, may make corneal endothelial cells especially susceptible to sequestration of MBNL1/2 by CUG repeat RNA. These observations may explain how a limited number of RNA molecules can cause widespread alteration of splicing and late-onset degenerative FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziye Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Jiaxin Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - David R. Corey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - V. Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Hafford-Tear NJ, Tsai YC, Sadan AN, Sanchez-Pintado B, Zarouchlioti C, Maher GJ, Liskova P, Tuft SJ, Hardcastle AJ, Clark TA, Davidson AE. CRISPR/Cas9-targeted enrichment and long-read sequencing of the Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-associated TCF4 triplet repeat. Genet Med 2019; 21:2092-2102. [PMID: 30733599 PMCID: PMC6752322 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-019-0453-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [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: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the utility of an amplification-free long-read sequencing method to characterize the Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD)-associated intronic TCF4 triplet repeat (CTG18.1). METHODS We applied an amplification-free method, utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system, in combination with PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) long-read sequencing, to study CTG18.1. FECD patient samples displaying a diverse range of CTG18.1 allele lengths and zygosity status (n = 11) were analyzed. A robust data analysis pipeline was developed to effectively filter, align, and interrogate CTG18.1-specific reads. All results were compared with conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based fragment analysis. RESULTS CRISPR-guided SMRT sequencing of CTG18.1 provided accurate genotyping information for all samples and phasing was possible for 18/22 alleles sequenced. Repeat length instability was observed for all expanded (≥50 repeats) phased CTG18.1 alleles analyzed. Furthermore, higher levels of repeat instability were associated with increased CTG18.1 allele length (mode length ≥91 repeats) indicating that expanded alleles behave dynamically. CONCLUSION CRISPR-guided SMRT sequencing of CTG18.1 has revealed novel insights into CTG18.1 length instability. Furthermore, this study provides a framework to improve the molecular diagnostic accuracy for CTG18.1-mediated FECD, which we anticipate will become increasingly important as gene-directed therapies are developed for this common age-related and sight threatening disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Geoffrey J Maher
- Clinical Genetics Group, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Petra Liskova
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stephen J Tuft
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
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Wieben ED, Baratz KH, Aleff RA, Kalari KR, Tang X, Maguire LJ, Patel SV, Fautsch MP. Gene Expression and Missplicing in the Corneal Endothelium of Patients With a TCF4 Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion Without Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:3636-3643. [PMID: 31469403 PMCID: PMC6716950 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose CTG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion in an intron of the TCF4 gene is the most common genetic variant associated with Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Although several mechanisms have been implicated in the disease process, their exact pathophysiologic importance is unclear. To understand events leading from TCF4 TNR expansion to disease phenotype, we characterized splicing, gene expression, and exon sequence changes in a rare cohort of patients with TNR expansions but no phenotypic FECD (RE+/FECD-). Methods Corneal endothelium and blood were collected from patients undergoing endothelial keratoplasty for non-FECD corneal edema. Total RNA was isolated from corneal endothelial tissue (n = 3) and used for RNASeq. Gene splicing and expression was assessed by Mixture of Isoforms (MISO) and MAP-RSeq software. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood mononuclear cells and used for whole genome exome sequencing. Base calling was performed using Illumina's Real-Time Analysis. Results Three genes (MBNL1, KIF13A, AKAP13) that were previously identified as misspliced in patients with a CTG TNR expansion and FECD disease (RE+/FECD+) were found normally spliced in RE+/FECD- samples. Gene expression differences in pathways associated with the innate immune response, cell signaling (e.g., TGFβ, WNT), and cell senescence markers were also identified between RE+/FECD- and RE+/FECD+ groups. No consistent genetic variants were identified in RE+/FECD- patient exomes. Conclusions Identification of novel splicing patterns and differential gene expression in RE+/FECD- samples provides new insights and more relevant gene targets that may be protective against FECD disease in vulnerable patients with TCF4 CTG TNR expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D. Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Ross A. Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Krishna R. Kalari
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Xiaojia Tang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Leo J. Maguire
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Sanjay V. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Michael P. Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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Miyai T, Vasanth S, Melangath G, Deshpande N, Kumar V, Benischke AS, Chen Y, Price MO, Price FW, Jurkunas UV. Activation of PINK1-Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy Degrades Mitochondrial Quality Control Proteins in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Am J Pathol 2019; 189:2061-2076. [PMID: 31361992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Corneal endothelium (CE) is a monolayer of mitochondria-rich cells, critical for maintaining corneal transparency compatible with clear vision. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a heterogeneous, genetically complex disorder, where oxidative stress plays a key role in the rosette formation during the degenerative loss of CE. Increased mitochondrial fragmentation along with excessive mitophagy activation has been detected in FECD; however, the mechanism of aberrant mitochondrial dynamics in CE cell loss is poorly understood. Here, the role of oxidative stress in mitophagy activation in FECD is investigated. Immunoblotting of FECD ex vivo specimens revealed an accumulation of PINK1 and phospho-Parkin (Ser65) along with loss of total Parkin and total Drp1. Similarly, modeling of rosette formation with menadione (MN), led to phospho-Parkin accumulation in fragmented mitochondria resulting in mitophagy-induced mitochondrial clearance, albeit possibly in a PINK1-independent manner. Loss of PINK1, phospho-Drp1, and total Drp1 was prominent after MN-induced oxidative stress, but not after mitochondrial depolarization by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone. Moreover, MN-induced mitophagy led to degradation of Parkin along with sequestration of Drp1 and PINK1 that was rescued by mitophagy inhibition. This study shows that in FECD, intracellular oxidative stress induces Parkin-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation where endogenous Drp1 and PINK1 are sequestered and degraded by mitophagy during degenerative loss of post-mitotic cells of ocular tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Miyai
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shivakumar Vasanth
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Geetha Melangath
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Neha Deshpande
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Varun Kumar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anne-Sophie Benischke
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yuming Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Ula V Jurkunas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Wieben ED, Aleff RA, Basu S, Sarangi V, Bowman B, McLaughlin IJ, Mills JR, Butz ML, Highsmith EW, Ida CM, Ekholm JM, Baratz KH, Fautsch MP. Amplification-free long-read sequencing of TCF4 expanded trinucleotide repeats in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219446. [PMID: 31276570 PMCID: PMC6611681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification of a CAG trinucleotide motif (CTG18.1) within the TCF4 gene has been strongly associated with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). Nevertheless, a small minority of clinically unaffected elderly patients who have expanded CTG18.1 sequences have been identified. To test the hypothesis that the CAG expansions in these patients are protected from FECD because they have interruptions within the CAG repeats, we utilized a combination of an amplification-free, long-read sequencing method and a new target-enrichment sequence analysis tool developed by Pacific Biosciences to interrogate the sequence structure of expanded repeats. The sequencing was successful in identifying a previously described interruption within an unexpanded allele and provided sequence data on expanded alleles greater than 2000 bases in length. The data revealed considerable heterogeneity in the size distribution of expanded repeats within each patient. Detailed analysis of the long sequence reads did not reveal any instances of interruptions to the expanded CAG repeats, but did reveal novel variants within the AGG repeats that flank the CAG repeats in two of the five samples from clinically unaffected patients with expansions. This first examination of the sequence structure of CAG repeats in CTG18.1 suggests that factors other than interruptions to the repeat structure account for the absence of disease in some elderly patients with repeat expansions in the TCF4 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D. Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Ross A. Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Shubham Basu
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Vivekananda Sarangi
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Brett Bowman
- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, United States of America
| | - Ian J. McLaughlin
- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, United States of America
| | - John R. Mills
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Malinda L. Butz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Edward W. Highsmith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Cristiane M. Ida
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Jenny M. Ekholm
- Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, United States of America
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael P. Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
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Okumura N, Hayashi R, Nakano M, Yoshii K, Tashiro K, Sato T, Blake DJ, Aleff R, Butz M, Highsmith EW, Wieben ED, Fautsch MP, Baratz KH, Komori Y, Nakahara M, Tourtas T, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Kruse F, Koizumi N. Effect of Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion on the Expression of TCF4 mRNA in Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:779-786. [PMID: 30811544 PMCID: PMC6392475 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25760] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose CTG trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion is frequently found in transcription factor 4 (TCF4) in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), though the effect of TNR expansion on FECD pathophysiology remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TNR expansion on TCF4 expression in corneal endothelium of patients with FECD. Methods Peripheral blood DNA and Descemet membrane with corneal endothelium were obtained from 203 German patients with FECD. The CTG TNR repeat length in TCF4 was determined by short tandem repeat (STR) assays and Southern blotting using genomic DNA. Genotyping of rs613872 in TCF4 was performed by PCR. TCF4 mRNA levels in corneal endothelium were evaluated by quantitative PCR using three different probes. Control corneal endothelial samples were obtained from 35 non-FECD subjects. Results The STR assay and Southern blotting showed that 162 of the 203 patients with FECD (80%) harbored CTG trinucleotide repeat lengths larger than 50. Quantitative PCR using all three probes demonstrated that TCF4 mRNA is significantly upregulated in the corneal endothelium of patients with FECD, regardless of the presence of TNR expansion. However, the length of the TNR tended to show a positive correlation with TCF4 expression level. No correlation was shown between the genotype of TCF4 SNP, rs613872, and the level of TCF4 expression. Conclusions Our findings showed that TCF4 mRNA is upregulated in the corneal endothelium of patients with FECD. Further studies on the effects of TCF4 upregulation on corneal endothelial cell function will aid in understanding the pathophysiology of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Okumura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Hayashi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Masakazu Nakano
- Department of Genomic Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kengo Yoshii
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics in Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kei Tashiro
- Department of Genomic Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiko Sato
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Derek J Blake
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Malinda Butz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Edward W Highsmith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Eric D Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Michael P Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Keith H Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Yuya Komori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Makiko Nakahara
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Theofilos Tourtas
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Friedrich Kruse
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Noriko Koizumi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
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Wieben ED, Aleff RA, Tang X, Kalari KR, Maguire LJ, Patel SV, Baratz KH, Fautsch MP. Gene expression in the corneal endothelium of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients with and without expansion of a trinucleotide repeat in TCF4. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200005. [PMID: 29966009 PMCID: PMC6028112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is a late onset, autosomal dominant eye disease that can lead to loss of vision. Expansion of a CTG trinucleotide repeat in the third intron of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene is highly associated with FECD. However, only about 75% of FECD patients in the northern European population possess an expansion of this repeat. The remaining FECD cases appear to be associated with variants in other genes. To better understand the pathophysiology of this disease, we compared gene expression profiles of corneal endothelium from FECD patients with an expanded trinucleotide repeat (RE+) to those that do not have a repeat expansion (RE-). Comparative analysis of these two cohorts showed widespread RNA mis-splicing in RE+, but not in RE- samples. Quantitatively, we identified 39 genes in which expression was significantly different between RE+ and RE- samples. Examination of the mutation profiles in the RE- samples did not find any mutations in genes previously associated with FECD, but did reveal one sample with a rare variant of laminin subunit gamma 1 (LAMC1) and three samples with rare variants in the gene coding for the mitochondrial protein peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor-associated protein 1 (TSPOAP1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D. Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Ross A. Aleff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Xiaojia Tang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Krishna R. Kalari
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Leo J. Maguire
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Sanjay V. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Keith H. Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael P. Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Cui Z, Zeng Q, Guo Y, Liu S, Wang P, Xie M, Chen J. Pathological molecular mechanism of symptomatic late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy by bioinformatic analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197750. [PMID: 29787599 PMCID: PMC5963778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a degenerative disease characterized by corneal endothelial decompensation. FECD causes corneal stromal and epithelial edema and progressively develops into bullous keratopathy, which can eventually lead to blindness. However, the exact pathogenesis is unknown. In this study, we performed an in-depth bioinformatic analysis of the dataset GSE74123 to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of symptomatic late-onset FECD compared with a normal control. Gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis were used to analyze the pathological molecular mechanism of FECD. We found that cell senescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS), the extracellular matrix (ECM), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune response-related genes play an important role in the pathological development of symptomatic late-onset FECD. In addition, we revealed that down-regulated IL-6, enhanced NF-κB activity and a suite of orchestrated chemokine responses induce fibrocyte differentiation from monocyte to dendritic cell maturation. PI3K plays a key role in the molecular mechanism of symptomatic late-onset FECD. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of FECD pathogenesis and will improve the diagnostics and therapy of FECD patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekai Cui
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Qiaolang Zeng
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yonglong Guo
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Mengyuan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- The Department of Ophthalmology, the First Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
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Alka K, Casey JR. Molecular phenotype of SLC4A11 missense mutants: Setting the stage for personalized medicine in corneal dystrophies. Hum Mutat 2018; 39:676-690. [PMID: 29327391 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
SLC4A11 mutations cause cases of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED), Harboyan syndrome (HS), and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Defective water reabsorption from corneal stroma by corneal endothelial cells (CECs) leads to these corneal dystrophies. SLC4A11, in the CEC basolateral membrane, facilitates transmembrane movement of H2 O, NH3 , and H+ -equivalents. Some SLC4A11 disease mutants have impaired folding, leading to a failure to move to the cell surface, which in some cases can be corrected by the drug, glafenine. To identify SLC4A11 mutants that are targets for folding-correction therapy, we examined 54 SLC4A11 missense mutants. Cell-surface trafficking was assessed on immunoblots, by the level of mature, high molecular weight, cell surface-associated form, and using a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay. Low level of cell surface trafficking was found in four out of 18 (20%) of FECD mutants, 19/ out of 31 (61%) of CHED mutants, and three out of five (60%) of HS mutants. Amongst ER-retained mutants, 16 showed increased plasma membrane trafficking when grown at 30°C, suggesting that their defect has potential for rescue. CHED-causing point mutations mostly resulted in folding defects, whereas the majority of FECD missense mutations did not affect trafficking, implying functional impairment. We identified mutations that make patients candidates for folding correction of their corneal dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Alka
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joseph R Casey
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Zarouchlioti C, Sanchez-Pintado B, Hafford Tear NJ, Klein P, Liskova P, Dulla K, Semo M, Vugler AA, Muthusamy K, Dudakova L, Levis HJ, Skalicka P, Hysi P, Cheetham ME, Tuft SJ, Adamson P, Hardcastle AJ, Davidson AE. Antisense Therapy for a Common Corneal Dystrophy Ameliorates TCF4 Repeat Expansion-Mediated Toxicity. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 102:528-539. [PMID: 29526280 PMCID: PMC5985359 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [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: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common disease for which corneal transplantation is the only treatment option in advanced stages, and alternative treatment strategies are urgently required. Expansion (≥50 copies) of a non-coding trinucleotide repeat in TCF4 confers >76-fold risk for FECD in our large cohort of affected individuals. An FECD subject-derived corneal endothelial cell (CEC) model was developed to probe disease mechanism and investigate therapeutic approaches. The CEC model demonstrated that the repeat expansion leads to nuclear RNA foci, with the sequestration of splicing factor proteins (MBNL1 and MBNL2) to the foci and altered mRNA processing. Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment led to a significant reduction in the incidence of nuclear foci, MBNL1 recruitment to the foci, and downstream aberrant splicing events, suggesting functional rescue. This proof-of-concept study highlights the potential of a targeted ASO therapy to treat the accessible and tractable corneal tissue affected by this repeat expansion-mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pontus Klein
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Petra Liskova
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 128 08, Czech Republic; Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, U nemocnice 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kalyan Dulla
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ma'ayan Semo
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London ECIV 9EL, UK
| | | | - Kirithika Muthusamy
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Lubica Dudakova
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 128 08, Czech Republic
| | - Hannah J Levis
- Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Pavlina Skalicka
- Research Unit for Rare Diseases, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 128 08, Czech Republic; Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, U nemocnice 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pirro Hysi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Twin Research, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Stephen J Tuft
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Peter Adamson
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Protein deglycase DJ-1 (Parkinson disease protein 7) is a 20 kDa protein encoded by PARK7 gene. It is also known as a redox-sensitive chaperone and sensor that protect cells against oxidative stress-induced cell death in many human diseases. Though increasing evidence implicates that DJ-1 may also participate in ocular diseases, the overview of DJ-1 in ocular diseases remains elusive. In this review, we discuss the role as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of DJ-1 in ocular diseases, including Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and ocular neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting that DJ-1 may serve as a very striking therapeutic target for ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Cheng-wei Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jilong Hao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
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Kuot A, Hewitt AW, Snibson GR, Souzeau E, Mills R, Craig JE, Burdon KP, Sharma S. TGC repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene increases the risk of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy in Australian cases. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183719. [PMID: 28832669 PMCID: PMC5568371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive, vision impairing disease. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a trinucleotide repeat polymorphism, thymine-guanine-cytosine (TGC), in the TCF4 gene have been associated with the risk of FECD in some populations. We previously reported association of SNPs in TCF4 with FECD risk in the Australian population. The aim of this study was to determine whether TGC repeat polymorphism in TCF4 is associated with FECD in the Australian population. In 189 unrelated Australian cases with advanced late-onset FECD and 183 matched controls, the TGC repeat polymorphism located in intron 3 of TCF4 was genotyped using a short tandem repeat (STR) assay. The repeat length was verified by direct sequencing in selected homozygous carriers. We found significant association between the expanded TGC repeat (≥ 40 repeats) in TCF4 and advanced FECD (P = 2.58 × 10-22; OR = 15.66 (95% CI: 7.79-31.49)). Genotypic analysis showed that 51% of cases (97) compared to 5% of controls (9) were heterozygous or homozygous for the expanded repeat allele. Furthermore, the repeat expansion showed stronger association than the most significantly associated SNP, rs613872, in TCF4, with the disease in the Australian cohort. This and haplotype analysis of both the polymorphisms suggest that considering both the polymorphisms together rather than either of the two alone would better predict susceptibility to FECD in the Australian population. This is the first study to report association of the TGC trinucleotide repeat expansion in TCF4 with advanced FECD in the Australian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Kuot
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alex W. Hewitt
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Grant R. Snibson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emmanuelle Souzeau
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Richard Mills
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jamie E. Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kathryn P. Burdon
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Shiwani Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Khuc E, Bainer R, Wolf M, Clay SM, Weisenberger DJ, Kemmer J, Weaver VM, Hwang DG, Chan MF. Comprehensive characterization of DNA methylation changes in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175112. [PMID: 28384203 PMCID: PMC5383226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transparency of the human cornea is necessary for vision. Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is a bilateral, heritable degeneration of the corneal endothelium, and a leading indication for corneal transplantation in developed countries. While the early onset, and rarer, form of FECD has been linked to COL8A2 mutations, the more common, late onset form of FECD has genetic mutations linked to only a minority of cases. Epigenetic modifications that occur in FECD are unknown. Here, we report on and compare the DNA methylation landscape of normal human corneal endothelial (CE) tissue and CE from FECD patients using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 (HM450) DNA methylation array. We show that DNA methylation profiles are distinct between control and FECD samples. Differentially methylated probes (10,961) were identified in the FECD samples compared with the control samples, with the majority of probes being hypermethylated in the FECD samples. Genes containing differentially methylated sites were disproportionately annotated to ontological categories involving cytoskeletal organization, ion transport, hematopoetic cell differentiation, and cellular metabolism. Our results suggest that altered DNA methylation patterns may contribute to loss of corneal transparency in FECD through a global accumulation of sporadic DNA methylation changes in genes critical to basic CE biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Khuc
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Russell Bainer
- Department of Surgery and Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Bay Area Physical Sciences-Oncology Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Marie Wolf
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Selene M. Clay
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jacquelyn Kemmer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Valerie M. Weaver
- Department of Surgery and Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Bay Area Physical Sciences-Oncology Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Departments of Anatomy and Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David G. Hwang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Matilda F. Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Afshari NA, Igo RP, Morris NJ, Stambolian D, Sharma S, Pulagam VL, Dunn S, Stamler JF, Truitt BJ, Rimmler J, Kuot A, Croasdale CR, Qin X, Burdon KP, Riazuddin SA, Mills R, Klebe S, Minear MA, Zhao J, Balajonda E, Rosenwasser GO, Baratz KH, Mootha VV, Patel SV, Gregory SG, Bailey-Wilson JE, Price MO, Price FW, Craig JE, Fingert JH, Gottsch JD, Aldave AJ, Klintworth GK, Lass JH, Li YJ, Iyengar SK. Genome-wide association study identifies three novel loci in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14898. [PMID: 28358029 PMCID: PMC5379100 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of the cornea is vital to its transparency, and dystrophies that disrupt corneal organization are highly heritable. To understand the genetic aetiology of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), the most prevalent corneal disorder requiring transplantation, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 1,404 FECD cases and 2,564 controls of European ancestry, followed by replication and meta-analysis, for a total of 2,075 cases and 3,342 controls. We identify three novel loci meeting genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10-8): KANK4 rs79742895, LAMC1 rs3768617 and LINC00970/ATP1B1 rs1200114. We also observe an overwhelming effect of the established TCF4 locus. Interestingly, we detect differential sex-specific association at LAMC1, with greater risk in women, and TCF4, with greater risk in men. Combining GWAS results with biological evidence we expand the knowledge of common FECD loci from one to four, and provide a deeper understanding of the underlying pathogenic basis of FECD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A. Afshari
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Robert P. Igo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Nathan J. Morris
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Dwight Stambolian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Shiwani Sharma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - V. Lakshmi Pulagam
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Steven Dunn
- Michigan Cornea Consultants, PC, Southfield, Michigan 48034, USA
| | - John F. Stamler
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - Barbara J. Truitt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Jacqueline Rimmler
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
| | - Abraham Kuot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | | | - Xuejun Qin
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
| | - Kathryn P. Burdon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - S. Amer Riazuddin
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
| | - Richard Mills
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Sonja Klebe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Department of Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Mollie A. Minear
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
| | - Jiagang Zhao
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Elmer Balajonda
- Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | | | - Keith H Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA
| | - V. Vinod Mootha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235, USA
| | - Sanjay V. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA
| | - Simon G. Gregory
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
| | - Joan E. Bailey-Wilson
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | | | | | - Jamie E. Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - John H. Fingert
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - John D. Gottsch
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
| | - Anthony J. Aldave
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Gordon K. Klintworth
- Duke University Eye Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Jonathan H. Lass
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Li
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Sudha K. Iyengar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Wojcik KA, Synowiec E, Kaminska A, Izdebska J, Polakowski P, Pawlowska E, Blasiak J, Szaflik J, Szaflik JP. Polymorphism of the APEX nuclease 1 gene in keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2016. [PMID: 26204393 DOI: 10.1515/cmble-2015-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human APEX nuclease 1 (APEX1) plays an important role in the repair of oxidative DNA lesions through base excision repair. It may influence the development of oxidative stress-related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the genotypes of the c.444 T>G (rs1130409) and c.-468 T>G (rs1760944) polymorphisms in the APEX1 gene and the occurrence of two oxidative stress-related eye diseases: keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). The study involved 250 patients with KC, 209 patients with FECD, and 350 control subjects. All of the patients and control subjects underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. The polymorphisms were genotyped by mismatch polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (mismatch PCR-RFLP). We observed that the G/T and T/T genotypes of the c.-468 T>G polymorphism were respectively associated with a decreased occurrence of KC (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.95; p = 0.030) and an increased occurrence of KC (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.06-3.32; p = 0.032). None of these polymorphisms showed any association with FECD. Furthermore, no other association was observed, including haplotypes of the two polymorphisms. Our findings suggest that the c.-468 T>G polymorphism of the APEX1 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of KC.
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Synowiec E, Wojcik KA, Izdebska J, Binczyk E, Szaflik J, Blasiak J, Szaflik JP. Polymorphism of the LIG3 gene in keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2015; 61:56-63. [PMID: 25817347] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The product of the LIG3 gene encodes DNA ligase III, which is involved in the repair of oxidatively damaged DNA in the base excision repair pathway. We hypothesized that polymorphism in this gene may change susceptibility to oxidative stress and predispose individuals to the development of keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Therefore, we investigated the association between genotypes and haplotypes of the g.29661G>A polymorphism (rs1003918) and the g.29059C>T polymorphism (rs1052536) of the LIG3 gene and the occurrence of KC and FECD in patients with FECD (258 individuals) or KC (283) and ethnically matched controls (300). The A/A genotype and the A allele of the g.29661G>A polymorphism were associated with increased occurrence of KC, while the G allele of this polymorphism was positively correlated with a decreased occurrence of this disease. The T/C genotype of the g.29059C>T polymorphism was associated with decreased FECD occurrence. In addition, the AT haplotype was associated with increased occurrence of KC and FECD, while the GT haplotype was associated with decreased occurrence of these diseases. The g.29661G>A and g.29059C>T polymorphisms may play a role in the KC and FECD pathogenesis and can be considered as markers in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Synowiec
- University of Lodz Department of Molecular Genetics Lodz Poland
| | - K A Wojcik
- University of Lodz Department of Molecular Genetics Lodz Poland
| | - J Izdebska
- Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny Department of Ophthalmology Warsaw Poland
| | - E Binczyk
- Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny Department of Ophthalmology Warsaw Poland
| | - J Szaflik
- Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny Department of Ophthalmology Warsaw Poland
| | - J Blasiak
- University of Lodz Department of Molecular Genetics Lodz Poland
| | - J P Szaflik
- Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny Department of Ophthalmology Warsaw Poland szaflik@ophthalmology.pl
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Oziębło D, Szaflik JP, Ołdak M. [Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and trinucleotide repeat expansion in TCF4--implications for diagnostics and therapy]. Klin Oczna 2015; 117:200-203. [PMID: 26999947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is the most common genetically determined degenerative disease of the cornea. In Polish patients the dystrophy is a leading indication for lamellar posterior keratoplasty. The genetic background of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is complex and heterogeneous. A number of TCF4 gene variants have been strongly associated with the development of this disorder with the most important of them being the trinucleotide repeat expansion CTG18.1. The aim of the study is to present this novel and extraordinarily strong genetic association with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Studies on the impact of CTG18.1 on corneal endothelial cells may help to explain the molecular mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of the corneal dystrophy. This could significantly improve diagnostics and therapy of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients.
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Matthaei M, Zhu AY, Kallay L, Eberhart CG, Cursiefen C, Jun AS. Transcript profile of cellular senescence-related genes in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2014; 129:13-7. [PMID: 25311168 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically heterogeneous disease. Hypothesizing that cellular senescence may be relevant in FECD pathogenesis, genetically undifferentiated late-onset FECD endothelial samples were analyzed to identify common changes of specific senescence-related transcripts. Total RNA was extracted from 21 FECD endothelial samples retrieved from patients undergoing lamellar keratoplasty due to clinically diagnosed end-stage FECD and from 12 endothelial samples retrieved from normal autopsy eyes. Taqman low density array (TLDA) cards were used to analyze differential expression of 89 cellular senescence-related transcripts. Result validation was performed using individual real-time PCR assays. TLDA-analysis demonstrated differential expression of 31 transcripts (fold-change >1.5; p < 0.05). Thereof, 27 showed significant up-regulation and 4 significant down-regulation. Markedly elevated mRNA-levels of the constitutively active and reactive oxygen species-generating enzyme NOX4 were found in all evaluable FECD samples. In addition, increased expression of CDKN2A and its transcriptional activators ETS1 and ARHGAP18 (SENEX) along with decreased expression of CDKN2A inhibitor ID1 were detected in FECD samples. Consistent over-expression of NOX4 in FECD endothelial samples suggests a role as pathogenic factor and as a potential new treatment target in FECD. Transcriptional up-regulation of the CDKN2A-pathway provides further evidence for increased cellular senescence in FECD endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Matthaei
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Angela Y Zhu
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA
| | - Laura Kallay
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Albert S Jun
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA.
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Lau LCM, Ma L, Young AL, Rong SS, Jhanji V, Brelen ME, Pang CP, Chen LJ. Association of common variants in TCF4 and PTPRG with Fuchs' corneal dystrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109142. [PMID: 25299301 PMCID: PMC4192317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
TOPIC A meta-analysis of TCF4 and PTPRG gene variants in Fuchs' corneal dystrophy (FCD). CLINICAL RELEVANCE To identify novel genetic markers in patients with FCD in different ethnic populations. METHODS MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for eligible genetic studies on TCF4 and PTPRG in FCD. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of each single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in allelic, dominant and recessive models were estimated using fixed-effect model if I2<50% in the test for heterogeneity, otherwise the random effects model was used. RESULTS Thirty-three records were obtained, with 8 being suitable for meta-analysis, which included five SNPs in TCF4 and two in PTPRG. There were 1610 FCD patients and 1565 controls tested for TCF4 rs613872. This SNP was strongly associated with FCD in Caucasians (P = 5.0×10-106), with the risk allele G conferring an OR of 3.95 (95% CI: 3.49-4.46). A further 4 TCF4 SNPs (rs17595731, rs2286812, rs618869 and rs9954153) were also significantly associated with FCD in Caucasians (P<10-8). However, we found no SNP associated with FCD in Chinese. In addition, there was no significant association between FCD and PTPRG. CONCLUSION TCF4 rs613872 is strongly associated with FCD in Caucasians but not in Chinese, which may suggest ethnic diversity in FCD SNP associations. SNPs in PTPRG were not associated with FCD in Caucasians or Chinese populations. Results of this meta-analysis indicate the need for larger-scale and multi-ethnic genetic studies on FCD to further explore the associated gene variants and their roles on the mechanism and genetic basis of FCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence C M Lau
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales hospital, Hong Kong, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alvin L Young
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales hospital, Hong Kong, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shi Song Rong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vishal Jhanji
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales hospital, Hong Kong, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Marten E Brelen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales hospital, Hong Kong, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales hospital, Hong Kong, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Jia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Prince of Wales hospital, Hong Kong, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Wójcik KA, Synowiec E, Jiménez-García MP, Kaminska A, Polakowski P, Blasiak J, Szaflik J, Szaflik JP. Polymorphism of the transferrin gene in eye diseases: keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Biomed Res Int 2013; 2013:247438. [PMID: 24350254 PMCID: PMC3857736 DOI: 10.1155/2013/247438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Iron may promote the stress by the Fenton reaction, so its homeostasis should be strictly controlled. Transferrin is essential for iron homeostasis because it transports iron from plasma into cells. The malfunction of transferrin, which may be caused by variation in its gene (TF) variation, may contribute to oxidative stress and change KC and FECD risk. To verify this hypothesis we investigated the association between three polymorphisms of the TF gene, g.3296G>A (rs8177178), g.3481A>G (rs8177179), and c.-2G>A (rs1130459), and KC and FECD occurrence. Genotyping was performed in blood lymphocytes in 216 patients with KC, 130 patients with FECD and 228 controls by PCR-RFLP. We studied also the influence of other risk factors. The A/A genotype and the A allele of the g.3296G>A polymorphism were associated with KC occurrence, while the G allele was negatively correlated with it. We observed a decrease in KC occurrence associated with the A/G genotype of the g.3481A>G polymorphism. We did not find any association between the c.-2G>A polymorphism and KC. No association was found between all three polymorphisms and FECD occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna A. Wójcik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewelina Synowiec
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Manuel P. Jiménez-García
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
- University of Málaga, Avenida Cervantes 2, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Anna Kaminska
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Polakowski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jerzy Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek P. Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
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Synowiec E, Wojcik KA, Izdebska J, Binczyk E, Blasiak J, Szaflik J, Szaflik JP. Polymorphisms of the homologous recombination gene RAD51 in keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Dis Markers 2013; 35:353-62. [PMID: 24223453 PMCID: PMC3809973 DOI: 10.1155/2013/851817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the association between genotypes and haplotypes of the c.-61G>T (rs 1801320) and c.-98G>C (rs 1801321) polymorphisms of the RAD51 gene and the occurrence of keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in dependence on some environmental factors. METHODS The polymorphisms were genotyped in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 100 KC and 100 FECD patients as well as 150 controls with PCR-RFLP. RESULTS The G/T genotype of the c.-61G>T polymorphism was associated with significantly increased frequency occurrence of KC (crude OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.75-5.13). On the other hand, the G/G genotype of this polymorphism was positively correlated with a decreased occurrence of this disease (crude OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.88). We did not find any correlation between genotypes/alleles of the c.-98G>C polymorphism and the occurrence of KC. We also found that the G/G genotype and G allele of the c.-98G>C polymorphism had a protective effect against FECD (crude OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.92; crude OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.30-0.92, resp.), while the G/C genotype and the C allele increased FECD occurrence (crude OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.36; crude OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.09-3.29, resp.). CONCLUSIONS The c.-61T/T and c.-98G>C polymorphisms of the RAD51 gene may have a role in the KC and FECD pathogenesis and can be considered as markers in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Synowiec
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna A. Wojcik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Justyna Izdebska
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Binczyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jerzy Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek P. Szaflik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw and Samodzielny Publiczny Kliniczny Szpital Okulistyczny, Sierakowskiego 13, 03-710 Warsaw, Poland
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50
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Igo RP, Kopplin LJ, Joseph P, Truitt B, Fondran J, Bardenstein D, Aldave AJ, Croasdale CR, Price MO, Rosenwasser M, Lass JH, Iyengar SK. Differing roles for TCF4 and COL8A2 in central corneal thickness and fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46742. [PMID: 23110055 PMCID: PMC3479099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common late-onset, vision-threatening corneal dystrophy in the United States, affecting about 4% of the population. Advanced FECD involves a thickening of the cornea from stromal edema and changes in Descemet membrane. To understand the relationship between FECD and central corneal thickness (CCT), we characterized common genetic variation in COL8A2 and TCF4, genes previously implicated in CCT and/or FECD. Other genes previously associated with FECD (PITX2, ZEB1, SLC4A11), and genes only known to affect CCT (COL5A1, FOXO1, AVGR8, ZNF469) were also interrogated. FECD probands, relatives and controls were recruited from 32 clinical sites; a total of 532 cases and 204 controls were genotyped and tested for association of FECD case/control status, a 7-step FECD severity scale and CCT, adjusting for age and sex. Association of FECD grade with TCF4 was highly significant (OR = 6.01 at rs613872; p = 4.8×10−25), and remained significant when adjusted for changes in CCT (OR = 4.84; p = 2.2×10−16). Association of CCT with TCF4 was also significant (p = 6.1×10−7), but was abolished with adjustment for FECD grade (p = 0.92). After adjusting for FECD grade, markers in other genes examined were modestly associated (p ∼ 0.001) with FECD and/or CCT. Thus, common variants in TCF4 appear to influence FECD directly, and CCT secondarily via FECD. Additionally, changes in corneal thickness due to the effect of other loci may modify disease severity, age-at-onset, or other biomechanical characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P. Igo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Laura J. Kopplin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Peronne Joseph
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Barbara Truitt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jeremy Fondran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - David Bardenstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anthony J. Aldave
- The Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Miriam Rosenwasser
- Central Pennsylvania Eye Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jonathan H. Lass
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sudha K. Iyengar
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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