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Wu LH, Cheng YW, Lin FL, Hsu KC, Wang MH, Yen JL, Wang TJ, Lin TE, Liu YC, Huang WJ, Hsiao G. A novel HDAC8 inhibitor H7E exerts retinoprotective effects against glaucomatous injury via ameliorating aberrant Müller glia activation and oxidative stress. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116538. [PMID: 38579401 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116538] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is considered a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive visual field defects that may lead to blindness. Although controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) is the mainstay of glaucoma treatment, some glaucoma patients have unmet needs due to unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Recently, there has been growing evidence that neuroinflammation is a potential target for the development of novel antiglaucoma agents. In this study, we investigated the protective effects and cellular mechanisms of H7E, a novel small molecule inhibits HDAC8, using in vitro and in vivo glaucoma-like models. Importantly, H7E mitigated extracellular MMP-9 activity and MCP-1 levels in glutamate- or S100B-stimulated reactive Müller glia. In addition, H7E inhibited the upregulation of inflammation- and proliferation-related signaling pathways, particularly the ERK and JNK MAPK pathways. Under conditions of oxidative damage, H7E prevents retinal cell death and reduces extracellular glutamate released from stressed Müller glia. In a mouse model of NMDA-induced retinal degeneration, H7E alleviated functional and structural defects within the inner retina as assessed by electroretinography and optical coherence tomography. Our results demonstrated that the newly identified compound H7E protects against glaucoma damage by specifically targeting HDAC8 activity in the retina. This protective effect is attributed to the inhibition of Müller glial activation and the prevention of retinal cell death caused by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Huan Wu
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Wen Cheng
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| | - Fan-Li Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Rd., Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
| | - Kai-Cheng Hsu
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, 301 Yuantong Rd., New Taipei 235, Taiwan.
| | - Mong-Heng Wang
- Independent Scholar, 3466 Rhodes Hill Drive, Martinez, GA 30907, USA.
| | - Jing-Lun Yen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Jen Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| | - Tony Eight Lin
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, 301 Yuantong Rd., New Taipei 235, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Chien Liu
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Jan Huang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| | - George Hsiao
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei 110, Taiwan.
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2
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Lee TT, Bell BA, Anderson BD, Song Y, Dunaief JL. Tamoxifen protects photoreceptors in the sodium iodate model. Exp Eye Res 2024; 242:109879. [PMID: 38570182 PMCID: PMC11055656 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109879] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Because the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen was shown to be retina-protective in the light damage and rd10 models of retinal degeneration, the purpose of this study was to test whether tamoxifen is retina-protective in a model where retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) toxicity appears to be the primary insult: the sodium iodate (NaIO3) model. C57Bl/6J mice were given oral tamoxifen (in the diet) or the same diet lacking tamoxifen, then given an intraperitoneal injection of NaIO3 at 25 mg/kg. The mice were imaged a week later using optical coherence tomography (OCT). ImageJ with a custom macro was utilized to measure retinal thicknesses in OCT images. Electroretinography (ERG) was used to measure retinal function one week post-injection. After euthanasia, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed. Tamoxifen administration partially protected photoreceptors. There was less photoreceptor layer thinning in OCT images of tamoxifen-treated mice. qRT-PCR revealed, in the tamoxifen-treated group, less upregulation of antioxidant and complement factor 3 mRNAs, and less reduction in the rhodopsin and short-wave cone opsin mRNAs. Furthermore, ERG results demonstrated preservation of photoreceptor function for the tamoxifen-treated group. Cone function was better protected than rods. These results indicate that tamoxifen provided structural and functional protection to photoreceptors against NaIO3. RPE cells were not protected. These neuroprotective effects suggest that estrogen-receptor modulation may be retina-protective. The fact that cones are particularly protected is intriguing given their importance for human visual function and their survival until the late stages of retinitis pigmentosa. Further investigation of this protective pathway could lead to new photoreceptor-protective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Lee
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brent A Bell
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brandon D Anderson
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ying Song
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Tahia F, Basu SK, Prislovsky A, Mondal K, Ma D, Kochat H, Brown K, Stephenson DJ, Chalfant CE, Mandal N. Sphingolipid biosynthetic inhibitor L-Cycloserine prevents oxidative-stress-mediated death in an in vitro model of photoreceptor-derived 661W cells. Exp Eye Res 2024; 242:109852. [PMID: 38460719 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109852] [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: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Retinal degeneration causes irreversible death of photoreceptor cells, ultimately leading to vision loss. Under oxidative stress, the synthesis of bioactive sphingolipid ceramide increases, triggering apoptosis in photoreceptor cells and leading to their death. This study investigates the effect of L-Cycloserine, a small molecule inhibitor of ceramide biosynthesis, on sphingolipid metabolism and the protection of photoreceptor-derived 661W cells from oxidative stress. The results demonstrate that treatment with L-Cycloserine, an inhibitor of Serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), markedly decreases bioactive ceramide and associated sphingolipids in 661W cells. A nontoxic dose of L-Cycloserine can provide substantial protection of 661W cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress by reversing the increase in ceramide level observed under oxidative stress conditions. Analysis of various antioxidant, apoptotic and sphingolipid pathway genes and proteins also confirms the ability of L-Cycloserine to modulate these pathways. Our findings elucidate the generation of sphingolipid mediators of cell death in retinal cells under oxidative stress and the potential of L-Cycloserine as a therapeutic candidate for targeting ceramide-induced degenerative diseases by inhibiting SPT. The promising therapeutic prospect identified in our findings lays the groundwork for further validation in in-vivo and preclinical models of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Tahia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Sandip K Basu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Amanda Prislovsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA; Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA
| | - Koushik Mondal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Dejian Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Harry Kochat
- Plough Center for Sterile Drug Delivery Solutions, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Kennard Brown
- Office of Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operations Officer, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Daniel J Stephenson
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Charles E Chalfant
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA; Research Service, Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond VA, 23298, USA
| | - Nawajes Mandal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA; Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
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Khan AM, Steffensen MA, Paskeviciute E, Abduljabar AB, Sørensen TL, Vorum H, Nissen MH, Honoré B. Neuroretinal degeneration in a mouse model of systemic chronic immune activation observed by proteomics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1374617. [PMID: 38665911 PMCID: PMC11043527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1374617] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Blindness or vision loss due to neuroretinal and photoreceptor degeneration affects millions of individuals worldwide. In numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, dysregulated immune response-mediated retinal degeneration has been found to play a critical role in the disease pathogenesis. To better understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the retinal degeneration, we used a mouse model of systemic immune activation where we infected mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13. Here, we evaluated the effects of LCMV infection and present a comprehensive discovery-based proteomic investigation using tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Changes in protein regulation in the posterior part of the eye, neuroretina, and RPE/choroid were compared to those in the spleen as a secondary lymphoid organ and to the kidney as a non-lymphoid but encapsulated organ at 1, 8, and 28 weeks of infection. Using bioinformatic tools, we found several proteins responsible for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis to be differentially regulated in the neuroretina and the RPE/choroid during the degenerative process. Additionally, in the organs we observed, several important protein pathways contributing to cellular homeostasis and tissue development were perturbed and associated with LCMV-mediated inflammation, promoting disease progression. Our findings suggest that the response to a systemic chronic infection differs between the neuroretina and the RPE/choroid, and the processes induced by chronic systemic infection in the RPE/choroid are not unlike those induced in non-immune-privileged organs such as the kidney and spleen. Overall, our data provide detailed insight into several molecular mechanisms of neuroretinal degeneration and highlight various novel protein pathways that further suggest that the posterior part of the eye is not an isolated immunological entity despite the existence of neuroretinal immune privilege.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Egle Paskeviciute
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Torben Lykke Sørensen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Vorum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mogens Holst Nissen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bent Honoré
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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5
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Schließleder G, Kalitzeos A, Kasilian M, Singh N, Wang Z, Hu Z, Großpötzl M, Sadda S, Wedrich A, Michaelides M, Strauss RW. Deep phenotyping of PROM1-associated retinal degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol 2024; 108:558-565. [PMID: 37080590 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2022-322036] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The purpose of this study was to investigate retinal structure in detail of subjects with autosomal-dominant (AD) and autosomal-recessive (AR) PROM1-associated retinal degeneration (PROM1-RD), study design: institutional, cross-sectional study. METHODS Four eyes from four subjects (three with AD and one with AR) PROM1-RD were investigated by ophthalmic examination including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and multimodal retinal imaging: fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy. Quantitative assessment of atrophic lesions determined by FAF, thickness of individual retinal layers and cone photoreceptor quantification was performed. RESULTS BCVA ranged from 20/16 to 20/200. Initial pathological changes included the presence of hyperautofluorescent spots on FAF imaging, while later stages demonstrated discrete areas of atrophy. In all patients, thinning of the outer retinal layers on SD-OCT with varying degrees of atrophy could be detected depending on disease-causing variants and age. Cone density was quantified both in central and/or at different eccentricities from the fovea. Longitudinal assessments were possible in two patients. CONCLUSIONS PROM1-RD comprises a wide range of clinical phenotypes. Depending on the stage of disease, the cone mosaic in PROM1-RD is relatively preserved and can potentially be targeted by cone-directed interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelos Kalitzeos
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Melissa Kasilian
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Navjit Singh
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ziyuan Wang
- School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Doheny Image Analysis Laboratory, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zhihong Hu
- School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Doheny Image Analysis Laboratory, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Manuel Großpötzl
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
| | - SriniVas Sadda
- Doheny Image Reading Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Andreas Wedrich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
| | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Rupert W Strauss
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kepler University Hospital University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Linz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IoB), Basel, Switzerland
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Zhu T, Li Y, Zhu L, Xu J, Feng Z, Chen H, Shi S, Liu C, Ou Q, Gao F, Zhang J, Jin C, Xu J, Li J, Zhang J, Bi Y, Xu GT, Wang J, Tian H, Lu L. GMFB/AKT/TGF-β3 in Müller cells mediated early retinal degeneration in a streptozotocin-induced rat diabetes model. Glia 2024; 72:504-528. [PMID: 37904673 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24486] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Retinal degeneration, characterized by Müller cell gliosis and photoreceptor apoptosis, is considered an early event in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Our previous study proposed that GMFB may mediate diabetic retinal degeneration. This study identified GMFB as a sensitive and functional gliosis marker for DR. Compared to the wild type (WT) group, Gmfb knockout (KO) significantly improved visual function, attenuated gliosis, reduced the apoptosis of neurons, and decreased the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (Tnf-α) and interleukin-1β (Il-1β) in diabetic retinas. Tgf-β3 was enriched by hub genes using RNA sequencing in primary WT and KO Müller cells. Gmfb KO significantly upregulated the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3 protein level via the AKT pathway. The protective effect of TGF-β3 in the vitreous resulted in significantly improved visual function and decreased the number of apoptotic cells in the diabetic retina. The protection of Gmfb KO in primary Müller cells against high glucose (HG)-induced photoreceptor apoptosis was partially counteracted by TGF-β3 antibody and administration of TGFBR1/2 inhibitors. Nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1) binds to the promoter region of Gmfb and regulates Gmfb mRNA at the transcriptional level. NR3C1 was increased in the retinas of early diabetic rats but decreased in the retinas of late diabetic rats. N'-[(1E)-(3-Methoxyphenyl)Methylene]-3-Methyl-1H-Pyrazole-5-Carbohydrazide (DS-5) was identified as an inhibitor of GMFB, having a protective role in DR. We demonstrated that GMFB/AKT/TGF-β3 mediated early diabetic retinal degeneration in diabetic rats. This study provides a novel therapeutic strategy for treating retinal degeneration in patients with DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lilin Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyuan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijun Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Caiying Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingjian Ou
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieping Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Caixia Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingying Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanlong Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Human Genetics, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haibin Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixia Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wang B, Arbuckle RK, Davoli KA, Clinger OD, Brown R, Sahel JA, Chen Y, Pi S. Compensation of inner retina to early-stage photoreceptor degeneration in a Rho P23H/+ mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res 2024; 240:109826. [PMID: 38340947 PMCID: PMC10940204 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109826] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disorder characterized by the degeneration of photoreceptors. RhoP23H/+ mice, which carry a Pro23His mutation in the RHODOPSIN (Rho) gene, are one of the most studied animal models for RP. However, except for the photoreceptors, other retinal neural cells have not been fully investigated in this model. Here, we record the temporal changes of the retina by optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the RhoP23H/+ mice, from early to mid-phase of retinal degeneration. Based on thickness analysis, we identified a natural retinal thickness adaption in wild-type mice during early adulthood and observed morphological compensation of the inner retina layer to photoreceptor degeneration in the RhoP23H/+ mice, primarily on the inner nuclear layer (INL). RhoP23H/+ mice findings were further validated via: histology showing the negative correlation of INL and ONL thicknesses; as well as electroretinogram (ERG) showing an increased b-wave to a-wave ratio. These results unravel the sequential morphologic events in this model and suggest a better understanding of retinal degeneration of RP for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Riley K Arbuckle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Katherine A Davoli
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Owen D Clinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Richard Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Shaohua Pi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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8
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Mead AJ, Ahluwalia K, Ebright B, Zhang Z, Dave P, Li Z, Zhou E, Naik AA, Ngu R, Chester C, Lu A, Asante I, Pollalis D, Martinez JC, Humayun M, Louie S. Loss of 15-Lipoxygenase in Retinodegenerative RCS Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2309. [PMID: 38396985 PMCID: PMC10889776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042309] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a retinal degenerative disease associated with a diversity of genetic mutations. In a natural progression study (NPS) evaluating the molecular changes in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats using lipidomic profiling, RNA sequencing, and gene expression analyses, changes associated with retinal degeneration from p21 to p60 were evaluated, where reductions in retinal ALOX15 expression corresponded with disease progression. This important enzyme catalyzes the formation of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) such as lipoxins (LXs), resolvins (RvDs), and docosapentaenoic acid resolvins (DPA RvDs), where reduced ALOX15 corresponded with reduced SPMs. Retinal DPA RvD2 levels were found to correlate with retinal structural and functional decline. Retinal RNA sequencing comparing p21 with p60 showed an upregulation of microglial inflammatory pathways accompanied by impaired damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) clearance pathways. This analysis suggests that ALXR/FPR2 activation can ameliorate disease progression, which was supported by treatment with an LXA4 analog, NAP1051, which was able to promote the upregulation of ALOX12 and ALOX15. This study showed that retinal inflammation from activated microglia and dysregulation of lipid metabolism were central to the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration in RP, where ALXR/FPR2 activation was able to preserve retinal structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew James Mead
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Kabir Ahluwalia
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Brandon Ebright
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Priyal Dave
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Zeyang Li
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Eugene Zhou
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Aditya Anil Naik
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Rachael Ngu
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Catherine Chester
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Angela Lu
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Isaac Asante
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
- University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (D.P.); (J.C.M.); (M.H.)
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Dimitrios Pollalis
- University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (D.P.); (J.C.M.); (M.H.)
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Martinez
- University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (D.P.); (J.C.M.); (M.H.)
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Mark Humayun
- University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (D.P.); (J.C.M.); (M.H.)
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Stan Louie
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (A.J.M.); (K.A.); (B.E.); (Z.Z.); (P.D.); (Z.L.); (E.Z.); (A.A.N.); (R.N.); (C.C.); (A.L.); (I.A.)
- University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (D.P.); (J.C.M.); (M.H.)
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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9
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Tamplin MR, Wang JK, Binkley EM, Garvin MK, Hyer DE, Buatti JM, Boldt HC, Grumbach IM, Kardon RH. Radiation effects on retinal layers revealed by OCT, OCT-A, and perimetry as a function of dose and time from treatment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3380. [PMID: 38336828 PMCID: PMC10858219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53830-6] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a key method for diagnosing and staging radiation retinopathy, based mainly on the presence of fluid in the central macula. A robust retinal layer segmentation method is required for identification of the specific layers involved in radiation-induced pathology in individual eyes over time, in order to determine damage driven by radiation injury to the microvessels and to the inner retinal neurons. Here, we utilized OCT, OCT-angiography, visual field testing, and patient-specific dosimetry models to analyze abnormal retinal layer thickening and thinning relative to microvessel density, visual function, radiation dose, and time from radiotherapy in a cross-sectional cohort of uveal melanoma patients treated with 125I-plaque brachytherapy. Within the first 24 months of radiotherapy, we show differential thickening and thinning of the two inner retinal layers, suggestive of microvessel leakage and neurodegeneration, mostly favoring thickening. Four out of 13 eyes showed decreased inner retinal capillary density associated with a corresponding normal inner retinal thickness, indicating early microvascular pathology. Two eyes showed the opposite: significant inner retinal layer thinning and normal capillary density, indicating early neuronal damage preceding a decrease in capillary density. At later time points, inner retinal thinning becomes the dominant pathology and correlates significantly with decreased vascularity, vision loss, and dose to the optic nerve. Stable multiple retinal layer segmentation provided by 3D graph-based methods aids in assessing the microvascular and neuronal response to radiation, information needed to target therapeutics for radiation retinopathy and vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Tamplin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jui-Kai Wang
- Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Elaine M Binkley
- Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Mona K Garvin
- Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Daniel E Hyer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - John M Buatti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - H Culver Boldt
- Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Isabella M Grumbach
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Randy H Kardon
- Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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10
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Zegeye Y, Aredo B, Yuksel S, Kirman DC, Kumar A, Chen B, Turpin E, Shresta S, He YG, Gautron L, Tang M, Li X, DiCesare SM, Hulleman JD, Xing C, Ludwig S, Moresco EMY, Beutler BA, Ufret-Vincenty RL. E3 ubiquitin ligase Herc3 deficiency leads to accumulation of subretinal microglia and retinal neurodegeneration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3010. [PMID: 38321224 PMCID: PMC10847449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53731-8] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Activated microglia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and other neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders, but our understanding of the mechanisms behind their activation is in infant stages. With the goal of identifying novel genes associated with microglial activation in the retina, we applied a semiquantitative fundus spot scoring scale to an unbiased, state-of-the-science mouse forward genetics pipeline. A mutation in the gene encoding the E3 ubiquitin ligase Herc3 led to prominent accumulation of fundus spots. CRISPR mutagenesis was used to generate Herc3-/- mice, which developed prominent accumulation of fundus spots and corresponding activated Iba1 + /CD16 + subretinal microglia, retinal thinning on OCT and histology, and functional deficits by Optomotory and electrophysiology. Bulk RNA sequencing identified activation of inflammatory pathways and differentially expressed genes involved in the modulation of microglial activation. Thus, despite the known expression of multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases in the retina, we identified a non-redundant role for Herc3 in retinal homeostasis. Our findings are significant given that a dysregulated ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is important in prevalent retinal diseases, in which activated microglia appear to play a role. This association between Herc3 deficiency, retinal microglial activation and retinal degeneration merits further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeshumenesh Zegeye
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Bogale Aredo
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Seher Yuksel
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Dogan Can Kirman
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Emily Turpin
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sangita Shresta
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yu-Guang He
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Laurent Gautron
- Center for Hypothalamic Research and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Miao Tang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sophia M DiCesare
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sara Ludwig
- Center for Hypothalamic Research and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Eva Marie Y Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Bruce A Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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11
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Anderson BD, Lee TT, Bell BA, Wang T, Dunaief JL. Optimizing the sodium iodate model: Effects of dose, gender, and age. Exp Eye Res 2024; 239:109772. [PMID: 38158173 PMCID: PMC10922497 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109772] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Sodium iodate (NaIO3) is a commonly used model for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but its rapid and severe induction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor degeneration can lead to the premature dismissal of potentially effective therapeutics. Additionally, little is known about how sex and age affect the retinal response to NaIO3. This study aims to establish a less severe yet reproducible regimen by testing low doses of NaIO3 while considering age- and sex-related effects, enabling a broader range of therapeutic evaluations. In this study, young (3-5 months) and old (18-24 months) male and female C57Bl/6J mice were given an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 15, 20, or 25 mg/kg NaIO3. Damage assessment one week post-injection included in vivo imaging, histological examination, and qRT-PCR analysis. The results revealed that young mice showed no damage at 15 mg/kg IP NaIO3, with varying degrees of damage observed at 20 mg/kg. At 25 mg/kg, most young mice displayed widespread retinal damage, with females exhibiting less retinal thinning than males. In contrast, older mice at 20 and 25 mg/kg displayed a more patchy degeneration pattern, outer retinal undulations, and greater variability in degeneration than the young mice. The most effective model for minimizing damage while maintaining consistency utilizes young female mice injected with 25 mg/kg NaIO3. The observed sex- and age-related differences underscore the importance of considering these variables in research, aligning with the National Institutes of Health's guidance. While the model does not fully replicate the complexity of AMD, these findings enhance its utility as a valuable tool for testing RPE/photoreceptor protective or replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D Anderson
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Timothy T Lee
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brent A Bell
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tan Wang
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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12
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Yang Y, Jiang X, Chen J, Liu L, Liu G, Sun K, Liu W, Zhu X, Guan Q. The m 6A reader YTHDC2 maintains visual function and retinal photoreceptor survival through modulating translation of PPEF2 and PDE6B. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:208-221. [PMID: 38157933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are major causes of visual impairment and irreversible blindness worldwide, while the precise molecular and genetic mechanisms are still elusive. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic mRNA. YTH domain containing 2 (YTHDC2), an m6A reader protein, has recently been identified as a key player in germline development and human cancer. However, its contribution to retinal function remains unknown. Here, we explore the role of YTHDC2 in the visual function of retinal rod photoreceptors by generating rod-specific Ythdc2 knockout mice. Results show that Ythdc2 deficiency in rods causes diminished scotopic ERG responses and progressive retinal degeneration. Multi-omics analysis further identifies Ppef2 and Pde6b as the potential targets of YTHDC2 in the retina. Specifically, via its YTH domain, YTHDC2 recognizes and binds m6A-modified Ppef2 mRNA at the coding sequence and Pde6b mRNA at the 5'-UTR, resulting in enhanced translation efficiency without affecting mRNA levels. Compromised translation efficiency of Ppef2 and Pde6b after YTHDC2 depletion ultimately leads to decreased protein levels in the retina, impaired retinal function, and progressive rod death. Collectively, our finding highlights the importance of YTHDC2 in visual function and photoreceptor survival, which provides an unreported elucidation of IRD pathogenesis via epitranscriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeming Yang
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jiang
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Junyao Chen
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Lu Liu
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Guo Liu
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Kuanxiang Sun
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Xianjun Zhu
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China; Department of Geriatrics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China; Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China; Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Biological Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China; Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China.
| | - Qiuyue Guan
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China; Department of Geriatrics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China.
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13
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Ma D, Deng W, Khera Z, Sajitha TA, Wang X, Wollstein G, Schuman JS, Lee S, Shi H, Ju MJ, Matsubara J, Beg MF, Sarunic M, Sappington RM, Chan KC. Early inner plexiform layer thinning and retinal nerve fiber layer thickening in excitotoxic retinal injury using deep learning-assisted optical coherence tomography. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:19. [PMID: 38303097 PMCID: PMC10835918 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01732-z] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Excitotoxicity from the impairment of glutamate uptake constitutes an important mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Within the eye, excitotoxicity is thought to play a critical role in retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal ischemia, and optic nerve injury, yet how excitotoxic injury impacts different retinal layers is not well understood. Here, we investigated the longitudinal effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitotoxic retinal injury in a rat model using deep learning-assisted retinal layer thickness estimation. Before and after unilateral intravitreal NMDA injection in nine adult Long Evans rats, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to acquire volumetric retinal images in both eyes over 4 weeks. Ten retinal layers were automatically segmented from the OCT data using our deep learning-based algorithm. Retinal degeneration was evaluated using layer-specific retinal thickness changes at each time point (before, and at 3, 7, and 28 days after NMDA injection). Within the inner retina, our OCT results showed that retinal thinning occurred first in the inner plexiform layer at 3 days after NMDA injection, followed by the inner nuclear layer at 7 days post-injury. In contrast, the retinal nerve fiber layer exhibited an initial thickening 3 days after NMDA injection, followed by normalization and thinning up to 4 weeks post-injury. Our results demonstrated the pathological cascades of NMDA-induced neurotoxicity across different layers of the retina. The early inner plexiform layer thinning suggests early dendritic shrinkage, whereas the initial retinal nerve fiber layer thickening before subsequent normalization and thinning indicates early inflammation before axonal loss and cell death. These findings implicate the inner plexiform layer as an early imaging biomarker of excitotoxic retinal degeneration, whereas caution is warranted when interpreting the ganglion cell complex combining retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer thicknesses in conventional OCT measures. Deep learning-assisted retinal layer segmentation and longitudinal OCT monitoring can help evaluate the different phases of retinal layer damage upon excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Ma
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Translational Eye and Vision Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| | - Wenyu Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Zain Khera
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thajunnisa A Sajitha
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xinlei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gadi Wollstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Joel S Schuman
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sieun Lee
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Haolun Shi
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Myeong Jin Ju
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanne Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mirza Faisal Beg
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Marinko Sarunic
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca M Sappington
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Translational Eye and Vision Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Neural Science, College of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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Naik P, Grebe R, Bhutto IA, McLeod DS, Edwards MM. Histologic and Immunohistochemical Characterization of GA-Like Pathology in the Rat Subretinal Sodium Iodate Model. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:10. [PMID: 38349778 PMCID: PMC10868633 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.2.10] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration with multifactorial etiology and no well-established treatment. A model recapitulating the hallmarks would serve as a key to understanding the underlying pathologic mechanisms better. In this report, we further characterized our previously reported subretinal sodium iodate model of GA. Methods Retinal degeneration was induced in rats (6-8 weeks old) by subretinal injections of NaIO3 as described previously. Animals were sacrificed at 3, 8 and 12 weeks after injection and eyes were fixed or cryopreserved. Some choroids were processed as flatmounts while other eyes were cryopreserved, sectioned, and immunolabeled with a panel of antibodies. Finally, some eyes were prepared for transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. Results NaIO3 subretinal injection resulted in a well-defined focal area of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration surrounded by viable RPE. These atrophic lesions expanded over time. RPE morphologic changes at the border consisted of hypertrophy, multilayering, and the possible development of a migrating phenotype. Immunostaining of retinal sections demonstrated external limiting membrane descent, outer retinal tubulation (ORT), and extension of Müller cells toward RPE forming a glial membrane in the subretinal space of the atrophic area. TEM findings demonstrated RPE autophagy, cellular constituents of ORT, glial membranes, basal laminar deposits, and defects in Bruch's membrane. Conclusions In this study, we showed pathologic features of a rodent model resembling human GA in a temporal order through histology, immunofluorescence, and TEM analysis and gained insights into the cellular and subcellular levels of the GA-like phenotypes. Translational Relevance Despite its acute nature, the expansion of atrophy and the GA-like border in this rat model makes it ideal for studying disease progression and provides a treatment window to test potential therapeutics for GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Naik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rhonda Grebe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Imran A. Bhutto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - D. Scott McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Malia M. Edwards
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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15
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Stürmer S, Bolz S, Zrenner E, Ueffing M, Haq W. Sustained Extracellular Electrical Stimulation Modulates the Permeability of Gap Junctions in rd1 Mouse Retina with Photoreceptor Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1616. [PMID: 38338908 PMCID: PMC10855676 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031616] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurons build vast gap junction-coupled networks (GJ-nets) that are permeable to ions or small molecules, enabling lateral signaling. Herein, we investigate (1) the effect of blinding diseases on GJ-nets in mouse retinas and (2) the impact of electrical stimulation on GJ permeability. GJ permeability was traced in the acute retinal explants of blind retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mice using the GJ tracer neurobiotin. The tracer was introduced via the edge cut method into the GJ-net, and its spread was visualized in histological preparations (fluorescent tagged) using microscopy. Sustained stimulation was applied to modulate GJ permeability using a single large electrode. Our findings are: (1) The blind rd1 retinas displayed extensive intercellular coupling via open GJs. Three GJ-nets were identified: horizontal, amacrine, and ganglion cell networks. (2) Sustained stimulation significantly diminished the tracer spread through the GJs in all the cell layers, as occurs with pharmaceutical inhibition with carbenoxolone. We concluded that the GJ-nets of rd1 retinas remain coupled and functional after blinding disease and that their permeability is regulatable by sustained stimulation. These findings are essential for understanding molecular signaling in diseases over coupled networks and therapeutic approaches using electrical implants, such as eliciting visual sensations or suppressing cortical seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wadood Haq
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
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16
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Taskin HO, Wivel J, Aguirre GD, Beltran WA, Aguirre GK. Cone-Driven, Geniculocortical Responses in Canine Models of Outer Retinal Disease. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:18. [PMID: 38241039 PMCID: PMC10807495 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.1.18] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Canine models of inherited retinal degeneration are used for proof of concept of emerging gene and cell-based therapies that aim to produce functional restoration of cone-mediated vision. We examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of the postretinal response to cone-directed stimulation in wild-type (WT) dogs, and in three different retinal disease models. Methods Temporal spectral modulation of a uniform field of light around a photopic background was used to target the canine L/M (hereafter "L") and S cones and rods. Stimuli were designed to separately target the postreceptoral luminance (L+S) and chrominance (L-S) pathways, the rods, and all photoreceptors jointly (light flux). These stimuli were presented to WT, and mutant PDE6B-RCD1, RPGR-XLPRA2, and NPHP5-CRD2 dogs during pupillometry and functional MRI (fMRI). Results Pupil responses in WT dogs to light flux, L+S, and rod-directed stimuli were consistent with responses being driven by cone signals alone. For WT animals, both luminance and chromatic (L-S) stimuli evoked fMRI responses in the lateral geniculate nucleus or visual cortex; RCD1 animals with predominant rod loss had similar responses. Responses to cone-directed stimulation were reduced in XLPRA2 and absent in CRD2. NPHP5 gene augmentation restored the cortical response to luminance stimulation in a CRD2 animal. Conclusions Cone-directed stimulation during fMRI can be used to measure the integrity of luminance and chrominance responses in the dog visual system. The NPHP5-CRD2 model is appealing for studies of recovered cone function. Translational Relevance fMRI assessment of cone-driven cortical response provides a tool to translate cell/gene therapies for vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin O. Taskin
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Wivel
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gustavo D. Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William A. Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Geoffrey K. Aguirre
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Bergen AA, Buijs MJ, Ten Asbroek AL, Balfoort BM, Boon CJ, Brands MM, Wanders RJ, van Karnebeek CD, Houtkooper RH. Vision on gyrate atrophy: why treat the eye? EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:4-7. [PMID: 38177529 PMCID: PMC10883273 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-023-00001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the April issue of this Journal, Boffa and coworkers put forward a new therapeutic approach for Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina (GACR; OMIM 258870) (Boffa et al, 2023). The authors propose to apply gene therapy to the liver for GACR, a metabolic disease primarily affecting eyesight due to retinal degeneration. Their vision is enthusiastically supported by a News and Views comment in the same issue (Seker Yilmaz and Gissen, 2023). However, based on disease pathology, patient's needs, ethical considerations, therapeutic developmental time lines, and current state of the art of gene therapy for liver and eye, we have a different view on this issue: We argue below that local treatment of the eye is the preferred option for GACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur A Bergen
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark Jn Buijs
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anneloor Lma Ten Asbroek
- Department of Human Genetics, Section Ophthalmogenetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Berith M Balfoort
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Camiel Jf Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden UMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marion M Brands
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Ja Wanders
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Clara Dm van Karnebeek
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Riekelt H Houtkooper
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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18
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Melo IM, Zhou TE, Nagel F, Patil NS, Faleel FA, Popovic M, Muni RH. Histological changes in retinal detachment: A systematic review for the clinician. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:85-92. [PMID: 37652188 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.08.001] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Although there have been numerous innovations in the management of retinal detachment (RD) over the past decades, there is still limited understanding of the pathophysiological processes that take place before and after repair. Summarizing key concepts using animal studies may allow for a better assessment of common pre- and postoperative microstructural abnormalities in RD. We performed a systematic literature review on Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials from January 1968 to January 2022, searching animal or human studies reporting retinal histologic changes following primary or induced RD. Thirty-two studies were included. Main cellular events were summarized: photoceptor apoptosis occurs as early as 12 hours after RD and, although most cells survive, there is extensive remodeling. Outer segments progressively degenerate, while inner segments are reorganized. Rod and cone opsins are redistributed, and rod axons retract while cones undergo changes in shape. Second- and third-order neurons rearrange their dendritic processes, and Müller cells become hypertrophic, growing into the subretinal space. Finally, retinal pigment epithelium cells undergo a change in their morphology. Acknowledging critical morphologic changes following RD is crucial in understanding why anatomical and functional outcomes can vary. Insights from histological studies, together with high-resolution imaging, may be key in identifying novel biomarkers in RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Martins Melo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tianwei Ellen Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Flavia Nagel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nikhil S Patil
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Marko Popovic
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rajeev H Muni
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Kensington Vision and Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Plaisancié J, Martinovic J, Chesneau B, Whalen S, Rodriguez D, Audebert-Bellanger S, Marzin P, Grotto S, Perthus I, Holt RJ, Bax DA, Ragge N, Chassaing N. Clinical, genetic and biochemical signatures of RBP4-related ocular malformations. J Med Genet 2023; 61:84-92. [PMID: 37586836 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109331] [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: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The retinoic acid (RA) pathway plays a crucial role in both eye morphogenesis and the visual cycle. Individuals with monoallelic and biallelic pathogenic variants in retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), encoding a serum retinol-specific transporter, display variable ocular phenotypes. Although few families have been reported worldwide, recessive inherited variants appear to be associated with retinal degeneration, while individuals with dominantly inherited variants manifest ocular development anomalies, mainly microphthalmia, anophthalmia and coloboma (MAC). METHODS We report here seven new families (13 patients) with isolated and syndromic MAC harbouring heterozygous RBP4 variants, of whom we performed biochemical analyses. RESULTS For the first time, malformations that overlap the clinical spectrum of vitamin A deficiency are reported, providing a link with other RA disorders. Our data support two distinct phenotypes, depending on the nature and mode of inheritance of the variants: dominantly inherited, almost exclusively missense, associated with ocular malformations, in contrast to recessive, mainly truncating, associated with retinal degeneration. Moreover, we also confirm the skewed inheritance and impact of maternal RBP4 genotypes on phenotypical expression in dominant forms, suggesting that maternal RBP4 genetic status and content of diet during pregnancy may modify MAC occurrence and severity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that retinol-binding protein blood dosage in patients could provide a biological signature crucial for classifying RBP4 variants. Finally, we propose a novel hypothesis to explain the mechanisms underlying the observed genotype-phenotype correlations in RBP4 mutational spectrum. CONCLUSION Dominant missense variants in RBP4 are associated with MAC of incomplete penetrance with maternal inheritance through a likely dominant-negative mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Plaisancié
- Laboratoire National de Référence (LBMR), Génétique des anomalies malformatives de l'œil, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Unité ToNIC Inserm 1214, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Centre de Référence pour les Affections Rares en Génétique Ophtalmologique (CARGO), CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jelena Martinovic
- Département de Génétique, Unité de Fœtopathologie, Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Chesneau
- Laboratoire National de Référence (LBMR), Génétique des anomalies malformatives de l'œil, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Centre de Référence pour les Affections Rares en Génétique Ophtalmologique (CARGO), CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sandra Whalen
- Genetique Medicale, Hopital Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Diana Rodriguez
- Département de Génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Ile-de-France Ouest, Paris, France
| | | | - Pauline Marzin
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Service de Médecine Génomique des Maladies Rares, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospitals, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Grotto
- Maternité Port-Royal, FHU PREMA, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Perthus
- Centre d'Etude des Malformations Congénitales en Auvergne, Génétique Médicale, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Richard James Holt
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Dorine A Bax
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Ragge
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nicolas Chassaing
- Laboratoire National de Référence (LBMR), Génétique des anomalies malformatives de l'œil, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Centre de Référence pour les Affections Rares en Génétique Ophtalmologique (CARGO), CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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20
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Chirinskaite AV, Rotov AY, Ermolaeva ME, Tkachenko LA, Vaganova AN, Danilov LG, Fedoseeva KN, Kostin NA, Sopova JV, Firsov ML, Leonova EI. Does Background Matter? A Comparative Characterization of Mouse Models of Autosomal Retinitis Pigmentosa rd1 and Pde6b-KO. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17180. [PMID: 38139011 PMCID: PMC10742838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417180] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Many retinal degenerative diseases result in vision impairment or permanent blindness due to photoreceptor loss or dysfunction. It has been observed that Pde6brd1 mice (rd1), which carry a spontaneous nonsense mutation in the pde6b gene, have a strong phenotypic similarity to patients suffering from autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. In this study, we present a novel mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa generated through pde6b gene knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We compare this Pde6b-KO mouse model to the rd1 mouse model to gain insights into the progression of retinal degeneration. The functional assessment of the mouse retina and the tracking of degeneration dynamics were performed using electrophysiological methods, while retinal morphology was analyzed through histology techniques. Interestingly, the Pde6b-KO mouse model demonstrated a higher amplitude of photoresponse than the rd1 model of the same age. At postnatal day 12, the thickness of the photoreceptor layer in both mouse models did not significantly differ from that of control animals; however, by day 15, a substantial reduction was observed. Notably, the decline in the number of photoreceptors in the rd1 model occurred at a significantly faster rate. These findings suggest that the C3H background may play a significant role in the early stages of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina V. Chirinskaite
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (J.V.S.)
| | - Alexander Yu. Rotov
- Laboratory of Evolution of Sense Organs, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez Ave., 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia (M.L.F.)
| | - Mariia E. Ermolaeva
- Laboratory of Evolution of Sense Organs, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez Ave., 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia (M.L.F.)
| | - Lyubov A. Tkachenko
- Department of Cytology and Histology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia N. Vaganova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Lavrentii G. Danilov
- Department of Genetics and biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ksenia N. Fedoseeva
- Resource Center “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nicolay A. Kostin
- Resource Center “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V. Sopova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (J.V.S.)
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Michael L. Firsov
- Laboratory of Evolution of Sense Organs, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Thorez Ave., 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia (M.L.F.)
| | - Elena I. Leonova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja Emb., 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (J.V.S.)
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21
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Kretschmer V, Schneider S, Matthiessen PA, Reichert D, Hotaling N, Glasßer G, Lieberwirth I, Bharti K, De Cegli R, Conte I, Nandrot EF, May-Simera HL. Deletion of IFT20 exclusively in the RPE ablates primary cilia and leads to retinal degeneration. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002402. [PMID: 38048369 PMCID: PMC10721183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002402] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vision impairment places a serious burden on the aging society, affecting the lives of millions of people. Many retinal diseases are of genetic origin, of which over 50% are due to mutations in cilia-associated genes. Most research on retinal degeneration has focused on the ciliated photoreceptor cells of the retina. However, the contribution of primary cilia in other ocular cell types has largely been ignored. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer epithelium at the back of the eye intricately associated with photoreceptors and essential for visual function. It is already known that primary cilia in the RPE are critical for its development and maturation; however, it remains unclear whether this affects RPE function and retinal tissue homeostasis. We generated a conditional knockout mouse model, in which IFT20 is exclusively deleted in the RPE, ablating primary cilia. This leads to defective RPE function, followed by photoreceptor degeneration and, ultimately, vision impairment. Transcriptomic analysis offers insights into mechanisms underlying pathogenic changes, which include transcripts related to epithelial homeostasis, the visual cycle, and phagocytosis. Due to the loss of cilia exclusively in the RPE, this mouse model enables us to tease out the functional role of RPE cilia and their contribution to retinal degeneration, providing a powerful tool for basic and translational research in syndromic and non-syndromic retinal degeneration. Non-ciliary mechanisms of IFT20 in the RPE may also contribute to pathogenesis and cannot be excluded, especially considering the increasing evidence of non-ciliary functions of ciliary proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Kretschmer
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sandra Schneider
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter Andreas Matthiessen
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dominik Reichert
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nathan Hotaling
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gunnar Glasßer
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Kapil Bharti
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rossella De Cegli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Ivan Conte
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Helen Louise May-Simera
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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22
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Cheloni R, Venkatesh A, Rodriguez-Martinez AC, Moosajee M. Longitudinal Changes of Retinal Structure in Molecularly Confirmed C1QTNF5 Patients With Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 38085246 PMCID: PMC10720756 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.12.14] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to present our findings on the natural history of late-onset retinal degeneration (LORD) in patients with molecularly confirmed C1QTNF5 heterozygous pathogenic variants and assess suitability of retinal structure parameters for disease monitoring. Methods Sixteen patients with C1QTNF5-LORD were retrospectively identified from Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF), optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were collected. Area of atrophy (AA) was manually drawn in FAF images. Ellipsoid zone (EZ) width and foveal retinal thickness of the whole retina and outer retina were extracted from OCT scans. Age-related changes were tested with linear-mixed models. Results Patients had median age of 62.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 58.8-65.4 years) at baseline, and median follow-up of 5.1 years (IQR = 2.6-7.6 years). AA, EZ width, and retinal thickness parameters remained unchanged until age 50 years, but showed significant change with age thereafter (all P < 0.0001). AA and EZ width progressed rapidly (dynamic range normalized rates = 4.3-4.5%/year) from age 53.9 and 50.8 years (estimated inflection points), respectively. Retinal thickness parameters showed slower progression rates (range = 1.6-2.5%/year) from age 60 to 62.3. BCVA (median = 0.3 LogMAR, IQR = 0.0-1.0 at baseline) showed a rapid decline (3.3%) from age 70 years. Findings from patients with earlier disease showed FAF atrophy manifests in the temporal retina initially, and then progresses nasally. Conclusions Patients with LORD remained asymptomatic until age 50 years, before suffering rapid outer retinal degeneration. EZ width and AA showed rapid progression and high interocular correlation, representing promising outcome metrics. Clinical measures also capturing the temporal retina may be preferable, enabling earlier detection and better disease monitoring. Translational Relevance Area of atrophy in FAF images and OCT-measured EZ width represent promising outcome metrics for disease monitoring in patients with C1QTNF5-LORD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cheloni
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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Liang Y, Sun X, Duan C, Tang S, Chen J. Application of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids in inherited retinal diseases. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:340. [PMID: 38012786 PMCID: PMC10683306 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03564-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) can induce severe sight-threatening retinal degeneration and impose a considerable economic burden on patients and society, making efforts to cure blindness imperative. Transgenic animals mimicking human genetic diseases have long been used as a primary research tool to decipher the underlying pathogenesis, but there are still some obvious limitations. As an alternative strategy, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), particularly three-dimensional (3D) organoid technology, are considered a promising platform for modeling different forms of IRDs, including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, X-linked recessive retinoschisis, Batten disease, achromatopsia, and best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Here, this paper focuses on the status of patient-derived iPSCs and organoids in IRDs in recent years concerning disease modeling and therapeutic exploration, along with potential challenges for translating laboratory research to clinical application. Finally, the importance of human iPSCs and organoids in combination with emerging technologies such as multi-omics integration analysis, 3D bioprinting, or microfluidic chip platform are highlighted. Patient-derived retinal organoids may be a preferred choice for more accurately uncovering the mechanisms of human retinal diseases and will contribute to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Liang
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xihao Sun
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Chunwen Duan
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China
| | - Shibo Tang
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China.
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Corvi F, Corradetti G, Laiginhas R, Liu J, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ, Sadda SR. Comparison between B-Scan and En Face Images for Incomplete and Complete Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Outer Retinal Atrophy. Ophthalmol Retina 2023; 7:999-1009. [PMID: 37437713 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2023.07.003] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate and compare the detection of incomplete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (iRORA) and complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) assessed on OCT B-scans versus persistent choroidal hypertransmission defects (hyperTDs) assessed by en face choroidal OCT images. DESIGN Retrospective, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS Patients with late atrophic age-related macular degeneration imaged on the same day using both Spectralis OCT and Cirrus OCT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Agreement between the B-scan and en face OCT for the detection of hyperTDs, cRORA, and iRORA. METHODS Two independent graders examined en face OCT and structural OCT to determine the presence and location of hyperTDs, iRORA, and cRORA. RESULTS A total of 239 iRORA and cRORA lesions were detected on the B-scans, and 249 hyperTD lesions were identified on the en face OCT images. There was no significant difference (P = 0.88) in the number of lesions. There was no significant difference in the 134 cRORA lesions identified on B-scans and the 131 hyperTDs detected on en face OCT images (P = 0.13). A total of 105 iRORA lesions were identified by B-scan assessment; however, 50 of these iRORA lesions met the criteria for persistent hyperTDs on en face OCT images (P < 0.001). When considering the topographic correspondence between B-scan and en face OCT detected lesions, the mean percentage of agreement between B-scan detection of cRORA lesions with en face OCT detection was 97.6 % (P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS We observed high overall agreement between cRORA lesions identified on B-scans and persistent hyperTDs identified on en face OCT. However, en face imaging was able to detect iRORA lesions that had a greatest linear dimension ≥ 250 μm in a nonhorizontal en face dimension. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Corvi
- Doheny Eye Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Eye Clinic, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science "Luigi Sacco", Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rita Laiginhas
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Jeremy Liu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Philip J Rosenfeld
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Srinivas R Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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Xu L, Ruddick WN, Bolch SN, Klingeborn M, Dyka FM, Kulkarni MM, Simpson CP, Beltran WA, Bowes Rickman C, Smith WC, Dinculescu A. Distinct Phenotypic Consequences of Pathogenic Mutants Associated with Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration. Am J Pathol 2023; 193:1706-1720. [PMID: 36328299 PMCID: PMC10726427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.10.004] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A pathologic feature of late-onset retinal degeneration caused by the S163R mutation in C1q-tumor necrosis factor-5 (C1QTNF5) is the presence of unusually thick deposits between the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and the vascular choroid, considered a hallmark of this disease. Following its specific expression in mouse RPE, the S163R mutant exhibits a reversed polarized distribution relative to the apically secreted wild-type C1QTNF5, and forms widespread, prominent deposits that gradually increase in size with aging. The current study shows that S163R deposits expand to a considerable thickness through a progressive increase in the basolateral RPE membrane, substantially raising the total RPE height, and enabling their clear imaging as a distinct hyporeflective layer by noninvasive optical coherence tomography in advanced age animals. This phenotype bears a striking resemblance to ocular pathology previously documented in patients harboring the S163R mutation. Therefore, a similar viral vector-based gene delivery approach was used to also investigate the behavior of P188T and G216C, two novel pathogenic C1QTNF5 mutants recently reported in patients for which histopathologic data are lacking. Both mutants primarily impacted the RPE/photoreceptor interface and did not generate basal laminar deposits. Distinct distribution patterns and phenotypic consequences of C1QTNF5 mutants were observed in vivo, which suggested that multiple pathobiological mechanisms contribute to RPE dysfunction and vision loss in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - William N Ruddick
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Susan N Bolch
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mikael Klingeborn
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, Montana; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, California
| | - Frank M Dyka
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Manoj M Kulkarni
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chiab P Simpson
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - William A Beltran
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Catherine Bowes Rickman
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, California; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - W Clay Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Astra Dinculescu
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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Elbaz-Hayoun S, Rinsky B, Hagbi-Levi S, Grunin M, Chowers I. CCR1 mediates Müller cell activation and photoreceptor cell death in macular and retinal degeneration. eLife 2023; 12:e81208. [PMID: 37903056 PMCID: PMC10615370 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81208] [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: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mononuclear cells are involved in the pathogenesis of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, we examined the mechanisms that underlie macrophage-driven retinal cell death. Monocytes were extracted from patients with AMD and differentiated into macrophages (hMdɸs), which were characterized based on proteomics, gene expression, and ex vivo and in vivo properties. Using bioinformatics, we identified the signaling pathway involved in macrophage-driven retinal cell death, and we assessed the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway. We found that M2a hMdɸs were associated with retinal cell death in retinal explants and following adoptive transfer in a photic injury model. Moreover, M2a hMdɸs express several CCRI (C-C chemokine receptor type 1) ligands. Importantly, CCR1 was upregulated in Müller cells in models of retinal injury and aging, and CCR1 expression was correlated with retinal damage. Lastly, inhibiting CCR1 reduced photic-induced retinal damage, photoreceptor cell apoptosis, and retinal inflammation. These data suggest that hMdɸs, CCR1, and Müller cells work together to drive retinal and macular degeneration, suggesting that CCR1 may serve as a target for treating these sight-threatening conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Elbaz-Hayoun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Batya Rinsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Shira Hagbi-Levi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Michelle Grunin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Itay Chowers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
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27
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Kerschensteiner D. Losing, preserving, and restoring vision from neurodegeneration in the eye. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1019-R1036. [PMID: 37816323 PMCID: PMC10575673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.044] [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] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The retina is a part of the brain that sits at the back of the eye, looking out onto the world. The first neurons of the retina are the rod and cone photoreceptors, which convert changes in photon flux into electrical signals that are the basis of vision. Rods and cones are frequent targets of heritable neurodegenerative diseases that cause visual impairment, including blindness, in millions of people worldwide. This review summarizes the diverse genetic causes of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and their convergence onto common pathogenic mechanisms of vision loss. Currently, there are few effective treatments for IRDs, but recent advances in disparate areas of biology and technology (e.g., genome editing, viral engineering, 3D organoids, optogenetics, semiconductor arrays) discussed here enable promising efforts to preserve and restore vision in IRD patients with implications for neurodegeneration in less approachable brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Matsevich C, Gopalakrishnan P, Chang N, Obolensky A, Beryozkin A, Salameh M, Kostic C, Sharon D, Arsenijevic Y, Banin E. Gene augmentation therapy attenuates retinal degeneration in a knockout mouse model of Fam161a retinitis pigmentosa. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2948-2961. [PMID: 37580905 PMCID: PMC10556223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.08.011] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor cell degeneration and death is the major hallmark of a wide group of human blinding diseases including age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. In recent years, inherited retinal diseases have become the "testing ground" for novel therapeutic modalities, including gene and cell-based therapies. Currently there is no available treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by FAM161A biallelic pathogenic variants. In this study, we injected an adeno-associated virus encoding for the longer transcript of mFam161a into the subretinal space of P24-P29 Fam161a knockout mice to characterize the safety and efficacy of gene augmentation therapy. Serial in vivo assessment of retinal function and structure at 3, 6, and 8 months of age using the optomotor response test, full-field electroretinography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography imaging as well as ex vivo quantitative histology and immunohistochemical studies revealed a significant structural and functional rescue effect in treated eyes accompanied by expression of the FAM161A protein in photoreceptors. The results of this study may serve as an important step toward future application of gene augmentation therapy in FAM161A-deficient patients by identifying a promising isoform to rescue photoreceptors and their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Matsevich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Ning Chang
- Group for Retinal Disorder Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University Lausanne - Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexey Obolensky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Avigail Beryozkin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Manar Salameh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Corinne Kostic
- Group for Retinal Disorder Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University Lausanne - Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dror Sharon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Unit of Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration, Department of Ophthalmology, University Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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29
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Zhou Y, Sheng Y, Pan M, Tu J, Zhao X, Ge Q, Lu Z. Spatial Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Regional Transcript Changes in Early and Late Stages of rd1 Model Mice with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14869. [PMID: 37834317 PMCID: PMC10573885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the leading cause of inherited blindness with a genetically heterogeneous disorder. Currently, there is no effective treatment that can protect vision for those with RP. In recent decades, the rd1 mouse has been used to study the pathological mechanisms of RP. Molecular biological studies using rd1 mice have clarified the mechanism of the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in the early stage of RP. However, the pathological changes in RP over time remain unclear. The unknown pathology mechanism of RP over time and the difficulty of clinical treatment make it urgent to perform more refined and spatially informed molecular biology studies of RP. In this study, spatial transcriptomic analysis is used to study the changes in different retinal layers of rd1 mice at different ages. The results demonstrate the pattern of photoreceptor apoptosis between rd1 mice and the control group. Not only was oxidative stress enhanced in the late stage of RP, but it was accompanied by an up-regulation of the VEGF pathway. Analysis of temporal kinetic trends has further identified patterns of changes in the key pathways of the early and late stages, to help understand the important pathogenesis of RP. Overall, the application of spatial transcriptomics to rd1 mice can help to elucidate the important pathogenesis of RP involving photoreceptor apoptosis and retinal remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yuqi Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Min Pan
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210097, China;
| | - Jing Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xiangwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Qinyu Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zuhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.S.); (J.T.); (X.Z.); (Z.L.)
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Zhang ZJ, Wu YR, Chien Y, Chen Y, Chiou SH, Chen SJ, Syu JP, Kuo WC. Quantification of microvascular change of retinal degeneration in Royal College of Surgeons rats using high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography. J Biomed Opt 2023; 28:106001. [PMID: 37841506 PMCID: PMC10570624 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.28.10.106001] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Significance For research on retinitis pigmentosa in humans, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat is commonly used as the primary animal model since the disease process is similar. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how the disease develops and determine whether the treatment is effective. Aim In this study, structural and microvascular change of retinal degeneration in RCS rats was assessed non-invasively on specific dates over 3.5 months. Approach Using a high-resolution spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), the retinal degeneration in RCS rats, from day 14 until day 126, was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Results Aside from the thinning of the retina thickness starting from 2 weeks of age, blood vessels in the deep layer of the retina also began to degenerate at about 4 weeks of age. Hole structures appeared at the inner nuclear layer and the inner plexiform layer by the age of 10 weeks. Observations of abnormal angiogenesis in the choroid began by 12 weeks of age. Conclusions We conducted a longitudinal study of retina degeneration structure and vascular changes in an RCS rat model using a supercontinuum laser based high-resolution SD-OCTA. Combined with OCTA, OCT leads to a better understanding of photoreceptor pathology as retinal degeneration by identifying tissue and vessel loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Jie Zhang
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Biophotonics, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Ren Wu
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Medical Research, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Pharmacology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yueh Chien
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Medical Research, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Pharmacology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yang Chen
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Biophotonics, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hwa Chiou
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Medical Research, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Pharmacology, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Chen
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Taiwan
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, School of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Pu Syu
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Biophotonics, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chuan Kuo
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Institute of Biophotonics, Taipei, Taiwan
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Ashkenazy N, Sengillo JD, Iyer PG, Negron CI, Yannuzzi NA, Berrocal AM. Phenotypic expansion of KCNJ13-associated snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration. Ophthalmic Genet 2023; 44:505-508. [PMID: 36440807 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2022.2149816] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An 18-year old highly myopic woman presented with bilateral retinoschisis associated with a unilateral macular hole in the right eye and vitreomacular traction in the left eye. METHODS Genetic studies disclosed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the KCNJ13 gene was identified (c.484C>T (p.Arg162Trp)), consistent with a diagnosis of snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration (SVD). RESULTS While there were no corneal guttata, juvenile cataracts, or perivascular sheathing in this case, salient features of SVD included a fibrillar vitreous structure, crystalline retinopathy, and flattened optic nerves. The patient developed a FTMH in the left eye at 17 months follow up, followed by a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) requiring 2 surgical repairs. CONCLUSION This case expands on the spectrum of clinical features in SVD, including retinoschisis and FTMH. It also characterizes optical coherence tomography findings in this rare disease entity. We emphasize the importance of using panel-based genetic testing to clinically distinguish and further define atypical vitreoretinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noy Ashkenazy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jesse D Sengillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Prashanth G Iyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Catherin I Negron
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Nicolas A Yannuzzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Audina M Berrocal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Ehrhardt H, Lambe J, Moussa H, Vasileiou ES, Kalaitzidis G, Murphy OC, Filippatou AG, Pellegrini N, Douglas M, Davis S, Nagy N, Quiroga A, Hu C, Zambriczki Lee A, Duval A, Fitzgerald KC, Prince JL, Calabresi PA, Sotirchos ES, Bermel R, Saidha S. Effects of Ibudilast on Retinal Atrophy in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Subtypes: Post Hoc Analyses of the SPRINT-MS Trial. Neurology 2023; 101:e1014-e1024. [PMID: 37460235 PMCID: PMC10491449 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thinning, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), reflects global neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Atrophy of the inner (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) may also be prominent in progressive MS (PMS). The phase 2, SPRINT-MS trial found reduced brain atrophy with ibudilast therapy in PMS. In this post hoc analysis of the SPRINT-MS trial, we investigate (1) retinal atrophy (2) differences in response by subtype and (3) associations between OCT and MRI measures of neurodegeneration. METHODS In the multicenter, double-blind SPRINT-MS trial, participants with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) or primary progressive MS (PPMS) were randomized to ibudilast or placebo. OCT and MRI data were collected every 24 weeks for 96 weeks. Extensive OCT quality control and algorithmic segmentation produced consistent results across Cirrus HD-OCT and Spectralis devices. Primary endpoints were GCIPL, INL, and ONL atrophy, assessed by linear mixed-effects regression. Secondary endpoints were associations of OCT measures, brain parenchymal fraction, and cortical thickness, assessed by partial Pearson correlations. RESULTS One hundred thirty-four PPMS and 121 SPMS participants were included. GCIPL atrophy was 79% slower in the ibudilast (-0.07 ± 0.23 µm/y) vs placebo group (-0.32 ± 0.20 µm/y, p = 0.003). This effect predominated in the PPMS cohort (ibudilast: -0.08 ± 0.29 µm/y vs placebo: -0.60 ± 0.29 µm/y, a decrease of 87%, p < 0.001) and was not detected in the SPMS cohort (ibudilast: -0.21 ± 0.28 µm/y vs placebo: -0.14 ± 0.27 µm/y, p = 0.55). GCIPL, INL, and ONL atrophy rates correlated with whole brain atrophy rates across the cohort (r = 0.27, r = 0.26, and r = 0.20, respectively; p < 0.001). Power calculations from these data show future trials of similar size and design have ≥80% power to detect GCIPL atrophy effect sizes of approximately 40%. DISCUSSION Ibudilast treatment decreased GCIPL atrophy in PMS, driven by the PPMS cohort, with no effect seen in SPMS. Modulated atrophy of retinal layers may be detectable in sample sizes smaller than the SPRINT-MS trial and correlate with whole brain atrophy in PMS, further highlighting their utility as outcomes in PMS. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class II evidence that ibudilast reduces composite ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer atrophy, without reduction of inner or outer nuclear layer atrophy, in patients with primary progressive MS but not those with secondary progressive MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Ehrhardt
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Jeffrey Lambe
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Hussein Moussa
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Eleni S Vasileiou
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Grigorios Kalaitzidis
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Olwen C Murphy
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Angeliki G Filippatou
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Nicole Pellegrini
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Morgan Douglas
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Simidele Davis
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Natalia Nagy
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Agustina Quiroga
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Chen Hu
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Alexandra Zambriczki Lee
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Anna Duval
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Kathryn C Fitzgerald
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Jerry L Prince
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Peter A Calabresi
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Elias S Sotirchos
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Robert Bermel
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH
| | - Shiv Saidha
- From the Department of Neurology (H.E., J.L., H.M., E.S.V., G.K., O.C.M., A.G.F., N.P., M.D., S.D., N.N., A.Q., C.H., A.Z.L., A.D., K.C.F., P.A.C., E.S.S., S.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (J.L.P.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis (R.B.), Cleveland Clinic, OH.
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Bennett JL. Optical Coherence Tomography, Retinal Atrophy, and Neurodegeneration in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Sprinting to the Finish. Neurology 2023; 101:420-421. [PMID: 37460230 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Bennett
- From the Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Programs in Neuroscience and Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora.
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Grosso A, Yannuzzi LA, Tsang SH, Ceruti P, Sarraf D, Zamir E, Kaminska K, Quinodoz M, Amoroso A, Deaglio S, Francis JH, Fioretto M, Rivolta C, Calzetti G. A Unique Presentation of Bilateral Chorioretinal Atrophy. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2023; 12:500-501. [PMID: 36650090 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Grosso
- Santo Spirito Hospital, Casale Monferrato, Italy
- Centre for Macular Research, San Mauro Torinese, Italy
| | | | - Stephen H Tsang
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Piero Ceruti
- Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - David Sarraf
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ehud Zamir
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karolina Kaminska
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Quinodoz
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Amoroso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Deaglio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Jasmine H Francis
- Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Carlo Rivolta
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giacomo Calzetti
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Nguyen M, Sullivan J, Shen W. Retinal vascular remodeling in photoreceptor degenerative disease. Exp Eye Res 2023; 234:109566. [PMID: 37423458 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109566] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal vasculature in the retina, specifically tortuous vessels and capillary degeneration, is common in many of the most prevalent retinal degenerative diseases, currently affecting millions of people across the world. However, the formation and development of abnormal vasculature in the context of retinal degenerative diseases are still poorly understood. The FVB/N (rd1) and rd10 mice are well-studied animal models of retinal degenerative diseases, but how photoreceptor degeneration leads to vascular abnormality in the diseases remains to be elucidated. Here, we used advancements in confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis software to systematically characterize the pathological vasculature in the FVB/N (rd1) and rd10 mice, known as a chronic, rapid and slower retinal degenerative model, respectively. We demonstrated that there was plexus-specific vascular degeneration in the retinal trilaminar vascular network paralleled to photoreceptor degeneration in the diseased retinas. We also quantitatively analyzed the vascular structural architecture in the wild-type and diseased retinas to provide valuable information on vascular remodeling in retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - James Sullivan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
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Miscioscia A, Puthenparampil M, Blasi L, Rinaldi F, Perini P, Sorarù G, Gallo P. Neurodegeneration in the retina of motoneuron diseases: a longitudinal study in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Kennedy's disease. J Neurol 2023; 270:4478-4486. [PMID: 37289322 PMCID: PMC10421755 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11802-2] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To what extent retinal atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases reflects the severity and/or the chronicity of brain pathology or is a local independent phenomenon remains to be clarified. Moreover, whether retinal atrophy has a clinical (diagnostic and prognostic) value in these diseases remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To add light on the pathological significance and clinical value of retinal atrophy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Kennedy's disease (KD). METHODS Thirty-five ALS, thirty-seven KD, and forty-nine age-matched healthy controls (HC) were included in a one-year longitudinal study. Spectrum-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed at study entry (T0) and after 12 months (T1). Disease duration and functional rating scale (FRS) for ALS and KD patients were correlated to retinal thicknesses. RESULTS Compared to HC, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness was significantly thinner in both ALS (p = 0.034) and KD (p = 0.003). pRNFL was thinner in KD compared to ALS, but the difference was not significant. In KD, pRNFL atrophy significantly correlated with both disease severity (r = 0.296, p = 0.035) and disease duration (r = - 0.308, p = 0.013) while no significant correlation was found in ALS (disease severity: r = 0.147, p = 0.238; disease duration: r = - 0.093, p = 0.459). During the follow-up, pRNFL thickness remained stable in KD while significantly decreased in ALS (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence of retinal atrophy in both ALS and KD and suggests that retinal thinning is a primary local phenomenon in motoneuron diseases. The clinical value of pRNFL atrophy in KD is worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Miscioscia
- Department of Neurosciences, DNS, School of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region (CeSMuV), Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy.
| | - Marco Puthenparampil
- Department of Neurosciences, DNS, School of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region (CeSMuV), Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Blasi
- Department of Neurosciences, DNS, School of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Neuromuscular Center, Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Rinaldi
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region (CeSMuV), Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Perini
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region (CeSMuV), Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, DNS, School of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Neuromuscular Center, Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Gallo
- Department of Neurosciences, DNS, School of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region (CeSMuV), Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 5, 35128, Padua, Italy
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Laperle AH, Moser VA, Avalos P, Lu B, Wu A, Fulton A, Ramirez S, Garcia VJ, Bell S, Ho R, Lawless G, Roxas K, Shahin S, Shelest O, Svendsen S, Wang S, Svendsen CN. Human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells secreting GDNF provide protection in rodent models of ALS and retinal degeneration. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1629-1642. [PMID: 37084724 PMCID: PMC10444557 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.03.016] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a renewable cell source that can be differentiated into neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) and transduced with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (iNPC-GDNFs). The goal of the current study is to characterize iNPC-GDNFs and test their therapeutic potential and safety. Single-nuclei RNA-seq show iNPC-GDNFs express NPC markers. iNPC-GDNFs delivered into the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeons rodent model of retinal degeneration preserve photoreceptors and visual function. Additionally, iNPC-GDNF transplants in the spinal cord of SOD1G93A amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) rats preserve motor neurons. Finally, iNPC-GDNF transplants in the spinal cord of athymic nude rats survive and produce GDNF for 9 months, with no signs of tumor formation or continual cell proliferation. iNPC-GDNFs survive long-term, are safe, and provide neuroprotection in models of both retinal degeneration and ALS, indicating their potential as a combined cell and gene therapy for various neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H Laperle
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - V Alexandra Moser
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pablo Avalos
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bin Lu
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Wu
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Fulton
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephany Ramirez
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Veronica J Garcia
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shaughn Bell
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ritchie Ho
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - George Lawless
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristina Roxas
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Saba Shahin
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Oksana Shelest
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Soshana Svendsen
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shaomei Wang
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Esh Z, Suresh S, Ortolan D, Farnoodian M, Bose D, Ryu J, Volkov A, Bharti K, Sharma R. LipidUNet-Machine Learning-Based Method of Characterization and Quantification of Lipid Deposits Using iPSC-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium. J Vis Exp 2023. [PMID: 37578220 DOI: 10.3791/65503] [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] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of hexagonal cells located at the back of the eye. It provides nourishment and support to photoreceptors and choroidal capillaries, performs phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS), and secretes cytokines in a polarized manner for maintaining the homeostasis of the outer retina. Dysfunctional RPE, caused by mutations, aging, and environmental factors, results in the degeneration of other retinal layers and causes vision loss. A hallmark phenotypic feature of degenerating RPE is intra and sub-cellular lipid-rich deposits. These deposits are a common phenotype across different retinal degenerative diseases. To reproduce the lipid deposit phenotype of monogenic retinal degenerations in vitro, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (iRPE) was generated from patients' fibroblasts. Cell lines generated from patients with Stargardt and Late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD) disease were fed with POS for 7 days to replicate RPE physiological function, which caused POS phagocytosis-induced pathology in these diseases. To generate a model for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a polygenic disease associated with alternate complement activation, iRPE was challenged with alternate complement anaphylatoxins. The intra and sub-cellular lipid deposits were characterized using Nile Red, boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY), and apolipoprotein E (APOE). To quantify the density of lipid deposits, a machine learning-based software, LipidUNet, was developed. The software was trained on maximum-intensity projection images of iRPE on culture surfaces. In the future, it will be trained to analyze three-dimensional (3D) images and quantify the volume of lipid droplets. The LipidUNet software will be a valuable resource for discovering drugs that decrease lipid accumulation in disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zander Esh
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Sharanya Suresh
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Davide Ortolan
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Mitra Farnoodian
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Devika Bose
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Jiwon Ryu
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Andrei Volkov
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH);
| | - Ruchi Sharma
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH);
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Ikelle L, Makia M, Lewis T, Crane R, Kakakhel M, Conley SM, Birtley JR, Arshavsky VY, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI. Comparative study of PRPH2 D2 loop mutants reveals divergent disease mechanism in rods and cones. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:214. [PMID: 37466729 PMCID: PMC10356684 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04851-3] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the photoreceptor-specific tetraspanin gene peripherin-2 (PRPH2) lead to widely varying forms of retinal degeneration ranging from retinitis pigmentosa to macular dystrophy. Both inter- and intra-familial phenotypic heterogeneity has led to much interest in uncovering the complex pathogenic mechanisms of PRPH2-associated disease. Majority of disease-causing mutations in PRPH2 reside in the second intradiscal loop, wherein seven cysteines control protein folding and oligomerization. Here, we utilize knockin models to evaluate the role of three D2 loop cysteine mutants (Y141C, C213Y and C150S), alone or in combination. We elucidated how these mutations affect PRPH2 properties, including oligomerization and subcellular localization, and contribute to disease processes. Results from our structural, functional and molecular studies revealed that, in contrast to our understanding from prior investigations, rods are highly affected by PRPH2 mutations interfering with oligomerization and not merely by the haploinsufficiency associated with these mutations. On the other hand, cones are less affected by the toxicity of the mutant protein and significantly reduced protein levels, suggesting that knockdown therapeutic strategies may sustain cone functionality for a longer period. This observation provides useful data to guide and simplify the current development of effective therapeutic approaches for PRPH2-associated diseases that combine knockdown with high levels of gene supplementation needed to generate prolonged rod improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Ikelle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd. Room 2027, Houston, TX, 77204-5060, USA
| | - Mustafa Makia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd. Room 2027, Houston, TX, 77204-5060, USA
| | - Tylor Lewis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ryan Crane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd. Room 2027, Houston, TX, 77204-5060, USA
| | - Mashal Kakakhel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd. Room 2027, Houston, TX, 77204-5060, USA
| | - Shannon M Conley
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | | | - Vadim Y Arshavsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Muayyad R Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd. Room 2027, Houston, TX, 77204-5060, USA.
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, 3517 Cullen Blvd. Room 2027, Houston, TX, 77204-5060, USA.
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Li S, Ma H, Yang F, Ding X. cGMP Signaling in Photoreceptor Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11200. [PMID: 37446378 PMCID: PMC10342299 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311200] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors in the retina are highly specialized neurons with photosensitive molecules in the outer segment that transform light into chemical and electrical signals, and these signals are ultimately relayed to the visual cortex in the brain to form vision. Photoreceptors are composed of rods and cones. Rods are responsible for dim light vision, whereas cones are responsible for bright light, color vision, and visual acuity. Photoreceptors undergo progressive degeneration over time in many hereditary and age-related retinal diseases. Despite the remarkable heterogeneity of disease-causing genes, environmental factors, and pathogenesis, the progressive death of rod and cone photoreceptors ultimately leads to loss of vision/blindness. There are currently no treatments available for retinal degeneration. Cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) plays a pivotal role in phototransduction. cGMP governs the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels on the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor outer segments, thereby regulating membrane potential and signal transmission. By gating the CNG channels, cGMP regulates cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and signal transduction. As a second messenger, cGMP activates the cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG), which regulates numerous targets/cellular events. The dysregulation of cGMP signaling is observed in varieties of photoreceptor/retinal degenerative diseases. Abnormally elevated cGMP signaling interferes with various cellular events, which ultimately leads to photoreceptor degeneration. In line with this, strategies to reduce cellular cGMP signaling result in photoreceptor protection in mouse models of retinal degeneration. The potential mechanisms underlying cGMP signaling-induced photoreceptor degeneration involve the activation of PKG and impaired Ca2+ homeostasis/Ca2+ overload, resulting from overactivation of the CNG channels, as well as the subsequent activation of the downstream cellular stress/death pathways. Thus, targeting the cellular cGMP/PKG signaling and the Ca2+-regulating pathways represents a significant strategy for photoreceptor protection in retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiqin Ding
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.L.); (H.M.); (F.Y.)
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Toms M, Ward N, Moosajee M. Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 2 Group E Member 3 (NR2E3): Role in Retinal Development and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1325. [PMID: 37510230 PMCID: PMC10379133 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071325] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
NR2E3 is a nuclear hormone receptor gene required for the correct development of the retinal rod photoreceptors. Expression of NR2E3 protein in rod cell precursors suppresses cone-specific gene expression and, in concert with other transcription factors including NRL, activates the expression of rod-specific genes. Pathogenic variants involving NR2E3 cause a spectrum of retinopathies, including enhanced S-cone syndrome, Goldmann-Favre syndrome, retinitis pigmentosa, and clumped pigmentary retinal degeneration, with limited evidence of genotype-phenotype correlations. A common feature of NR2E3-related disease is an abnormally high number of cone photoreceptors that are sensitive to short wavelength light, the S-cones. This characteristic has been supported by mouse studies, which have also revealed that loss of Nr2e3 function causes photoreceptors to develop as cells that are intermediate between rods and cones. While there is currently no available cure for NR2E3-related retinopathies, there are a number of emerging therapeutic strategies under investigation, including the use of viral gene therapy and gene editing, that have shown promise for the future treatment of patients with NR2E3 variants and other inherited retinal diseases. This review provides a detailed overview of the current understanding of the role of NR2E3 in normal development and disease, and the associated clinical phenotypes, animal models, and therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Toms
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Natasha Ward
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK
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Barwick SR, Xiao H, Wolff D, Wang J, Perry E, Marshall B, Smith SB. Sigma 1 receptor activation improves retinal structure and function in the Rho P23H/+ mouse model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res 2023; 230:109462. [PMID: 37003581 PMCID: PMC10155485 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109462] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of devastating inherited retinal diseases that leads to visual impairment and oftentimes complete blindness. Currently no cure exists for RP thus research into prolonging vision is imperative. Sigma 1 receptor (Sig1R) is a promising small molecule target that has neuroprotective benefits in retinas of rapidly-degenerating mouse models. It is not clear whether Sig1R activation can provide similar neuroprotective benefits in more slowly-progressing RP models. Here, we examined Sig1R-mediated effects in the slowly-progressing RhoP23H/+ mouse, a model of autosomal dominant RP. We characterized the retinal degeneration of the RhoP23H/+ mouse over a 10 month period using three in vivo methods: Optomotor Response (OMR), Electroretinogram (ERG), and Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). A slow retinal degeneration was observed in both male and female RhoP23H/+ mice when compared to wild type. The OMR, which reflects visual acuity, showed a gradual decline through 10 months. Interestingly, female mice had more reduction in visual acuity than males. ERG assessment showed a gradual decline in scotopic and photopic responses in RhoP23H/+ mice. To investigate the neuroprotective benefits of Sig1R activation in the RhoP23H/+ mouse model, mutant mice were treated with a high-specificity Sig1R ligand (+)-pentazocine ((+)-PTZ) 3x/week at 0.5 mg/kg and examined using OMR, ERG, SD-OCT. A significant retention of visual function was observed in males and females at 10 months of age, with treated females retaining ∼50% greater visual acuity than non-treated mutant females. ERG revealed significant retention of scotopic and photopic b-wave amplitudes at 6 months in male and female RhoP23H/+ mice treated with (+)-PTZ. Further, in vivo analysis by SD-OCT revealed a significant retention of outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness in male and female treated RhoP23H/+ mice. Histological studies showed significant retention of IS/OS length (∼50%), ONL thickness, and number of rows of photoreceptor cell nuclei at 6 months in (+)-PTZ-treated mutant mice. Interestingly, electron microscopy revealed preservation of OS discs in (+)-PTZ treated mutant mice compared to non-treated. Taken collectively, the in vivo and in vitro data provide the first evidence that targeting Sig1R can rescue visual function and structure in the RhoP23H/+ mouse. These results are promising and provide a framework for future studies to investigate Sig1R as a potential therapeutic target in retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R Barwick
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
| | - Haiyan Xiao
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - David Wolff
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Perry
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Brendan Marshall
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Sylvia B Smith
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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43
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Moore SM, Christoforidis JB. Advances in Ophthalmic Epigenetics and Implications for Epigenetic Therapies: A Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:417. [PMID: 36833344 PMCID: PMC9957018 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020417] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The epigenome represents a vast molecular apparatus that writes, reads, and erases chemical modifications to the DNA and histone code without changing the DNA base-pair sequence itself. Recent advances in molecular sequencing technology have revealed that epigenetic chromatin marks directly mediate critical events in retinal development, aging, and degeneration. Epigenetic signaling regulates retinal progenitor (RPC) cell cycle exit during retinal laminar development, giving rise to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), amacrine cells, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, photoreceptors, and Müller glia. Age-related epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation in the retina and optic nerve are accelerated in pathogenic conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, but reversing these epigenetic marks may represent a novel therapeutic target. Epigenetic writers also integrate environmental signals such as hypoxia, inflammation, and hyperglycemia in complex retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors protect against apoptosis and photoreceptor degeneration in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The epigenome represents an intriguing therapeutic target for age-, genetic-, and neovascular-related retinal diseases, though more work is needed before advancement to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer M. Moore
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85711, USA
| | - John B. Christoforidis
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85711, USA
- Retina Specialists of Southern Arizonam, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
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Chiang JN, Corradetti G, Nittala MG, Corvi F, Rakocz N, Rudas A, Durmus B, An U, Sankararaman S, Chiu A, Halperin E, Sadda SR. Automated Identification of Incomplete and Complete Retinal Epithelial Pigment and Outer Retinal Atrophy Using Machine Learning. Ophthalmol Retina 2023; 7:118-126. [PMID: 35995411 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess and validate a deep learning algorithm to automatically detect incomplete retinal pigment epithelial and outer retinal atrophy (iRORA) and complete retinal pigment epithelial and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN In a retrospective machine learning analysis, a deep learning model was trained to jointly classify the presence of iRORA and cRORA within a given B-scan. The algorithm was evaluated using 2 separate and independent datasets. PARTICIPANTS OCT B-scan volumes from 71 patients with nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration captured at the Doheny-University of California Los Angeles Eye Centers and the following 2 external OCT B-scans testing datasets: (1) University of Pennsylvania, University of Miami, and Case Western Reserve University and (2) Doheny Image Reading Research Laboratory. METHODS The images were annotated by an experienced grader for the presence of iRORA and cRORA. A Resnet18 model was trained to classify these annotations for each B-scan using OCT volumes collected at the Doheny-University of California Los Angeles Eye Centers. The model was applied to 2 testing datasets to assess out-of-sample model performance. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Model performance was quantified in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were also compared against additional clinician annotators. RESULTS On an independently collected test set, consisting of 1117 volumes from the general population, the model predicted iRORA and cRORA presence within the entire volume with nearly perfect AUROC performance and AUPRC scores (iRORA, 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.45, 0.82]: cRORA, 0.83; 95% CI [0.68, 0.95]). On another independently collected set, consisting of 60 OCT B-scans enriched for iRORA and cRORA lesions, the model performed with AUROC (iRORA: 0.68, 95% CI [0.54, 0.81]; cRORA: 0.84, 95% CI [0.75, 0.94]) and AUPRC (iRORA: 0.70, 95% CI [0.55, 0.86]; cRORA: 0.82, 95% CI [0.70, 0.93]). CONCLUSIONS A deep learning model can accurately and precisely identify both iRORA and cRORA lesions within the OCT B-scan volume. The model can achieve similar sensitivity compared with human graders, which potentially obviates a laborious and time-consuming annotation process and could be developed into a diagnostic screening tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey N Chiang
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, California; Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Federico Corvi
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, California; Eye Clinic, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science "Luigi Sacco,"," Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadav Rakocz
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Akos Rudas
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Berkin Durmus
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ulzee An
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sriram Sankararaman
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alec Chiu
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Eran Halperin
- Department of Computational Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Computer Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Anesthesiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Institute of Precision Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Srinivas R Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, California; Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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Poli FE, Yusuf IH, Clouston P, Shanks M, Whitfield J, Charbel Issa P, MacLaren RE. MERTK missense variants in three patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Ophthalmic Genet 2023; 44:74-82. [PMID: 36036427 PMCID: PMC9615558 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2022.2113541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MERTK (MER proto-oncogene, tyrosine kinase) is a transmembrane protein essential in regulating photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis. Biallelic mutations in MERTK cause retinal degeneration. Here we present the retinal phenotype of three patients with missense variants in MERTK. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients underwent a full clinical examination, fundus photography, short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography imaging. Two patients also underwent Goldmann visual field testing and electroretinography was undertaken for the third patient. Molecular genetic testing was undertaken using next generation or whole-exome sequencing with all variants confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS The first patient was a 29-year-old female heterozygous for a missense variant (c.1133C>T, p.Thr378 Met) and a nonsense variant (c.1744_1751delinsT, p.Ile582Ter) in MERTK. The second patient was a 26-year-old male homozygous for a c.2163T>A, p.His721Gln variant in MERTK. The third patient was an 11-year-old female heterozygous for a deletion of exons 5-19 and a missense variant (c.1866 G>C, p.Lys622Asn) in MERTK. Reduced night vision was the initial symptom in all patients. Fundoscopy revealed typical signs of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with early-onset macular atrophy. All three MERTK missense variants affect highly conserved residues within functional domains, have low population frequencies and are predicted to be pathogenic in silico. CONCLUSIONS We report three missense variants in MERTK and present the associated phenotypic data, which are supportive of non-syndromic RP. MERTK is a promising candidate for viral-mediated gene replacement therapy. Moreover, one variant represents a single nucleotide transition, which is theoretically targetable with CRISPR-Cas9 base-editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica E. Poli
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Imran H. Yusuf
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Penny Clouston
- Oxford Regional Genetics Laboratories, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Morag Shanks
- Oxford Regional Genetics Laboratories, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Whitfield
- Oxford Regional Genetics Laboratories, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Charbel Issa
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Sangermano R, Galdikaité-Braziené E, Bujakowska KM. Non-syndromic Retinal Degeneration Caused by Pathogenic Variants in Joubert Syndrome Genes. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1415:173-182. [PMID: 37440031 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_26] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive dysfunction and loss of photoreceptors. IRDs are classified as non-syndromic or syndromic, depending on whether retinal degeneration manifests alone or in combination with other associated symptoms. Joubert syndrome (JBTS) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorder affecting the central nervous system and other organs and tissues, including the neuroretina. To date, 39 genes have been associated with JBTS, a majority of which encode structural or functional components of the primary cilium, a specialized sensory organelle present in most post-mitotic cells, including photoreceptors. The use of whole exome and IRD panel next-generation sequencing in routine diagnostics of non-syndromic IRD cases led to the discovery of pathogenic variants in JBTS genes that cause photoreceptor loss without other syndromic features. Here, we recapitulate these findings, describing the JBTS gene defects leading to non-syndromic IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Sangermano
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Egle Galdikaité-Braziené
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kinga M Bujakowska
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Hayes MH, Woodard DR, Hulleman JD. Ocular Amyloid, Condensates, and Aggregates - Higher-Order Protein Assemblies Participate in Both Retinal Degeneration and Function. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1415:263-267. [PMID: 37440043 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The formation of higher-order protein assemblies (commonly called protein aggregates) has long been associated with disease states, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders. Within the eye, protein aggregation has also been implicated in various retinal degenerative diseases ranging from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to Malattia Leventinese/Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy (ML/DHRD) to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Yet, many essential cellular processes including transcription, translation, and the formation of non-membrane bound organelles require the formation of functional, non-pathologic protein aggregates to maintain cellular homeostasis. Thus, functional protein aggregates, also called condensates, likely play essential roles in maintaining normal retina function. However, currently, there is a critical gap in our knowledge: What proteins form higher-order assemblies under normal conditions within the retina and what function do these structures serve? Herein, we present data suggesting that protein aggregation is identifiable in multiple retinal layers of normal, healthy murine retina, and briefly discuss the potential contributions of aggregated proteins to normal retinal function, with a focus on the photoreceptor inner and outer segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Hayes
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - DaNae R Woodard
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Wang Y, Wong J, Duncan JL, Roorda A, Tuten WS. Enhanced S-cone Syndrome, a Mini-review. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1415:189-194. [PMID: 37440033 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_28] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced S-cone Syndrome (ESCS) is an autosomal recessive inherited retinal disease mostly associated with disease-causing variants in the NR2E3 gene. During retinal development in ESCS, rod photoreceptor precursors are misdirected to form photoreceptors similar to short-wavelength cones, or S-cones. Compared to a normal human retina, patients with ESCS have no rods and significantly increased numbers of S-cones. Night blindness is the main visual symptom, and visual acuity and color vision can be normal at early disease stages. Histology of donor eyes and adaptive optics imaging revealed increased S-cone density outside of the fovea compared to normal. Visual function testing reveals absent rod function and abnormally enhanced sensitivity to short-wavelength light. Unlike most retinal degenerative diseases, ESCS results in a gain in S-cone photoreceptor function. Research involving ESCS could improve understanding of this rare retinal condition and also shed light on the role of NR2E3 expression in photoreceptor survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Wang
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Jessica Wong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacque L Duncan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Austin Roorda
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William S Tuten
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Qian X, Srinivasan T, He J, Chen R. The Role of Ceramide in Inherited Retinal Disease Pathology. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1415:303-307. [PMID: 37440049 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_44] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Ceramide (Cer) plays an essential role in photoreceptor cell death in the retina. On the one hand, Cer accumulation emerges as a common feature during retina neurodegeneration, leading to the death of photoreceptors. On the other hand, Cer deficiency has also recently been associated with retinal dysfunction and degeneration. Although more and more evidence supports the importance of maintaining Cer homeostasis in the retina, mechanistic explanations of the observed phenotypes, especially in the context of Cer deficiency, are still lacking. An enhanced understanding of Cer's role in the retina will help us explore the underlying molecular basis for clinical phenotypes of retinal dystrophies and provide us with potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinye Qian
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | | | | | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Cioanca AV, Natoli R, Wooff Y. Proteomics of Retinal Extracellular Vesicles: A Review into an Unexplored Mechanism in Retinal Health and AMD Pathogenesis. Adv Exp Med Biol 2023; 1415:87-94. [PMID: 37440019 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27681-1_14] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EV) are nanosized delivery vehicles that participate in cell-to-cell communication through the selective transfer of molecular materials including RNA, DNA, lipids, and proteins. In the retina, the role of EV proteins is largely unclear, in part due to the lack of studies and the depth of proteomic analyses of EV cargo. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on retinal EV proteins and provides a comparative reanalysis of existing retinal EV proteomic datasets. Collective findings highlight that in homeostasis, the protein components of neural retinal and RPE-derived EV largely reflect the function of the host cells, while in disease RPE-EV protein composition becomes altered, favoring inflammatory modulation and potentially contributing to drusen formation. While these studies shed light on the potential roles of EV proteins in the neural retina and RPE, it is clear that comprehensive proteomic and molecular studies are required, in particular using in vivo models of retinal degenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian V Cioanca
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- The School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- The School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Yvette Wooff
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
- The School of Medicine and Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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