scholarly journals Minocycline decreases CCR2-positive monocytes in the retina and ameliorates photoreceptor degeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0239108
Author(s):  
Ryo Terauchi ◽  
Hideo Kohno ◽  
Sumiko Watanabe ◽  
Saburo Saito ◽  
Akira Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Outer Nuclear Layer ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Subretinal Space ◽  
Photoreceptor Degeneration ◽  
Retinal Inflammation ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Retinal inflammation accelerates photoreceptor cell death caused by retinal degeneration. Minocycline, a semisynthetic broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic, has been previously reported to rescue photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration. We examined the effect of minocycline on retinal photoreceptor degeneration using c-mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (Mertk)−/−Cx3cr1GFP/+Ccr2RFP/+ mice, which enabled the observation of CX3CR1-green fluorescent protein (GFP)- and CCR2-red fluorescent protein (RFP)-positive macrophages by fluorescence. Retinas of Mertk−/−Cx3cr1GFP/+Ccr2RFP/+ mice showed photoreceptor degeneration and accumulation of GFP- and RFP-positive macrophages in the outer retina and subretinal space at 6 weeks of age. Mertk−/−Cx3cr1GFP/+Ccr2RFP/+ mice were intraperitoneally administered minocycline. The number of CCR2-RFP positive cells significantly decreased after minocycline treatment. Furthermore, minocycline administration resulted in partial reversal of the thinning of the outer nuclear layer and decreased the number of apoptotic cells, as assessed by the TUNEL assay, in Mertk−/−Cx3cr1GFP/+Ccr2RFP/+ mice. In conclusion, we found that minocycline ameliorated photoreceptor cell death in an inherited photoreceptor degeneration model due to Mertk gene deficiency and has an inhibitory effect on CCR2 positive macrophages, which is likely to be a neuroprotective mechanism of minocycline.

scholarly journals Redefining the role of Ca2+-permeable channels in photoreceptor degeneration using diltiazem

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumyaparna Das ◽  
Valerie Popp ◽  
Michael Power ◽  
Kathrin Groeneveld ◽  
Jie Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Photoreceptor Degeneration ◽  
Therapy Development ◽  
Hypertensive Drug ◽  
Future Therapy

AbstractHereditary degeneration of photoreceptors has been linked to over-activation of Ca2+-permeable channels, excessive Ca2+-influx, and downstream activation of Ca2+-dependent calpain-type proteases. Unfortunately, after more than 20 years of pertinent research, unequivocal evidence proving significant and reproducible photoreceptor protection with Ca2+-channel blockers is still lacking. Here, we show that both D- and L-cis enantiomers of the anti-hypertensive drug diltiazem were very effective at blocking photoreceptor Ca2+-influx, most probably by blocking the pore of Ca2+-permeable channels. Yet, unexpectedly, this block neither reduced the activity of calpain-type proteases, nor did it result in photoreceptor protection. Remarkably, application of the L-cis enantiomer of diltiazem even led to a strong increase in photoreceptor cell death. These findings shed doubt on the previously proposed links between Ca2+ and retinal degeneration and are highly relevant for future therapy development as they may serve to refocus research efforts towards alternative, Ca2+-independent degenerative mechanisms.

scholarly journals High dose expression of heme oxigenase-1 induces retinal degeneration through ER stress-related DDIT3

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huirong Li ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Lili Lian ◽  
Jiajia Zhou ◽  
Shengjin Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Photoreceptor Degeneration ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background Oxidative stress is a common cause of neurodegeneration and plays a central role in retinal degenerative diseases. Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) is a redox-regulated enzyme that is induced in neurodegenerative diseases and acts against oxidative stress but can also promote cell death, a phenomenon that is still unexplained in molecular terms. Here, we test whether HMOX1 has opposing effects during retinal degeneration and investigate the molecular mechanisms behind its pro-apoptotic role. Methods Basal and induced levels of HMOX1 in retinas are examined during light-induced retinal degeneration in mice. Light damage-independent HMOX1 induction at two different expression levels is achieved by intraocular injection of different doses of an adeno-associated virus vector expressing HMOX1. Activation of Müller glial cells, retinal morphology and photoreceptor cell death are examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL assays, immunostaining and retinal function are evaluated with electroretinograms. Downstream gene expression of HMOX1 is analyzed by RNA-seq, qPCR examination and western blotting. The role of one of these genes, the pro-apoptotic DNA damage inducible transcript 3 (Ddit3), is analyzed in a line of knockout mice. Results Light-induced retinal degeneration leads to photoreceptor degeneration and concomitant HMOX1 induction. HMOX1 expression at low levels before light exposure prevents photoreceptor degeneration but expression at high levels directly induces photoreceptor degeneration even without light stress. Photoreceptor degeneration following high level expression of HMOX1 is associated with a mislocalization of rhodopsin in photoreceptors and an increase in the expression of DDIT3. Genetic deletion of Ddit3 in knockout mice prevents photoreceptor cell degeneration normally resulting from high level HMOX1 expression. Conclusion The results reveal that the expression levels determine whether HMOX1 is protective or deleterious in the retina. Furthermore, in contrast to the protective low dose of HMOX1, the deleterious high dose is associated with induction of DDIT3 and endoplasmic reticulum stress as manifested, for instance, in rhodopsin mislocalization. Hence, future applications of HMOX1 or its regulated targets in gene therapy approaches should carefully consider expression levels in order to avoid potentially devastating effects.

scholarly journals CRISPR/Cas9-based generation of a recombinant double-reporter pseudorabies virus and its characterization in vitro and in vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng-Fei Fu ◽  
Xuan Cheng ◽  
Bing-Qian Su ◽  
Li-Fang Duan ◽  
Cong-Rong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudorabies Virus ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Firefly Luciferase ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Swine Herds

AbstractPseudorabies, caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants, has broken out among commercial PRV vaccine-immunized swine herds and resulted in major economic losses to the pig industry in China since late 2011. However, the mechanism of virulence enhancement of variant PRV is currently unclear. Here, a recombinant PRV (rPRV HN1201-EGFP-Luc) with stable expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase as a double reporter virus was constructed on the basis of the PRV variant HN1201 through CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology coupled with two sgRNAs. The biological characteristics of the recombinant virus and its lethality to mice were similar to those of the parental strain and displayed a stable viral titre and luciferase activity through 20 passages. Moreover, bioluminescence signals were detected in mice at 12 h after rPRV HN1201-EGFP-Luc infection. Using the double reporter PRV, we also found that 25-hydroxycholesterol had a significant inhibitory effect on PRV both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggested that the double reporter PRV based on PRV variant HN1201 should be an excellent tool for basic virology studies and evaluating antiviral agents.

scholarly journals Asc Modulates the Function of NLRC4 in Response to Infection of Macrophages by Legionella pneumophila

mBio ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Case ◽  
Craig R. Roy
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Caspase 1 ◽  
Cell Death Pathway ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACTNucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat containing proteins (NLRs) activate caspase-1 in response to a variety of bacterium-derived signals in macrophages. NLR-mediated activation of caspase-1 byLegionella pneumophilaoccurs through both an NLRC4/NAIP5-dependent pathway and a pathway requiring the adapter protein Asc. Both pathways are needed for maximal activation of caspase-1 and for the release of the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Asc is not required for caspase-1-dependent pore formation and cell death induced upon infection of macrophages byL. pneumophila. Here, temporal and spatial localization of caspase-1-dependent processes was examined to better define the roles of Asc and NLRC4 during infection. Imaging studies revealed that caspase-1 localized to a single punctate structure in infected cells containing Asc but not in cells lacking this adapter. Both endogenous Asc and ectopically produced NLRC4 tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were found to localize to caspase-1 puncta followingL. pneumophilainfection, suggesting that NLRC4 and Asc coordinate signaling through this complex during caspase-1 activation. Formation of caspase-1-containing puncta correlated with caspase-1 processing, suggesting a role for the Asc/NLRC4/caspase-1 complex in caspase-1 cleavage. In cells deficient for Asc, NLRC4 did not assemble into discrete puncta, and pyroptosis occurred at an accelerated rate. These data indicate that Asc mediates integration of NLR components into caspase-1 processing platforms and that recruitment of NLR components into an Asc complex can dampen pyroptotic responses. Thus, a negative feedback role of complexes containing Asc may be important for regulating caspase-1-mediated responses during microbial infection.IMPORTANCECaspase-1 is a protease activated during infection that is central to the regulation of several innate immune pathways. Studies examining the macromolecular complexes containing this protein, known as inflammasomes, have provided insight into the regulation of this protease. This work demonstrates that the intracellular bacteriumLegionella pneumophilainduces formation of complexes containing caspase-1 by multiple mechanisms and illustrates that an adapter molecule called Asc integrates signals from multiple independent upstream caspase-1 activators in order to assemble a spatially distinct complex in the macrophage. There were caspase-1-associated activities such as cytokine processing and secretion that were controlled by Asc. Importantly, this work uncovered a new role for Asc in dampening a caspase-1-dependent cell death pathway called pyroptosis. These findings suggest that Asc plays a central role in controlling a distinct subset of caspase-1-dependent activities by both assembling complexes that are important for cytokine processing and suppressing processes that mediate pyroptosis.

Photoreceptor Cell Death Mechanisms in Inherited Retinal Degeneration

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Sancho-Pelluz ◽  
Blanca Arango-Gonzalez ◽  
Stefan Kustermann ◽  
Francisco Javier Romero ◽  
Theo van Veen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Cell Death Mechanisms ◽  
Inherited Retinal Degeneration

ROMK1 (Kir1.1) Causes Apoptosis and Chronic Silencing of Hippocampal Neurons

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 1062-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Nadeau ◽  
S. McKinney ◽  
D. J. Anderson ◽  
H. A. Lester
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Input Resistance ◽  
Firing Frequency ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Spike Shape ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Potential Threshold

Lentiviral vectors were constructed to express the weakly rectifying kidney K+ channel ROMK1 (Kir1.1), either fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or as a bicistronic message (ROMK1-CITE-EGFP). The channel was stably expressed in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Infected cells were maintained for 2–4 wk without decrease in expression level or evidence of viral toxicity, although 15.4 mM external KCl was required to prevent apoptosis of neurons expressing functional ROMK1. No other trophic agents tested could prevent cell death, which was probably caused by K+loss. This cell death did not occur in glia, which were able to support ROMK1 expression indefinitely. Functional ROMK1, quantified as the nonnative inward current at −144 mV in 5.4 mM external K+blockable by 500 μM Ba2+, ranged from 1 to 40 pA/pF. Infected neurons exhibited a Ba2+-induced depolarization of 7 ± 2 mV relative to matched EGFP-infected controls, as well as a 30% decrease in input resistance and a shift in action potential threshold of 2.6 ± 0.5 mV. This led to a shift in the relation between injected current and firing frequency, without changes in spike shape, size, or timing. This shift, which quantifies silencing as a function of ROMK1 expression, was predicted from Hodgkin-Huxley models. No cellular compensatory mechanisms in response to expression of ROMK1 were identified, making ROMK1 potentially useful for transgenic studies of silencing and neurodegeneration, although its lethality in normal K+ has implications for the use of K+ channels in gene therapy.

Inhibition of LOX-1 prevents inflammation and photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 106190
Author(s):  
Xinran Gao ◽  
Ruilin Zhu ◽  
Jiantong Du ◽  
Wenbo Zhang ◽  
Wenna Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell

scholarly journals AAV-miR-204 Protects from Retinal Degeneration by Attenuation of Microglia Activation and Photoreceptor Cell Death

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 144-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianthi Karali ◽  
Irene Guadagnino ◽  
Elena Marrocco ◽  
Rossella De Cegli ◽  
Annamaria Carissimo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Microglia Activation

Apoptosis, retinitis pigmentosa, and degeneration

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 489-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Wong
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Photoreceptor Cell ◽  
Retinal Cell ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cell Degeneration ◽  
Genetic Lesion ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Active Cell Death

The mechanism of photoreceptor cell death in different inherited retinal degenerations is not fully understood. Mutations in a number of different genes (such as rhodopsin, the beta subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase, and peripherin) have been identified as the primary genetic lesion in different forms of human retinitis pigmentosa, one of the most common causes of inherited blindness. In all cases the manifestation of the disorder regardless of the specific primary genetic lesion is similar, resulting in photoreceptor cell degeneration and blindness. A recent hypothesis is that the active photoreceptor cell death, which is characteristic of these genetically distinct disorders, is mediated by a common induction of apoptosis. In the present review, the current evidence for active cell death during retinal cell death in several different rodent models of retinitis pigmentosa and retinal degeneration is examined.Key words: retinal degeneration, apoptosis, retinitis pigmentosa, clusterin, DNA fragmentation.

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