Increased TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA levels during the time of retinal degeneration in mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Wong ◽  
Diane E. Borst ◽  
Debora Farber ◽  
Janet S. Danciger ◽  
Martin Tenniswood ◽  
...  

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of human disorders that is characterized by diminished retinal function, visual cell loss, and blindness. Elevated levels of TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA, a marker for the apoptotic process, have been reported in retinas from patients with advanced stage RP. In the present study we examine TRPM-2/clusterin expression in two genetically distinct mouse models of RP, the rd (retinal degeneration) and rds (retinal degeneration slow) mice. We establish that in advanced postretinal degenerative stages of the rd mutant the retinal TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA levels are highly elevated, as is seen in the case of human RP. Examination of TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA levels in retina and whole eyes from the rd mouse and morphologically normal controls during the period of retinal degeneration (postnatal days 8–21) in the rd phenotype shows that TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA levels are elevated in the rd animal, and this increase begins just after postnatal day 10 and remains high for the remainder of the time course examined. Northern analysis of rds retina and whole eyes shows a delayed increase in TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA levels relative to the rd profile, coinciding with the known period of rds retinal degeneration (postnatal day 14 to 1 year). In each case, the onset of increased TRPM-2/clusterin mRNA levels coincides with the time of photoreceptor cell death.Key words: retinal degeneration, TRPM-2, clusterin, apoptosis, retinitis pigmentosa.

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayle B. Collin ◽  
Navdeep Gogna ◽  
Bo Chang ◽  
Nattaya Damkham ◽  
Jai Pinkney ◽  
...  

Inherited retinal degeneration (RD) leads to the impairment or loss of vision in millions of individuals worldwide, most frequently due to the loss of photoreceptor (PR) cells. Animal models, particularly the laboratory mouse, have been used to understand the pathogenic mechanisms that underlie PR cell loss and to explore therapies that may prevent, delay, or reverse RD. Here, we reviewed entries in the Mouse Genome Informatics and PubMed databases to compile a comprehensive list of monogenic mouse models in which PR cell loss is demonstrated. The progression of PR cell loss with postnatal age was documented in mutant alleles of genes grouped by biological function. As anticipated, a wide range in the onset and rate of cell loss was observed among the reported models. The analysis underscored relationships between RD genes and ciliary function, transcription-coupled DNA damage repair, and cellular chloride homeostasis. Comparing the mouse gene list to human RD genes identified in the RetNet database revealed that mouse models are available for 40% of the known human diseases, suggesting opportunities for future research. This work may provide insight into the molecular players and pathways through which PR degenerative disease occurs and may be useful for planning translational studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Jin Lee ◽  
Priscilla Chan ◽  
Leon Chea ◽  
Kyle Kim ◽  
Randal J. Kaufman ◽  
...  

AbstractRetinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a blinding disease that arises from loss of rods and subsequently cones. The P23H rhodopsin knock-in (P23H-KI) mouse develops retinal degeneration that mirrors RP phenotype in patients carrying the orthologous variant. Previously, we found that the P23H rhodopsin protein was degraded in P23H-KI retinas, and the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) promoted P23H rhodopsin degradation in heterologous cells in vitro. Here, we investigated the role of a UPR regulator gene, activating transcription factor 6 (Atf6), in rhodopsin protein homeostasis in heterozygous P23H rhodopsin (Rho+/P23H) mice. Significantly increased rhodopsin protein levels were found in Atf6−/−Rho+/P23H retinas compared to Atf6+/−Rho+/P23H retinas at early ages (~ P12), while rhodopsin mRNA levels were not different. The IRE1 pathway of the UPR was hyper-activated in young Atf6−/−Rho+/P23H retinas, and photoreceptor layer thickness was unchanged at this early age in Rho+/P23H mice lacking Atf6. By contrast, older Atf6−/−Rho+/P23H mice developed significantly increased retinal degeneration in comparison to Atf6+/−Rho+/P23H mice in all retinal layers, accompanied by reduced rhodopsin protein levels. Our findings demonstrate that Atf6 is required for efficient clearance of rhodopsin protein in rod photoreceptors expressing P23H rhodopsin, and that loss of Atf6 ultimately accelerates retinal degeneration in P23H-KI mice.


Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (10) ◽  
pp. 4601-4611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul M. Luque ◽  
Rhonda D. Kineman ◽  
Manuel Tena-Sempere

It is well established that reproductive function is metabolically gated. However, the mechanisms whereby energy stores and metabolic cues influence fertility are yet to be completely deciphered. Recently, the hypothalamic KiSS-1/GPR54 system has emerged as a fundamental regulator of the gonadotropic axis, which conveys the modulatory actions of sex steroids to GnRH neurons. Evidence is also mounting that KiSS-1 neurons may also represent the link between systemic metabolic signals and central control of reproduction. To further explore this possibility, we examined the impact of changes in energy status and key metabolic regulators on the hypothalamic expression of KiSS-1 and GPR54 genes, using different mouse models and the hypothalamic cell line N6. Time-course analysis of the effects of short-term fasting revealed a rapid (12- and 24-h) decline in KiSS-1 and GPR54 mRNA levels, which preceded that of GnRH (48 h). In contrast, diet-induced obesity or obesity associated with leptin deficiency (ob/ob vs. wild-type mice) failed to induce overt changes in hypothalamic expression of KiSS-1 and GPR54 genes. However, leptin infusion of ob/ob mice evoked a significant increase in KiSS-1 and GPR54 mRNA levels compared with pair-fed controls. Moreover, leptin, but not insulin or IGF-I, stimulated KiSS-1 mRNA expression in the mouse hypothalamic cell line N6. In addition, neuropeptide Y (NPY) null mice showed decreased KiSS-1 mRNA levels at the hypothalamus, whereas exposure to NPY increased expression of KiSS-1 in hypothalamic N6 cells. In sum, our present data further characterize the functional relevance and putative key mediators (such as leptin and NPY) of the metabolic regulation of the hypothalamic KiSS-1 system in the mouse.


2012 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene V. Drack ◽  
Alina V. Dumitrescu ◽  
Sajag Bhattarai ◽  
Daniel Gratie ◽  
Edwin M. Stone ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean K. Wang ◽  
Yunlu Xue ◽  
Constance L. Cepko

ABSTRACTInherited retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can be caused by thousands of different mutations, a small number of which have been successfully treated with gene replacement. However, this approach has yet to scale and may be infeasible in many cases, highlighting the need for interventions that could benefit more patients. Here, we found that microglial phagocytosis is upregulated during cone degeneration in RP, suggesting that expression of “don’t eat me” signals such as CD47 might confer protection to cones. To test this, we delivered an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing CD47 on cones, which promoted cone survival in three mouse models of RP and preserved visual function. Cone rescue with CD47 required signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) but not microglia or thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), suggesting that CD47 interacts with SIRPα on non-microglial cells to alleviate degeneration. These findings establish augmentation of CD47-SIRPα signaling as a potential treatment strategy for RP and possibly other forms of neurodegeneration.


2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaname Seki ◽  
Yosuke Mizuno ◽  
Toku Sakashita ◽  
Jun Tanno ◽  
Shintaro Nakano ◽  
...  

Aim: Activated factor X (FXa) plays important roles in the thrombin generation and in inflammation, which is evoked during the endothelial damage. Although rivaroxaban is a selective FXa antagonist, it is one of the key therapies in ischemic heart disease, and yet its function in the state of inactivated coagulation cascade is uncertain. Rivaroxaban blocks FXa in the blood but not the tissue, while factor X is converted to FXa only when glutamic acid is changed to γ-carboxyglutamic acid by vitamin K following the intrinsic clotting factors and/or cellular injury activation. To uncover this aspect, we performed the following experiments. Methods and results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were obtained from Lonza Co., Ltd. The cells were grown to 80% confluence and were treated with rivaroxaban (100nM, 500nM, 1000nM, 2000nM respectively) without FXa stimulation for 4 h, 10 h or 24 h. Cells and medium were collected and then their RNA was extracted from the cells. The qPCR of MCP-1, PAR1-4 and the DNA micro arrays (The GeneChip Human Gene 2.0 ST Array, Affymetrix) were performed. There was neither increased nor decreased gene expression significantly in either experimental time course of the qPCRs or the the DNA micro arrays. The ELISA assay of MCP-1 with medium showed non-activated MCP-1. As a next step, cells were treated with 100nM FXa and with/without rivaroxaban in same time course, and cells and medium were collected for further experiments. FXa evoked induction of mRNA levels for several pro-inflammatory cytokines including MCP-1 maximally at 4h, whereas MCP-1 was maximally evoked at 24 h in ELISA assay. Interestingly rivaroxaban inhibited both in all time course, at 4 hour inflammatory phase and at 24 hour inflammatory phase. Conclusion: Collectively, these results suggest that rivaroxaban may be safe in the inactivated coagulation state, and has the efficacy to attenuate the endothelial damage evoked by FXa and by pro-inflammatory cytokine genes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (43) ◽  
pp. e2100566118
Author(s):  
Oksana Kutsyr ◽  
Agustina Noailles ◽  
Natalia Martínez-Gil ◽  
Lucía Maestre-Carballa ◽  
Manuel Martinez-Garcia ◽  
...  

A high-fat diet (HFD) can induce hyperglycemia and metabolic syndromes that, in turn, can trigger visual impairment. To evaluate the acute effects of HFD feeding on retinal degeneration, we assessed retinal function and morphology, inflammatory state, oxidative stress, and gut microbiome in dystrophic retinal degeneration 10 (rd10) mice, a model of retinitis pigmentosa, fed an HFD for 2 to 3 wk. Short-term HFD feeding impaired retinal responsiveness and visual acuity and enhanced photoreceptor degeneration, microglial cell activation, and Müller cell gliosis. HFD consumption also triggered the expression of inflammatory and oxidative markers in rd10 retinas. Finally, an HFD caused gut microbiome dysbiosis, increasing the abundance of potentially proinflammatory bacteria. Thus, HFD feeding drives the pathological processes of retinal degeneration by promoting oxidative stress and activating inflammatory-related pathways. Our findings suggest that consumption of an HFD could accelerate the progression of the disease in patients with retinal degenerative disorders.


Author(s):  
Tetsuichi Saito ◽  
Daisuke Gotoh ◽  
Naoki Wada ◽  
Pradeep Tyagi ◽  
Tomonori Minagawa ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the time-course changes in bladder and external urinary sphincter (EUS) activity as well as the expression of mechanosensitive channels in lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) after spinal cord injury (SCI). Female C57BL/6N mice in the SCI group underwent transection of the Th8/9 spinal cord. Spinal intact mice and SCI mice at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post SCI were evaluated by single-filling cystometry and EUS-electromyography (EMG). In another set of mice, the bladder and L6-S1 DRG were harvested for protein and mRNA analyses. In SCI mice, non-voiding contractions was confirmed at 2 weeks post-SCI, and did not increase over time to 6 weeks. In 2-weeks SCI mice, EUS-EMG measurements revealed detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), but periodic EMG reductions during bladder contraction were hardly observed. At 4 weeks, SCI mice showed increases of EMG activity reduction time with increased voiding efficiency (VE). At 6 weeks, SCI mice exhibited a further increase in EMG reduction time. RT-PCR of L6-S1 DRG showed increased mRNA levels of TRPV1 and ASIC1-3 in SCI mice with a decrease of ASIC2-3 at 6 weeks compared to 4 weeks whereas Piezo2 showed a slow increase at 6 weeks. Protein assay showed the SCI-induced overexpression of bladder BDNF with a time-dependent decrease post SCI. These results indicate that detrusor overactivity is established in the early phase whereas DSD is completed later at 4 weeks with an improvement at 6 weeks post SCI, and that mechanosensitive channels may be involved in the time-dependent changes.


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