Neuroprotection Of Retinal Ganglion Cells Research Articles

Interleukin-4 protects retinal ganglion cells and promotes axon regeneration

BackgroundThe preservation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the facilitation of axon regeneration are crucial considerations in the management of various vision-threatening disorders. Therefore, we investigate the efficacy of interleukin-4 (IL-4), a potential therapeutic agent, in promoting neuroprotection and axon regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) as identified through whole transcriptome sequencing in an in vitro axon growth model.MethodsA low concentration of staurosporine (STS) was employed to induce in vitro axon growth. Whole transcriptome sequencing was utilized to identify key target factors involved in the molecular mechanism underlying axon growth. The efficacy of recombinant IL-4 protein on promoting RGC axon growth was validated through in vitro experiments. The protective effect of recombinant IL-4 protein on somas of RGCs was assessed using RBPMS-specific immunofluorescent staining in mouse models with optic nerve crush (ONC) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) injury. The protective effect on RGC axons was evaluated by anterograde labeling of cholera toxin subunit B (CTB), while the promotion of RGC axon regeneration was assessed through both anterograde labeling of CTB and immunofluorescent staining for growth associated protein-43 (GAP43).ResultsWhole-transcriptome sequencing of staurosporine-treated 661 W cells revealed a significant upregulation in intracellular IL-4 transcription levels during the process of axon regeneration. In vitro experiments demonstrated that recombinant IL-4 protein effectively stimulated axon outgrowth. Subsequent immunostaining with RBPMS revealed a significantly higher survival rate of RGCs in the rIL-4 group compared to the vehicle group in both NMDA and ONC injury models. Axonal tracing with CTB confirmed that recombinant IL-4 protein preserved long-distance projection of RGC axons, and there was a notably higher number of surviving axons in the rIL-4 group compared to the vehicle group following NMDA-induced injury. Moreover, intravitreal delivery of recombinant IL-4 protein substantially facilitated RGC axon regeneration after ONC injury.ConclusionThe recombinant IL-4 protein exhibits the potential to enhance the survival rate of RGCs, protect RGC axons against NMDA-induced injury, and facilitate axon regeneration following ONC. This study provides an experimental foundation for further investigation and development of therapeutic agents aimed at protecting the optic nerve and promoting axon regeneration.

NFATc4 Knockout Promotes Neuroprotection and Retinal Ganglion Cell Regeneration After Optic Nerve Injury.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), neurons transmitting visual information via the optic nerve, fail to regenerate their axons after injury. The progressive loss of RGC function underlies the pathophysiology of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies, often leading to irreversible blindness. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify the regulators of RGC survival and the regenerative program. In this study, we investigated the role of the family of transcription factors known as nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), which are expressed in the retina; however, their role in RGC survival after injury is unknown. Using the optic nerve crush (ONC) model, widely employed to study optic neuropathies and central nervous system axon injury, we found that NFATc4 is specifically but transiently up-regulated in response to mechanical injury. In the injured retina, NFATc4 immunolocalized primarily to the ganglionic cell layer. Utilizing NFATc4-/- and NFATc3-/- mice, we demonstrated that NFATc4, but not NFATc3, knockout increased RGC survival, improved retina function, and delayed axonal degeneration. Microarray screening data, along with decreased immunostaining of cleaved caspase-3, revealed that NFATc4 knockout was protective against ONC-induced degeneration by suppressing pro-apoptotic signaling. Finally, we used lentiviral-mediated NFATc4 delivery to the retina of NFATc4-/- mice and reversed the pro-survival effect of NFATc4 knockout, conclusively linking the enhanced survival of injured RGCs to NFATc4-dependent mechanisms. In summary, this study is the first to demonstrate that NFATc4 knockout may confer transient RGC neuroprotection and decelerate axonal degeneration after injury, providing a potent therapeutic strategy for optic neuropathies.

Glial cells as a promising therapeutic target of glaucoma: beyond the IOP

Glial cells, a type of non-neuronal cell found in the central nervous system (CNS), play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating CNS functions. Recent advancements in technology have paved the way for new therapeutic strategies in the fight against glaucoma. While intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most well-known modifiable risk factor, a significant number of glaucoma patients have normal IOP levels. Because glaucoma is a complex, multifactorial disease influenced by various factors that contribute to its onset and progression, it is imperative that we consider factors beyond IOP to effectively prevent or slow down the disease’s advancement. In the realm of CNS neurodegenerative diseases, glial cells have emerged as key players due to their pivotal roles in initiating and hastening disease progression. The inhibition of dysregulated glial function holds the potential to protect neurons and restore brain function. Consequently, glial cells represent an enticing therapeutic candidate for glaucoma, even though the majority of glaucoma research has historically concentrated solely on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In addition to the neuroprotection of RGCs, the proper regulation of glial cell function can also facilitate structural and functional recovery in the retina. In this review, we offer an overview of recent advancements in understanding the non-cell-autonomous mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Furthermore, state-of-the-art technologies have opened up possibilities for regenerating the optic nerve, which was previously believed to be incapable of regeneration. We will also delve into the potential roles of glial cells in the regeneration of the optic nerve and the restoration of visual function.

The concept of gene therapy for glaucoma: the dream that has not come true yet.

Gene therapies, despite of being a relatively new therapeutic approach, have a potential to become an important alternative to current treatment strategies in glaucoma. Since glaucoma is not considered a single gene disease, the identified goals of gene therapy would be rather to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells, especially, in intraocular-pressure-independent manner. The most commonly reported type of vector for gene delivery in glaucoma studies is adeno-associated virus serotype 2 that has a high tropism to retinal ganglion cells, resulting in long-term expression and low immunogenic profile. The gene therapy studies recruit inducible and genetic animal models of optic neuropathy, like DBA/2J mice model of high-tension glaucoma and the optic nerve crush-model. Reported gene therapy-based neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells is targeting specific genes translating to growth factors (i.e., brain derived neurotrophic factor, and its receptor TrkB), regulation of apoptosis and neurodegeneration (i.e., Bcl-xl, Xiap, FAS system, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2, Digit3 and Sarm1), immunomodulation (i.e., Crry, C3 complement), modulation of neuroinflammation (i.e., erythropoietin), reduction of excitotoxicity (i.e., CamKIIα) and transcription regulation (i.e., Max, Nrf2). On the other hand, some of gene therapy studies focus on lowering intraocular pressure, by impacting genes involved in both, decreasing aqueous humor production (i.e., aquaporin 1), and increasing outflow facility (i.e., COX2, prostaglandin F2α receptor, RhoA/RhoA kinase signaling pathway, MMP1, Myocilin). The goal of this review is to summarize the current state-of-art and the direction of development of gene therapy strategies for glaucomatous neuropathy.

RNA‐binding protein ELAVL1‐mediated neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells

Aims/Purpose: To evaluate the impact of ELAVL1 overexpression on survival and function of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in rat glaucoma model.Methods: The study included ex vivo and in vivo approaches. Ex vivo, we used rat retinal explants to investigate, whether AAV‐ELAVL1 delivery affects the survival of RGC in the degeneration model induced by axotomy. In vivo approach investigated histology and function of RGC in rat glaucoma model. Rats received intravitreal injection of AAV‐ELAVL1, AAV‐ELAVL1(S202A) or AAV‐control. To induce chronic glaucoma, unilateral episcleral vein cauterization was performed. Animals underwent electroretinography tests (ERG) during the experiment. Collected retinas and optic nerves were processed for immunostainings, western blots, and stereology.Results: In ex vivo retinal explants culture, the RGC count was 162 ± 35, 148 ± 22 and 149 ± 28 for AAV‐ELAVL1, AAV‐ELAVL1(S202A) and control, respectively (p < 0.03). The IOP values were similar in all experimental groups, and on average, they were significantly higher than in healthy eyes (p < 0.001). In retinal histology, clear neuroprotective effect in the AAV‐ELAVL1 group was observed. After AAV therapy, both constructs (ELAVL1 and ELAVL1(S202A) showed a significant increase in protein expression in RGC, which was also associated with a significant increase in the expression of BDNF in the retinas, especially after AAV‐ELAVL1 treatment. In functional tests, the PhNR response was significantly reduced in AAV‐control glaucoma (p < 0.001). The application of AAV‐ELAVL1 treatment resulted in the preservation of RGC function at a level very similar to the situation before the induction of glaucoma.Conclusions: The AAV‐ELAVL1 approach showed a very strong neuroprotective effect in a rat glaucoma model. The neuroprotective effect is associated with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity with the increase in BDNF expression, which intensifies the neuroprotective effect.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone drives ATP synthesis in vitro and in vivo and provides retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection

Retinal ganglion cells are highly metabolically active requiring strictly regulated metabolism and functional mitochondria to keep ATP levels in physiological range. Imbalances in metabolism and mitochondrial mechanisms can be sufficient to induce a depletion of ATP, thus altering retinal ganglion cell viability and increasing cell susceptibility to death under stress. Altered metabolism and mitochondrial abnormalities have been demonstrated early in many optic neuropathies, including glaucoma, autosomal dominant optic atrophy, and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a quinone cofactor and is reported to have numerous effects on cellular and mitochondrial metabolism. However, the reported effects are highly context-dependent, indicating the need to study the mechanism of PQQ in specific systems. We investigated whether PQQ had a neuroprotective effect under different retinal ganglion cell stresses and assessed the effect of PQQ on metabolic and mitochondrial processes in cortical neuron and retinal ganglion cell specific contexts. We demonstrated that PQQ is neuroprotective in two models of retinal ganglion cell degeneration. We identified an increased ATP content in healthy retinal ganglion cell-related contexts both in in vitro and in vivo models. Although PQQ administration resulted in a moderate effect on mitochondrial biogenesis and content, a metabolic variation in non-diseased retinal ganglion cell-related tissues was identified after PQQ treatment. These results suggest the potential of PQQ as a novel neuroprotectant against retinal ganglion cell death.

Emerging Gene Therapy Technologies for Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection.

Optic neuropathies encompass a breadth of diseases that ultimately result in dysfunction and/or loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Although visual impairment from optic neuropathies is common, there is a lack of effective clinical treatments. Addressing a critical need for novel interventions, preclinical studies have been generating a growing body of evidence that identify promising new drug-based and cell-based therapies. Gene therapy is another emerging therapeutic field that offers the potential of specifically and robustly increasing long-term RGC survival in optic neuropathies. Gene therapy offers additional benefits of driving improvements following a single treatment administration, and it can be designed to target a variety of pathways that may be involved in individual optic neuropathies or across multiple etiologies. This review explores the history of gene therapy, the fundamentals of its application, and the emerging development of gene therapy technology as it relates to treatment of optic neuropathies.

Promotion of axon regeneration and protection on injured retinal ganglion cells by rCXCL2

BackgroundIn addition to rescuing injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by stimulating the intrinsic growth ability of damaged RGCs in various retinal/optic neuropathies, increasing evidence has shown that the external microenvironmental factors also play a crucial role in restoring the survival of RGCs by promoting the regrowth of RGC axons, especially inflammatory factors. In this study, we aimed to screen out the underlying inflammatory factor involved in the signaling of staurosporine (STS)-induced axon regeneration and verify its role in the protection of RGCs and the promotion of axon regrowth.MethodsWe performed transcriptome RNA sequencing for STS induction models in vitro and analyzed the differentially expressed genes. After targeting the key gene, we verified the role of the candidate factor in RGC protection and promotion of axon regeneration in vivo with two RGC-injured animal models (optic nerve crush, ONC; retinal N-methyl-D-aspartate, NMDA damage) by using cholera toxin subunit B anterograde axon tracing and specific immunostaining of RGCs.ResultsWe found that a series of inflammatory genes expressed upregulated in the signaling of STS-induced axon regrowth and we targeted the candidate CXCL2 gene since the level of the chemokine CXCL2 gene elevated significantly among the top upregulated genes. We further demonstrated that intravitreal injection of rCXCL2 robustly promoted axon regeneration and significantly improved RGC survival in ONC-injured mice in vivo. However, different from its role in ONC model, the intravitreal injection of rCXCL2 was able to simply protect RGCs against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in mouse retina and maintain the long-distance projection of RGC axons, yet failed to promote significant axon regeneration.ConclusionsWe provide the first in vivo evidence that CXCL2, as an inflammatory factor, is a key regulator in the axon regeneration and neuroprotection of RGCs. Our comparative study may facilitate deciphering the exact molecular mechanisms of RGC axon regeneration and developing high-potency targeted drugs.

Neuroprotection of Retinal Ganglion Cells Suppresses Microglia Activation in a Mouse Model of Glaucoma.

Microglial activation has been implicated in many neurodegenerative eye diseases, but the interrelationship between cell loss and microglia activation remains unclear. In glaucoma, there is no consensus yet whether microglial activation precedes or is a consequence of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration. We therefore investigated the temporal and spatial appearance of activated microglia in retina and their correspondence to RGC degeneration in glaucoma. We used an established microbead occlusion model of glaucoma in mouse whereby intraocular pressure (IOP) was elevated. Specific antibodies were used to immunolabel microglia in resting and activated states. To block retinal gap junction (GJ) communication, which has been shown previously to provide significant neuroprotection of RGCs, the GJ blocker meclofenamic acid was administered or connexin36 (Cx36) GJ subunits were ablated genetically. We then studied microglial activation at different time points after microbead injection in control and neuroprotected retinas. Histochemical analysis of flatmount retinas revealed major changes in microglia morphology, density, and immunoreactivity in microbead-injected eyes. An early stage of microglial activation followed IOP elevation, as indicated by changes in morphology and cell density, but preceded RGC death. In contrast, the later stage of microglia activation, associated with upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class II expression, corresponded temporally to the initial loss of RGCs. However, we found that protection of RGCs afforded by GJ blockade or genetic ablation largely suppressed microglial changes at all stages of activation in glaucomatous retinas. Together, our data strongly suggest that microglia activation in glaucoma is a consequence, rather than a cause, of initial RGC degeneration and death.

Potential role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in glaucoma management: evidence from preclinical in vivo studies.

In recent years, the pharmacological benefits of herbal extracts have been revisited for their potential neuroprotective effects in glaucoma. The polysaccharides extracted from the fruits of Lycium barbarum L., or Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, exert their anti-aging effect through reducing oxidative stress, modulating the immune response, enhancing neuronal responses, and promoting cytoprotection. The therapeutic efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in preserving retinal ganglion cells and their functions was demonstrated in a range of experimental models of optic neuropathies. These include the acute and chronic ocular hypertension models, the partial optic nerve transection model, and the ischemic-reperfusion injuries model. Based on these findings, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides appear to be a good candidate to be developed as a neuroprotective agent for treating multifactorial diseases. This review aims to present a comprehensive review on the latest preclinical evidence on the pre- and post-treatment benefits of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection. The possible mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides mediating retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection will also be described. Moreover, the potential research gaps in the effective translation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides treatment into clinical glaucoma management will be discussed.

Adeno-associated virus mediated gene therapy for neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases typically characterized by the degeneration of the optic nerve and is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness. Although there is no cure for glaucoma, reducing intraocular pressure is an approved treatment to delay optic nerve degeneration and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in most patients. Recent clinical trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of gene therapy vectors for the treatment of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), and the results are promising, generating enthusiasm for the treatment of other retinal diseases. While there have been no reports on successful clinical trials for gene therapy-based neuroprotective treatment of glaucoma, and only a few studies assessing the efficacy of gene therapy vectors for the treatment of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), the potential for neuroprotective treatment of glaucoma and other diseases affecting RGCs is still widely recognized. Here, we review recent progress and cover current limitations pertaining to targeting RGCs with adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy for the treatment of glaucoma.

Deficiency of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1/HuR leads to the failure of endogenous and exogenous neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells.

ELAVL1/HuR is a keystone regulator of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, including stress response and homeostasis maintenance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hur silencing on the age-related degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), which potentially describes the efficiency of endogenous neuroprotection mechanisms, as well as to assess the exogenous neuroprotection capacity of hur-silenced RGC in the rat glaucoma model. The study consisted of in vitro and in vivo approaches. In vitro, we used rat B-35 cells to investigate, whether AAV-shRNA-HuR delivery affects survival and oxidative stress markers under temperature and excitotoxic insults. In vivo approach consisted of two different settings. In first one, 35 eight-week-old rats received intravitreal injection of AAV-shRNA-HuR or AAV-shRNA scramble control. Animals underwent electroretinography tests and were sacrificed 2, 4 or 6 months after injection. Retinas and optic nerves were collected and processed for immunostainings, electron microscopy and stereology. For the second approach, animals received similar gene constructs. To induce chronic glaucoma, 8 weeks after AAV injection, unilateral episcleral vein cauterization was performed. Animals from each group received intravitreal injection of metallothionein II. Animals underwent electroretinography tests and were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Retinas and optic nerves were collected and processed for immunostainings, electron microscopy and stereology. Silencing of hur induced apoptosis and increased oxidative stress markers in B-35 cells. Additionally, shRNA treatment impaired the cellular stress response to temperature and excitotoxic insults. In vivo, RGC count was decreased by 39% in shRNA-HuR group 6 months after injection, when compared to shRNA scramble control group. In neuroprotection study, the average loss of RGCs was 35% in animals with glaucoma treated with metallothionein and shRNA-HuR and 11.4% in animals with glaucoma treated with metallothionein and the scramble control shRNA. An alteration in HuR cellular content resulted in diminished photopic negative responses in the electroretinogram. Based on our findings, we conclude that HuR is essential for the survival and efficient neuroprotection of RGC and that the induced alteration in HuR content accelerates both the age-related and glaucoma-induced decline in RGC number and function, further confirming HuR's key role in maintaining cell homeostasis and its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Comparative Analysis of Retinal Organotypic Cultures and In Vivo Axotomized Retinas

Retinal organotypic cultures (ROCs) are used as an in vivo surrogate to study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and neuroprotection. In vivo, the gold standard to study RGC degeneration and neuroprotection is optic nerve lesion. We propose here to compare the course of RGC death and glial activation between both models. The left optic nerve of C57BL/6 male mice was crushed, and retinas analyzed from 1 to 9 days after the injury. ROCs were analyzed at the same time points. As a control, intact retinas were used. Retinas were studied anatomically to assess RGC survival, microglial, and macroglial activation. Macroglial and microglial cells showed different morphological activation between models and were activated earlier in ROCs. Furthermore, microglial cell density in the ganglion cell layer was always lower in ROCs than in vivo. RGC loss after axotomy and in vitro followed the same trend up to 5 days. Thereafter, there was an abrupt decrease in viable RGCs in ROCs. However, RGC somas were still immuno-identified by several molecular markers. ROCs are useful for proof-of-concept studies on neuroprotection, but long-term experiments should be carried out in vivo. Importantly, the differential glial activation observed between models and the concomitant death of photoreceptors that occurs in vitro may alter the efficacy of RGC neuroprotective therapies when tested in in vivo models of optic nerve injury.

CGMP signaling: a potential therapeutic target for neurodegeneration in glaucoma?

cGMP signaling: a potential therapeutic target for neurodegeneration in glaucoma?

Optic Nerve Crush Injury in Rodents to Study Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection and Regeneration.

Optic nerve crush injury is a useful model for studying the response of central nervous system neurons (CNS) to injury. A particular focus of this model has been to elucidate therapeutic factors in promoting neuroprotection and axon regeneration after injury. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol in accessing the optic nerve and creating a crush injury. This can be used to create a reproducible model to study the response of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), the main projection neurons of the eye, to injury.

Continuous Hypoxia Reduces Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathy.

To test whether continuous hypoxia is neuroprotective to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a mouse model of mitochondrial optic neuropathy. RGC degeneration was assessed in genetically modified mice in which the floxed gene for the complex I subunit NDUFS4 is deleted from RGCs using Vlgut2-driven Cre recombinase. Beginning at postnatal day 25 (P25), Vglut2-Cre;ndufs4loxP/loxP mice and control littermates were housed under hypoxia (11% oxygen) or kept under normoxia (21% oxygen). Survival of RGC somas and axons was assessed at P60 and P90 via histological analysis of retinal flatmounts and optic nerve cross-sections, respectively. Retinal tissue was also assessed for gliosis and neuroinflammation using western blot and immunofluorescence. Consistent with our previous characterization of this model, at least one-third of RGCs had degenerated by P60 in Vglut2-Cre;ndufs4loxP/loxP mice remaining under normoxia. However, continuous hypoxia resulted in complete rescue of RGC somas and axons at this time point, with normal axonal myelination observed on electron microscopy. Though only partial, hypoxia-mediated rescue of complex I-deficient RGC somas and axons remained significant at P90. Hypoxia prevented reactive gliosis at P60, but the retinal accumulation of Iba1+ mononuclear phagocytic cells was not substantially reduced. Continuous hypoxia achieved dramatic rescue of early RGC degeneration in mice with severe mitochondrial dysfunction. Although complete rescue was not durable to P90, our observations suggest that investigating the mechanisms underlying hypoxia-mediated neuroprotection of RGCs may identify useful therapeutic strategies for optic neuropathies resulting from less profound mitochondrial impairment, such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

S1PR1 signaling attenuates apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells via modulation of cJun/Bim cascade and Bad phosphorylation in a mouse model of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by optic nerve damage and apoptotic retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Among the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) family, S1PR1 is a highly expressed subtype in the central nervous system and has gained rapid attention as an important mediator of pathophysiological processes in the brain and the retina. Our recent study showed that mice treated orally with siponimod drug exerted neuroprotection via modulation of neuronal S1PR1 in experimental glaucoma. This study identified the molecular signaling pathway modulated by S1PR1 activation with siponimod treatment in RGCs in glaucomatous injury. We investigated the critical neuroprotective signaling pathway in vivo using mice deleted for S1PR1 in RGCs. Our results showed marked upregulation of the apoptotic pathway was associated with decreased Akt and Erk1/2 activation levels in the retina in glaucoma conditions. Activation of S1PR1 with siponimod treatment significantly increased neuroprotective Akt and Erk1/2 activation and attenuated the apoptotic signaling via suppression of c-Jun/Bim cascade and by increasing Bad phosphorylation. Conversely, deletion of S1PR1 in RGCs significantly increased the apoptotic cells in the ganglion cell layer in glaucoma and diminished the neuroprotective effects of siponimod treatment on Akt/Erk1/2 activation, c-Jun/Bim cascade, and Bad phosphorylation. Our data demonstrated that activation of S1PR1 in RGCs induces crucial neuroprotective signaling that suppresses the proapoptotic c-Jun/Bim cascade and increases antiapoptotic Bad phosphorylation. Our findings suggest that S1PR1 is a potential therapeutic target for neuroprotection of RGCs in glaucoma.

ELAVL1/HuR regulates both endo‐ and exogenous neuroprotection in retinal ganglion cells

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the impact of HuR gene silencing on the ratio of age‐related degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGC), which potentially describes the efficiency of endogenous neuroprotection mechanisms, as well as to assess the exogenous neuroprotection capacity of HuR‐ silenced RGC in rat glaucoma model treated with Metallothionein.Methods: Thirty‐five eight‐week‐old male Long Evans rats were divided into two groups: experimental and control. Animals from experimental group received intravitreal injection of AAV‐shRNA‐HuR. Control group received injection of AAV‐shRNA scramble control. Animals from both groups were sacrificed in 3 different time points: 2, 4 and 6 months after injection. Both healthy and treated retinas from each animal were collected and processed as whole mounts for immunostainings and RGC count. For the second trial, animals were divided into groups and transfected with virus particles as described above. To induce chronic glaucoma model, 8 weeks after AAV injection, unilateral episcleral vein cauterization was performed. Half of animals from each group received intravitreal injection of Metallothionein (MT), the other group received PBS injection. During the experiment IOP was monitored. Both healthy and treated retinas from each animal were collected and processed as whole mounts for immunostainings and RGC count.Results: RGC count (per visual field under 20× magnification) was 310 ± 31, 296 ± 25, 189 ± 41 in experimental group and 399 ± 51, 395 ± 49, 390 ± 23 in control respectively for 2, 4 and 6 months after injection (Kaplan‐Mayer trend rank p < 0.0001). Loss of RGC in central retina was 33.7% in animals from shRNA‐MT‐treated glaucoma and 11.4% in shRNA control‐MT‐treated glaucoma (p < 0.05). In peripheral part of the retina the loss was 37.4% in animals from shRNA‐MT‐treated glaucoma and 11.5% in shRNA control‐MT‐treated glaucoma (p < 0.01).Conclusions: Silencing of hur gene enhanced age‐related loss of RGC which translates into impaired endogenous neuroprotection pathways, moreover the absence of HuR critically limits neuroprotective activity of exogenously delivered Metallothionein.

Novel formulations in the treatment of glaucoma

AbstractNeuroprotective therapy in glaucoma is gaining a lot of interest to be used alone or simultaneously with the control of intraocular pressure (IOP). Neuronal degeneration process occurs through different pathways. For this reason, effective neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and other retinal cells in glaucoma must be performed according to different targets. Recently, there is special interest in designing treatments able to include a combination of active agents in the same formulation.Treatments destined to lower IOP, in which the target is the anterior segment of the eye are administered topically. By the contrary, neuroprotective therapies require the administration of the active substances close to the retinal tissues as well as their maintenance during long term. Since the last decades the development of intraocular drug delivery systems (IDDS) has emerged as therapeutic tools to provide therapeutic concentrations inside the eye during long term, thus reducing the number of injections. Among the controlled release devices, implants (>1 mm) and microparticles (1–1000 μm), are capable of releasing the active substance during long time. Furthermore, if they are prepared with biodegradable polymers, they have the advantage of disappearing from the site of administration after releasing the drug. There are currently two biodegradable implants in the clinical practice to avoid frequent administrations. One of them is loaded with dexamethasone (Ozurdex®) for intravitreal injection and Durysta™ administered in the anterior chamber. Both devices are prepared from the biopolymers derived from the lactic and glycolic acid poly‐(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid, named as PLGA. The final products of this biodegradable biomaterial result well tolerated and they are finally eliminated from the body.Despite the advantages of the commercialized biodegradable implants, they did not allow personalized therapy and microparticles (mainly PLGA microspheres) are under investigation as therapeutic platforms for intraocular purposes(1). One of their main advantages is that they can be administered as a suspension in the vitreous using small gauge needles (30‐32G). Another interesting advantage of microspheres is that, by being able to easily modify the amount of microparticles to be administered, they become very useful tools for personalized therapies.Microspheres allow to incorporate several drugs in the same device providing a simultaneous delivery of the active substances, resulting of special interest in multifactorial diseases(2). Furthermore, the amount of injected polymer in the co‐loaded device resulted lower compared to single‐loaded systems.Acknowledgements‐Grant: PID2020‐113281RB‐C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033, Research Group UCM 920415 “Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology (InnOftal)” and the ISCII‐FEDER RETICS (OFTARED) (RD16/0008/0004 and RD16/0008/0009).

Neuroprotection of Rodent and Human Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vitro/Ex Vivo by the Hybrid Small Molecule SA-2.

The mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of the hybrid antioxidant-nitric oxide donating compound SA-2 in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration models were evaluated. The in vitro trophic factor (TF) deprivation model in primary rat RGCs and ex vivo human retinal explants were used to mimic glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Cell survival was assessed after treatment with vehicle or SA-2. In separate experiments, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) were used in ex vivo rat retinal explants and primary rat RGCs, respectively, to induce oxidative damage. Mitochondrial and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed following treatments. In the TF deprivation model, SA-2 treatment produced a significant decrease in apoptotic and dead cell counts in primary RGCs and a significant increase in RGC survival in ex vivo human retinal explants. In the oxidative stress-induced models, a significant decrease in the production of ROS was observed in the SA-2-treated group compared to the vehicle-treated group. Compound SA-2 was neuroprotective against various glaucomatous insults in the rat and human RGCs by reducing apoptosis and decreasing ROS levels. Amelioration of mitochondrial and cellular oxidative stress by SA-2 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing neurodegeneration in glaucomatous RGCs.