Article
Ophthalmology
Karin Rose Lypka, Tal Carmy-Bennun, Kimberly N. Garces, Alexander W. Venanzi, Abigail S. Hackam
Summary: This study investigated the impact of optic nerve crush on outer retinal thickness and visual function in mice. The results showed that the structure and function of the outer retina were not damaged in the presence of significant retinal ganglion cell death, suggesting that the retina has the ability to compartmentalize damage.
Article
Cell Biology
Mahmoud Bassal, Junling Liu, Wanda Jankowiak, Paul Saftig, Udo Bartsch
Summary: This study explored retinal degeneration in mice lacking the lysosomal aspartyl protease cathepsin D, a model for congenital CLN10 disease. The results demonstrated early-onset and rapidly progressing retinal dystrophy affecting all retinal cell types. This data will be valuable for developing treatments for retinal degeneration in CLN10 disease.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiliang Liu, Shanshan Han, Fei Liu, Shanshan Yu, Yayun Qin, Jingzhen Li, Danna Jia, Pan Gao, Xiang Chen, Zhaohui Tang, Mugen Liu, Yuwen Huang
Summary: In this study, a rpgra mutant zebrafish model was successfully constructed using gene editing technology. The results showed that rpgra is crucial for the ciliary transport of cone-associated proteins and its mutation leads to retinal degeneration. This study provides an important research model for further investigation of the molecular mechanism of retinal degeneration caused by RPGR(ORF15) mutation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Sean Mccracken, Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Allison L. Hall, Zelun Wang, Daniel Kerschensteiner, Josh L. Morgan, Philip R. Williams
Summary: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration, caused by axon degeneration, is the main reason for vision loss in blinding conditions. Axonal Ca2+ elevations from optic nerve injury do not reach RGC somas, and baseline Ca2+ levels of RGCs predict their survival after axon injury.
Review
Cell Biology
Mary L. Tapia, Gabriel Nascimento-dos-Santos, Kevin K. Park
Summary: This review discusses the heterogeneity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their differential resilience to injury and regeneration. By identifying molecular features and studying different regeneration models, specific RGC types that exhibit preferential survival and regeneration have been discovered. Cellular characteristics and the selective expression of certain genes may contribute to their reparative capacity. These studies lay an important groundwork for identifying factors that promote neural regeneration and developing targeted therapy for RGC degeneration and neurodegenerative diseases in general.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Boyoon Choi, Hyeyoung Kim, Jungim Jang, Sihyeon Park, Hosung Jung
Summary: Neurons form long-distance connections through their axons, and the accuracy and stability of these connections are crucial for brain function. Investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal circuit assembly and maintenance requires an efficient vertebrate model. Xenopus tropicalis, a diploid amphibian species, is an ideal model for visualizing axonal pathfinding and degeneration of a specific neuronal cell type - the retinal ganglion cell. This study demonstrates that the visual system of X. tropicalis is highly efficient for identifying new molecular mechanisms underlying axon guidance and survival.
MOLECULES AND CELLS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fa Yuan, Mingwei Wang, Kangxin Jin, Mengqing Xiang
Summary: The text discusses the pathogenesis of glaucoma and the characteristics of RGCs, highlighting the differences in regenerative abilities post-injury and the latest research findings. It proposes potential directions for future therapeutics in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Vernazza, Francesco Oddone, Sara Tirendi, Anna Maria Bassi
Summary: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that causes damage to retinal ganglion cells and results in permanent vision loss. While Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) is the main therapeutic target, other pathological conditions and neuroprotective therapeutic approaches also play important roles in the disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tobias J. Buscham, Maria A. Eichel-Vogel, Anna M. Steyer, Olaf Jahn, Nicola Strenzke, Rakshit Dardawal, Tor R. Memhave, Sophie B. Siems, Christina Muller, Martin Meschkat, Ting Sun, Torben Ruhwedel, Wiebke Mobius, Eva-Maria Kramer-Albers, Susann Boretius, Klaus-Armin Nave, Hauke B. Werner, Kelly Monk
Summary: CMTM5 plays a role in maintaining axonal integrity rather than myelin biogenesis, as its deficiency leads to early-onset progressive axonopathy without affecting the development or ultrastructure of myelin.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jeffrey Lambe, Hunter Risher, Angeliki G. Filippatou, Olwen C. Murphy, Elias S. Sotirchos, Henrik Ehrhardt, Esther Ogbuokiri, Nicole Pellegrini, Brandon Toliver, Nicholas J. Luciano, Simidele Davis, Nicholas Fioravante, Ohemaa Kwakyi, Jerry L. Prince, Peter A. Calabresi, Kathryn C. Fitzgerald, Shiv Saidha
Summary: The study found that rituximab has a modulating effect on retinal atrophy in RRMS patients. After 12 months of treatment, there is a greater attenuation of retinal atrophy, and the rates become similar to those observed in natalizumab-treated patients and healthy controls.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jeffrey Lambe, Hunter Risher, Angeliki G. Filippatou, Olwen C. Murphy, Elias S. Sotirchos, Henrik Ehrhardt, Esther Ogbuokiri, Nicole Pellegrini, Brandon Toliver, Nicholas J. Luciano, Simidele Davis, Nicholas Fioravante, Ohemaa Kwakyi, Jerry L. Prince, Peter A. Calabresi, Kathryn C. Fitzgerald, Shiv Saidha
Summary: The study investigated the effects of rituximab on retinal atrophy in patients with RRMS. It found that rituximab-treated patients exhibited modulation of retinal atrophy, and greater attenuation may occur after 12 months of treatment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xi Chen, Shanshan Li, Xiaoli Liu, Jingjie Zhao, Lanting Wu, Ran You, Yanling Wang
Summary: This study investigates the role of endogenous c-kit(+) cells in retinal degeneration. Stimulation of these cells by stem cell factor (SCF) provides protection against retinal degeneration. SCF administration improves visual function and prevents the loss of retinal ganglion cells. Transcriptome analysis reveals that SCF-induced changes are closely correlated with eye development-related pathways.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Zi-Yuan Zhang, Zhao-Yang Zuo, Yang Liang, Si-Ming Zhang, Chun-Xia Zhang, Jing Chi, Bin Fan, Guang-Yu Li
Summary: This study identifies CXCL2, an inflammatory factor, as a key regulator in the axon regeneration and neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The researchers performed transcriptome RNA sequencing to analyze the differentially expressed genes in STS-induced axon regeneration and found that CXCL2 was significantly upregulated. Further experiments in animal models confirmed that intravitreal injection of rCXCL2 promoted axon regeneration and improved RGC survival.
INFLAMMATION AND REGENERATION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Rebekah A. Warwick, Alina S. Heukamp, Serena Riccitelli, Michal Rivlin-Etzion
Summary: Dopamine has subtype-specific effects on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the mouse retina. The non-selective dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine can either increase or decrease RGCs' surround strength depending on their subtype. D-1- and D-2-like receptor blockers have opposite effects on RGC subtypes, with D-2-R blocker reducing surround antagonism and D-1-R blocker leading to surround activation.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Aiwen Xu, Michael Beyeler
Summary: This study used a biophysical model to simulate the retina and investigated the impact of neuroanatomical changes on cellular responses during retinal degeneration. The findings revealed that retinal cell activity increased and electrical stimulation thresholds also increased during retinal degeneration, and testable predictions about the underlying neuroanatomical mechanisms were proposed.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)