Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiang-Hui Wang, Daniel Urrutia-Cabrera, Jarmon G. Lees, Santiago Mesa Mora, Tu Nguyen, Sandy S. C. Hung, Alex W. Hewitt, Shiang Y. Lim, Thomas L. Edwards, Raymond C. B. Wong
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding disease characterized by dysfunction of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). This study developed a human RPE model using CRISPRi technology, providing a useful tool for functional studies of AMD-associated genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jongmin Kim, Yeo Jin Lee, Jae Yon Won
Summary: This review highlights the roles and pathogenesis of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in AMD, emphasizing the importance of understanding the etiology of AMD and discussing potential treatment strategies targeting RPE.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cody R. Fisher, Mara C. Ebeling, Zhaohui Geng, Rebecca J. Kapphahn, Heidi Roehrich, Sandra R. Montezuma, James R. Dutton, Deborah A. Ferrington
Summary: This study evaluated the treatment response of haRPE and iPSC-RPE to oxidative stress and potential therapeutics for mitochondrial defects. The results showed disease-specific responses in haRPE, while iPSC-RPE had similar responses regardless of disease status. Analysis of cells generated from the same donor showed a similar response for donors without AMD, but significant differences in treatment response between cell models from AMD donors.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Samaneh Dehghan, Reza Mirshahi, Alireza Shoae-Hassani, Masood Naseripour
Summary: This study discusses age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the current treatment options for wet and dry AMD. Stem cell therapy has shown great potential in the treatment of AMD. Human pluripotent stem cells, especially induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can be used to generate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, restoring the structure and function of the retina.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ioannis J. Limnios, Yu-Qian Chau, Stuart J. Skabo, Denver C. Surrao, Helen C. O'Neill
Summary: This study developed a rapid and efficient method for producing retinal RPE cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) using small molecules. The RPE cells exhibited key morphological, molecular, and functional characteristics of endogenous RPE, showing potential for clinical-grade cell production to treat AMD.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pei-Li Yao, Vipul M. Parmar, Mayur Choudhary, Goldis Malek
Summary: The expression and activity of NURR1 play critical roles in the physiological and pathological functions of human RPE cells. Targeting NURR1 may have therapeutic potential for AMD by improving EMT, inflammation, and lipid homeostasis in RPE cells.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Carson C. Petrash, Alan G. Palestine, M. Valeria Canto-Soler
Summary: The potential of replacing dysfunctional retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) with stem cell grafts to improve vision in patients with retinal disorders is being explored by numerous research groups. However, factors such as immune responses, unique immunologic environments, and variability in assessment techniques and drug regimens complicate comparisons of findings and determination of successful outcomes in RPE transplant trials. Further research is needed to address these complicating factors and improve the design of future transplants and investigations.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Mara C. Ebeling, Cody R. Fisher, Rebecca J. Kapphahn, Madilyn R. Stahl, Shichen Shen, Jun Qu, Sandra R. Montezuma, Deborah A. Ferrington
Summary: This study found that the inflammasome is present and active in RPE, but it may not contribute to the pathology of early AMD.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masahiro Miura, Shuichi Makita, Yoshiaki Yasuno, Takuya Iwasaki, Shinnosuke Azuma, Toshihiro Mino, Tatsuo Yamaguchi
Summary: The study quantitatively evaluated retinal pigment epithelium changes in patients with age-related macular degeneration using prototype multi-contrast optical coherence tomography. The results showed that multi-contrast OCT is useful for objective evaluation of changes in the retinal pigment epithelium.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brandi L. Williams, Nathan A. Seager, Jamie D. Gardiner, Chris M. Pappas, Monica C. Cronin, Cristina Amat di San Filippo, Robert A. Anstadt, Jin Liu, Marc A. Toso, Lisa Nichols, Timothy J. Parnell, Jacqueline R. Eve, Paul L. Bartel, Moussa A. Zouache, Burt T. Richards, Gregory S. Hageman
Summary: Research has shown that the HTRA1 gene in the 10q26 locus is downregulated in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and this is mediated by a noncoding, cis-regulatory element overlapping the ARMS2 intron, potentially leading to an increased risk of disease.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Satoru Ando, Noriyasu Hashida, Daisuke Yamashita, Tsuyoshi Kawabata, Kazunobu Asao, Satoshi Kawasaki, Kazushi Sakurai, Tamotsu Yoshimori, Kohji Nishida
Summary: The study reveals that toxic fluorophore A2E impairs autophagy and upregulates Rubicon in RPE. Treatment with Rubicon-specific siRNA can reverse this impairment, and RPE-specific Rubicon deletion plays a positive role in alleviating retinal inflammation reactions.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nan Su, Uwe Hansen, Tanja Plagemann, Karin Gaeher, M. Dominik Leclaire, Jeannette Konig, Annika Hoehn, Tilman Grune, Constantin E. Uhlig, Nicole Eter, Peter Heiduschka
Summary: LF injection into the subretinal space of mice leads to activation and migration of microglial cells, increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, and gradual degradation of RPE cells. These features are consistent with those found in an aging retina, suggesting that LF injection could serve as a model for intermediate and late AMD.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexa Klettner, Johann Roider
Summary: TLR activation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can induce a pro-inflammatory response, leading to inflammation by triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impairing RPE function, and causing RPE cell degeneration. This constant cycle of TLR activation may contribute to the development of AMD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Caijiao Yi, Jian Liu, Wen Deng, Chang Luo, Jinyan Qi, Mei Chen, Heping Xu
Summary: This study investigated the effect of ageing on subretinal fibrosis secondary to choroidal neovascularization and the mechanism of action. The results showed that ageing increased the number of circulating fibrocytes and the profibrotic potential of BM-derived macrophages. Additionally, aged mice had significantly more severe subretinal fibrosis compared to young mice. The transplantation of BM from aged mice significantly increased subretinal fibrosis in young mice.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shiu-Jau Chen, Tzer-Bin Lin, Hsien-Yu Peng, Hsiang-Jui Liu, An-Sheng Lee, Cheng-Hsien Lin, Kuang-Wen Tseng
Summary: The study demonstrates that fucoxanthin protects RPE cells from oxidative stress-induced premature senescence and decreased photoreceptor cell loss. Fucoxanthin treatment significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and reduced malondialdehyde concentrations in oxidative stress-induced RPE cell damage. Additionally, fucoxanthin may protect against premature senescence and cellular dysfunction in retinal cells exposed to oxidative stress.