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)
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)
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
Ophthalmology
Gang Shen, Yanmei Li, Yongcheng Zeng, Fuyan Hong, Jing Zhang, Yan Wang, Chengwei Zhang, Wei Xiang, Jinhong Wang, Zhenzhen Fang, Weiwei Qi, Xia Yang, Guoquan Gao, Ti Zhou
Summary: KAL inhibits oxidative stress-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by downregulating the transcription factor Snail. KAL knockout rats can serve as an appropriate animal model for observing spontaneous RPE dysfunction for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-like retinopathy, and KAL may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating dry AMD.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Kapil Bharti, Anneke I. den Hollander, Aparna Lakkaraju, Debasish Sinha, David S. Williams, Silvia C. Finnemann, Catherine Bowes-Rickman, Goldis Malek, Patricia A. D'Amore
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that causes irreversible vision loss in the elderly, affecting the central part of the retina known as the macula. In vitro models of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) have been developed to study various aspects of AMD. However, different models show significant variations in RPE phenotype, making it necessary to establish standards for differentiating and characterizing RPE cells.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Rowena Simon, Marius Jentsch, Parva Karimimousivandi, Dongfeng Cao, Jeffrey D. Messinger, Daniel Meller, Christine A. Curcio, Martin Hammer
Summary: The study investigated the histologic autofluorescence life-times and spectra of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during the transition from normal aging to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The results showed that RPE dysmorphia resulted in a shorter wavelength peak of spectral emission and increased autofluorescence lifetimes. These autofluorescence changes might serve as early biomarkers for AMD progression and contribute to our understanding of RPE-driven pathology.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Martin Hammer, Juliane Jakob-Girbig, Linda Schwanengel, Christine A. Curcio, Somar Hasan, Daniel Meller, Rowena Schultz
Summary: The study observed changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during the transition from dysmorphia to atrophy in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO). The findings showed that as hyperpigmented areas form and RPE migrates into the retina, fluorescence lifetimes lengthen and emission spectrum intensity ratio (ESRI) of RPE cells increase, suggesting potential early biomarkers for AMD progression.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
R. Scott Duncan, Andrew Keightley, Adam A. A. Lopez, Conner W. W. Hall, Peter Koulen
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness in the elderly, and oxidative stress plays a role in its development. In this study, the researchers used hTERT-RPE cells to understand the pathophysiological changes in RPE during oxidative stress. They found that alpha Toc and gamma Toc independently induced the expression of antioxidant proteins in RPE cells, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for protecting RPE cells from oxidative stress. Proteomics approaches were used to identify the changes in protein expression in cellular antioxidant response pathways during oxidative stress and after tocopherol treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Daniela Intartaglia, Giuliana Giamundo, Ivan Conte
Summary: miRNAs play essential roles in regulating gene expression and dysregulation can lead to diseases. Retinal pigment epithelial cells are crucial for maintaining vision and retinal homeostasis, with miRNAs playing important roles in this process. Further research on the roles of miRNAs in RPE function and health is essential for therapeutic approaches to treat eye diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Antonio E. Paniagua, Alicia Segurado, Jorge F. Dolon, Julian Esteve-Rudd, Almudena Velasco, David S. Williams, Concepcion Lillo
Summary: The study reveals that CRB2 plays a crucial role in the polarization process of human RPE cells, contributing to tight junction maintenance and cell cycle arrest. Knockdown of CRB2 in RPE cells affects the distribution of apical polarity proteins and disrupts retinal homeostasis by causing invasion of activated microglial cells into the subretinal space. Overall, CRB2 is identified as a key protein for the development and maintenance of a polarized epithelium.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Reinier Bakker, Ellie L. Wagstaff, Charlotte C. Kruijt, Eszter Emri, Clara D. M. van Karnebeek, Michael B. Hoffmann, Brian P. Brooks, Camiel J. F. Boon, Lluis Montoliu, Maria M. van Genderen, Arthur A. Bergen
Summary: This article discusses the pathogenesis of albinism, proposing a genetic signaling pathway hypothesis that includes 22 human albinism disease genes and suggests that different types of albinism may be caused by different cellular defects. It provides a framework for further systematic studies in albinism and melanin pigmentation disorders.
PROGRESS IN RETINAL AND EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
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.
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zhongjie Fu, Lois E. H. Smith
Summary: Pathologic angiogenesis in eye diseases leading to blindness can be attributed to cell senescence, as demonstrated by the bioinformatics study conducted by Crespo-Garcia, Tsuruda, and Dejda. Their findings were validated in human and mouse retina models, where clearance of senescent cells effectively suppressed neovessel growth.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jongmin Kim, Ju Young Park, Jeong Sik Kong, Hyungseok Lee, Jae Yon Won, Dong Woo Cho
Summary: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a crucial role in retinal degenerative diseases, but there is currently no cure. Research has shown that bioink derived from porcine Bruch's membrane can enhance RPE functionality, and a Bruch's membrane-mimetic substrate (BMS) developed using 3D printing technology can facilitate appropriate RPE functions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(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
Cell Biology
Vera L. Bonilha, Brent A. Bell, Meghan J. DeBenedictis, Stephanie A. Hagstrom, Gerald A. Fishman, Joe G. Hollyfield
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vera L. Bonilha
Article
Biology
Cynthia Tang, Jimin Han, Sonal Dalvi, Kannan Manian, Lauren Winschel, Stefanie Volland, Celia A. Soto, Chad A. Galloway, Whitney Spencer, Michael Roll, Caroline Milliner, Vera L. Bonilha, Tyler B. Johnson, Lisa Latchney, Jill M. Weimer, Erika F. Augustine, Jonathan W. Mink, Vamsi K. Gullapalli, Mina Chung, David S. Williams, Ruchira Singh
Summary: Mutations in CLN3 lead to photoreceptor cell loss in CLN3 disease, affecting the phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Patient-derived cells show that CLN3 is essential for RPE cell structure and phagocytosis, suggesting potential for gene therapy targeting RPE cells in treating CLN3 disease.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Vijay K. Jidigam, Rupesh Singh, Julia C. Batoki, Caroline Milliner, Onkar B. Sawant, Vera L. Bonilha, Sujata Rao
Summary: This study aims to assess histopathological changes in the retina and choroid of COVID-19 patients and determine long-term sequelae. The results show hemorrhagic spots and vitreous debris in COVID-19 eyes, with an increase in retinal thickness. Histological analysis reveals hemorrhages and degeneration. The study indicates severe subclinical abnormalities in COVID-19 eyes, highlighting the need to understand the long-term effects of the virus on ocular physiology.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shinichi Fukuda, Siddharth Narendran, Akhil Varshney, Yosuke Nagasaka, Shao-Bin Wang, Kameshwari Ambati, Ivana Apicella, Felipe Pereira, Benjamin J. Fowler, Tetsuhiro Yasuma, Shuichiro Hirahara, Reo Yasuma, Peirong Huang, Praveen Yerramothu, Ryan D. Makin, Mo Wang, Kirstie L. Baker, Kenneth M. Marion, Xiwen Huang, Elmira Baghdasaryan, Meenakshi Ambati, Vidya L. Ambati, Daipayan Banerjee, Vera L. Bonilha, Genrich Tolstonog, Ulrike Held, Yuichiro Ogura, Hiroko Terasaki, Tetsuro Oshika, Deepak Bhattarai, Kyung Bo Kim, Sanford H. Feldman, J. Ignacio Aguirre, David R. Hinton, Nagaraj Kerur, Srinivas R. Sadda, Gerald G. Schumann, Bradley D. Gelfand, Jayakrishna Ambati
Summary: The study reveals that AN cDNA is highly enriched in the RPE of human eyes with geographic atrophy, triggering RPE degeneration through inflammasome activation. L1 and Alu cDNA play critical roles in this process, while rodents are resistant to this degeneration. Furthermore, nucleoside RT inhibitors can block the toxic effects of AN cDNA.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lingjun Zhang, Nozha Borjini, Yu Lun, Sweta Parab, Gospel Asonye, Rupesh Singh, Brent A. Bell, Vera L. Bonilha, Andrei Ivanov, David A. Fox, Rachel Caspi, Feng Lin
Summary: CDCP1, highly expressed on the surface of cancer cells, was found to be present on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It interacts with CD6 on T cells, inducing cytoskeleton remodeling and focal adhesion disruption in RPE cells, leading to the development of autoimmune uveitis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanghamitra Bhattacharyya, Johnathon Sturgis, Arvydas Maminishkis, Sheldon S. Miller, Vera L. Bonilha
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of DJ-1 expression changes and oxidation of its C residues on RPE function. The results showed that decreased levels of endogenous DJ-1 resulted in increased levels of ROS, morphological changes in mitochondria structure, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased viability of RPE cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Jessica Ludwig, Onkar B. Sawant, Jill Wood, Srikanth Singamsetty, Xuefang Pan, Vera L. Bonilha, Sujata Rao, Alexey. Pshezhetsky
Summary: Mutations in the HGSNAT gene cause MPS IIIC, which leads to progressive neurodegenerative disease and early death. This study found that Hgsnat knockout mice and a human MPS IIIC eye exhibited severe retinal degeneration. Ophthalmological evaluations could potentially be used as diagnostic indicators and endpoints for MPS IIIC therapies.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Mala Upadhyay, Vera L. Bonilha
Summary: The sodium iodate (NaIO3) model is a valuable tool in studying dry AMD and evaluating the retinal structure. Through extensive research, it has been found that the death of RPE cells caused by NaIO3 injection is closely related to vision loss in patients with dry AMD. Therefore, studying NaIO3 can provide insights into the mechanisms of RPE and photoreceptor cell death and contribute to understanding RPE degeneration in AMD.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Rupesh Singh, George Hoppe, Demiana Hanna, Zoe Miller, Paul Freedman, Vera L. Bonilha, Bela Anand-Apte, Jonathan Sears
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Johnathon Sturgis, Caroline Milliner, Paul Freedman, Rupesh Singh, Ivy S. Samuels, Vera L. Bonilha
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Mala Upadhyay, Caroline Milliner, Vera L. Bonilha
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Onkar Sawant, Jill Wood, Srikanth Singamsetty, Stephanie How, Xuefang Pan, Vera L. Bonilha, Sujata Rao, Alexey Pshezhetsky
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jane Hu, Gayle J. Pauer, Stephanie A. Hagstrom, Dean Bok, Meghan J. DeBenedictis, Vera L. Bonilha, Joe G. Hollyfield, Roxana A. Radu
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Mala Upadhyay, Caroline Miliner, Vera L. Bonilha
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2020)