Article
Cell Biology
Vittorio Porciatti, Tsung-Han Chou
Summary: This study introduces a framework to identify progressive and potentially reversible stages of RGC dysfunction leading to cell death in mouse models of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. Mathematical equations are provided to describe state-transitions and modifiable parameters that can be used for hypothesis testing and fitting experimental PERG data. PERG dynamics are also utilized to differentiate phenotypic and altered RGC response dynamics, assess susceptibility to stressors, and evaluate reversible dysfunction with pharmacological treatment.
Review
Neurosciences
Jonathan R. Soucy, Erika A. Aguzzi, Julie Cho, Michael James Gilhooley, Casey Keuthan, Ziming Luo, Aboozar Monavarfeshani, Meher A. Saleem, Xue-Wei Wang, Juilette Wohlschlegel, Petr Baranov, Adriana Di Polo, Brad Fortune, Kimberly K. Gokoffski, Jeffrey L. Goldberg, William Guido, Alex L. Kolodkin, Carol A. Mason, Yvonne Ou, Thomas A. Reh, Ahmara G. Ross, Brian C. Samuels, Derek Welsbie, Donald J. Zack, Thomas V. Johnson
Summary: This article discusses the key questions and challenges in restoring vision through RGC repopulation and proposes a multidisciplinary approach to advance the field. The efforts of the RReSTORe Consortium provide a comprehensive roadmap for treating patients with optic neuropathies.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Fen Lai, Ting-Yi Lin, Pin-Kuan Ho, Yi-Hao Chen, Yu-Chuan Huang, Da-Wen Lu
Summary: In this review, the neuroprotective function of erythropoietin (EPO) in extra-hematopoietic tissues, especially the retina, is highlighted. The available pre-clinical studies of EPO in treating various optic neuropathies are summarized. Furthermore, future strategies for optic nerve protection and repair using EPO and its derivatives are explored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ling-Ping Cen, Tsz Kin Ng, Jia-Jian Liang, Ciyan Xu, Xi Zhuang, Yu-Fen Liu, Shao-Lang Chen, Yanxuan Xu, Qichen Yang, Xiang-Ling Yuan, Yong Jie Qin, Sun On Chan, Haoyu Chen, Mingzhi Zhang, Andrew V. Schally, Chi Pui Pang
Summary: The study demonstrated that both agonists and antagonists of GHRH could promote the survival of RGCs through increasing Akt phosphorylation and regulating the expression of inflammation-related genes. GHRH analogs not only have a protective effect on RGCs after optic nerve injury, but also enhance the activation of macrophages.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vittorio Porciatti, Tsung-Han Chou
Summary: Neuroprotection in optic neuropathies aims to preserve retinal ganglion cells and their function. The use of the Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) for noninvasive evaluation of RGC function can provide diagnostic and prognostic value, as well as support early treatment recommendations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ben Mead, Alicia Kerr, Naoki Nakaya, Stanislav I. Tomarev
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the miRNA profile of purified retinal ganglion cells (RGC) from healthy and diseased rat retina. Over 100 different miRNAs were identified in diseased retina compared to healthy retina. Manipulating candidate mRNAs after retinal injury revealed significant neuroprotection and neuritogenesis effects in RGC.
Article
Neurosciences
Wennan Li, Dorsa Haji Ghaffari, Rohit Misra, James D. Weiland
Summary: Increasing stimulus frequency induces desensitization of retinal ganglion cells, while stimulus amplitude does not affect desensitization. Introducing variability into each pulse can partially overcome retinal desensitization.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Alexander M. Warwick, Howard M. Bomze, Luyu Wang, Mikael Klingeborn, Ying Hao, Sandra S. Stinnett, Sidney M. Gospe
Summary: Continuous hypoxia was found to have a significant neuroprotective effect on early retinal ganglion cell degeneration in mice with severe mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the complete rescue effect was not durable after a certain period of time. Hypoxia prevented gliosis but had limited effect on the accumulation of mononuclear phagocytic cells.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Ping Yang, Yuh-Lih Chang, Yun-Hsien Lai, Ping-Hsing Tsai, Yu-Jer Hsiao, Long Hoang Nguyen, Xue-Zhen Lim, Chang-Chi Weng, Yu-Ling Ko, Chang-Hao Yang, De-Kuang Hwang, Shih-Jen Chen, Shih-Hwa Chiou, Guang-Yuh Chiou, An-Guor Wang, Yueh Chien
Summary: In this study, researchers found differential expression of circular RNA hsa_circ_0087207 between iPSC-derived RGCs generated from LHON patients and carriers, suggesting its involvement in the pathogenesis of LHON through the miR-665 pathway. This finding provides a novel therapeutic target for LHON treatment.
Article
Cell Biology
Tian Wang, Yiming Li, Miao Guo, Xue Dong, Mengyu Liao, Mei Du, Xiaohong Wang, Haifang Yin, Hua Yan
Summary: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is characterized by optic nerve damage resulting in vision loss, with limited treatment options. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 38 (PACAP38) has shown promise as a therapeutic agent. Using rat retinal ganglion cell (RGC) exosomes as delivery vesicles for PACAP38 (EXOPACAP38) demonstrated improved uptake efficiency and potential for promoting RGC survival, nerve fiber layer thickness, axon regeneration, and optic nerve function in a rat TON model. EXOPACAP38 may offer therapeutic implications for TON patients.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Federica Conti, Giovanni Luca Romano, Chiara Maria Eandi, Mario Damiano Toro, Robert Rejdak, Giulia Di Benedetto, Francesca Lazzara, Renato Bernardini, Filippo Drago, Giuseppina Cantarella, Claudio Bucolo
Summary: The study demonstrated that brimonidine effectively protected the function of RGCs in mouse eyes and regulated the inflammatory biomarkers induced by retinal ischemia reperfusion injury.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(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
Cell Biology
Edyta Olakowska, Piotr Rodak, Anna Pacwa, Joanna Machowicz, Bartosz Machna, Joanna Lewin-Kowalik, Adrian Smedowski
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of surgical menopause on the function and survival ratio of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a rat model. The results showed that deficiency of estradiol during menopause accelerates retinal neurodegeneration, primarily affecting retinal interneurons, and increases the vulnerability of RGCs to damage.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jinfeng Liu, Kelvin Tong, Youhong Lin, Vincent W. H. Lee, Kwok Fai So, Kendrick Co Shih, Jimmy S. M. Lai, Kin Chiu
Summary: Electrical stimulation therapy shows promising therapeutic effects on preserving visual function in retinal degeneration and optic neuropathy. More large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to explore its potential in age-related macular degeneration, retinal artery occlusion, and glaucoma. The lack of comparison between different ES methods in the same disease populations highlights the need for further research to optimize parameters and detection methods.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. G. Peng, E. Iseri, A. Simonyan, P. Lam, T. Kim, S. Medvidovic, J. Paknahad, M. Machnoor, G. Lazzi, K. K. Gokoffski
Summary: Failure to direct axon regeneration to appropriate targets is a major barrier to restoring function after nerve injury. We demonstrate that a new class of asymmetric, charge balanced (ACB) waveforms are effective at directing retinal ganglion cell axon growth, in vitro, without compromising cell viability. This work can serve as a practical guideline for the potential deployment of electrical stimulation as a treatment strategy for nerve injury.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
He-Yan Li, Li Dong, Xu-Han Shi, Rui-Heng Zhang, Wen-Da Zhou, Hao-Tian Wu, Chu-Yao Yu, Yi-Tong Li, Yi-Fan Li, Jost B. Jonas, Wen-Bin Wei, Yue-Ming Liu
Summary: This study aimed to examine the intraocular tolerability of cetuximab when applied intravitreally, and its effect on axial elongation. The results showed that intravitreal injections of cetuximab could reduce axial elongation in a dose-dependent and number of treatment-dependent manner, without causing intraocular toxic effects.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Ophthalmology
James D. Cole, John A. McDaniel, Joelle Nilak, Ashley Ban, Carlos Rodriguez, Zuhaad Hameed, Marta Grannonico, Peter A. Netland, Hu Yang, Ignacio Provencio, Xiaorong Liu
Summary: Aniridia is a panocular condition characterized by the loss of iris, caused mainly by mutations in the PAX6 gene. This study assessed the effects of Pax6-haploinsufficiency on retinal morphology and vision in Pax6Sey mice. The results showed elevated intraocular pressure and declining visual acuity in Pax6Sey mice, along with local retinal damage and a possible neuroinflammatory response.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Ophthalmology
Subao Jiang, Ning Xia, Francesco Buonfiglio, Elsa W. Boehm, Qi Tang, Norbert Pfeiffer, Dominik Olinger, Huige Li, Adrian Gericke
Summary: This study found that a high-fat diet induces endothelial dysfunction in the ophthalmic artery, leading to impaired vascular function in the eye. The high-fat diet triggers oxidative stress and involves RAGE and NOX2.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
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)
Article
Ophthalmology
Vicki Chrysostomou, Katharina C. Bell, Sze Woei Ng, Samyuktha Suresh, Gayathri Karthik, Marion Millet, Yingying Chung, Jonathan G. Crowston
Summary: We present a new experimental model for inducing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction and degeneration in mice. This model allows for the reliable induction of RGC dysfunction and loss, with the resilience of the optic nerve being dependent on the age of the animal. The time-defined nature of the functional and structural changes observed in this model will facilitate the study of glial responses and the evaluation of neuroprotective treatments after intraocular pressure (IOP) injury.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2024)
