Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a fundus disease characterized by choroidal anomalous branch vascular network and terminal polypoidal dilatation. According to its fundus feature, lesion location, imaging feature and disease progression, PCV can be divided into different types or stages. It can be divided into hemorrhage and exudation PCV according to the fundus features, into macular, peripapillary, periphery and mixed types according to the lesion locations. It can also be divided into type 1 and 2 according to the ICGA (indocyanine green angiography) manifestations, and can be classified as early stage and late stage according to disease progression. There were different correlations between different types of PCV and some risk genetic loci, such as ARMS2 (age-related macular degeneration factor 2)/ HTRA1 (high temperature essential protein A1) , C2, complement factor B, complement factor H, and elastin genes. The response to therapy and prognosis are also different between different types. It is important to further study the clinical classification of PCV, to explore the genetic characteristics, influencing factors and treatment or prognosis features of different types of PCV. The results will improve the differential diagnosis of PCV, and the effectiveness of individualized treatment.
With the advancement of molecular biology technology and the development of genetics, the viral vector system has been continuously improved and optimized. The viral vector system has gradually become one of the best carriers in ophthalmic gene therapy. Adenovirus vector has the characteristics of transient expression and plays an important role in reducing corneal immune response. Lentiviral vector has the characteristics of stable and high efficiency and can be expressed slowly in the body for a long time.Adeno-associated virus vector has the characteristics of low immunogenicity, high efficiency and precision and can infect a variety of retinal cells. The combined use of adeno-associated virus vector and CRISPR-Cas9 provides new methods for precise treatment of ophthalmic genetic diseases. The advent of viral vectors has significantly increased the potential of gene therapy and has unparalleled advantages over traditional therapies. We have reason to believe that virus-based gene transduction technology will soon achieve clinical application in the near future, and a large number of difficult ophthalmic problems will be solved by then.
With the development of life sciences and informatics, bioinformatics is developing as an interdisciplinary subject. Its main application is the relationship between genes and proteins and their expression. With the help of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, researchers introduce bioinformatics research methods into fundus disease research. A series of gratifying research results have been achieved including the screening of genetic susceptibility genes, the screening of diagnostic markers, and the exploration of pathogenesis. Genomics has the characteristics of high efficiency and accuracy. It has been used to detect new mutation sites in retinoblastoma and retinal pigment degeneration research, which helps to further improve the pathogenesis of retinal genetic diseases. Transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have high throughput characteristics. They are used to analyze changes in the expression profiles of RNA, proteins, and metabolites in intraocular fluid or isolated cells in disease states, which help to screen biomarkers and further elucidate the pathogenesis. With the advancement of technology, bioinformatics will provide new ideas for the study of ocular fundus diseases.
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of butylphenyphthalein (NBP) on RPE apoptosis induced by H2O2.MethodsThe human RPE cell line (human ARPE-19 cell line) were used as the experimental cells and were divided as control group, model group, NBP group. Complete medium was used in control group. The model group was stimulated with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 2 h, and the cells were cultured in complete medium. The NBP group was cultured with 200 μmol/L H2O2 and 1 μmol/L NBP for 2 h. After changing the medium, complete medium was combined with 1 μmol/L NBP to continue the culture of the cells. Cell viability were detected by MTT assay while the morphology of RPE were observed by HE staining. Moreover, Hoechst 33258 was used to detect RPE cell apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1) staining were performed to monitor changes in cell membrane potential and the characteristic change of apoptosis in RPE cells. Furthermore, 2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining were used to analyze the effect of NBP treatment on the expression of ROS. The effect of NBP on the expression of Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) was analyzed by cellular immunofluorescence and western blotting.ResultsThe results of MTT assay showed that the cells were cultured for 24 and 48 hours, cell viability of control group (t=17.710, 13.760; P＜0.000 1, ＜0.000 1) and treatment group (t=4.857, 9.225; P=0.000 7, ＜0.000 1) were stronger than that of model group, and the difference was statistically significant. HE staining and Hoechst33258 staining showed that compared with the control group, the number of cells in the model group was significantly less, and the cell morphology was incomplete. Compared with the model group, the number of cells in the treatment group was significantly increased, and the cell morphology was better. The results of JC-1 assay showed that the number of apoptotic cells in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the number of apoptotic cells in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the model group. DCFH-DA staining showed that the ROS accumulation in the model group was more than that in the control group, and the ROS accumulation in the treatment group was less than that in the model group. Immunostaining observation showed that the HO-1 fluorescence intensity of the cells in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.270, P=0.000 5). Western blot analysis showed that NBP up-regulated the expression level of HO-1 in a time-dependent manner. The relative expression of HO-1 at 4, 8, and 12 h of NBP showed a clear increase trend compared with 0 h, and the difference was statistically significant (F=164.91, P＜0.05).ConclusionsOxidative stress injury can down-regulate the viability of RPE cells and induce apoptosis. NBP can increase the antioxidant capacity of RPE cells, reduce cell damage and inhibit cell apoptosis by up-regulating HO-1 expression.
Blood-retina barrier destruction, nerve injury, formation of neovascularization and fibroblast proliferation membrane are important pathological changes of DR, which are related to the combined effects of various vitreous cytokines. VEGF is mainly involved in increasing retinal vascular permeability and inducing neovascularization. Pigment epithelium derived factor is vital reducing vascular permeability and neuroprotection; IL plays a key role in mediating inflammatory response. TNF-α is related to inflammation, which is significantly up-regulated by hypoxia. TGF-β is an important cytokine regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Connective tissue growth factor can promote the growth, migration and adhesion of endothelial cell. In addition, many other molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, and further study on the molecular mechanism of DR is urgent. With the further study of molecular mechanism, the early intervention and targeted treatment of DR will be more effective.
Objective To study the effects of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on retinal Müller cells based on transcriptome analysis of RNA-seq technology.MethodsRetinal Müller cells were divided into the control group and the CTGF treatment group which was continuously cultured with 10 ng/ml of CTGF for 24 h. The influence of CTGF on the migration of Müller cells were tested by scratching experiments. The RNA transcriptome analysis was applied to complete transcriptome sequencing, differentially expressed genes and functional enrichment analysis of the two groups of cells. HiSeq sequencing technology was used to sequence the whole transcriptome of the two groups of cells to obtain biological big data, and analyze the differentially expressed miRNAs on this basis. The functions and signal pathways of differential miRNAs were analyzed through gene annotation (GO) functional significance enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway significant enrichment analysis. Based on transcriptome data, genes with differential expression multiples in the top ten between the two groups were screened out, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene was verified by real time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence and Western blot.ResultsAfter CTGF stimulation of Müller cells, cell viability and mobility which compared with the control group were significantly increased, with statistically significant differences (t=3.453, P＜0.05). The differential gene expression profile of CTGF induced Müller cells was obtained by RNA transcriptome analysis. Comparing the sequencing results of the two groups, it was found that 325 differentially expressed genes included 152 up-regulated genes and 173 down-regulated genes. The results of GO functional significance enrichment analysis showed that the functions of differential miRNA were mainly divided into three categories: biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. These differentially expressed genes were involved in signaling between nervous systems, adhesion between cells, and the interaction between cytokines and their receptors. These differentially expressed genes were involved in different metabolic pathways and biological processes such as tissue inflammation and fibrosis. BMP4 gene was seected for verification through immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR and western blot. The results showed that the expression of BMP4 was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=39.490, 10.110, 5.470; P=0.004, 0.001, 0.006).ConclusionCTGF promotes cell proliferation and migration by up-regulating the expression of BMP4 in Müller cells, leading to tissue fibrosis and inducing inflammation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression of miRNA involved in regulating retinal neovascularizationin in retinal tissue of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice.MethodsEighty healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group and OIR group at postnatal day 7(P7). Control group were not received any treatment and then exposed to room air. The OIR group was exposed to (75±2)% oxygen and then under room air at P12. Mice of all groups were euthanized at P17. Retinal neovasculation (RNV) was evaluated by counting the number of pre-retinal neovascular cells and analysing no perfusion area by immunofluorescent staining of the mouse retina.Total RNA was extracted from retinal tissue,and miRNA microarrays was performed to identify differentially expressed miRNA in the two groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed differential microRNA.ResultsCompared with the control group,the retinal neovascular tufts and the no perfusion area were both significantly smaller than those in OIR group. The number of pre-retinal neovascular cell nuclei in retinas from control group were obviously lower than those in the retinas from OIR group (t=9.025, P＜0.05). MiRNA microarray analysis showed that 54 miRNA in OIR group showed statistically different expression in control group, 47 miRNA were up-regulated and 7 miRNA were down-regulated. The results of PCR were consistent with the trend of microarray. In GO analysis, 1112 items were significantly different (P＜0.05), and 65 items were significantly different in KEGG analysis of expression profile (P＜0.05).ConclusionsThe miRNA expression in retinal tissue of OIR mice is different from that of normal mice, and these miRNA may be involved in the development of RNV. There are 54 miRNA expression differences in retinal tissue of OIR compared with normal mouse retinal tissue.
ObjectiveTo investigate the protection and the corresponding molecular mechanisms of polypyramidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) overexpression on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).MethodsThe hRMECs were divided into the normal group, the vector group, PSF group, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) group and PSF+ZnPP group for experiment. Cells in the normal group were cultured in a DMEM medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin/streptomycin, and placed in a closed constant temperature incubator at 37 °C, 95% air, and 5% CO2. Cells in the vector group were infected with empty lentivirus. The cells in the PSF group were infected with overexpressing PSF lentivirus. Cells in the ZnPP group were treated with ZnPP (10 mol/L) for 2 h. The PSF+ZnPP group cells were infected with overexpressing PSF lentivirus, and then pretreated with ZnPP (10 mol/L) for 2 h. With the last four groups of cells stimulated with AGEs, HE, Hoechst33258 staining and flow cytometry were used to observe the protective effect of high expression of PSF on cell damage and the antagonistic effect of ZnPP on PSF. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), phosphorylated (p) extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK), and Nrf2 in the cells. U0126, a specific antagonist of ERK pathway, was introduced, and Western blot verified the reversal effect of U0126 on the expression of HO-1 induced by PSF protein.ResultsHE staining and Hoechst33258 staining showed that the number of nuclei of damaged cells of PSF group were significantly increased compared with control group, while decreased compared with PSF+ZnPP group (F=27.5, 38.7; P＜0.05). The results of flow cytometry showed that the ROS produced by cells in the PSF group was significantly increased compared to the normal group, and significantly decreased compared to the PSF+ZnPP group, the difference was statistically significant (F=126.4, P＜0.05). Western blot results showed that HO-1 expression of PSF group was significantly increased compared with control and the vector group (F=70.1, P＜0.05). AGEs inducement of 30, 60, 120 and 240 min could significantly improve pERK expression compared with 15 min (F=474.0, P＜0.05). The expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins in the PSF+/U0126－ group was significantly more than those in the PSF－/U0126－ group, the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins in the PSF+/U0126+ group was significantly lower than that in the PSF+/U0126－ group, and the differences were statistically significant (F=30.2, 489.4; P＜0.05).ConclusionOver expression of PSF can promote the HO-1 expression by activating ERK pathway and promoting the Nrf2 to the nucleus, thus protect hRMECs against AGEs-induced oxidative damage.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the clinical features, treatment methods and efficacy of patients with retinopathy associated with incontinentia pigmenti (IP).MethodsA retrospective case study. Twelve clinical confirmed IP patients (24 eyes) in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2015 to December 2018 were included in this study. The best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure examination were performed in patients (＞4 years old). All patients were examined on the anterior segment, vitreous body, and fundus under topical anesthesia or general anesthesia. Eight cases underwent genetic testing. Patients with active disease should be given anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug treatment, retinal laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy, those without active disease should be observed. All patients were followed up for 1 to 3 months, with an average follow-up time of 18.7 months.ResultsAll patients were all female, with an average age of 6.3±9.8 years old at the first ophthalmology visit. According to the recommendations of the pediatrician, 3 cases were actively screened for ophthalmology (referrals), with an average age of 0.4±0.5 years (median age: 2 months). A total of 9 cases were not recommended for referrals (non-referrals), including 3 cases of ophthalmology who were diagnosed for the first time due to visual impairment, and 6 cases of undiagnosed IP before the ophthalmology visit, the average age of their first visit was 8.2±10.8 years (medium age: 3 years old). The age of the first visit for non-referred patients was larger than that of referrals, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=−2.141, P=0.036). Among the 24 eyes of 12 cases, there were no obvious fundus abnormalities in 1 case or 2 eyes, 11 cases of IP-related retinopathy in 22 eyes (91.7%, 22/24), 8 cases of binocular asymmetry (66.7%, 8/12). There were active lesions on the fundus in 7 eyes (29.2%, 7/24). Patients underwent simple retinal laser photocoagulation and/or anti-VEGF drug therapy. During the follow-up, retinal neovascularization recurred in 1 eye. Among the 8 cases that underwent genetic testing, 3 cases (37.5%, 3/8) were deleted in exons 4-10 of the IKBKG gene.ConclusionsIP is more common in women. IP-associated retinopathy is noted with early-onset, asymmetrical retinopathy, which is identified with retinal neovascularization and vitreous proliferation. Early detection and timely treatment are essential.
ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of polypyrimidine bundle-binding protein-related splicing factor (PSF) over-expression on RPE cell injury induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs).MethodsThe human RPE cells cultured in vitro were divided into three groups: normal control group (N group), blank control group (N + AGEs group), empty vector control group (Vec + AGEs group), and PSF high expression group (PSF + AGEs). group). RPE cells in N group were routinely cultured; RPE cells in N + AGEs group were only transfected but did not introduce any exogenous genes combined with AGEs induction; Vec +AGEs group and PSF + AGEs group were transfected with pcDNA The empty vector or pcDNA-PSF eukaryotic expression plasmid was introduced into RPE cells and induced by AGEs. Except the N group, the other 3 groups of cells were transfected accordingly, and were stimulated with 150 μg/ml AGEs for 72 h after 24 h. HE staining and Hoechst 33258 staining were used to observe the effect of high PSF expression on the morphological changes of RPE cells; ROS level detection was used to analyze the effect of PSF high expression on the ROS expression of RPE cells induced by AGEs; MTT colorimetric method was used to detect the high PSF expression Effects on the viability of RPE cells; Western blot was used to detect the effects of different time and dose of PSF on the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1).ResultsHE staining and Hoechst 33258 staining observation showed that the cells in group N were full in shape, the nucleus was round, the cytoplasm was rich, and the staining was uniform; the cells in N + AGEs group and Vec + AGEs group were reduced in size, the eosinophilic staining was enhanced, and the nucleus was densely densely stained. Pyrolysis and even fragmentation; the morphology of cells in the PSF + AGEs group was still full, the cytoplasm staining was more uniform, and the nucleus staining was uniform. The results of MTT colorimetry showed that high expression of PSF can effectively improve the viability of RPE cells, but this effect can be effectively antagonized by ZnPP, and the difference is statistically significant (F=33.26, P＜0.05). DCFH-DA test results showed that compared with the N + AGEs group and Vec + AGEs group, the ROS production in PSF + AGEs group decreased, the difference was statistically significant (F=11.94, P＜0.05). Western blot analysis showed that PSF protein up-regulated HO-1 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The relative expression level of HO-1 at 24, 48, and 72 h after PSF protein was significantly higher than that at 0 h, and the difference was statistically significant (F=164.91, P＜0.05). The relative expression level of HO-1 under the action of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μg PSF protein was significantly higher than 0.0 μg, and the difference was statistically significant (F=104.82, P＜0.05).ConclusionPSF may inhibit the production of ROS by up-regulating the expression of HO-1, thus protecting the RPE cells induced by AGEs.