organotypic-retinal-explant-cultures-from-macaque-monkey

Organotypic Retinal Explant Cultures from Macaque Monkey

Hereditary retinal degeneration (RD) is characterized by progressive photoreceptor cell death. Overactivation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate ...

Yunnan University

To study the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein expression in rat purified retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that cultured under different pressures.

[Pressure influence on mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in purified retinal ganglion cells of rats].

To Explore the feasibility of rhesus monkey vascular endothelial cell(RMVEC) transplantation to substitute the allogeneic corneal endothelial cells(CEC), through observe the morphologic and functional change of the vascular endothelial cell which was transplanted to the inner surface of cornea without Descemet's membrane.

[Experimental study on the rhesus monkey corneal endothelial cells substituted by the allogeneic vascular endothelial cells cultivated in vitro].

To observe form and function changes of vascular endothelial cells (VEC) which were transplanted to the posterior surface of rhesus monkey cornea without Descemet's Membrane by anterior chamber injection, explore the feasibility of transplanting VEC to treat corneal endothelial injury, and find new method of corneal endothelial cell transplantation.

[Transplanted vascular endothelial cells to replace corneal endothelial cells by improved anterior chamber injection].

To understand the situation of active trachoma among children aged 6 to 8 years old and scarring trachoma among those aged 15 and over in Yunnan Province, South-western China.

Trachoma in Yunnan province of southwestern China: findings from trachoma rapid assessment.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degenerative death is an evident hallmark of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects of S-allyl L-cysteine (SAC), a bioactive component from aged garlic extracts, on the oxidative stress-related apoptosis of RPE cells and to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms.

S-allyl cysteine protects retinal pigment epithelium cells from hydroquinone-induced apoptosis through mitigating cellular response to oxidative stress.

The retina has the highest relative energy consumption of any tissue, depending on a steady supply of glucose from the bloodstream. Glucose uptake is mediated by specific transporters whose regulation and expression are critical for the pathogenesis of many diseases, including diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Here, we used immunofluorescence to show that glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) is expressed in horizontal cells of the mouse neuroretina in proximity to inner retinal capillaries. To study the function of GLUT2 in the murine retina, we used organotypic retinal explants, cultivated under entirely controlled, serum-free conditions and exposed them to streptozotocin, a cytotoxic drug transported exclusively by GLUT2. Contrary to our expectations, streptozotocin did not measurably affect horizontal cell viability, while it ablated rod and cone photoreceptors in a concentration-dependent manner. Staining for poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) indicated that the detrimental effect of streptozotocin on photoreceptors may be associated with DNA damage. The negative effect of streptozotocin on the viability of rod photoreceptors was counteracted by co-administration of either the inhibitor of connexin-formed hemi-channels meclofenamic acid or the blocker of clathrin-mediated endocytosis dynasore. Remarkably, cone photoreceptors were not protected from streptozotocin-induced degeneration by neither of the two drugs. Overall, these data suggest the existence of a GLUT2-dependent glucose transport shuttle, from horizontal cells into photoreceptor synapses. Moreover, our study points at different glucose uptake mechanisms in rod and cone photoreceptors.

Expression of glucose transporter-2 in murine retina: Evidence for glucose transport from horizontal cells to photoreceptor synapses.

 The present work investigated changes in the gene expression, molecular mechanisms, and pathogenesis of inherited retinal degeneration (RD) in three different disease models, to identify predictive biomarkers for their varied phenotypes and to provide a better scientific basis for their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.  Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between retinal tissue from RD mouse models obtained during the photoreceptor cell death peak period (  at post-natal (PN) day 13,   at PN23,   at PN29) and retinal tissue from C3H wild-type mice were identified using Illumina high-throughput RNA-sequencing. Co-expression gene modules were identified using a combination of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses and gene co-expression network analysis. CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA network interactions were studied by genome-wide circRNA screening.        mice had 1,926, 3,096, and 375 DEGs, respectively. Genes related to ion channels, stress, inflammatory processes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production, and microglial cell activation were up-regulated, while genes related to endoplasmic reticulum regulation, metabolism, and homeostasis were down-regulated. Differential expression of transcription factors and non-coding RNAs generally implicated in other human diseases was detected (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal degeneration). CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA network analysis indicated that these factors may be involved in photoreceptor cell death. Moreover, excessive cGMP accumulation causes photoreceptor cell death, and cGMP-related genes were generally affected by different pathogenic gene mutations.  We screened genes and pathways related to photoreceptor cell death. Additionally, up-stream regulatory factors, such as transcription factors and non-coding RNA and their interaction networks were analyzed. Furthermore, RNAs involved in RD were functionally annotated. Overall, this study lays a foundation for future studies on photoreceptor cell death mechanisms.

RNA Biological Characteristics at the Peak of Cell Death in Different Hereditary Retinal Degeneration Mutants.

Glaucoma is a generic term of a highly different disease group of optic neuropathies, which the leading cause of irreversible vision in the world. There are few biomarkers available for clinical prediction and diagnosis, and the diagnosis of patients is mostly delayed.

Zhulin Hu

Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province,
Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center,
Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University,
Yunnan Eye Institute & Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Disease Clinical Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University

Yunnan University

Organotypic Retinal Explant Cultures from Macaque Monkey