Characterizing the lens regeneration process in Pleurodeles waltl.

BACKGROUND: Aging and regeneration are heavily linked processes. While it is generally accepted that regenerative capacity declines with age, some vertebrates, such as newts, can bypass the deleterious effects of aging and successfully regenerate a lens throughout their lifetime. RESULTS: Here, we used Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) to monitor the lens regeneration process of larvae, juvenile, and adult newts. While all three life stages were able to regenerate a lens through transdifferentiation of the dorsal iris pigment epithelial cells (iPECs), an age-related change in the kinetics of the regeneration process was observed. Consistent with these findings, iPECs from older animals exhibited a delay in cell cycle re-entry. Furthermore, it was observed that clearance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) was delayed in older organisms. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our results suggest that although lens regeneration capacity does not decline throughout the lifespan of newts, the intrinsic and extrinsic cellular changes associated with aging alter the kinetics of this process. By understanding how these changes affect lens regeneration in newts, we can gain important insights for restoring the age-related regeneration decline observed in most vertebrates.

A murine model of hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis caused by homozygous Csf2ra gene disruption.

Hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (hPAP) is a rare disorder caused by recessive mutations in GM-CSF receptor subunit α/ß genes (CSF2RA/CSF2RB, respectively) characterized by impaired GM-CSF-dependent surfactant clearance by alveolar macrophages (AMs) resulting in alveolar surfactant accumulation and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Because hPAP is caused by CSF2RA mutations in most patients, we created an animal model of hPAP caused by Csf2ra gene disruption (Csf2ra-/- mice) and evaluated the effects on AMs and lungs. Macrophages from Csf2ra-/- mice were unable to bind and clear GM-CSF, did not exhibit GM-CSF signaling, and had functional defects in phagocytosis, cholesterol clearance, and surfactant clearance. Csf2ra-/- mice developed a time-dependent, progressive lung disease similar to hPAP in children caused by CSF2RA mutations with respect to the clinical, physiological, histopathological, biochemical abnormalities, biomarkers of PAP lung disease, and clinical course. In contrast, Csf2ra+/- mice had functionally normal AMs and no lung disease. Pulmonary macrophage transplantation (PMT) without myeloablation resulted in long-term engraftment, restoration of GM-CSF responsiveness to AMs, and a safe and durable treatment effect that lasted for the duration of the experiment (6 mo). Results demonstrate that homozygous (but not heterozygous) Csf2ra gene ablation caused hPAP identical to hPAP in children with CSF2RA mutations, identified AMs as the cellular site of hPAP pathogenesis in Csf2ra-/- mice, and have implications for preclinical studies supporting the translation of PMT as therapy of hPAP in humans.

Pulmonary macrophage transplantation therapy.

Bone-marrow transplantation is an effective cell therapy but requires myeloablation, which increases infection risk and mortality. Recent lineage-tracing studies documenting that resident macrophage populations self-maintain independently of haematological progenitors prompted us to consider organ-targeted, cell-specific therapy. Here, using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor-ß-deficient (Csf2rb(-/-)) mice that develop a myeloid cell disorder identical to hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (hPAP) in children with CSF2RA or CSF2RB mutations, we show that pulmonary macrophage transplantation (PMT) of either wild-type or Csf2rb-gene-corrected macrophages without myeloablation was safe and well-tolerated and that one administration corrected the lung disease, secondary systemic manifestations and normalized disease-related biomarkers, and prevented disease-specific mortality. PMT-derived alveolar macrophages persisted for at least one year as did therapeutic effects. Our findings identify mechanisms regulating alveolar macrophage population size in health and disease, indicate that GM-CSF is required for phenotypic determination of alveolar macrophages, and support translation of PMT as the first specific therapy for children with hPAP.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Gene-Pulmonary Macrophage Transplantation Therapy of PAP in Csf2ra-/- Mice.

Hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a genetic lung disease characterized by surfactant accumulation and respiratory failure arising from disruption of GM-CSF signaling. While mutations in either CSF2RA or CSF2RB (encoding GM-CSF receptor α or ß chains, respectively) can cause PAP, α chain mutations are responsible in most patients. Pulmonary macrophage transplantation (PMT) is a promising new cell therapy in development; however, no studies have evaluated this approach for hereditary PAP (hPAP) caused by Csf2ra mutations. Here, we report on the preclinical safety, tolerability, and efficacy of lentiviral-vector (LV)-mediated Csf2ra expression in macrophages and PMT of gene-corrected macrophages (gene-PMT therapy) in Csf2ra gene-ablated (Csf2ra-/-) mice. Gene-PMT therapy resulted in a stable transgene integration and correction of GM-CSF signaling and functions in Csf2ra-/- macrophages in vitro and in vivo and resulted in engraftment and long-term persistence of gene-corrected macrophages in alveoli; restoration of pulmonary surfactant homeostasis; correction of PAP-specific cytologic, histologic, and biomarker abnormalities; and reduced inflammation associated with disease progression in untreated mice. No adverse consequences of gene-PMT therapy in Csf2ra-/- mice were observed. Results demonstrate that gene-PMT therapy of hPAP in Csf2ra-/- mice was highly efficacious, durable, safe, and well tolerated.

Use of induced pluripotent stem cells to recapitulate pulmonary alveolar proteinosis pathogenesis.

RATIONALE: In patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) syndrome, disruption of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) signaling is associated with pathogenic surfactant accumulation from impaired clearance in alveolar macrophages. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to overcome these barriers by using monocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to recapitulate disease-specific and normal macrophages. METHODS: We created iPS cells from two children with hereditary PAP (hPAP) caused by recessive CSF2RA(R217X) mutations and three normal people, differentiated them into macrophages (hPAP-iPS-Mφs and NL-iPS-Mφs, respectively), and evaluated macrophage functions with and without gene-correction to restore GM-CSF signaling in hPAP-iPS-Mφs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both hPAP and normal iPS cells had human embryonic stem cell-like morphology, expressed pluripotency markers, formed teratomas in vivo, had a normal karyotype, retained and expressed mutant or normal CSF2RA genes, respectively, and could be differentiated into macrophages with the typical morphology and phenotypic markers. Compared with normal, hPAP-iPS-Mφs had impaired GM-CSF receptor signaling and reduced GM-CSF-dependent gene expression, GM-CSF- but not M-CSF-dependent cell proliferation, surfactant clearance, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Restoration of GM-CSF receptor signaling corrected the surfactant clearance abnormality in hPAP-iPS-Mφs. CONCLUSIONS: We used patient-specific iPS cells to accurately reproduce the molecular and cellular defects of alveolar macrophages that drive the pathogenesis of PAP in more than 90% of patients. These results demonstrate the critical role of GM-CSF signaling in surfactant homeostasis and PAP pathogenesis in humans and have therapeutic implications for hPAP.

Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that macrophages are present during lens regeneration in newts, but their role in the process is yet to be elucidated. METHODS: Here we generated a transgenic reporter line using the newt, Pleurodeles waltl, that traces macrophages during lens regeneration. Furthermore, we assessed early changes in gene expression during lens regeneration using two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Finally, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages during lens regeneration in both species and tested the effect of a subsequent secondary injury after macrophage recovery. RESULTS: Macrophage depletion abrogated lens regeneration, induced the formation of scar-like tissue, led to inflammation, decreased iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation, and increased rates of apoptosis in the eye. Some of these phenotypes persisted throughout the last observation period of 100 days and could be attenuated by exogenous FGF2 administration. A distinct transcript profile encoding acute inflammatory effectors was established for the dorsal iris. Reinjury of the newt eye alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion, including the resolution of scar-like tissue, and re-initiated the regeneration process. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages for facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye by regulating fibrotic responses, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape, and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis of the iPECs.

In Vivo and Ex Vivo View of Newt Lens Regeneration.

Lens regeneration in the adult newt illustrates a unique example of naturally occurring cell transdifferentiation. During this process, iris pigmented epithelial cells (iPECs) reprogram into a lens, a tissue that is derived from a different embryonic source. Several methodologies both in vivo and in culture have been utilized over the years to observe this phenomenon. Most recently, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been identified as an effective tool to study the lens regeneration process in continuity through noninvasive, real-time imaging of the same animal. Described in this chapter are three different methodologies that can be used to observe the newt lens regeneration process both in vivo and ex vivo.

Isolation and Characterization of Peritoneal Macrophages from Salamanders.

Salamanders have been used as research models for centuries. While they exhibit a wide range of biological features not seen in mammals, none has captivated scientists like their ability to regenerate. Interestingly, axolotl macrophages have emerged as an essential cell population for tissue regeneration. Whether the same is true in other salamanders such as newt species Notophthalmus viridescens, Cynops pyrrhogaster, or Pleurodeles waltl remains to be seen. Unfortunately, regardless of the species, molecular tools to study macrophage function in salamanders are lacking. We propose that the readily available, terminally differentiated peritoneal macrophages from newts or axolotls could be used to validate molecular reagents in the study of macrophage function during tissue regeneration in salamanders.

Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration.

Previous studies indicated that macrophages play a role during lens regeneration in newts, but their function has not been tested experimentally. Here we generated a transgenic newt reporter line in which macrophages can be visualized in vivo. Using this new tool, we analyzed the location of macrophages during lens regeneration. We uncovered early gene expression changes using bulk RNAseq in two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Next, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages, which inhibited lens regeneration in both newt species. Macrophage depletion induced the formation of scar-like tissue, an increased and sustained inflammatory response, an early decrease in iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation and a late increase in apoptosis. Some of these phenotypes persisted for at least 100 days and could be rescued by exogenous FGF2. Re-injury alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion and re-started the regeneration process. Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages in facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye, helping to resolve fibrosis, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis.

Macrophages modulate fibrosis during newt lens regeneration.

Background: Previous studies indicated that macrophages play a role during lens regeneration in newts, but their function has not been tested experimentally. Methods: Here we generated a transgenic newt reporter line in which macrophages can be visualized in vivo. Using this new tool, we analyzed the location of macrophages during lens regeneration. We uncovered early gene expression changes using bulk RNAseq in two newt species, Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl. Next, we used clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages, which inhibited lens regeneration in both newt species. Results: Macrophage depletion induced the formation of scar-like tissue, an increased and sustained inflammatory response, an early decrease in iris pigment epithelial cell (iPEC) proliferation and a late increase in apoptosis. Some of these phenotypes persisted for at least 100 days and could be rescued by exogenous FGF2. Re-injury alleviated the effects of macrophage depletion and re-started the regeneration process. Conclusions: Together, our findings highlight the importance of macrophages in facilitating a pro-regenerative environment in the newt eye, helping to resolve fibrosis, modulating the overall inflammatory landscape and maintaining the proper balance of early proliferation and late apoptosis.

In Vivo Imaging of Newt Lens Regeneration: Novel Insights Into the Regeneration Process.

Purpose: To establish optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an in vivo imaging modality for investigating the process of newt lens regeneration. Methods: Spectral-domain OCT was employed for in vivo imaging of the newt lens regeneration process. A total of 37 newts were lentectomized and followed by OCT imaging over the course of 60 to 80 days. Histological images were obtained at several time points to compare with the corresponding OCT images. Volume measurements were also acquired. Results: OCT can identify the key features observed in corresponding histological images based on the scattering differences from various eye tissues, such as the cornea, intact and regenerated lens, and the iris. Lens volume measurements from three-dimensional OCT images showed that the regenerating lens size increased linearly until 60 days post-lentectomy. Conclusions: Using OCT imaging, we were able to track the entire process of newt lens regeneration in vivo for the first time. Three-dimensional OCT images allowed us to volumetrically quantify and visualize the dynamic spatial relationships between tissues during the regeneration process. Our results establish OCT as an in vivo imaging modality to track/analyze the entire lens regeneration process from the same animal. Translational Relevance: Lens regeneration in newts represents a unique example of vertebrate tissue plasticity. Investigating the cellular and morphological events that govern this extraordinary process in vivo will advance our understanding and shed light on developing new therapies to treat blinding disorders in higher vertebrates.

Peroxisomal ß-oxidation regulates whole body metabolism, inflammatory vigor, and pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a metabolic predisposition for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), represents a disease spectrum ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis to cirrhosis. Acox1, a rate-limiting enzyme in peroxisomal fatty acid ß-oxidation, regulates metabolism, spontaneous hepatic steatosis, and hepatocellular damage over time. However, it is unknown whether Acox1 modulates inflammation relevant to NAFLD pathogenesis or if Acox1-associated metabolic and inflammatory derangements uncover and accelerate potential for NAFLD progression. Here, we show that mice with a point mutation in Acox1 (Acox1Lampe1) exhibited altered cellular metabolism, modified T cell polarization, and exacerbated immune cell inflammatory potential. Further, in context of a brief obesogenic diet stress, NAFLD progression associated with Acox1 mutation resulted in significantly accelerated and exacerbated hepatocellular damage via induction of profound histological changes in hepatocytes, hepatic inflammation, and robust upregulation of gene expression associated with HCC development. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ß-oxidation links metabolism and immune responsiveness and that a better understanding of peroxisomal ß-oxidation may allow for discovery of mechanisms central for NAFLD progression.

Statin as a novel pharmacotherapy of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a syndrome of reduced GM-CSF-dependent, macrophage-mediated surfactant clearance, dysfunctional foamy alveolar macrophages, alveolar surfactant accumulation, and hypoxemic respiratory failure for which the pathogenetic mechanism is unknown. Here, we examine the lipids accumulating in alveolar macrophages and surfactant to define the pathogenesis of PAP and evaluate a novel pharmacotherapeutic approach. In PAP patients, alveolar macrophages have a marked increase in cholesterol but only a minor increase in phospholipids, and pulmonary surfactant has an increase in the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids. Oral statin therapy is associated with clinical, physiological, and radiological improvement in autoimmune PAP patients, and ex vivo statin treatment reduces cholesterol levels in explanted alveolar macrophages. In Csf2rb-/- mice, statin therapy reduces cholesterol accumulation in alveolar macrophages and ameliorates PAP, and ex vivo statin treatment increases cholesterol efflux from macrophages. These results support the feasibility of statin as a novel pathogenesis-based pharmacotherapy of PAP.

Targeting cholesterol homeostasis in lung diseases.

Macrophages are critical to organ structure and function in health and disease. To determine mechanisms by which granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) signaling normally maintains surfactant homeostasis and how its disruption causes pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), we evaluated lipid composition in alveolar macrophages and lung surfactant, macrophage-mediated surfactant clearance kinetics/dynamics, and cholesterol-targeted pharmacotherapy of PAP in vitro and in vivo. Without GM-CSF signaling, surfactant-exposed macrophages massively accumulated cholesterol ester-rich lipid-droplets and surfactant had an increased proportion of cholesterol. GM-CSF regulated cholesterol clearance in macrophages in constitutive, dose-dependent, and reversible fashion but did not affect phospholipid clearance. PPARγ-agonist therapy increased cholesterol clearance in macrophages and reduced disease severity in PAP mice. Results demonstrate that GM-CSF is required for cholesterol clearance in macrophages, identify reduced cholesterol clearance as the primary macrophage defect driving PAP pathogenesis, and support the feasibility of translating pioglitazone as a novel pharmacotherapy of PAP.