Light stress affects cones and horizontal cells via rhodopsin-mediated mechanisms.

Retinal degenerations are a major cause of blindness in human patients. The identification of endogenous mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration or neuroprotection helps to understand the response of the retina to stress and provides essential information not only for basic retinal physiology but also for defining molecular targets for neuroprotective strategies. Here we used excessive light exposure as a model system to study mechanisms of photoreceptor degeneration in mice. Using one wild type and four genetically modified mouse strains, we demonstrate that light exposure resulted not only in the degeneration of rods but also in an early but transient repression of several cone-specific genes, in a reversible hyperreflectivity of the outer retina including the outer plexiform layer, and in the loss of horizontal cells. The effects on cones, horizontal cells and the inner retina depended on light absorption by rhodopsin and, at least partially, on leukemia inhibitory factor. This demonstrates the existence of intercellular communication routes that transduce rod stress to other cells, likely to provide support for photoreceptors and increase cell survival in the injured retina.

Deficits in mitochondrial TCA cycle and OXPHOS precede rod photoreceptor degeneration during chronic HIF activation.

BACKGROUND: Major retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment, are associated with a local decrease in oxygen availability causing the formation of hypoxic areas affecting the photoreceptor (PR) cells. Here, we addressed the underlying pathological mechanisms of PR degeneration by focusing on energy metabolism during chronic activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) in rod PR. METHODS: We used two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) of genetically encoded biosensors delivered by adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to determine lactate and glucose dynamics in PR and inner retinal cells. Retinal layer-specific proteomics, in situ enzymatic assays and immunofluorescence studies were used to analyse mitochondrial metabolism in rod PRs during chronic HIF activation. RESULTS: PRs exhibited remarkably higher glycolytic flux through the hexokinases than neurons of the inner retina. Chronic HIF activation in rods did not cause overt change in glucose dynamics but an increase in lactate production nonetheless. Furthermore, dysregulation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway (OXPHOS) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in rods with an activated hypoxic response decelerated cellular anabolism causing shortening of rod photoreceptor outer segments (OS) before onset of cell degeneration. Interestingly, rods with deficient OXPHOS but an intact TCA cycle did not exhibit these early signs of anabolic dysregulation and showed a slower course of degeneration. CONCLUSION: Together, these data indicate an exceeding high glycolytic flux in rods and highlight the importance of mitochondrial metabolism and especially of the TCA cycle for PR survival in conditions of increased HIF activity.

Sustained hippocampal neurogenesis in females is amplified in P66(Shc-/-) mice: An animal model of healthy aging.

Aging is accompanied by poor learning and memory abilities and by decreased hippocampal neurogenesis, a process that is also modulated by oxidative stress (OS). P66(Shc) has recently emerged as a novel mammalian gerontogene able to affect healthspan during aging. Deletion of this gene in mice leads to reduced OS accompanied by decreased incidence of age-related pathologies and reduced signs of behavioral aging. We hypothesized that p66(Shc-/-) mutants might show increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and memory processes. To this aim, granule cell number, proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and cell death were assessed in the hippocampus in senescent p66(Shc-/-) [knock out (KO)] and p66(Shc+/+) [wild type (WT)] male and female mice. Spatial learning abilities and spontaneous activity were also investigated in a multifunctional behavioral system-IntelliCages. The behavioral analysis revealed that females in general perform better in spatial learning tasks, with genotype effects being apparent in the activity pattern only. Likewise, all females showed increased neuronal differentiation, whereas increased proliferation was found only in those belonging to the p66(Shc-/-) genotype, indicating that they might be protected from precursor cell loss. The number of dying cells was not affected by genotype or sex; however, all KO mice showed less granule cells than WT. Overall, our data suggest that hippocampal function is protected in the female gender at older age, an effect amplified by reduced OS in the p66(Shc-/-) mutant.

Absence of MMACHC in peripheral retinal cells does not lead to an ocular phenotype in mice.

Combined methylmalonic aciduria with homocystinuria (cblC type) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the MMACHC gene. MMACHC encodes an enzyme crucial for intracellular vitamin B12 metabolism, leading to the accumulation of toxic metabolites e.g. methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (Hcy), and secondary disturbances in folate and one-carbon metabolism when not fully functional. Patients with cblC deficiency often present in the neonatal or early childhood period with a severe multisystem pathology, which comprises a broad spectrum of treatment-resistant ophthalmological phenotypes, including retinal degeneration, impaired vision, and vascular changes. To examine the potential function of MMACHC in the retina and how its loss may impact disease, we performed gene expression studies in human and mouse, which showed that local expression of MMACHC in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium is relatively stable over time. To study whether functional MMACHC is required for retinal function and tissue integrity, we generated a transgenic mouse lacking Mmachc expression in cells of the peripheral retina. Characterization of this mouse revealed accumulation of cblC disease related metabolites, including MMA and the folate-dependent purine synthesis intermediates AICA-riboside and SAICA-riboside in the retina. Nevertheless, fundus appearance, morphology, vasculature, and cellular composition of the retina, as well as ocular function, remained normal in mice up to 6 or 12 months of age. Our data indicates that peripheral retinal neurons do not require intrinsic expression of Mmachc for survival and function and questions whether a local MMACHC deficiency is responsible for the retinal phenotypes in patients.

Increased porosity of electrospun hybrid scaffolds improved bladder tissue regeneration.

The object of this study was to investigate the role of scaffold porosity on tissue ingrowth using hybrid scaffolds consisting of bladder acellular matrix and electrospun poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microfibers that mimic the morphological characteristics of the bladder wall in vitro and in vivo. We compared single-spun (SS) PLGA scaffolds with more porous cospun (CS) scaffolds (PLGA and polyethylene glycol). Scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Bladder smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were seeded, and proliferation and histological assays were performed. Sixteen rats were subjected to augmentation cystoplasty with seeded SS or CS scaffolds, morphological, and histological studies were performed 2 and 4 weeks after implantation. The porosities of SS and CS scaffolds were 73.1 ± 2.9% and 80.9 ± 1.5%, respectively. The in vitro evaluation revealed significantly deeper cell migration into CS scaffolds. The in vivo evaluation showed significant shrinkage of SS scaffolds (p = 0.019). The histological analysis revealed a bladder wall-like structure with urothelial lining and SMC infiltration in both groups. The microvessel density was significantly increased in the CS scaffolds (p < 0.001). Increasing the porosity of electrospun hybrid scaffolds is an effective strategy to enhance cell proliferation and distribution in vitro and tissue ingrowth in vivo.

Controlled oxygen release from pyridone endoperoxides promotes cell survival under anoxic conditions.

In tissue engineering, survival of larger constructs remains challenging due to limited supply of oxygen caused by a lack of early vascularization. Controlled release of oxygen from small organic molecules represents a possible strategy to prevent cell death under anoxic conditions. A comprehensive study of methylated pyridone-derived endoperoxides has led to the development of water-soluble molecules that undergo retro-Diels-Alder reactions in aqueous environment releasing oxygen in high yield and with half-lives of up to 13 h. These molecules in combination with vitamin C as singlet oxygen quencher significantly improved survival of 3T3 fibroblasts and rat smooth muscle cells challenged with oxygen-depleted conditions.

The p66Shc knocked out mice are short lived under natural condition.

Deletion of the p66(Shc) gene results in lean and healthy mice, retards aging, and protects from aging-associated diseases, raising the question of why p66(Shc) has been selected, and what is its physiological role. We have investigated survival and reproduction of p66(Shc)-/- mice in a population living in a large outdoor enclosure for a year, subjected to food competition and exposed to winter temperatures. Under these conditions, deletion of p66(Shc) was strongly counterselected. Laboratory studies revealed that p66(Shc)-/- mice have defects in fat accumulation, thermoregulation, and reproduction, suggesting that p66(Shc) has been evolutionarily selected because of its role in energy metabolism. These findings imply that the health impact of targeting aging genes might depend on the specific energetic niche and caution should be exercised against premature conclusions regarding gene functions that have only been observed in protected laboratory conditions.