Project description:The role of chemokine receptor in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains elusive. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of chemokine receptor Cxcr5 in the pathogenesis of AMD. Cxcr5 gene expression levels (mRNA and protein) are higher in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of aged C57BL/6 wild type mice than younger ones. Vascular and glial cells express Cxcr5 and its ligand Cxcl13 in mouse retina. Aged Cxcr5 knockout (-/-) mice develop both early and late AMD-like pathological features. White and yellow spots, which look like drusen in humans, were identified with fundscopic examination. Drusen-like sub-RPE deposits with dome-shaped morphology were characterized on the sections. RPE vacuolization, swelling, and sub-RPE basal deposits were illustrated with light and transmission electron microscope (TEM). TEM further illustrated degenerated and disorganized RPE basal infoldings, phagosomes and melanosomes inside RPE, as well as abnormal photoreceptor outer segments. Lipofuscin granules and lipid droplets in the subretinal space, RPE, and choroid were revealed with fluorescence microscope and oil-red-O staining. Increased IgG in RPE/choroid were determined with Western blots (WB). WB and immunofluorescence staining determined RPE zona occuldens (ZO)-1 protein reduction and abnormal subcellular localization. TUNEL staining, outer nuclear layer (ONL) measurement and electroretinogram (ERG) recording indicated that photoreceptors underwent apoptosis, degeneration, and functional impairment. Additionally, spontaneous neovascularization (NV)-like lesions develop in the subretinal space of aged Cxcr5-/- mice. The underlying mechanisms are associated with increased subretinal F4/80+ immune cells, some of which contain RPE marker RPE65, and up-regulation of the multifunctional cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in RPE/choroid and retina. These findings suggest that Cxcr5 itself may be involved in the protection of RPE and retinal cells during aging and its loss may lead to AMD-like pathological changes in aged mice.

Project description:The first goal of the study was to find the genes that explain the difference in progression of age-related retinal degeneration (ageRD) between the inbred strains C57BL/6J-c2J (B6a) and BALB/cByJ (C). The specific goal was to find the candidate genes that explain the chromosome 6 and chromosome 10 quantitative trait loci (QTL) found in a previous study. Genes differentially expressed in retina between both strains and that map to the QTL are candidate genes. By integrating different approaches: microarray study, knowledge-based candidate gene search and screening of genetic variants, we found 35 candidate genes for chromosome 6 QTL and 14 candidate genes for chromosome 10 QTL. Five genes for each QTL were selected for sequencing and qPCR analysis. One gene, Tnfaip3 was selected for phenotypic testing and was excluded as the quantitative trait gene for chr10 QTL. The second goal of the study was to find biological processes and pathways associated with ageRD by Gene Ontology analysis of the microarray data. We concentrated on GO terms overrepresented in either strain at 8 months; the age when there is a difference in the phenotype (outer nuclear layer thickness). The GO analysis revealed that transcripts associated with inflammation, mitochondrial envelope, DNA repairing and oxidative stress were increased in the ageRD sensitive C strain with age (8 months). In the ageRD resistant B6a strain transcripts associated with antioxidant response, regulation of blood vessel size and growth factor activity were increased with age. Transcripts associated with cell remodeling and lipid metabolism were increased in either strain with age. This study aims to identify gene expression differences in posterior eyecups between the strains C and B6a at 4 months and at 8 months. Twelve animals were used per strain and time point for a total of 48 mice. Total RNA for 3 animals (6 eyes) were pooled giving a total of 4 biological replicates per strain and time point. The 4-month C samples labeled with Cy5 were hybridized with the 4-month B6a samples labeled with Cy3 (4 biological replicates); the 8-month C samples labeled with Cy5 were hybridized with the 8-month B6a samples labeled with Cy3, for 8 arrays (4 biological replicates). A second set of eight arrays were used to analyzed the same RNA samples but with the dye orientation reversed, yielding a total of 16 arrays in the experiment. Set of arrays organized by shared biological context, such as organism, tumors types, processes, etc.

Project description:The first goal of the study was to find the genes that explain the difference in progression of age-related retinal degeneration (ageRD) between the inbred strains C57BL/6J-c2J (B6a) and BALB/cByJ (C). The specific goal was to find the candidate genes that explain the chromosome 6 and chromosome 10 quantitative trait loci (QTL) found in a previous study. Genes differentially expressed in retina between both strains and that map to the QTL are candidate genes. By integrating different approaches: microarray study, knowledge-based candidate gene search and screening of genetic variants, we found 35 candidate genes for chromosome 6 QTL and 14 candidate genes for chromosome 10 QTL. Five genes for each QTL were selected for sequencing and qPCR analysis. One gene, Tnfaip3 was selected for phenotypic testing and was excluded as the quantitative trait gene for chr10 QTL. The second goal of the study was to find biological processes and pathways associated with ageRD by Gene Ontology analysis of the microarray data. We concentrated on GO terms overrepresented in either strain at 8 months; the age when there is a difference in the phenotype (outer nuclear layer thickness). The GO analysis revealed that transcripts associated with inflammation, mitochondrial envelope, DNA repairing and oxidative stress were increased in the ageRD sensitive C strain with age (8 months). In the ageRD resistant B6a strain transcripts associated with antioxidant response, regulation of blood vessel size and growth factor activity were increased with age. Transcripts associated with cell remodeling and lipid metabolism were increased in either strain with age. This study aims to identify gene expression differences in posterior eyecups between the strains C and B6a at 4 months and at 8 months. Twelve animals were used per strain and time point for a total of 48 mice. Total RNA for 3 animals (6 eyes) were pooled giving a total of 4 biological replicates per strain and time point. The 4-month C samples labeled with Cy5 were hybridized with the 4-month B6a samples labeled with Cy3 (4 biological replicates); the 8-month C samples labeled with Cy5 were hybridized with the 8-month B6a samples labeled with Cy3, for 8 arrays (4 biological replicates). A second set of eight arrays were used to analyzed the same RNA samples but with the dye orientation reversed, yielding a total of 16 arrays in the experiment.

Dataset Information

CXCR5/NRF2 double knockout mice develop retinal degeneration phenotype at early adult age.

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