Production of the Cytokine VEGF-A by CD4+ T and Myeloid Cells Disrupts the Corneal Nerve Landscape and Promotes Herpes Stromal Keratitis.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Yun H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7682749 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:To investigate the acute clinical, immunological, and corneal nerve changes following corneal HSV-1 KOS-63 strain inoculation. Corneas of C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with either low dose (Ld) or high dose (Hd) HSV-1 KOS-63 or culture medium. Clinical evaluation was conducted up to 7 days post inoculation (dpi). Viral titers were assessed by standard plaque assay. Excised corneas were stained for CD45 and beta-III tubulin. Corneal flow cytometry was performed to assess changes in leukocyte subpopulations. Corneal sensation was measured using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Naïve, sham-infected (post scarification), and McKrae-infected C57BL/6 corneas served as two negative and positive controls, respectively. Compared to Ld infected mice, Hd HSV-1 KOS-63 demonstrated higher incidence of corneal opacity (1.5 ×) and neovascularization (2.6 × ; p < 0.05). At 7 dpi Hd infected mice showed more severe corneal opacity (2.23 vs. 0.87; p = 0.0003), neovascularization (6.00 vs. 0.75; p < 0.0001), and blepharitis (3.11 vs. 2.06; p = 0.001) compared to the Ld group. At 3 dpi epitheliopathy was significantly larger in the Hd group (23.59% vs. 3.44%; p = 0.001). Similarly, corneal opacity was significantly higher in Hd McKrae-infected corneas as compared with Ld McKrae-infected corneas at 3 and 5 dpi. No significant corneal opacity, neovascularization, blepharitis, and epitheliopathy were observed in naïve or sham-infected mice. Higher viral titers were detected in corneas (1 and 3 dpi) and trigeminal ganglia (TG) (3 and 5 dpi) in Hd versus Ld KOS-63 groups (p < 0.05). Leukocyte density showed a gradual increase over time from 1 to 7 dpi in both KOS-63 and McKrae-infected corneas. Corneal flow cytometric analysis (3 dpi) demonstrated a higher percentage of Gr-1 + (71.6 vs. 26.3) and CD11b + (90.6 vs. 41.1) cells in Hd versus Ld KOS-63 groups. Corneal nerve density significantly decreased in both Hd KOS-63 and Hd McKrae infected corneas in comparison with naïve and sham-infected corneas. At 3 dpi corneal nerve density was lower in the Hd versus Ld KOS-63 groups (16.79 vs. 57.41 mm/mm2; p = 0.004). Corneal sensation decreased accordingly at 5 and 7 dpi in both Ld and Hd KOS-63-infected mice. Corneal inoculation with HSV-1 KOS-63 strain shows acute keratitis and nerve degeneration in a dose-dependent fashion, demonstrating virulence of this strain.
| S-EPMC7895966 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Laser refractive surgeries reshape corneal stroma to correct refractive errors, but unavoidably affect corneal nerves. Slow nerve regeneration and atypical neurite morphology cause desensitization and neuro-epitheliopathy. Following injury, surviving corneal stromal keratocytes (CSKs) are activated to stromal fibroblasts (SFs). How these two different cell types influence nerve regeneration is elusive. Our study evaluated the neuro-regulatory effects of human SFs versus CSKs derived from the same corneal stroma using an in vitro chick dorsal root ganglion model. The neurite growth was assessed by a validated concentric circle intersection count method. Serum-free conditioned media (CM) from SFs promoted neurite growth dose-dependently, compared to that from CSKs. We detected neurotrophic and pro-inflammatory factors (interleukin-8, interleukin-15, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, eotaxin, RANTES) in SFCM by Bio-Plex Human Cytokine assay. More than 130 proteins in SFCM and 49 in CSKCM were identified by nanoLC-MS/MS. Proteins uniquely present in SFCM had reported neuro-regulatory activities and were predicted to regulate neurogenesis, focal adhesion and wound healing. Conclusively, this was the first study showing a physiological relationship between nerve growth and the metabolically active SFs versus quiescent CSKs from the same cornea source. The dose-dependent effect on neurite growth indicated that nerve regeneration could be influenced by SF density.
| S-EPMC5369053 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionThe quantification of intraepithelial corneal basal nerve parameters by in vivo confocal microscopy represents a promising modality to identify the earliest manifestations of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, its diagnostic accuracy is hampered by its dependence on neuron length, with minimal consideration for other parameters, including the origin of these nerves, the corneal stromal-epithelial nerve penetration sites. This study sought to utilize high-resolution images of murine corneal nerves to analyze comprehensively the morphological changes associated with type 2 diabetes progression.Materials and methodsβIII-Tubulin immunostained corneas from prediabetic and type 2 diabetic mice and their respective controls were imaged by scanning confocal microscopy and analyzed automatically for nerve parameters. Additionally, the number and distribution of penetration sites was manually ascertained and the average length of the axons exiting them was computed.ResultsThe earliest detectable changes included a significant increase in nerve density (6.06 ± 0.41% vs 8.98 ± 1.99%, P = 0.03) and branching (2867.8 ± 271.3/mm2 vs 4912.1 ± 1475.3/mm2 , P = 0.03), and in the number of penetration sites (258.80 ± 20.87 vs 422.60 ± 63.76, P = 0.0002) at 8 weeks of age. At 16 weeks, corneal innervation decreased, most notably in the periphery. The number of penetration sites remained significantly elevated relative to controls throughout the monitoring period. Similarly, prediabetic mice exhibited an increased number of penetration sites (242.2 ± 13.55 vs 305.6 ± 30.96, P = 0.003) without significant changes to the nerves.ConclusionsOur data suggest that diabetic peripheral neuropathy may be preceded by a phase of neuron growth rather than regression, and that the peripheral cornea is more sensitive than the center for detecting changes in innervation.
| S-EPMC10034950 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeHerpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotrophic virus that can cause herpes stromal keratitis (HSK), a severe corneal inflammation that can lead to corneal scarring and blindness. This study identified neurologic changes that occur in HSV-1-infected corneas and related them to HSV-1-induced immunopathology.MethodsCorneas of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were infected with HSV-1 strains that induce HSK. Changes in sensory nerves were identified by immunofluorescence staining of sensory and sympathetic nerves for substance P (SP) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), respectively, and confocal microscopic examination. Some mice received superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx) to eliminate sympathetic nerves from the cornea.ResultsNormal corneas exclusively expressed sensory nerves that entered the stroma as large nerve stalks, branched to form a plexus at the epithelial/stromal interface, and extended termini into the epithelium. These nerves completely retracted from the infected cornea and were replaced by sympathetic nerves that sprouted extensively to hyperinnervate the corneal stroma but failed to form a plexus or extend termini into the epithelium. The hyperinnervating nerves expressed the sympathetic nerve marker TH and their invasion was blocked by performing SCGx. Moreover, the corneal opacity and neovascularization that normally characterizes HSK in this mouse model were largely abrogated by SCGx. Sensory nerves reinnervated infected corneas following SCGx, reformed a nerve plexus, and extended termini into the epithelium resulting in recovery of corneal sensitivity.ConclusionsSympathetic nerves have a central role in HSK in mice, preventing reinnervation by sensory nerves and promoting severe and persistent corneal inflammation.
| S-EPMC4849540 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Air pollution is a serious environmental issue worldwide in developing countries' megacities, affecting the population's health, including the ocular surface, by predisposing or exacerbating other ocular diseases. Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The primary or recurring infection in the ocular site causes progressive corneal scarring that may result in visual impairment. The present study was designed to study the immunopathological changes of acute HSK under urban polluted air, using the acute HSK model combined with an experimental urban polluted air exposure from Buenos Aires City. We evaluated the corneal clinical outcomes, viral DNA and pro-inflammatory cytokines by RT-PCR and ELISA assays, respectively. Then, we determined the innate and adaptive immune responses in both cornea and local lymph nodes after HSV-1 corneal by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Our results showed that mice exposed to polluted air develop a severe form of HSK with increased corneal opacity, neovascularization, HSV-1 DNA and production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and CCL2. A high number of corneal resident immune cells, including activated dendritic cells, was observed in mice exposed to polluted air; with a further significant influx of bone marrow-derived cells including GR1+ cells (neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes), CD11c+ cells (dendritic cells), and CD3+ (T cells) during acute corneal HSK. Moreover, mice exposed to polluted air showed a predominant Th1 type T cell response over Tregs in local lymph nodes during acute HSK with decreased corneal Tregs. These findings provide strong evidence that urban polluted air might trigger a local imbalance of innate and adaptive immune responses that exacerbate HSK severity. Taking this study into account, urban air pollution should be considered a key factor in developing ocular inflammatory diseases.
| S-EPMC8025944 | biostudies-literature
Project description:UNLABELLED:Herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is a blinding ocular disease that is initiated by HSV-1 and characterized by chronic inflammation in the cornea. Although HSK immunopathology of the cornea is well documented in animal models, events preceding this abnormal inflammatory cascade are poorly understood. In this study, we have examined the activation of pathological CD4(+) T cells in the development of HSK. Dendritic cell autophagy (DC-autophagy) is an important pathway regulating major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)-dependent antigen presentation and proper CD4(+) T cell activation during infectious diseases. Using DC-autophagy-deficient mice, we found that DC-autophagy significantly and specifically contributes to HSK disease without impacting early innate immune infiltration, viral clearance, or host survival. Instead, the observed phenotype was attributable to the abrogated activation of CD4(+) T cells and reduced inflammation in HSK lesions. We conclude that DC-autophagy is an important contributor to primary HSK immunopathology upstream of CD4(+) T cell activation. IMPORTANCE:Herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the United States and a rising cause worldwide. HSK is induced by herpes simplex virus 1 but is considered a disease of inappropriately sustained inflammation driven by CD4(+) T cells. In this study, we investigated whether pathways preceding CD4(+) T cell activation affect disease outcome. We found that autophagy in dendritic cells significantly contributed to the incidence of HSK. Dendritic cell autophagy did not alter immune control of the virus or neurological disease but specifically augmented CD4(+) T cell activation and pathological corneal inflammation. This study broadens our understanding of the immunopathology that drives HSK and implicates the autophagy pathway as a new target for therapeutic intervention against this incurable form of infectious blindness.
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Project description:Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of infectious blindness. Current treatments for HSV-1 do not eliminate the virus from the site of infection or latent reservoirs in the trigeminal ganglia. Here, we target HSV-1 genomes directly using mRNA-carrying lentiviral particles that simultaneously deliver SpCas9 mRNA and viral-gene-targeting guide RNAs (designated HSV-1-erasing lentiviral particles, termed HELP). We show that HELP efficiently blocks HSV-1 replication and the occurrence of herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) in three different infection models. HELP was capable of eliminating the viral reservoir via retrograde transport from corneas to trigeminal ganglia. Additionally, HELP inhibited viral replication in human-derived corneas without causing off-target effects, as determined by whole-genome sequencing. These results support the potential clinical utility of HELP for treating refractory HSK.
| S-EPMC7611178 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The presence and potential functions of resident plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in peripheral tissues is unclear. We report that pDCs constitutively populate naïve corneas and are increased during sterile injuries or acute herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) keratitis. Their local depletion leads to severe clinical disease, nerve loss, viral dissemination to the trigeminal ganglion and draining lymph nodes, and mortality, while their local adoptive transfer limits disease. pDCs are the main source of HSV-1-induced IFN-α in the corneal stroma through TLR9, and they prevent re-programming of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to effector ex-Tregs. Clinical signs of infection are observed in pDC-depleted corneas, but not in pDC-sufficient corneas, following low-dose HSV-1 inoculation, suggesting their critical role in corneal antiviral immunity. Our findings demonstrate a vital role for corneal pDCs in the control of local viral infections.
| S-EPMC7511260 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The cornea is the shield to the foreign world and thus, a primary site for peripheral infections. However, transparency and vision are incompatible with inflammation and scarring that may result from infections. Thus, the cornea is required to perform a delicate balance between fighting infections and preserving vision. To date, little is known about the specific role of antigen-presenting cells in viral keratitis. In this study, utilizing an established murine model of primary acute herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 keratitis, we demonstrate that primary HSV keratitis results in increased conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and macrophages within 24 hours after infection. Local depletion of cDCs in CD11c-DTR mice by subconjuntival diphtheria toxin injections, led to increased viral proliferation, and influx of inflammatory cells, resulting in increased scarring and clinical keratitis. In addition, while HSV infection resulted in significant corneal nerve destruction, local depletion of cDCs resulted in a much more severe loss of corneal nerves. Further, local cDC depletion resulted in decreased corneal nerve infection, and subsequently decreased and delayed systemic viral transmission in the trigeminal ganglion and draining lymph node, resulting in decreased mortality of mice. In contrast, sham depletion or depletion of macrophages through local injection of clodronate liposomes had neither a significant impact on the cornea, nor an effect on systemic viral transmission. In conclusion, we demonstrate that corneal cDCs may play a primary role in local corneal defense during viral keratitis and preserve vision, at the cost of inducing systemic viral dissemination, leading to increased mortality.
| S-EPMC4557979 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Chronic inflammation in tissues often causes the development of hypoxia. Herpes stromal keratitis (HSK) is a corneal chronic inflammatory condition that develops in response to recurrent HSV-1 infection. In this study, we investigated the development of hypoxia, the expression of hypoxia-associated glycolytic genes in HSV-1 infected corneas, and the outcome of blocking hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) dimerization on the severity of HSK. Our results showed the development of hypoxia, an elevated expression of hypoxia-associated glycolytic genes, and an increased level of lactate in corneas with progressing HSK lesions. The magnitude of hypoxia correlated with the extent of neutrophils infiltrating the infected corneas, and the depletion of neutrophils reduced the development of hypoxia in infected corneas. Additionally, in progressing HSK lesions, nuclear localization of HIF-2? protein was detected in corneal epithelial cells, whereas HIF-1? protein stabilization was observed in infiltrating immune cells. Administration of acriflavine drug to HSV-1-infected mice inhibited nuclear accumulation of HIF-1? and HIF-2? protein in immune cell types and epithelial cells, respectively, in infected corneas. As a result, a decreased influx of CD4 T cells and nongranulocytic myeloid cells, but an increased influx of neutrophils, was noted in developing HSK lesions. Interestingly, acriflavine treatment given during the clinical disease period decreased neovascularization but increased the opacity in HSV-1-infected corneas. Taken together, the results of our study lay the foundation to dissect the role of inflammatory hypoxia and hypoxia-associated genes in the pathogenesis of HSK.
| S-EPMC6325024 | biostudies-literature