Transcriptional characterization of human and mouse choroidal neovascularization identifies fibroblast growth factor inducible-14 as a novel mediator of neo-vascular age-related macular degeneration
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ABSTRACT: Visual outcome of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration has significantly improved during the last years as a result of anti-VEGF therapy. However, some patients show persistent exudation and decreasing visual acuity despite recurrent anti-VEGF injections, indicating a role of other proangiogenic mediators. The present study applied transcriptional profiling of human and mouse CNV membranes each with reference to healthy control tissue to identify novel mediators of CNV. Following this approach, the study identifies Fibroblast growth factor induci-ble-14 (FN14) as a novel phylogenetically conserved mediator of CNV. Blocking the pathway by intravitreal injection of an FN14 decoy receptor modulates the cytokine profile - most notably IL-6 - and leads to a significant and IL-6 mediated reduction of CNV size in vivo. These results identify FN14 as a promising new therapeutic target for neovascular AMD, which may potentially be beneficial in patients with exudative AMD with special regard to anti-VEGF resistant cases.
Project description:Purpose: Anti-angiogenic treatment is well established in the management of exudative AMD, but not sufficient in all patients. Characterization of factors driving this chronic disease could serve to identify additional treatment options. The purpose of this study was to assess gene expression patterns and distinct changes in cells derived from surgically extracted CNV (chorioidal neovascularization) membranes. Materials and Methods: Expression of >11.000 genes was analyzed by means of a microarray in cells cultured from two late-stage CNV membranes, compared to primary human RPE and ARPE-19 cells. A pathway analysis was performed to identify gene expression patterns associated with exudative AMD. Results: The analysis revealed significant alterations in gene sets associated with inflammatory processes in CNV-derived cells, involving up-regulation of pro-inflammatory factors IL6, C3, and C5 and downregulation of anti-inflammatory CFB and CFI. Factors associated with angiogenesis, such as VEGFA or ANGPT2, were not significantly regulated in the two RPE-derived cell lines. Conclusion: In late-stage CNV membrane-derived RPE, gene expression was shifted towards a pro-inflammatory state. Angiogenesis-associated factors were regulated differently in the two CNV-derived RPE membranes. While inflammation seems to be continuously stimulated by RPE associated with late exudative AMD, this seems not the case with regard to angioregulatory mechanisms.
Project description:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in people aged 50 years or older in middle-income and industrialized countries. Anti-VEGF therapies have improved the management of neovascular AMD (nAMD) and proliferative DR (PDR), no treatment options exist for the highly prevalent dry form of AMD. To unravel the biological processes underlying these pathologies and to find new potential biomarkers, a label-free quantitative (LFQ) method was applied to analyze the vitreous proteome in PDR (n=4), AMD (n=4) compared to idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) (n=4). Post-hoc tests revealed 96 proteins capable of differentiating among the different groups, whereas 118 proteins were found differentially regulated in PDR compared to ERM and 95 proteins in PDR compared to dry AMD. The pathway analysis indicates that mediators of complement and coagulation cascades and acute phase responses are enriched in PDR vitreous, whilst proteins highly correlated to the extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, platelet degranulation, lysosomal degradation, cell adhesion, and central nervous system development were found underexpressed. According to these results, 35 proteins were selected and validated by MRM (multiple reaction monitoring) in a larger cohort of patients with ERM (n=21), DR/PDR (n=20), AMD (n=11), and retinal detachment (n=13). Of these, 26 proteins were validated and were capable of differentiating between vitreoretinal diseases under study. Based on Partial least squares discriminant and multivariate exploratory receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, a panel of 15 discriminatory biomarkers was defined, which includes complement and coagulation components (CO2 and prothrombin), acute-phase mediators (alpha-1-antichymotrypsin), adhesion molecules (e.g., myocilin, galectin-3-binding protein), ECM components (opticin), and neurodegeneration biomarkers (beta-amyloid, amyloid-like protein 2).
Project description:The standard treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) consists of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). However, for some patients, even maximal anti-VEGF treatment does notentirely suppress exudative activity. The goal of this study was to identify molecular biomarkers in nAMD with incomplete response to anti-VEGF treatment. Aqueous humor (AH) samples were collected from three groups of patients: 18 patients with nAMD responding incompletely to anti-VEGF, 19 patients affected by nAMD with normal treatment response, and 14 control patients without any retinopathy. Proteomic and multiplex analyses were performed on these samples. Proteomic analyses showed that nAMD patients with incomplete anti-VEGF response displayed an increased inflammatory response, complement activation, cytolysis, protein-lipid complex, and vasculature development pathways. Multiplex analyses revealed a significant increase of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) [p=0.001], interleukin-6 (IL-6) [p=0.009], bioactive interleukin-12 (IL-12p40) [p=0.03], plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) [p=0.004], and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)[p=0.004] levels in incomplete responders in comparison to normal treatment response. Interestingly, The same biomarkers showed a high intercorrelation with r2 values between 0.58 and 0.94. In addition, we confirmed by AlphaLISA the increase of sVCAM-1 [p<0.0001] and IL-6 [p=0.043] in incomplete responder group. Incomplete responders in nAMD are associated with activated angiogenic and inflammatory pathways. The residual exudative activity of nAMD despite maximal anti-VEGF treatment may be related to both angiogenic and inflammatory responses requiring specific adjuvant therapy.
Project description:Neovascularization contributes to multiple visual disorders including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Current therapies for treating ocular angiogenesis are centered on the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). While clinically effective, some AMD patients are refractory or develop resistance to anti-VEGF and concerns of increased risks of developing geographic atrophy following long-term treatment have been raised. Identification of alternative pathways to inhibit pathological angiogenesis is thus important. We have identified a novel inhibitor of angiogenesis, COCO/DAND5, a member of the Cerberus-related DAN family. We demonstrate that COCO inhibits sprouting, migration and cellular proliferation of cultured endothelial cells. Intravitreal injections of COCO inhibited retinal vascularization during development and in models of retinopathy of prematurity and AMD. COCO equally abrogated angiogenesis in choroid explants and in a model of choroidal neovascularization. Mechanistically, COCO inhibited the expression of TGFβ and BMP pathwaysand altered ATP production, glucose uptake and redox balance of endothelial cells. Together, these data show that COCO is an inhibitor of retinal and choroidal angiogenesis, possibly representing a therapeutic option for the treatment of neovascular ocular diseases.
Project description:Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent neuroinflammation condition and the leading cause of irreversible blindness among the elderly population. Smoking significantly increases AMD risk, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of Sema4D-PlexinB1 axis in the progression of AMD, in which Sema4D-PlexinB1 is highly activated by smoking. Using patient-derived samples and mouse models, we discovered that smoking increased the presence of Sema4D on the surface of CD8+ T cells that migrated into the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion via CXCL12-CXCR4 axis and interacted with its receptor PlexinB1 on choroidal pericytes. This led to ROR2-mediated PlexinB1 phosphorylation and pericytes activation, hence disrupted vascular homeostasis and promoted neovascularization. Inhibition of Sema4D reduced CNV and improved the benefit of anti-VEGF treatment. In conclusion, this study unveils the molecular mechanisms through which smoking exacerbates AMD pathology, and presents a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting Sema4D to augment current AMD treatments.
Project description:<p>Numerous studies have identified common and rare genetic variation associated with risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, risk is just one facet of AMD disease architecture. Both disease progression and response to treatment are two critical elements that may also be influenced by genetic variation.</p> <p>The primary aim of this study was to identify genetic variation influencing progression and response to treatment for AMD, with a secondary aim of further elucidating the genetic etiology of AMD risk. We ascertained AMD cases and controls of European ancestry from Vanderbilt Eye Institute (VEI) and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) and obtained blood samples from all participants. Eyes were examined using standard ophthalmological methods, and graded according the modified Age-Related Eye Disease Study scale (AREDS grades 1-5) using fundus photography. Individuals were re-examined in follow-up exams at regular intervals to assess any change in AMD grade. Eyes with advanced neovascular AMD that were examined using ocular coherence tomography imaging (OCT), treated with anti-angiogenesis therapy and monitored for response to treatment.</p> <p>All individuals ascertained for the study were exome-chipped for genome-wide single nucleotide variation coverage. To target rare genetic variation, whole exome sequencing was performed on individuals at the phenotypic extremes based on 1) AMD grade, 2) rate of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD and 3) response to anti-VEGF treatment for eyes with advanced neovascular AMD. </p>
Project description:Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by leaky neovessels emanating from the choroid, is a main cause of blindness. As current treatments for wet AMD require regular intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF biologics, there is a need for the novel development of less invasive treatments. Here, we developed a novel inhibitor of microtubule-associated End Binding 3 protein (EB3), herein termed EBIN, which blocked pathological Ca2+ signaling in activated endothelial cells and suppressed leakage of choroidal neovessels. Delivery of EBIN via eye drops in mouse and non-human primate (NHP) models of AMD prevented neovascular leakage and neovascularization as effectively as intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF therapy. EBIN activated Meis2-Pax6 regenerative pathways in metabolic-active endothelial cells comprising neovessels and promoted tissue regeneration. Furthermore, single nuclei assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (sn-ATAC-seq) analysis demonstrated that in metabolic-active endothelial cells, the RPE, and photoreceptors, EBIN induced global increases in chromatin accessibility, the biological process progressively inhibited in AMD patients. These results suggest the unique therapeutic mode of action of this novel drug candidate, which can potentially promote regeneration of eye tissue by reversing the degenerative processes underlying both the neovascular and atrophic forms of AMD.
Project description:Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by leaky neovessels emanating from the choroid, is a main cause of blindness. As current treatments for wet AMD require regular intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF biologics, there is a need for the novel development of less invasive treatments. Here, we developed a novel inhibitor of microtubule-associated End Binding 3 protein (EB3), herein termed EBIN, which blocked pathological Ca2+ signaling in activated endothelial cells and suppressed leakage of choroidal neovessels. Delivery of EBIN via eye drops in mouse and non-human primate (NHP) models of AMD prevented neovascular leakage and neovascularization as effectively as intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF therapy. EBIN activated Meis2-Pax6 regenerative pathways in metabolic-active endothelial cells comprising neovessels and promoted tissue regeneration. Furthermore, single nuclei assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (sn-ATAC-seq) analysis demonstrated that in metabolic-active endothelial cells, the RPE, and photoreceptors, EBIN induced global increases in chromatin accessibility, the biological process progressively inhibited in AMD patients. These results suggest the unique therapeutic mode of action of this novel drug candidate, which can potentially promote regeneration of eye tissue by reversing the degenerative processes underlying both the neovascular and atrophic forms of AMD.
Project description:Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), characterized by leaky neovessels emanating from the choroid, is a main cause of blindness. As current treatments for wet AMD require regular intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF biologics, there is a need for the novel development of less invasive treatments. Here, we developed a novel inhibitor of microtubule-associated End Binding 3 protein (EB3), herein termed EBIN, which blocked pathological Ca2+ signaling in activated endothelial cells and suppressed leakage of choroidal neovessels. Delivery of EBIN via eye drops in mouse and non-human primate (NHP) models of AMD prevented neovascular leakage and neovascularization as effectively as intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF therapy. EBIN activated Meis2-Pax6 regenerative pathways in metabolic-active endothelial cells comprising neovessels and promoted tissue regeneration. Furthermore, single nuclei assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (sn-ATAC-seq) analysis demonstrated that in metabolic-active endothelial cells, the RPE, and photoreceptors, EBIN induced global increases in chromatin accessibility, the biological process progressively inhibited in AMD patients. These results suggest the unique therapeutic mode of action of this novel drug candidate, which can potentially promote regeneration of eye tissue by reversing the degenerative processes underlying both the neovascular and atrophic forms of AMD.
Project description:Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Using clinical samples and knockout mice, we reported that the m1A eraser ALKBH3 reshaped retinal metabolism to promote AMD. In retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the dm1ACRISPR system demonstrated that ALKBH3 demethylated the glycolytic enzyme HK2 to activate anaerobic glycolysis, producing excessive lactate. The lactate promoted histone lactylation at H3K18, which in turn bound to ALKBH3 to amplify its transcription, establishing a positive feedback loop. The ALKBH3 inhibitor HUHS015 disrupted this loop, effectively mitigating RPE degeneration. Furthermore, ALKBH3 directly targeted the pro-angiogenic factor VEGFA to modulate the metabolic cross-talk between RPE and choroidal capillaries, thus promoting choroidal neovascularization (CNV). HUHS015 inhibited CNV synergistically with the anti-VEGF drug Aflibercept. Our study provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms and metabolic events facilitating the progression from RPE degeneration to CNV in AMD, laying the groundwork for new treatments of AMD.