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Genetic targeting or pharmacological inhibition of galectin-3 dampens microglia reactivity and delays retinal degeneration

ABSTRACT: Dysfunctional humoral and cellular innate immunity are key components in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Specifically, chronically activated microglia and their disturbed regulatory system contribute to retinal degeneration. Galectin-3, a b-galactose binding protein, is a potent driver of macrophage and microglia activation and has been implicated in neuroinflammation, including neurodegenerative diseases of the brain. Here, we report that galectin-3 is strongly upregulated in reactive retinal microglia of AMD patients and in two related mouse models of retinal degeneration. Specific targeting of galectin-3 by genetic knockout or using the small-molecule inhibitor TD139 blocks microglia reactivity and protects from retinal damage in different models of light-induced retinal degeneration. These data define galectin-3 as potent driver of retinal degeneration and highlight the protein as a drug target for ocular immunomodulatory therapies.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE211119 | GEO | 2022/08/15

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Microglia are the tissue-resident macrophages of the retina and brain, being critically involved in organ development, tissue homeostasis, and response to cellular damage. Until now, little is known about the transcriptional profile of human retinal microglia and how they differentiate from peripheral monocytes, as well as from brain microglia. Additionally, the degree to which mice are suitable models for human retinal microglia is still not clear. The present study applies fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate human retinal microglia from enucleated eyes and compares their transcriptional profile with that of whole retinal tissue, as well as classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes. In addition, human retinal microglia are compared to murine retinal microglia, isolated from at least two-years old Cx3cr1GFP/+ mice, as well as human brain microglia obtained from the literature. Several overexpressed genes were identified in retinal microglia when compared to whole retinal tissue, as well as classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes, among them IL1B, C2, C3, TREM2, P2RY12 and SPP1. In relation to whole retina sequencing, several risk genes, such as APOE and TGBR1, as well as PLXDC2 and ARHGAP22 associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DRP), were preferentially expressed in retinal microglia, indicating their potential pathophysiological involvement. The top expressed genes exhibited a strong consistency between retinal and brain microglia, among them CD74, SPP1, ACTB, FTL and C3. There was a high degree of similarity between human and murine retinal microglia, although there were several species-specific genes, revealing for which genes mice are suitable models for human retinal microglia. This study provides detailed insights into the molecular profile of human retinal microglia and indicate a high similarity to brain microglia. It advances our under-standing about their role in human retinal disease, such as AMD and DRP. The similarities and differences between human and mice will facilitate the transferability of knowledge between both species.

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Genetic targeting or pharmacological inhibition of galectin-3 dampens microglia reactivity and delays retinal degeneration

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