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- Daruich, Alejandra, et al.
(författare)
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Congenital aniridia beyond black eyes: From phenotype and novel genetic mechanisms to innovative therapeutic approaches
- 2023
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Ingår i: Progress in retinal and eye research. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 1350-9462 .- 1873-1635. ; 95
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Congenital PAX6-aniridia, initially characterized by the absence of the iris, has progressively been shown to be associated with other developmental ocular abnormalities and systemic features making congenital aniridia a complex syndromic disorder rather than a simple isolated disease of the iris. Moreover, foveal hypoplasia is now recognized as a more frequent feature than complete iris hypoplasia and a major visual prognosis determinant, reversing the classical clinical picture of this disease. Conversely, iris malformation is also a feature of various anterior segment dysgenesis disorders caused by PAX6-related developmental genes, adding a level of genetic complexity for accurate molecular diagnosis of aniridia. Therefore, the clinical recognition and differential genetic diagnosis of PAX6-related aniridia has been revealed to be much more challenging than initially thought, and still remains under-investigated. Here, we update specific clinical features of aniridia, with emphasis on their genotype correlations, as well as provide new knowledge regarding the PAX6 gene and its mutational spectrum, and highlight the beneficial utility of clinically implementing targeted Next-Generation Sequencing combined with Whole-Genome Sequencing to increase the genetic diagnostic yield of aniridia. We also present new molecular mechanisms underlying aniridia and aniridia-like phenotypes. Finally, we discuss the appropriate medical and surgical management of aniridic eyes, as well as innovative therapeutic options. Altogether, these combined clinical-genetic approaches will help to accelerate time to diagnosis, provide better determination of the disease prognosis and management, and confirm eligibility for future clinical trials or genetic-specific therapies.
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2. |
- Moustardas, Petros, et al.
(författare)
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Duloxetine enhances PAX6 expression and suppresses innate immune responses in murine LPS-induced corneal inflammation
- 2024
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Ingår i: OCULAR SURFACE. - : ELSEVIER. - 1542-0124. ; 34, s. 225-234
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background-aim: PAX6 is a key regulator of eye development and epithelial homeostasis in the cornea. When deficient, chronic corneal inflammation, neovascularization and limbal stem cell deficiency can occur. Here we investigated the potential of duloxetine, a generic serotonin reuptake inhibitor that can upregulate PAX6 in vitro, , for its in vivo activity in the context of corneal inflammation. Methods: Duloxetine tolerance was tested in a human limbal stem cell line and isogenic CRISPR-knockout PAX6+/ +/- cells. C57BL/6-Wildtype mice were administered duloxetine eye drops at concentrations of 1 mu M- 2 mM and tested for toxicity and corneal PAX6 expression. In LPS-induced corneal inflammation in mice, duloxetine's effect on PAX6 expression, corneal opacification and inflammatory responses were evaluated by in vivo corneal imaging, immunostaining, and whole-transcriptome microarray analysis. Results: No toxicity was observed in vitro for duloxetine concentrations up to 10 mu & Mcy;. & Mcy;. In vivo, , duloxetine drops were well-tolerated up to 50 mu M. Duloxetine drops at 10 mu & Mcy; & Mcy; significantly upregulated PAX6 protein levels in the cornea by 30 % within 2 days. In the LPS model, duloxetine resulted in a sustained 33 % PAX6 protein upregulation in the cornea at 7 days, and in reduced opacity within 2 days, accompanied by a significant dampening of IL-17A signaling, neutrophil degranulation, microglial activation, macrophage markers, and MMP expression, despite non-significant changes in total inflammatory cell infiltration. Conclusion: Short-term administration of a repurposed generic drug, duloxetine, upregulates PAX6 protein levels in the cornea of mice and exerts an anti-inflammatory activity by dampening innate immune responses.
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3. |
- Moustardas, Petros, et al.
(författare)
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MAPK Pathways in Ocular Pathophysiology: Potential Therapeutic Drugs and Challenges
- 2023
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI. - 2073-4409. ; 12:4
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways represent ubiquitous cellular signal transduction pathways that regulate all aspects of life and are frequently altered in disease. Once activated through phosphorylation, these MAPKs in turn phosphorylate and activate transcription factors present either in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus, leading to the expression of target genes and, as a consequence, they elicit various biological responses. The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive review focusing on the roles of MAPK signaling pathways in ocular pathophysiology and the potential to influence these for the treatment of eye diseases. We summarize the current knowledge of identified MAPK-targeting compounds in the context of ocular diseases such as macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and keratopathy, but also in rare ocular diseases where the cell differentiation, proliferation or migration are defective. Potential therapeutic interventions are also discussed. Additionally, we discuss challenges in overcoming the reported eye toxicity of some MAPK inhibitors.
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4. |
- Tattikota, Sudhir G, et al.
(författare)
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Argonaute2 Mediates Compensatory Expansion of the Pancreatic β Cell.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Cell Metabolism. - : Elsevier BV. - 1550-4131. ; 19:1, s. 122-134
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pancreatic β cells adapt to compensate for increased metabolic demand during insulin resistance. Although the microRNA pathway has an essential role in β cell proliferation, the extent of its contribution is unclear. Here, we report that miR-184 is silenced in the pancreatic islets of insulin-resistant mouse models and type 2 diabetic human subjects. Reduction of miR-184 promotes the expression of its target Argonaute2 (Ago2), a component of the microRNA-induced silencing complex. Moreover, restoration of miR-184 in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice decreased Ago2 and prevented compensatory β cell expansion. Loss of Ago2 during insulin resistance blocked β cell growth and relieved the regulation of miR-375-targeted genes, including the growth suppressor Cadm1. Lastly, administration of a ketogenic diet to ob/ob mice rescued insulin sensitivity and miR-184 expression and restored Ago2 and β cell mass. This study identifies the targeting of Ago2 by miR-184 as an essential component of the compensatory response to regulate proliferation according to insulin sensitivity.
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6. |
- Van Velthoven, Arianne J. H., et al.
(författare)
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Future directions in managing aniridia-associated keratopathy
- 2023
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Ingår i: Survey of ophthalmology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 0039-6257 .- 1879-3304. ; 68:5, s. 940-956
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Congenital aniridia is a panocular disorder that is typically characterized by iris hypoplasia and aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK). AAK results in the progressive loss of corneal transparency and thereby loss of vision. Currently, there is no approved therapy to delay or prevent its progression, and clinical management is challenging because of phenotypic variability and high risk of complications after interventions; however, new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of AAK may help improve its management. Here, we review the current understanding about the pathogenesis and management of AAK. We highlight the biological mechanisms involved in AAK development with the aim to develop future treatment options, including surgical, pharmacological, cell therapies, and gene therapies.
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