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Changes in gene expression in the retina of diabetic Long Evans rats after one, four, and twelve weeks of diabetes

ABSTRACT: Purpose. Patients with diabetic retinopathy may experience severe vision loss due to macular edema and neovascularization secondary to vascular abnormalities. However, before these abnormalities become apparent, there are functional deficits in contrast sensitivity, color perception, and dark adaptation. The goals of this study are to evaluate early changes (up to 3 months) in retinal gene expression, selected visual cycle proteins, and optokinetic tracking (OKT) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods. Retinal gene expression in diabetic Long Evans rats was measured by whole genome microarray 7 days, 4 weeks, and three months after onset of hyperglycemia. Select gene and protein changes were probed by PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively, and OKT thresholds were measured using a virtual optokinetics system. Results. Microarray analysis showed that the most consistently affected molecular and cellular functions were cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, cell death, cellular growth and proliferation, molecular transport, and cellular movement. Further analysis revealed reduced expression of several genes encoding visual cycle proteins including lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-specific protein 65kDa (RPE65) and RPE retinal G protein coupled receptor (RGR). Immunohistochemistry revealed a decrease in RPE65 in the RPE layer of diabetic rats. These molecular changes occurred simultaneously with a decrease in OKT thresholds by 4 weeks of diabetes. Conclusions. The data presented here are further evidence that inner retinal cells are affected by hyperglycemia prior to vasculopathy suggesting that glial and neuronal dysfunction may underlie some of the early visual deficits in diabetics.

ORGANISM(S): Rattus norvegicus

PROVIDER: GSE28831 | GEO | 2011/10/31

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA140601

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Purpose. Patients with diabetic retinopathy may experience severe vision loss due to macular edema and neovascularization secondary to vascular abnormalities. However, before these abnormalities become apparent, there are functional deficits in contrast sensitivity, color perception, and dark adaptation. The goals of this study are to evaluate early changes (up to 3 months) in retinal gene expression, selected visual cycle proteins, and optokinetic tracking (OKT) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods. Retinal gene expression in diabetic Long Evans rats was measured by whole genome microarray 7 days, 4 weeks, and three months after onset of hyperglycemia. Select gene and protein changes were probed by PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively, and OKT thresholds were measured using a virtual optokinetics system. Results. Microarray analysis showed that the most consistently affected molecular and cellular functions were cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, cell death, cellular growth and proliferation, molecular transport, and cellular movement. Further analysis revealed reduced expression of several genes encoding visual cycle proteins including lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-specific protein 65kDa (RPE65) and RPE retinal G protein coupled receptor (RGR). Immunohistochemistry revealed a decrease in RPE65 in the RPE layer of diabetic rats. These molecular changes occurred simultaneously with a decrease in OKT thresholds by 4 weeks of diabetes. Conclusions. The data presented here are further evidence that inner retinal cells are affected by hyperglycemia prior to vasculopathy suggesting that glial and neuronal dysfunction may underlie some of the early visual deficits in diabetics. At each of the three timepoints (day 7, day 28, and day 84) one retina each from three diabetic rats were pooled for analysis on a single microarray chip. Three independent experiments were conducted for each group (n=9 animals/group). Each timepoint contained a hyperglycemic (STZ) and a control (buffer injection only) group. Additionally, on day 7 gene changes in the retina of rats which received a single injection of STZ, but did not develop hyperglycemia (STZ-non-c) were analyzed.

Project description:The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) maintains photoreceptor viability and function, completes the visual cycle, and forms the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB). Loss of RPE function gives rise to several monogenic retinal dystrophies and contributes to age-related macular degeneration. Retinal detachment (RD) causes separation of the neurosensory retina from the underlying RPE, disrupting the functional and metabolic relationships between these layers. Although the retinal response to RD is highly studied, little is known about how the RPE responds to loss of this interaction. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was used to compare normal and detached RPE in the C57BL6/J mouse. The naïve mouse RPE transcriptome was compared to previously published RPE signature gene lists and from the union of these 14 genes (Bmp4, Crim1, Degs1, Gja1, Itgav, Mfap3l, Pdpn, Ptgds, Rbp1, Rnf13, Rpe65, Slc4a2, Sulf1 and Ttr) representing a core signature gene set applicable across rodent and human RPE was derived. Gene ontology enrichment analysis (GOEA) of the mouse RPE transcriptome identified expected RPE features and functions, such as pigmentation, phagocytosis, lysosomal and proteasomal degradation of proteins, and barrier function. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) at 1 and 7 days post retinal detachment (dprd). were defined as mRNA with a significant (padj≤0.05) fold change (FC) of 0.67≥FC≥1.5 in detached versus naïve RPE. The RPE transcriptome exhibited dramatic changes at 1 dprd, with 2297 DEG identified. The KEGG pathways and biological process GO groups related to innate immune responses were significantly enriched. Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) and several chemokines were upregulated, while numerous genes related to RPE functions, such as pigment synthesis, visual cycle, phagocytosis, andtight junctions were down regulated at 1 dprd. The response was largely transient, with only 18 significant DEG identified at 7 dprd, including upregulation of complement gene C4b. Validation studies confirmed RNAseq results. Thus, the RPE quickly down-regulates cell-specific functions and mounts an innate immune defense response following RD. Our data demonstrate that the RPE contributes to the inflammatory response to RD and may play a role in attraction of immune cells to the subretinal space and the opsonization of orphaned outer segments following RD.

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Changes in gene expression in the retina of diabetic Long Evans rats after one, four, and twelve weeks of diabetes

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