Project description:A hallmark of inherited retinal degenerative diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is progressive structural and functional remodeling of the remaining retinal cells as photoreceptors degenerate. Extensive remodeling of the retina stands as a barrier for the successful implementation of strategies to restore vision. To understand the molecular basis of remodeling, we performed analyses of single-cell transcriptome data from adult Zebrafish retina of wild-type and a P23H mutant rhodopsin transgenic model of RP with continuous degeneration and regeneration. We provide a benchmark atlas of retinal cell type transcriptomes in Zebrafish and find changes in all retinal cell types in the P23H model. These include widespread oxidative stress, changes in reliance on oxidative metabolism and glycolysis, widespread synaptic remodeling, and changes in circadian rhythm regulation. This comprehensive transcriptomic analysis provides a molecular road map to understand how the retina remodels in the context of chronic retinal degeneration with ongoing regeneration.
Project description:Objectives:
1. To examine the variations in clinical features, survival outcomes, family history, and health behavior among proband patients who are known or suspected to have a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome
2. To compare the clinical features, survival outcomes, and health behavior of the proband vs. his/her family members who may or may not be affected by the hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome
3. To explore for correlations between germline genetic variations in both the probands and family members with observed variations in the overall disease phenotype across probands and kindreds, within a given syndrome. Disease phenotype is defined to include: (1) clinicopathologic features including patient demographics and oncologic outcomes; (2) clinical manifestations of disease including the timing, spectrum and severity of CRC and extracolonic cancers. Genetic variations may include the specific codon mutated, the type of mutation and sequence alteration (e.g. nonsense, missense etc), chromosomal/gene copy number changes, and gene polymorphisms.
4. To explore for correlations between germline genetic variations in both the probands and family members with observed variations in somatic CRC tumor biology, including tumor pathology and other tumor molecular markers
Project description:Here, we performed molecular pathology analysis of the vitreous proteomes collected from 127 patients with RRD using SWATH-mass spectrometry. For comparison, samples of neurodegenerative vitreoretinal interface eyes (MH, Pucker) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy eyes with tractional-retinal detachment (PDR-TRD) were used as a control.
Project description:Purpose: The present work investigated changes in the gene expression, molecular mechanisms, and pathogenesis of inherited retinal degeneration (RD) in three different disease models to identify predictive biomarkers for their varied phenotypes and to provide a better scientific basis for their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between retinal tissue from RD mouse models obtained during the photoreceptor cell death peak period (Pde6brd1 at post-natal (PN) day 13, Pde6brd10 at PN23, Prphrd2 at PN29) and retinal tissue from C3H wild-type mice were identified using Illumina high-throughput RNA-sequencing. Co-expression gene modules were identified using a combination of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses and gene co-expression network analysis. CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA network interactions were studied by genome-wide circRNA screening. Results: Pde6brd1, Pde6brd10, and Prphrd2 mice had 1,926, 3,096, and 375 DEGs, respectively. Genes related to ion channels, stress, inflammatory processes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production, and microglial cell activation were up-regulated, while genes related to endoplasmic reticulum regulation, metabolism, and homeostasis were down-regulated. Differential expression of transcription factors and non-coding RNAs generally implicated in other human diseases was detected (e.g Gloucoma, diabetes retinopathy and inherited retinal degeneration). CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA network analysis indicated that these factors may be involved in photoreceptor cell death. Moreover, excessive cGMP accumulation causes photoreceptor cell death, and cGMP-related genes were generally affected by different pathogenic gene mutations. Conclusions: We screened genes and pathways related to photoreceptor cell death. Additionally, up-stream regulatory factors, such as transcription factors and non-coding RNA and their interaction networks were analyzed. Furthermore, RNAs involved in RDs were functionally annotated. Overall, this study lays a foundation for future studies on photoreceptor cell death mechanisms.
Project description:Retinal microvascularization can provide important informations to systemic vascular phenomena. The non-invasive quantitative description of the retinal vascularization is now possible by performing OCT-angiography and their image analysis software (vascular density and retinal perfusion). Systemic microvacular changes during the establishment of oncological treatment by targeted antiangiogenic therapy are little described in the literature. The objective of this pilot study is to describe the evolution of the retinal vascular density of patients with antiangiogenic drugs. In addition, the evolution of the retinal vascular density of patients on antiangiogenic drugs will study as a function of the response to the treatment and the toxicity of these treatments.