Details of a Researcher - Kurihara, Toshihide

Papers - Kurihara, Toshihide

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Wide-Angle Viewing System versus Conventional Indirect Ophthalmoscopy for Scleral Buckling

Tomita, Yohei, Kurihara, Toshihide, Uchida, Atsuro, Nagai, Norihiro, Shinoda, Hajime, Tsubota, Kazuo, Ozawa, Yoko

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP) 5 275 - 281 2015.09

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 2045-2322

Wide-angle viewing systems (WAVSs) were originally established for pars plana vitrectomy. However, their application to scleral buckling surgery was recently reported. In this study, we compared the outcomes of scleral buckling using a noncontact WAVS with that of scleral buckling using conventional indirect ophthalmoscopy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The clinical records of 39 eyes (39 patients) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment primarily treated between November 2012 and June 2014 at the Vitreo-Retina Surgical Division Clinic at the Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Scleral bucking was performed using WAVS with surgical placement of an endoilluminator in 16 eyes and indirect ophthalmoscopy in 23 eyes. The patients in these groups were consecutive over different intervals. The preoperative demographics, success rate of retinal reattachment, intraoperative findings, and postoperative complications were evaluated. There were no significant differences in pre- or postoperative conditions between groups, and similar surgical outcomes were achieved with the WAVS and conventional procedures. However, compared with the conventional procedure, the WAVS procedure resulted in fewer intraoperative corneal epithelial disorders (p = 0.049) and decreased the surgical duration of segmental buckling (p = 0.02); therefore, it may be suggested as an effective alternative procedure.

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Neurovascular crosstalk between interneurons and capillaries is required for vision

Usui, Voshihiko, Westenskow, Peter D., Kurihara, Toshihide, Aguilar, Edith, Sakimoto, Susumu, Paris, Liliana P., Wittgrove, Carli, Feitelberg, Daniel, Friedlander, Mollie S. H., Moreno, StaceyR., Dorrell, Michael I., Friedlander, Martin

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION (AMER SOC CLINICAL INVESTIGATION INC) 125 ( 6 ) 2335 - 2346 2015.06

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0021-9738

Functional interactions between neurons, vasculature, and glia within neurovascular units are critical for maintenance of the retina and other CNS tissues. For example, the architecture of the neurosensory retina is a highly organized structure with alternating layers of neurons and blood vessels that match the metabolic demand of neuronal activity with an appropriate supply of oxygen within perfused blood. Here, using murine genetic models and cell ablation strategies, we have demonstrated that a subset of retinal interneurons, the amacrine and horizontal cells, form neurovascular units with capillaries in 2 of the 3 retinal vascular plexuses. Moreover, we determined that these cells are required for generating and maintaining the intraretinal vasculature through precise regulation of hypoxia-inducible and proangiogenic factors, and that amacrine and horizontal cell dysfunction induces alterations to the intraretinal vasculature and substantial visual deficits. These findings demonstrate that specific retinal interneurons and the intraretinal vasculature are highly interdependent, and loss of either or both elicits profound effects on photoreceptor survival and function.

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Blue light-induced inflammatory marker expression in the retinal pigment epithelium-choroid of mice and the protective effect of a yellow intraocular lens material in vivo

Narimatsu, Toshio, Negishi, Kazuno, Miyake, Seiji, Hirasawa, Manabu, Osada, Hideto, Kurihara, Toshihide, Tsubota, Kazuo, Ozawa, Yoko

EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH 132 48 - 51 2015.03

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0014-4835

Oxidative stress in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a well-accepted pathogenic change in vision-threatening diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. One source of oxidative stress is excessive light exposure, which causes excessive activation of the visual cycle. Because short wavelength light (blue light) has more energy, it is reported to be more harmful to photoreceptor cells than the other wavelengths of light. However, the biological effect of blue light in the RPE of living animals and the protective effect of a yellow intraocular lens (IOL) material that blocks blue light is still obscure. Therefore, we compared the pathogenic effect in the RPE-choroid complexes of mice exposed to light in a box made of a clear or a yellow IOL material. We measured the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and a macrophage marker by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the protein level of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) by ELISA. The ROS level after light exposure was suppressed in the RPE-choroids of light-exposed mice in the yellow IOL material box. In parallel, all the inflammatory cytokines that we measured and a macrophage marker were also suppressed in the RPE-choroids of light-exposed mice in the yellow IOL material box. Therefore, a yellow IOL material suppressed, and thus blue light exacerbated, the increase in the ROS level and inflammatory cytokine expression as well as macrophage recruitment in the RPE-choroid in vivo after light exposure.

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Performing Subretinal Injections in Rodents to Deliver Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells in Suspension

Westenskow, Peter D., Kurihara, Toshihide, Bravo, Stephen, Feitelberg, Daniel, Sedillo, Zack A., Aguilar, Edith, Friedlander, Martin

JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS (JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS) 23 ( 95 ) 2335 - 2346 2015.01

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 1940-087X

The conversion of light into electrical impulses occurs in the outer retina and is accomplished largely by rod and cone photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE provide critical support for photoreceptors and death or dysfunction of RPE cells is characteristic of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of permanent vision loss in people age 55 and older. While no cure for AMD has been identified, implantation of healthy RPE in diseased eyes may prove to be an effective treatment, and large numbers of RPE cells can be readily generated from pluripotent stem cells. Several interesting questions regarding the safety and efficacy of RPE cell delivery can still be examined in animal models, and well-accepted protocols used to inject RPE have been developed. The technique described here has been used by multiple groups in various studies and involves first creating a hole in the eye with a sharp needle. Then a syringe with a blunt needle loaded with cells is inserted through the hole and passed through the vitreous until it gently touches the RPE. Using this injection method, which is relatively simple and requires minimal equipment, we achieve consistent and efficient integration of stem cell-derived RPE cells in between the host RPE that prevents significant amount of photoreceptor degeneration in animal models. While not part of the actual protocol, we also describe how to determine the extent of the trauma induced by the injection, and how to verify that the cells were injected into the subretinal space using in vivo imaging modalities. Finally, the use of this protocol is not limited to RPE cells; it may be used to inject any compound or cell into the subretinal space.

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Neurons Limit Angiogenesis by Titrating VEGF in Retina

Okabe, Keisuke, Kobayashi, Sakiko, Yamada, Toru, Kurihara, Toshihide, Tai-Nagara, Ikue, Miyamoto, Takeshi, Mukouyama, Yoh-suke, Sato, Thomas N., Suda, Toshio, Ema, Masatsugu, Kubota, Yoshiaki

CELL (CELL PRESS) 159 ( 3 ) 584 - 596 2014.10

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0092-8674

Vascular and nervous systems, two major networks in mammalian bodies, show a high degree of anatomical parallelism and functional crosstalk. During development, neurons guide and attract blood vessels, and consequently this parallelism is established. Here, we identified a noncanonical neurovascular interaction in eye development and disease. VEGFR2, a critical endothelial receptor for VEGF, was more abundantly expressed in retinal neurons than in endothelial cells, including endothelial tip cells. Genetic deletion of VEGFR2 in neurons caused misdirected angiogenesis toward neurons, resulting in abnormally increased vascular density around neurons. Further genetic experiments revealed that this misdirected angiogenesis was attributable to an excessive amount of VEGF protein around neurons caused by insufficient engulfment of VEGF by VEGFR2-deficient neurons. Moreover, absence of neuronal VEGFR2 caused misdirected regenerative angiogenesis in ischemic retinopathy. Thus, this study revealed neurovascular crosstalk and unprecedented cellular regulation of VEGF: retinal neurons titrate VEGF to limit neuronal vascularization.

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Intraoperative and fluorescein angiographic findings of a secondary macular hole associated with age-related macular degeneration treated by pars plana vitrectomy

Okamoto, Tomohiro, Shinoda, Hajime, Kurihara, Toshihide, Nagai, Norihiro, Tsubota, Kazuo, Ozawa, Yoko

BMC OPHTHALMOLOGY (BIOMED CENTRAL LTD) 14 24561 - 24570 2014.09

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 1471-2415

Background: Macular hole results from a tractional force at the vitreo-retinal interface which is developed by modification and subsequent degeneration of the posterior precortical vitreous and the internal limiting membrane (ILM). Meanwhile, the wet type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by the submacular formation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Although exudative changes derived from CNV may cause epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation, which can also cause tractional force at the vitreo-retinal interface, there have been few reports of AMD-associated macular hole development in which the full thickness of the retinal tissue is completely torn by the tractional force. Moreover, intraoperative finding of macular hole associated with AMD with a possible involvement of subretinal lesion has not been described.
Case presentation: A 78-year-old man diagnosed with wet AMD with subretinal fluid and mild cataract received 8 treatments with intravitreal pegaptanib. After AMD remission, he developed a secondary macular hole in the same eye. He underwent a pars plana vitrectomy that successfully closed the macular hole. Intraoperatively, it was found that the patient's vitreous was formed and that the ERM and ILM were adherent, suggesting the involvement of a tractional force at the vitreo-retinal interface due to an inflammatory reaction related to AMD and/or intravitreally injected chemical compounds, resulting in macular hole development. Changes in the condition of his AMD and the RPE were observed on a fluorescein angiogram (FA) and an indocyanine green angiogram (IA) that preceded macular hole development, suggesting that subretinal changes may also have been involved in the pathogenesis.
Conclusion: These clinical data, including the intraoperative findings and the temporal changes in the angiograms, suggest that an inflammatory reaction at the vitreo-retinal interface and subretinal lesion related to AMD contribute to the macular hole development in AMD patients treated with intravitreal injection.

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Local acting Sticky-trap inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor dependent pathological angiogenesis in the eye

Michael, Iacovos P., Westenskow, Peter D., Hacibekiroglu, Sabiha, Greenwald, Alissa Cohen, Ballios, Brian G., Kurihara, Toshihide, Li, Zhijie, Warren, Carmen M., Zhang, Puzheng, Aguilar, Edith, Donaldson, Laura, Marchetti, Valentina, Baba, Takeshi, Hussein, Samer M., Sung, Hoon-Ki, Iruela-Arispe, M. Luisa, Rini, James M., van der Kooy, Derek, Friedlander, Martin, Nagy, Andras

EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE (WILEY) 6 ( 5 ) 604 - 623 2014.05

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 1757-4676

Current therapeutic antiangiogenic biologics used for the treatment of pathological ocular angiogenesis could have serious side effects due to their interference with normal blood vessel physiology. Here, we report the generation of novel antivascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) biologics, termed VEGF Sticky-traps, with unique properties that allow for local inhibition of angiogenesis without detectable systemic side effects. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we demonstrated that Sticky-traps could locally inhibit angiogenesis to at least the same extent as the original VEGF-trap that also gains whole-body access. Sticky-traps did not cause systemic effects, as shown by uncompromised wound healing and normal tracheal vessel density. Moreover, if injected intravitreally, recombinant Sticky-trap remained localized to various regions of the eye, such as the inner-limiting membrane and ciliary body, for prolonged time periods, without gaining access either to the photoreceptors/choriocapillaris area or the circulation. These unique pharmacological characteristics of Sticky-trap could allow for safe treatment of pathological angiogenesis in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of pre-maturity.

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Utilizing Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells as A Therapeutic Intervention for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Westenskow, Peter D., Kurihara, Toshihide, Friedlander, Martin

RETINAL DEGENERATIVE DISEASES: MECHANISMS AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPY (SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN) 801 323 - 329 2014

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0065-2598

Degeneration or dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can induce secondary photoreceptor atrophy and catastrophic vision loss in patients with agerelated macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly in industrialized countries and no cure exists for the "dry" or atrophic form to date. However, recent pre-clinical data from several groups suggests that embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cell transplantation may prevent photoreceptor degeneration in animal models of RPE degeneration. Another approach may be to derive RPE cells from autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from dermal tissue. However, the safety of this approach has been questioned on several levels. In this chapter we will summarize work reported by several groups, including our own, that clearly demonstrate that transplanted RPE cells can provide anatomical and functional photoreceptor rescue in animal models of retinal degeneration. We will also discuss some of the prevailing concerns and challenges associated with this technique.

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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Signaling in the Retina

Kurihara, Toshihide, Westenskow, Peter D., Friedlander, Martin

RETINAL DEGENERATIVE DISEASES: MECHANISMS AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPY (SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN) 801 275 - 281 2014

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0065-2598

Over a span of two decades, it has become increasingly clear that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Based on these observations, anti-VEGF therapies are being developed and approved for clinical use in the treatment of neovascular eye diseases. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcriptional factors that are stabilized and activated under hypoxic conditions and induce expression of gene products, including VEGF, that are required for cell survival under hypoxia. Here we discuss recent findings from our lab and others that define roles of the HIF-VEGF axis in the retina.

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Ras pathway inhibition prevents neovascularization by repressing endothelial cell sprouting

Westenskow, Peter D., Kurihara, Toshihide, Aguilar, Edith, Scheppke, Elizabeth L., Moreno, Stacey K., Wittgrove, Carli, Marchetti, Valentina, Michael, Iacovos R., Anand, Sudarshan, Nagy, Andras, Cheresh, David, Friedlander, Martin

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION (AMER SOC CLINICAL INVESTIGATION INC) 123 ( 11 ) 4900 - 4908 2013.11

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0021-9738

Vascular networks develop from a growing vascular front that responds to VEGF and other guidance cues. Angiogenesis is required for normal tissue function, but, under conditions of stress, inappropriate vascularization can lead to disease. Therefore, inhibition of angiogenic sprouting may prevent neovascularization in patients with blinding neovascular eye diseases, including macular degeneration. VEGF antagonists have therapeutic benefits but also can elicit off-target effects. Here, we found that the Ras pathway, which functions downstream of a wide range of cytokines including VEGF, is active in the growing vascular front of developing and pathological vascular networks. The endogenous Ras inhibitor p120RasGAP was expressed predominately in quiescent VEGF-insensitive endothelial cells and was ectopically downregulated in multiple neovascular models. MicroRNA-132 negatively regulated p120RasGAP expression. Experimental delivery of alpha-miR-132 to developing mouse eyes disrupted tip cell Ras activity and prevented angiogenic sprouting. This strategy prevented ocular neovascularization in multiple rodent models even more potently than the VEGF antagonist, VEGF-trap. Targeting microRNA-132 as a therapeutic strategy may prove useful for treating multiple neovascular diseases of the eye and for preventing vision loss regardless of the neovascular stimulus.

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VEGF antagonism and age-related macular degeneration: too much of a good thing?

Kurihara T, Westenskow PD, Aguilar E, Friedlander M†

Exp Rev Ophthalmol. 8 ( 2 ) 103 - 105 2013.04

Lead author

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Targeted deletion of Vegfa in adult mice induces vision loss

Kurihara, Toshihide, Westenskow, Peter D., Bravo, Stephen, Aguilar, Edith, Friedlander, Martin

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION (AMER SOC CLINICAL INVESTIGATION INC) 122 ( 11 ) 4213 - 4217 2012.11

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0021-9738

Current therapies directed at controlling vascular abnormalities in cancers and neovascular eye diseases target VEGF and can slow the progression of these diseases. While the critical role of VEGF in development has been well described, the function of locally synthesized VEGF in the adult eye is incompletely understood. Here, we show that conditionally knocking out Vegfa in adult mouse retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells, which regulate retinal homeostasis, rapidly leads to vision loss and ablation of the choriocapillaris, the major blood supply for the outer retina and photoreceptor cells. This deletion also caused rapid dysfunction of cone photoreceptors, the cells responsible for fine visual acuity and color vision. Furthermore, Vegfa deletion showed significant downregulation of multiple angiogenic genes in both physiological and pathological states, whereas the deletion of the upstream regulatory transcriptional factors HIFs did not affect the physiological expressions of angiogenic genes. These results suggest that endogenous VEGF provides critical trophic support necessary for retinal function. Targeting factors upstream of VEGF, such as HIFs, may be therapeutically advantageous compared with more potent and selective VEGF antagonists, which may have more off-target inhibitory trophic effects.

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Using Flow Cytometry to Compare the Dynamics of Photoreceptor Outer Segment Phagocytosis in iPS-Derived RPE Cells

Westenskow, Peter D., Moreno, Stacey K., Krohne, Tim U., Kurihara, Toshihide, Zhu, Saiyong, Zhang, Zhen-ning, Zhao, Tongbiao, Xu, Yang, Ding, Sheng, Friedlander, Martin

INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC) 53 ( 10 ) 6282 - 6290 2012.09

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0146-0404

PURPOSE. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) autologous grafts can be readily derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. It is critical to stringently characterize iPS-RPE using standardized and quantifiable methods to be confident that they are safe and adequate replacements for diseased RPE before utilizing them in clinical settings. One important and required function is that the iPS-RPE phagocytose photoreceptor outer segments (POS).
METHODS. We developed a flow cytometry-based assay to monitor binding and internalization of FITC labeled POS by ARPE-19, human fetal RPE (hfRPE), and two types of iPS-RPE. Expression and density of alpha(v)beta(5) integrin, CD36, and MerTK receptors, which are required for phagocytosis, were compared.
RESULTS. Trypsinization of treated RPE cells results in the release of bound POS. The number of freed POS, the percentage of cells that internalized POS, the brightness of the FITC signal from the cells, and the surface density of the phagocytosis receptors on single RPE cells were measured using flow cytometry. These assays reveal that receptor density is dynamic during differentiation and this can affect the binding and internalization dynamics of the RPE cells. Highly differentiated iPS-RPE phagocytose POS more efficiently than hfRPE.
CONCLUSIONS. Caution should be exercised to not use RPE grafts until demonstrating that they are fully functional. The density of the phagocytosis receptors is dynamic and may be used as a predictor for how well the iPS-RPE cells will function in vivo. The phagocytosis dynamics observed between iPS-RPE and primary RPE is very encouraging and adds to mounting evidence that iPS-RPE may be a viable replacement for dysfunctional or dying RPE in human patients. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:6282-6290) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-9721

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Biological role of lutein in the light-induced retinal degeneration

Sasaki, Mariko, Yuki, Kenya, Kurihara, Toshihide, Miyake, Seiji, Noda, Kosuke, Kobayashi, Saori, Ishida, Susumu, Tsubota, Kazuo, Ozawa, Yoko

JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY (ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC) 23 ( 5 ) 423 - 429 2012.05

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0955-2863

Lutein, a xanthophyll of a carotenoid, is anticipated as a therapeutic product to prevent human eye diseases. However, its biological mechanism is still unclear. Here, we show the molecular mechanism of lutein's effect to reduce photodamage of the retina. We analyzed the light-exposed retinas of Balb/c mice given lutein-supplemented or normal diet. Visual function was measured by electroretinogram, and histological changes were observed. Immunohistochemical and immunoblot analyses were performed to analyze molecular mechanism. The reactive oxygen species induced in the retina was evaluated by fluorescent probes. In the mice after light exposure, reduction of a-wave and b-wave amplitudes in electroretinogram, indicating visual impairment, and thinning of the photoreceptor cell layer owing to apoptosis were both attenuated by lutein diet. Interestingly, gamma-H2AX, a marker for double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA, was up-regulated in the photoreceptor cells after light exposure, but this increase was attenuated by lutein diet, suggesting that DSBs caused by photodamage contributed to the photoreceptor cell death and that this change was suppressed by lutein. Moreover, the expression of eyes absent (EYA), which promotes DNA repair and cell survival, was significantly up-regulated with lutein diet in the light-exposed retina. Therefore, lutein induced EYA for DNA repair, which could suppress DNA damage and photoreceptor cell apoptosis. Lutein reduced light-induced oxidative stress in the retina, which might contribute to promote DNA repair. The lutein-supplemented diet attenuated light-induced visual impairment by protecting the photoreceptor cells' DNA. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Renin-Angiotensin System Hyperactivation Can Induce Inflammation and Retinal Neural Dysfunction.

Kurihara T†, Ozawa Y, Ishida S, Okano H, Tsubota K

Int J Inflam. 2012 581695 2012.03

Lead author, Corresponding author, Accepted

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The formation of an angiogenic astrocyte template is regulated by the neuroretina in a HIF-1-dependent manner

Nakamura-Ishizu, Ayako, Kurihara, Toshihide, Okuno, Yuji, Ozawa, Yoko, Kishi, Kazuo, Goda, Nobuhito, Tsubota, Kazuo, Okano, Hideyuki, Suda, Toshio, Kubota, Yoshiaki

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE) 363 ( 1 ) 106 - 114 2012.03

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0012-1606

The vascular and nervous systems display a high degree of cross-talk and depend on each other functionally. In the vascularization of the central nervous system, astrocytes have been thought to sense tissue oxygen levels in hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs)-dependent manner and control the vascular growth into the hypoxic area by secreting VEGF. However, recent genetic evidences demonstrate that not only astrocyte HIFs but also astrocyte VEGF expression is dispensable for developmental angiogenesis of the retina. This study demonstrates that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha subunit (HIF-1 alpha), a key transcription factor involved in cellular responses to hypoxia, is most abundantly expressed in the neuroretina, especially retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). A neuroretina-specific knockout of HIF-1 alpha (alpha Cre(+)Hif1 alpha(flox/flox)) showed impaired vascular development characterized by decreased tip cell filopodia and reduced vessel branching. The astrocyte network was hypoplastic in alpha Cre(+)Hif1 alpha(flox/flox) mice. Mechanistically, platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A), a mitogen for astrocytes, was downregulated in the neuroretina of alpha Cre(+)Hif1 alpha(flox/flox) mice. Supplementing PDGF-A restored reduced astrocytic and vascular density in alpha Cre(+)Hif1 alpha(flox/flox) mice. Our data demonstrates that the neuroretina but not astrocytes acts as a primary oxygen sensor which ultimately controls the retinal vascular development by regulating an angiogenic astrocyte template. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Generation of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from Small Molecules and OCT4 Reprogrammed Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Krohne, Tim U., Westenskow, Peter D., Kurihara, Toshihide, Friedlander, David F., Lehmann, Mandy, Dorsey, Alison L., Li, Wenlin, Zhu, Saiyong, Schultz, Andrew, Wang, Junhua, Siuzdak, Gary, Ding, Sheng, Friedlander, Martin

STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE (ALPHAMED PRESS) 1 ( 2 ) 96 - 109 2012.02

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 2157-6564

Autologous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) grafts derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may be used to cure blinding diseases in which RPE dysfunction results in photoreceptor degeneration. Four-, two-, and one-factor-derived iPSCs (4F-, 2F-, and 1F-iPSC5, respectively) were differentiated into fully functional cuboidal pigmented cells in polarized monolayers that express RPE-specific markers. 1F-iPSC-RPE (1F-iPS-RPE) strongly resembles primary human fetal RPE (hfRPE) based on proteomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses, and using novel in vivo imaging technology coupled with electroretinography, we demonstrated that 1F-iPS-RPE mediate anatomical and functional rescue of photoreceptors after transplantation in an animal model of RPE-mediated retinal degeneration. 1F-iPS-RPE cells were injected subretinally as a suspension and formed a monolayer dispersed between host RPE cells. Furthermore, 1F-iPS-RPE do not simply provide trophic support to rescue photoreceptors as previously speculated but actually phagocytose photoreceptor outer segments in vivo and maintain visual cycling. Thus, 1F-iPS-RPE grafts may be superior to conventional iPS-RPE for clinical use because 1F-iPS-RPE closely resemble hfRPE, mediate anatomical and functional photoreceptor rescue in vivo, and are generated using a reduced number of potentially oncogenic reprogramming factors. STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2012;1:96-109

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Roles of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in Diabetes-Induced Retinal Inflammation

Kubota, Shunsuke, Ozawa, Yoko, Kurihara, Toshihide, Sasaki, Mariko, Yuki, Kenya, Miyake, Seiji, Noda, Kousuke, Ishida, Susumu, Tsubota, Kazuo

INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC) 52 ( 12 ) 9142 - 9148 2011.11

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0146-0404

PURPOSE. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy status. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the roles of AMPK in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy using the known AMPK activators resveratrol and AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) in a mouse model.
METHODS. C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were treated with resveratrol orally at 50 mg/kg for 7 days or with AICAR intraperitoneally at 100 mg/kg 24 hours before death. Retinal protein levels of phosphorylated and total AMPK, phosphorylated nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B p65, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated by Western blot analysis or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Retinal activity of sirtuin (SIRT) 1 was measured by deacetylase fluorometric assay. Leukocyte adhesion to the retinal vasculature was examined with a concanavalin A lectin perfusion-labeling technique.
RESULTS. Induction of diabetes in mice led to retinal AMPK dephosphorylation, which was significantly reversed by either resveratrol or AICAR. Either resveratrol or AICAR significantly reversed SIRT1 deactivation and NF-kappa B phosphorylation, both of which were induced in the diabetic retina. Administration of resveratrol to diabetic mice significantly reduced diabetes-induced retinal leukocyte adhesion, together with retinal expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF.
CONCLUSIONS. The present findings reveal that diabetes-induced retinal inflammation stems from downregulation of the AMPK pathway, leading subsequently to SIRT1 deactivation and NF-kappa B activation. The data also suggest the potential use of the AMPK activator resveratrol as a therapeutic agent for diabetic retinopathy. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:9142-9148) DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-8041

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Astrocyte pVHL and HIF-alpha isoforms are required for embryonic-to-adult vascular transition in the eye

Kurihara, Toshihide, Westenskow, Peter D., Krohne, Tim U., Aguilar, Edith, Johnson, Randall S., Friedlander, Martin

JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY (ROCKEFELLER UNIV PRESS) 195 ( 4 ) 689 - 701 2011.11

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0021-9525

Successful transition from embryonic to adult circulation is critical for survival of mammalian organisms. This shift occurs in the central cardiovascular circulation and in the eye as oxygen tension increases. However, its regulation is not well understood. We have used combinatorial gene deletion and overexpression assays to assess the effect of astrocyte-targeted deletion of von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (Vhl), hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha s (Hif-alpha s), and Vegf on the normal regression of the hyaloidal vessels, the fetal ocular circulation system. Astrocytic Vhl deletion induced accelerated hyaloidal regression and subsequent massive secondary outgrowth. Combinatorial gene deletion involving Vhl, Hif-alpha s, and Vegf genes revealed that HIF-2 alpha/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling induces secondary outgrowth in Vhl mutants. Conversely, HIF-1 alpha regulated macrophage migration inhibitory factor and promoted macrophage infiltration that accelerates hyaloidal vessel regression. The phenotype observed in Vhl mutants strongly resembles human persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous cases and may provide insights into vascular remodeling mechanisms in other systems.

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Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss in Superoxide Dismutase 1 Deficiency

Yuki, Kenya, Ozawa, Yoko, Yoshida, Tetsu, Kurihara, Toshihide, Hirasawa, Manabu, Ozeki, Naoki, Shiba, Daisuke, Noda, Kousuke, Ishida, Susumu, Tsubota, Kazuo

INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC) 52 ( 7 ) 4143 - 4150 2011.06

Research paper (scientific journal), Accepted, ISSN 0146-0404

PURPOSE. To investigate the influence of deficiency in superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1, a major antioxidative enzyme, on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
METHODS. In the SOD1 total knockout (SOD1-deficient) mice, the level of superoxide anion was measured using dihydroethidium. The number of RGCs was counted in both the retinal sections and the flat-mount retinas after retrograde labeling. Thickness of nerve fiber layer (NFL) was measured in the sections, and the amount of neurofilament protein was measured by immunoblot analysis. Pattern electroretinogram (ERG), which reflects the function of retinal ganglion cells, dark-adapted ERG, and cone ERG were performed. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with an induction-impact tonometer. The levels of SOD-1 and -2 were measured by ELISA, in the serum of 47 newly diagnosed consecutive normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients and 44 consecutive control subjects.
RESULTS. The level of superoxide anion in the RGC layer was significantly higher in 24-week-old SOD1-deficient mice than in wild-type mice. The RGC number was significantly reduced in 24-week-old SOD1-deficient mice, although they were not in 8-week-old mice. The NFL thickness and neurofilament protein were reduced in 24-week-old SOD1-deficient mice. The amplitude of pattern ERG was significantly reduced, although dark-adapted and cone ERGs showed no impairment, in 24-week-old SOD1-deficient mice. The IOP level was not changed in the SOD1-deficient mice. The serum level of SOD1, but not SOD2, was significantly lower in the NTG patients than in the healthy controls.
CONCLUSIONS. SOD1 deficiency causes RGC vulnerability, which may be involved in the underlying condition of NTG. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:4143-4150) DOI:10.1167/iovs.106294

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