Ali A. Al-Rajhi

Mutations in SPATA7 cause Leber congenital amaurosis and juvenile retinitis pigmentosa.

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and juvenile retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are the most common hereditary causes of visual impairment in infants and children. Using homozygosity mapping, we narrowed down the critical region of the LCA3 locus to 3.8 Mb between markers D14S1022 and D14S1005. By direct Sanger sequencing of all genes within this region, we found a homozygous nonsense mutation in the SPATA7 gene in Saudi Arabian family KKESH-060. Three other loss-of-function mutations were subsequently discovered in patients with LCA or juvenile RP from distinct populations. Furthermore, we determined that Spata7 is expressed in the mature mouse retina. Our findings reveal another human visual-disease gene that causes LCA and juvenile RP.

A novel locus for Leber congenital amaurosis on chromosome 14q24

Abstract Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy and the most common genetic cause of congenital visual impairment. We used a DNA pooling strategy comparing the genotypes of affected to unaffected control pools in a genome-wide search for identity-by-descent on a consanguineous Saudi Arabian LCA family. A shift to homozygosity was observed in the affected DNA pool compared with the control pool at linked markers D14S606 and D14S610. Genotyping of individual DNA samples from the entire pedigree for marker D14S74, closely linked to these loci, and several flanking markers confirmed linkage with a ZMAX=13.29 at θ=0.0. These data assign a third locus (LCA3) for LCA to chromosome 14q24. This locus and the previously identified loci are excluded for other Saudi Arabian pedigrees, both confirming that this clinical disorder is genetically heterogeneous and that additional LCA genes remain to be identified.

Whole-exome sequencing identifies ALMS1, IQCB1, CNGA3, and MYO7A mutations in patients with leber congenital amaurosis†

It has been well documented that mutations in the same retinal disease gene can result in different clinical phenotypes due to difference in the mutant allele and/or genetic background. To evaluate this, a set of consanguineous patient families with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) that do not carry mutations in known LCA disease genes was characterized through homozygosity mapping followed by targeted exon/whole‐exome sequencing to identify genetic variations. Among these families, a total of five putative disease‐causing mutations, including four novel alleles, were found for six families. These five mutations are located in four genes, ALMS1, IQCB1, CNGA3, and MYO7A. Therefore, in our LCA collection from Saudi Arabia, three of the 37 unassigned families carry mutations in retinal disease genes ALMS1, CNGA3, and MYO7A, which have not been previously associated with LCA, and 3 of the 37 carry novel mutations in IQCB1, which has been recently associated with LCA. Together with other reports, our results emphasize that the molecular heterogeneity underlying LCA, and likely other retinal diseases, may be highly complex. Thus, to obtain accurate diagnosis and gain a complete picture of the disease, it is essential to sequence a larger set of retinal disease genes and combine the clinical phenotype with molecular diagnosis. 32:1450–1459, 2011. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

L-carnitine protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative damage.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of L-carnitine (LC) against oxidative changes in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Methods: The RPE cells from human donor eyes were cultured in Hams F-10 medium. The effect of LC on H2O2-induced morphologic changes in the RPE cells was analyzed by light microscopy. Reduction in cell death after the impact of LC treatment on H2O2-treated cells was analyzed by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assays. In addition, the effect of H2O2 on the activity of RPE-antioxidant enzymes, glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and LC-induced protection was also determined. Results: LC protected the RPE cells by inhibiting the peroxide-induced cytopathic effect from 50% to 10%. Nuclear condensation observed in 40% of the H2O2-treated cells decreased to 20% after LC treatment. The MTT assays demonstrated that 100 μM oxidant caused appreciable cell death, which was reduced by LC treatment; however, 100% protection was not achieved. Significant peroxide-induced cell death was seen within 5 hr of H2O2 treatment, and a quantifiable reduction was observed after LC treatment for a similar time period. The change in the antioxidant potential of the RPE induced by oxidative stress was restored by LC treatment, as demonstrated by an increase in GSH and SOD activities. Conclusions: LC is capable of protecting the RPE cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage, implying that micronutrients can have a positive effect and can play an important role in the treatment of oxidation-induced ocular disorders. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of LC-induced protection to the RPE cells.

Analysis and Comparison of Proteomic Profiles of Tear Fluid from Human, Cow, Sheep, and Camel Eyes

PURPOSE To investigate the tear proteome profiles of human, cow, sheep, and camel comparatively and to explore the difference of tear protein profiles among different species. METHODS Tears were collected from both eyes of 25 clinically healthy volunteers, 50 cows, 25 sheep, and 50 camels. Pooled tear protein samples were separated by SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Protein spots of differential expression were excised and subjected to in-gel digestion and identification by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrum analysis. Because of the incomplete genomic data of cow, sheep, and camel, a combined strategy of de novo sequencing and BLAST (Best Local Alignment Search Tool) homology searching was also used for protein identification. The differentially expressed proteins were validated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS On comparison with human tears (182 ± 6 spots), 223 ± 8, 217 ± 11, and 241 ± 3 well-resolved protein spots were detected in triphenylmethane dye-stained gels of cow, sheep, and camel tears, respectively. Similar high-abundant proteins (lactoferrin, lysozyme, etc.) were found in all tear fluids. Tear lipocalins have been identified in cow and sheep tears. BLAST searching revealed a 21-kDa protein, identical with human vitelline membrane outer layer protein 1 (VMO1) homolog, in camel tears. The Western blot confirmed that VMO1 homolog was present in both camel and sheep tears but not in human and cow tears. CONCLUSIONS The comparative proteomic analyses of tears from healthy humans, cows, sheep, and camels were first reported. Differential protein expression existed in the tear among species, offering useful information for further study on tear proteins and the related ocular diseases.

Pigmented hypopyon in association with Listeria monocytogenes endopthalmitis: An interesting case report following refractive surgery procedure with literature review

Purpose: Listeria monocytogenes is an aerobic, motile, gram positive bacillus recognized as an intercellular pathogen in human where it most frequently affects neonates, pregnant women, elderly patients, and immunosuppressed individuals as well as healthy persons. Ocular listeriosis is rare, most frequently in the form of conjunctivitis, but has been also shown to cause rarely endophthalmitis with pigmented hypopyon and elevated intraocular pressure such as in our case. Materials and Methods: We are reporting one immunocompetent patient presenting with dark hypopyon following laser refractive procedure. His clinical findings, investigations, and further management are all described with relevant literature review of similar cases. Results: Diagnosis of ocular listeriosis was confirmed by positive culture of anterior chamber (AC) aspirate with identification of the above organism. His visual outcome was satisfactory with good preserved vision. Conclusion: We believe that his ocular infection was exogenous and that ophthalmologists should be aware of the causative organisms of colored hypopyon to avoid delayed diagnosis.

Candida parapsilosis corneal graft infection from a single eye center: Histopathologic report of 2 cases

Fungal keratitis accounts for 6–53% of all cases of ulcerative keratitis in variable studies. The majority of cases are due to septate fungi. The abnormal cornea in cases of dry eye syndrome, chronic ulceration, erythema multiform and possibly HIV infection is infected more commonly with Candida, most commonly Candida albicans. Candida parapsilosis affects neonates and intensive care unit (ICU) patients and it has been recently found with increasing frequency. In a previous study on mycotic keratitis in our tertiary eye hospital, filamentous fungi were more commonly isolated than yeasts. We are presenting 2 successive cases of corneal graft infection by Candida parapsilosis referred to us from another eye center to attract the attention of ophthalmologists and health workers to such an infection.

Prevalence and histopathological characteristics of corneal stromal dystrophies in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The aim was to determine the frequency and describe the main histopathologic features of corneal stromal dystrophy in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A single-center, retrospective analysis of 193 corneal specimens diagnosed with stromal dystrophy. All samples were retrieved from the Histopathology Department at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital over a 10-year period (2002 to December 31, 2011). Cases of stromal dystrophy undergoing keratoplasty were included in the study. Routine histopathologic stains and specific stains were used to determine a diagnosis. The corresponding demographic data and basic clinical/surgical information were collected via chart review. Results: The study sample was comprised of 193 eyes. The final diagnoses were macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) in 180 (93.26%) eyes, granular corneal dystrophy (GCD) in 9 (4.66%) and lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) in 4 (2.07%) eyes. The mean age at presentation was 27.03 years for MCD, 26.33 years for GCD and 53.75 years for LCD. The interval between diagnosis and surgical intervention was not statistically different between the macular and granular groups (P = 0.141). There was a positive family history for the MCD (37.22%) and GCD (44.44%) groups. All eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) except 10 MCD cases that underwent lamellar keratoplasty. Diffuse stromal deposits were present in 87.2% of MCD corneas and 66.67% of GCD corneas. Seventeen eyes with MCD were misdiagnosed as GCD. None of the LCD cases were clinically identified since all of these cases were diagnosed as corneal scarring. In eyes with MCD that underwent PKP, there was diffuse stromal involvement (in 87.22% eyes) and changes in Descemet′s membrane (in 53.5% eyes). Conclusion: This pathological study suggested that MCD was the most common corneal stromal dystrophy that required keratoplasty in Saudi Arabia. Patient with MCD and GCD presented at a significantly younger age than LCD. The clinical diagnosis of MCD is not achieved in all cases likely due to a more severe phenotype in the Saudi population or the presence of corneal scarring that is associated with previous trachoma, which obscures the classical appearance of LCD. We believe that PKP is first-line surgical treatment, especially for MCD because it involves all corneal layers. However, deep stromal involvement and changes in Descemet′s membrane in MCD should be considered when selecting the surgical procedure.