Chang Luo

Para-inflammation-mediated retinal recruitment of bone marrow-derived myeloid cells following whole-body irradiation is CCL2 dependent.

Previous studies have shown that following whole‐body irradiation bone marrow (BM)‐derived cells can migrate into the central nervous system, including the retina, to give rise to microglia‐like cells. The detailed mechanism, however, remains elusive. We show in this study that a single‐dose whole‐body γ‐ray irradiation (8 Gy) induced subclinical damage (i.e., DNA damage) in the neuronal retina, which is accompanied by a low‐grade chronic inflammation, para‐inflammation, characterized by upregulated expression of chemokines (CCL2, CXCL12, and CX3CL1) and complement components (C4 and CFH), and microglial activation. The upregulation of chemokines CCL2 and CXCL12 and complement C4 lasted for more than 160 days, whereas the expression of CX3CL1 and CFH was upregulated for 2 weeks. Both resident microglia and BM‐derived phagocytes displayed mild activation in the neuronal retina following irradiation. When BM cells from CX3CR1gfp/+ mice or CX3CR1gfp/gfp mice were transplanted to wild‐type C57BL/6 mice, more than 90% of resident CD11b+ cells were replaced by donor‐derived GFP+ cells after 6 months. However, when transplanting CX3CR1gfp/+ BM cells into CCL2‐deficient mice, only 20% of retinal CD11b+ cells were replaced by donor‐derived cells at 6 month. Our results suggest that the neuronal retina suffers from a chronic stress following whole‐body irradiation, and a para‐inflammatory response is initiated, presumably to rectify the insults and maintain homeostasis. The recruitment of BM‐derived myeloid cells is a part of the para‐inflammatory response and is CCL2 but not CX3CL1 dependent.

Complement expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells is modulated by activated macrophages

Complement activation is involved in a variety of retinal diseases. We have shown previously that a number of complement components and regulators can be produced locally in the eye, and that retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are the major source of complement expression at the retina-choroidal interface. The expression of complement components by RPE cells is regulated by inflammatory cytokines. Under aging or inflammatory conditions, microglia and macrophages accumulate in the subretinal space, where they are in close contact with RPE cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of activated macrophages on complement expression by RPE cells. Mouse RPE cells were treated with the supernatants from un-activated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BM-DMs), the classically activated BM-DMs (M1) and different types of the alternatively activated BM-DMs (M2a by IL-4, M2b by immune complex and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), M2c by IL-10). The expression of inflammatory cytokines and complement genes by RPE cells were determined by real-time RT-PCR. The protein expression of CFB, C3, C1INH, and C1r was examined by Western blot. Our results show that un-stimulated RPE cells express a variety of complement-related genes, and that the expression levels of complement regulators, including C1r, factor H (CFH), DAF1, CD59, C1INH, Crry, and C4BP genes are significantly higher than those of complement component genes (C2, C4, CFB, C3, and C5). Macrophage supernatants increased inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS), chemokine (CCL2) and complement expression in RPE cells. The supernatants from M0, M2a and M2c macrophages mildly up-regulated (2-3.5-fold) CFB, CFH and C3 gene expression in RPE cells, whereas the supernatants from M1 and M2b macrophages massively increased (10-30-fold) CFB and C3 gene expression in RPE cells. The expression of other genes, including C1r, C2, C4, CFH, Masp1, C1INH, and C4BP in RPE cells was also increased by the supernatants of M1 and M2b macrophages; however, the increment levels were significantly lower than CFB and C3 genes. M1 and M2b macrophage supernatants enhanced CFB (Bb fragment) protein expression and C3 secretion by RPE cells. M1 macrophages may affect complement expression in RPE cells through the STAT1 pathway. Our results suggest that under inflammatory conditions, activated macrophages could promote the alternative pathway of complement activation in the retina via induction of RPE cell CFB and C3 expression.

Inhibition of the alternative pathway of complement activation reduces inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

We have shown previously that complement factor H (CFH) and complement factor B (CFB) are constitutively expressed by retinal pigment epithelial cells and their production is regulated by inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that the alternative pathway (AP) of complement activation might play a role in retinal inflammation. In this study, we further investigated the role of the AP in retinal inflammation using experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) as a model. Mice with EAU show increased levels of C3d deposition and CFB expression in the retina. Retinal inflammation was suppressed clinically and histologically by blocking AP‐mediated complement activation with a complement receptor of the Ig superfamily fusion protein (CRIg‐Fc). In line with reduced inflammation, C3d deposition and CFB expression were markedly decreased by CRIg‐Fc treatment. Treatment with CRIg‐Fc also led to reduced T‐cell proliferation and IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐17, and IL‐6 cytokine production by T cells, and reduced nitric oxide production in BM‐derived macrophages. Our results suggest that AP‐mediated complement activation contributes significantly to retinal inflammation in EAU. CRIg‐Fc suppressed retinal inflammation in EAU by blocking AP‐mediated complement activation with probable direct effects on C3/C5 activation of macrophages, thus leading to reduced nitric oxide production by infiltrating CRIg− macrophages.

Age- and Light-Dependent Development of Localised Retinal Atrophy in CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP Mice

Previous studies have shown that CCL2/CX3CR1 deficient mice on C57BL/6N background (with rd8 mutation) have an early onset (6 weeks) of spontaneous retinal degeneration. In this study, we generated CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice on the C57BL/6J background. Retinal degeneration was not detected in CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice younger than 6 months. Patches of whitish/yellowish fundus lesions were observed in 17∼60% of 12-month, and 30∼100% of 18-month CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice. Fluorescein angiography revealed no choroidal neovascularisation in these mice. Patches of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor damage were detected in 30% and 50% of 12- and 18-month CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice respectively, but not in wild-type mice. All CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice exposed to extra-light (∼800lux, 6 h/day, 6 months) developed patches of retinal atrophy, and only 20–25% of WT mice which underwent the same light treatment developed atrophic lesions. In addition, synaptophysin expression was detected in the outer nucler layer (ONL) of area related to photoreceptor loss in CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice. Markedly increased rhodopsin but reduced cone arrestin expression was observed in retinal outer layers in aged CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice. GABA expression was reduced in the inner retina of aged CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice. Significantly increased Müller glial and microglial activation was observed in CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice compared to age-matched WT mice. Macrophages from CCL2−/−CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice were less phagocytic, but expressed higher levels of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-12 and TNF-α under hypoxia conditions. Our results suggest that the deletions of CCL2 and CX3CR1 predispose mice to age- and light-mediated retinal damage. The CCL2/CX3CR1 deficient mouse may thus serve as a model for age-related atrophic degeneration of the RPE, including the dry type of macular degeneration, geographic atrophy.

Retinal pigment epithelial cell multinucleation in the aging eye – a mechanism to repair damage and maintain homoeostasis

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are central to retinal health and homoeostasis. Dysfunction or death of RPE cells underlies many age‐related retinal degenerative disorders particularly age‐related macular degeneration. During aging RPE cells decline in number, suggesting an age‐dependent cell loss. RPE cells are considered to be postmitotic, and how they repair damage during aging remains poorly defined. We show that RPE cells increase in size and become multinucleate during aging in C57BL/6J mice. Multinucleation appeared not to be due to cell fusion, but to incomplete cell division, that is failure of cytokinesis. Interestingly, the phagocytic activity of multinucleate RPE cells was not different from that of mononuclear RPE cells. Furthermore, exposure of RPE cells in vitro to photoreceptor outer segment (POS), particularly oxidized POS, dose‐dependently promoted multinucleation and suppressed cell proliferation. Both failure of cytokinesis and suppression of proliferation required contact with POS. Exposure to POS also induced reactive oxygen species and DNA oxidation in RPE cells. We propose that RPE cells have the potential to proliferate in vivo and to repair defects in the monolayer. We further propose that the conventionally accepted ‘postmitotic’ status of RPE cells is due to a modified form of contact inhibition mediated by POS and that RPE cells are released from this state when contact with POS is lost. This is seen in long‐standing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment as overtly proliferating RPE cells (proliferative vitreoretinopathy) and more subtly as multinucleation during normal aging. Age‐related oxidative stress may promote failure of cytokinesis and multinucleation in RPE cells.

Paraquat-induced retinal degeneration is exaggerated in CX3CR1 deficient mice and is associated with increased retinal inflammation.

PURPOSE To investigate the role of the Fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 pathway in oxidative insults-mediated retinal degeneration and immune activation. METHODS A prooxidant, paraquat (0.75 μM) was injected into the vitreous of C57BL/6J, CX3CR1(gpf/+), and CX3CR1(gfp/gfp) mice. Retinal lesions were investigated clinically by topic endoscopic fundus imaging and fluorescence angiography, and pathologically by light- and electron microscopy. Retinal immune gene expression was determined by real-time RT-PCR. Microglial activation and immune cell infiltration were examined by confocal microscopy of retinal flatmounts. RESULTS Intravitreal injection of paraquat (0.75 μM) resulted in acute retinal capillary nonperfusion within 2 days, which improved from 4 days to 4 weeks postinjection (p.i.). Panretinal degeneration was observed at 4 days p.i. and progressed further at 4 weeks p.i. In the absence of CX3CR1, retinal degeneration was exaggerated and was accompanied by increased TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, Ccl2, and Casp-1 gene expression. Confocal microscopy of retinal flatmounts revealed microglial activation and CD44(+)MHC-II(+) monocyte and GR1(+) neutrophil infiltration in paraquat-injected eyes. The number of activated microglia and infiltrating leukocytes was significantly higher in CX3CR1(gfp/gfp) mice than in CX3CR1(gfp/+) mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the CX3CR1 signaling pathway may play an important role in controlling retinal inflammation under oxidative and ischemia/reperfusion conditions. In the absence of CX3CR1, uncontrolled retinal inflammation results in exaggerated retinal degeneration.

Expression of Complement Components and Regulators by Different Subtypes of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages

Under inflammatory conditions, macrophages can differentiate into different functional subtypes. We show that bone marrow-derived macrophages constitutively express different levels of various complement-related genes. The relative expression levels are C1qb > Crry > CFH > C3 > C1r > CFB > DAF1 > CD59a > C2 > C1INH > C1s > C4. Upon activation, the expression of C1r, C1s, C3, C2, CFB, and C1INH was up-regulated, and CFH, CD59a, and DAF1, down-regulated in M1 (induced by interferon-γ + lipopolysaccharides (LPS)) and M2b (induced by immune complex + LPS) macrophages. The expression of C4 and CFH was slightly up-regulated in interleukin (IL)-10-induced M2c macrophages. Complement gene expression in IL-4-induced M2a macrophages was weakly down-regulated as compared to resting M0 macrophages. Higher levels of C3, C1INH, and CFB but lower levels of CFH expression in M1 and M2b macrophage suggests that they may be involved in the alternative pathway of complement activation during inflammation.

The expression of C1 inhibitor (C1INH) in macrophages is upregulated by retinal pigment epithelial cells - implication in subretinal immune privilege in the aging eye

Age-related para-inflammation in the retina-choroidal interface is featured by low-levels of complement activation and subretinal macrophage accumulation. This study aimed to understand how complement expression in macrophages is regulated by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and RPE cells were cultured from 8-10 weeks old C57BL/6J mice. The BMDMs were co-cultured with normal RPE, or oxidized photoreceptor outer segment (oxPOS) or TNF-α pre-treated RPE, or apoptotic RPE, or RPE-choroid eyecups. Macrophages were then isolated and processed for real-time RT-PCR. The expression of complement inhibitor C1INH in BMDMs was significantly upregulated by RPE and RPE-choroid eyecups. The eyecups also upregulated CFH, CD59a, and Crry in BMDMs. oxPOS pre-treated RPE upregulated C1qb but down-regulated C3 expression in BMDMs. TNF-α pre-treated RPE enhanced C1INH and CFB expression. When BMDMs were treated with apoptotic RPE, the expression of C1qb, CFH, and CD59a was reduced, whereas the expression of C3, CFB and C1INH was increased. Our results suggest that RPE can modulate macrophages complement expression at the retina-choroidal interface even under aging or oxidative conditions. However, during inflammation, they may promote the alternative pathway of complement activation through down-regulating CFH and CD59a and upregulating CFB and C3.