Natalie Pollock

Cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) in the trabecular meshwork of the normal and glaucomatous human eye in situ.

PURPOSE A percentage of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells in tissue and organ culture have been shown to contain cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) when exposed to dexamethasone, as have TM cultures derived from glaucomatous individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CLANs exist within TM cells in situ in tissue unmanipulated by culturing, thereby eliminating the possibility that CLANs are artifacts of culture conditions, and to determine their numbers and dimensions in normal and glaucoma TM cells. METHODS Twelve human donor eyes (five normal and seven with glaucoma) provided the TM tissue. Each eye was dissected, and the TM tissue was exposed either by microdissection (qualitative studies) or cryo-sectioning (quantitative analysis). The actin cytoskeleton was visualized using a high-affinity probe and viewed using confocal microscopy. RESULTS Qualitative examination of the microdissected tissue revealed that CLANs and CLAN-like structures were a common finding in the TM cells in every specimen, irrespective of whether they were from normal or glaucomatous eyes. CLAN size and phenotype were variable, with the same variations occurring in both normal and glaucomatous eyes. Quantitative analysis showed that there were more CLANs in glaucoma TM specimens than normal TM specimens, but this difference was not statistically significant. The mean number of CLANs/TM cell in our glaucoma tissue was estimated to be 1.03, while in the elderly normal controls it was 0.67. CONCLUSIONS This study showed for the first time that CLANs exist in cells of TM tissues from both normal and glaucomatous eyes that have not been manipulated by either tissue or organ culture procedures. It also provides quantitative data on CLAN prevalence in organized TM tissue, which indicates that CLANs are far more common than predicted (even from tissue culture) and there may be one in every cell in the glaucomatous TM in situ.

Inducers of Cross-Linked Actin Networks in Trabecular Meshwork Cells

PURPOSE It is well established that the unusual actin arrangements known as cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) can be induced by dexamethasone (DEX) in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. Recent work reporting their presence in elderly glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous tissue, however, has highlighted the presence of other inducers. In this study, the authors sought to identify CLAN induction agents that may be present within and around the outflow system. METHODS Studies were conducted on confluent bovine TM (BTM) cells in culture, and actin was stained with Alexa-Fluor 488 phalloidin to identify CLANs in the target cells. The CLAN-inducing potential of aqueous humor was expanded and included investigation of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2). The effect of decorin and fetal calf serum (FCS) on BTM cell cytoskeleton was also investigated, and all were compared with DEX with an exposure period of up to 7 days. RESULTS CLAN numbers were increased after 7 days of exposure to TGF-β2 (45%), aqueous humor (37%), and decorin (69%). Even FCS had some modest CLAN-inducing ability (reaching 12%) in BTM cells. Neutralization of TGF-β2 reduced CLAN incidence in aqueous humor conditions to baseline (12%) levels. Blocking TGF-β2 receptors reduced CLAN formation in TM cells by 25% to 30%, whereas the inhibition of Smad3 negated CLAN incidence. CONCLUSIONS In this study the authors identified TGF-β2 as a CLAN-inducing component present in aqueous humor. Decorin was also implicated as another CLAN-inducing agent and it was confirmed that FCS has CLAN-inducing properties.

Cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) are present in lamina cribrosa cells

Aims A study was undertaken to determine and compare the F-actin staining patterns in the cells of the lamina cribrosa (LC) of normal, dexamethasone (DEX)-treated and glaucomatous dissected tissue and cell cultures. Methods About 30 dissected donor eyes and nine cell lines provided the human specimens; 25 eyes and 20 primary cell cultures provided the bovine material. Appropriate samples were exposed to 1×10−7 M DEX for up to 14 days. LC tissue and cells were stained with Phalloidin-Alexa 488 to identify F-actin, and all samples were examined by confocal or epifluorescent microscopy. Results Both in the LC tissue and LC cell cultures the dominant actin arrangement was bundles of stress fibres. However, cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) were identified in the tissue and in culture. These were markedly increased by steroid treatment and were particularly large and abundant in cultures from glaucoma donors. CLANs were not associated with optic nerve head astrocytes. Conclusions The presence of abundant stress fibres in situ and in vitro highlights the biomechanical contribution of LC cells. However, the identification of CLANs in these cells shows that they are not exclusive to the trabecular meshwork, the only other place they have been found, and may have a role in glaucoma pathology.

Ageing-induced changes in the redox status of peripheral motor nerves imply an effect on redox signalling rather than oxidative damage

Ageing is associated with loss of skeletal muscle fibres, atrophy of the remaining fibres and weakness. These changes in muscle are accompanied by disruption of motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions although the direct relationship between the nerve and muscle degeneration is not understood. Oxidative changes have been implicated in the mechanisms leading to age-related loss of muscle mass and in degeneration of the central nervous system, but little is known about age-related changes in oxidation in specific peripheral nerves that supply muscles that are affected by ageing. We have therefore examined the sciatic nerve of old mice at an age when loss of tibialis anterior muscle mass and function is apparent. Sciatic nerve from old mice did not show a gross increase in oxidative damage, but electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies indicated an increase in the activity of superoxide and/or peroxynitrite in the nerves of old mice at rest that was further exacerbated by electrical stimulation of the nerve to activate muscle contractions. Proteomic analyses indicated that specific redox-sensitive proteins are increased in content in the nerves of old mice that may reflect an adaptation to regulate the increased superoxide/peroxynitrite and maintain redox homoeostasis. Analysis of redox active cysteines showed some increase in reversible oxidation in specific proteins in nerves of old mice, but this was not universally seen across all redox-active cysteines. Detailed analysis of the redox-active cysteine in one protein in the nerve of old mice that is key to redox signalling (Peroxiredoxin 6, Cys 47) showed a minor increase in reversible oxidation that would be compatible with a change in its redox signalling function. In conclusion, the data presented indicate that sciatic nerve from old mice does not show a gross increase in oxidative damage similar to that seen in the TA and other muscles that it innervates. Our results indicate an adaptation to increased oxidation with minor changes in the oxidation of key cysteines that may contribute to defective redox signalling in the nerve.

Denervated muscle fibers induce mitochondrial peroxide generation in neighboring innervated fibers: Role in muscle aging

Disruption of neuromuscular junctions and denervation of some muscle fibers occurs in ageing skeletal muscle and contribute to loss of muscle mass and function. Aging is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of redox homeostasis potentially occurs through increased mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). No specific link between increased mitochondrial ROS generation and denervation has been defined in muscle ageing. To address this, we have examined the effect of experimental denervation of all fibers, or only a proportion of the fibers, in the mouse tibialis anterior (TA) muscle on muscle mitochondrial peroxide generation. Transection of the peroneal nerve of mice caused loss of pre-synaptic axons within 1–3 days with no significant morphological changes in post-synaptic structures up to 10 days post-surgery when decreased TA mass and fiber size were apparent. Mitochondria in the denervated muscle showed increased peroxide generation by 3 days post-transection. Use of electron transport chain (ETC) substrates and inhibitors of specific pathways indicated that the ETC was unlikely to contribute to increased ROS generation, but monoamine oxidase B, NADPH oxidase and phospholipase enzymes were implicated. Transection of one of the 3 branches of the peroneal nerve caused denervation of some TA muscle fibers while others retained innervation, but increased mitochondrial peroxide generation occurred in both denervated and innervated fibers. Thus the presence of recently denervated fibers leads to increased ROS generation by mitochondria in neighboring innervated fibers providing a novel explanation for the increased mitochondrial oxidative stress and damage seen with aging in skeletal muscles.