PurposeThis study was designed to evaluate effects of fenofibric acid (Feno-FA), a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist, on ocular neovascularization (NV) in models recapitulating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to explore whether the effects are PPARα dependent.MethodsLaser-induced choroidal NV (CNV) in rats and very low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (Vldlr−/−) mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of Feno-FA or vehicle. Vascular leakage was examined by fundus fluorescein angiography and permeability assay using Evans blue as tracer. In CNV rats, severity of CNV was evaluated by CNV areas and CNV volume. In Vldlr−/− mice, subretinal NV (SRNV) and intraretinal NV (IRNV) were quantified in choroid flat mount and retina flat mount, respectively. Inflammatory factors were measured using Western blotting and retinal leukostasis assay. Further, Pparα−/− mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice were used for laser-induced CNV and treated with Feno-FA to explore the underlying mechanism.ResultsFeno-FA significantly reduced vascular leakage in CNV rats and Vldlr−/− mice, reduced CNV volume in laser-induced CNV rats, and suppressed SRNV and IRNV in Vldlr−/− mice. In addition, Feno-FA downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors, including VEGF, TNF-α, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), in the eyecups of CNV rats and decreased adherent retinal leukocytes in Vldlr−/− mice. Furthermore, Pparα−/− mice developed more severe CNV compared with WT mice, and PPARα knockout abolished the beneficial effects of Feno-FA on CNV.ConclusionsFeno-FA has therapeutic effects on ocular NV in models recapitulating neovascular AMD through a PPARα-dependent mechanism.
Fenofibrate is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist and has been shown to have therapeutic effects on diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, the effects of fenofibrate through systemic administration are not as potent as desired due to inefficient drug delivery to the retina. The present study aimed to explore the sustained therapeutic effects of fenofibrate-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles (NP) on both DR and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Fenofibrate was successfully encapsulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NP (Feno-NP), and Feno-NP were optimized by varying polymer composition to achieve high drug loading and prolonged drug release. The Feno-NP made of PLGA 34kDa demonstrated a drug content of 6% w/w and a sustained drug release up to 60 days in vitro. Feno-NP (PLGA 34kDa) was selected for following in vivo studies, and one single intravitreal (IVT) injection of Feno-NP into rat eyes with a 30G fine needle maintained sustained fenofibric acid drug level in the eye for more than 60 days. The efficacy of Feno-NP in DR and neovascular AMD was investigated using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) rats
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to blood vessel formation. Canonical Wnt signaling plays an important role in physiological and pathological angiogenesis and EPC fate regulation. However, the mechanism for Wnt signaling to regulate EPC fate in neovascularization (NV) has not been clearly defined. Here, we showed that very low‐density lipoprotein receptor knockout (Vldlr −/−) mice, a model of ocular NV induced by Wnt signaling overactivation, have increased EPC numbers in the bone marrow, blood, and retina, as well as an elevated mitochondrial membrane potential indicating higher mitochondrial function of EPCs in the circulation. Isolated EPCs from Vldlr −/− mice showed overactivated Wnt signaling, correlating with increased mitochondrial function, mass, and DNA copy numbers, compared with WT EPCs. Our results also demonstrated that Wnt signaling upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis and function, while inhibiting glycolysis in EPCs, which further decreased EPC stemness and promoted EPCs to a more active state toward differentiation, which may contribute to pathologic vascular formation. Fenofibric acid, an active metabolite of fenofibrate, inhibited Wnt signaling and mitochondrial function in EPCs and decreased EPC numbers in Vldlr −/−mice. It also decreased mitochondrial biogenesis and reactive oxygen species production in Vldlr −/− EPCs, which may be responsible for its therapeutic effect on diabetic retinopathy. These findings demonstrated that Wnt signaling regulates EPC fate through metabolism, suggesting potential application of the EPC metabolic profile as predictor and therapeutic target for neovascular diseases. stem cells 2019;37:1331–1343
BackgroundJAK2V617F, a gain-of-function mutant form of tyrosine kinase JAK2, is found in the majority of patients with Ph- myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of chronic hematological diseases that often lead to acute leukemia. The current study is intended to find other gene mutations that collaborate with JAK2V617F to cause leukemic transformation.MethodsTotal RNA and genomic DNA were isolated from two JAK2V617F-positive cell lines, namely, erythroleukemic HEL and megakaryoblastic leukemic SET-2 cells. Candidate genes were amplified by PCR and further sequenced.ResultsHomozygous mutations of the TP53 gene which encodes tumor suppressor p53 were found in HEL and SET-2 cells. While HEL cells, which have homozygous JAK2V617F, contain a rare M133K p53 mutation, SET-2 cells, which have a heterozygous JAK2V617F mutation, contain a common R248W p53 alteration. Western blot analyses revealed high levels of p53 expression in both cells. M133K and R248W are located in the DNA binding domain of p53. Structural analyses revealed that they potentially disrupt the interaction of p53 with DNA, thereby causing loss of p53 function.ConclusionsJAK2V617F and p53 mutations coexist in leukemia cells. We believe that JAK2V617F is able to drive leukemic transformation when the function of tumor suppressor p53 is lost. The interplay of JAK2V617F with p53 may affect the progression of MPNs.
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