Modulating expression of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) prevents secondary damage and preserves visual function in a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion

Maha Coucha, Ahmed Y. Shanab, Mohamed Sayed, Almira Vazdarjanova, Azza B. El-Remessy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Retinal neurodegeneration, an early characteristic of several blinding diseases, triggers glial activation, resulting in inflammation, secondary damage and visual impairment. Treatments that aim only at neuroprotection have failed clinically. Here, we examine the impact of modulating thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) to the inflammatory secondary damage and visual impairment in a model of ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Wild type (WT) and TXNIP knockout (TKO) mice underwent IR injury by increasing intraocular pressure for 40 min, followed by reperfusion. An additional group of WT mice received intravitreal TXNIP-antisense oligomers (ASO, 100 µg/2 µL) 2 days post IR injury. Activation of Müller glial cells, apoptosis and expression of inflammasome markers and visual function were assessed. IR injury triggered early TXNIP mRNA expression that persisted for 14 days and was localized within activated Müller cells in WT-IR, compared to sham controls. Exposure of Müller cells to hypoxia-reoxygenation injury triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers and inflammasome activation in WT cells, but not from TKO cells. Secondary damage was evident by the significant increase in the number of occluded acellular capillaries and visual impairment in IR-WT mice but not in IR-TKO. Intervention with TXNIP-ASO prevented ischemia-induced glial activation and neuro-vascular degeneration, and improved visual function compared to untreated WT. Targeting TXNIP expression may offer an effective approach in the prevention of secondary damage associated with retinal neurodegenerative diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number3969
JournalInternational journal of molecular sciences
Volume20
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2 2019

Keywords

  • Inflammasome
  • Ischemia reperfusion
  • Retinal inflammation
  • TXNIP
  • Visual function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modulating expression of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) prevents secondary damage and preserves visual function in a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this