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Molecular Researches in Ophthalmology: Antibodies, Inflammation, Proteomics and Immune-Related Drug Development

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 5203

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Prof. Dr. Franz Grus

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Guest Editor

Experimental and Translational Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, 1 55131 Mainz, Germany
Interests: glaucoma; AMD; dry eye syndrome; retina; personalized medicine; diagnostics; therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue titled “Molecular Researches in Ophthalmology: Antibodies, Inflammation, Proteomics and Immune-Related Drug Development” will focus on recent proteomic research in the field of ophthalmology. We welcome publications on new findings concerning the diagnostics and therapy of eye diseases utilizing proteomic methods as well as basic proteomic research shedding new light on disease onset, progression and the involved molecular pathways.

Proteomics is a powerful tool to help unravel basic disease mechanisms and signaling pathways, and to identify disease-specific biomarkers. With the use of proteomic methods, we can achieve a better understanding of the pathogenesis of ophthalmological diseases and use this knowledge to improve diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

This Special Issue will feature experimental papers sharing new data, as well as up-to-date review articles.

Prof. Dr. Franz Grus
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

proteomics
ophthalmology
biomarkers
pathogenesis
diagnosis
treatment
eye diseases
molecular pathways

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 6183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High VEGF Concentrations Accelerate Human Trabecular Meshwork Fibrosis in a TAZ-Dependent Manner

by Mi Sun Sung, So Young Kim, Gwang Hyeon Eom and Sang Woo Park

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(11), 9625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119625 - 1 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1188

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the extracellular matrix (ECM) and fibrotic proteins in human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. We also explored how the Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway modulates VEGF-induced fibrosis. We determined cross-linked actin network (CLAN) formation using TM cells. Changes in fibrotic and ECM protein expression were determined. High VEGF concentrations (10 and 30 ng/mL) increased TAZ and decreased p-TAZ/TAZ expression in TM cells. Western blotting and real-time PCR revealed no YAP expression changes. Fibrotic and ECM protein expression decreased at low VEGF concentrations (1 and 10 ρg/mL) and significantly increased at high VEGF concentrations (10 and 30 ng/mL). CLAN formation increased in TM cells treated with high VEGF concentrations. Moreover, TAZ inhibition by verteporfin (1 μM) rescued TM cells from high-VEGF-concentration-induced fibrosis. Low VEGF concentrations reduced fibrotic changes, whereas high VEGF concentrations accelerated fibrosis and CLAN formations in TM cells in a TAZ-dependent manner. These findings reflect the dose-dependent influences of VEGF on TM cells. Moreover, TAZ inhibition might be a therapeutic target for VEGF-induced TM dysfunction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Researches in Ophthalmology: Antibodies, Inflammation, Proteomics and Immune-Related Drug Development)

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13 pages, 2191 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Chrysophanol Isolated from Cassia tora Seed Extract on Blue-Light-Induced A2E-Loaded Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

by Su-Kang Kim, Ju-Yeon Ban, Hyungoo Kang and Sang-il Park

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6676; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076676 - 3 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1565

Abstract

The seeds of Cassia tora (C. tora) species mainly contain anthraquinone, anthraquinone glycoside, and naphthalene derivatives. We investigated the anti-apoptotic effects of C. tora seed extract and its isolated compounds on blue-light-induced lipofuscin (A2E)-loaded human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. For analysis of the C. tora extract, high-performance liquid chromatography method was used. A2E-loaded human retinal pigment epithelial cells and blue light were used to create excessive photo-oxidation to induce cell death. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was used to measure cell cytotoxicity, and the mRNA expression of genes involved in apoptosis was examined to evaluate the mechanism of cell death. C. tora extract, n-hexane fraction, and chrysophanol were found to inhibit apoptotic cell death. Additionally, C. tora extract, n-hexane fraction, and chrysophanol reduced the mRNA expression of genes involved in the apoptosis pathway. C. tora and chrysophanol were considered to inhibit apoptosis and oxidative stress response. The major component of C. tora has a protective effect against apoptosis. The ingredients of C. tora can be used as therapeutic substances or to prevent diseases caused by the excessive oxidation of A2E substances in the retina, such as in age-related macular degeneration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Researches in Ophthalmology: Antibodies, Inflammation, Proteomics and Immune-Related Drug Development)

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15 pages, 1339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes of Subjective Symptoms and Tear Film Biomarkers following Femto-LASIK

by Teresa Tsai, Mohannad Alwees, Anika Rost, Janine Theile, H. Burkhard Dick, Stephanie C. Joachim and Suphi Taneri

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(14), 7512; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147512 - 6 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1875

Abstract

Femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) represents a common treatment modality in refractive surgery and shows excellent results in terms of safety, efficacy, predictability, and long-term stability. However, patients may be affected by dry eye symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify a potential association between subjective dry eye symptoms, objective dry eye markers, and possible changes in the tear film, which could be a target for future therapy development. Therefore, clinical (dry eye) examinations (OSDI, Schirmer test, lissamine green and fluorescein staining, BUT, visual acuity) were carried out before LASIK as well as 5 and 90 days post-OP. The dry eye marker MMP-9, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8), and pain markers (NGF, CGRP) were quantified in tear samples with immunoassays. In addition, correlation analyses were performed. Clinical examinations revealed an upregulated OSDI score 5 days post-OP and an increased lissamine green staining score 90 days post-OP. Downregulated CGRP levels were noted 5 days post-OP, while other protein markers were not significantly altered after Femto-LASIK. Hence, Femto-LASIK surgery induced subjective symptoms like that of dry eye which could objectively rather be classified as Femto-LASIK-related discomfort. In the future, this could possibly be better detected and treated using pain markers such as CGRP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Researches in Ophthalmology: Antibodies, Inflammation, Proteomics and Immune-Related Drug Development)

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