PUBLICATION

Ablation of mpeg+ Macrophages Exacerbates mfrp-Related Hyperopia

Authors
Brandt, Z.J., Collery, R.F., Besharse, J.C., Link, B.A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-211217-14
Date
2021
Source
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science   62: 13 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Besharse, Joseph C., Collery, Ross, Link, Brian
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Collagen/metabolism
  • Collagen/ultrastructure
  • Emmetropia/physiology
  • Eye Proteins/genetics*
  • Hyperopia/diagnostic imaging
  • Hyperopia/genetics
  • Hyperopia/physiopathology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macrophages/physiology*
  • Membrane Proteins/genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins/physiology*
  • Metronidazole/pharmacology
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Phenotype
  • Refraction, Ocular
  • Sclera/metabolism
  • Sclera/ultrastructure
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins/physiology*
PubMed
34913948 Full text @ Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.
Abstract
Proper refractive development of the eye, termed emmetropization, is critical for focused vision and is impacted by both genetic determinants and several visual environment factors. Improper emmetropization caused by genetic variants can lead to congenital hyperopia, which is characterized by small eyes and relatively short ocular axial length. To date, variants in only four genes have been firmly associated with human hyperopia, one of which is MFRP. Zebrafish mfrp mutants also have hyperopia and, similar to reports in mice, exhibit increased macrophage recruitment to the retina. The goal of this research was to examine the effects of macrophage ablation on emmetropization and mfrp-related hyperopia.
We utilized a chemically inducible, cell-specific ablation system to deplete macrophages in both wild-type and mfrp mutant zebrafish. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was then used to measure components of the eye and determine relative refractive state. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were used to further study the eyes.
Although macrophage ablation does not cause significant changes to the relative refractive state of wild-type zebrafish, macrophage ablation in mfrp mutants significantly exacerbates their hyperopic phenotype, resulting in a relative refractive error 1.3 times higher than that of non-ablated mfrp siblings.
Genetic inactivation of mfrp leads to hyperopia, as well as abnormal accumulation of macrophages in the retina. Ablation of the mpeg1-positive macrophage population exacerbates the hyperopia, suggesting that macrophages may be recruited in an effort help preserve emmetropization and ameliorate hyperopia.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping