First Author | Bai Y | Year | 2023 |
Journal | Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci | Volume | 64 |
Issue | 12 | Pages | 27 |
PubMed ID | 37707834 | Mgi Jnum | J:340797 |
Mgi Id | MGI:7530244 | Doi | 10.1167/iovs.64.12.27 |
Citation | Bai Y, et al. (2023) Regulation of Axon Guidance by Slit2 and Netrin-1 Signaling in the Lacrimal Gland of Aqp5 Knockout Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 64(12):27 |
abstractText | PURPOSE: Dry eye disease (DED) is multifactorial and associated with nerve abnormalities. We explored an Aquaporin 5 (AQP5)-deficiency-induced JunB activation mechanism, which causes abnormal lacrimal gland (LG) nerve distribution through Slit2 upregulation and Netrin-1 repression. METHODS: Aqp5 knockout (Aqp5-/-) and wild-type (Aqp5+/+) mice were studied. LGs were permeabilized and stained with neuronal class III beta-tubulin, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Whole-mount images were acquired through tissue clearing and 3D fluorescence imaging. Mouse primary trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons were treated with LG extracts and Netrin-1/Slit2 neutralizing antibody. Transcription factor (TF) prediction and chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-PCR) experiments verified the JunB binding and regulatory effect on Netrin-1 and Slit2. RESULTS: Three-dimensional tissue and section immunofluorescence showed reduced LG nerves in Aqp5-/- mice, with sympathetic and sensory nerves significantly decreased. Netrin-1 was reduced and Slit2 increased in Aqp5-/- mice LGs. Aqp5+/+ mice LG tissue extracts (TEs) promoted Aqp5-/- TG neurons axon growth, but Netrin-1 neutralizing antibody (NAb) could inhibit that promotion. Aqp5-/- mice LG TEs inhibited Aqp5+/+ TG axon growth, but Slit2 NAb alleviated that inhibition. Furthermore, JunB, a Netrin-1 and Slit2 TF, could bind them and regulate their expression. SR11302, meanwhile, reversed the Netrin-1 and Slit2 shifts caused by AQP5 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: AQP5 deficiency causes LG nerve abnormalities. Persistent JunB activation, the common denominator for Netrin-1 suppression and Slit2 induction, was found in Aqp5-/- mice LG epithelial cells. This affected sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers' distribution in LGs. Our findings provide insights into preventing, reversing, and treating DED. |