Publications by authors named "Yuxun Shi"

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the underlying mechanism that Th17-like T follicular helper cells (Tfh) orchestrated by STING signaling have a pathogenic role in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).

Methods: The differences of transcriptome and gene ontology (GO) pathway of Tfh between EAU and control mice were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequence (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA sequence. Additionally, draining lymph nodes (DLNs) were extracted to verify the expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ in Tfh from EAU and control mice by flow cytometry.

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Autoimmune uveitis (AU) is a sight-threatening ocular autoimmune disorder that often manifests as retinal vasculitis. Increased neutrophil infiltration around retinal vessels has been reported during the progression of AU, while how they function is not fully recognized. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), produced by activated neutrophils, have been suggested to be detrimental in autoimmune diseases.

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Circadian rhythm plays a critical role in the progression of autoimmune diseases. While our previous study demonstrated the therapeutic effects of melatonin in experimental autoimmune uveitis, the involvement of circadian rhythm remained unclear. Using a light-induced circadian rhythm disruption model, we showed that disrupted circadian rhythms exacerbate autoimmune uveitis by impairing the stability and function of Treg cells.

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Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by progressive photoreceptor cells death accelerated by the proliferation and activation of microglia pathologically. No consensus exists on the treatment. Minocycline is recognized as a microglia inhibitor with great anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective functions.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the role of calcium (Ca) signaling in tissue fibrosis related to thyroid eye disease (TED), a serious autoimmune disorder affecting vision, and evaluates the therapeutic potential of nimodipine, an L-type calcium channel (LTCC) inhibitor.
  • - Researchers used primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts from TED patients and healthy donors, employing various techniques like RT-qPCR and flow cytometry to measure changes in gene expression and cell behavior in response to TGF-β1, a fibrosis-inducing factor.
  • - Results showed that nimodipine effectively blocked the Ca response triggered by TGF-β1, leading to a decrease in fibrogenic markers such as α-SMA and collagen types I and
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Minocycline, a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, its specific effects on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the potential role of minocycline in treating RP.

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Melatonin is involved in exerting protective effects in aged-related and neurodegenerative diseases through a silent information regulator type 1 (SIRT1)-dependent pathway. However, little was known about the impact of melatonin on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) senescence and apoptosis following optic nerve crush (ONC). Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of melatonin on RGC senescence and apoptosis after ONC and investigate the involvement of SIRT1 in this process.

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Purpose: This study aimed to explore the impact of GSK840 on retinal neuronal injury after retinal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) and its associated mechanism.

Methods: We established an in vivo mouse model of IR and an in vitro model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGDR) in primary mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). GSK840, a small-molecule compound, was used to specifically inhibit RIPK3/MLKL-dependent necroptosis.

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Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is referred to as a progressive degenerative disorder of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), resulting in nonreversible visual defects, despite intraocular pressure levels within the statistically normal range. Current therapeutic strategies for NTG yield limited benefits. Excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) knockout (EAAC1 ) in mice has been shown to induce RGC degeneration without elevating intraocular pressure, mimicking pathological characteristics of NTG.

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Article Synopsis
  • Research Focus
  • : The study investigates the neuroprotective effects of SRT2104 in preventing retina damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, targeting pathways related to Sirt1 activation.
  • Methods Used
  • : Various methods such as intravitreal injection of SRT2104, quantitative PCR, Western blot, and staining techniques were utilized to assess protein expression, retinal structure, and neuronal health following I/R injury.
  • Key Findings
  • : SRT2104 administration significantly stabilized Sirt1 protein levels, protected retinal structure and neurons, reduced apoptosis and senescence, and mitigated neuroinflammation during I/R injury while demonstrating no adverse effects on normal retinal function. *
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Importance: Mild thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) negatively impacts quality of life, yet no clinical guidelines for its treatment are available. Existing evidence supports the use of doxycycline in treating mild TAO.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term (12 weeks) efficacy of doxycycline in treating mild TAO.

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Acute ocular hypertension (AOH) is the most important characteristic of acute glaucoma, which can lead to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and permanent vision loss. So far, approved effective therapy is still lacking in acute glaucoma. PANoptosis (pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis), which consists of three key modes of programmed cell death-apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis-may contribute to AOH-induced RGC death.

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Purpose: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has shown potent neuroprotective effects in central nervous system and retina disorders. However, whether PACAP can attenuate retinal neurodegeneration induced by acute ocular hypertension (AOH) and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of PACAP on the survival and function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), apoptosis, and inflammation in a mouse model of AOH injury.

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Purpose: To explore whether oxidative stress and premature senescence occur in the anterior segment of acute primary angle-closure (APAC) eyes after increased intraocular pressure.

Methods: The eye samples of 21 APAC patients, 22 age-related cataract patients, and 10 healthy donors were included. Aqueous humor (AqH), iris, and anterior lens capsule samples were collected.

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Purpose: To investigate the expression of CD146 and its role in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyse the expression and relationship of sCD146, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 in vitreous specimens from PDR and idiopathic epiretinal membranes (IERM) or idiopathic macular hole patients. The location of CD146 in ERMs was detected by immunofluorescence.

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Retinopathy of prematurity is a vision-threatening disease associated with retinal hypoxia-ischemia, leading to the death of retinal neurons and chronic neuronal degeneration. During this study, we used the oxygen-induced retinopathy mice model to mimic retinal hypoxia-ischemia phenotypes to investigate further the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on neonatal retinal neurons. Melatonin helped maintain relatively normal inner retinal architecture and thickness and preserve inner retinal neuron populations in avascular areas by rescuing retinal ganglion and bipolar cells, and horizontal and amacrine neurons, from apoptosis.

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Purpose: Irreversible retina ganglion cell (RGC) loss is a key process during glaucoma progression. Down syndrome critical region 1 (DSCR1) has been shown to have protective effects against neuronal death. In this study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of DSCR1 on RGCs.

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Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is an important characteristic of advanced wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and leads to severe visual impairment among elderly patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that melatonin induces several biological effects related to antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-angiogenesis. However, the role of melatonin in CNV, and its underlying mechanisms, has not been investigated thus far.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study reveals that PACAP expression increases significantly after optic nerve injury, suggesting it plays a crucial role in protecting RGCs from apoptosis.
  • * Treatment with PACAP enhances RGC survival by inhibiting a specific apoptosis pathway and promoting protective proteins, laying the groundwork for potential clinical uses in glaucoma therapy.
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Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been demonstrated to play a crucial part in protecting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from apoptosis in various retinal injury animal models. PACAP has two basic groups of receptors: PACAP receptor type 1 (PAC1R) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/PACAP receptors (VPAC1R and VPAC2R). However, few studies illustrated the spatial and temporal expression changes of endogenous PACAP and its receptors in a rodent optic nerve crush (ONC) model.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling affects trophoblast function, particularly in cases of missed and threatened miscarriage during early pregnancy.
  • Researchers analyzed placenta samples from women experiencing missed miscarriages, threatened miscarriages, and termination controls, observing significant differences in hormone levels and trophoblast invasion.
  • Findings suggest that disrupted SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling hinders trophoblast differentiation and invasion, potentially leading to lower hormone production and impaired placental development in pregnancy complications.
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People have known that autophagy plays a very important role in many physiological and pathological events. But the role of autophagy on embryonic angiogenesis still remains obscure. In this study, we demonstrated that Atg7, Atg8 and Beclin1 were expressed in the plexus vessels of angiogenesis at chick yolk sac membrane and chorioallantoic membrane.

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