Etiology including epigenetic defects of retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma (RB), originating from the developing retina, is an aggressive intraocular malignant neoplasm in childhood. Biallelic loss of RB1 is conventionally considered a prerequisite for initiating RB development in most RB cases. Additional genetic mutations arising from genome instability following RB1 mutations are proposed to be required to promote RB development.

Emerging Roles of cGAS-STING Signaling in Mediating Ocular Inflammation.

Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS), a sensor of cytosolic DNA, recognizes cytoplasmic nucleic acids to activate the innate immune responses via generation of the second messenger cGAMP and subsequent activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STINGs). The cGAS-STING signaling has multiple immunologic and physiological functions in all human vital organs. It mediates protective innate immune defense against DNA-containing pathogen infection, confers intrinsic antitumor immunity via detecting tumor-derived DNA, and gives rise to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases upon aberrant activation by cytosolic leakage of self-genomic and mitochondrial DNA.

Growth hormone releasing hormone signaling promotes Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmune inflammation.

Dysregulation of Th17 cell differentiation and pathogenicity contributes to multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Previously growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) deficient mice have been reported to be less susceptible to the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Here, we show GHRH-R is an important regulator of Th17 cell differentiation in Th17 cell-mediated ocular and neural inflammation.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Protects Trabecular Meshwork Cells from Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form of glaucoma, for which elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor. IOP is mainly regulated by dynamic balance of aqueous humor (AH) production and outflow via the conventional trabecular meshwork/Schlemm's canal (TM/SC) pathway. Dysfunctions of TM cells due to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have been demonstrated to increase the resistance of AH outflow, resulting in IOP elevation.

Genetic association of ANGPT2 with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Background: To determine the association of the ANGPT2 gene with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Chinese.

Methods: Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ANGPT2 (rs2515487, rs2922869, rs13255574, rs4455855, rs13269021, and rs11775442) were genotyped in a total of 2601 study subjects from two cohorts. One is a Hong Kong Chinese cohort of 484 high tension glaucoma (HTG) and 537 normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients, and 496 non-glaucoma control subjects.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of GTE in Eye Diseases.

Ocular inflammation is a common complication of various eye diseases with wide consequences from irritations to potentially sight-threatening complications. Green tea is a popular beverage throughout the world. One of the proven health benefits of consuming green tea extract (GTE) is anti-inflammation.

Transcription-Replication Collisions and Chromosome Fragility.

Accurate replication of the entire genome is critical for cell division and propagation. Certain regions in the genome, such as fragile sites (common fragile sites, rare fragile sites, early replicating fragile sites), rDNA and telomeres, are intrinsically difficult to replicate, especially in the presence of replication stress caused by, for example, oncogene activation during tumor development. Therefore, these regions are particularly prone to deletions and chromosome rearrangements during tumorigenesis, rendering chromosome fragility.

Ruxolitinib Alleviates Uveitis Caused by Endotoxin.

Uveitis is characterized by inflammatory lesions of intraocular structures. It is one of the important manifestations in patients with Reiter's syndrome, an inflammatory arthritis, which is caused by enteric infection with bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium. Corticosteroids remain the most frequently used therapies against uveitis associating with inflammatory arthritis.

Coding Region Mutation Screening in Optineurin in Chinese Normal-Tension Glaucoma Patients.

Purpose: To study the roles of sequence alterations in the optineurin () gene-coding region in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) among Chinese patients.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from 190 NTG patients and 201 control subjects. The thirteen exons of were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by direct sequencing.

A sclerocornea-associated RAD21 variant induces corneal stroma disorganization.

Sclerocornea is a cornea opacification disorder. Disorganized corneal stroma fibrils are observed in patients' cornea. Previously we identified a RAD21 variant that is associated with a peripheral sclerocornea pedigree.

Rapamycin Removes Damaged Mitochondria and Protects Human Trabecular Meshwork (TM-1) Cells from Chronic Oxidative Stress.

Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that could lead to permanent vision loss. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma, with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) as a major risk factor. IOP is mainly regulated by trabecular meshwork (TM), an important component of the conventional aqueous humor (AH) outflow pathway.

Green tea catechins alleviate autoimmune symptoms and visual impairment in a murine model for human chronic intraocular inflammation by inhibiting Th17-associated pro-inflammatory gene expression.

Autoimmune uveitis is a sight-threatening disease mainly caused by dysregulation of immunity. We investigated the therapeutic effects of green tea extract (GTE) and its major component, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), on a murine model of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Oral administration of GTE, EGCG, dexamethasone, or water, which started 5 days before the induction, was fed every two days to each group.

Effectiveness of meibomian gland massage combined with topical levofloxacin against ocular surface flora in patients before penetrating ocular surgery.

Objective: To investigate the bacterial profile in the conjunctiva and meibomian glands in patients before penetrating ocular surgeries, and to compare the anti-bacterial efficacy of 0.5% levofloxacin and its combination with meibomian gland massage.

Design: Hospital-based, case-control study.

Bacteriological profile of ocular surface flora in meibomian gland dysfunction.

Purpose: To compare the bacteriological profile of meibomian gland secretion and conjunctival cul-de-sac in subjects with and without meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: This hospital-based study enrolled 201 eyes from 201 MGD patients and 84 eyes from 84 age- and gender-matched controls. Samples from the conjunctivae and meibomian gland secretion were obtained.

Comparison of bevacizumab and ranibizumab in age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness and safety between bevacizumab and ranibizumab in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, case-control and cohort studies that compared bevacizumab and ranibizumab using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. After the related data were extracted by two investigators independently, pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects or a fixed-effects model.