Altered Protein Composition and Gene Expression in Strabismic Human Extraocular Muscles and Tendons

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Authors

Agarwal, Andrea B.
Feng, Cheng-Yuan
Altick, Amy L.
Quilici, David R.
Wen, Dan
Johnson, L. Alan
von Bartheld, Christopher S.

Issue Date

2016

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Article

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Keywords

strabismus , extraocular muscle , growth factor , cytokine , gene expression , PCR array , proteomics , extracellular matrix , collagen , tendon

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Abstract

To determine whether structural protein composition and expression of key regulatory genes are altered in strabismic human extraocular muscles. METHODS. Samples from strabismic horizontal extraocular muscles were obtained during strabismus surgery and compared with normal muscles from organ donors. We used proteomics, standard and customized PCR arrays, and microarrays to identify changes in major structural proteins and changes in gene expression. We focused on muscle and connective tissue and its control by enzymes, growth factors, and cytokines. RESULTS. Strabismic muscles showed downregulation of myosins, tropomyosins, troponins, and titin. Expression of collagens and regulators of collagen synthesis and degradation, the collagenase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and its inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 and TIMP2, was upregulated, along with tumor necrosis factor (TNF), TNF receptors, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), as well as proteoglycans. Growth factors controlling extracellular matrix (ECM) were also upregulated. Among 410 signaling genes examined by PCR arrays, molecules with downregulation in the strabismic phenotype included GDNF, NRG1, and PAX7
CTGF, CXCR4, NPY1R, TNF, NTRK1, and NTRK2 were upregulated. Signaling molecules known to control extraocular muscle plasticity were predominantly expressed in the tendon rather than the muscle component. The two horizontal muscles, medial and lateral rectus, displayed similar changes in protein and gene expression, and no obvious effect of age. CONCLUSIONS. Quantification of proteins and gene expression showed significant differences in the composition of extraocular muscles of strabismic patients with respect to important motor proteins, elements of the ECM, and connective tissue. Therefore, our study supports the emerging view that the molecular composition of strabismic muscles is substantially altered.

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Agarwal, A. B., Feng, C.-Y., Altick, A. L., Quilici, D. R., Wen, D., Johnson, L. A., & von Bartheld, C. S. (2016). Altered Protein Composition and Gene Expression in Strabismic Human Extraocular Muscles and Tendons. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 57(13), 5576. doi:10.1167/iovs.16-20294

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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

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0146-0404

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