The overall goal of this proposal is to provide the principal investigator (PI) with the experiences and skills necessary to become an independent researcher studying basic mechanisms of corneal diseases. The scientific focus of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of the cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein abnormalities caused by mutations in collagen VIII which lead to corneal endothelial cell (CEC) loss in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED). Collagen VIII (COL8) plays a central role in the formation of Descemet membrane (DM), the specialized basement membrane of CECs, and mutations in the gene encoding the alpha2 chain of collagen VIII (COLSA2) cause FED in some patients. FED progresses over decades in humans and accounts for up to 29% of corneal transplants. Early stages of the disease are asymptomatic, and mildly affected tissues are not available. Thus, virtually no information exists about the early cellular and ECM changes leading to FED. Understanding these early pathogenic events could be increased greatly through the development of a reliable animal model of FED as well as detailed biochemical analysis of pathogenic COL8A2 mutations on collagen VIII function. The underlying hypothesis of this proposal is that mutations in the COL8A2 gene produce cellular and biochemical abnormalities which cause CEC loss in FED. Identifying these abnormalities should provide important insights into the pathogenesis of FED, which may suggest rational therapies for this important corneal disease. To address this hypothesis, two specific aims are proposed:
Aim 1 : To develop and characterize a mouse model of FED by introducing the R155Q COL8A2 mutation using gene targeting techniques.
Aim 2 : To investigate the effects of COLSA2 mutations known to cause FED on homotrimer and heterotrimer formation with alpha1 collagen VIII, the other COL8 subchain interacting with COL8A2 in vivo. In the course of the proposed research and selected didactic activities, the PI will gain invaluable training experience and mentoring in developing animal models of ocular disease and biochemical analyis of ECM proteins. Expertise in these areas is deemed invaluable for the PI who aspires to develop an independent research program studying basic mechanisms of corneal diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08EY015523-03
Application #
7087724
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (03))
Program Officer
Shen, Grace L
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2009-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$229,676
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Li, Yang; Ho, Daniel; Meng, Huan et al. (2013) Direct detection of collagenous proteins by fluorescently labeled collagen mimetic peptides. Bioconjug Chem 24:9-16
Meng, Huan; Matthaei, Mario; Ramanan, Narendrakumar et al. (2013) L450W and Q455K Col8a2 knock-in mouse models of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy show distinct phenotypes and evidence for altered autophagy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 54:1887-97
Jun, Albert S; Meng, Huan; Ramanan, Naren et al. (2012) An alpha 2 collagen VIII transgenic knock-in mouse model of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy shows early endothelial cell unfolded protein response and apoptosis. Hum Mol Genet 21:384-93
Engler, Christoph; Kelliher, Clare; Chang, Sungdong et al. (2012) Cryopreservation and long-term culture of transformed murine corneal endothelial cells. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 250:103-10
Matthaei, Mario; Meng, Huan; Bhutto, Imran et al. (2012) Systematic assessment of microneedle injection into the mouse cornea. Eur J Med Res 17:19
Engler, Christoph; Chakravarti, Shukti; Doyle, Jefferson et al. (2011) Transforming growth factor-? signaling pathway activation in Keratoconus. Am J Ophthalmol 151:752-759.e2
Kelliher, Clare; Chakravarti, Shukti; Vij, Neeraj et al. (2011) A cellular model for the investigation of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 93:880-8
Engler, Christoph; Kelliher, Clare; Spitze, Arielle R et al. (2010) Unfolded protein response in fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: a unifying pathogenic pathway? Am J Ophthalmol 149:194-202.e2
Engler, Christoph; Kelliher, Clare; Wahlin, Karl J et al. (2009) Comparison of non-viral methods to genetically modify and enrich populations of primary human corneal endothelial cells. Mol Vis 15:629-37
Engler, Christoph; Kelliher, Clare; Speck, Caroline L et al. (2009) Assessment of attachment factors for primary cultured human corneal endothelial cells. Cornea 28:1050-4

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