Original Article

Large-Scale Proteome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Identifies Novel Proteins for Glaucoma and Related Traits

:1-22
 
Purpose: To identify plasma proteins that are causally related to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) for potential therapeutic targeting. Methods: Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two extensive genome-wide analysis study (GWAS) datasets and one systematic review, with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins. POAG data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study, comprising 8,530 DR cases and 391,275 European controls. A two-sample MR analysis, supplemented by bidirectional MR, Bayesian co-localization analysis, and phenotype scanning, was conducted to examine the causal relationships between plasma proteins and POAG. The analysis was validated by identifying associations between plasma proteins and POAG-related traits, including intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL). By searching druggable gene lists, the ChEMBL database, and the ClinicalTrials.gov database, the druggability and clinical development activity of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated. Results: Eighteen proteins were identified with significant associations with POAG risk after multiple comparison adjustments. The ORs per standard deviation increase in protein levels ranged from 0.39 (95% CI: 0.24–0.62; P = 7.70×10-5) for phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1) to 1.29 (95% CI: 1.16–1.44; P = 6.72×10-6) for nidogen-1 (NID1). Bidirectional MR indicated that reverse causality did not interfere with the results of the main MR analyses. Five proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence (PH4 ≥ 0.8): protein sel-1 homolog 1 (SEL1L), tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL), nidogen-1 (NID1) and FAD-linked sulfhydryl oxidase ALR (GFER) were negatively associated with POAG risk, while roundabout homolog 1 (ROBO1) showed a positive association. The phenotype scanning did not reveal any confounding factors between pQTLs and POAG. Further, validation analyses identified nine proteins causally related to POAG traits, with five proteins including interleukin-18 receptor 1 (IL18R1), interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL1R1), phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1), ribonuclease pancreatic (RNASE1), serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 6 (SPINK6) revealing consistent directional associations. In addition, 18 causal proteins were highlighted for their druggability, of which 5 proteins are either already approved drugs or in clinical trials and 13 proteins are novel drug targets. Conclusions: This study identifies 18 plasma proteins as potential therapeutic targets for POAG, particularly emphasizing the role of genomic and proteomic integration in drug discovery. Future experimental and clinical studies should be conducted to validate the efficacy of these proteins and to conduct more comprehensive proteomic explorations, thus taking a significant leap toward innovative POAG treatments.

Real World Application of a Smartphone-Based Visual Acuity Test (WHOeyes) with Automatic Distance Calibration

:-
 
Background: To develop and assess usability of a smartphone-based visual acuity (VA) test with an automatic distance calibration (ADC) function, the iOS version of WHOeyes. Methods: The WHOeyes was an upgraded version with a distinct feature of ADC of an existing validated VA testing APP called V@home. Three groups of Chinese participants with different ages (≤20, 20-40, >40 years) were recruited for distance and near VA testing using both an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart and the WHOeyes. The ADC function would determine the testing distance. Infrared rangefinder was used to determine the testing distance for the ETDRS, and actual testing distance for the WHOeyes. A questionnaire-based interview was administered to assess satisfaction. Results: The actual testing distance determined by the WHOeyes ADC showed an overall good agreement with the desired testing distance in all three age groups (p > 0.50). Regarding the distance and near VA testing, the accuracy of WHOeyes was equivalent to ETDRS. The mean difference between the WHOeyes and ETDRS ranged from -0.084 to 0.012 logMAR, and the quadratic weighted kappa (QWK) values were greater than 0.75 across all groups. The test-retest reliability of WHOeyes was high for both near and distance VA, with a mean difference ranging from -0.040 to 0.004 logMAR and QWK all greater than 0.85. The questionnaire revealed an excellent user experience and acceptance of WHOeyes. Conclusions: WHOeyes could provide accurate measurement of the testing distance as well as the distance and near VA when compared to the gold standard ETDRS chart. Keywords: smartphone-based; visual acuity test; WHOeyes, V@home; ETDRS;

Large-Scale Proteome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Identifies Novel Proteins for Glaucoma and Related Traits

:-
 
Purpose: To identify plasma proteins that are causally related to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) for potential therapeutic targeting. Methods: A two-sample MR analysis, supplemented by bidirectional MR, Bayesian co-localization analysis, and phenotype scanning, was conducted to examine the causal relationships between plasma proteins and POAG. The analysis was validated by identifying associations between plasma proteins and POAG-related traits, followed by a systematic evaluation of protein druggability. Results: Eighteen proteins were identified with significant associations with POAG risk after multiple comparison adjustments. The ORs per standard deviation increase in protein levels ranged from 0.39 (95% CI: 0.24–0.62; P = 7.70 × 10-5) for Phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1) to 1.29 (95% CI: 1.16–1.44; P = 6.72 × 10-6) for Nidogen-1 (NID1). Five proteins (SEL1L, ROBO1, AXL, NID1, GFER) demonstrated strong genetic linkage to POAG. Further, validation analyses identified nine proteins causally related to POAG traits, with five (IL18R1, IL1R1, PLCG1, RNASE1, SPINK6) revealing consistent directional associations. In addition, 18 causal proteins were highlighted for their druggability, 5 of which are either approved drugs or under clinical trial. Conclusions: This study identifies 18 plasma proteins as potential therapeutic targets for POAG, particularly emphasizing the role of genomic and proteomic integration in drug discovery.

Analysis of influencing factors of refusal of vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

:-
 
Objective: To analyze the influencing factors of refusal of vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods: A total of 517 patients with PDR who underwent vitrectomy in Xingtai City from January 2021 to August 2022 were selected and divided into two groups according to whether they underwent surgical treatment.The personal and disease characteristics of the patients were collected. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of non-vitrectomy.Results: 126 patients (24%) did not undergo vitrectomy. There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients received retinal photocoagulation, combined with other serious systemic diseases, and preoperative visual acuity improvement between the two groups (P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that no previous retinal photocoagulation treatment(OR=0.414,95% CI0.236-0.724, p=0.002), combined with other serious systemic diseases(OR=11.812,95% CI6.446-21.646, p<0.001), and preoperative visual acuity improvement(OR=21.317,95% CI11.756-38.653, p<0.001) were the influencing factors for patients who did not undergo vitrectomy.Conclusions:Previously not receiving retinal photocoagulation treatment, combined with other serious systemic diseases, and preoperative visual acuity improvement are the influencing factors for patients not undergoing vitrectomy. Early knowledge popularization should be strengthened, targeted communication with patients should be carried out, and patients' confidence in surgery should be established.
Original Article

Identification of novel drug targets for diabetic retinopathy: proteome-wide mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses

:26-44
 

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) urgently needs novel and effective therapeutic targets. Integrated analyses of plasma proteomic and genetic markers can clarify the causal relevance of proteins and discover novel targets for diseases, but no systematic screening for DR has been performed.

Methods: Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two extensive genome-wide analysis study (GWAS) datasets and one systematic review, with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins. DR data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study, comprising 10,413 DR cases and 308,633 European controls. Genetic instrumental variables were identified using multiple filters. In the two-sample MR analysis, Wald ratio and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) MR were utilized to investigate the
causality of plasma proteins with DR. Bidirectional MR, Bayesian Co-localization, and phenotype scanning were employed to test for potential reverse causality and confounding factors in the main MR analyses. By systemically searching druggable gene lists, the ChEMBL database, DrugBank, and Gene Ontology database, the druggability and relevant functional pathways of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated.



Results: Genetically predicted levels of 24 proteins were significantly associated with DR risk at a false discovery rate <0.05 including 11 with positive associations and 13 with negative associations. For each standard deviation increase in plasm protein levels, the odds ratios (ORs) for DR varied from 0.51 (95% CI: 0.36-0.73; P=2.22×10-5) for tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3 (TPPP3) to 2.02 (95% CI: 1.44-2.83; P=5.01×10-5) for olfactomedin like 3 (OLFML3). Bidirectional MR indicated there was no reverse causality that interfered with the results of the main MR analyses. Four proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence (PH4 ≥0.8): cytoplasmic tRNA synthetase (WARS), acrosin binding protein(ACRBP), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) were negatively associated with DR risk, while neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 2 (NOTCH2) showed a positive association. No confounding factors were detected between pQTLs and DR according to the phenotypic scan. Drugability assessments highlighted 6 proteins already in drug development endeavor and 18 novel drug targets, with metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 (TIMP) currently in phase I clinical trials for DR. GO analysis identified 18 of 24 plasma proteins enriching 22 pathways related to cell differentiation and proliferation regulation.

Conclusions:Twenty-four promising drug targets for DR were identified, including four plasma proteins with particular co-localization evidence. These findings offer new insights into DR's etiology and therapeutic targeting, exemplifying the value of genomic and proteomic data in drug target discovery.


tester

:-
 
1. Scope of application (a) When you register for this website account, you provide personal registration information according to the requirements of the website; (b) The information on your browser and computer that this website automatically receives and records when you use the web services of this website or visit the Web pages of this platform, including but not limited to your IP address, the type of browser, the language used, the date and time of access, software and hardware characteristics information and the web records you require; (c) Personal data of users obtained by this website from business partners through lawful means. (d) Users of this website are strictly prohibited from Posting objectionable information, such as nudity, pornography and profane content. We will review the content posted and disable all permissions of the user once found to be objectionable. 2. Use of information (a) This website will not provide, sell, rent, share or trade your personal login information to any unrelated third party. If we store repairs or upgrades, we will send a push message to notify you in advance, please allow this page message notification in advance. (b) This website also does not allow any third party to collect, edit, sell or distribute your personal information by any means. If any user of this website engages in the above activities, once found, this website has the right to immediately terminate the service agreement with the user. (c) For the purpose of serving users, this website may provide you with information of interest to you through the use of your personal information, including but not limited to sending you information about products and services, or sharing information with partners of this website so that they can send you information about their products and services (the latter requires your prior consent) 3. Information disclosure Under the following circumstances, this website will disclose your personal information in whole or in part according to your personal wishes or the provisions of the law: (a) We will not disclose to third parties without your prior consent; (b) Share your personal information with third parties in order to provide the products and services you have requested; (c) disclose to third parties or administrative or judicial bodies in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law or at the request of administrative or judicial bodies; (d) If you have violated the relevant laws and regulations of China or this web service agreement or relevant rules, need to disclose to a third party; (e) If you are a qualified IP complainant and have filed a complaint, disclose it to the respondent at the request of the Respondent so that the parties can deal with possible disputes over rights; 4. Information storage and exchangeThe information and data collected about you on this website will be saved on the server of this website and (or) its affiliated companies, and such information and data may be sent to your country, region or overseas where the information and data collected on this website are located and will be accessed, stored and displayed overseas. 5. Use of cookies (a) If you do not refuse to accept cookies, the website will set up or access cookies on your computer so that you can log in to or use the website platform services or features that rely on cookies. The use of cookies on this website can provide you with more thoughtful personalized services, including promotional services. (b) You have the right to choose to accept or reject cookies. You can refuse to accept cookies by modifying your browser Settings. However, if you choose not to accept cookies, you may not be able to log in to or use the Web services or features that rely on cookies. (c) This Policy applies to information obtained through cookies on this website. 6. Changes to this Privacy Policy

tester

:-
 
1. Scope of application (a) When you register for this website account, you provide personal registration information according to the requirements of the website; (b) The information on your browser and computer that this website automatically receives and records when you use the web services of this website or visit the Web pages of this platform, including but not limited to your IP address, the type of browser, the language used, the date and time of access, software and hardware characteristics information and the web records you require; (c) Personal data of users obtained by this website from business partners through lawful means. (d) Users of this website are strictly prohibited from Posting objectionable information, such as nudity, pornography and profane content. We will review the content posted and disable all permissions of the user once found to be objectionable. 2. Use of information (a) This website will not provide, sell, rent, share or trade your personal login information to any unrelated third party. If we store repairs or upgrades, we will send a push message to notify you in advance, please allow this page message notification in advance. (b) This website also does not allow any third party to collect, edit, sell or distribute your personal information by any means. If any user of this website engages in the above activities, once found, this website has the right to immediately terminate the service agreement with the user. (c) For the purpose of serving users, this website may provide you with information of interest to you through the use of your personal information, including but not limited to sending you information about products and services, or sharing information with partners of this website so that they can send you information about their products and services (the latter requires your prior consent) 3. Information disclosure Under the following circumstances, this website will disclose your personal information in whole or in part according to your personal wishes or the provisions of the law: (a) We will not disclose to third parties without your prior consent; (b) Share your personal information with third parties in order to provide the products and services you have requested; (c) disclose to third parties or administrative or judicial bodies in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law or at the request of administrative or judicial bodies; (d) If you have violated the relevant laws and regulations of China or this web service agreement or relevant rules, need to disclose to a third party; (e) If you are a qualified IP complainant and have filed a complaint, disclose it to the respondent at the request of the Respondent so that the parties can deal with possible disputes over rights; 4. Information storage and exchangeThe information and data collected about you on this website will be saved on the server of this website and (or) its affiliated companies, and such information and data may be sent to your country, region or overseas where the information and data collected on this website are located and will be accessed, stored and displayed overseas. 5. Use of cookies (a) If you do not refuse to accept cookies, the website will set up or access cookies on your computer so that you can log in to or use the website platform services or features that rely on cookies. The use of cookies on this website can provide you with more thoughtful personalized services, including promotional services. (b) You have the right to choose to accept or reject cookies. You can refuse to accept cookies by modifying your browser Settings. However, if you choose not to accept cookies, you may not be able to log in to or use the Web services or features that rely on cookies. (c) This Policy applies to information obtained through cookies on this website. 6. Changes to this Privacy Policy

Identification of novel drug targets for diabetic retinopathy: proteome-wide mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses

:-
 
Aims: To identify plasma proteins with causal links to diabetic retinopathy (DR) for potential therapeutic targets. Materials and methods: Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two extensive GWAS datasets and one systematic review, with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins. DR data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study, comprising 10,413 DR cases and 30,863 European controls. Two-sample MR approach was utilized to investigate the causality of plasma proteins with DR, followed by bidirectional MR, Bayesian Co-localization analysis, and phenotype scanning to ensure robustness of the MR results. Druggability of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated. Results: Genetically predicted levels of 24 proteins were significantly associated with DR risk after multiple testing correction. For each standard deviation increase in plasm protein levels, the odds ratio (OR) for DR varied from 0.51 (95% CI: 0.36-0.73; P=2.22×10-5) for Tubulin Polymerization-Promoting Protein Family Member 3 (TPPP3) to 2.02 (95% CI: 1.44-2.83; P=5.01×10-5) for Olfactomedin like 3 (OLFML3). Four proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence (PH4 ≥0.8): WARS, ACRBP, and ICAM1 were negatively associated with DR risk, while NOTCH2 showed a positive association. Drugability assessments highlighted these 24 proteins as potential DR targets, with two of them currently in phase I clinical trials. Conclusions: Twenty-four promising drug targets for DR were identified, including four plasma proteins with particularly promise. These findings offer new insights into DR's etiology and therapeutic targeting, exemplifying the value of genomic and proteomic data in drug target discovery.

Identification of novel drug targets for diabetic retinopathy: proteome-wide mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses

:-
 
Aims: To identify plasma proteins with causal links to diabetic retinopathy (DR) for potential therapeutic targets. Materials and methods: Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two extensive GWAS datasets and one systematic review, with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins. DR data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study, comprising 10,413 DR cases and 30,863 European controls. Two-sample MR approach was utilized to investigate the causality of plasma proteins with DR, followed by bidirectional MR, Bayesian Co-localization analysis, and phenotype scanning to ensure robustness of the MR results. Druggability of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated. Results: Genetically predicted levels of 24 proteins were significantly associated with DR risk after multiple testing correction. For each standard deviation increase in plasm protein levels, the odds ratio (OR) for DR varied from 0.51 (95% CI: 0.36-0.73; P=2.22×10-5) for Tubulin Polymerization-Promoting Protein Family Member 3 (TPPP3) to 2.02 (95% CI: 1.44-2.83; P=5.01×10-5) for Olfactomedin like 3 (OLFML3). Four proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence (PH4 ≥0.8): WARS, ACRBP, and ICAM1 were negatively associated with DR risk, while NOTCH2 showed a positive association. Drugability assessments highlighted these 24 proteins as potential DR targets, with two of them currently in phase I clinical trials. Conclusions: Twenty-four promising drug targets for DR were identified, including four plasma proteins with particularly promise. These findings offer new insights into DR's etiology and therapeutic targeting, exemplifying the value of genomic and proteomic data in drug target discovery.
Original Article

Changes in crystalline lens parameters during accommodation evaluated using swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography

:44-55
 

Backgrounds: To assess changes in anterior segment biometry during accommodation using a swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods: One hundred-forty participants were consecutively recruited in the current study. Each participant underwent SS-OCT scanning at 0 and -3 diopter (D) accommodative stress after refractive compensation, and ocular parameters including anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior and posterior lens curvature, lens thickness (LT) and lens diameter were recorded. Anterior segment length (ASL) was defined as ACD plus LT. Lens central point (LCP) was defined as ACD plus half of the LT. The accommodative response was calculated as changes in total optical power during accommodation.

Results: Compared to non-accommodative status, ACD (2.952±0.402 vs. 2.904±0.382 mm, P<0.001), anterior (10.771±1.801 vs. 10.086±1.571 mm, P<0.001) and posterior lens curvature (5.894±0.435 vs. 5.767±0.420 mm, P<0.001), lens diameter (9.829±0.338 vs. 9.695±0.358 mm, P<0.001) and LCP (4.925±0.274 vs. 4.900±0.259 mm, P=0.010) tended to decreased and LT thickened (9.829±0.338 vs. 9.695±0.358 mm, P<0.001), while ASL (6.903±0.279 vs. 6.898±0.268 mm, P=0.568) did not change significantly during accommodation. Younger age (β=0.029, 95% CI: 0.020 to 0.038, P<0.001) and larger anterior lens curvature (β= -0.071, 95% CI: -0.138 to -0.003, P=0.040) were associated with accommodation induced greater steeping amplitude of anterior lens curvature. The optical eye power at 0 and -3 D accommodative stress was 62.486±2.284 and 63.274±2.290 D, respectively (P<0.001). Age was an independent factor of accommodative response (β= -0.027, 95% CI: -0.038 to -0.016, P<0.001).

Conclusions: During -3 D accommodative stress, the anterior and posterior lens curvature steepened, followed by thickened LT, fronted LCP and shallowed ACD. The accommodative response of -3 D stimulus is age-dependent.

其他期刊
  • 眼科学报

    主管:中华人民共和国教育部
    主办:中山大学
    承办:中山大学中山眼科中心
    主编:林浩添
    主管:中华人民共和国教育部
    主办:中山大学
    浏览
  • Eye Science

    主管:中华人民共和国教育部
    主办:中山大学
    承办:中山大学中山眼科中心
    主编:林浩添
    主管:中华人民共和国教育部
    主办:中山大学
    浏览
出版者信息