Retinitis Pigmentosa
Return to Library
|
Free Retinitis Pigmentosa Articles |
|
|
|
|
Research from Johns Hopkins University, Medical Department provides new data about retinitis pigmentosa
2009 JUL 6 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to a study from the United States, "Oxidative and nitrosative damage are major contributors to cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In this study, we explored the effects of augmenting components of the endogenous antioxidant defense system in models of RP, rd1, and rd10 mice." "Unexpectedly, overexpression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in rd1 mice increased oxidative damage and accelerated cone cell death. With an elaborate mating scheme, genetically engineered rd10 mice with either inducible expression of SOD2, Catalase, or both in photoreceptor mitochondria were generated. Littermates with the same genetic background that did not have increased expression of SOD2 nor Catalase provided ideal controls. Coexpression of SOD2 and Catalase, but not either alone, significantly reduced oxidative damage in the retinas of postnatal day (P) 50 rd10 mice as measured by protein carbonyl content. Cone density was significantly greater in P50 rd10 mice with coexpression of SOD2 and Catalase together than rd10 mice that expressed SOD2 or Catalase alone, or expressed neither. Coexpression of SOD2 and Catalase in rd10 mice did not slow rod cell death," wrote S. Usui and colleagues, Johns Hopkins University, Medical Department. The researchers concluded: "These data support the concept of bolstering the endogenous antioxidant defense system as a gene-based treatment strategy for RP, and also indicate that coexpression of multiple components may be needed." Usui and colleagues published the results of their research in Molecular Therapy (Increased Expression of Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase 2 Reduces Cone Cell Death in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Molecular Therapy, 2009;17(5):778-786). For additional information, contact P.A. Campochiaro, Johns Hopkins University, School Medical, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Maumenee 719, 600 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. The publisher of the journal Molecular Therapy can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, 75 Varick St., 9TH Flr, New York, NY 10013-1917, USA. Keywords: United States, Baltimore, Catalase, Dismutase, Enzyme Research, Enzymology, Molecular Research, Molecular Therapies, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Therapy, Treatment, Johns Hopkins University, Medical Department. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
|
