Changes of the cell environment are associated with certain eye diseases

Changes of the cell environment are associated with certain eye diseases
Jacqueline Reinhard studies the protein jungle that surrounds our nerve cells. Credit: RUB, Marquard

Ischemic disorders of the retina are a frequent cause of blindness. The surrounding cellular protein scaffold might play a crucial role in this process.

In case of ischemic injury to the retina, changes occur in the protein scaffold in the environment of retinal cells, the so-called . Various eye diseases, such as glaucoma, are associated with such ischemic events. Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum describe how the extracellular is affected by these processes in the journal Scientific Reports.

For this study, the team headed by Dr Jacqueline Reinhard and Prof Dr Andreas Faissner from the Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology collaborated with colleagues from the team of assistant professor Dr Stephanie Joachim from the Experimental Eye Research Institute at the University Eye Clinic in Bochum.

Crucial for cell survival and cell death

Glaucoma is not the only eye disease where the blood supply to the retina is not sufficient; others include and diabetic retinopathy. Ischemia leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the nerve cells, thus causing . This can lead to permanent blindness in patients.

The extracellular matrix affects the cells that are embedded in it. Depending on the matrix composition, it effects either cell survival or cell death. It consists of a protein mix that is generated and secreted by the cells themselves.

Several proteins affected

In an animal model, the researchers from Bochum analysed the composition of the extracellular matrix in the retina and optic nerve. They compared ischemic tissue to healthy tissue. In the , they identified an increase of proteins of the so-called lectican family after ischemia. In the retina, the protein fibronectin occurred more frequently.

Moreover, the researchers analysed tenascin proteins that may be present in different variants. Their findings show: the forms occurring in tissue with poor blood supply differed from those occurring under normal conditions. Taken together, the composition of the extracellular matrix was considerably altered due to ischemic injury.

Researching the function of individual components

"In future, we intend to unveil the functional role of each extracellular matrix component in the progression of diseases associated with ischemic processes," says Jacqueline Reinhard. If the changes to the extracellular matrix were better understood, it would be possible to identify neurodegenerative processes much sooner, as the authors of the study assume. One day, this might become the starting point for therapies.

More information: Jacqueline Reinhard et al, Ischemic injury leads to extracellular matrix alterations in retina and optic nerve, Scientific Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1038/srep43470

Journal information: Scientific Reports
Citation: Changes of the cell environment are associated with certain eye diseases (2017, March 15) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-03-cell-environment-eye-diseases.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Cellular environment controls formation and activity of neuronal connections

2 shares

Feedback to editors