Muller Cell Reactivity During Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,000.00
Summary
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working population. In some patients with diabetes, blood vessels within the retina proliferate, haemorrhage or cause retinal detachment. The underlying changes within the retina that lead to the proliferation of blood vessels are not well understood. One of the factors that leads to changes in retinal blood vessels is an increase in growth factors from cells within the retina called Muller cells. Muller cells are vital for the normal function of ....Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working population. In some patients with diabetes, blood vessels within the retina proliferate, haemorrhage or cause retinal detachment. The underlying changes within the retina that lead to the proliferation of blood vessels are not well understood. One of the factors that leads to changes in retinal blood vessels is an increase in growth factors from cells within the retina called Muller cells. Muller cells are vital for the normal function of the retina and are known to be abnormal late in diabetes. They may also be dysfunctional early in diabetes and could play a significant role in causing the early changes seen in diabetes. Therefore a good understanding of how Muller cells change and the time at which they change is vitally important to gain a better understanding of the defects that are associated with diabetes. Furthermore, an understanding of the basic underlying cellular changes that occur in dibaetes will aid the development of more specific therapeutic agents in the future.Read moreRead less
The Significance Of Glial Dysfunction In Retinopathy Of Prematurity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,567.00
Summary
Abnormalities in cells at the back of the eye called photoreceptors are associated with at least 50% of all cases of blindness in this country.This project will determine whether substances released from dying photoreceptors cause the death of neighbouring cells. In addition we will examine whether treatments that block the actions of these released substances can prevent the death of photoreceptors, thereby providing a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of devastating eye diseases.
Cellular Mechanisms Of Functional Deficits In Experimental Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,541.00
Summary
If successful, our approach will potentially have a major impact on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and possibly on all diabetic vascular diseases. A single injection might only be necessary to prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy, which would represent a significant weapon in the management of patients. In addition, successful application of secretion gene therapy in the eye might open up the possibility to introduce the same concept for the treatment of larger organs undergoin ....If successful, our approach will potentially have a major impact on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and possibly on all diabetic vascular diseases. A single injection might only be necessary to prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy, which would represent a significant weapon in the management of patients. In addition, successful application of secretion gene therapy in the eye might open up the possibility to introduce the same concept for the treatment of larger organs undergoing microvascular changes as a result of diabetes.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Underlying Disordered Skin Blood Flow Following Nerve Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Many people who recover from traumatic injury or who have chronic conditions such as diabetes or neuropathy from exposure to a toxic chemical suffer from peripheral vascular disorders leading to poor circulation in the extremities. These conditions are characterised by impaired wound healing, cold hands and feet and ongoing pain. These people must face a long life with progressively increasing disability. Even normal ageing can lead to similar problems. This project is directed at understanding ....Many people who recover from traumatic injury or who have chronic conditions such as diabetes or neuropathy from exposure to a toxic chemical suffer from peripheral vascular disorders leading to poor circulation in the extremities. These conditions are characterised by impaired wound healing, cold hands and feet and ongoing pain. These people must face a long life with progressively increasing disability. Even normal ageing can lead to similar problems. This project is directed at understanding the role of the nerve supply to blood vessels in the skin in these disorders. The experiments will be conducted in skin blood vessels of rats with various forms of nerve lesion that will mimic these conditions in patients. We will use our knowledge of the structure and behaviour of nerve-blood vessel connections to analyse the changes in the properties of vascular smooth muscle and relate it to the state of the innervation. Skin arteries normally receive two types of nerve - sympathetic (which release noradrenaline) and afferent ( which release peptides) - that have opposing actions on the vessel (constriction and dilation respectively). We hypothesize that removal of part or all of the innervation changes the contractile mechanism of the smooth muscle in the wall of the vessel so that it becomes much more sensitive to calcium ions and produces larger and more prolonged contractions. We will combine electrophysiology and contraction studies with immunohistochemistry and biochemical analysis to define the relation between the nerve deficit and the vascular responses. The aim is to identify appropriate drug targets for which local application in the affected region can alleviate the symptoms without causing widespread side effects.Read moreRead less
Abnormal growth of blood vessels is a central feature of number of blinding conditions of the eye. Although there are treatments available that reduce the sudden loos of vision in a majority of people with advanced age related macular degeneration, about 20% fail to respond and half gradually loose vision. This project will determine the effectiveness of treating vascular diseases of the retina with a novel therapy that is quite different to that currently available.
Dynamic Trafficking Of Amino Acid Transporters At Synapses And Their Role In Regulating Neurotransmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,219.00
Summary
Brain cells release chemical neurotransmitters to activate their neighbours. The most abundant neurotransmitter is glutamate, which mediates most of the communication in the brain. Following release, this neurotransmitter must be rapidly recycled to prevent levels being depleted and neurotransmission failing. The subject of this grant is to understand what molecules and pathways are used to recycle glutamate in the brain, and how its supply is controlled to sustain continual brain activation.