Diabetic vitreoretinopathy (DVR) is a growing cause of blindness across the world. Elevation of intraocular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vitreous is implicated in the pathogenesis of DVR, but the molecular mechanisms are not known. Our studies suggest extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is an important antioxidant defense enzyme in the human vitreous and may protect the retina, ciliary body, and lens from oxidative damage. The overall objective of our proposal is to investigate the molecular mechanisms and function of SOD3 in the normal and diabetic vitreous. Our central hypothesis is that SOD3 is differentially localized to vitreous substructures and dysregulation of these interactions or SOD3 enzymatic activity may be critical in the pathophysiology of DVR. Project goals include: identifying SOD3 protein/proteoglycan interaction mechanisms in the human vitreous, determining the functional effects of SOD3 glycation in DVR, and investigating SOD3 oxidative stress pathways in the mouse and human vitreous. Several different techniques will be utilized. First, protein interactions will be assessed by co-immunoprecipitation, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry using native, recombinant, and mutant SOD3. Next, the functional effects of SOD3 glycation will be studied in vivo and in vitro. Finally, the balance of SOD3, reactive oxygen species, and oxidative damage will be measured in human and mouse DVR tissue samples using EPR spectroscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Detailed clinical phenotyping of SOD3 knockout mice will be performed and activation of oxidative stress pathways in the retina will be determined. The project is significant to human health because understanding SOD3-related oxidative stress pathways in the eye gives insight into the mechanisms of DVR pathophysiology and provides a unique therapeutic modality.

Public Health Relevance

Diabetic vitreoretinopathy (DVR) is a devastating complication of diabetes that may cause irreversible blindness. The goal of this project is to determine how extracellular superoxide dismutase and oxidative stress balance affects DVR pathology. This research is relevant to the NIH mission and NEI strategic plan because it will increase an understanding of DVR pathogenesis at a molecular level and lead to preventative therapeutic targets.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32EY022280-03
Application #
8657441
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05-P (20))
Program Officer
Agarwal, Neeraj
Project Start
2012-05-14
Project End
2015-05-13
Budget Start
2014-05-14
Budget End
2015-05-13
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$56,594
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Wert, Katherine J; Skeie, Jessica M; Bassuk, Alexander G et al. (2014) Functional validation of a human CAPN5 exome variant by lentiviral transduction into mouse retina. Hum Mol Genet 23:2665-77
Skeie, Jessica M; Mahajan, Vinit B (2014) Proteomic landscape of the human choroid-retinal pigment epithelial complex. JAMA Ophthalmol 132:1271-81
Mahajan, Vinit B; Skeie, Jessica M (2014) Translational vitreous proteomics. Proteomics Clin Appl 8:204-8
Skeie, Jessica M; Tsang, Stephen H; Zande, Ryan Vande et al. (2014) A biorepository for ophthalmic surgical specimens. Proteomics Clin Appl 8:209-17
Paemka, Lily; Mahajan, Vinit B; Skeie, Jessica M et al. (2013) PRICKLE1 interaction with SYNAPSIN I reveals a role in autism spectrum disorders. PLoS One 8:e80737
Skeie, Jessica M; Mahajan, Vinit B (2013) Proteomic interactions in the mouse vitreous-retina complex. PLoS One 8:e82140
Whitmore, S Scott; Braun, Terry A; Skeie, Jessica M et al. (2013) Altered gene expression in dry age-related macular degeneration suggests early loss of choroidal endothelial cells. Mol Vis 19:2274-97
Darbro, Benjamin W; Mahajan, Vinit B; Gakhar, Lokesh et al. (2013) Mutations in extracellular matrix genes NID1 and LAMC1 cause autosomal dominant Dandy-Walker malformation and occipital cephaloceles. Hum Mutat 34:1075-9
Skeie, Jessica M; Brown, Eric N; Martinez, Harryl D et al. (2012) Proteomic analysis of vitreous biopsy techniques. Retina 32:2141-9
Wert, Katherine J; Skeie, Jessica M; Davis, Richard J et al. (2012) Subretinal injection of gene therapy vectors and stem cells in the perinatal mouse eye. J Vis Exp :

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