Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the signature protein of caveolae membrane domains, is linked to several ocular/retinal diseases including primary open angle glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and autoimmune uveitis. We have found that Cav-1 and caveolae play important roles in blood-retinal barrier (BRB) integrity, ion homeostasis, and retinal function. More recently, we have found that Cav-1 promotes the activation of Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR4) propagating TLR4-induced cytokine production and inflammatory BRB breakdown. As Cav-1 is upregulated in several retinal inflammatory conditions, our results imply that local disruption of Cav-1 function presents a viable therapy to suppress retinal inflammatory insults. Given that current steroid-based therapies for retinal inflammatory disease are not completely effective and fraught with potentially severe side effects, we hypothesize that Cav-1 and caveolae domains represent novel therapeutic targets to suppress retinal inflammation resulting from pathogens as well as from endogenous damage that occurs during retinal degenerative diseases. However, as Cav-1 plays several important roles in retinal homeostasis and cardiovascular function, we must carefully evaluate the cell and tissue-intrinsic roles of this protein to determine the potential of suppressing Cav-1 function locally in the retina, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms for these complex cell-intrinsic properties. In this proposal we will use cell-specific Cav-1 knockout mice to test cell-intrinsic Cav-1 functions in the hope of validating Cav-1 as a new therapeutic target for retinal inflammation, BRB breakdown, and neurodegeneration induced by inflammation. We will test a novel mechanism whereby Cav-1 modulates the stability of TNF Receptor Associated Factor 3 (TRAF3) a downstream signaling component of innate immune receptors such as TLR4. TRAF3 is abundantly expressed in the retina but has yet to be rigorously studied as a local regulator of immune signaling. The goals of this proposal are to determine the mechanism(s) by which Cav-1 modulates retinal inflammatory signaling, BRB breakdown, and neurodegeneration induced by both pathogen- and damage-derived immune activation. We will also examine the mechanism by which Cav-1 controls retinal TRAF3 levels. These goals have clear

Public Health Relevance

The CAV1 gene, which encodes the the caveolin-1 protein, is associated with glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The expression of caveolin-1 is also elevated in retinal inflammatory diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and autoimmune uveitis, but the function of caveolin-1 in the retina is not yet known. Understanding the function of this ocular disease-associated gene in normal and pathological contexts is critical to developing novel and rational therapies for inflammatory eye diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY019494-09
Application #
9729698
Study Section
Diseases and Pathophysiology of the Visual System Study Section (DPVS)
Program Officer
Mckie, George Ann
Project Start
2009-12-01
Project End
2020-06-30
Budget Start
2019-07-01
Budget End
2020-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
878648294
City
Oklahoma City
State
OK
Country
United States
Zip Code
73104
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