Currently, there is no preventative treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in the U.S.. Development of therapeutic interventions will require an understanding of the molecular events associated with the disease. In this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that a subset of proteins will be uniquely altered with AMD and that the progression of AMD will involve an evolution of protein changes that are manifest in clinically distinct features. This research will take an innovative analytical approach by using proteomic technology to identify specific proteins that are altered in the sensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with AMD. Donors selected (ages 65-75) will include those exhibiting either no AMD (control) or retinal features that are indicative of the beginning or later stages of the disease. The following aims will be pursued: (1) Evaluate and classify retinal degeneration in donor eyes. Prior to biochemical analysis, we will evaluate the macular region of donor eyes using the Age-related Eye Disease (AREDS) system. (2) Identify alterations in retinal proteins using proteomic analysis. We will perform proteome analysis to identify proteins in the RPE and sensory retina that have altered expression or contain the oxidative modification, 4-hydroxynonenal. Using donor retinas at clinically defined stages of AMD should aid in distinguishing patterns of protein changes that are associated with the progression of the disease. Identification of proteins that are uniquely altered will help provide valuable insight into the mechanism of AMD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03EY014176-03
Application #
6992685
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (01))
Program Officer
Mariani, Andrew P
Project Start
2004-01-01
Project End
2006-11-30
Budget Start
2005-12-01
Budget End
2006-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$145,010
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
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Ethen, Cheryl M; Reilly, Cavan; Feng, Xiao et al. (2006) The proteome of central and peripheral retina with progression of age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 47:2280-90

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