Anti-VEGF therapy is the current mainstay for treating wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy is still limited, and some patients failed to respond to the treatment. No drug is currently available for subretinal fibrosis associated with AMD. Therefore, there is a great need for developing alternative or superior approaches to the current anti-VEGF therapy to combat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and subretinal fibrosis in AMD. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells can lead to fibrosis. However, the contribution of RPE EMT in AMD pathogenesis remains undefined. MicroRNAs belong to a large group of noncoding RNAs which can regulate diverse pathways in different cell types. The involvement of miRNAs in CNV, RPE EMT and fibrosis remains unclear. This project focuses on elucidating the function and mechanism of miRNAs in the context of complex pathological processes involved in AMD, including CNV, EMT of the RPE cells and fibrosis. The contribution of EMT of RPE cells in AMD mouse models will be examined by genetic lineage tracing. The organizing hypothesis of the proposal is that a single miRNA, miR-24, can repress CNV, EMT of RPEs and fibrosis, therefore representing an excellent ?one drug/multiple targets? model for treating AMD. In addition, the contribution of EMT of RPE cells in AMD pathogenesis will also be established.
Aim I is to define the function of miR-24 in ocular neovascularization, inflammation and fibrosis.
Aim II is to determine the role of miR-24-regulated EMT and fibrosis of RPE cells.

Public Health Relevance

Pathological angiogenesis and fibrosis underlie the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The proposed study is to elucidate the function of microRNAs in the context of complex pathological processes involved in AMD, including choroidal neovascularization (CNV), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and fibrosis. Findings from the proposed project will lead to the development of miRNA-based therapy for both CNV and fibrosis in AMD based on ?one drug/multiple targets? model.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY021862-08
Application #
10003288
Study Section
Diseases and Pathophysiology of the Visual System Study Section (DPVS)
Program Officer
Shen, Grace L
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2022-06-30
Budget Start
2020-07-01
Budget End
2021-06-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tulane University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
053785812
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70118
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