Chief Investigator: Dr Ling Zhu
Co-investigators: Prof Mark Gillies, Dr Ting Zhang
Aim
This project was about understanding how a specific protein, MAFF, helps retina cope with harmful conditions and whether boosting this protein could prevent macular degeneration.
Methods
We did two main things: first, we reduced the amount of MAFF in retinal cells to see how they would cope under tough conditions. Then, we increased the amount of MAFF in retinal cells to observe any protective effects.
Key Results
We discovered that reducing MAFF made the retinal cells weaker and less able to function especially their energy-producing parts. However, increasing MAFF made these cells stronger and better at surviving stress.
Conclusion
MAFF turns out to be really important for keeping retinal cells healthy. By controlling how much MAFF these cells have, we might be able to protect the eyes from diseases.
Implications for Clinical Practice/Science and
Future Research
Our study opens up a new possible way to treat eye diseases. We are now trying this approach in mice to see if it works in living creatures. If successful, this could lead to new treatments for eye diseases in
humans.
Lay summary of outcomes
Exciting research reveals boosting MAFF protein in retinal cells could be one key to preventing macular degeneration, offering a new horizon in eye health and the potential for innovative treatments. These
findings pave the way for groundbreaking approaches in combating eye diseases.
Presentations / Publications
Zhang, J.; Zhang, T.; Zeng, S.; Zhang, X.; Zhou, F.;
Gillies, M.C.; Zhu, L. The Role of Nrf2/sMAF Signalling in Retina Ageing and Retinal Diseases.
Biomedicines 2023, 11, 1512. https://doi.org/10.3390/
biomedicines11061512