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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness in elderly people worldwide. The damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) triggered by oxidative stress plays a central role in the onset and progression of AMD and results from the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced mainly by mitochondria. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial molecular chaperone that contributes to the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity by decreasing the production and accumulation of ROS. The present study aimed to evaluate the presence and the role of TRAP1 in the RPE. Here, we report that TRAP1 is expressed in human adult retinal pigment epithelial cells and is located mainly in the mitochondria. Exposure of RPE cells to hydrogen peroxide decreases the levels of TRAP1. Furthermore, TRAP1 silencing increases intracellular ROS production and decreases mitochondrial respiratory capacity without affecting cell proliferation. Together, these findings offer novel insights into TRAP1 functions in RPE cells, opening possibilities to develop new treatment options for AMD.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020381 | DOI Listing |
Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev
June 2025
Shanghai Vitalgen BioPharma Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, China.
Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene, characterized by crystal-like lipid deposits in the retina, progressive photoreceptor loss, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deterioration. Currently, there are no approved treatments for BCD. VGR-R01, an investigational gene therapy, uses subretinal administration of recombinant adeno-associated virus type 8 (AAV8) vector to deliver the human CYP4V2 gene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Mol Cell Biol
September 2025
School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affects around 1 in 4000 individuals and represents approximately 25% of cases of vision loss in adults, through death of retinal rod and cone photoreceptor cells. It remains a largely untreatable disease, and research is needed to identify potential targets for therapy. Mutations in 94 different genes have been identified as causing RP, including AGBL5 which encodes the main deglutamylase that regulates and maintains functional levels of cilia tubulin glutamylation, which is essential to initiate ciliogenesis, maintain cilia stability and motility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEye (Lond)
September 2025
Kim's Eye Hospital, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal faricimab and aflibercept injections in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Methods: This retrospective study analysed 111 treatment-naïve eyes (111 patients) with PCV who received intravitreal injections of either faricimab (30 eyes) or aflibercept (81 eyes). All patients were treated with three initial monthly loading injections.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
September 2025
School of Science, RMIT University, P.O. Box 2476, Melbourne 3001, Australia.
Lutein is a plant pigment beneficial for eye health and for preventing retinal-related diseases. However, lutein is unstable, with low oral bioavailability. In this study, lutein fromwas loaded into cubosome lipid nanocarriers, both neutral (lutein-MO) and cationic (lutein-MO-DOTAP); the release, stability, and retinal penetration of the drug were improved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To assess how transitioning from an Aflibercept to a Faricimab intravitreal treatment impacts retinal structures and functional aspects in patients with neovascular age related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a real-life setting.
Patients And Methods: A retrospective clinical study including 49 patients (57 eyes) with nAMD at the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria was performed. The patients, who had previously been receiving monthly Aflibercept injections with an unsatisfactory treatment response, were switched to intravitreal Faricimab and followed-up between 12/2022 and 12/2023.