An international team of researchers has identified new drug targets for treatments that could benefit patients with different forms of retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal diseases. Using advanced proteomics techniques, they revealed common critical pathways in retinitis pigmentosa disease models. The study represents significant progress in understanding how protein may change in different retinal dystrophies. Posted on Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), the University of California, Irvine and the University of Ottawa.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of genetic disorders that cause progressive vision loss, has long been a challenge to treat because of its genetic diversity. However, the new study led by researchers at UEF suggests that disease-modifying therapies are feasible that could benefit patients with all forms of the disease, regardless of the underlying mutation. The researchers demonstrated that common pathological processes occur downstream of the initial striatal cell degeneration in distinct forms of RP, opening possibilities for broad-spectrum therapeutic interventions.
A better understanding of retinal proteins could accelerate the development of effective treatments
This multi-institutional, multi-method study provided a comprehensive analysis of retinal proteins, comparing three mouse models of hereditary retinal degeneration with healthy wild-type mice.
Our data facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies that do not rely on specific genetic mutations, potentially offering hope to millions of patients affected by retinal degenerative diseases.”
Dr. Henri Leinonen, senior author of the study
“We identified key retinal proteins and pathways that could be targeted to moderate the progression of retinal degeneration,” continues Dr. Ahmed Montaser, the study’s first author and a postdoctoral researcher at the Leinonen Retina Laboratory, University of Eastern Finland, School of Pharmacy.
“Furthermore, we are sharing this detailed profile of retinal proteins in both healthy and diseased states with the scientific community to encourage further research and accelerate the development of effective treatments.”
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Journal Reference:
Montaser, AB, et al. (2024). Retinal proteome profiling of hereditary retinal degeneration in three different mouse models suggests common drug targets in retinitis pigmentosa. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. doi.org/10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100855.
