Interplay of perivascular nerves and retinal vessels in diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The regulation of microvascular integrity through perivascular nerves and neuropeptides in diabetic retinopathy.
IRAS ID
157531
Contact name
Lei Liu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Research summary
Diabetes is an increasingly important condition globally and diabetic retinopathy is leading blinding eye disease in developed countries mainly due to the impairment of small vessels in the retina. Despite active treatment, many patients still progressively lose vision as current treatments for diabetic retinopathy including laser photocoagulation and multiple intraocular injections of anti-VEGF antibody do not improve the diabetic retinal microvascular environment. Although microvascular impairment is the hallmark of diabetic retinopathy, retinal neurodegeneration including neural cell death and activation of glial cells arises with or before the detection of abnormal retinal vessels.
This study will investigate the interplay between perivascular sensory nerves and microvessels in diabetic retina. We will firstly characterise neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy by detecting and localising neural apoptosis (programmed cell death), expression of neuropeptides and perivascular sensory nerves defects in diabetic retina by means of immunostaining, PCR, ELISA and flow cytometry. We will then interrogate the role of glutamate and hyperglucemic insult on perivascular sensory nerves and microvessel integrity and the neuroprotective effects of neuropeptides and nerve growth factor (NGF).
This study will provide information on whether restoring the perivascular sensory nerve function will normalise diabetic retinal vessels, thus ultimately open a new therapeutic option for diabetic retinopathy.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1101
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion