Page 32 - The Indian Digital Edition September-October 2020

RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY BIOMARKER IN THE EYE

Researchers from the Boston “One of the biggest priorities scheduled eye surgery at Boston
Medical Center have been able to in Alzheimer’s disease research Medical Center. Sixty three percent
identify a biomarker in the vitreous is to develop ways to diagnose of the subjects were male, and
humor, or fluid within the eye, the disease before the onset of the average age was just over 56
that serves as a marker for earlier symptoms, which would allow for years old. The results showed that
diagnosis of neurodegenerative early treatment that could help all 77 patients had Neurofilament
diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and halt the progression of this fatal light chain in their vitreous humor,
disease,” said Manju Subramanian,
Parkinson’s disease, which occur MD, an ophthalmologic surgeon and higher levels of this biomarker
when the nerve cells in the brain at Boston Medical Center and the were associated with higher levels
or peripheral nervous system study’s first and corresponding of other biomarkers known to
lose their function over time, author. Neurodegenerative be associated with Alzheimer’s
eventually leading to cell death. diseases are currently diagnosed disease, including amyloid-B and
According to the study based on clinical presentation tau proteins.
published in Alzheimer’s Research and diagnostic testing – once However, Neurofilament light
& Therapy, Neurofilament light symptoms appear it means that chain levels were not significantly
chain, a protein hitherto spotted in the disease is already progressing. associated with eye disease, which
the cerebrospinal fluid and blood As part of the study, the denotes that those levels are
is being explored as a biomarker researchers collected eye fluid probably not influenced by the
to detect these neurodegenerative samples from 77 patients who clinical eye conditions affecting
diseases. were undergoing previously the patients.

LIPID DOPG AIDS HEALING OF CORNEAL WOUNDS

New research findings indicate This discovery led the co- loss. Corneal epithelial scratches
that the lipid DOPG, or dioleoyl- corresponding authors Drs. Wendy open the eye to the outside world
phosphatidylglycerol, aids healing B. Bollag and Mitchell Watsky, as infectious agents can now
of scratches on the cornea that can dean of the Graduate School at creep through this outer layer of
result from trauma such as finger Augusta University and professor protection for the eye that is also
pokes or mascara wands. in the Medical College of Georgia’s essential to refracting light so one
Department of Cellular Biology can see,” says Watsky.
As per a report published and Anatomy, to believe that
in the journal Investigative adding DOPG to existing eye Watsky and Bollag, cell
Ophthalmology and Visual Science, drop products, could one day physiologist in the MCG
scientists observed human cornea aid in healing of this important Department of Physiology and
cells grown in a laboratory dish protective barrier after injury a leader in basic science studies
as well as healthy mice and as well as after common eye of normal and abnormal skin cell
mice whose healing ability was procedures like cataract surgery. turnover like psoriasis, have also
compromised. just received a $1.14 million grant
Mitchell explains that a (R01EY030576) from the National
They found that the corneal superficial scratch to the eye’s Institutes of Health to ascertain
epithelial cells, are stacked like outermost corneal epithelial cell how DOPG helps the cornea heal
a protective brick wall at the layer, the most common injury, and what treatment protocols
front of the eye, in the same typically heals in a few days could one day help patients.
signalling pathway that prompts without lasting implications. “But
production of the parent lipid, when it doesn’t heal and/or if there In the next three years, further
phosphatidylglycerol, or PG, in is deeper tissue injury, there can studies enabled by the grant,
the most prominent skin cell type, be persistent irritation and pain, should pave the way for clinical
keratinocytes. scarring and potentially vision trials say the scientists.

| SEPT-OCT 2020 | 28 OPHTHALMIC NEWS

11/03/2020 12:36
Sept-Oct 2020 SK News.indd 5
Sept-Oct 2020 SK News.indd 5 11/03/2020 12:36