Authors:
J. Harry Sweigard, Hidetaka Matsumoto, Kaylee E. Smith, Leo A. Kim, Eleftherios I. Paschalis, Yoko Okonuki, Alexandra Castillejos, Keiko Kataoka, Eiichi Hasegawa, Ryoji Yanai, Deeba Husain, John D. Lambris, Demetrios Vavvas, Joan W. Miller, and Kip M. Connor
Summary:
Retinal detachment and subsequent degeneration of the retina can lead to progressive visual decline due to death of photoreceptor cells, the major light-sensing cells within the eye. Early inflammatory mediators are up-regulated in the eye of patients with retinal detachment including components of the alternative complement pathway. Using a mouse model of retinal detachment, Sweigard et al. found that by blocking the alternative complement pathway through both genetic and pharmacological means, photoreceptors were protected from cell death.
Source:
Science Translational Medicine; Vol. 7, Issue 297, 297ra116 (07/22/15)