Objectif Our primary objectives are to study injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and how to promote successful repair after damage, with the ultimate aims of restoring lost visual function and providing a model system in which to define strategies for recovery of damaged circuitry in the brain.Our primary objectives are to develop a research programme to study injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and how to promote successful repair after damage, with the ultimate aim of restoring lost visual function. Axons of RGCs form the optic nerve along which visual information passes from the eye to the brain and one approach centres on the effects of optic nerve damage on RGCs, using peripheral nerve grafting and growth factor replacement strategies to stimulate axon regeneration. The second approach focuses on replacing the damaged system by transplanting a new retina, which forms connections with the host brain. These two approaches have been the major research areas of several of the participating groups for many years. The present proposal broadens that work by examining biophysical and molecular correlates of injury and repair and attempting to improve the efficiency of the repair process. Functional assessment of the repair process is a key element in the project since the goal is to define a strategy that will lead to maximal recovery of vision.We will pursue the following research tasks:1) Ganglion cell death and its prevention. The goal here is to understand the cause and correlates of this process and to arrest it so that RGCs are able to respond to axon growth-promoting treatments;2) Promotion of out growth. The main purpose is to define the molecular correlate of successful regeneration and how expression of these molecules can be modulated to promote axonal regeneration. Emphasis will be directed at defining necessary substrates for axonal outgrowth and how growth factors and their receptors influence this process;3) Circuit reconstruction. Here we plan to examine how successfully regenerated axons or those from transplanted retinae are able to reconstruct the circuits of the intact visual pathway. Most important is to develop a system whereby an illals can 'see' rather than simply respond reflexively to visual signals relayed by the new pathways;4) Functional assessment. Central to any repair strategy is assessment of impact on function. A regenerated pathway is no use if it relays nonsense information. The interaction between those preparing the regeneration strategy and those who can evaluate functional impact is crucial.The expected outcome of this work is the development of a protocol foroptimal recovery of the primary visual pathway after injury; this informationwill also be of value for promoting repair of non-visual brain regions. These objectives/outcomes could not be achieved by means other than the interactive approach of a coordinated programme.KEYWORDS: Axon Regeneration; Brain repair; Retinal ganglion cells; Optic nerve; Visual function; Transplantation; Schwann.KEYWORDS(maxl0) cells, Trophic factors; Neuronal death; Adhesion02. 02 Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinetransplantation Programme(s) FP4-BIOMED 2 - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of biomedicine and health, 1994-1998 Thème(s) 3.2 - Nervous system damage and repair Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur Institute of Ophthalmology Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Bath Street EC1V 9EL London Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (6) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Gower Street LONDON Voir sur la carte Liens Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée UNIVERSITY OF MODENA AND REGGIO EMILIA Italie Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Via G.Campi 287 41100 MODENA Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée UPPSALA UNIVERSITY Suède Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 3,University Hospital 751 85 UPPSALA Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Universidad de Alcala de Henares Espagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse KM 33,Carretera de Barcelona 28871 Madrid Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Universidad de Murcia Espagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 30100 Murcia Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée University of Sheffield Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Western Bank S10 2TN Sheffield Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée