Cel The death and dysfunction of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) is a major cause of blindness in traumatic and degenerative ocular disease. For example, 60M people are affected by glaucoma with 4.5M becoming blind in both eyes, whilst optic neuritis affects 5/100,000 people and represents a significant problem for sufferers. RGC are the sole projection neurons and their axons make up the optic nerve, making them exquisitely sensitive to injury. As CNS neurons are irreplaceable, neuroprotective strategies are paramount to therapies aimed at preserving vision but as of yet, no such therapy exists. Current research has demonstrated significant neuroprotection by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) including those from the bone marrow (BMSC), acting not as replacements for RGC but rather, as paracrine-mediated support cells. Clinical trials are already ongoing to test their efficacy in patients. Despite this, the exact mechanism behind their neuroprotective potential is not well understood. Recent studies have shown that exosomes, extracellular vesicles containing proteins, mRNA and miRNA may mediate much of the paracrine support offered by MSC and thus act as an easily purifiable cell-free alternative therapy for RGC neuroprotection. This proposal aims to assess the therapeutic efficacy of BMSC-derived exosomes, their characterisation and that of their RNA cargo. We will test these exosomes in animal models of traumatic (optic nerve crush) and degenerative (glaucoma) eye disease. Specifically, this proposal employs a novel strategy to promote RGC survival (relevant to ONC and glaucoma) and axon regeneration (relevant to optic nerve crush) through the use of exosomal delivery of mRNA/miRNA into injured RGC utilizing in vitro and in vivo injury models, RNAseq and CRISPR technology. Dziedzina nauki nauki przyrodniczenauki biologiczneneurobiologiamedycyna i nauki o zdrowiumedycyna klinicznaokulistykajaskranauki przyrodniczenauki biologicznebiologia komórkimedycyna i nauki o zdrowiubiotechnologia medycznatechnologie komórkowekomórki macierzystenauki przyrodniczenauki biologicznegenetykaRNA Słowa kluczowe Neuroprotection retinal neurons optic nerve regeneration glaucoma mesenchymal stem cells Program(-y) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Temat(-y) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Zaproszenie do składania wniosków H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Koordynator THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Wkład UE netto € 269 857,80 Adres Edgbaston B15 2TT Birmingham Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Region West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Środki z innych źródeł € 0,00 Partnerzy (1) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE netto Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko Partner Organizacje partnerskie biorą udział w realizacji działania, jednak nie podpisują umowy o grant. United States Department of Health and Human Services Stany Zjednoczone Wkład UE netto € 0,00 Adres Independence avenue s. w. 200 20201 Washington d.c. Zobacz na mapie Rodzaj działalności Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Środki z innych źródeł € 172 130,40
