The Role Of Crim-1 In Lens Development And Eye Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
We have recently isolated a novel gene (Crim1) and shown it to be strongly expressed during eye development. Its protein structure indicates that it may act to regulate the activities of two growth factor families, the TGF superfamily and the insulin-IGFs. These growth factors effect the behaviour of many cell types that influence events in normal and pathological development. For example in the eye lens, TGF 1 can induce cataractous changes in epithelial cells and early differentiating fibres; ....We have recently isolated a novel gene (Crim1) and shown it to be strongly expressed during eye development. Its protein structure indicates that it may act to regulate the activities of two growth factor families, the TGF superfamily and the insulin-IGFs. These growth factors effect the behaviour of many cell types that influence events in normal and pathological development. For example in the eye lens, TGF 1 can induce cataractous changes in epithelial cells and early differentiating fibres; however, TGF signalling appears to be required for events in late stages of fibre cell maturation. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and arises when lens cell architecture is disrupted and-or proteins aggregate abnormally. In humans, following ocular trauma, eye surgery, or in association with other diseases, cataracts can develop. These cataracts feature the development of subcapsular fibrotic plaques which obscure vision. We have shown that lenses cultured in the presence of TGF can mimic production of these plaques suggesting that these cataracts result from inappropriate activation of TGF . TGF is expressed in the lens and is abundant in the ocular media that bathes the lens. Thus, it appears that complex regulation of TGF bioavailability is required; epithelial cells and young fibre cells need to be protected from its cataractogenic effects, whereas older fibres require TGF signalling for maturation and-or survival. The expression pattern of Crim1 in the lens is consistent with it having a key role in inhibiting TGF in the lens. Thus, we hypothesise that Crim1 plays important roles in the lens, possibly via the modulation of members of the TGF superfamily and insulin-IGFs. We predict that Crim1 acts to maintain the lens epithelial phenotype and facilitate events in early fibre differentiation. If so, this may have implications for devising molecular strategies for preventing or slowing diseases, such as the various forms of human cataract.Read moreRead less
THE ROLE OF MONOCYTIC LINEAGE CELLS IN MODELS OF CORNEAL DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,567.00
Summary
Vision relies on sharp, focused undistorted images passing through the cornea, the clear 'window' at the front of the eye. Corneal disease causes over 5 million cases of blindness worldwide. In patients who damage the delicate covering of the cornea, due to trauma or contact lens wear, there is an increased risk of infection that may lead to blindness. This project will study the ways in which immune cells in the cornea detect invasion by potential pathogens.
Development And Evaluation Of Teleophthalmic Systems For Screening Of Common Blinding Eye Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,918.00
Summary
Portable ophthalmic instruments will provide digital images for storage and telemetric transmission to a disease control centre. We will be assessing and developing new portable ophthalmic imaging instruments, and validating them for common blinding eye conditions. The aim is to assess the ability of various health personal to document glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, active trachoma, corneal scarring and cataract in rural screenings using digital imaging technology. A network of ophthalmologists ....Portable ophthalmic instruments will provide digital images for storage and telemetric transmission to a disease control centre. We will be assessing and developing new portable ophthalmic imaging instruments, and validating them for common blinding eye conditions. The aim is to assess the ability of various health personal to document glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, active trachoma, corneal scarring and cataract in rural screenings using digital imaging technology. A network of ophthalmologists, health department personnel and aboriginal health workers in Western Australia will be involved. The project will also examine the quality of images obtained by health workers with various levels of skills and compare this with conventional photographs currently obtained by the screening network. Finally, the project will demonstrate practicality of the large scale storage of digital images of patient eyes. Preliminary evaluations have been performed on our teleophthalmology system using different portable instruments namely a handheld fundus camera, slit-lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. We have also tested our teleophthalmology system at the Dr. Soetomo Hospital (Airlangga University) in Surabaya, Indonesia. Images captured using the handheld fundus camera were successfully transmitted to Lions Eye Institute through satellite, mobile and Internet lines. This pilot project has been sponsored by the Western Australian Department of Trade and Commerce and Telstra.Read moreRead less
A ROBOTIC MICRO DRAINAGE SURGERY FOR GLAUCOMA (A BIOLOGICAL MICROFISTULA AND IMPLANTATION METHOD AND APPARATUS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,020.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in our community. We are developing a new surgical procedure to treat glaucoma. The technique is based on the implantation of a tiny drainage tube inside the eye. This allows the eye's natural fluid to escape at the required rate. Insufficient drainage, or over production of fluid in the eye's of glaucoma patients is responsible for the high pressures inside the eye that characterise this disease. A simple, safe, and reliable surgical procedure to lower int ....Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness in our community. We are developing a new surgical procedure to treat glaucoma. The technique is based on the implantation of a tiny drainage tube inside the eye. This allows the eye's natural fluid to escape at the required rate. Insufficient drainage, or over production of fluid in the eye's of glaucoma patients is responsible for the high pressures inside the eye that characterise this disease. A simple, safe, and reliable surgical procedure to lower intraocular pressure would be a major benefit to the almost 67 million glaucoma patients worldwide, and would relieve the current need for lifelong medication.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Novel Bioengineered Tissue Construct For Repairing The Eye.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,817.00
Summary
Corneal diseases are often treated using donor tissue transplants. Nevertheless, donor tissue is unsuitable for treating the peripheral or limbal margin of the cornea. We have therefore developed a way to transplant sheets of limbal tissue (epithelium) grown in the laboratory from a patient's own cells, but this tissue lacks a foundation of connective tissue that we believe is essential for sustained healing. Thus, our aim is to develop a novel limbal transplant which contains both layers.
Pterygia, one of the most common ocular complaints in Australia and worldwide, are thought to originate from overexposure to UV light. We propose that UV-irradiation stimulate certain cells in the eye to produce cytokines, growth factors and enzymes which degrade scaffold proteins such as collagens. These enzymes may play a key role in the progressive and invasive nature of pterygia. Dissecting the mechanism(s) by which UV light induces these proteins will lead to new and more reliable therapies ....Pterygia, one of the most common ocular complaints in Australia and worldwide, are thought to originate from overexposure to UV light. We propose that UV-irradiation stimulate certain cells in the eye to produce cytokines, growth factors and enzymes which degrade scaffold proteins such as collagens. These enzymes may play a key role in the progressive and invasive nature of pterygia. Dissecting the mechanism(s) by which UV light induces these proteins will lead to new and more reliable therapies for the treatment of pterygia.Read moreRead less
Dissecting The Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With Complementary Genetic, Proteomic And Biophysical Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,352.00
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an eye condition in which flaky material deposits in the eye, greatly increasing the risk of cataract and glaucoma which can lead to blindness. PEX is also associated with heart disease, strokes and aneurysms. Cataract surgery in PEX patients has a higher rate of complications. In this project we will determine the nature of PEX material and why it forms. This knowlege will facilitate better diagnosis and treatment of PEX preventing associated blindness.