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Effect of MMP-9 gene knockout on retinal vascular form and function
Akash K George1,2, Rubens P Homme1,2, Avisek Majumder3
1Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky.
Physiological Genomics
|November 12, 2019
Summary
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) knockout mice show reduced retinal degeneration and improved ocular function. This suggests MMP-9 inhibition may be a therapeutic strategy for inherited retinal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Inherited mutations cause photoreceptor degeneration, leading to blindness.
- Current treatments for neuroretinal diseases include gene therapy and regenerative medicine.
- The FVB/NJ mouse strain exhibits inherited blindness due to the Pde6b rd1 allele.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in retinal degeneration.
- To test if MMP-9 knockout (KO) diminishes retinal degenerative changes and improves vision.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of ocular physiology in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J, FVB/NJ, and MMP-9 KO mice.
- Analysis of structural and functional parameters in the retina.
Main Results:
- MMP-9 KO mice exhibited reduced retinal changes compared to controls.
- Structural and functional enhancements were observed in the ocular neurophysiology of MMP-9 KO mice.
Conclusions:
- Lack of MMP-9 activity appears to mitigate retinal degeneration.
- Targeting MMPs may offer a therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative retinal diseases.
