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Glutamate and Hypoxia as a Stress Model for the Isolated Perfused Vertebrate Retina
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The Role of the P2X7 Receptor in Ocular Stresses: A Potential Therapeutic Target

Mélody Dutot1,2, Elodie Olivier1, Anaïs Wakx1

  • 1UMR 8638 CNRS COMETE, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Pharmacie, 4 Avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France.

Vision (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The P2X7 receptor plays a role in eye health, influencing ocular surface responses and retinal diseases like macular degeneration. Therapies targeting this receptor, using eye drops or supplements, show promise for various eye conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The P2X7 receptor is present in the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.
  • External aggressors like preservatives and surfactants activate ocular surface P2X7 receptors, potentially causing apoptosis, inflammation, or proliferation.
  • Retinal P2X7 receptor activation or upregulation is implicated in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of the P2X7 receptor in ocular health and disease.
  • To review therapeutic strategies targeting P2X7 receptor activation in the eye.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on P2X7 receptor function in ocular tissues.
  • Analysis of therapeutic agents and approaches targeting the P2X7 receptor.

Main Results:

  • P2X7 receptor activation by external stimuli affects ocular surface cells.
  • P2X7 receptor is a key mediator in major retinal diseases.
  • Several therapeutic strategies, including antagonists like divalent cations and Brilliant Blue G (BBG), are being investigated.

Conclusions:

  • P2X7 receptor antagonists and modulators offer potential therapeutic avenues for ocular surface and retinal diseases.
  • Treatments may involve topical eye drops or oral supplements targeting P2X7 receptor pathways.
Keywords:
P2X7 receptormodulationocularstresstherapeutic target

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