Marine-Derived Fucoidan Modulates Pathways Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Cellular and Zebrafish...

Area of Science:

• Marine Biotechnology
• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular modulatory effects.
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves complex pathomechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis.
• Fucoidan's potential therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases like AMD require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bioactivity of bladderwrack fucoidan (FVs) against AMD-related pathomechanisms.
• To evaluate FVs' effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo models.
• To assess fucoidan's potential as a therapeutic agent for AMD.

Main Methods:

• Primary porcine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and zebrafish (Danio rerio) models were utilized.
• Multiplex assays, RT-qPCR, and fluorescence-based assays (DAF-FM, DCF-DA) were employed.
• Analysis included nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), angiogenesis-related chemokines, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Main Results:

• FVs significantly reduced pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF-A, follistatin) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-6) in RPE cells.
• Fucoidan decreased NO and ROS production in zebrafish embryos.
• Gene expression analysis in zebrafish showed suppressed pro-inflammatory genes, including IL-1β.

Conclusions:

• Fucoidan effectively modulates oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and VEGF secretion relevant to AMD.
• The study demonstrates fucoidan's AMD-relevant bioactivities in both in vitro and in vivo settings.
• Fucoidan warrants further research for its therapeutic potential in AMD and associated pathological mechanisms.