Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI), USA, have discovered that neurotrophic pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) peptides act as neuronal guardians for the retina, highlighting their potential as promoters of retinal differentiation and inhibitors of retina cell death.
Led by Dr Patricia Becerra, NEI’s senior investigator of protein structure and function, researchers first reported that PEDF, a multifunctional SERPIN protein, prevents angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis. This new study evaluated the neurotrophic effects of PEDF and its fragments in an in vitro model of cultured primary retinal neurons that die spontaneously in the absence of trophic factors.
Researchers said that their results demonstrated that PEDF protects photoreceptor precursors from apoptosis, preserves mitochondrial function, promotes polarisation of opsin and induces neurite outgrowth in amacrine neurons. Dr Becerra said her goal is to develop small molecules with potent retinoprotective capabilities for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinoblastoma.
