They are also trying to determine which parts of the eye produce PEDF most effectively, once they are infected with the PEDF gene. Unfortunately, no current treatment for diabetic retinopathy has proved completely successful over the long term. Center scientists hope to develop an effective treatment by blocking the formation of unwanted blood vessels. In this project, they are focusing on the critical role that certain blood vessel cells, called endothelial cells, play in the abnormal growth of blood vessels. Center researchers are investigating the role of adenosine, a naturally occurring molecule, which has been shown to be a key factor in signaling endothelial cells to form new blood vessels.
Adenosine links up with specific receptor molecules on the surface of endothelial cells.
Once that happens, adenosine can signal the cell to start growing. Center scientists have found that endothelial cells in the retina have higher than normal levels of adenosine receptors. They are now using laboratory mice to learn more about the way adenosine affects retinal blood vessels and to test different methods of preventing adenosine from setting off uncontrolled cell growth. In particular, they are analyzing whether using ribozymes to destroy adenosine receptors can be an effective treatment for retinopathy. Ribozymes are small synthetic RNA molecules that can cut apart other RNA molecules.