Researchers Uncover Target for Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Newswise — Denver, Colo. – Paving the way for drug discovery efforts, researchers have found a target that – when inhibited – reduces inflammation associated with vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). The research is being presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Denver, Colo.

The enzyme caspase-1 is crucial for the induction of chronic inflammation of the retina, which leads to blood vessel damage and vision loss in DR. Scientists found Receptor Interacting Protein 2 (RIP2) causes caspase-1 activation under high glucose conditions; inhibition of RIP2 prevented caspase-1 activation.

DR is one of the complications of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness for adults in the U.S. There is no cure and the few treatment options are unreliable. Abstract Title: Receptor Interacting Protein-2 (RIP2) Mediated Caspase-1 Activation in Müller Cells Under Hyperglycemic ConditionsPresentation Start/End Time: Monday, May 4, 3:45 – 5:30pm Location: Exhibit HallAbstract Number: 2476 – C0126

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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include nearly 12,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.

All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions. This research may be proprietary or may have been submitted for journal publication. Embargo policy: Journalists must seek approval from the presenter(s) before reporting data from paper or poster presentations. Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation.