The role of exosomes in Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Developing biochemical exosomal vesicle-associated-markers for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and elucidating the role of exosomes in AMD pathogenesis.

• IRAS ID

  291211

• Contact name

  Majlinda Lako

• Contact email

  lindalako@gmail.com

• Sponsor organisation

  Newcastle University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  4 years, 11 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the commonest cause of blindness in people over the age of 60. There are two manifestations of advanced AMD resulting in loss of vision: dry and wet. Dry AMD is the most common form, which is usually slowly progressive and with no cure available. In dry AMD the retinal cells responsible for central vision slowly die off. Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels form under the retina with leakage, haemorrhage and fibrosis causing rapid loss of central vision. Anti-VEGF therapies are an established treatment for this condition but need to be started early in the course and do not alter the underlying disease process. Blood biomarkers before visual loss occurs, and linked to the progression of the disease would assist clinical management, and potentially help prevent the physical and mental challenges related to sight worsening and loss.
  Our lab has produced a cell model of AMD by turning skin cells from people affected by AMD into Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells, the principle cells that get damaged and lost during the course of AMD. We have used this model to find specific stress markers that are abundant in AMD cells, and are moved outside the cells in tiny vesicles (exosomes). As exosomes are so small, they enter the bloodstream. In the current project, reviewed and recommended for funding by the Macular Society, we will find out if it is possible to detect these AMD-RPE-derived exosomal markers in the patients’ blood and whether they could predict the progression of the disease. Serum and plasma from dry and wet AMD and controls, which were collected previously for research into AMD, will be tested for the presence of the specific markers. Once confirmed as consistently increased in AMD, these biomarkers will be subjected to further validation studies.

• REC name

  London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/PR/0772

• Date of REC Opinion

  26 Nov 2020

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion