Researchers at the University of Iowa created a latest detailed molecular map of an area of eye that is linked to vision loss.
The researchers developed the map of the abundant thousands proteins in the choroid, a region of the human eye long associated with diseases that lead to blindness. This would make it simpler for the researchers to understand the proteins that play an important role in vision loss and eye disease by looking into the differences in protein abundance.
Vinit Mahajan, assistant professor in ophthalmology at the UI, said in a press release, "This molecular map now gives us clues why certain areas of the choroid are more sensitive to certain diseases, as well as where to target therapies and why," adding, "Before this, we just didn't know what was where."
The researchers developed a map that lists more than 4,000 unique proteins in each of the three areas of the choroid-RPE: the fovea, macula, and the periphery.
Researchers also explain why the mapping of the eye is important. For instance, there is a protein known as CFH, which helps prevent a molecular cascade that can cause AMD, much like a embankment that keeps away flooding waters. The researchers found through the map that CFH is most abundant in the fovea. This means now they know how to monitor CFH in that area; fewer numbers of the protein could mean increased risk for AMD, for instance.
Jessica Skeie, a post-doctoral researcher in ophthalmology at the UI, said, "We were able to identify thousands of proteins simultaneously and develop a map that shows what are the patterns of proteins that make these regions unique. This has helped explain why certain genes are associated with macular degeneration, and helps point us to new treatment targets."
The study was published in the journal JAMA Opthalmology.
