Vasculo-protective function of circulating myeloid progenitor cells in diabetic retinopathy

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Tim Ulrich Krohne
• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: from 2009 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 116203135

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness under the age of 65. However, effective, non-destructive treatment options for the ischemic and exudative retinal alterations are still lacking. Recent studies demonstrated a protective effect of myeloid progenitor cells (MPC) on retinal vasculature in ischemic retinopathy, suggesting intravitreal injection of autologous, peripheral blood-derived MPC as a potential new treatment option for DR. In the proposed project, we will compare the vasculo-protective functions of blood-derived MPC from patients with different stages of DR and healthy donors in animal models of ischemic and degenerative retinopathy. In parallel, we will perform molecular screening on the MPC samples, including large-scale quantitative RT-PCR (transcriptomics) and mass spectrometry-based profiling of cellular proteins (proteomics) and metabolites (metabolomics). By correlating disease stage, MPC in vivo functionality, and molecular screening results, we will address the questions (I) whether the vasculo-protective properties of MPC are altered in DR and (II) whether metabolic, proteomic, and gene expression profiles in MPC correlate with in vivo functionality and/or disease stage. Results from this project will have important implications for the further elucidation of the pathogenesis of DR, the identification of novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for this disease, and the potential future application of MPC as a novel, cell-based therapy for DR.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Martin Friedlander