Structural and functional regulation of cell-cell junctions in diabetic retina

• Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Carien Niessen
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Molekulare Biologie und Physiologie von Nerven- und Gliazellen
• Förderung: Förderung von 2006 bis 2010
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 21910041

Disturbance of the blood retina barrier due to vascular leakage is one of the early hallmarks of diabetic retinopathy. Since cell-cell junctions formed by adherens and tight junctions constitute a major part of the barrier formed by vascular endothelium and associated cells, we will address both structural and functional alterations in cellular junctions during the development of diabetic retinopathy. To obtain insight into the molecular basis of junctional dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy we also will examine in vivo how insulin and IGF signaling modulate adherens and tight junction function in endothelial cells and regulate vascular permeability. Overall, these studies will increase our understanding of the role of junctional activity in maintaining the blood retinal barrier and if aberrant regulation of junctions contributes the development of diabetic retinopathy.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen