Enhancing survival of photoreceptor cells in vivo using the synthetic progestin Norgestrel

摘要: Retinal degenerations such as Retinitis Pigmentosa remain difficult to treat given the diverse array of genes responsible for their aetiology. Rather than concentrate on specific genes, our focus is identifying therapeutic avenues treatment retinal disease that target general survival mechanisms or pathways. Norgestrel a synthetic progestin commonly used in hormonal contraception. Here, we report novel anti-apoptotic role diseased mouse retinas vivo. Dosing with protects photoreceptor cells from undergoing apoptosis two distinct models degeneration; light damage model and Pde6b(rd10) model. Photoreceptor rescue was assessed by analysis cell number, structural integrity function. Improvements up 70% were achieved both models, indicating had been halted at least delayed. A speculative mechanism action involves activation pathways retina. Indeed, increases expression basic fibroblast growth factor which known promote inhibit apoptosis. In summary, results demonstrate significant protection may be attributed mediated endogenous within