Description
Blindness is one of the major threats for health in our society. The present project tries to study the autophagic process and how it relates to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a common feature of the pathophysiology in ocular diseases. Autophagy is a catabolic process which eliminates damaged organelles; however its excessive activity can lead to cell death. The main object of the present project is to better understand the molecular and physiological foundations of retinal and corneal diseases. The two laboratories will study aggresome labeled with 4-hydroxy-nonenal in RPE and limbal cells. In the in vitro model, molecular and cellular aspects of autophagy will be characterized in control and oxidative conditions in limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) with the aid of antioxidants to effectively proof the role of oxidative stress. The expected results on the relationship of autophagy and oxidative stress will certainly help design therapeutic strategies to protect life of photoreceptors and sight in retinal and corneal diseases. Each research group is an expert in the different techniques and methods; therefore every contribution is essential for the realization of the objectives. Retinal cell culture and transgenic mice with retinal dystrophies are established in the project promoter, Catholic University of Valencia. Corneal cell cultures as well as other types of analysis of corneal tissue, including of human origin, are the expertise of the donor partner laboratory, Oslo University Hospital. The results will benefit the scientist community.
Summary of project results
The project was not performed.
Summary of bilateral results
The project was not performed.