Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany have found ischemic injury to the retina that cause changes in the extracellular matrix of retinal cells may lead to certain eye diseases where blood supply to the retina is not sufficient, such as glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy.
In an animal model, researchers reportedly found the extracellular matrix was considerably altered after ischemic injury, including an increase of certain proteins and poor blood supply compared to normal conditions.
Researchers reportedly plan to continue their work to eventually unveil the functional role of each extracellular matrix component in the progression of diseases associated with ischemic processes. They believe if changes to the extracellular matrix were better understood, it would be possible to identify neurodegenerative processes much sooner, leading the starting point for therapies.
The study was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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Source: Ruhr-Universität Bochum