Investigation of novel drugs for inducing retinal regeneration

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09936
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Gifu Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: Hara Hideaki 岐阜薬科大学, 薬学部, 学長 (20381717)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 網膜再生 / ゼブラフィッシュ / PDGF / TUDCA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated new retinal regeneration inducers using zebrafish, which causes physiological retinal regeneration in adults. In this study, we identified PDGF and TUDCA as novel factors / drugs with retinal regeneration promoting activity. In addition, the analysis of PDGF function suggested that each growth factors have different functions in the regeneration process and act in a complex manner. Though TUDCA alone does not induce Muller glia activation, it has been shown that it may be used as a pharmacological method for inducing retinal regeneration in combination with Muller glia activating factors including growth factors.

Free Research Field

薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究においては、網膜再生促進作用を有する新規因子・薬物としてPDGF及びTUDCAを見出し、それらの作用機序の一端を明らかにした。これらの発見は学術的な新規性を有しているのみならず、未だ達成されていない哺乳類の網膜再生制御を行うための重要な知見であり、本研究の成果は網膜再生研究の発展に貢献するものである。