2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Anti-aging of the retinal pigment epithelial cells by activation of AMP kinase

Research Project

Project/Area Number	24890133
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Ophthalmology
Research Institution	Okayama University
Principal Investigator	KIMURA Shuhei 岡山大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 助教 (90628710)
Research Collaborator	MORIZANE Yuki 岡山大学, 附属病院, 講師 (50432646)
Project Period (FY)	2012-08-31 – 2014-03-31
Keywords	加齢黄斑変性
Research Abstract	Aging related dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) is the key factor in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. In this study, we focused on the energy sensing enzyme AMP kinase (AMPK) and elucidated the role of AMPK in the dysfunction of RPE with aging. In a model of chronic inflammation seen in age-related macular degeneration, we revealed that the activation of AMPK inhibited cell proliferation and migration of RPE. Further, by loading the cell chronic oxidative stress, we clarified that it is possible to induce senescence of RPE. In addition, I have established the experimental methods to evaluate the changes in the cellular function of RPE associated with aging.