Investigation for the causative genes for atopic cataracts

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25893239
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: HORI Kanji 順天堂大学, 医学部, 助教 (30529227)
• Research Collaborator: MATSUDA Akira 順天堂大学, 大学院医学研究科, 准教授 (00312348)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: アトピー / 白内障

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Atopic cataracts occurs in young atopic patients and often require cataract surgeries to restore their visual functions. Cataract surgery at young age deprived their accommodative functions, and it sometimes accompany other complications like atopic retinal detachments. In this study, we carried out genome wide expression analysis of the fibrotic anterior lens capsules obtained from atopic cataract patients and compared to the specimens obtained from senile cataract patients. We found significantly higher expression of an inflammatory cytokine-interleukin-8 (IL-8), and of an extracellular matrix-periostin expression in the anterior lens capsules obtained from atopic cataract patients. We also find significant up regulation of gene 'X' (which have known roles for lipid metabolism). We supposed these genes might be some potential targets for the prevention and therapy of atopic cataract.

Free Research Field

眼科学