Ocular Fibrosis (Group Zandi)
Despite advancements in vitreoretinal surgery, proliferative vitreoretinal diseases, such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), remain common causes of severe vision loss among the working population and its prevention or targeted treatment is of high priority. Subretinal fibrosis in age-related macular degeneration is another fibrotic eye disease that is in need of a treatment option.
With our research, we aim to identify specific molecules and signaling cascades that lead to excessive fibrosis in the eye and therefore to irreversible loss if vision. The Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is implicated in various cellular functions, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, contraction and fibrosis. Therefore, one specific aim is to study the involvement of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of ocular fibrosis. By doing so, we want to alter those signaling cascades in a way, that we can reduce or even inhibit the formation of fibrosis and successfully treat those severe retinal diseases.
