Project summary
High blood sugar levels can lead to damage to our eyes, known as retinopathy. Professor Karl Matter thinks that a protein called MarvelD3, which helps cells to stick together in blood vessels, might hold some answers. His research could give us valuable new insights to help develop innovative approaches to protect blood vessels and prevent sight loss in people with diabetes.
Background to research
People with diabetes have a higher risk of damage to the blood vessels in their eyes, called retinopathy. When cells in the eye get damaged, more blood vessels start to grow to try to get a blood supply back. But these new vessels are much weaker and vulnerable to more damage.Â
Blood vessels are lined with special cells called endothelial cells. These cells ‘glue’ together, with the help of a sticky substance, to form a barrier between the blood vessel and its surrounding. Professor Karl Matter thinks that a protein found in this sticky substance, called MarvelD3, could be key to keeping the endothelial cells strong and healthy, reinforcing blood vessels and preventing further eye damage.Â
Research aims
Prof Matter and his team will explore how MarvelD3 supports the development of new blood vessels and if it could be harnessed to treat retinopathy. They’ll grow blood vessel cells in dishes in their lab and look into MarvelD3’s role in protecting the cells when blood sugar levels are high. They’ll investigate which bits of the cells are important by using complex cell biology and DNA analysis techniques, as well as the activity and function of the cells depending on the conditions in their surroundings.Â
Based on insights from their work in cells, they’ll develop a new treatment that targets MarvelD3 and test it in mice with diabetes. They’ll check the mice’s vision by taking photos of their eyes, like retinal screening in humans, to see how effective their treatment could be.Â
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
Each year, more than 1,700 people living with diabetes in the UK face serious vision problems. Yet much is still unknown about how diabetes-related eye damage develops and progresses, and treatment options are limited.
By deepening our understanding of natural biological ‘protectors’ in the eye, Prof. Matter’s work could pave the way for urgently needed treatments that protect blood vessels and safeguard the sight of people with diabetes.
