A study recently published in Experimental Neurology discovered a potential way to repair irreversible blindness linked to optic nerve damage.
Give me some background first.
With blindness and vision impairment affecting over 3 million Americans, optic nerve diseases such as glaucoma are major contributing factors.
In this study, researchers hypothesized that a specific protein called nuclear factor erythroid 3 (Nfe213) may be key to regenerating the optic nerve.
Tell me more about this protein.
Nfe213 belongs to the Cap'n'collar (Cnc) family of proteins that regulate physiological and pathophysiological processes—including cellular response to oxidative stress.
The researchers discovered that Nfe2l3 peaks in early development and decreases as we age.
Now, talk about the study.
This study was performed at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and included adult mice with axonal optic nerve crush (ONC).
Researchers found that Nfe213 displayed an association with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) CNS projection neurons.
Go on…
Testing was done to investigate if expressing Nfe213 in RGCs would “elicit neuroprotection and/or promote axon regeneration after challenge by ONC injury.”
Gene therapy was used on the mice to stimulate Nfe213 growth.
Findings?
The researchers found that Nfe213 expression promoted RGC survival by about 20% compared to control two weeks post-ONC. This is comparable to previously known regenerative factors such as anti-Pten shRNA and anti-Klf9 shRNA AAV2.
Keep going…
Nfe213 expression additionally promoted long-distance axon regeneration 3mm past the injury site— also comparable to previous treatments.
Expert opinion?
The study authors noted that Nfe213 appears to not have the negative side effects that previous regenerative methods have—including inflammation and tumors.
Per the authors: “This opens a whole new novel realm of research. It could help glaucoma and other types of nerve damage.”
So what’s next?
Next steps include evaluating whether this process of optic nerve regeneration using Nfe213 may be used to repair the nerve to the brain and improve sight.
While more research is necessary, this study opened the door for investigating a new form of regeneration that could eventually help to slow and treat disease.