Angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels, is a normal process that is vital for development and wound healing.

However, excessive expansion of blood vessels can lead to diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration, cancer, and diabetes.

Researchers at Tufts University have recently discovered ways to prevent harmful forms of angiogenesis through the analysis of a critical biological pathway. Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate-binding protein that is known to promote angiogenesis in the body, but the mechanism behind this relationship was previously unknown. Led by Dr. Noorjahan Panjwani, research has shown that galectin-3 promotes angiogenesis by binding to carbohydrate portions of integrin proteins. Through the understanding of this pathway and using mice as subjects, Dr. Panjwani and her colleagues have ascertained methods to target galectin-3 and prevent harmful angiogenesis. By either applying a galectin-3 inhibitor or preventing this protein from binding to integrins, the researchers were able to successfully disrupt the biological pathway and reduce angiogenesis in mice.

Scientists are optimistic that these new results will be helpful for the future development of drug treatments that will reduce harmful angiogenesis in the human body.

Brian Krawitz
Staff Writer

In a recent study conducted at Tufts University, researchers demonstrated that non-viral gene therapy can delay the onset of retinal degeneration of the eye and preserve vision. Small DNA carriers known as nanoparticles containing GDNF (Glial Cell Line-Derived Neutrophic Factor) were injected into the retinas of mice subjects and the responses were monitored. GDNF is a protein that protects the photoreceptor cells of the retina. Seven days after injection, the treated mice exhibited less retinal damage and better vision than the controls. However, the retinal protection provided by the treatment dwindled soon after, as no difference in vision between the two groups was present two weeks after treatment.

GDNF Protein expression

Previously, gene therapy has been carried out using viruses. Viruses are very efficient in delivering DNA to cells in vivo, but they can provoke immune responses that can lead to inflammation and other setbacks. Using nanopoarticles as part of non-viral gene therapy is a safer option that avoids these complications. The next step is to find ways to retain the retinal protection, as the ameliorative effects offered by the discussed treatment are currently short-lived.

Nevertheless, this study makes an important leap in finding ways to delay the onset of degenerative retinal diseases in humans, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

Brian Krawitz
Staff Writer

While maintaining a healthy body weight is instrumental in preventing the onset of many diseases, a higher body weight may actually protect women from a form of glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the most prevalent forms of age-related eye diseases.

A recent study was conducted by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and evaluated 78,777 women and 41,352 men. The study found that women had a 6 percent reduction in their risk for normal tension glaucoma (NTG) for every unit increase in their Body Mass Index (BMI). NTG is a variant of primary open-angle glaucoma in which damage to the optic nerve in the back of the eye occurs with low or normal intraocular pressures.

Researchers speculate that hormonally-controlled factors released from lean tissues may alter the risk of NTG in women. Also, higher estrogen levels in postmenopausal women with a higher BMI might have a positive effect on the estrogen receptors in the optic nerve.

Further research will be needed to substantiate the study’s findings and to clarify the biological mechanisms associated with the study.

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

A new study published in the online July 22 edition of American  Journal of Epidemiology sheds light on the effect that too much “sitting” has on a person’s lifespan. Even when factoring in obesity and physical activity, the amount of sitting a person does shortens his or her lifespan.

More than 120,000 American adults were studied over the course of 14 years. The participants had no history of disease and had completed questionnaires. Adjustments were made for many risk factors such as the body mass index, and smoking. The study showed that people were more likely to die of heart disease than cancer.

Women who spent six hours a day sitting had a 37 percent increased risk of dying compared to those who spent less time on their posteriors. Men had an increased risk of 17 percent. A little exercise everyday lowered the mortality risk but for those who sat a lot and did not exercise, the mortality risk jumped to 94 percent for women and 48 percent for men.

Researchers stress that inactivity has consequences on a person’s overall health and raises the risk factors for other diseases as well. Ultimately, it is important to get up and move.*

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

Researchers found that contact lens wearers may be 9 times more likely to develop ulcers of the cornea than those who do not wear contacts. The cornea is the clear front layer of the eye. Viral or bacterial infections can cause the open sores which are known as corneal ulcers. The result of such ulcers can be severe pain and redness, and potentially permanent vision loss.

Over a million patients were studied and information was collected on the presence of corneal ulcers along with contact lens use, eye trauma or disease and HIV status. Contact lens wearers only accounted for 12 percent of the patients in the study but more than half were diagnosed with corneal ulcers.

The increase in corneal ulcers is being attributed to the increased availability of disposable and overnight contact lenses. All contact lenses reduce oxygen transmission to the cornea. Since a normal cornea has no blood vessels to bring oxygen, it depends on getting oxygen directly from the surrounding air.

If you wear contact lenses, they need to be properly fitted by an eye care professional. And regular follow-up care is very important. In most states, it is illegal for a contact lens retailer to mail you new contact lenses without a prescription that it updated on a yearly basis. Although widely ignored by Internet contact lens companies, the law exists to ensure people are getting annual eye exams.*

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer