Investigating cell function and new treatment strategies in AMD

Professor Majlinda Lako, Newcastle University- £299,970

What is the problem?

For over a decade, this team has been studying the biological basis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They developed a ‘lab model’ of retinal cells called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with key features of AMD to study how these cells work. They found that the RPE recycling system is faulty in AMD. This leads to the increased production of small bubbles that spread AMD features within the retina. This shows that these cellular processes are likely important in AMD progression.

Recently, the team identified that AMD RPE cells have depleted amounts of an organelle (a sub-unit within a cell that has a specified function) which acts as the cell’s ‘post office’, called the Golgi apparatus. Here, molecules are delivered, modified, sorted, and packaged for transport to the correct destination in the cell. The team think that the Golgi not working properly may lead to the abnormalities in RPE recycling seen in AMD.

What are they doing?

Using different lab models of RPE cells, the team will study the function of the Golgi apparatus in AMD and try to understand how this influences other features of the cells, including the presence of drusen. They will assess whether defects in Golgi apparatus are restricted to a specific genetic predisposition or if they are a common occurrence in AMD. They also aim to learn whether depleting the amounts of the Golgi in healthy RPE induces AMD features, including drusen growth.

How can this help?

This project aims to develop a deeper understanding of the Golgi anomalies in AMD RPE. Confirming these as fundamental to RPE damage in AMD will benefit the development of new therapies in this area.