The viral vector for gene transfer to understanding the pathophysiology and potential treatments in eye diseases

• Grant number: 13/02752-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Melani Rocha
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Dias Siqueira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Eye diseases have a high prevalence and large impact on quality of life. Since dry eye to retinal degenerations, passing through the ocular surface diseases, glaucoma and cataracts, almost all had a substantial increase in knowledge on the epidemiology and pathophysiology in recent decades, and the acquisition of a broad therapeutic arsenal, but often palliative and repeated use. In this context, the limits imposed to achieve greater understanding of the mechanisms and treatments of chronic pass effective interventions for correction arrived in molecular medicine and gene transfer. These tools allow us to identify molecules associated with lack or excess in affected individuals and even organ or cell lineages and by gene transfer, induce the production of proteins missing or remedial.To better understand the therapeutic potential of these tools in ocular diseases, this project proposes to investigate in cell culture models and experimental animals, the proteins to be expressed and the response of its structural and functional gene transfer. The disease model for the study will be dry eye and its effects on the cornea. The specific objective is to investigate strategies to promote the transduction of genes into the lacrimal gland (GL) with potential to be monitored with viral vectors and observe their destination, which is the secretion via blood, tear or accumulation in GL and its repercussions phones and functional. Therefore, molecular cloning techniques vector, eye exam, western blot, ELISA and histology are used. (AU)