Study of Basic Mechanisms Which May Initiate Diabetic Retinopathy, with Particular Focus on Regulation of Tight Junction Proteins

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. One of the characteristic features of diabetes is abnormal leakage of small blood vessels in the retina and kidney. Work in our laboratory is focused on the mechanisms of cellular injury in the retina which lead to retinopathy. Specifically, we are interested in the factors which increase or decrease tight junction protein expression.

The members of the Penn State Retina Research Group have found that diabetes reduces retinal vascular tight junction protein (occludin) expression coincident with increased vascular permeability and are now investigating the regulation of occludin expression in diabetic rats and in retinal endothelial cells in culture.

In addition we are studying changes in the neural retina in diabetes and have found apoptosis of inner retinal neurons that begins early in the course of diabetes and is reduced with insulin therapy. Investigations are now underway to explore the mechanism of retinal cell death in the retina.