CMCB Life Sciences Seminar: Prof. Dr. Antje Grosche, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Dep. of Physiological Genomics - BioMedical Center - BMC

Host: Marius Ader (CRTD)

Title: "Focus on glia cells: New gene therapy approaches for retinal diseases"

Abstract: Our research aims to explore the intricate interactions between Müller cells, microglia and neurons in both healthy and diseased retinas. We are particularly interested in understanding the effects of AAV-vectored gene therapies targeting these interactions, in particular the coordination of the retinal immune response, for example by modulating retinal complement homeostasis or glucocorticoid receptor signaling. We demonstrate that our approach of delivering therapeutic gene expression to Müller cells can improve disease progression in models of diabetic retinopathy or ischemic stress, independent of the underlying cause of the disease, and thus may benefit patients who are not candidates for currently available treatment strategies, since most, if not all, retinal diseases involve Müller cell gliosis and inflammatory processes that potentially accelerate neuronal dysfunction.