Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the developed world. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a critical site of pathology in AMD. Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of AMD. We generated a chimeric high-density lipoprotein (HDL), mimetic peptide named HM-10/10, with anti-oxidant properties and investigated its potential for the treatment of retinal disease using cell culture and animal models of RPE and photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. Treatment with HM-10/10 peptide prevented human fetal RPE cell death caused by tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBH)-induced oxidative stress and sodium iodate (NaIO3), which causes RPE atrophy and is a model of geographic atrophy in mice. We also show that HM-10/10 peptide ameliorated photoreceptor cell death and significantly improved retinal function in a mouse model of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced PR degeneration. Our results demonstrate that HM-10/10 protects RPE and retina from oxidant injury and can serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of retinal degeneration.

Lipid peroxidation from oxidative stress is considered a major contributor to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The retina is abundant with circulating low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which are taken up by LDL receptor (LDLR) in the RPE and Müller cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of LDLR in the NaIO3-induced model of dry AMD. Confluent primary human RPE (hRPE) and LDLR-silenced ARPE-19 cells were stressed with 150 µM tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH) and caspase 3/7 activation was determined. WT and Ldlr−/− mice were administered NaIO3 (20 mg/kg) intravenously. On day 7, fundus imaging, OCT, ERG, and retinal thickness were measured. Histology, TUNEL, cleaved caspase 3 and lipid accumulation were assessed. Treatment of hRPE with tBH markedly decreased LDLR expression. Caspase 3/7 activation was significantly increased in LDLR-silenced ARPE-19 cells treated with tBH. In Ldlr−/− mice, NaIO3 administration resulted in significant (a) retinal thinning, (b) compromised photoreceptor function, (c) increased percentage of cleaved caspase 3 positive and apoptotic cells, and (d) increased lipid droplet accumulation in the RPE, Bruch membrane, choroid, and sclera, compared to WT mice. Our findings imply that LDLR loss leads to lipid accumulation and impaired retinal function, which may contribute to the development of AMD.

The authors describe a 50-year-old woman with group 2 juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis and macular detachment treated with a single-dose of intravitreous bevacizumab injection. There was an improvement in her visual acuity, with a decrease in retinal thickness showed by the optical coherence tomography and fluorescein leakage in the angiography on follow-up visits. No adverse events were observed as a result of the treatment used. After one year of follow-up, the vision remained stable and macular detachment did not recur. RESUMOOs autores descrevem uma paciente do sexo feminino com 50 anos de idade portadora de telangiectasia justafoveolar idiopática tipo 2, associada a descolamento macular e tratada com injeção intravítrea de bevacizumabe, dose única. Houve uma melhora da acuidade visual com diminuição da espessura retiniana documentada por tomografia de coerência óptica e angiografia fluoresceínica durante seu acompanhamento. Não observou-se efeitos adversos em consequência do tratamento. Após um ano de acompanhamento, sua visão permaneceu estável e o descolamento macular não recorreu. Descritores: Bevacizumabe; Telangiectasia retiniana; Descolamento macular; Fator de crescimento derivado do endotélio; Injeção intravítrea; Relatos de casos CASE REPORT Rev Bras Oftalmol. 2014; 73 (1): 47-9 A B C D Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for idiophatic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis associated with serous macular detachment Rev Bras Oftalmol. 2014; 73 (1): 47-9

Objetivo: Relatar uma série de casos de descolamento de retina sem envolvimento macular tratados com fotocoagulação a laser. Métodos: Estudo tipo série de casos envolvendo 14 olhos de 12 pacientes com descolamento de retina regmatogênico sem envolvimento macular, retrospectivo, de intervenção. Olhos com procedimentos cirúrgicos prévios foram excluídos. A fotocoagulação a laser foi aplicada com três fileiras confluentes de spot de 300μm, posterior ao descolamento de retina, se extendendo até a ora serrata. A melhor acuidade visual corrigida pré e pós-operatória e a progressão do descolamento de retina foram registrados durante o estudo. Resultados: Treze olhos necessitaram de apenas uma sessão de laser para conter o descolamento de retina. Apenas um olho necessitou de intervenção adicional por causa da evolução do descolamento de retina. Miopia foi encontrada em 7 olhos. Todos os pacientes mantiveram acuidade visual corrigida igual ou melhor que 20/30. Conclusão: Em casos bem selecionados, a fotocoagulação a laser pode ser considerada para o tratamento de descolamento de retina regmatogênico.