Sight & Heart Health: New Molecular Discovery
- Louis - scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have pinpointed a potential method to slow or halt the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a primary cause of...
- The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that boosting levels of apolipoprotein M (ApoM) in the bloodstream could rectify cholesterol processing problems that lead to cellular damage in...
- Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine, noted the study's potential to address a significant clinical need.
Defeat age-related macular degeneration with a groundbreaking molecular discovery! Scientists have identified a link between cholesterol metabolism, vision loss, and the potential of a molecule called apolipoprotein M (ApoM) to slow or halt the progression of this eye disease. This research,using human samples and mouse models,suggests that boosting ApoM levels may correct cholesterol processing issues,protecting retinal cells. The study reveals that ApoM, a protective molecule, also has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties, expanding potential treatment avenues that News Directory 3 is following closely. The research also hints at links to heart health, furthering the benefits of ApoM. Scientists are now focused on clinical applications for both macular degeneration and heart failure.Discover what’s next …
Cholesterol Metabolism role in Macular Degeneration Identified
St. Louis – scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have pinpointed a potential method to slow or halt the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a primary cause of blindness in individuals over 50. The research indicates that issues with cholesterol metabolism may contribute to this vision loss, possibly clarifying the connection between macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease.
The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that boosting levels of apolipoprotein M (ApoM) in the bloodstream could rectify cholesterol processing problems that lead to cellular damage in the eyes and other organs. Researchers used human plasma samples and mouse models to reach their conclusions. Increasing ApoM could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and some forms of heart failure.
Dr.Rajendra S. Apte, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine, noted the study’s potential to address a significant clinical need. He said current treatments only address advanced stages of macular degeneration. Apte suggests that treatments increasing ApoM levels might prevent or treat the disease, preserving vision.
According to Apte, doctors can observe cholesterol-rich deposits under the retina during eye exams in macular degeneration cases. While vision might initially be normal, thes deposits escalate inflammation, leading to gradual central vision loss. The most common form, “dry” macular degeneration, involves damage to retinal cells, causing neurodegeneration similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Dry macular degeneration can progress to ”wet” macular degeneration, where abnormal blood vessel growth impairs vision.
Advanced stages of the disease, geographic atrophy and wet macular degeneration, result in vision loss. Current therapies for advanced stages do not reverse the underlying disease.
ApoM’s Protective Role
Recent evidence suggests ApoM acts as a protective molecule, offering anti-inflammatory benefits and supporting healthy cholesterol metabolism. Apte and Dr.Ali Javaheri, an assistant professor of medicine, investigated whether reduced ApoM levels, which decline with age, could contribute to dysfunctional cholesterol metabolism in aging-related diseases like macular degeneration and heart disease. Their findings revealed that macular degeneration patients have lower ApoM levels compared to healthy individuals. Javaheri’s prior research also indicated reduced ApoM levels in heart failure patients.
The study showed ApoM is vital in ”good cholesterol” pathways, eliminating excess cholesterol and clearing it from the body via the liver.
apte and Javaheri’s research indicates that low ApoM levels hinder the ability of retinal and heart muscle cells to properly metabolize and eliminate cholesterol deposits, leading to inflammation and cellular damage.
researchers increased apom levels in mouse models of macular degeneration through genetic modification and plasma transfer. Results showed improved retinal health, enhanced light-sensing cell function, and reduced cholesterol deposit accumulation. They also discovered that ApoM activates a signaling pathway that breaks down cholesterol in lysosomes.
The study also found that ApoM must bind to sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) to provide beneficial effects.
apte and Javaheri are collaborating with Mobius Scientific, a WashU startup, to develop new approaches for treating or preventing macular degeneration using this knowledge. They launched mobius scientific in 2022 with assistance from washu’s Office of Technology Management (OTM).
Javaheri said the collaboration highlights the connection between retinal pigment epithelial cells and heart muscle cells, both susceptible to low ApoM. He added that the interaction between ApoM and S1P might regulate cholesterol metabolism in both cell types, and they plan to explore strategies to increase apom to maintain healthy cholesterol metabolism in the eye and heart.
What’s next
Future research will focus on translating these findings into clinical treatments for both macular degeneration and heart failure, potentially offering new hope for patients with these age-related conditions.