CFH is red, FHL-1 protein is green |
Scientists from the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, at The University of Manchester, have excluded protein factor H from being the main regulator of immunity in the back of the eye. They have discovered that factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), which is made from the same CFH gene is the main regulator of immunity. Dr Simon Clark, a Medical Research Council Career Development Fellow, led the research and had a lot to say about the results.
"FHL-1 is a smaller version of FH, in fact it is about a third of the size. However, it has all the necessary components to regulate the immune system and is still subject to the genetic alterations that affect AMD risk. Our research has shown that the FHL-1, because it is smaller than FH, can get into structures of the back of the eye which cannot be reached by the larger FH. Therefore, this research suggests that it is FHL-1 rather than FH which protects the back of the eye from immune attack and that insufficient FHL-1 in the back of the eye may result in inflammation that eventually results in vision loss from AMD. FHL-1, although similar to FH in many ways, does not have a totally unique 'tail' structure at its end. This tail seems to mediate how FHL-1 binds tissue. As such, this work has identified a new target for therapeutics aimed at readdressing immune imbalance in the eye, thereby preventing or slowing down AMD," says Dr. Clark.
I believe just as Dr. Clark said, this can open new doors for treatments involving imbalances in the eye. New information, targets, and ideas are always a step forward in the medical field. I know nothing about Age-related Macular Degeneration, but since it is the major cause of blindness in the western world, preventing or slowing down AMD will help out many people.
Main Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141114085839.htm
Related Article: https://www.nei.nih.gov/news/statements/genes_amd
If Dr. Clark is able to treat the imbalances in the human eye that causes someone to go blind that would be a great achievement. After reading about the Age-related Macular Degeneration I never know that it is a huge reason for blindness.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know much about blindness and the causes genetically that cause someone to be born blind. This is extremely interesting and it would be amazing if there was a treatment for the imbalance.
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