New Research into Eye Disease Progression


New research examining the mechanical cell processes of pericytes is set to further our understanding of eye diseases including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Research published in the Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter examines how cells surrounding capillaries, known as pericytes, bring about the formation of new blood vessels. The formation of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis, can have positive health benefits but can also cause vascular problems in the eye worsening the progression of eye diseases.

Researchers at the the Tufts University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology examined the mechanical processes that percicyte cells use to bring about angiogenesis. Researchers found that pericyte cells can contract causing mechanical signals that influence the formation of new blood vessels.

Previous research has shown that pericytes can cause angiogenesis by issuing chemical signals to the body and drugs have been produced that block the transmission of these potentially harmful chemical signals. Researchers now hope to develop a similar drug treatment that will safeguard the body against angiogenesis caused by mechanical cell signalling. Researchers believe that any such treatment could be used to lessen the number of people who go on to develop serious eye disorders.

2nd May 2010

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