Menu
03/04/2014
Trinity Scientists Make Eye Disease Breakthrough
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made a major breakthrough that could help sufferers of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can cause central blindness in sufferers.
Researchers found that a component of the immune system 'IL-18' acts as a guardian of eyesight by suppressing the production of damaging blood vessels behind the retina at the back of the eye.
"We were initially concerned that IL-18 might cause damage to the sensitive cells of the retina, because it is typically linked to inflammation. But surprisingly we found that low doses had no adverse effects on the retina and yet still suppressed abnormal blood vessel growth," said Assistant Professor in Immunology at Trinity, Sarah Doyle, who is the first author on the paper.
AMD is one of the most common forms of blindness in the ageing population. The disease involves a loss of central vision and leaves sufferers unable to read, watch TV, drive or use computers.
Treatment options for wet AMD are currently limited to the end stages of the disease. Regular injections of antibodies must be made directly into the eye to mop up a problematic molecule termed 'VEGF'. But Trinity scientists have now found that IL-18 directly inhibits VEGF production, and can work as effectively as the current treatment thought a non-invasive intravenous injection.
"Our findings have highlighted the power of industry-academic collaborations, the results of which should lead to clinical deployment of IL-18 as a treatment for AMD in the short term," added Research Assistant Professor in Genetics at Trinity, Matthew Campbell.
(IT/MH)
Researchers found that a component of the immune system 'IL-18' acts as a guardian of eyesight by suppressing the production of damaging blood vessels behind the retina at the back of the eye.
"We were initially concerned that IL-18 might cause damage to the sensitive cells of the retina, because it is typically linked to inflammation. But surprisingly we found that low doses had no adverse effects on the retina and yet still suppressed abnormal blood vessel growth," said Assistant Professor in Immunology at Trinity, Sarah Doyle, who is the first author on the paper.
AMD is one of the most common forms of blindness in the ageing population. The disease involves a loss of central vision and leaves sufferers unable to read, watch TV, drive or use computers.
Treatment options for wet AMD are currently limited to the end stages of the disease. Regular injections of antibodies must be made directly into the eye to mop up a problematic molecule termed 'VEGF'. But Trinity scientists have now found that IL-18 directly inhibits VEGF production, and can work as effectively as the current treatment thought a non-invasive intravenous injection.
"Our findings have highlighted the power of industry-academic collaborations, the results of which should lead to clinical deployment of IL-18 as a treatment for AMD in the short term," added Research Assistant Professor in Genetics at Trinity, Matthew Campbell.
(IT/MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 September 2011
Bollywood Comes To Ireland
Action has been called on the set of a Bollywood film - this film being the first of its genre ever to be filmed in Ireland - and with it come hopes of revenue and short term jobs for the State Two of India's biggest movie stars, Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan, commenced filming in the University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) this month.
Bollywood Comes To Ireland
Action has been called on the set of a Bollywood film - this film being the first of its genre ever to be filmed in Ireland - and with it come hopes of revenue and short term jobs for the State Two of India's biggest movie stars, Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan, commenced filming in the University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) this month.
05 July 2016
€57m To Be Invested In All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network
A total of €57 million is to be invested in the all-island Congenital Heart Disease Network, it has been announced. Ministers Simon Harris TD and Michelle O'Neill MLA committed to the multi-million funding during the opening of the new Hybrid Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC) in Dublin on Monday.
€57m To Be Invested In All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network
A total of €57 million is to be invested in the all-island Congenital Heart Disease Network, it has been announced. Ministers Simon Harris TD and Michelle O'Neill MLA committed to the multi-million funding during the opening of the new Hybrid Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC) in Dublin on Monday.
30 September 2015
Ministers Reveal Care Service For Diabetes Patients
A new Diabetes Cycle of Care service has been launched for holders of medical cards and GP Visit Cards who have Type 2 Diabetes. The service was revealed today 30 September by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister for Primary Care, Social Care & Mental Health Kathleen Lynch.
Ministers Reveal Care Service For Diabetes Patients
A new Diabetes Cycle of Care service has been launched for holders of medical cards and GP Visit Cards who have Type 2 Diabetes. The service was revealed today 30 September by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister for Primary Care, Social Care & Mental Health Kathleen Lynch.
17 July 2014
Bones Found During Work At Trinity College
Archaeologists have been called in to investigate bones discovered by workers outside Trinity College on College Green on Wednesday afternoon. The discovery was made during Luas works outside the college and some 1.5m underground. It is understood that the bones are thought to be historic human remains.
Bones Found During Work At Trinity College
Archaeologists have been called in to investigate bones discovered by workers outside Trinity College on College Green on Wednesday afternoon. The discovery was made during Luas works outside the college and some 1.5m underground. It is understood that the bones are thought to be historic human remains.
30 September 2009
'No Swine Flu Risk' From Infected Pork
Ireland's Food Safety Authority (FSAI) has said there is no reason for public concern over the discovery of the H1N1 flu virus in a herd of Irish pigs.
'No Swine Flu Risk' From Infected Pork
Ireland's Food Safety Authority (FSAI) has said there is no reason for public concern over the discovery of the H1N1 flu virus in a herd of Irish pigs.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A mainly dry morning with sunny spells and the odd passing shower. Cloudier in the afternoon with showers developing more widely for a time. Brisk southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Rather cloudy in the west with further showers feeing in on a westerly breeze. Largely dry across eastern counties with clear spells. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
