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Pathophysiology of the anterior segment of the eye

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Team leader: Annabelle Reaux-Le Goazigo

  • Chemokines Slide 1

Introduction

We study the physiopathology of the anterior segment of the eye, with special interest in glaucoma, dry eye disease, and ocular pain. We also investigate the role of chemokines which could be involved in the mechanisms of these diseases and act as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.

Presentation

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world and we are analyzing the efficacy of cellular therapies on glaucoma pathology to reduce intraocular pressure and protect retinal ganglion cells from cell death. Our research also includes studies of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative mechanisms occurring during glaucoma pathology in the central visual areas using several biochemical approaches and the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for the anti-apoptotic and relaxant effects of new molecules and mesenchymal stem cells on trabecular cells in vitro.


In the area of ocular surface disease, we are developing a number of in vitro and in vivo models to demonstrate the core role played by epithelial cells during inflammatory processes. We have validated the conjunctival HLA-DR as a gold standard marker of inflammation whose positive correlation with clinical signs of dry eye indicates the therapeutic effects of immunomodulating strategies. Our team is reinforcing its translational research on biomarkers with new techniques and a genomic-based systematic screening approach in a variety of ocular surface diseases. In addition, we are characterizing chronic corneal trigeminal pain at the cellular, molecular, and behavioral levels with particular interest in neuroimmune interactions that occur in the cornea, trigeminal ganglion, and the brainstem. We are also analyzing the role of chemokines (proalgic) in the modulation of ocular pain processing and their possible cross talk with the opioid (analgesic) system.

Research areas

  • Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration mechanisms in the pathology of glaucoma.

  • The role of epithelial cells during inflammatory processes in the ocular surface underlying the pathophysiology of dry eye.

  • The role played by chemokines in the modulation of ocular pain processing and their interaction with the opioid system.

 


Publications





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