Turn a Blind Eye

This is not an electrical storm. It’s the retina – the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye – of a patient with advanced diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the cells of the retina. The retina needs a constant blood supply, received through a network of tiny blood vessels (the ‘lightening bolts’ in the image). Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause the blood vessels to narrow, bleed or leak. If left untreated, it can cause blindness. Current therapies blocking the action of a protein called VEGF that triggers the growth of abnormal blood vessels have slowed the progression of the disease in some – but not all – cases. In a new study, researchers blocked the action of another protein (ANGPTL4) and found that it also reduced blood vessel growth, suggesting it might be used in combination with the anti-VEGF drugs to treat diabetic retinopathy.

Written by Nick Kennedy

Nick Kennedy

Writer

A Biology and Science Communication graduate, Nick is now working behind the scenes on the BPoD project. He also works as a freelance science journalist.

• Image by Wilmer Photography
• Johns Hopkins Medicine, USA
• Copyright held by original authors
• Research published in PNAS, June 2015