Description of Research Expertise

Research Interests
Mechanisms of oxidative stress induced apoptosis in the retina

Key words: AMD, iron, oxidative stress, apoptosis, retina, aging, mitochondria.

Description of Research
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible blindness, yet its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Evidence suggests that cumulative oxidative damage contributes to AMD and aging in general. My lab has found that AMD retinas have iron overload, which can increase oxidative stress. Increased understanding of retinal iron homeostasis may lead to treatments for AMD. To investigate the mechanisms of retinal iron regulation, we use transgenic mouse models, human retinal tissue, and a dual chamber tissue culture system to study iron transport. A mouse line deficient in the iron transporting ferroxidases ceruloplasmin and hephaestin develops age-dependent retinal iron overload and retinal degeneration with features of AMD (Hahn et al., PNAS, 2004). Recent research suggests that iron plays a key role in apoptosis induced by a variety of insults. Further investigation of the mechanisms of retinal iron homeostasis and of iron induced apoptosis are the focus of the lab.

Rotation Projects for 2006-2007
Recent results suggest that iron chelation confers remarkable protection from apoptosis initiated by a variety of insults. Lab rotations this year will focus on uncovering the role of iron in apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells.

Lab personnel:
Tzvete Dentchev, MD, Senior Research Specialist
Nina Lukinova, PhD, Senior Research Specialist
Paul Hahn, MD/PhD, post-doc and ophthamlology resident, Scheie Eye Institute
Jared Iacovelli, MS, graduate student
Chih King, graduate student
Nick Ligato, MS, post-masters student
Xining He, post-bac student
Majda Hadziahmetovic, post-doc
Predrag Krajacic, post-doc

Description of Clinical Expertise

age-related macular degeneration (AMD)