Kenneth S. Shindler, M.D., Ph.D.
F.M. Kirby Professor of Molecular Ophthalmology
Medical Staff Physician, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Medical Staff Physician, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Member, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics
Member, Institute for Immunology
Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania
Faculty Search Advisor, Department of Ophthalmology
Department: Ophthalmology
Graduate Group Affiliations
Contact information
Scheie Eye Institute
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Publications
Education:
ScB (Biochemistry)
Brown University, Providence, 1991.
MD, PhD (Medicine/Neuroscience)
Washington University, St. Louis, 1999.
Permanent linkScB (Biochemistry)
Brown University, Providence, 1991.
MD, PhD (Medicine/Neuroscience)
Washington University, St. Louis, 1999.
Description of Research Expertise
Dr. Shindler's research is examining potential mechanisms to provide neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells in optic neuritis. Optic neuritis is an inflammatory disease of the optic nerve that often occurs as part of the neurodegenerative disease multiple sclerosis. Damage to nerve cells can lead to permanent vision loss in these patients. Dr. Shindler's studies are helping to identify new therapies to prevent nerve damage in this disease, and such therapies will also likely have benefits for other neurodegenerative diseases as well.Keywords
Neuro-ophthalmologic conditions, including optic neuropathies, papilledema, and binocular double vision
Description of Clinical Expertise
Neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Shindler treats patients with neuro-ophthalmologic conditions, including optic neuropathies, papilledema, and binocular double vision.Selected Publications
Alhadi SA, Camacho D, Chaqour B, Rossman JB, Pham JC, Shindler KS, Ross AG.: Neuroprotective effects of SIRT1 in human RGCs derived from iPSCs following oxidative stress induction at early and late stages of differentiation. Exp. Eye Res. 259: 110526, Oct 2025.Kwok A, Chaqour B, Khan RS, Aravand P, Dine K, Ross AG, Shindler KS: Pharmacological Activation and Transgenic Overexpression of SIRT1 Attenuate Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Induced by Blunt Head Impact. Transl. Vis. Sci. Technol. 13: 27, Sept 2024.
Chaqour B, Duong TT, Yue J, Liu T, Camacho D, Dine KE, Esteve-Rudd J, Ellis S, Bennett J, Shindler KS, Ross AG. : AAV2 vector optimization for retinal ganglion cell-targeted delivery of therapeutic genes. Gene Ther. 31: 175-186, Mar 2024.
Yue J, Khan RS, Duong TT, Dine KE, Cui QN, O'Neill N, Aravand P, Liu T, Chaqour B, Shindler KS, Ross AG.: Cell-Specific Expression of Human SIRT1 by Gene Therapy Reduces Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss Induced by Elevated Intraocular Pressure. Neurotherapeutics. 20: 896-907, Apr 2023.
Shamsher E, Khan RS, Davis BM, Dine K, Luong V, Somavarapu S, Cordeiro MF, Shindler KS. : Nanoparticles Enhance Solubility and Neuroprotective Effects of Resveratrol in Demyelinating Disease. Neurotherapeutics. 20: 1138-1153, Jul 2023.
Ross AG, Chaqour B, McDougald DS, Dine KE, Duong TT, Shindler RE, Yue J, Liu T, Shindler KS: Selective Upregulation of SIRT1 Expression in Retinal Ganglion Cells by AAV-Mediated Gene Delivery Increases Neuronal Cell Survival and Alleviates Axon Demyelination Associated with Optic Neuritis. Biomolecules 12: 830, Jun 2022.
Saadi F, Chakravarty D, Kumar S, Kamble M, Saha B, Shindler KS, Das Sarma J: CD40L protects against mouse hepatitis virus-induced neuroinflammatory demyelination. PLoS Pathog. 17: e1010059, Dec 2021.
McDougald DS, Dine KE, Zezulin AU, Bennett J, Shindler KS: SIRT1 and NRF2 Gene Transfer Mediate Distinct Neuroprotective Effects Upon Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Function in Experimental Optic Neuritis. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 59: 1212-1220, Mar 2018.
Grinblat GA, Khan RS, Dine K, Wessel H, Brown L, Shindler KS: RGC Neuroprotection Following Optic Nerve Trauma Mediated By Intranasal Delivery of Amnion Cell Secretome. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 59: 2470-2477, May 2018.
Khan RS, Dine K, Bauman B, Lorentsen M, Lin L, Brown H, Hanson LR, Svitak AL, Wessel H, Brown L, Shindler KS: Intranasal Delivery of A Novel Amnion Cell Secretome Prevents Neuronal Damage and Preserves Function In A Mouse Multiple Sclerosis Model. Sci. Rep. 7: 41768, Jan 2017.