A research group led by Associate Professor Toru Nakazawa at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine has revealed that Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) promotes death of photoreceptor cells, which has photoreceptors in our eyes, using mouse models of retinal detachment. Retina in an eye serves a same function as film in a camera. Photoreceptor cells have a material which is sensitive to lights (photo conductor) and these cells are essential for us to see anything. Photoreceptor cell disorders cause vision loss. They are injured from retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration with neovascular vessels, or some other ocular diseases. However, we had very little information about pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases which cause blindness. The present study has revealed that TNFα plays a crucial role in photoreceptor degeneration induced by retinal detachment. TNFα will be an important target for the prevention of retinal detachment. TNFα has been known as a significant target for therapeutic antibodies and treatment for systemic illness, such as rheumatism. These remedies may be effective in treating photoreceptor apoptosis after retinal detachment.

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[Contact]

Associate Professor Toru Nakazawa

Advanced Ophthalmic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

TEL: +81-22-717-7294

E-mail: ntoru*oph.med.tohoku.ac.jp (Replace * with @)

[Public Relations] Associate professor Fuji Nagami

Public Relations Office of Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

Tel: +81-22-717-7908, Fax: +81-22-717-8187

E-mail: f-nagami*med.tohoku.ac.jp (Replace * with @)