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FRO 2014: MMP‐2 as a potential benefactor in zebrafish optic nerve regeneration
Author(s) -
LEMMENS K,
BOLLAERTS I,
MOONS L
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2014.4665.x
Subject(s) - zebrafish , regeneration (biology) , optic nerve , gene knockdown , neuroscience , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , retinal , retina , anatomy , genetics , cell culture , gene , biochemistry
The zebrafish retinotectal system proves to be a valuable research model to investigate regenerative strategies of damaged retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and thus holds great promise towards identifying new regenerative molecules. Recent research performed in our lab shows that retinal broad‐spectrum MMP inhibition seriously reduces retinotectal regeneration after optic nerve crush (ONC) in the adult zebrafish. Based on preliminary results, we now intend to determine the exact role of MMP‐2 in zebrafish RGC axonal regrowth and identify underlying molecules, which might ultimately serve as new therapeutic targets for the injured mammalian CNS. Hereto, we will pursue the following goals: (1) Determination of the regenerative potential of RGCs after retinal MMP‐2 inhibition/knockdown in zebrafish subjected to ONC. (2) Proteomic identification of MMP‐2 regulated pathways underlying a successful regeneration in the zebrafish visual system.