New Protein Discovery Offers Hope for Preventing Vision Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy
A newly identified protein, LRG1, is emerging as a key trigger in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, offering a potential new target for preventing vision loss in millions living with diabetes. Research led by scientists at University College London (UCL) suggests that intervening to block this protein could shift treatment from managing damage to preventing it altogether.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, affecting nearly a third of adults with the condition [Diabetes UK]. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Currently, treatment typically begins once symptoms like blurred or distorted vision appear, often indicating irreversible damage has already occurred.
The Role of LRG1 in Early Damage
Published in Science Translational Medicine, the research reveals that LRG1 causes the cells surrounding the eye’s smallest blood vessels to constrict excessively, reducing oxygen supply to the retina [UCL News]. This constriction initiates a chain reaction leading to long-term visual impairment. Importantly, studies in mouse models of diabetes demonstrated that blocking LRG1 activity prevented this early damage and preserved healthy eye function [UCL News].
“Our discovery shows that diabetic eye disease starts earlier than we thought, and LRG1 is a key culprit in this early damage,” says Dr. Giulia De Rossi, lead author of the study from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology [UCL News]. “Targeting this protein could give us a way to protect vision before serious damage occurs and prevent, rather than treat, blindness in millions of people living with diabetes.”
Why This Discovery Matters
Current treatments for diabetic retinopathy often focus on a different protein, VEGF. Although, these therapies are only effective for approximately 50% of patients and rarely reverse existing harm [Diabetes UK]. The research suggests LRG1 initiates eye damage earlier than VEGF, making it a more promising therapeutic target.
Dr. Faye Riley, research communications lead at Diabetes UK, commented, “By identifying the root cause of early damage, and offering a new path for treatment, this research holds immense promise for protecting the sight of the growing number of people with diabetes worldwide” [Diabetes UK].
What’s Next?
The UCL research team has already developed a drug designed to target LRG1 and has begun preclinical research. Scientists are optimistic that the treatment could move into human clinical trials in the near future [UCL News]. Researchers believe this therapy could not only prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy but similarly benefit those with more advanced disease, as LRG1 continues to contribute to damage at later stages.
The discovery builds on years of research by scientists at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, including Professors John Greenwood and Stephen Moss, who founded Senya Therapeutics, a UCL spinout company dedicated to developing drugs targeting LRG1 [UCL News].