Uveitis treatment avoids steroidal side effects

Researchers from Hokkaido University have formulated a ribonucleic acid interface (RNAi) therapeutic agent as an effective method to prevent ocular inflammation in lab rats. The formula could soon be used to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: The long-term use of steroids is known to cause complications such as glaucoma, hypertension, cataracts and osteoporosis. -WHO:Dr Atsuhiro Kanda, Assistant professor in Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine}}Study co-author Dr Atsuhiro Kanda told online research news publication Science Daily the activation of the receptor–associated prorenin syst (RAPS) is involved in the pathogenesis of uveitis, which was the target of the treatment method. A molecule called the prorenin receptor activates RAPS.Kanda’s team developed a type of single-strand RNAi called the proline-modified short hairpin RNA (PshRNA) to suppress gene expression. The team designed the PshRNA agent to selectively target the common sequence of human and mouse (pro)renin receptor genes.“Our findings suggest significant involvent of the prorenin receptor in human uveitis, as well as the potential use of the PshRNA agent to reduce ocular inflammation,” Kanda said.The experiment significantly improved acute uveitis and chronic diabetic inflammation in mouse models without the usual side effects from steroid treatments. If successful in humans, it could serve as an alternative to corticosteroids to treat inflammatory eye diseases, where the long-term use of steroids is known to cause complications such as glaucoma, hypertension, cataracts and osteoporosis.Clinical trials could soon be conducted to test the long-term potency and safety of treating inflammatory ocular disorders.