The \”Youth\” Protein refreshes photoreceptors to protect aging eye
Scientists who study the aging of the eye made an important discovery about the role played by a protein called \”youth\”. They showed how this protein promotes the cellular recycling that keeps our vision sharp. The degeneration of the retina in mice lacking this protein was accelerated, which indicates that it plays a protective role against age related vision loss.
The study, led by scientists from the US National Eye Institute (NEI), focuses on a pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF). This protein is a mediator in a natural eye recycling process. This protein is produced by the retinal pigmented epithelium, a layer beneath the photoreceptors that detect light. It helps to recycle and replenish the outer edges of the photoreceptors as they wear out. As we age, this ability decreases. It is also reduced in those with age-related macula degeneration (AMD), resulting in vision loss.
Patricia Becerra is the senior author of the research. She said that PEDF has been called the \”youth\” protein because it’s abundant in retinas when they are young, but declines with age. This study demonstrated for the first-time that removing PEDF causes a number of gene changes in the retina that mimic aging.
Source:
https://newatlas.com/medical/youth-protein-photoreceptor-aging-eyes/
