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dc.contributorSchool of Optometryen_US
dc.creatorPan, Li-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/12156-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic Universityen_US
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleNeuroprotection through pharmacological targeting retinal immune microenvironment in retinal neurodegenerative diseasesen_US
dcterms.abstractNeurodegeneration is a complex process involving the structural and functional loss of neurons and ultimately cell death. Retinal neurodegeneration occurs in glaucoma, retinal ischemia and many other ocular diseases, leading to severe vision impairment and even blindness. Neuroinflammation is increasingly reported as a key driver in the progression of neurodegeneration. As the first line of defending immune cells in the retina, microglial cells play a critical role in the surveillance of surroundings and can make rapid responses to any disturbances to protect neurons from pathogens or infections. However, prolonged microglial activation can lead to neurotoxicity and cell death. Current available treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases are very limited. Emerging evidence suggests that suppression of neuroinflammation may present a potential therapy for these diseases. In our studies, we identified through in-depth RNA-sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses that insulin-like growth factor binding protein like protein 1 (IGFBPL1) is a key regulator of pro-homeostatic microglia. IGFBPL1 exerted remarkably potent therapeutic effects by inhibiting neuroinflammation and/or microglial activation in vitro and in vivo via IGF-1R signaling and supported neuronal survival in different mouse models of glaucoma. It promoted physiological and visual function recovery as demonstrated by electroretinogram (ERG) and optomotor response (OMR)-based visual behavior assays. In addition, we found that baicalein (5,6,7­trihydroxyflavone; C15H10O5), a natural flavonoid extracted from the root of Scutellaria baocalensis Georgi (SB), effectively suppressed the activation of LPS-primed human and mouse microglial cells via inhibiting pho-PI3K/NFkB axis. Further proteomic study indicated such inhibitory roles of baicalein on the IL-17 pathway and upstream regulators of IL-1β and TLR4, which was subsequently supported by in vivo results using retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) mouse model. Therapeutic administration of baicalein not only suppressed microglia­dependent inflammatory cascades and also exhibited neuroprotective effects and improved visual functions post-retinal I/R injury. These results provide new promising alternatives for treating retinal neurodegenerative diseases via suppression of neuroinflammation.en_US
dcterms.extentxvi, 140 pages : color illustrationsen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2022en_US
dc.description.awardPolyU PhD Thesis Award - Outstanding Award (2023)-
dcterms.educationalLevelPh.D.en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Doctorateen_US
dcterms.LCSHRetina -- Diseasesen_US
dcterms.LCSHNervous system -- Degenerationen_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsopen accessen_US

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/12156