Researchers Identify Potential Cause of Keratoconus
Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center are the first to characterize extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the tears of patients with keratoconus, according to an National Eye Institute news release.
Dimitrios Karamichos, PhD, executive director of the North Texas Eye Research Institute, and his team examined tears in the eyes of 10 healthy people (five males and females) and nine people with keratoconus (four males and five females). The team discovered that tear EVs have a distinct appearance, compared to their healthier counterparts. They also found that males have higher tear EV counts.
“I think this study is only the beginning of a massive, unexplored area of research in the context of keratoconus,” said Dr. Karamichos. “If we can understand the role of EVs in keratoconus, we will unlock a slew of potential drug development and therapeutic options that can have a profound impact on the lives of patients who suffer from this condition.”
Illustration of extracellular vesicles, which are divided into three types: microvesicles, apoptotic vesicles, and exosomes. EVs are involved in cell-cell communication via transporting DNA, RNA, and proteins from one cell to another. Image credit: Brenna Hefley, University of North Texas.