Research Group of Dr Mei Chen

My research is focused on the molecular mechanism of sight-threatening retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR).  The goal of my research is to use the knowledge for designing novel therapy to these sight-threatening conditions.

Current Project:

I am currently investigating the role of a molecule called the Receptor for Advanced Glycation end-products (RAGE) in the pathogenesis of AMD and DR. RAGE is a pattern-recognition receptor that binds many ligands including advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), S100B, β-amyloid and high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), etc. Activation of RAGE induces proinflammatory signalling and expression of a variety of cytokines and chemokines and this pathway is critical for the pathogenesis of several important disease-states such as diabetic complications, atherosclerosis, and various age-related neurodegenerative diseases.  We have found that RAGE is constitutively expressed by retinal vascular endothelial cells,whereas one of the ligands S100B is expressed by astrocytes.  Other studies have found that AGEs and β-amyloid are expressed in the ageing retina.  Under ageing and diabetic conditions, the expression of RAGE and its ligands is increased.

We hypothesize that activation of RAGE can provoke key inflammatory pathways in the retina, which may contribute to AMD and DR pathology and that blockade of this receptor could be a useful target for preventing retinal damage.

Collaborators:

Professor Alan Stitt, CVVS, Queen’s University Belfast

Professor Usha Chakravarthy, CVVS, Queen’s University Belfast

Dr Heping Xu, CVVS, Queen’s University Belfast