CD44 signaling in Muller cells impacts photoreceptor function and survival in healthy and diseased retinas.

ABSTRACT: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an inherited retinal disease, affects 1,5 million people worldwide. The initial mutation-driven photoreceptor degeneration leads to chronic inflammation, characterized by Müller cell activation and upregulation of CD44. CD44 is a cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein and the primary receptor for hyaluronic acid. It is involved in many pathological processes, but little is known about CD44's retinal functions. CD44 expression is also increased in Müller cells from our Pde6b^STOP/STOP RP mouse model. To gain a more detailed understanding of CD44's role in healthy and diseased retinas, we analyzed Cd44^-/- and Cd44^-/-Pde6b^STOP/STOP mice, respectively. The loss of CD44 led to enhanced photoreceptor degeneration, reduced ret

SUBMITTER: Ayten M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11297696 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature