Targeting ATF6 reduces pathological neovascularization and improves visual outcomes in retinal disease models.

ABSTRACT: Pathological retinal neovascularization is a cause of vision loss in diseases including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy. The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is an intracellular signal transduction mechanism that is activated by ER stress and upregulates many proteins, including angiogenesis factors like VEGF and HIF-1α. This suggests that UPR genes and pathways may drive retinal angiogenesis. Here, we tested the role of the UPR regulator Activating Transcription Factor 6 (ATF6) in pathological and developmental retinal angiogenesis. We induced pathological retinal neovascularization in Atf6^-/- mice using the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model and found significantly preserved visual function, accompanied

SUBMITTER: Bradley A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12475287 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature