Petriti, Bledi;
(2024)
The association between mitochondrial function and glaucoma – identifying susceptible patients.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Glaucoma, a multifactorial optic degenerative neuropathy characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells, poses a significant global health burden as the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Despite treatment focused on intraocular pressure reduction, patients still experience vision loss, suggesting other factors contribute to susceptibility. Mitochondrial function has emerged as a potential determinant in glaucoma pathogenesis, given its role in meeting the energy demands crucial for optimal retinal ganglion cell function. Utilising various cell models ( peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and fibroblasts), this PhD project aimed to test the association between mitochondrial function and primary open angle (POAG), hypothesizing reduced function in glaucoma patients and its correlation with faster visual field loss. Results revealed both high-tension glaucoma (HTG) and NTG patients have lower systemic mitochondrial respiratory function and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) compared to controls. Lower levels of NAD correlated strongly with lower mitochondrial respiratory function. Furthermore, a novel association was found between mitochondrial respiratory function and the rate of visual field loss, indicating the clinical relevance of systemic mitochondrial function as a biomarker for progressive visual field deterioration. Findings in PBMC were validated by confirming lower mitochondrial function and NAD levels in NTG fibroblasts compared to controls, emphasizing the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | The association between mitochondrial function and glaucoma – identifying susceptible patients |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2024. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Institute of Ophthalmology |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10190679 |
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