Methods and Compositions for Preserving the Viability of Photoreceptor Cells

Abstract

Provided are methods and compositions for maintaining the viability of photoreceptor cells following retinal detachment. The viability of photoreceptor cells can be preserved by administering an apoptosis inhibitor to a mammal having an eye with retinal detachment. The apoptosis inhibitor maintains the viability of the photoreceptor cells until such time that the retina becomes reattached to the underlying retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. The treatment minimizes the loss of vision, which otherwise may occur as a result of retinal detachment.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of preserving the viability of photoreceptor cells disposed within a retina of a mammalian eye following retinal detachment, the method comprising:
 administering to a mammal having an eye in which a region of the retina has been detached an amount of a caspase inhibitor sufficient to preserve the viability of photoreceptor cells disposed within the region of the detached retina.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is administered to the mammal prior to reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is administered to the mammal after reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is administered locally or systemically. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is administered by intraocular, intravitreal, subretinal, or transcleral administration. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor reduces the number of photoreceptor cells in the region that die following retinal detachment relative to the number of photoreceptor cells that die in the absence of the caspase inhibitor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the photoreceptor cells comprise rods and cones. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the retinal detachment occurs as a result of a retinal tear, retinoblastoma, melanoma, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, choroidal neovascularization, retinal ischemia, pathologic myopia, age-related macular degeneration, or trauma. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering a neuroprotective agent to the mammal. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is a neurotrophic factor. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the region of detachment comprises the macula. 
     
     
         27 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is capable of modulating the activity of at least one caspase selected from the group consisting of caspase 1, caspase 2, caspase 3, caspase 4, caspase 5, caspase 6, caspase 7, caspase 8, caspase 9, caspase 10, caspase 11, caspase 12, caspase 13, and caspase 14. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is capable of modulating the activity of at least one caspase selected from the group consisting of caspase 3, caspase 7, caspase 8, and caspase 9. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is a caspase 9 inhibitor. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the caspase inhibitor is an endogenous caspase inhibitor. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the endogenous caspase inhibitor is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP). 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the IAP is X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the IAP is survivin. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of caspase inhibitors are administered to the mammal.