Methods of inhibiting photoreceptor apoptosis

Abstract

The present invention provides methods to prevent photoreceptor death. In particular, the present invention provides peptides which prevent FAS-mediated photoreceptor apoptosis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of increasing photoreceptor survival comprising administering a photoreceptor protective composition. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said increasing photoreceptor survival comprises inhibiting photoreceptor apoptosis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said photoreceptor protective composition comprises photoreceptor protective polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding a photoreceptor protective polypeptide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said photoreceptor protective polypeptide comprises IL-6 or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said photoreceptor protective polypeptide comprises XIAP or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said photoreceptor protective polypeptide comprises MET or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , where said fragment of MET comprises MET12. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , where said fragment of MET comprises at least 70% sequence similarity to MET12. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said photoreceptor apoptosis comprises FAS-mediated photoreceptor apoptosis. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said photoreceptor protective composition is administered to a population of cells. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said photoreceptor protective composition is administered in an amount sufficient to enhance photoreceptor survival within said population of cells. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said photoreceptor protective composition is administered to a subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said subject is at risk of an ocular condition, disease, or condition or disease affecting ocular health. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said subject suffers from an ocular condition, disease, or condition or disease affecting ocular health. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said ocular condition, disease, or condition or disease affecting ocular health comprises retinal detachment, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, occular inflammation, autoimmune retinopathy, trauma, cancer, tumor, uveitis, hereditary retinal degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, retinal ischemia, pathologic myopia, angioid streaks, macular edema, or central serous chorioretinopathy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said ocular condition, disease, or condition or disease affecting ocular health comprises retinal detachment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said ocular condition, disease, or condition or disease affecting ocular health comprises macular degeneration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said photoreceptor protective composition is administered in an amount sufficient to enhance photoreceptor survival within said subject. 
     
     
         19 . A composition comprising a photoreceptor protective composition and a pharmaceutical carrier configured for optical delivery. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said photoreceptor protective composition comprises a photoreceptor protective polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding a photoreceptor protective polypeptide.