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 a neuroprotective agent, for example, a substance capable of suppressing endogenous MCP-1, a MCP-1 antagonist, a substance capable of suppressing endogenous TNF-alpha, a TNF-alpha antagonist, a substance capable of suppressing endogenous IL-1 beta, an IL-1 beta antagonist, a substance capable of inducing endogenous bFGF, exogenous bFGF, a bFGF mimetic, and combinations thereof, to a mammal having an eye with retinal detachment. The neuroprotective agent 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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 neuroprotective agent selected from the group consisting of a substance capable of suppressing endogenous MCP-1, an MCP-1 antagonist, and combinations thereof sufficient to preserve the viability of photoreceptor cells disposed within the region of the detached retina.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered to the mammal prior to reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered to the mammal after reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered locally or systemically. 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one neuroprotective agent is administered by intraocular, intravitreal, or transcleral administration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuroprotective agent reduces the number of photoreceptor cells in the region that die following retinal detachment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retinal detachment occurs as a result of a retinal tear, retinoblastoma, melanoma, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, choroidal neovascularization, retinal ischemia, pathologic myopia, or trauma. 
     
     
         10 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . 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 neuroprotective agent selected from the group consisting of a substance capable of suppressing endogenous IL-1 beta, an IL-1 beta antagonist, and combinations thereof sufficient to preserve the viability of photoreceptor cells disposed within the region of the detached retina.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered to the mammal prior to reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  or  20 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered to the mammal after reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered locally or systemically. 
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  or  21 , wherein at least one neuroprotective agent is administered by intraocular, intravitreal, or transcleral administration. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the neuroprotective agent reduces the number of photoreceptor cells in the region that die following retinal detachment. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the retinal detachment occurs as a result of a retinal tear, retinoblastoma, melanoma, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, choroidal neovascularization, retinal ischemia, pathologic myopia, or trauma. 
     
     
         28 . 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 neuroprotective agent selected from the group consisting of a substance capable of inducing endogenous bFGF, a bFGF mimetic, and combinations thereof sufficient to preserve the viability of photoreceptor cells disposed within the region of the detached retina.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered to the mammal prior to reattachment of the region of detached retina or after reattachment of the region of detached retina. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the neuroprotective agent is administered locally or systemically. 
     
     
         32 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein at least one neuroprotective agent is administered by intraocular, intravitreal, or transcleral administration. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the neuroprotective agent reduces the number of photoreceptor cells in the region that die following retinal detachment. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the retinal detachment occurs as a result of a retinal tear, retinoblastoma, melanoma, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, choroidal neovascularization, retinal ischemia, pathologic myopia, or trauma.