Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Retinal Degeneration: Sex Differences, Synaptic Remodeling, and Second Messenger Modulation

August 19, 2025 | 3 p.m. | HNO-Lecturehall

Henri Leinonen our guest from University of Eastern Finland , will have a presentation on
“Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Retinal Degeneration: Sex Differences, Synaptic Remodeling, and Second Messenger Modulation”

Short abstract: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) involves complex mechanisms of photoreceptor loss. This talk highlights three key findings: (1) postpubertal female mice show accelerated RP progression linked to lipid peroxidation and PUFA-rich retinal lipid profiles; (2) early-stage RP triggers compensatory upregulation of synaptic transmission genes in rods, suggesting adaptive remodeling; and (3) a GPCR-targeted drug cocktail (TMB) modulating calcium and cAMP signaling improves retinal function across multiple RP models. These insights reveal novel therapeutic avenues and underscore the importance of sex, synaptic plasticity, and intracellular signaling in RP pathophysiology.