Neuroprotective Effects of Transferrin in Experimental Glaucoma Models.

Iron is essential for retinal metabolism, but an excess of ferrous iron causes oxidative stress. In glaucomatous eyes, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death has been associated with dysregulation of iron homeostasis. Transferrin (TF) is an endogenous iron transporter that controls ocular iron levels.

Transferrin Non-Viral Gene Therapy for Treatment of Retinal Degeneration.

Dysregulation of iron metabolism is observed in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), possibly contributing to oxidative damage of the retina. Transferrin (TF), an endogenous iron chelator, was proposed as a therapeutic candidate. Here, the efficacy of TF non-viral gene therapy based on the electrotransfection of pEYS611, a plasmid encoding human TF, into the ciliary muscle was evaluated in several rat models of retinal degeneration.