ICDSUPL4-H026

Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT

Abstract number: H026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H026

Published online: 9 April 2025

ICDSUPL, 4, H026 (2025)

Interactions between vascular dysfunction, inflammatory states, and lipid metabolism as a possible mechanism in retinitis pigmentosa pathogenesis

Przemysław Sołek¹, Ewelina Cholewińska¹, Karolina Różaniecka-Zwolińska¹, Katarzyna Nowomiejska², Robert Rejdak², Katarzyna Ognik¹

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

² Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Chmielna 1, 20-400 Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: przemyslaw.sołek@up.lublin.pl}

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases leading to progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and deterioration of visual function. Although many genetic mutations associated with RP have been identified, the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease progression remain incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of proteins related to vascular function, complement regulation, and lipid metabolism, and to assess their role in the pathological mechanisms associated with the disease. Among 30 initially selected proteins, the expression of von Willebrand factor (VWF), complement protein C3, and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) was evaluated in peripheral blood samples from 203 RP patients using Western blot technique. Significant changes in VWF expression were observed, suggesting the involvement of vascular dysfunction in disease progression, potentially resulting from endothelial damage in the retinal vessels. Additionally, analysis of C3 highlighted its role in chronic inflammatory processes associated with RP, where excessive activation of the complement cascade leads to retinal cell damage. Furthermore, changes in ApoE expression indicate a potential influence of lipid dysregulation on neurodegenerative processes, related to dysfunction of lipid metabolic pathways, leading to increased susceptibility of photoreceptors to oxidative stress and degenerative processes. The obtained results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of RP, emphasizing the significant role of interactions between vascular dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in disease progression. The identification of these mechanisms may contribute to the development of more effective diagnostic methods and new therapeutic strategies aimed at slowing retinal degeneration and improving the quality of life of RP patients.

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science in Poland, Grant No. MEiN/2023/DPI/2196.

How to cite

P. Sołek, E. Cholewińska, K. Różaniecka-Zwolińska, K. Nowomiejska, R. Rejdak, K. Ognik, 2025. Interactions between vascular dysfunction, inflammatory states, and lipid metabolism as a possible mechanism in retinitis pigmentosa pathogenesis. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H026