Here you will find

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTS

.. which highlight the key findings and methodologies of our publications in a visually engaging and easily understandable format.

Graphical Abstract NMOSD retinal explants Wolf.jpg

NMOSD IgG impact retinal cells in murine retinal explants

Hannah Nora Wolf, Veronika Ehinger, Larissa Gümpelein, Pratiti Banerjee, Tania Kümpfel, Joachim Havla, Diana Pauly

Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2023

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) involve chronic inflammation of the central nervous system, primarily affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. This study found that NMOSD immunoglobulins cause retinal stress and degeneration in mouse retinal explants, suggesting that retinal damage in NMOSD might occur independently of relapses.

Complement Factor H-Related 3 Enhanced Inflammation and Complement Activation in Human RPE Cells

Nicole Schäfer, Anas Rasras, Delia M Ormenisan, Sabine Amslinger, Volker Enzmann, Herbert Jägle, Diana Pauly

Frontiers in Immunology, 2021

Our research identifies Complement Factor H-Related 3 (FHR-3) as a key regulator of the complement system in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, inducing a pro-inflammatory environment and inflammasome activation, potentially contributing to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Additionally, our monoclonal antibody, RETC-2-ximab, was shown to mitigate FHR-3's effects, presenting a potential therapeutic target for AMD and related diseases.

Graphical Abstract Complement in healthy and diseases retina Pauly .jpg

Cell-Type-Specific Complement Expression in the Healthy and Diseased Retina

Diana Pauly, Divyansh Agarwal, Nicholas Dana, Nicole Schäfer, Josef Biber, Kirsten A Wunderlich, Yassin Jabri, Tobias Straub, Nancy R Zhang, Avneesh Gautam, Bernhard H F Weber, Stefanie M Hauck, Mijn Kim, Christine A Curcio, Dwight Stambolian, Mingyao Li, Antje Grosche

Cell reports, 2019

Our single-cell RNA sequencing study of ~92000 mouse retinal cells revealed cell-type-specific complement expression across 11 retinal cell types, with Müller cells and retinal pigment epithelium playing key roles. Aging and transient retinal ischemia significantly alter complement expression, indicating a well-regulated local complement system in the retina.