tenascin

The processing of visual information begins with a targeted and balanced communication between nerve cells in the retina via synapses. Proteins in the vicinity of nerve cells play an important role in the development, maturation, and function of these synapses. A research team was able to show that the combined loss of four proteins leads to a severe impairment of the function of the retina, reduced visual movement processing and significant synaptic changes. The research team investigated the four extracellular matrix proteins Brevican, Neurocan, Tenascin-C and Tenascin-R, which occur in the cell environment of nerve cells of the retina. "Their precise role in the retina has not yet been sufficiently investigated," explains Jacqueline Reinhard-Recht. The researchers therefore studied the visual function of so-called knockout mice, which were genetically modified in such a way that their bodies could not produce the four mentioned proteins. Through electroretinogram analyses, the research team was able to show that rod photoreceptors and bipolar cells in the knockout mice exhibit functional deficits in visual processing. "Interestingly, we were also able to find significant limitations in visual movement processing in the knockout mice compared to control animals," says Jacqueline Reinhard-Recht. Mice lacking only the proteins tenascin-C or tenascin-R also display losses in visual motion processing, but much weaker. "This shows that the cumulative loss of four matrix proteins reinforces optomotor limitations," says the researcher. Matrix remodeling and imbalance in synaptic signaling Studies on the retina of knockout mice also revealed changes in various matrix molecules and synapses. "In particular, there was an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory synapses," says Jacqueline Reinhard-Recht. "Overall, the research data indicate that the four matrix proteins Brevican, Neurocan, Tenascin-C and Tenascin-R are important modulators of synaptic signaling in the retina." "The research data contribute to a much better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms of visual processing. In the future, these findings could offer new approaches for the development of therapeutic interventions for visual function disorders."

Bridge to join as an industry member to advance the science of early detection and speed development of novel treatments SEONGNAM, South Korea and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Biotherapeutics (KQ288330), a South Korean clinical-stage biotech company developing novel drugs for fibrosis, cancer and inflammation, announced that it has joined PROLIFIC, the Prognostic Lung Fibrosis Consortium, an organization devoted to boosting scientific exploration and drug development in pulmonary fibrosis. PROLIFIC is a non-profit consortium of top-tier research institutions, academic medical centers, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies that are committed to developing treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. Members of PROLIFIC collaborate with each other to share expertise, technology, and data to develop precise and personalized treatments for patients with the fatal and progressive lung diseases. The near-term goal of PROLIFIC is to develop and validate tests for biomarkers indicative of pulmonary fibrosis in patients and to assess the biomarkers in predicting disease worsening or as suitable endpoints for clinical trials. "We are excited to join PROLIFIC and collaborate with other leaders in precision medicine to advance the understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and advance the science of biomarkers to detect this devastating disease," said Sujin Jung, Vice President of Clinical Development and Operations of Bridge Biotherapeutics. "As a member of PROLIFIC, we will be able to tap into a diverse range of expertise, technology, and data that will enable us to accelerate detection of pulmonary fibrosis, and speed the entire industry's development of new treatments." The group of industry members at PROLIFIC has selected 12 biomarkers based on peer-reviewed scientific reports showing their ability to predict the presence of the disease itself, and their potential ability to predict how well a drug candidate may work. The 12 biomarkers being studied include indicators of epithelial damage (CYFRA 21-1, SP-D, CA-19-9, KL-6), fibrosis (MMP-7, Tenascin C, periostin), inflammation (CCL18, CXCL13, slCAM1), and thrombosis (PAI-1). Having a validated panel of biomarkers could enable early detection of treatment response and comparison of drugs across clinical trials, which could speed regulatory approval. PROLIFIC also intends to partner with public health authorities worldwide to achieve the long-term goal of finding biomarkers that can predict which patients would benefit most from a particular treatment, bringing a precision medicine approach to the treatment of this chronic, often fatal condition. The consortium hopes to enable physicians to better tailor therapeutic treatments for patients. By joining PROLIFIC, Bridge Biotherapeutics will be able to collaborate with other pioneering companies in the area of pulmonary fibrosis. In addition to industry-wide advances, Bridge Biotherapeutics hopes to speed development of proprietary idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis pipeline and accelerate development of novel treatments for patients. Bridge Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for areas of high unmet medical needs. The company has three drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as inflammatory diseases and cancers, and a robust pipeline of drug candidates in preclinical development. About PROLIFIC PROLIFIC, founded in 2020 by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and Bristol Myers Squibb, is a consortium of top-tier research institutions, academic medical centers, and biopharmaceutical companies that are committed to advancing precision medicine. The consortium aims to develop well-qualified assays to detect important peripheral blood protein biomarkers in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Members of PROLIFIC collaborate to share expertise, technology, and data to develop more precise and personalized treatments for patients with devastating and progressive lung diseases. Industry members of PROLIFIC include BMS, Chiesi, Galapagos, Galecto, Genentech, Gilead, Lassen Therapeutics, Lung Therapeutics, NeRRe Therapeutics, Novartis, OptiKira, Pliant Therapeutics, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Three Lakes Foundation, Tvardi Therapeutics. About Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc. Bridge Biotherapeutics Inc., based in the Republic of Korea and the U.S., is a publicly-traded, clinical-stage biotech company founded in 2015. Bridge Biotherapeutics is engaged in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics, focusing on therapeutic areas with high unmet needs, including ulcerative colitis, fibrotic diseases, and cancers. The company is developing BBT-401, a first-in-class Pellino-1 inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, BBT-877, a novel autotaxin inhibitor for the treatment of fibrotic diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), BBT-176 and BBT-207, potent targeted cancer therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR C797S mutations. Learn more at . SOURCE Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc.