CRB1-associated retinal degeneration is dependent on bacterial translocation from the gut. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38412859/)

These scientists wanted to understand why some people have a disease that causes their eyesight to get worse over time. They studied a gene called Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) that is linked to this eye disease. In their study, they used mice with a mutation in the Crb1 gene, which caused them to have bacteria inside their eyes.

The scientists found that the normal CRB1 gene helps to keep bacteria out of the eyes by forming a barrier. But when the gene is mutated, this barrier doesn't work properly, allowing bacteria from the gut to travel to the eyes and damage them.

To test their theory, the scientists either got rid of the bacteria in the mice's bodies or fixed the mutated gene in their intestines. Both of these methods helped to stop the eye disease from getting worse.

This study shows that by understanding how this gene works and how bacteria can affect the eyes, scientists may be able to develop new treatments to help people with this eye disease keep their eyesight.

Peng S., Li JJ., Song W., Li Y., Zeng L., Liang Q., Wen X., Shang H., Liu K., Peng P., Xue W., Zou B., Yang L., Liang J., Zhang Z., Guo S., Chen T., Li W., Jin M., Xing XB., Wan P., Liu C., Lin H., Wei H., Lee RWJ., Zhang F., Wei L. CRB1-associated retinal degeneration is dependent on bacterial translocation from the gut. Cell. 2024 Mar 14;187(6):1387-1401.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.040. Epub 2024 Feb 26.