Search for the Enigmatic Retinal Relaxing Factor

Vascular Research Unit

Project 1

Description

This research topic focuses on the so called retinal relaxing factor (RRF), an as yet unknown and potent relaxing factor continuously released from retina discovered in our research group. The characteristics of this molecule, which can be demonstrated using a bio-assay technique, do not correspond with characteristics of most well-known relaxing factors released from retina. The aim of this research is to characterize this relaxing factor (retinal cell type involved, sensitivity to pharmacological inhibitors, factors influencing the relaxing effect at smooth muscle level, factors stimulating the release of RRF, chemical characteristics...) with the ultimate goal to identify the factor.

Funding Ageny

Fund for research in ophthalmology

Own resources from research group

Contact

Johan Van de Voorde