New GABA modulators protect photoreceptor cells from light‐induced degeneration in mouse models

ABSTRACT No clinically approved therapies are currently available that prevent the onset of photoreceptor death in retinal degeneration. Signaling between retinal neurons is regulatedby the release and uptake of neurotransmitters, wherein GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter. In this work, novel 3‐chloropropiophenone derivatives and the clinical anticonvulsants tiagabine and vigabatrin were tested to modulate GABA signaling and protect against light‐induced retinal degeneration. Abca4−/− Rdh8−/− mice, an accelerated model of retinal degeneration, were exposed to intense light after prophylactic injections of one of these compounds. Imaging and functional assessments of the retina indicated that these compounds successfully protected photoreceptor cells from degeneration to maintain a full‐visual‐field response. Furthermore, these compounds demonstrated a strong safety profile in wild‐type mice and did not compromise visual function or damage the retina, despite repeated administration. These results indicate that modulating inhibitory GABA signaling can offer prophylactic protection against light‐induced retinal degeneration.—Schur, R. M., Gao, S., Yu, G., Chen, Y., Maeda, A., Palczewski, K., Lu, Z.‐R. New GABA modulators protect photoreceptor cells from light‐induced degeneration in mouse models. FASEB J. 32, 3289–3300 (2018). www.fasebj.org