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Cells
Volume 14
Issue 22
10.3390/cells14221778
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

TSPO Modulation Prevents Photoreceptor Degeneration and Produces Neuroprotective Effects in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa

by
Francesca Corsi
1,
Jacopo Castagnoli
1,
Alessia Galante
1,
Angela Fabiano
1,
Elisa Nuti
1,2,
Anna Maria Piras
1,2,
Sabrina Taliani
1,2,
Ilaria Piano
1,2,* and
Claudia Gargini
1,2
1
Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
2
Center for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa (CISUP), Lungarno Pacinotti, 43/44, 56126 Pisa, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cells 2025, 14(22), 1778; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221778 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 15 October 2025 / Revised: 6 November 2025 / Accepted: 12 November 2025 / Published: 12 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Increasing Incidence of Retinal Disorders: Addressing Preclinical Studies with Appropriate Animal Models and Advanced Methodologies)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The translocator protein (TSPO), an evolutionarily conserved protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, is typically expressed at low levels in the central nervous system under normal physiological conditions. However, its expression can increase in response to various pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of inherited degenerative diseases of the retina; the progression of the pathology is linked to a chronic inflammatory state that leads to the progressive loss of photoreceptors and ultimately to blindness. One of the key processes contributing to the gradual loss of photoreceptors is neuroinflammation, a mechanism in which the TSPO plays a newly studied role. In this context, TSPO could be an excellent target. In the current study, rd10 mice of both sexes were treated with a TSPO ligand, PIGA1138, as an ophthalmic suspension (1 mg/mL) from post-natal day (P)18 to P30, P60, and P90. Retinal function was evaluated through electroretinography, while visual acuity was assessed using the Prusky Water Maze task. Additionally, molecular analyses were performed to assess TSPO expression, alongside examinations of retinal morphology. Results showed significant retinal preservation, reduced photoreceptor loss, and improved retinal responses, suggesting preserved visual function. These findings highlight PIGA1138’s potential in mitigating retinal degeneration and preserving function in retinal diseases like RP.
Keywords: neuroinflammation; TSPO; retinitis pigmentosa; PIGA1138 neuroinflammation; TSPO; retinitis pigmentosa; PIGA1138

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MDPI and ACS Style

Corsi, F.; Castagnoli, J.; Galante, A.; Fabiano, A.; Nuti, E.; Piras, A.M.; Taliani, S.; Piano, I.; Gargini, C. TSPO Modulation Prevents Photoreceptor Degeneration and Produces Neuroprotective Effects in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Cells 2025, 14, 1778. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221778

AMA Style

Corsi F, Castagnoli J, Galante A, Fabiano A, Nuti E, Piras AM, Taliani S, Piano I, Gargini C. TSPO Modulation Prevents Photoreceptor Degeneration and Produces Neuroprotective Effects in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Cells. 2025; 14(22):1778. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221778

Chicago/Turabian Style

Corsi, Francesca, Jacopo Castagnoli, Alessia Galante, Angela Fabiano, Elisa Nuti, Anna Maria Piras, Sabrina Taliani, Ilaria Piano, and Claudia Gargini. 2025. "TSPO Modulation Prevents Photoreceptor Degeneration and Produces Neuroprotective Effects in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa" Cells 14, no. 22: 1778. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221778

APA Style

Corsi, F., Castagnoli, J., Galante, A., Fabiano, A., Nuti, E., Piras, A. M., Taliani, S., Piano, I., & Gargini, C. (2025). TSPO Modulation Prevents Photoreceptor Degeneration and Produces Neuroprotective Effects in an Animal Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Cells, 14(22), 1778. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221778

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