MATHEMATICAL MODEL INCORPORATING GLYCOLYSIS

The degenerative disease Retinitis Pigmentosa typically categorize by loss of night vision due to rods degeneration and eventually progressing to daylight-blindness and cone death. Individuals afflicted with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), rely on aerobic glycolysis to supply the metabolites necessary for renewal and maintenance of the photoreceptors. In this work we mathematically model and investigate the biochemical processes in the eye trigger by glucose catabolism in cones. The mathematical model we developed follows the work done by Thierry Le’veillard et al. with Nxnl1 -/- mice and the rod-derive cone viability factor (RdCVF). With our mathematical model and simulations confirm the cone-on-rod reliance. We narrowed our focus on the carbohydrate metabolism in the cones, which is accelerated due to the RdCVF secreted by the rods. We demonstrate via mathematical analysis the mediated effects of RdCVF on cone survival, with regard to carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant synthesis lipid and energy production.