Dr. Vincent Pernet has been Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Laval University since 2014. His research focuses on the mechanisms of plasticity and neuronal degeneration in diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, as well as occurring during normal and pathological aging of the visual system.

Enabling the plasticity of visual neurons

With his team, he is interested in molecules likely to alter the functioning of retinal cells, such as the Nogo-A neuronal plasticity inhibitory protein, the proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease (amyloid and Tau) and the CNTF-Stat3 pathway that governs neuronal growth. Dr. Pernet has demonstrated the important role of the Nogo-A protein in inhibiting the regeneration of the injured optic nerve, and in the plasticity of the visual system, intact or injured. Neutralization of Nogo-A strongly increases neuronal plasticity and visual recovery in ocular disease models. Recently, his team discovered that neutralizing Nogo-A with a blocking antibody also improves vascular repair and retinal function in a proliferative retinopathy model. These results suggest that Nogo-A may be a therapeutic target to restore normal retinal vasculature, and protect the eyesight of patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy or retinopathy of prematurity. Tests are underway to determine the effects of Nogo-A in diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Reducing the effects of normal and pathological aging of the retina

The aging of the visual system is characterized by a decline in retinal function, which can be followed using electroretinographic measurements. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the loss of activity in the eye’s neurons are not known. Dr. Pernet’s lab is trying to identify the factors that influence the observed reorganization of neuronal connections in the retinas of old animals. Ultimately, the results of this work could be used to stimulate functional reconnection of circuits in the aging retina.


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Morin F, Singh N, Mdzomba JB, Dumas A, Patenaude A, Pernet V, Vallières L

Correction: Conditional Deletions of Hdc Confirm Roles of Histamine in Anaphylaxis and Circadian Activity but Not in Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Journal Article

J Immunol, 2023.

Abstract | Links:

Pernet V, Joly S, Spiegel S, Meli I, Idriss S, Maigler F, Mdzomba JB, Roenneke AK, Franceschini A, Silvestri L, Pavone FS, Calamai M, Schindowski K, Chan A

Nogo-A antibody delivery through the olfactory mucosa mitigates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the mouse CNS

Journal Article

Cell Death Discov, 9 (1), 2023.

Abstract | Links:

Joly S, Mdzomba JB, Rodriguez L, Morin F, Vallières L, Pernet V

B cell-dependent EAE induces visual deficits in the mouse with similarities to human autoimmune demyelinating diseases

Journal Article

J Neuroinflammation, 19 (1), 2022.

Abstract | Links:

Biyong EF, Tremblay C, Leclerc M, Caron V, Alfos S, Helbling JC, Rodriguez L, Pernet V, Bennett DA, Pallet V, Calon F

Role of Retinoid X Receptors (RXRs) and dietary vitamin A in Alzheimer's disease: Evidence from clinicopathological and preclinical studies

Journal Article

Neurobiol Dis, 161 , 2021.

Abstract | Links:

Joly S, Rodriguez L, Pernet V

The Lack of Amyloidogenic Activity Is Persistent in Old WT and APPswe/PS1ΔE9 Mouse Retinae

Journal Article

Int J Mol Sci, 22 (21), 2021.

Abstract | Links:

Morin F, Singh N, Mdzomba JB, Dumas A, Pernet V, Vallières L

Conditional Deletions of Hdc Confirm Roles of Histamine in Anaphylaxis and Circadian Activity but Not in Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Journal Article

J Immunol, 206 (9), 2021.

Abstract | Links:

Baya Mdzomba J, Joly S, Rodriguez L, Dirani A, Lassiaz P, Behar-Cohen F, Pernet V

Nogo-A-targeting antibody promotes visual recovery and inhibits neuroinflammation after retinal injury

Journal Article

Cell Death Dis, 11 (2), 2020.

Abstract | Links:

Rodriguez L, Joly S, Mdzomba JB, Pernet V

Tau Gene Deletion does not Influence Axonal Regeneration and Retinal Neuron Survival in the Injured Mouse Visual System

Journal Article

Int J Mol Sci, 21 (11), 2020.

Abstract | Links:

Rodriguez L, Joly S, Zine-Eddine F, Mdzomba JB, Pernet V

Tau modulates visual plasticity in adult and old mice

Journal Article

Neurobiol Aging, 95 , 2020.

Abstract | Links:

Masse F, Desjardins P, Ouellette M, Couture C, Omar MM, Pernet V, Guerin S, Boisselier E

Synthesis of Ultrastable Gold Nanoparticles as a New Drug Delivery System

Journal Article

Molecules, 24 (16), 2019.

Abstract | Links:

46 entries « ‹ 1 of 5 › »
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Active projects

  • Mechanisms of neuronal and vascular impairments in ischemic retinopathies, from 2019-04-01 to 2024-03-31
Data provided by the Université Laval research projects registery