ACAT1 enzyme in immune cells and harmful eye blood vessel growth
Myeloid ACAT1 in ischemic retinopathy
This work looks at whether a cholesterol-processing enzyme called ACAT1 in immune cells causes harmful blood vessel growth and inflammation in ischemic eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235890 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models that mimic oxygen-induced and diabetic retinopathy to recreate the eye damage patients experience. They will focus on ACAT1, an enzyme in microglia and macrophages that converts cholesterol into cholesterol esters when immune cells take up oxidized LDL. The team will measure ACAT1 activity, cholesterol ester levels, and inflammatory signals such as TREM-1, MCSF, VEGF, and TNFα, and test whether changing ACAT1 activity changes pathological retinal blood vessel growth and neurovascular injury. Results will come from laboratory experiments in mice and cells and could point to drug targets for future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ischemic retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or other conditions characterized by pathological retinal neovascularization would be the eventual target population for therapies from this work.
Not a fit: Patients with non-ischemic eye diseases or with advanced, irreversible vision loss are unlikely to benefit from ACAT1-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify a new target to reduce harmful retinal blood vessel growth and inflammation in conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have linked ACAT1 to harmful myeloid cell activity in diseases like atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s, but targeting ACAT1 for retinal neovascular disease is a relatively new idea without proven success in humans.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caldwell, Ruth B — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Caldwell, Ruth B
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.