AIBP therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration
Mechanistic study and therapeutic application of AIBP in AMD
This project explores whether a protein called AIBP can reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and inflammation in people with wet age-related macular degeneration, including those who do not respond well to standard anti-VEGF injections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261153 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how AIBP (an apolipoprotein A‑I binding protein) affects abnormal blood vessels and inflammatory immune cells that drive the wet form of AMD. They will use molecular and gene-delivery approaches (including adeno-associated virus tools) in lab and animal models to see if boosting AIBP activity reduces choroidal neovascularization. The team aims to understand the biological mechanisms behind anti-VEGF resistance linked to macrophage-driven arteriolar CNV. Their work is intended to guide therapies that could be given alone or with anti-VEGF to reduce injections and improve outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration, especially those with choroidal neovascularization or who have not had good results from anti-VEGF injections, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People with dry (non-neovascular) AMD or other eye conditions without abnormal blood vessel growth are unlikely to benefit from this AIBP-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could shrink harmful eye blood vessels, lower inflammation, and reduce the need for frequent anti-VEGF injections, helping patients who currently do not respond well.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical lab and animal studies support AIBP's role in promoting cholesterol efflux and reducing inflammation-driven angiogenesis, but applying AIBP as a therapy for AMD is a novel and largely untested clinical idea.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fu, Yingbin — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Fu, Yingbin
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.