Apelin signaling role in Schlemm's canal development and congenital glaucoma
Official title: Models and mechanisms of early-onset glaucoma types
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11450077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how a chemical signal called Apelin helps develop a key eye drainage channel to prevent high eye pressure and congenital glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $532,079 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY037799-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults or adolescents with or at risk for open-angle glaucoma or congenital/early-onset glaucoma, or individuals contributing tissue samples or genetic data related to eye drainage structures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without glaucoma or related eye drainage conditions may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models to map where the Apelin receptor is active during Schlemm's canal development and to test what happens when Apelin signaling is turned off in specific eye tissues. It will apply advanced single-cell transcriptomics to reveal the gene programs guiding this development, linking molecular changes to eye physiology. The goal is to understand how disruptions in this pathway contribute to early-onset glaucoma, with findings that could inform future therapies or prevention strategies. The work combines genetics, imaging, and physiological measurements to connect basic biology with potential clinical relevance for patients with elevated intraocular pressure due to developmental issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could identify new targets to prevent or treat early-onset glaucoma by preserving or restoring proper Schlemm's canal development and function.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in related vascular/lymphatic signaling have shown that Apelin pathways influence canal-like structures, but this project explores a specific role in Schlemm's canal development with potential novelty.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balasubramanian, Revathi — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Balasubramanian, Revathi
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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.