Blocking an abnormal eye signal to protect retinal blood vessels
Atypical Pathological Signaling as a Target to Regulate Retinal Vasculopathies
This project aims to block a disease-only inflammation signal in the eye to help people with retinal blood-vessel diseases like diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know researchers are focusing on an atypical form of the p38 inflammation pathway that turns on only during disease and harms retinal blood vessels. They will use lab-grown 3-D models and animal models of retinal disease to see how blocking that pathway affects vessel damage and abnormal vessel growth. The team plans to develop selective ways to turn off the atypical p38 signal so normal cell signaling is left alone, including approaches that could be delivered with viral vectors (AAV). Results are intended to guide new targeted therapies for patients who do not respond well to current anti-VEGF treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with retinal blood-vessel diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, or age-related macular degeneration—especially those who respond poorly to anti-VEGF therapy—would be the eventual candidates for related treatments.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is due to non-vascular causes or whose retinal damage is already irreversible are unlikely to benefit from these vascular-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted therapies that protect retinal blood vessels and help patients who do not benefit from or who have problems with anti-VEGF treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Broad p38 inhibitors have failed clinically due to side effects, but early preclinical genetic work targeting the atypical p38 pathway in animal models shows promising protection of the retina and this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grimsey, Neil J — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Grimsey, Neil J
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.