Endothelial Rap1 and retinal inflammation in diabetes
Official title: Endothelial Rap1 restricts inflammation in the retina
Funded at Versiti Blood Health, INC. · NIH-11400054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in people with diabetic eye disease is exploring how a signaling protein in blood vessel cells of the retina might control inflammation and leakage to protect vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versiti Blood Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $577,275 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036588-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diabetic retinopathy or related retinal vascular inflammation may be relevant for future translational work and clinical applications.
✕Less likely to help
The study is primarily preclinical; not all patients with diabetic retinopathy may directly benefit unless a therapy is developed from the findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how retinal blood vessel cells interact with immune cells during diabetic retinopathy and how signals involving TNF-α, VEGF, and a protein called Rap1B affect inflammation and vessel leakage. It uses laboratory models to understand how lipid raft domains in endothelial cells influence signaling pathways that control vascular permeability. The researchers aim to identify mechanisms that balance proinflammatory responses with protective homeostasis to inform better treatments. The work builds on prior findings that endothelial Rap1B helps regulate nitric oxide and VEGF signaling, which could influence disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce damage to the retina in diabetic patients by modulating endothelial signaling to reduce inflammation and abnormal vessel growth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous data suggest endothelial Rap1B influences retinal inflammation and VEGF signaling, supporting potential translation to human therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Versiti Blood Health, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chrzanowska, Magdalena — Versiti Blood Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Chrzanowska, Magdalena
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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.