How endothelin proteins damage the optic nerve in glaucoma
Mechanisms underlying endothelin mediated neurodegeneration in glaucoma
This work looks at how endothelin proteins harm retinal nerve cells in glaucoma and whether blocking their effects could help protect vision for people with glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164638 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying a molecule called endothelin that rises in glaucoma and appears to damage retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve. They will use animal models (rodents) and cultured retinal cells to see how endothelin affects mitochondria and mitophagy (the cell's way of clearing damaged mitochondria). The team will raise eye pressure in animals and treat cells with endothelin to track cellular changes and test whether blocking endothelin receptors prevents damage. Results could point to drug targets that protect nerve cells and slow vision loss in glaucoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma—especially those with elevated intraocular pressure or early progressive optic nerve damage—would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: People without glaucoma or those with advanced, irreversible optic nerve loss are unlikely to receive direct benefit from the current preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new treatment targets that protect retinal ganglion cells and slow or prevent vision loss from glaucoma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown endothelin levels rise in glaucoma and that blocking endothelin receptors can protect retinal cells, but the precise mitochondrial and autophagy mechanisms remain novel and under study.
Where this research is happening
Fort Worth, United States
- University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr — Fort Worth, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnamoorthy, Raghu R — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Krishnamoorthy, Raghu R
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.