How IMPG1 and IMPG2 proteins affect retinal health and retinitis pigmentosa
Official title: Role of Interphotoreceptor Matrix Proteoglycans in Retinal Homeostasis and Retinitis Pigmentosa
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11176944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether defects in two eye proteins (IMPG1 and IMPG2) disrupt nutrient flow between retinal cells, cause childhood- or adult-onset retinitis pigmentosa, and whether gene therapy can help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $380,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036475-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with a confirmed IMPG1 or IMPG2 genetic mutation or a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa suspected to be caused by these genes would be the most relevant candidates for future patient-facing work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose vision loss is due to other genes, age-related macular degeneration, or non-genetic causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying two proteins that sit between light-sensing cells and the supporting retinal pigment epithelium and help move nutrients and support vision. They will use mouse models that lack these proteins or carry human-like IMPG2 mutations and track nutrient movement with fluorescent markers and labeled glucose to see how loss or truncation damages photoreceptors. The team will also test gene therapy approaches in those models to try to prevent or slow degeneration caused by IMPG2 mutations. The goal is to explain why some people get early-onset disease while others get adult-onset RP and to guide future treatments for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to gene therapies or other treatments to slow or prevent vision loss in people with IMPG1/2-linked retinitis pigmentosa.
How similar studies have gone: Gene therapy has worked for some inherited retinal diseases (for example, RPE65-related blindness), but applying these approaches to IMPG1/2 is largely new and less-tested.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salido, Ezequiel Martin — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Salido, Ezequiel Martin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Inflammation in MERTK-related retinitis pigmentosa
This project aims to understand whether losing the MERTK gene causes retinal inflammation that leads to vision loss in people with MERTK-related retinitis pigmentosa.
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Enhancing cone survival in RP through targeted cell-specific CRISPR therapy
A patient-friendly look at a new approach to protect cone cells in retinitis pigmentosa using precise gene editing to support vision.
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Oral, once-daily MC16 medicine for retinitis pigmentosa
A gene-mutation-agnostic pill (MC16) is being studied to help people with retinitis pigmentosa by addressing a common cellular problem in the eye.
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Role of IPM Proteoglycans in Retinal Health and Inherited Blindness
This grant studies how specific retinal extracellular matrix proteins (IMPG1 and IMPG2) affect eye health and contribute to retinitis pigmentosa, with potential implications for people who have or are at risk for inherited blindness.
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NAC Attack: a late-stage trial for preserving vision in RP patients
A large, multi-site study is testing whether taking a daily NAC pill can help people with retinitis pigmentosa keep more of their vision.
-
Non-invasive biomarker for mitochondria health in retinitis pigmentosa
Aims to test a new, non-invasive OCT-based biomarker to explain and predict how mitochondria function affects cone cells in people with retinitis pigmentosa.
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.