How mitochondria affect retinal blood vessel health
Investigating the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of retinal vascular diseases
['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11143745
This project looks at whether problems in mitochondria change how blood vessels grow in the retina, which matters to people with conditions like diabetic retinopathy or other retinal blood-vessel diseases.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | YALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11143745 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team uses lab-grown blood-vessel cells in 3D assays and genetically modified mice to see how altering specific mitochondrial proteins changes vessel sprouting and growth in the retina. They delete or silence genes (TFAM, COX10, TRX2) that control mitochondrial function and observe effects on vessel formation, arterial changes, and small aneurysms. Experiments measure cell proliferation, vessel penetration into retinal layers, and structural changes over early and later developmental time points. Findings aim to link mitochondrial health to the abnormal blood-vessel growth seen in human retinal diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with retinal vascular conditions like diabetic retinopathy, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, or other disorders of retinal blood-vessel growth could be future candidates for related clinical studies or trials.
Not a fit: Patients without retinal blood-vessel disease or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit from this primarily lab- and animal-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for preventing or treating abnormal retinal blood-vessel growth in diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies, including early work from this group, have shown that changing mitochondrial proteins alters retinal vessel growth, but translating these findings into human treatments remains preliminary.
Where this research is happening
NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- YALE UNIVERSITY — NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHOU, JENNY HUANJIAO — YALE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ZHOU, JENNY HUANJIAO
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.