How Norrin and Wnt signals protect the eye and brain blood barriers
Mechanisms of Wnt ligand specific signaling in the development of blood-retina barrier and blood-brain barrier
Researchers are looking at how Norrin and related Wnt signals help form and keep the blood-retina and blood-brain barriers healthy for people with retinal or brain vascular problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a retinal or brain vascular problem, this research looks at how Norrin, its receptor FZD4, and co-receptors LRP5/6 and TSPAN12 control blood vessel growth and the protective barriers around the retina and brain. The team will study what happens when these genes are changed, using laboratory and animal models and molecular tests that have shown barrier problems when FZD4 is missing. By tracking signaling pathways and cellular changes, they hope to understand how barrier breakdown happens and to point to molecular targets that could stop or reverse it. Over time this work could guide new ways to protect vision and brain function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited retinal vascular disorders linked to Norrin/FZD4/LRP5 or adults with BRB/BBB dysfunction and related retinal or cerebellar vascular problems would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose eye or brain conditions do not involve vascular barrier defects or Wnt/Norrin pathways are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to prevent or repair breakdown of the blood-retina or blood-brain barriers in genetic retinal diseases and other neurovascular conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior genetic and animal studies have already shown Norrin-FZD4 and Wnt signaling are essential for retinal vessels and barrier function, so this project builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Xiaochun — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Li, Xiaochun
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.