How the protein MMP9 and immune cells drive wet age-related macular degeneration
MMP-9 based immune-driven mechanisms of neovascular AMD
This project looks at how a protein called MMP9 and immune responses relate to wet age-related macular degeneration and links genetic differences to features seen on retinal OCT scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261740 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have neovascular (wet) AMD, researchers will compare DNA, immune cell activity, and eye scans to understand why new blood vessels and persistent fluid occur. They will focus on people with high-risk MMP9 genotypes and measure immune activation from blood and eye-related tissues. Advanced genomic methods will identify regulatory regions controlling MMP9, and artificial intelligence will analyze OCT and OCT-angiography images to find features tied to those genotypes. The team combines genetics, immunology, and machine learning to connect biology with what is visible on your eye scans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with neovascular (wet) AMD, especially those receiving OCT/OCT-A imaging and anti-VEGF treatment who are willing to provide genetic and blood samples.
Not a fit: People without wet AMD (for example, those with only dry AMD), those unwilling to provide samples or attend imaging visits, or those seeking immediate therapy changes are unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict who might not respond well to standard anti-VEGF injections and point to personalized treatments or new therapies targeting MMP9.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked MMP9 to nvAMD and AI has been applied to OCT images, but combining genetic regulation, immune profiling, and AI-driven OCT feature discovery is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sohn, Elliott H — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Sohn, Elliott H
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.