How the REDD1 protein harms the diabetic eye
Redox-sensitive activation of REDD1 in diabetic retinopathy
Looking for ways to stop a stress protein called REDD1 to help people with diabetic eye disease keep their sight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169797 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers found that diabetes raises levels of a stress protein called REDD1 in the retina and that REDD1 becomes more stable through a redox-sensitive change. Because reducing the REDD1 mRNA alone did not work well in past trials, the team is exploring the chemical events that make REDD1 accumulate and the ways REDD1 causes damage. The project will use lab experiments on cells and tissues and complementary animal models to pinpoint druggable steps that could block REDD1’s harmful actions. Successful strategies from these studies would be advanced toward treatments for early-stage diabetic retinal disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diabetes who have early or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People with advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy, non-diabetic eye disease, or vision loss from unrelated causes may not benefit from REDD1-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent vision loss in early diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: A prior intravitreal siRNA against REDD1 showed limited benefit but was dropped after failing to outperform anti-VEGF therapy, while directly targeting REDD1’s redox activation is a newer and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dennis, Michael D — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Dennis, Michael D
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.