Lens Aquaporins and GPX1: How oxygen balance during aging affects cataract risk
Official title: Roles of Lens Aquaporins and GPX1 in Hydrogen Peroxide Balance, Homeostasis, and Aging
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11418349 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how eye lens water channels and an antioxidant enzyme influence hydrogen peroxide balance to help prevent aging-related cataracts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $398,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033346-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418349 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at risk for age-related cataracts or those interested in contributing lens tissue samples or related data for future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without risk factors for cataracts or those not contributing samples or data would have no direct benefit from this basic mechanistic study.
What this research studies
As we age, changes in the eye lens can lead to cataracts. This project looks at how water channels called Aquaporins (AQP) and the antioxidant enzyme GPX1 manage hydrogen peroxide levels in the lens, which may affect clarity over time. By studying these proteins in lens cells, researchers aim to understand why the lens becomes less transparent and how it might be protected. The work involves laboratory studies to see how AQP0, AQP1, AQP5, Cx43, Cx50, and related pathways help transport H2O2 and maintain lens homeostasis. Findings could point to new strategies to prevent or treat age-related cataracts in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new approaches to prevent or delay cataract formation by preserving lens clarity and function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked aquaporins and connexins to lens health, with some showing that altering these channels can impact cataract formation in model systems.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varadaraj, Kulandaiappan — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Varadaraj, Kulandaiappan
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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.