Mitochondrial function and retinal blood vessel disease
Official title: Investigating the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of retinal vascular diseases
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11384336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how tiny power plants inside cells (mitochondria) influence the growth of retinal blood vessels in conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, with the goal of finding new paths to protect vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033333-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for retinal vascular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy who may benefit from therapies that modulate mitochondrial pathways in blood vessels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without retinal vascular conditions or those not eligible for future mitochondrial-targeted therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project studies how mitochondrial activity affects how blood vessels grow in the retina, a process that can go wrong in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Researchers are using 3-D models and animal studies to examine how specific mitochondrial proteins (TFAM, COX10, TRX2) impact endothelial cell sprouting and vessel maturation. They look for mechanisms that could be targeted to normalize abnormal angiogenesis without increasing cell damage. Findings could point to novel strategies to preserve retinal blood flow and prevent vision loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that better regulate retinal blood vessel growth and protect vision in patients with retinal vascular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies link mitochondrial function to angiogenesis; this project extends that work in the retina with specific gene targets and animal models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Jenny Huanjiao — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Jenny Huanjiao
Related research
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How mitochondria affect retinal blood vessel health
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.
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Eye drops that block HIF-1 for wet macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization
Trying an eye drop that blocks HIF‑1 to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth in people with wet age-related macular degeneration.
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.