Mitochondrial transfer to protect diabetic retinopathy patients’ eye vessels
Official title: Correction of diabetic retinopathy by mitochondrial transfer
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11180506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach tests whether giving healthy mitochondria to retinal cells can prevent blood vessel damage in people with diabetes-related eye disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $548,864 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034133-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetic retinopathy who may benefit from therapies aimed at improving retinal endothelial cell energy and vascular repair.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic retinopathy or those not considering mitochondrial-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on correcting energy problems in retinal endothelial cells by transferring mitochondria to prevent retinal vascular degeneration in diabetic retinopathy. It builds on recent lab findings showing mitochondria can rescue cells from energy failure and death, aiming to translate this into a treatment that preserves vision. The study involves understanding how CD34+ bone marrow cells, which support retinal vessels, may be impaired in diabetes and how mitochondrial transfer could restore their reparative functions. If successful, it could lead to a novel therapy that complements current anti-VEGF approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, people with diabetic retinopathy might experience slower progression of vision loss and better maintenance of retinal blood vessels.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work has shown mitochondrial transfer can rescue energy deficits and cell survival in related models, with ongoing exploration in retinal cells.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Proshlyakov, Denis a — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Proshlyakov, Denis a
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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.