Neutrophil enzymes and Gasdermin D in diabetic eye disease
Neutrophil elastase and Gasdermin D in diabetic retinopathy
This research tests whether blocking a neutrophil enzyme called neutrophil elastase can protect tiny blood vessels in the eyes of people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176916 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how immune cells called neutrophils may damage tiny blood vessels in the retina of people with diabetes by releasing an enzyme (neutrophil elastase) that activates a protein called Gasdermin D to make holes in endothelial cells. Researchers will give drugs that block neutrophil elastase both systemically and as eye drops and will use lab and animal experiments to track whether these treatments stop elastase from being carried in extracellular vesicles to retinal vessels. They will measure endothelial cell injury, Gasdermin D activation, and early signs of diabetic retinopathy to see if blocking elastase prevents capillary loss. The goal is to find approaches that could later be tested in people to prevent the early vessel damage that leads to vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diabetes who have early-stage diabetic retinopathy or signs of retinal capillary damage would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy or vision loss from other causes are unlikely to benefit from treatments that target early neutrophil-mediated vessel damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to eye-drop or systemic treatments that protect retinal blood vessels and slow or prevent diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies show elastase can cause tissue damage and that elastase inhibitors reduce injury in other organs, but targeting neutrophil elastase and Gasdermin D in diabetic retinopathy is a relatively new, preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skowronska-Krawczyk, Dorota — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Skowronska-Krawczyk, Dorota
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.