Redox-triggered REDD1 blockers for diabetic retinopathy
Official title: Redox-sensitive activation of REDD1 in diabetic retinopathy
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11419008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project tests new ways to stop a stress protein (REDD1) from causing vision problems in people with diabetic retinopathy.
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 start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $542,767 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY032879-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diabetes at risk of retinal damage or early diabetic retinopathy could be eligible for future translation or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without retinal involvement or not meeting later-stage criteria may not benefit from this preclinical-focused work.
What this research studies
This work focuses on preventing REDD1 from driving retinal damage in diabetes by blocking the chemical events that increase REDD1's harmful presence in the retina. Researchers will explore molecular details of REDD1’s redox-related stabilization and identify strategies that reduce its activity without relying on knocking down REDD1 mRNA. The study builds on prior findings and aims to translate these insights into preclinical approaches that protect vision in the early, non-proliferative stages of diabetic eye disease. If successful, the work could point to new therapeutic approaches that complement or improve current treatments for diabetic macular edema.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that protect or improve vision for people with diabetic retinopathy by keeping REDD1 activity in check.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed partial benefits of REDD1-targeted approaches but did not outperform standard VEGF blockade, making this a novel but building-on-history effort.
Where this research is happening
-
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
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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.