Reducing harmful inflammation in wet age-related macular degeneration
Targeting the inflammatory response in age-related macular degeneration
This project looks for ways to block damaging immune inflammation in people with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration to help protect their vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172498 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine human eye tissue from people with advanced wet AMD using high-resolution single-nucleus RNA sequencing to see which immune cells are active. They will focus on microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages that appear to drive inflammation around new blood vessels. By defining the molecular signals these cells use, the team aims to identify specific inflammation pathways that could be targeted by new treatments. The work uses tissue donated through the Yale Rapid Autopsy Service and advanced genomic methods to map changes in individual cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with neovascular (exudative, wet) AMD or patients willing to donate tissue through the Yale Rapid Autopsy program.
Not a fit: People with other eye conditions or only early/dry forms of AMD (non-neovascular) are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that slow or stop vision loss from neovascular (wet) AMD by targeting inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Other recent single-cell studies have started to show immune cells play a role in AMD, but translating those findings into anti-inflammatory treatments for patients is still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hafler, Brian P — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hafler, Brian P
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.