Reducing harmful inflammation in wet age-related macular degeneration
Official title: Targeting the inflammatory response in age-related macular degeneration
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11172498 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $355,938 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034234-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172498 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with neovascular (exudative, wet) AMD or patients willing to donate tissue through the Yale Rapid Autopsy program.
✕Less likely to help
People with other eye conditions or only early/dry forms of AMD (non-neovascular) are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hafler, Brian P — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hafler, Brian P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting inflammation in age-related macular degeneration
Aims to understand how inflammation drives age-related macular degeneration in people and explore new targets to slow or stop vision loss.
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Investigating inflammation in age-related macular degeneration
This study is looking at how inflammation affects age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of vision loss in older people, to find new ways to treat it by examining eye tissue and immune cells.
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AI-powered tool to predict 2-year risk of late AMD
A new AI software helps people at risk of age-related macular degeneration understand their 2-year risk and what steps could protect their vision.
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Active cycling program to support vision and daily living in Veterans with AMD
A 6-month online group spin cycling program is tested to help Veterans with age-related macular degeneration maintain vision and improve daily functioning.
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Transplanting stem-cell–derived retinal cells to treat dry AMD
A medical team is testing a stem cell therapy to replace damaged retinal cells in adults with dry age-related macular degeneration.
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RPESC-derived RPE Transplant for Dry AMD in adults
A new cell-based therapy derived from RPESCs is being tested to help adults with dry age-related macular degeneration regain vision.
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.