Signals guiding retinal support cells and blood vessel formation
Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in astrocyte migration and angiogenesis
This work looks at whether two cell-signaling systems (PDGF and FGF) control how retinal support cells move and shape blood vessels, with the goal of helping people with eye conditions like retinopathy of prematurity and glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179362 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use genetically modified mice and live imaging to watch how retinal astrocytes migrate and interact with growing blood vessels. They will map the PDGF signaling cascade that directs astrocyte movement and study how FGF signaling controls astrocyte maturation. The team will test whether PDGF and FGF keep astrocytes in an immature state and trigger angiogenesis in the retina. Understanding these mechanisms could explain how astrocyte dysfunction leads to retinal vascular disease and point to new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by retinal vascular disorders (for example, retinopathy of prematurity, congenital coloboma) or glaucoma, and those interested in contributing to future tissue- or patient-based studies, would be most relevant to follow this research.
Not a fit: Patients with eye conditions unrelated to retinal vasculature or astrocyte biology (for example, isolated corneal diseases) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets to prevent or treat abnormal retinal blood-vessel growth and help protect vision in diseases like ROP and glaucoma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and laboratory studies support roles for PDGF and FGF in blood-vessel growth, but applying these pathways specifically to retinal astrocyte migration and maturation is a newer, more focused approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tao, Chenqi — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Tao, Chenqi
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.