Tiny particles from the retina and diabetic eye disease
Official title: Retina-derived extracellular vesicles in diabetic retinopathy: their potential role in pathogenesis and therapy
Funded at Doheny Eye Institute · NIH-11375541 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether tiny particles released by retinal cells drive blood-vessel damage in diabetic retinopathy and could point to new treatments for people with diabetes-related vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Doheny Eye Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00EY034928-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375541 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with diabetes who have or are at risk for diabetic retinopathy would be the most likely candidates to benefit from or join future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or with eye problems unrelated to diabetic retinopathy are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
I study small membrane-bound particles (extracellular vesicles) that retinas release and how they might promote the blood-vessel inflammation seen in diabetic retinopathy. Using retinas from diabetic and non-diabetic mice, I isolate these particles and expose retinal blood-vessel cells and circulating immune cells in the lab to see how they react, focusing on the adhesion protein ICAM-1. I also block a receptor called TLR4 to test whether that stops the particles' effects, and I follow up findings in a mouse model of diabetes to map the underlying mechanisms. The goal is to understand whether these retina-made particles cause damage and whether blocking them or their receptors could protect vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent or reduce blood-vessel injury in diabetic retinopathy and eventually lead to treatments that slow or stop vision loss.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical and lab studies have reported higher levels of extracellular vesicles in people with diabetic retinopathy and some experimental work (including the investigator's prior data) shows these particles can trigger inflammation, but translating this into therapies remains new.
Where this research is happening
-
Doheny Eye Institute
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lessieur, Emma M — Doheny Eye Institute
- Study coordinator: Lessieur, Emma M
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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.