Understanding how immune cells affect blood vessel barriers in diabetic eye disease
Official title: Microglia-Vascular Interaction in Alteration of Blood-Retinal Barrier in Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at Albuquerque VA Medical Center · NIH-10948896 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the eye might affect the blood-retinal barrier and contribute to vision loss in people with diabetes, with the hope of finding new ways to prevent or treat diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albuquerque VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005348-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948896 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with diabetes, particularly those experiencing vision problems related to diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not have any vision complications related to diabetic retinopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of immune cells, specifically microglia, in the changes to the blood-retinal barrier associated with diabetic retinopathy. The study aims to identify the factors released by activated microglia and how these factors influence the interactions between vascular cells in the retina. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to uncover mechanisms that contribute to vision loss in individuals with diabetes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating diabetic retinopathy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve vision outcomes for patients with diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting inflammatory processes in the retina can lead to improvements in diabetic retinopathy, suggesting that this approach may hold promise.
Where this research is happening
-
Albuquerque VA Medical Center
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Das, Arup — Albuquerque VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Das, Arup
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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.