Understanding how immune cells move through blood vessels in diabetic eye disease
Official title: The Role of Myeloid Cell Transendothelial Migration in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10893701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how immune cells move through blood vessels and affect eye health in people with early-stage diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision problems, to help find new ways to prevent vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,187 |
| NIH project number | 1F30EY036261-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes who are experiencing non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or those without diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of immune cells in the development of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss. The study focuses on how these immune cells migrate through blood vessel walls and their impact on retinal capillary damage. By examining the interactions between immune cells and the cells lining blood vessels, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to the progression of this eye disease. The findings could lead to new treatment strategies for preventing vision loss in patients with early-stage diabetic retinopathy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent vision loss in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting inflammation in similar conditions has led to promising results, suggesting that this approach may also be effective in diabetic retinopathy.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fang, Vivienne — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Fang, Vivienne
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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.