Understanding how photoreceptors influence blood vessel growth in the retina
Photoreceptor Determination of Retinal Blood Vessel Growth in Retinopathy
This study is looking at how certain cells in the eye help control the growth of blood vessels in babies with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition that can cause blindness, to find better ways to prevent it and help those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10674833 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of photoreceptors in the growth of blood vessels in the retina, particularly in the context of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition that can lead to blindness in infants. The study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind ROP by examining how photoreceptors signal for blood vessel growth through inflammatory proteins. By using a mouse model, researchers will explore the function of a specific transcription factor, c-Fos, which regulates these inflammatory signals. The ultimate goal is to develop earlier preventative therapies for ROP, improving outcomes for at-risk infants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants who are at high risk for developing retinopathy of prematurity.
Not a fit: Patients who are not premature or do not have a diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventative treatments for retinopathy of prematurity, potentially reducing the incidence of blindness in affected infants.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding the role of inflammatory mediators in retinopathy, but the specific approach of targeting photoreceptor signaling in ROP is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Ye — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sun, Ye
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.