Understanding STEAP4 in diabetic eye disease
Official title: The role of STEAP4 in retinal pathogenesis and diabetic retinopathy
Funded at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center · NIH-11129731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a protein called STEAP4 contributes to diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss in people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006424-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding diabetic retinopathy, particularly in patients with diabetes who experience this eye condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic retinopathy or those whose condition is well-managed by existing treatments may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many Veterans with diabetes experience diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that often leads to vision loss, and current treatments don't work for most. Our team recently found that a protein called STEAP4 is more active in the eyes of VA patients with diabetic retinopathy. We believe STEAP4 might play a role in the inflammation, stress, and iron buildup that are key parts of this disease. This project aims to understand exactly how STEAP4 affects these processes, as well as its impact on nerve damage, vision, and blood vessels in the eye.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments for diabetic retinopathy, especially for the many patients who do not benefit from current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: This approach is novel, as the function of STEAP4 in the retina is currently unknown, though preliminary data provides strong evidence for its role.
Where this research is happening
-
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Patricia R — Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Patricia R
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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.