NIH R01 · 2024
Targeting epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) in retinopathy of prematurity
PROJECT SUMMARY Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness, affecting approximately 1 in 3-4 extremely low birth weight premature infants. Preterm delivery requires exposing these neonates to relative hyperoxia because of their lung immaturity. Hyperoxia leads to vessel attenuation in the retina, which results in local hypoxia, which then fuels abnormal compensatory neovascularization (NV). This process is mediated by altered expression of growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Though the neuroretina has been described to play a role in pro-angiogenic signaling in ROP, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Current therapies for…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.