# RPE Signaling in Ocular Health and Disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2020 · $453,576

## Abstract

RESEARCH SUMMARY
This proposal describes experiments to address cellular functions of two transmembrane proteins, LRP2
and MFRP, that when mutated in humans and animal models cause a spectrum of ocular pathologies,
including retinal dystrophies and refractive errors. LRP2 is a large transmembrane protein of the LDL-
receptor related protein (LRP) family. MFRP is also a transmembrane protein and was named for its C-
terminal and extracellular cysteine rich Frizzled domain, although it also has CUB and LDLA domains.
Within eyes, both LRP2 and MFRP are specifically expressed on RPE and ciliary epithelial cells. Through
three Specific Aims, we probe (1) the potential functional cooperatively between LRP2 and MFRP in
receiving and transducing signals and regulating cellular processes (2) their involvement in recruitment and
activation of macrophages in normal eye growth and during pathology, and (3) their protein binding
partners and the possibility they interact directly. The proposed research will provide fundamental insights
into regulation of specific signaling pathways and cellular processes of RPE cells with emphasis on their
role in extracellular matrix homeostasis and in regulation of microglia and macrophages during ocular
health and disease. Broadly, our studies will also help understand the links between ocular fibrosis and
retinal pathologies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10000158
- **Project number:** 5R01EY029267-03
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian A Link
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $453,576
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10000158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10000158, RPE Signaling in Ocular Health and Disease (5R01EY029267-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10000158. Licensed CC0.

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