# Novel signaling pathways regulated by the liver x receptor in age-related macular degeneration

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $470,657

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the Western World. The
fundamental abnormalities occurring in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells leading to their progressive
dysfunction and eventually atrophy in AMD are not known. Multiple epidemiological, biochemical, and
histological studies highlight the role of altered cholesterol metabolism in the pathogenesis of AMD.
 The liver x receptor is an important regulator of reverse cholesterol transport. Beyond this
established function it has also been shown to regulate inflammation, cell metabolism and apoptosis.
We have recently found that aged LXR knockout mice develop cardinal features of dry AMD including
accumulation of cholesterol and neutral lipids within Bruch's membrane and development of significant
sub-RPE deposits. Herein we propose to investigate the role of two modulators of LXR in RPE
biology and pathogenesis of AMD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10110010
- **Project number:** 5R01EY027802-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Goldis Malek
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $470,657
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10110010

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10110010, Novel signaling pathways regulated by the liver x receptor in age-related macular degeneration (5R01EY027802-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10110010. Licensed CC0.

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