# Modulating electro-chemotactic stimuli and Top2b-mediated pathways to promote integration of cone progenitors

> **NIH NIH R21** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2021 · $181,316

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Retinal degeneration leads to progressive vision loss in millions of Americans. Promising cell replacement
therapies have transplanted stem and progenitor-like cells (STLC) to replace damaged photoreceptors, but have
yet to achieve the synaptic integration needed to restore Human vision. This deficit is largely because donor
cells must maneuver a complex retinal environment, whose physio-chemical cues of damage impact donors in
ways that remain underexplored. This project will create a predictive microfluidic-eye explant model to evaluate
the extent to which external electro-chemotactic (EC) stimuli can guide the integration of photoreceptor
replacements via a DNA topoisomerase II beta (Top2b) pathway. The research group has collectively
demonstrated that STLC migrate large distances in response to external EC stimuli and used bioinformatics to
target Top2b-regulated pathways as, both, significant to EC-induced migration and critical to synapse formation
in the photoreceptor layer. Studies will first determine the range of clinically-applicable EC fields able to produce
the directional migration of cone progenitors and correlate several metrics of cone cell movement with its Top2b
expression. Experiments will then identify mechanistic roles of Top2b in retinal repair via quantitative pairing of
EC-induced cell integration with genetic cell manipulation. Upon completion, the project will have developed a
tunable, experimental model to manipulate the migration and synapse formation of STLC groups within retinal
tissue using external fields. This translational system will facilitate the screening of new therapeutic targets,
strategies and compounds to advance transplantation outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10145005
- **Project number:** 5R21EY031439-02
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Li Cai
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $181,316
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10145005

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10145005, Modulating electro-chemotactic stimuli and Top2b-mediated pathways to promote integration of cone progenitors (5R21EY031439-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10145005. Licensed CC0.

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