# Elucidation of the Regulation of Angiogenesis by Melanocytes in Age Related Macular Degeneration

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $91,117

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a regulated process determined by
the local balance of endogenous stimulators versus inhibitors. Angiogenesis-dependent
diseases are the major cause of blindness in the developed world. Epidemiological
studies have shown that the incidence of exudative age-related macular degeneration
(ARMD) is race dependent and highly correlated to pigmentation levels. Compared to
white people, lowly-pigmented individuals, the prevalence of choroidal
neovascularization is 55% lower in black people, highly-pigmented individuals and 46%
lower in Asian Americans. The studies outlined in our proposal are aimed at
understanding the role of melanocytes in ARMD. We have previously shown that
melanocytes with low pigmentation have high expression levels of a novel angiogenic
factor known as Fibromodulin (FMOD). We have confirmed FMOD's angiogenic activity
in several in vivo angiogenesis models. The goal of this project is to elucidate the cellular
mechanisms by which melanocytes induce pathological angiogenesis via FMOD. We
now propose to: (1) Investigate the physiological conditions and molecular stimulators
that increase FMOD expression by melanocytes, including identification of transcription
factors that activate FMOD expression; (2) Investigate FMOD receptor-mediated signal
transduction in angiogenesis by characterizing the FMOD - ROR2 interaction in
endothelial cells; and (3) Establish how melanocytes promote angiogenesis via FMOD in
various ocular animal models and human donor eyes. Understanding the role of
melanocytes and melanocyte-secreted FMOD in vascular diseases would advance our
understanding of the melanocytic microenvironment and offer novel targets for
personalized treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10209042
- **Project number:** 3R01EY024046-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Irit Adini
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $91,117
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-06-01 → 2021-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10209042

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10209042, Elucidation of the Regulation of Angiogenesis by Melanocytes in Age Related Macular Degeneration (3R01EY024046-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10209042. Licensed CC0.

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