# Choriocapillaris protection and replacement in AMD

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2022 · $374,663

## Abstract

Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness worldwide that is characterized by
pathologic changes at the retinal pigment epithelium-choriocapillaris interface. We recently found that loss of
endothelial cells of the choriocapillaris is related to the earliest clinical signs of AMD, and that a reduced
vascular density and increased number of “ghost” vessels are related to the size and number of drusen and
other subRPE deposits. Compelling evidence suggest that activation of the terminal complement pathway and
formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC) at the level of the choriocapillaris is a likely cause of
vascular loss and AMD pathogenesis.
In this proposal we seek to identify the molecular and cellular responses of choroidal endothelial cells injured
by MAC; to evaluate small molecules that protect choroidal endothelial cells against MAC-mediated lysis; and
to develop an autologous iPSC based choroidal endothelial cell replacement approach.
We anticipate that completion of the aims outlined in this application will result in an important new
understanding of disease pathophysiology, which will allow us to further develop treatments focused on
protecting and replacing damaged blood vessels in AMD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10397546
- **Project number:** 5R01EY024605-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert Foster Mullins
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $374,663
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-08-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10397546

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10397546, Choriocapillaris protection and replacement in AMD (5R01EY024605-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10397546. Licensed CC0.

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