# Transforming Growth Factor Beta-Activated Kinase 1 (Tak1) in Retinal Microglial Inflammation

> **NIH NIH R15** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2022 · $455,965

## Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is associated with chronic aberrant inflammation that is proposed to play a critical role in
the early disruption of neurovascular unit function. There is incomplete information about intracellular signaling
pathways involved in upregulation of inflammatory signals. Identification of more pathway members will lead to
more therapeutic targets to be used in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This proposal is aimed at
testing the role of transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in activation NFκB, p38, and JNK
pathways in retinal microglia, resulting in increased transcription of inflammatory factors. The hypothesis that
inhibition of TAK1 will reduce inflammation in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy and reduce changes to
the neurovascular unit will be tested in vitro using isolated microglial cells and in vivo using a combination of
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice with conditional loss of TAK1 in microglia. Experiments will
utilize small molecule inhibitors, addition of known inflammatory factors, microinjections, quantitative
polymerase chain reactions, Western blot analysis, multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and
quantitation of pericytes, microvasculature, microglia, retinal astrocytes, ganglion cells, and Müller glia in retinal
wholemounts and sections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10438002
- **Project number:** 1R15EY033968-01
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** TERI L BELECKY-ADAMS
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $455,965
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10438002

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10438002, Transforming Growth Factor Beta-Activated Kinase 1 (Tak1) in Retinal Microglial Inflammation (1R15EY033968-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10438002. Licensed CC0.

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