# Slit2-ROBO signaling in pericytes and myeloid cells controls vascular development and ocular neovascular disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $601,064

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Pericytes and myeloid cells cooperate with endothelium to orchestrate formation of a properly branched,
functional vessel network that sustains retinal function and thereby enables vision. Disrupted communication
between endothelium, pericytes and myeloid cells leads to excessive and pathological angiogenesis in ocular
neovascular diseases (ONDs) such as advanced age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy that
cause vision loss in millions of Americans. Excessive angiogenesis is currently treated by inhibition of a single
factor VEGF that targets endothelial cells only. In this proposal we identify a novel SLIT2-ROBO1&2 ligand-
receptor pathway that promotes retinal neovascularization through direct receptor signaling effects in pericytes
and myeloid cells. By targeting pericytes and myeloid cells, ROBO inhibition in ONDs may confer additional
benefit over VEGF inhibition of ECs alone. We will define the molecular basis of SLIT2-ROBO1&2 signaling and
its biological role in pericytes and myeloid cells to uncover novel biology controlling retinal development and
homeostasis that could be applied to OND prevention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10565897
- **Project number:** 5R01HL125811-06
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Anne Christine Eichmann
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $601,064
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-07-01 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10565897

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10565897, Slit2-ROBO signaling in pericytes and myeloid cells controls vascular development and ocular neovascular disease (5R01HL125811-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10565897. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*