# Dietary control of angiogenesis in retinopathy models

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $527,318

## Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects ~16,000 premature infants per year in the US. At
preterm birth, there is loss of both ω3 and ω6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA),
normally provided by the maternal/placental interface in utero. prominently contributes to
initiation and progression of ROP. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, ω3) alone prevents ROP in
some but not all studies. If DHA is given alone serum arachidonic acid (AA, ω6) decreases
further, and lack of AA also contributes to ROP. We must understand how DHA and AA together
prevent ROP to develop potent safe interventions based on physiology. In premature infants
developing severe ROP, decreased mitochondrial number and increased peroxisomal activity
(cleaving lipids ≥22 carbons) was found. However, knowledge of mitochondrial and peroxisomal
lipid oxidation in retinal diseases is limited. Pilot work suggests DHA and AA control
peroxisomal activity in a phase 1 ROP model. We will determine DHA/AA effects on retinal
metabolism, particularly mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in early vessel loss
in ROP.
DHA/AA controls neurovascular development in phase 1 ROP by improving
metabolism.
In hyperglycemic mice in phase I ROP (vessel growth suppression and retinal neuronal
dysfunction) we will: i) investigate if AA adds to DHA protection against retinal neurovascular
abnormalities; ii) determine if DHA/AA alters retinal mitochondrial metabolism, and iii)
determine if DHA/AA controls peroxisomal β-fatty acid oxidation.
SUMMARY: These studies will determine if AA adds to DHA protection in phase I ROP
(improving retinal metabolism) and uncover novel lipid metabolic associations. Supplementing
DHA and AA orally will likely help prevent ROP and other retinopathies

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10850967
- **Project number:** 5R01EY017017-18
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Zhongjie Fu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $527,318
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2006-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10850967

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10850967, Dietary control of angiogenesis in retinopathy models (5R01EY017017-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10850967. Licensed CC0.

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