# Stimulation of Retinal Regeneration

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $405,003

## Abstract

Abstract
Currently, there are no effective therapies to replace degenerated neurons in patients with retina neuron loss
from degenerative diseases, such as occurs in patients with glaucoma and macular degeneration. By contrast,
retinas of non-mammalian vertebrates, such as fish and amphibians, show a robust regenerative response
following retinal damage. Upon injury to the retina, fish Muller Glia generate all different types of retinal
neurons to replace those that were lost. There has been considerable progress in understanding the molecular
mechanisms of regeneration in non-mammalian vertebrates, and if this knowledge could be applied to humans,
it might lead to the development of new types of regenerative therapies for patients with impaired vision. Five
years ago, we discovered that by expressing a key proneural regulatory gene, called Ascl1, in the Muller glia of
mice, we can induce them to regenerate new neurons after injury. The new regenerated neurons in the mouse
retinas wired up with the existing, undamaged neurons and became functional. These results showed for the
first time that functional neuron regeneration is possible in mammals, like ourselves; however, we have found
that additional factors are likely required to guide the regeneration to the proper types and numbers of neurons
needed to address specific diseases. In this proposal, our aim is to better define the specific transcription factor
combinations that best regenerate each of the major retinal neurons types. We also propose to determine
whether the types of neurons regenerated by the Muller glia are influenced by the type of retinal injury, and
whether the process can be made efficient enough to restore functional vision in animal models of retinal
degeneration. Lastly, we propose studies to better understand the signaling pathways that could be harnessed
to further direct the MG-mediated regeneration process. At the end of five years, we expect to have further
refined the potential for regeneration in the treatment of retinal disease and trauma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10908402
- **Project number:** 5R01EY021482-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS A REH
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $405,003
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-04-01 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10908402

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10908402, Stimulation of Retinal Regeneration (5R01EY021482-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10908402. Licensed CC0.

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