# The role of IL-17A in the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy in VA patients

> **NIH VA I01** · LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Abstract
Currently, 9% of the US population is diabetic, and an additional 86 million are being treated for
pre-diabetes. Beyond this, one in every four Veteran receiving care from the VA is being treated
for diabetes and its many physical complications, with more than half suffering from diabetic
retinopathy. Making diabetic retinopathy a disease with a high healthcare burden in the Veteran
population. Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular disease of the retina, and is the leading
cause of blindness in the working-age population worldwide. With such a significant health
impact, new therapeutics is required to stay abreast of the financial and physical threat posed
by this visual disease. One of the most promising sources of such a therapeutic target lies within
the immune system. The alteration of the immune system mediates much of the pathogenesis in
diabetic complications through protein cytokine production, with IL-17A being one of the most
prevalent cytokines involved in the onset and progression of diabetes. In our previous studies,
we discovered that diabetes induced IL-17A production, which enhanced retinal inflammation,
oxidative stress, vascular impairment, and the onset of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in
murine models of diabetes. In the current study we will examine if IL-17A plays the same
pathologic role in the progression of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative diabetic
retinopathy, and diabetic macular edema in our VA patients. Further, previous cancer studies
provide evidence that IL-17A induces anti-VEGF drug resistance. Here we will examine if IL-17A
plays the same role in patients that do not respond to anti-VEGF treatments for diabetic
retinopathy. Taken together, these studies will define the role of IL-17A in the onset and
progression of diabetic retinopathy, while potentially identifying a novel therapeutic for retinal
pathogenesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10909879
- **Project number:** 5I01CX002204-04
- **Recipient organization:** LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Patricia R Taylor
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10909879

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10909879, The role of IL-17A in the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy in VA patients (5I01CX002204-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10909879. Licensed CC0.

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