# Mechanobiology of Bruch’s membrane during aging: Implications for age-related retinal degenerations.

> **NIH EY R01** · CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU · 2026 · $615,928

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Aging is a significant risk factor for age-related macular degeneration AMD, a leading cause of blindness among the
elderly. Aging and AMD induce progressive changes in Bruch’s membrane but to varying extents. There is increasing
evidence that the physical properties of tissues, particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence tissue
homeostasis and function. The ECM plays a critical role in the biomechanical properties of tissue. Deciphering the
protein composition of the ECM and how it changes in the context of aging and disease pathology is an important first
step towards understanding its role in health and disease especially in the eye. The matrisome of Bruch’s membrane
has not yet been described, but it could potentially represent a vast and untapped reservoir of disease biomarkers.
In this proposal we will describe the spatial and temporal matrisome maps of RPE/Bruch’s membrane/choriocapillaris
and correlate it with underlying stiffness of Bruch’s membrane. Taken together this study will describe the spatial
mapping of Bruch’s membrane stiffness and matrisome in mouse and human eyes, identify changes with aging and
provide mechanistic insights into how changes in stiffness can regulate RPE barrier function and metabolism.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11317464
- **Project number:** 1R01EY038520-01
- **Recipient organization:** CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU
- **Principal Investigator:** BELA  ANAND-APTE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** EY
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $615,928
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2026-04-15T00:00:00 → 2030-03-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11317464

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11317464, Mechanobiology of Bruch’s membrane during aging: Implications for age-related retinal degenerations. (1R01EY038520-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-09 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11317464. Licensed CC0.

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