# Understanding the relevance of hemoglobin in RPE

> **NIH NIH R21** · AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $192,187

## Abstract

This study will generate a humanized RPE-specific globin gene knockout mouse to elucidate the function of
hemoglobin in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. RPE cells serve many functions essential to the
maintenance of outer retinal health and overall visual function. Newly discovered among these, is the
production of hemoglobin, a phenomenon once thought to be reserved exclusively for cells of erythroid lineage.
We hypothesize that RPE-hemoglobin is important for the maintenance of RPE and retinal morphology and
visual function in addition to maintenance of oxygen homeostasis in outer retina. Our prior studies have
confirmed the production of hemoglobin by RPE, however the functional significance of RPE-generated
hemoglobin has not been demonstrated. There is no live animal model available that allows for the study of
non-erythroid (RPE)-generated hemoglobin independent of that generated by erythroid cells. The proposed
study seeks to develop one. Specifically, we will generate a humanized conditional globin gene knockout
mouse, a model that expresses human hemoglobin in all hemoglobin-expressing cell types except RPE. The
consequences of the absence of hemoglobin in RPE in this model will provide invaluable information regarding
the function of RPE-hemoglobin under normal conditions. Additionally, the novel animal model to be
generated, a humanized conditional hemoglobin knockout mouse, will be made readily available to the broader
research community as a tool to study the cell-type specific significance of hemoglobin.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9916765
- **Project number:** 5R21EY029113-02
- **Recipient organization:** AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Pamela M Martin
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $192,187
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9916765

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9916765, Understanding the relevance of hemoglobin in RPE (5R21EY029113-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9916765. Licensed CC0.

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