The Unit of Vascular Retinal Neurobiology Research uses animal models in combination with cell and molecular biology approaches to understand the process of angiogenesis and neuroprotection in the retina in development, normal physiology and various pathologies. Moreover, we investigate the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena. 1.Using different mouse models, we study the process of neural and vascular protection in retinal degenerative diseases. We characterize the neural and vascular effects of several important growth factors, such as the PDGFs and VEGFs, and also use other systemic approaches to investigate the basic mechanisms of such diseases, and try to identify novel molecules and pathways involved. 2. Another project of ours is the functional studies of ocular neovascular disorders. We characterize the angiogenic and vasculogenic nature of some potent angiogenic or antiangiogenic molecules using different disease models. Furthermore, we utilize molecular and cell biology tools to study the key mechanisms and pathways involved in such diseases. 3. Furthermore, we use the developing mouse retina as a model to explore the fundamental mechanisms of angiogenesis. Insight derived from such studies may not only provide basic knowledge of angiogenesis and neurogenesis, but might potentially lead to new directions to developing better therapies for human neovascular diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIAEY000447-06
Application #
8556840
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$1,047,086
Indirect Cost
Name
U.S. National Eye Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
Li, Xuri; Kumar, Anil; Zhang, Fan et al. (2012) Complicated life, complicated VEGF-B. Trends Mol Med 18:119-27
Hou, Xu; Hu, Dan; Wang, Yu-sheng et al. (2012) Targeting of junctional adhesion molecule-C inhibits experimental choroidal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 53:1584-91
Langer, Harald F; Choi, Eun Young; Zhou, Hong et al. (2012) Platelets contribute to the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Circ Res 110:1202-10
Tang, Zhongshu; Zhang, Fan; Li, Yang et al. (2011) A mouse model of the cornea pocket assay for angiogenesis study. J Vis Exp :
Tang, Zhongshu; Zhang, Shuihua; Lee, Chunsik et al. (2011) An optic nerve crush injury murine model to study retinal ganglion cell survival. J Vis Exp :
Hou, Xu; Kumar, Anil; Lee, Chunsik et al. (2010) PDGF-CC blockade inhibits pathological angiogenesis by acting on multiple cellular and molecular targets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:12216-21
Li, Xuri (2010) VEGF-B: a thing of beauty. Cell Res 20:741-4
Tang, Zhongshu; Arjunan, Pachiappan; Lee, Chunsik et al. (2010) Survival effect of PDGF-CC rescues neurons from apoptosis in both brain and retina by regulating GSK3beta phosphorylation. J Exp Med 207:867-80
Kumar, Anil; Hou, Xu; Lee, Chunsik et al. (2010) Platelet-derived growth factor-DD targeting arrests pathological angiogenesis by modulating glycogen synthase kinase-3beta phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 285:15500-10
Narazaki, Masashi; Segarra, Marta; Hou, Xu et al. (2010) Oligo-guanosine nucleotide induces neuropilin-1 internalization in endothelial cells and inhibits angiogenesis. Blood 116:3099-107

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