Tuesday, February 3, 2026 2/3/2026

Role of S100 proteins in Diabetic Retinopathy

Award Number: R01EY029795
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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Role of S100 proteins in Diabetic Retinopathy - ABSTRACT Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a neurodegenerative and microvascular disorder affecting ~93 million diabetic people worldwide. The incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide and predicted to reach ~435 million by 2045, and hence the morbidity and healthcare costs associated with DR are predicted to escalate, exacerbating an already serious public health issue. A significant problem with DR is the lack of early subjective symptoms so that by the time patients become aware of an abnormality in their vision, it is too late to reverse the disease progression. DR affects retinal neuronal tissue and breakdown of blood-retina barrier, and vascular leakage eventually causing neovascularization. The current treatments are only applicable to advanced stages of DR, which involve intraocular injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti- VEGF) drugs and surgical laser intervention. Unfortunately, these treatments are expensive, require multiple injections and often failed to treat every patient. The long-term goal is to identify new VEGF-independent molecular targets such as S100 proteins, a family of low-molecular weight Ca2+-binding proteins implicated in a variety of intracellular and extracellular functions. Preliminary data in DR mice and porcine models showed upregulation of S100A9 protein in the retina. This proposal tests a novel hypothesis that S100A9 protein is released by the retinal microglia cells under diabetic stress, and is taken up by the endothelial cells to exacerbate inflammatory pathways in DR pathogenesis. Through three proposed aims, we will 1) define the functional role of S100A9 protein in the retinal microglia under hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia stress; 2) study the mechanistic role of S100A9 in the pathogenesis of DR; and 3) evaluate the S100A9-specific small molecule inhibitor, paquinimod for the pharmacological intervention of DR progression. These studies will lead to a better understanding of the molecular pathways and a potential novel target for the intervention of DR.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2023	THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC.	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Vision Research	000	5	1/6/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $362,160 )
2023	2023	THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC.	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Vision Research	000	5	7/20/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$362,160
														Subtotal = $362,160

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $419,006 )
2022	2022	MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC., THE	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Vision Research	004	4	7/15/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$420,198
2022	2021	MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC., THE	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Vision Research	002	3	11/6/2021	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$662,627
2022	2020	UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM	121 UNIVERSITY HALL	COLUMBIA	MO	65211	BOONE	USA	Vision Research	001	2	11/6/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$504,123
2022	2019	UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM	121 UNIVERSITY HALL	COLUMBIA	MO	65211	BOONE	USA	Vision Research	003	1	6/29/2022	NEW	-$1,192
2022	2019	UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM	121 UNIVERSITY HALL	COLUMBIA	MO	65211	BOONE	USA	Vision Research	000	1	11/6/2021	NEW	-$158,504
														Subtotal = $419,006

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $434,554 )
2021	2021	MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN, INC., THE	8701 WATERTOWN PLANK RD	MILWAUKEE	WI	53226	MILWAUKEE	USA	Vision Research	001	3	9/15/2021	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$434,554
2021	2020	UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM	316 UNIVERSITY HALL	COLUMBIA	MO	65211	BOONE	USA	Vision Research	000	2	9/15/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $434,554

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $504,123 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM	316 UNIVERSITY HALL	COLUMBIA	MO	65211	BOONE	USA	Vision Research	000	2	6/22/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$504,123
														Subtotal = $504,123

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $504,123 )
2019	2019	UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM	316 UNIVERSITY HALL	COLUMBIA	MO	65211	BOONE	USA	Vision Research	000	1	9/4/2019	NEW	$504,123
														Subtotal = $504,123

Grand Total All Awards = $2,223,965

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Role of S100 proteins in Diabetic Retinopathy

Award Number: R01EY029795

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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