This study shows that AAV-NRF2 protects retinal and choroidal vasculature in an oxidative damage model of AMD through GDF15, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Aug 11, 2026Peer-reviewedCell Biology

Amino acid transporter SLC38A5 regulates developmental and pathological retinal angiogenesis

Zhongxiao Wang, Felix Yemanyi, Alexandra K. Blomfield, Kiran Bora, Shuo Huang, Chi‐Hsiu Liu, William R. Britton, Steve S. Cho, Yohei Tomita, Zhongjie Fu, Jian‐xing Ma, Wenhong Li, Jing Chen

This study identifies SLC38A5 as a metabolic regulator of retinal angiogenesis by controlling amino acid uptake and VEGFR2 signaling in endothelial cells during development and disease.

eLife · Nov 18, 2022Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Endothelial-derived sphingolipids are required for vascular development and systemic lipid homeostasis

Andrew Kuo, Antonio Checa, Colin Niaudet, Bongnam Jung, Zhongjie Fu, Craig Edward Wheelock, Sasha A. Singh, Masanori Aikawa, Lois E. H. Smith, Richard L. Proia, Timothy Hla

This study shows that endothelial-derived sphingolipids are essential for vascular development and systemic lipid homeostasis, with effects on retinal vascularization and liver toxicity.

eLife · Oct 5, 2022Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology