{
  "abstract": "Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a defining feature of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies suppress neovascular activity, incomplete responses, recurrent leakage, and subretinal fibrosis remain important clinical challenges. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor with anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-angiogenic functions in other tissues, but its role in CNV is unknown. Analysis of publicly available human transcriptomic data (GSE135092) showed FXR expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid and significant downregulation in AMD-affected macular RPE/choroid. To define the role of FXR in CNV, laser photocoagulation was performed in wild-type (WT) and FXR-deficient (FXR-KO) mice, with disease progression assessed by in vivo imaging, histology, ex vivo choroidal sprouting, and endothelial cell assays. FXR expression in the RPE/choroid was reduced 14 days after laser injury. Compared with WT mice, FXR-KO mice developed larger CNV lesions, more extensive hyperfluorescence on fluorescein angiography, and increased lesion area during disease progression. FXR deficiency also impaired resolution of fibrotic remodeling. In WT mice, alpha-SMA peaked at day 14 and declined by day 21, whereas collagen I remained low throughout; in FXR-KO mice, both collagen I and alpha-SMA were significantly elevated relative to WT and remained significantly higher than WT at day 21. Consistent with these findings, FXR-deficient choroidal explants exhibited increased vascular sprouting, and FXR-KO endothelial cells formed more extensive capillary-like networks. Together, these findings identify FXR as an endogenous regulator of pathological angiogenesis, vascular leakage, mesenchymal activation, and fibrotic remodeling during CNV and provide a rationale for investigating FXR-directed strategies for nAMD.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Meharry Medical College"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "C. Harris"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. A. Nisar"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Seth"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Oxenrider"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Bailey"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Seth"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. M. Martin"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. N. Jadeja"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "M. C. Thounaojam"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1p8djmem815p6.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.21.760483",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.21.760483v1.full",
  "id": "1p8djmem815p6",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.21.760483v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "biochemistry"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2731|Retinal Diseases and Treatments"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223274515",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.21.760483v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1p8djmem815p6.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:29:19Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.21.760483",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.21.760483v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "biorxiv:biochemistry",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Loss of Farnesoid X Receptor Signaling Promotes Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice",
  "title_text": "Loss of Farnesoid X Receptor Signaling Promotes Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:29:19Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1p8djmem815p6",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}