Autoimmune Meibomian gland dysfunction (immune-related eyelid oil gland damage)
Pathobiology of autoimmune Meibomian gland dysfunction
This project looks for immune-system attacks on the eyelid oil glands as a cause of Meibomian gland-related dry eye in people with autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145246 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I have chronic dry eye that may come from damaged eyelid oil glands (Meibomian glands). The team uses mouse models that mimic Sjögren's syndrome and laboratory studies of immune cells to see whether autoreactive CD4+ T cells harm these glands. They will perform cell-transfer experiments and analyze gland tissues to trace immune-driven damage. The work aims to link immune activity to gland atrophy and guide immune-targeted treatments for autoimmune dry eye.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Sjögren's syndrome or chronic Meibomian gland dysfunction/dry eye suspected to have an autoimmune component would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose dry eye is caused mainly by non-immune factors (for example eyelid structural problems, contact lens-related issues, or purely environmental evaporative causes) may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal an autoimmune cause of Meibomian gland dysfunction and point to new immune-targeted treatments to relieve dry eye symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and preliminary data indicate immune cells can damage ocular glands, but applying this specifically to Meibomian gland dysfunction in patients is a novel direction with limited clinical proof so far.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Paiva, Cintia S. — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: De Paiva, Cintia S.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.