Autophagy in the cornea and limbus
The Roles of Autophagy in Limbal/Corneal Epithelia
['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11302701
This work looks at how a cell-cleaning process called autophagy affects corneal inflammation and the behavior of corneal stem cells.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11302701 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team uses mice with weakened autophagy and reads gene activity in individual cells from the eye surface with single-cell RNA sequencing. They compare those results to normal mice and to inflamed tissue to see how selective autophagy changes inflammation and epithelial cell differentiation. The researchers focus on pathways that remove specific proteins (for example TRAF2) and on signaling systems like Notch that control stem and progenitor cell behavior. The lab findings are intended to point toward molecular targets that could later lead to treatments to reduce corneal inflammation and improve healing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with corneal surface inflammation or limbal stem cell problems—such as chronic dry eye, chemical injury, or other causes of persistent corneal inflammation—would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the cornea (for example retinal diseases) or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic-research project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new targets for treatments that reduce corneal inflammation and help the cornea repair itself after injury or disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown non-selective autophagy affects corneal health and preliminary mouse data from this group suggest selective autophagy also modulates inflammation, but translating these findings to human treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PENG, HAN — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PENG, HAN
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.