Blocking CXCR3 immune signals to protect vision in glaucoma
CXCR3-Mediated Cell-Cell Communication in Glaucoma
Seeing if stopping a specific immune signal (CXCL10/CXCR3) can protect nerve cells in the retina and slow vision loss for people with glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141030 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are looking at how immune signals sent between retinal cells may cause retinal ganglion cell death and optic nerve damage in glaucoma. They will study the CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling pathway using laboratory models and available human eye tissue or samples to map which cells communicate and how that leads to injury. The team plans to test whether blocking CXCR3 reduces inflammation and protects nerve cells in those models. The goal is to find targets for treatments that work in addition to lowering eye pressure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma—especially those whose vision keeps worsening despite lowered intraocular pressure—would be the most relevant candidates for follow-up clinical work.
Not a fit: People without glaucoma, or those whose optic nerve damage is unrelated to inflammatory signaling, are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that protect retinal ganglion cells and slow or prevent vision loss in glaucoma patients even when eye pressure is controlled.
How similar studies have performed: CXCL10/CXCR3 has been linked to immune cell recruitment and inflammation in other diseases, but targeting this pathway to protect retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma is largely novel and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Galveston, United States
- University of Texas Med Br Galveston — Galveston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Wenbo — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Wenbo
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.