CDCP1 and autoimmune uveitis: a new target to protect vision
Official title: Role of CDCP1 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune uveitis
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11380823 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring whether CDCP1 helps pathogenic T cells cross the eye’s barriers in autoimmune uveitis and if blocking it could prevent vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $504,011 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034077-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380823 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune uveitis or related inflammatory eye diseases may benefit from future therapies targeting CDCP1.
✕Less likely to help
People without autoimmune uveitis or those not affected by BRB dysfunction are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies a protein called CDCP1 that may help immune cells get into the eye and cause inflammation in autoimmune uveitis. Using animal models with CDCP1 removed, the team will test how blocking CDCP1 affects T cell movement across the blood-retina barrier. They will also investigate how CDCP1 interacts with signals from T cells (CD6 and CD71) and how this impacts barrier integrity and inflammatory molecule production. The goal is to uncover detailed mechanisms and identify whether CDCP1 could be a therapeutic target to treat autoimmune uveitis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that reduce eye inflammation and preserve vision in patients with autoimmune uveitis.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data show that deleting CDCP1 protects against EAU in mice, suggesting a promising new angle for therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Feng C — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Lin, Feng C
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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.