Creating a Targeted Eye Vaccine for Herpes
Developing A Tissue-Targeted Ocular HSV Therapeutic Vaccine
This work aims to create a new vaccine that specifically targets the eye to prevent herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) from causing recurrent eye infections and blindness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11081711 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) affects billions worldwide and can lead to blindness when it reactivates in the eye. Currently, there isn't an approved vaccine to prevent these recurring eye infections. This project focuses on developing a special vaccine that can train your body's immune cells, specifically CD8+ T cells, to stay in the eye's nerve tissues. These trained cells would then be ready to fight off the virus and stop it from reactivating, offering a new way to protect your vision from this common infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational for individuals who suffer from recurrent ocular herpes or are at risk of developing it.
Not a fit: Patients without HSV-1 infection or those whose blindness is due to causes other than ocular herpes would not directly benefit from this specific vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could prevent recurrent ocular herpes, a major cause of infectious blindness, for millions of people.
How similar studies have performed: While an FDA-approved herpes simplex vaccine is not yet available, previous findings have identified specific immune responses in individuals naturally protected from recurrent ocular herpes, suggesting this approach has a strong scientific basis.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benmohamed, Lbachir — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Benmohamed, Lbachir
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.