Donor Diabetes and Early Immune Changes in Corneal Transplants
Official title: The Impact of Donor Diabetes on Corneal Immune Cells and Graft Survival
Funded at Schepens Eye Research Institute · NIH-11418917 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how a donor’s diabetes might affect immune cells in the eye and the long-term success of corneal transplants in people who may need them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Schepens Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $492,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033288-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418917 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults considering corneal transplantation or those involved in eye bank tissue selection and assessment.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits may be limited for individuals who do not undergo corneal transplantation or are not involved in tissue donation/selection.
What this research studies
Corneal transplants are common, and researchers are exploring whether the donor’s diabetes status changes how immune cells in the cornea respond after transplantation. The study uses a mouse model of diabetes to study resident corneal immune cells and how they might influence graft survival and rejection risk. If results show a clear link, tissue selection could consider donor diabetes to improve transplant outcomes for patients. The work aims to translate these findings into better donor screening and potentially new strategies to protect graft longevity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help improve graft survival by refining donor tissue selection and informing strategies to prevent rejection in diabetic contexts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows donor factors can influence transplant outcomes, but the specific role of donor diabetes in corneal graft immunity is a novel area with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dana, Reza — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Dana, Reza
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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.