Finding new ways to treat viral infections that cause blindness.
Alleviation of ER stress as a translational strategy to curb ocular viral infections
This study is looking at a new way to help people with herpesvirus infections that can cause vision loss by testing a safe, already-approved treatment that might help protect eye cells from the virus, with hopes of creating better eye drops for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11019699 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how to combat herpesvirus infections that lead to vision loss, particularly focusing on the role of a specific protein in the virus's ability to replicate. The team has discovered that a chemical chaperone, already approved for other medical uses, can help reduce the stress on cells caused by the virus, potentially leading to new antiviral treatments. By using animal models, they are testing the effectiveness and safety of this approach, aiming to develop therapies that can be applied topically to the eye. This work addresses the urgent need for alternatives to current antiviral medications that are becoming less effective due to resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of or suffering from herpesvirus-related eye infections.
Not a fit: Patients with viral infections not related to herpesviruses may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively prevent vision loss from viral infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to target viral infections, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shukla, Deepak — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Shukla, Deepak
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.