First-aid eye medicine for chemical (vesicant) cornea injuries
First Aid Medicine to Treat Vesicant Induced Corneal Injury
A protein-based eye drop being developed to protect and repair the cornea after exposure to mustard-type chemical agents for people who suffer these eye injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176212 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing a recombinant human protein called MG53 as an emergency eye treatment to limit early damage and speed healing after corneal exposure to vesicant chemicals like sulfur or nitrogen mustard. Researchers have seen in mice that MG53 helps preserve limbal stem cells, reduces ulceration and abnormal blood vessel growth, and speeds re-covering of the corneal surface. The team will formulate the protein for ocular use and test safety and effectiveness in preclinical models, with the goal of producing a stockpiled first-aid medicine for acute exposures. If successful, the program aims to move the treatment toward sites or trials where people exposed to vesicants could receive it quickly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have suffered recent corneal exposure to mustard-type vesicant chemicals or who are at high risk of such exposure would be the intended candidates.
Not a fit: People with corneal problems unrelated to vesicant chemical exposure, or those with long-standing, irreversible corneal scarring, likely would not benefit from this targeted emergency treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a fast-acting eye drop that prevents longer-term corneal damage and vision loss after vesicant chemical eye injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies indicate MG53 can protect corneal cells and speed healing, but human testing for vesicant eye injuries remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chandler, Heather — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Chandler, Heather
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.