Helping cornea transplants heal and preventing abnormal blood vessel growth
Targeting the multicellular process of corneal regeneration and vascularization to enhance outcome of cornea transplantation
Researchers will test whether boosting a natural protein called MG53 can help cornea transplants heal better and reduce scarring, inflammation, and unwanted blood vessel growth in people who need a corneal transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306060 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on improving healing after cornea transplants by targeting multiple steps of tissue repair, including inflammation, blood vessel growth, and stem cell-driven regeneration at the corneal edge. The team studies how the protein MG53, which is present in tears and eye fluids, protects the cornea and supports limbal stem cells that are needed for a clear surface. Work uses laboratory and preclinical models to see if giving or increasing MG53 can prevent rejection, reduce fibrosis, and preserve stem cell health in high-risk transplant beds. The ultimate goal is to turn those findings into treatments that could be given around the time of transplant to improve outcomes for patients with inflamed or vascularized corneas.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people facing cornea transplantation who have inflamed or vascularized host corneal beds or limbal stem cell deficiency that make standard transplants high-risk.
Not a fit: Patients who need routine, low-risk cornea transplants with healthy host beds or those with unrelated eye diseases are less likely to directly benefit from this specific MG53-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could raise the chances that cornea grafts survive, reduce scarring and the need for repeat transplants, and preserve vision for people at high risk of transplant failure.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies show MG53 can protect the cornea and reduce vascularization and injury, but applying MG53 specifically to improve human cornea transplant outcomes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Jianjie — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Ma, Jianjie
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.