How ammonia damages cornea nerves
Neural mechanism underlying corneal injuries by ammonia
This research looks at how ammonia exposure harms the nerves in the clear front part of the eye and slows healing after chemical burns to help people with ammonia-related eye injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195614 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is using mouse models to recreate ammonia eye burns and see how the nerves that sense pain react and break down after exposure. They will examine eye tissue under the microscope and analyze gene activity to link nerve damage with delayed wound healing. Pain-related behaviors in mice will be measured to better understand the sources of the severe pain people report after ammonia exposure. The researchers will also use ex vivo calcium imaging to see how corneal sensory fibers respond when exposed to ammonia and why over-activation may lead to degeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have experienced a recent ammonia or severe chemical splash to the eye and who are interested in nerve-focused treatments would be the most relevant candidates for future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients with eye problems unrelated to chemical or burn injuries (for example, routine refractive errors or chronic conditions not involving corneal chemical damage) are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to protect or repair corneal nerves after chemical burns, reducing pain and improving healing outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that ammonia damages corneal epithelial cells and causes inflammation, but direct study of nerve over-activation and degeneration from ammonia is a newer and less explored area.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Andrew J.w. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Huang, Andrew J.w.
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.