How corneal nerves and immune cells talk to protect vision
Mechanisms of Corneal Neuro-Immune Crosstalk
The team aims to find how corneal immune and tissue cells keep corneal nerves alive and help recovery for people with neurotrophic keratitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11468518 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project maps the signals exchanged between resident immune cells, other corneal cells, and the sensory nerves that come from the trigeminal ganglia. Researchers will identify specific ligand–receptor pairs and neurotrophic factors produced by different corneal cell types that support nerve survival and regeneration. Work will combine analysis of corneal tissues and cells with laboratory models to see how loss of these factors leads to nerve degeneration in neurotrophic keratitis. The goal is to pinpoint targets that could become new diagnostics or treatments to restore corneal sensation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with neurotrophic keratitis or documented corneal nerve damage and reduced corneal sensation.
Not a fit: People without corneal nerve disease or whose eye problems are due to non-neural causes are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new tests and therapies that restore corneal sensation and reduce vision loss from neurotrophic keratitis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show corneal nerves release factors that support the surface of the eye, but mapping immune–nerve ligand–receptor interactions in NK is a relatively new and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamrah, Pedram — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Hamrah, Pedram
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.