How deposits form on the cornea's inner layer and harm vision
Corneal Endothelium – Extracellular Matrix Interactions
Researchers are testing whether changes in corneal cell metabolism cause deposits called guttae that damage vision in people with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330286 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on the cells that line the back of the cornea (corneal endothelial cells) and the extracellular matrix they produce, using long-term cell culture models including bovine cells and human cells grown on those matrices. The team will create conditions like high glucose and low oxygen that push cells toward glycolytic metabolism to see if that leads to guttae formation on Descemet’s membrane. They will study mitochondrial function, metabolic pathways, and the makeup of the pathological extracellular matrix and test how that matrix affects the growth and survival of healthy human corneal endothelial cells. The goal is to identify metabolic mechanisms that could be targeted to prevent or slow guttae formation and preserve corneal endothelial health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, especially those in early or moderate stages before severe cell loss, would be the most directly relevant group.
Not a fit: People without Fuchs dystrophy or those who already require immediate corneal transplantation are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or slow corneal endothelial damage in Fuchs dystrophy and reduce the need for corneal transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab work has produced guttae-like structures in cell culture and linked metabolic stress to endothelial cell dysfunction, but translating these findings into patient treatments is new and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Sangita — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Patel, Sangita
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.