How eye pressure and tissue stiffness alter fluid drainage in glaucoma
Molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction in the aqueous outflow pathway
['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11128496
This project looks at how pressure, tissue stiffness, and mechanosensitive cell channels change fluid drainage in eyes with glaucoma to help protect vision.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11128496 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone affected by glaucoma, the team is studying the cells and drainage tissues that control fluid flow out of the front of the eye. They use mouse models, isolated outflow tissue experiments, and molecular tools to probe channels called TRPV4 and Piezo1 and how the cytokine TGFβ and matrix stiffness change cell responses. The researchers are testing how these changes lead to stiffening, loss of normal pressure sensing, and scarring that raise eye pressure. The goal is to build a clearer model of how mechanical stress causes drainage failure in glaucoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with primary open-angle glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure, or those willing to donate eye tissue for research would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without glaucoma or those with advanced, irreversible optic nerve damage are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets to restore normal fluid drainage and slow or prevent vision loss from glaucoma.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies in other tissues have shown TRPV4 and Piezo1 affect mechanosensing, but applying these findings to the eye outflow pathway and glaucoma is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES
- UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH — SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KRIZAJ, DAVID — UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- Study coordinator: KRIZAJ, DAVID
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.