How mast cells drive non-allergic eye inflammation
Official title: Contribution of Mast Cells in Non-Allergic Ocular Inflammation
Funded at Schepens Eye Research Institute · NIH-11093493 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how mast cells trigger non-allergic eye inflammation and abnormal blood-vessel growth, which may help people with corneal injury or chronic eye irritation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Schepens Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $492,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY029727-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093493 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with non-allergic ocular inflammation, such as corneal injury with neovascularization or chronic non-allergic eye irritation, would be the most relevant patients.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose eye problems are driven by classic allergic (IgE-mediated) reactions or by unrelated diseases like glaucoma or cataract are less likely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory experiments and mouse models of corneal injury to watch how mast cells get activated without allergy signals and then release molecules that attract neutrophils and stimulate blood and lymph vessel growth. The team will study signals such as IL-33, CXCL2, and VEGFs to map how mast cells interact with neutrophils and vascular cells. They will compare normal animals with animals lacking mast cells to see how blocking mast-cell actions affects inflammation and vessel regression. Findings aim to point to molecular targets that could be tested in future patient-focused therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that block mast-cell actions to reduce damaging inflammation and abnormal blood-vessel growth in the eye, helping protect vision.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies, including prior work from this lab, have shown mast cells can promote neutrophil recruitment and pathological blood-vessel growth, but translating these findings into human treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chauhan, Sunil K — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Chauhan, Sunil K
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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.