How SLURP1 helps protect the surface of the eye
Ocular surface functions of SLURP1
This project looks at whether a natural protein called SLURP1 helps prevent inflammation and unwanted blood vessel growth on the cornea for people with inflammatory eye surface conditions.
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-11145836 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how SLURP1, a protein made in the corneal surface and present in tears, controls inflammation and blood vessel growth on the eye surface. They will use lab-grown human cells, mouse models lacking SLURP1, and molecular analyses to see how SLURP1 affects neutrophil movement and signaling pathways such as TGF-β, uPA, and NFκB. Experiments will examine tear fluid, epithelial barrier stability, and responses to inflammatory triggers like TNF-α to understand how SLURP1 limits damage. The team aims to identify whether boosting SLURP1 activity could become a route to new treatments for corneal inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with corneal inflammatory disorders, chronic inflammatory dry eye, or recurrent corneal ulcers would be the most directly relevant patients for future treatments arising from this work.
Not a fit: People with eye conditions unrelated to surface inflammation, such as most cases of glaucoma or routine cataract, are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that reduce corneal inflammation, prevent scarring and abnormal blood vessel growth, and help protect vision.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies from this team and others show SLURP1 limits neutrophil movement and inflammatory signaling in cells and animals, but using SLURP1-based therapies in patients is still untested.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swamynathan, Shivalingappa Kottur — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Swamynathan, Shivalingappa Kottur
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.