How special immune cells protect the cornea
The role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in corneal immunity
This project looks at how a specific type of immune cell in the eye helps prevent inflammation and protect people with corneal problems like infections, dry eye, or injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127443 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs), immune cells that live in the cornea and seem to keep inflammation in check. They will use single-cell sequencing to find the molecules PDCs use and trace how these cells affect other immune cells during infection, injury, or chronic irritation. Lab experiments will follow immune cell recruitment to the cornea, antigen capture and presentation in draining lymph nodes, and interactions that lead to regulatory T cell formation. The team will also test whether transferring regulatory immune cells can reduce corneal inflammation in preclinical models to inform future patient therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with corneal inflammatory conditions such as infectious keratitis, severe dry eye, or recent corneal injury, or those willing to donate eye-surface samples, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is due to non-inflammatory structural or genetic causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this immune-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce corneal inflammation and protect vision, potentially including cell-based or drug treatments that boost immune tolerance.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies have shown immune cells can induce regulatory T cells in other tissues, but applying PDC-targeted approaches to corneal disease is relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamrah, Pedram — Tufts Medical Center
- 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.