How the cell 'cleanup' system (ubiquitin) affects corneal scarring
THE UBIQUITIN PATHWAY IN CORNEAL SCARRING
This work looks at whether blocking a protein called USP10 can reduce scarring after cornea injury to help protect or restore vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285136 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring a cellular system called ubiquitin and a key protein, USP10, that seems to drive scarring in the cornea. They use donated primary human corneal cells and mouse models to see how USP10 controls cell behavior and survival through proteins like integrins and p53. The team is also growing corneal cells with immune cells on 3D hydrogels that mimic the healing cornea to study how macrophages influence scar-forming myofibroblasts. Findings could point to ways to limit harmful scarring after injury or infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had recent corneal injury, infection, surgery, or who are developing corneal scarring would be the most relevant candidates to engage with related studies or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated eye problems or very old, stable corneal scars that are unlikely to remodel may not see direct benefit from this line of work in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce corneal scarring and lower the risk of permanent vision loss after injury or infection.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal work (including the investigators' own mouse studies) shows that reducing USP10 can lessen scarring, but human treatments based on this approach have not yet been developed.
Where this research is happening
Syracuse, United States
- Upstate Medical University — Syracuse, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Audrey M — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Audrey M
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.