How the cornea protein SLC4A11 affects Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea
This work looks at whether a faulty SLC4A11 protein makes corneal endothelial cells more vulnerable to oxidative stress and UVA light in people with late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142482 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mice engineered to carry the human SLC4A11 W240S mutation linked to late-onset Fuchs to model how the mutation affects corneal endothelial health. The team will expose these mice to UVA light to see if that triggers corneal swelling, reduced antioxidant defenses, or other signs similar to patient disease. They will study endothelial cell function, antioxidant markers, and molecular changes to link the mutation to the visible corneal problems. Findings aim to clarify why older adults develop Fuchs and point to targets for non-surgical therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy or known SLC4A11 mutations who want to follow research progress or consider future sample donation are the most relevant audience.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated corneal conditions or those who need immediate surgical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic-science mouse work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify pathways to prevent or delay Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and reduce the need for corneal transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Prior cell and animal studies have linked SLC4A11 mutations to endothelial dysfunction, but using UVA exposure in a mouse carrying the human W240S mutation to provoke FECD-like changes is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parker, Mark — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Parker, Mark
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.