How the cornea's surface and inner layers communicate during healing and scarring
Official title: Corneal Epithelial-Stromal Interactions During Regeneration and Fibrosis
Funded at Schepens Eye Research Institute · NIH-11166509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how signals between the cornea's outer cells and deeper stroma change healing and scarring after eye injuries to help people with corneal wounds and vision loss from scarring.
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 | December 1, 1984 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $523,874 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY005665-40 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have corneal injuries, surgical haze, or scarring that affects vision would be the most relevant candidates for future treatments arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose vision problems come from retinal, optic nerve, or purely dry-eye conditions are unlikely to benefit from therapies targeting corneal fibrosis.
What this research studies
This project studies how the cornea's outer layer (epithelium) and the deeper stroma talk to each other after injury, focusing on signaling proteins called TGF-β isoforms and small extracellular vesicles released by epithelial cells. Scientists use lab-grown corneal cells and animal wound models to track myofibroblast formation and extracellular matrix buildup that lead to scarring. They test whether applying TGF-β3 or epithelial-derived extracellular vesicles can reduce fibrotic changes and reverse scarring seen with disruption of Bowman's layer. The aim is to map the molecular pathways that could be targeted to prevent or reduce vision-impairing corneal fibrosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that limit or reverse corneal scarring and help preserve or restore vision after injury or surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lab and animal studies showed TGF-β1 promotes corneal fibrosis while TGF-β3 application and epithelial extracellular vesicles reduced scarring in some models, but the exact mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ciolino, Joseph B. — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ciolino, Joseph B.
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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.