How tiny mucus-holding ridges form on eye and mouth surface cells
Mechanisms of microridge protrusion morphogenesis on mucosal epithelial cells
Researchers are looking at how tiny mucus-holding ridges form on surface cells of the eye and mouth to help people with dry or frequently infected mucosal tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247514 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses larval zebrafish skin cells as a live model because their surface cells form similar microridges. They will apply live imaging and molecular manipulations to watch microridge formation in real time and test the roles of actin, myosin, keratin, and plakin proteins. Prior work from this lab separated microridge formation into distinct steps and identified key regulators; this project builds on those findings to define the underlying mechanisms and factors that control stability and length. The methods aim to reveal how epithelial cells hold mucus and resist abrasion or infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with dry eye, recurrent corneal or oral infections, or other conditions that damage mucosal surface protection would be most likely to benefit from future therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to mucosal surfaces or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how mucosal surface cells retain mucus could point to new ways to prevent or treat dry eye, oral sores, and mucosal infections.
How similar studies have performed: This is a relatively new area: the lab's recent zebrafish studies revealed key steps and components of microridge formation, but clinical translation has not yet been tested.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sagasti, Alvaro — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Sagasti, Alvaro
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.