How Zika Virus Can Weaken Eye Barriers and What Might Help
Official title: MECHANISMS REGULATING BREACH OF BLOOD RETINAL BARRIER UPON ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION
Funded at University of Toledo · NIH-11618526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how Zika virus may disrupt the eye’s protective barrier in newborns and whether certain pathways could be targeted to protect vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00EY036452-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11618526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to real patients yet; findings may eventually inform future treatments for infants exposed to ZIKV.
✕Less likely to help
This preclinical research does not involve treating patients directly.
What this research studies
This project explores how Zika virus could break the blood-retinal barrier, which protects the eye, potentially leading to ocular problems seen in babies. It builds on previous work showing that Ang/Tie2, S1P, and AMPK signaling might influence barrier integrity during infection. The study will test how these pathways affect BRB permeability in the context of ZIKV and whether activating AMPK can preserve barrier function. The team plans to use a combination of laboratory methods and genetic approaches to understand the mechanisms in eye-related cells. If successful, these findings could point to ways to prevent eye complications from ZIKV in future patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that protect the eye from Zika-related damage in infants.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data indicated possible roles for Ang/Tie2, S1P, and AMPK in barrier regulation, guiding this next step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Sneha — University of Toledo
- Study coordinator: Singh, Sneha
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.