Immune attack on retinal nerve cells in glaucoma
T-cell mediated RGC damage in glaucoma
Looks at whether T cells from people with glaucoma harm the retinal nerve cells that carry vision and whether changing immune responses could help protect sight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249992 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project explores how immune T cells may cause loss of retinal ganglion cells, the nerve cells that send visual signals, in primary open-angle glaucoma. Researchers will use mouse models with transferred immune cells and laboratory assays to watch for nerve cell damage, and they will test blood cells (PBMCs) from glaucoma patients to compare immune activity. The team will focus on CD4 T cells that make TNFα and other activation markers that appear higher in patients. The work aims to determine if modifying these immune responses could become a way to protect vision beyond lowering eye pressure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with primary open-angle glaucoma, especially those with progressive vision loss despite controlled intraocular pressure, who are willing to donate blood or take part in future clinical tests.
Not a fit: People with other eye diseases, non-POAG glaucoma types, or vision loss from non-glaucomatous optic nerve injuries may not benefit from this immune-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to immune-based treatments that protect retinal ganglion cells and slow or prevent vision loss in glaucoma patients beyond current pressure-lowering therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal experiments and early lab work have shown T cells can damage retinal ganglion cells, but immune-targeted treatments for glaucoma in people remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuehn, Markus H. — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Kuehn, Markus H.
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.