Immune system's role in repairing the retina
Official title: Investigation of the neuroimmune axis in retinal regeneration.
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11304549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing whether changing immune activity can help retinal support cells regrow neurons to restore vision for adults with retinal injury or degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $237,816 |
| NIH project number | 5R00EY033402-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with vision loss due to loss of retinal neurons from injury or degenerative retinal diseases.
✕Less likely to help
People whose vision loss is from non-retinal causes (for example optic nerve or corneal disease) or those with very advanced scarring or widespread retinal destruction may not benefit.
What this research studies
You would be hearing about work that tries to turn Müller glia — the retina's support cells — into new nerve cells by turning on a growth gene (Ascl1) and using drugs that change gene activity (HDAC inhibitors). The team studies how retinal damage and immune cells called microglia influence which Müller glia become regenerative versus inflammatory. In mice they remove or alter microglia and measure neuron regrowth and retinal function to see what helps repair. The goal is to learn which immune signals block or promote repair so future therapies could help people who have lost vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to treatments that stimulate the retina to replace lost neurons and potentially restore sight for some people with retinal damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mouse work shows that forcing Ascl1 expression with HDAC inhibitors can produce new retinal neurons and that removing microglia improved regeneration, but translating this approach to people is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
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Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Todd, Levi J. — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Todd, Levi J.
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.