Improving long-term survival of high-risk corneal transplants
Local regulation and deletion of T cells to induce tolerance and establish long-term survival of high-risk corneal transplants
This study is looking at new ways to help people with high-risk conditions keep their corneal transplants from being rejected by the immune system, using a special treatment to make the body more accepting of the new tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11073166 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates ways to prevent the immune system from rejecting corneal transplants, particularly in patients with high-risk conditions. The approach involves manipulating specific immune cells to promote tolerance to the transplanted tissue, using a combination of treatments that have shown promise in other transplant scenarios. By applying a novel low-dose treatment protocol after corneal transplantation, the researchers aim to enhance the survival of the graft and reduce the chances of rejection. This work is crucial as corneal transplants are the most common type of solid organ transplant performed in the U.S.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing corneal transplantation, especially those with high-risk vascularized corneal beds.
Not a fit: Patients who are not candidates for corneal transplantation or those with conditions unrelated to corneal grafts may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the success rates of corneal transplants, leading to better vision outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using similar immune modulation strategies in other types of transplants, indicating potential for this approach in corneal transplantation.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levy, Robert Benjamin — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Levy, Robert Benjamin
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.