Interface between immune cells and scarring in the eye
Official title: Interface of immunity and fibrosis in ocular conditions
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11609392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how immune cells influence scar formation in the cornea after injury and how this affects vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,277,004 |
| NIH project number | 1R56EY039318-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11609392 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with corneal injuries or diseases that predispose to scarring and those who could donate corneal tissue or participate in related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without corneal injuries or scar risk may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
After corneal injury, scar tissue can blur vision and affect quality of life. The researchers study a type of immune cell called macrophages that may turn into scar-forming cells and how they interact with fibroblasts to drive fibrosis. They will use human and mouse cornea models to test how certain signals influence cell behavior and matrix remodeling in the eye. The goal is to uncover new ways to prevent or reduce corneal scarring and preserve sight.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that limit corneal scarring and improve vision after eye injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that immune cells can influence fibrosis in the eye, supporting the potential of this approach but the idea remains exploratory in the cornea.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sinha, Nishant Rajiv — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Sinha, Nishant Rajiv
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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.