Investigating a protein's role in healing corneal wounds and preventing scarring
Official title: The Impact of Prolactin Induced Protein in Corneal Wound Healing and Fibrosis
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11049118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called Prolactin-Induced Protein (PIP) to see how it helps heal eye injuries and prevent scarring that can cause vision problems, with the hope of finding new treatments that could reduce the need for surgeries like corneal transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $465,357 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035519-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from corneal diseases or injuries that may lead to scarring and vision loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with corneal conditions that are not related to scarring or those who have already undergone corneal transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the role of Prolactin-Induced Protein (PIP) in healing corneal wounds and preventing fibrosis, which can lead to blindness. The study aims to understand how PIP interacts with other proteins involved in scarring and its potential as a therapeutic target. By conducting both laboratory and clinical studies, researchers will explore PIP's effects on cellular processes related to corneal health. Patients may benefit from new treatments that reduce the need for invasive surgeries like corneal transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve corneal healing and reduce blindness caused by scarring.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar approaches targeting proteins involved in wound healing and fibrosis, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karamichos, Dimitrios — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Karamichos, Dimitrios
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using the protein PIP to help heal corneal scarring
This project uses a naturally occurring protein called PIP to try to reduce scarring and help the cornea heal in people with corneal injuries or disease.
-
Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
-
Aiming to slow dangerous lung inflammation to help fight bacterial infections like tuberculosis
A patient-facing program tests whether stopping a specific inflammatory cell (Spp1+ macrophages) from overreacting can help control tuberculosis and possibly improve outcomes in other inflammatory diseases.
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Engineered protein materials to study wound healing and blood vessels
A researcher team at the University of New England is studying how the environment around a protein changes its behavior to better understand wound healing and blood vessel formation.
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Understanding how healing tissue uses tiny messengers and scaffolds to repair wounds
A study to learn how cells talk to each other and how tiny vesicles and the extracellular matrix help skin wounds heal better.
-
Hormone signals and sex differences in how wounds heal
This grant explores how male- and female-specific hormones affect wound healing and scarring, with the goal of improving treatments for people who heal poorly.
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.