Investigating human retinal microglia using a chimeric model
Chimeric model for study of human retinal microglia in vivo
['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11036722
This study is looking at how human immune cells called microglia behave in the retina by using newborn mice to see how these cells respond to injury, which could help us understand more about eye diseases.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11036722 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research aims to understand the behavior and characteristics of human retinal microglia, which are crucial immune cells in the central nervous system. By introducing human stem cell-derived progenitor cells into the brains of newborn mice, researchers will create a model to study how these human microglia integrate and respond to injury in the retina. The study will involve assessing the distribution and impact of these cells on retinal health and using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze their gene expression. This approach could provide valuable insights into how human microglia function in the context of retinal diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with retinal diseases or conditions that affect retinal health.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to retinal health or those who are not within the age range of 0-4 weeks or 21+ years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for retinal diseases affecting human patients.
How similar studies have performed: While research on rodent models of microglia is well-established, this approach to studying human retinal microglia in vivo is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF UTAH — SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VETTER, MONICA L — UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- Study coordinator: VETTER, MONICA L
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.
Conditions: axon injury