Keeping the front of the eye healthy
Paradigms of maintaining anterior segment homeostasis
Researchers are learning how immune cells near the lens control inflammation after corneal injury and in uveitis to help protect the eye.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320785 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies immune cells that live on or near the lens and immune cells that are recruited there after injury, using lineage tracing and cell profiling to determine their origins and lifespan. The team will test whether these lens-associated immune cells suppress inflammation to maintain eye balance or whether their persistence can lead to disease. Methods include tracing cell lineages, characterizing cell types and functions, and measuring responses after corneal wounds or autoimmune uveitis in experimental models. The goal is to link cell origin and behavior to protective versus harmful outcomes in the front of the eye.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had corneal wounds, chronic inflammatory eye problems, or autoimmune uveitis would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with eye issues that are not driven by inflammation or those with unrelated systemic conditions may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat inflammatory eye conditions such as corneal injury complications and uveitis.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies show tissue-resident immune cells shape inflammation in other organs, but applying this concept to lens-associated immune cells is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Thomas Jefferson University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Menko, a. Sue — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Menko, a. Sue
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.