Mast Cells and Non-Allergic Eye Inflammation: What Drives Tissue Damage
Official title: Contribution of Mast Cells in Non-Allergic Ocular Inflammation
Funded at Schepens Eye Research Institute · NIH-11391158 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how mast cells cause eye inflammation without the usual allergy trigger, with the goal of identifying new ways to prevent or treat eye damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Schepens Eye Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $492,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY029727-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391158 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with non-allergic ocular inflammation or corneal disease could benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without ocular inflammation or those not affected by the studied pathways may not benefit.
What this research studies
In this renewal, researchers will continue exploring how IgE-independent activation of mast cells contributes to eye inflammation and tissue damage. They use mouse models of corneal injury to uncover how epithelial signals, neutrophils, and blood vessel growth interact in non-allergic eye disease. The work aims to map the immune interactions and identify targets that could stop harmful inflammation and vessel growth in the eye. Results could point toward new therapies that protect vision in people with non-allergic ocular inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to new treatments that reduce eye inflammation and preserve vision in patients with non-allergic ocular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that targeting mast cell–neutrophil interactions can reduce tissue damage in ocular inflammation, supporting potential benefits to patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chauhan, Sunil K — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Chauhan, Sunil K
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.