Preventing cell death in corneal cells to treat keratoconus without surgery
Prohibiting Cell Death in Human Keratocytes: New Insights for Non-surgical Keratoconus Treatment
This study is looking for new ways to help people with keratoconus, a condition that affects vision by thinning the cornea, by finding treatments that can keep important cells in the eye alive and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10917275 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on keratoconus, a condition that distorts vision due to a thinning cornea. The project aims to develop non-surgical treatments by preventing the death of keratocytes, the cells responsible for maintaining corneal structure. Researchers will explore small molecules and compounds that inhibit specific proteins involved in cell death pathways. By using advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, they will identify potential therapies that could stabilize the cornea and improve vision for patients with keratoconus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with keratoconus, particularly those experiencing progressive symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced keratoconus who have already undergone corneal transplant surgery may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, non-invasive treatment option for patients with keratoconus, potentially reducing the need for corneal transplants.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been research on keratoconus treatments, this specific approach targeting keratocyte apoptosis is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xinyue — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xinyue
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.