Preventing rejection in high-risk cornea transplants
Official title: Mechanisms of Sensitization in High Risk Corneal Grafts
Funded at Schepens Eye Research Institute · NIH-11139638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at how immune cells and blood/lymph vessel growth in inflamed eyes make some cornea transplants more likely to fail, to help people needing corneal grafts.
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 | August 1, 2000 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $671,244 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY012963-26 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People needing a corneal transplant into an inflamed or vascularized eye, or those with prior graft failure, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People receiving low-risk corneal grafts into quiet, non-inflamed eyes may not see direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This work focuses on corneal transplants placed into inflamed, high-risk eye beds that often reject quickly. Researchers study antigen-presenting cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and the regulation of blood and lymph vessel growth to understand how these factors interact. They use lab models, tissue samples, and molecular analyses to trace how protective Tregs lose function and can become inflammatory. The team aims to identify points where these processes can be stopped to keep grafts tolerated.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to prevent rejection and improve long-term success of corneal transplants for people with inflamed or vascularized eyes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work from this group and others has mapped key immune cells and pathways in corneal transplant rejection, but turning those findings into treatments is still in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dana, Reza — Schepens Eye Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Dana, Reza
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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.