Repairing tear-producing glands with progenitor cells
Lacrimal Gland Repair Using Progenitor Cells
This project is trying to use special progenitor cells to repair tear-producing glands and help adults with dry eye from low tear production.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128827 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists are studying cells that act like stem cells in the lacrimal (tear) gland to see if they can replace or regrow the tear-producing acinar cells. In lab and animal experiments they are tracing the fate of Sox10+ and myoepithelial progenitor cells, testing cell transplantation and tracking inflammation pathways such as the Pannexin-1–inflammasome axis that can damage glands. Their work includes genetic experiments to remove certain cell types to learn which cells are needed for repair and tests whether transplanted cells can become functioning tear-producing cells. The goal is to build knowledge that could lead to future therapies to restore normal tear production in people with aqueous-deficient dry eye.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with aqueous-deficient dry eye (low tear production), such as from lacrimal gland damage or autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's, would be the intended candidates for these therapies.
Not a fit: People whose dry eye is caused mainly by surface oil problems (evaporative dry eye), eyelid dysfunction, or other conditions not related to lacrimal gland loss are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could restore natural tear production and reduce dry eye symptoms and infection risk for people with lacrimal gland damage.
How similar studies have performed: Related regenerative and cell-transplant studies in lab and animal models have shown promise for rebuilding glandular cells, but human treatments remain largely unproven and experimental.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Makarenkova, Helen P. — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Makarenkova, Helen P.
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.