Sphingolipid Clues to Vesicant Eye Injuries
Official title: Sphingolipid Signaling in Vesicating Ocular Injury
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11363278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how fat- and water-soluble cell signals called sphingolipids drive eye injury after chemical threats, with potential new treatments for affected patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,103 |
| NIH project number | 1R56EY037651-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of vesicant eye exposure or patients with chemical eye injuries who could benefit from future therapies targeting SPL pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without exposure to vesicant injuries or those not experiencing SPL-driven pathways may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project studies how vesicating agents like sulfur mustard damage the eye and surrounding tissues by altering sphingolipid signals. Using a mouse model of ocular surface injury from nitrogen mustard, the team will map inflammatory pathways and test potential MCM targets to reduce pain, scarring, and vision loss. The goal is to identify druggable SPL pathways that could become future therapies for people exposed to chemical threats. The research will build on preliminary findings to connect early inflammation with long-term tissue damage in the cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelid.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that lessen eye pain, prevent scarring, and preserve vision after vesicant exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show SPL pathways play a role in inflammatory eye injury, supporting plausibility for this approach; translation to humans is forthcoming.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mandal, Nawajes — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mandal, Nawajes
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.