Stem cells in the optic nerve that may protect against age-related vision loss
The role of optic nerve lamina region stem cells in age-related optic nerve disease
This work looks at whether stem cells and the tiny particles they release from the optic nerve can protect the nerve cells involved in age-related vision loss like glaucoma and NAION.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142498 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study a niche of neural stem/progenitor cells in the optic nerve head that declines with age and may support retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In mice and rats they will remove or deplete these cells and subject nerves to ischemic stress to see if RGCs become more vulnerable. They will also test exosomes (small vesicles) secreted by these optic nerve cells, including human-derived exosomes on retinal tissue ex vivo, to see if adding them improves RGC survival and neurite growth. The team will measure RGC stress markers, survival, and signs of regrowth to determine whether boosting these vesicles could protect the optic nerve.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with age-related optic nerve conditions such as primary open-angle glaucoma or non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or those willing to donate eye tissue, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate new treatment or those whose vision loss is from non–optic nerve retinal diseases are unlikely to directly benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new therapies that protect retinal ganglion cells and slow or prevent vision loss in glaucoma and NAION.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and cell studies indicate neural progenitor cells and their exosomes can support neuron survival, but applying this specifically to the optic nerve lamina and age-related optic neuropathies is novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Steven L — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Steven L
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.