Understanding FECD eye disease at the cellular level and a potential gene-therapy approach
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of CUG-trinucleotide repeat Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy using novel in vivo and in vitro models.
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11343742 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies why a common corneal disease (FECD) happens at the cellular level and tests a potential gene-therapy and drug approach to protect or restore the cornea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $670,232 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY038843-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11343742 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient enrollment in this project as described (animal model and preclinical approach).
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not described in this preclinical study.
What this research studies
FECD is a major cause of vision loss that happens when corneal endothelial cells decline. The researchers created a mouse model that mimics FECD by expressing toxic CUG RNA in the cornea and will compare how genes are turned on or off over time. They will test OptiDicer gene therapy and ROCK inhibitors to see if these treatments can reduce eye damage in living animals. The study uses advanced sequencing to understand changes in RNA and splicing that accompany disease progression. If successful, this work could point toward therapies that address the root cause rather than just repairing the eye after damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to therapies that slow, halt, or reverse FECD by targeting the underlying genetic and molecular drivers.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies have linked the CTG repeat to FECD and shown that targeting CUG RNA and related pathways can influence disease features in models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uehara, Hironori — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Uehara, Hironori
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.