Understanding how nerves and immune cells in the eye work together to maintain health
Assessing how ocular surface nerves, immune cells, and epithelial cells communicate to encourage neuro-immune homeostasis
This study is looking at how different cells in your eyes talk to each other to keep them healthy and prevent problems like dry eye disease and keratitis, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding more about eye health and potential new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914791 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication between ocular surface nerves, immune cells, and epithelial cells to understand how they work together to maintain eye health and prevent diseases. By utilizing advanced techniques like ATAC sequencing and bioinformatics, the study aims to create large datasets that detail the interactions and functions of these cells in both healthy and diseased states. The research team, composed of experts from various fields, will analyze these interactions to identify potential therapeutic targets for conditions such as dry eye disease and keratitis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from ocular surface diseases such as dry eye syndrome, keratitis, or those at risk of graft rejection.
Not a fit: Patients with non-ocular conditions or those without any ocular surface diseases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for eye diseases that currently have limited options.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding neuro-immune interactions in various tissues, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights in ocular health as well.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: St Leger, Anthony J — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: St Leger, Anthony J
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.