Understanding how the immune system regulates eye health
Local Control and Regulation of Retinal Autoimmunity
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the eye help keep it healthy and prevent autoimmune problems, which could lead to new treatments for eye diseases that affect your vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11007177 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the balance and function of different types of T cells in the retina, which are crucial for maintaining eye health and preventing autoimmune attacks. It focuses on how regulatory T cells can be generated locally in the retina in response to self-antigens, and how this process can help maintain immune homeostasis. The study will explore the interactions between T cells and retinal microglia to understand how these cells contribute to the immune regulation in the eye. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for autoimmune eye diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with autoimmune conditions that affect the retina or those at risk of developing such conditions.
Not a fit: Patients with non-autoimmune eye conditions or those without retinal involvement may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating autoimmune conditions affecting the eyes, potentially reducing the risk of blindness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding T cell regulation in other autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcpherson, Scott W — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Mcpherson, Scott W
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.