Using immune cells to help retinal nerves survive and repair the optic nerve
Enhancement of RGC survival and Optic Nerve Regeneration by Cytokine Polarized Myeloid Cells
Specially prepared immune cells are being used to help retinal nerve cells survive and regrow after optic nerve injury or glaucoma in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290759 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project explores whether immune-derived myeloid cells can be changed with cytokines to protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and promote axon regrowth after optic nerve injury. In mice, researchers harvest immature bone marrow myeloid/neutrophil cells, polarize them with signaling molecules, and deliver them back to the injured eye (adoptive transfer) to test nerve survival and regeneration. The team combines immune-based treatments with other pro-regenerative approaches and measures anatomical and functional signs of repair in laboratory models. Success in animals would guide development of personalized, multimodal therapies for people with glaucoma or traumatic optic nerve damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with optic nerve damage from glaucoma or recent traumatic injury who have ongoing loss of retinal ganglion cell function would be the likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss is due to diseases that do not primarily involve the optic nerve (for example, macular degeneration) or those with long-standing complete optic nerve loss with no remaining RGCs are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new treatments that protect retinal ganglion cells and promote optic nerve repair, reducing vision loss from glaucoma or trauma.
How similar studies have performed: Immune-driven repair has shown encouraging results in animal models of wound healing and heart injury, and prior animal work suggests immune modulation can help optic nerve regeneration, but translation to humans is still unproven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Segal, Benjamin M — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Segal, Benjamin M
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.