Using the protein PIP to help heal corneal scarring
Official title: The Impact of Prolactin Induced Protein in Corneal Wound Healing and Fibrosis
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11285218 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses a naturally occurring protein called PIP to try to reduce scarring and help the cornea heal in people with corneal injuries or disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $465,357 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035519-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11285218 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with corneal injury, scarring, or disorders such as keratoconus that put their vision at risk and who can provide clinical samples or attend clinic visits.
✕Less likely to help
People whose vision loss is from causes outside the cornea (for example advanced retinal disease or optic nerve damage) are unlikely to benefit from PIP-based corneal treatments.
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers will test how Prolactin-Induced Protein (PIP) affects scarring and healing of the cornea using lab experiments, animal models, and analysis of human cornea samples. They will look at how PIP interacts with scar-driving signals like TGF-β and how it influences cell metabolism and mitochondrial health. The team has earlier lab and preliminary human biomarker work suggesting PIP matters in corneal disease, and this work aims to move those findings toward treatments. Although PIP is also known from breast cancer research, this effort focuses on preserving vision by limiting corneal fibrosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that reduce corneal scarring and lower the need for corneal transplants.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory and animal studies plus preliminary human biomarker work show promise for PIP's anti-fibrotic effects, but PIP-based therapies remain novel and are not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karamichos, Dimitrios — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Karamichos, Dimitrios
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This study is looking at a protein called Prolactin-Induced Protein (PIP) to see how it helps heal eye injuries and prevent scarring that can cause vision problems, with the hope of finding new treatments that could reduce the need for surgeries like corneal transplants.
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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.