Why corneal infections are worse in people with diabetes
Role of Programmed Cell Death Pathways in Bacterial Keratitis
This project looks at how diabetes changes the way corneal cells die, which may let common bacteria cause faster or more severe eye infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320739 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mouse models that mimic type 1 and type 2 diabetes and infect their corneas with common bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) to reproduce diabetic bacterial keratitis. They compare infected diabetic and non-diabetic corneas using RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to find genes and pathways that change during infection. The team focuses on programmed cell death pathways (how cells die) to see whether altered cell death explains the increased susceptibility and severity of infections in diabetes. Results may point to biological targets to protect the diabetic cornea or improve treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have had, currently have, or are at risk for bacterial corneal infections would be the most relevant group to benefit from this work.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or those with non-bacterial (for example viral or fungal) corneal infections are unlikely to directly benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat bacterial corneal infections in people with diabetes, reducing vision loss and complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked diabetes to worse infection outcomes and immune changes, but applying RNA sequencing to programmed cell death pathways in diabetic keratitis is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Fu-Shin X — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Yu, Fu-Shin X
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.