# Preservation of Limbal Stem Cell Function in Corneal Injury

> **NIH NIH R01** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $410,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
Corneal wound healing is a complex and coordinated process involving injury repair to the epithelial layer
and stimulation of limbal stem cell (LSC) proliferation for tissue regeneration. Prevention of excessive
stromal myofibroblast activation and vascular ingrowth is also imperative to avoid fibrosis and angiogenesis,
which can compromise transparency of the cornea. An approach that can functionally target multiple steps
in corneal wound healing may have the potential to significantly improve healing outcomes, leading to novel
therapeutic options. This project stems from our novel findings that reveal a vital role for MG53, a tissue repair
gene, in modulating LSC function associated with corneal injury-repair. We show that genetic ablation of MG53
leads to injury-induced corneal epithelial thinning, conjunctivalization, stromal fibrosis, and vascularization, all
hallmarks of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Mice with sustained elevation of MG53 in circulation show
increased tissue regenerative capacity with enhanced LSC function. MG53 is present in the human tear film,
aqueous humor, and corneal epithelial cells, supporting its potential function in corneal homeostasis and
wound healing. Using in vivo corneal injury models, we find that MG53 promotes corneal transparency by
facilitating epithelial viability and reducing post-injury fibrosis and vascularization. Experiments outlined in this
project are centered on testing the hypothesis that MG53 constitutes an active component of the corneal injury-
repair and regeneration by maintaining the health of LSCs, as well as controlling the fibrotic response of
stromal fibroblasts. We envision that pharmacological formulation to enhance the synergy between MG53
delivery, LSC function, and fibrotic control could be a potentially effective means to treat corneal diseases. The
outcome of this research shall have significant translational value in developing potentially effective therapies
to treat corneal injury and fibrosis associated with corneal disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10002286
- **Project number:** 5R01EY030621-02
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Heather Chandler
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $410,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10002286

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10002286, Preservation of Limbal Stem Cell Function in Corneal Injury (5R01EY030621-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10002286. Licensed CC0.

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