# Sex disparity and estradiol in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy

> **NIH NIH K08** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · 2021 · $170,980

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading cause of corneal blindness that affects females twice
as often as males. Corneal transplantation is successful at restoring vision in FECD, but is limited by
complications and availability of donor tissue in many parts of the world. The long term goal of this research is
to develop drug therapies and preventive strategies for FECD to decrease the need for transplantation.
Understanding the basis for the sex disparity in prevalence of FECD is necessary to develop effective
alternative preventive and treatment strategies. The limited age and sex stratified data on FECD suggest that
the incidence of FECD in females peaks in the postmenopausal age group while remaining stable in males.
Because levels of serum estradiol change dramatically in women of this age group, the central hypothesis of
this study is that estradiol protects the corneal endothelium via estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). The
postmenopausal decrease in estradiol leads to increased corneal endothelial metabolic stress that manifests
as increased severity of FECD in females compared to males. The goal of this mentored career award to
Sangita Patel, MD, PhD is to equip her with the skills necessary to lead epidemiologic and laboratory research
on FECD. Dr. Patel's scientific expertise in physiology (MD, PhD, Physiology, Univ at Buffalo) and clinical
expertise in cornea (ophthalmology residency, Mayo Clinic; cornea fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Infirmary) form the framework for an ideal leader for developing novel treatments for FECD. To successfully
continue this path, Dr. Patel has three primary objectives for the K08 career development award: 1.To learn the
principles of clinical and epidemiologic study design in order to effectively collaborate with epidemiologists to
conduct validly designed studies; 2.To learn essential biostatistics for basic science and epidemiology research
applications; and. 3.To build successful collaborative relationships in which she can lead with her clinical and
scientific background. Key elements of the career development plan to address these objectives are: 1.
Research skills development (epidemiology and biostatistics) through didactics and practical application; 2.
Publications, presentations, and initiation of collaborative studies with support by her mentoring team (leaders
in ophthalmic research and epidemiology); and 3. Submission of a NIH R01 application as an independent
investigator in Year 4. She will undertake these activities in the diverse, stimulating collaborative environment
at the University at Buffalo. The Specific Aims of this application are designed to test the central hypothesis
and encompass the career development goals. Specific Aim 1 is to determine the effect of age on the sex
disparity of FECD prevalence and to evaluate the association between estrogen exposure and FECD severity.
Specific Aim 2 is to determine the roles of estradiol and ERβ ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10216266
- **Project number:** 5K08EY029007-04
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- **Principal Investigator:** Sangita Patel
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $170,980
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10216266

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10216266, Sex disparity and estradiol in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (5K08EY029007-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10216266. Licensed CC0.

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