# Activation of Wnt signaling using PF-04802367 in human limbal epithelial stem cell self-renewal (Chloe Moore)

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2023 · $19,830

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) in the human corneal epithelium are the front line
of defense to maintain transparency of the cornea. Loss or dysfunction of the LSCs leads to
limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which causes pain, inflammation, and loss of corneal
transparency in patients. Cultivated LSCs from a patient’s healthy LSCs can be transplanted
into the diseased cornea to replenish the LSCs, but maintaining sufficient LSCs and preventing
LSC differentiation in culture to allow for a successful transplant remain a major challenge in the
field. A canonical Wnt mimic small molecule and the expression of the Wnt co-receptor and
putative LSC marker Fzd7 have separately been shown to improve the cultivation of LSCs while
preventing differentiation. The goal of this proposal is to investigate a new small molecule PF-
04802367 which activates the β-catenin pathway by inhibiting GSK-3β to activate canonical Wnt
signaling. The kinetics of Wnt activation will be investigated using a TopFlash assay first. The
function and population of cultivated LSCs following PF-04802367 treatment will be evaluated
as described using biomarkers in the parent grant. The proposed project will inform further
development of Wnt mimic small molecule PF-04802367 to maximize the population of
undifferentiated LSCs in culture. The knowledge gained from the proposed project will allow
continued improvement of patient-specific LSCD treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10829162
- **Project number:** 3R01EY021797-10S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Sophie Deng
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $19,830
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10829162

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10829162, Activation of Wnt signaling using PF-04802367 in human limbal epithelial stem cell self-renewal (Chloe Moore) (3R01EY021797-10S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10829162. Licensed CC0.

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