# The Fibrosis-Immunity Interface in Corneal Transplantation

> **NIH NIH K08** · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · 2024 · $238,682

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The present proposal is a comprehensive five-year training program for the development of an academic
career focused on understanding the relationship between T cell immunity and fibrosis in the cornea.
 I have a strong research background in transplantation immunology and sub-specialty ophthalmology
training in cornea, with a clinical interest in corneal fibrosis. As an Advanced Clinical and Research Cornea
Fellow at Mass. Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, I have continued my work in corneal transplantation
immunology, demonstrating the presence of fibrosis in T cell-mediated immune rejection of corneal transplants.
Our preliminary data suggest that in corneal transplantation, T cells play a direct role in promoting
myofibroblast formation and fibrosis, and that myofibroblasts are in turn capable of regulating alloreactive T cell
function. This data has laid the foundation for the current research proposal in which we will investigate the
fibrosis-immunity interface in corneal transplantation. In Specific Aim 1 we will define the critical mechanisms
by which effector T cells promote fibrosis and evaluate whether modulation of these mechanisms can prevent
fibrosis and transplant failure in vivo. In Specific Aim 2 we will define the critical mechanisms by which
myofibroblasts suppress effector T cells to restore immune homeostasis. The goal of the proposed research is
to investigate these fundamental mechanisms and ultimately develop novel therapeutic strategies for the
prevention of graft fibrosis and suppression of T cell immunity in organ transplantation.
 Dr. Reza Dana, a world expert in corneal immunology with a long track-record of fostering the career
development of clinician-scientists will serve as my primary mentor, and I will additionally have the support of
an advisory team composed of independent NIH-funded scientists, each with extensive experience in
mentoring young researchers. The proposed research and career development programming will take place at
the Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, and I
will have full access to the significant resources of these institutions.
 I am committed to a career as a clinician-scientist, with the over-arching goal being to translate my
basic science investigations into novel approaches for addressing the unmet needs of patients. The K08 grant
proposal detailed here addresses an important and previously unexplored area of corneal pathophysiology
while simultaneously providing me the mentorship, resources and academic foundation needed to become an
independent clinician-scientist.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10862803
- **Project number:** 5K08EY031759-05
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Dohlman
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $238,682
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10862803

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10862803, The Fibrosis-Immunity Interface in Corneal Transplantation (5K08EY031759-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10862803. Licensed CC0.

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