Interleukin-10 As a Neuroprotective Factor in Glaucoma
Principal Investigator
Tatjana Jakobs, MD
The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass. Eye and Ear
Boston, MA, USA
About the Research Project
Program
Award Type
Standard
Award Amount
$182,000
Active Dates
July 01, 2025 - June 30, 2027
Grant ID
G2025008S
Goals
The goal is to investigate the role of immune cells (microglia) in glaucoma and test factors secreted by microglia for neuroprotective activity in glaucoma.
Summary
Visual impairment in glaucoma is caused by the degeneration and eventual death of retinal ganglion cells through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Retinal microglia can play neuroprotective and neurotoxic roles in glaucoma. We identified IL10 as a candidate for a microglia-derived factor that may selectively boost the neuroprotective effects.
Unique and Innovative
We identified IL10 as a microglia-derived factor with potential neuroprotective effects on retinal ganglion cells. We will test this with assays of visual function and microscopic analysis of ganglion cell morphology.
Foreseeable Benefits
Ultimately, we hope to develop a combination of several factors that can be administered to prevent ganglion cell loss in glaucoma. We also hope to gain insight into the function of immune cells in neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma or Alzheimer’s disease.
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