Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2/18/2026

Roles of CaSR in ocular surface health and disease

Award Number: R01EY036139
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Roles of CaSR in ocular surface health and disease - ABSTRACT Dry eye disease (DED) is a major health problem. Reduced ocular surface hydration is a key pathology in DED, which causes symptoms and can lead to ocular surface inflammation and damage. Current FDA- approved treatments for DED include artificial tears and anti-inflammatory agents that have variable and limited efficacy. Here we propose a novel target for treatment of DED. The target is the extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) that has well-known modulatory effects on epithelial ion transport in various tissues such as intestine and kidney. We found prominent CaSR expression in mouse and human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. CaSR activation in the ocular surface reduced CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion, confirming key roles of CaSR ocular surface ion transport. Importantly, we found that CaSR inhibition by NPS-2143 stimulates CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion in the ocular surface and increases tear fluid volume in mice by ~100%. Here we will perform key translational studies for CaSR inhibitors, by testing them in clinically relevant animal and human cell models of DED to advance them towards clinical testing (Aim 1). We will also study the roles and mechanisms of CaSR effect in ocular surface ion transport and health (Aim 2). The proposed studies can potentially lead to clinical testing of CaSR inhibitors for DED in the very near future. By identifying a novel treatment, these studies can ultimately reduce DED morbidity. Lastly, by identifying roles and mechanisms of CaSR in ocular surface, this project can also identify novel disease mechanisms for DED.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $410,000 )
2025	2025	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE	1855 FOLSOM ST STE 425	SAN FRANCISCO	CA	94103	SAN FRANCISCO	USA	Vision Research	001	2	5/1/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$410,000
2025	2024	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE	1855 FOLSOM ST STE 425	SAN FRANCISCO	CA	94103	SAN FRANCISCO	USA	Vision Research	000	1	3/7/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $410,000

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $396,242 )
2024	2024	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE	1855 FOLSOM ST STE 425	SAN FRANCISCO	CA	94103	SAN FRANCISCO	USA	Vision Research	000	1	4/25/2024	NEW	$396,242
														Subtotal = $396,242

Grand Total All Awards = $806,242

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Roles of CaSR in ocular surface health and disease

Award Number: R01EY036139

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer