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Identifying the mechanism(s) of scarless corneal wound healing in Acomys cahirinus (The African Spiny mice) and Mus musculus

Award Number: R21EY037941
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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Identifying the mechanism(s) of scarless corneal wound healing in Acomys cahirinus (The African Spiny mice) and Mus musculus - SUMMARY Rodents from the genus Acomys (Affrican Spiny mice) have recently emerged as a powerful model for regeneration, being capable of fully regenerating sections of skin without scarring including the development of new skin appendages. The regenerative capabilities of the Acomys species is not limited to the skin, with studies also demonstrating they can regenerate skeletal muscle tissue, cartilage, kidney, peripheral nerves and digits. Thus, the Acomys are a powerful animal model to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote regeneration with limited scarring in mammals. Aim 1a of this proposal will establish whether the Acomys cahirinus are capable of scarless corneal wound healing by comparing the regenerative capabilities of the cornea of A. cahirinus to the Mus musculus following alkali burn (AB). Aim 1b will then characterize and compare the mechanisms of wound healing between the A. cahirinus and M. musculus. This aim will establish for the first time whether A. cahirinus are capable of scarless corneal wound healing and identify the mechanism by which A. cahirinus are capable of regenerating a transparent cornea following AB. Our lab has been using the AB model on mice of diverse genetic backgrounds for well over a decade. Over the years, we have collated significant longitudinal data to show that when a group of wild-type mice on the same genetic background, such as C57BL/6J, are subjected to AB of equal severity, some mice are able to regenerate their corneas with limited to no scarring by day 14 (~18% of mice), while the others present corneal scarring (~82%). Curiously, our unpublished data show that the mice that present corneal scarring by day 14 present significant inflammatory cell infiltration and severe epithelial defect at day 1, while mice that are able to regenerate a transparent cornea by day 14 do not. Thus, excessive inflammatory infiltration within the first 24 hours following injury dictates whether the cornea will regenerate or suffer corneal scarring. Aim 2 of this proposal will characterize and compare the wound healing process between inbred C57BL/6J mice that are able to regenerate the cornea following AB to those that present corneal scarring, identifying for the first time key factors that direct corneal wound healing into wound resolution and regeneration instead of corneal scarring. Clinical Significance: Corneal scarring after trauma is a leading cause of vision loss in our society. To date, there are limited treatment options for preventing and treating corneal scarring, culminating in an urgent medical need for new therapeutics that can promote scarless wound healing. This proposal will identify key cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate scarless wound healing establishing the groundwork for developing novel therapies for triggering scarless wound healing in the clinic.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM	4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77204	HARRIS	USA	Vision Research	000	1	12/12/2025	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $431,750 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM	4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77204	HARRIS	USA	Vision Research	000	1	9/23/2025	NEW	$431,750
														Subtotal = $431,750

Grand Total All Awards = $431,750

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Identifying the mechanism(s) of scarless corneal wound healing in Acomys cahirinus (The African Spiny mice) and Mus musculus

Award Number: R21EY037941

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/30/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2027

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