Self-Deliverable siRNA to Prevent Corneal Scarring

Targeted gene silencing technology promotes corneal wound healing.

Background:

Ocular scarring after surgery, trauma, or infection leads to vision loss and blindness. Blindness due to corneal scarring can currently only be resolved by transplantation, necessitating new approaches in regenerative wound healing in the eye.

Technology Overview:  

A self-deliverable siRNA has been developed by Upstate Medical University researchers to specifically target a gene that modulates scarring in order to promote corneal wound healing. The approach has been validated ex vivo and in vivo, with treatment after corneal wounding resulting in faster wound closure, limited scarring, suppression of fibrotic markers, and restoration of corneal thickness. 

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https://www.pexels.com/photo/human-eye-2609925/

Advantages:  

• Targeted siRNA therapy circumvents the need for immunologically compatible corneal donors.
• In vivo studies demonstrate this therapy promotes 41.5% reduction in scarring

Applications:  

• Effective treatment for corneal scarring resulting from mechanical injuries, burns, infections or surgery.
• Model useful to study pathogenesis of fibrotic healing.

Licensing Status: 

Available for licensing or collaboration.