My research in the Kuehn lab focuses on the underlying mechanisms of T cell involvement in retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucoma. Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that leads to progressive vision loss due to degradation of these retinal ganglion cells within the eye. Currently, treatments for glaucoma are limited to methods of reducing intraocular pressure, which is one of the main risk factors for developing the disease. However, patients who receive these treatments often continue to lose vision and some patients never develop high pressure, highlighting the need for other treatment options to slow visual decline. There has been significant evidence suggesting that immune system processes play an important role in glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell loss. Using both murine and cell culture models, I evaluate the impact of T cells following glaucoma injury in order to understand the relationship between the immune system and vision loss. This research will allow us to determine possible immunologic targets for development of neuroprotective strategies to ultimately help patients retain their vision.

Honors and Awards

Genetics T-32 Pre-doctoral Training Grant (2024-2025)

Midwest Eye Research Symposium Outstanding Oral Presentation (2023)

Publications

Zeng, H., Mayberry, J. E., Wadkins, D., Chen, N., Summers, D. W., & Kuehn, M. H. (2024). Loss of Sarm1 reduces retinal ganglion cell loss in chronic glaucoma. Acta neuropathologica communications, 12(1), 23. PMCID: PMC10854189