Immune transcriptome analysis of ocular fluids in infectious and non-infectious uveitis: a pilot study

• Grant number: 24/09954-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: January 20, 2025
• End date: February 19, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Joyce Hisae Yamamoto Takiuti
• Grantee: Eduardo Ferracioli Oda
• Supervisor: Paulo Jose Martins Bispo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Harvard University, Boston, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/13968-0 - Pathogen identification and biomarkers characterization in aqueous and vitreous humor in infectious and non infectious Uveitis, BP.DD

Abstract

Uveitis, the inflammation of the uvea, can lead to significant vision loss. It can be classified by anatomical location, course, and etiology (infectious and non-infectious). The etiological diagnosis is based on patient history, symptoms, ocular alterations and systemic workup. The analysis of ocular fluid through several methods (i.e. PCR, cytology, culture) is also valuable for uveitis diagnosis. To better understand the pathophysiology of uveitis, the present study focuses on understanding the immune response in uveitis through transcriptomic profiling, especially given the immune-privileged nature of the eye, which is disrupted in uveitis. We aim to to characterize the immune transcriptome of ocular fluid samples associated with infectious and noninfectious uveitis using the NanoString technology (DNA-DNA hybridization). Through the study, we can correlate transcriptomic data with the types and severities of uveitis and cytokine measurements (measurements already performed), thus enhancing understanding of the immune mechanisms in infectious versus noninfectious uveitis.