Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine announced on March 9 that a specialized group of immune cells, known as resident macrophages, play a crucial role in regulating eye pressure—a factor closely linked to glaucoma and vision loss. The findings were published in the journal Immunity.
The discovery is significant because it identifies a new potential target for therapies aimed at preventing blindness caused by glaucoma. Glaucoma is often treated by lowering eye pressure, but many patients still experience vision loss despite current treatments.
Katy Liu, M.D., Ph.D., lead author and assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine, said, “The only way we can treat glaucoma is by lowering the eye pressure, yet we still have patients who go blind despite current treatments.” Liu added, “This research helps us understand the role of the immune system in regulating eye pressure.”
In their study using mouse models, researchers tracked fluorescently tagged resident macrophages within the eyes. When these cells were removed, drainage became blocked and fluid built up—leading to increased eye pressure. “Our findings show that resident macrophages are essential for maintaining healthy eye pressure,” Liu said. “Disruption of this system may contribute directly to the development of glaucoma.”
W. Daniel Stamer, Ph.D., corresponding author and Joseph A.C. Wadsworth Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology, said, “Now we have a specific target for developing new therapies that can normalize the eye pressure and stop vision loss, in contrast to current medications that do not target the source of disease.”
Daniel Saban, Ph.D., co-corresponding author and Vice Chair of Research Strategy in the Department of Ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine, said: “This discovery is a major step forward in understanding how the immune system contributes to the regulation of eye pressure. This research builds on Duke’s strong history of turning laboratory findings into real treatments for patients.”
Duke Eye Center has previously contributed to breakthroughs such as research leading to FDA approval for new glaucoma drugs after two decades without advances.
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University Hospital was founded in 1925. Its current president is Craig T. Albanese. The hospital has a pediatric ward and serves as a training hospital; according to their 2022 annual report, 41,549 patients were admitted during that year.
Future research will focus on identifying these resident macrophages in human tissue with hopes that targeting them could lead to more effective treatments for glaucoma.
