Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Pterygium is a common eye disease where a fleshy growth forms on the white part of the eye and can grow onto the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. This growth can cause discomfort, blurred vision, and vision loss. It affects more than 100 million people worldwide, especially those who are older and live in sunny climates where ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight are stronger. Currently, surgery is the main treatment, but the fleshy growth often returns after removal, and there are no effective drug treatments. Research shows that inflammation, tissue scarring, abnormal blood vessel growth, and changes in the eye's surface cells all contribute to pterygium. We are studying a protein called granzyme B (GrB), which acts like molecular scissors. GrB is normally used by the immune system to destroy damaged or infected cells. However, when released outside of cells, it can harm healthy tissue by breaking down important structural proteins. Our recent findings show that GrB levels are much higher in pterygium tissues compared to healthy eyes. We also found that certain immune cells, such as mast cells, produce and release GrB. Our other lab experiments show that adding GrB to healthy eye cells makes them more mobile and causes changes similar to those seen in pterygium. In this project, we will examine eye tissues from patients with pterygium to find out which other cells produce and release GrB, what triggers its release (like aging or UV exposure), and how it might cause eye damage. We will also test whether blocking GrB can prevent or reduce these harmful effects. By better understanding how GrB contributes to pterygium, this research may lead to the development of new drug-based treatments for the disease. Because GrB is also involved in other conditions like immune disorders, aging-related diseases, and cancer, our findings could help researchers in many fields.