ACAID induction in humans for penetrating keratoplasty (ACAID)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Reinhard
• Subject Area: Ophthalmology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 546738127

Immunological rejection reactions are one of the main causes for corneal transplant failures. Animal models have shown that the injection of foreign antigens into the anterior chamber of the eye triggers a tolerance reaction called ACAID (Anterior Chamber Associated Immune Deviation), which suppresses immune responses against that antigen. We suspect that ACAID can also be induced in humans, potentially preventing rejection reactions after corneal transplants. In a pilot study involving 15 patients requiring penetrating keratoplasty, we aim to determine whether the temporary placement of a donor cornea from the same donor into the anterior chamber one week before transplantation is safely feasible and allows assessing whether ACAID has been triggered in humans. To assess this, the concentrations of various cytokines in the aqueous humor will be measured before and after the intervention using ELISA. Due to the use of tissue as an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product, the study must comply with pharmaceutical regulations, limiting the scope and introducing additional regulatory hurdles and costs. Our goal is to establish the foundation for a subsequent multicentric study.

• DFG Programme: Clinical Trials