Eye pain and neuroinflammation: translational research

Presentation

Our team develops translational research dedicated to chronic ocular pain, with the aim of better understanding the cellular, molecular and neurobiological mechanisms involved in its onset and chronification. Ocular pain, which is particularly common in the context of dry eye disease, can become a major disability for patients, with significant functional and psychological impact. Yet the peripheral and central mechanisms underlying it remain insufficiently understood.

The only team in France, and one of the few in the world, to conduct translational studies specifically dedicated to ocular pain, we have developed an integrated approach ranging from basic research to clinical practice. Our work is carried out in close collaboration with the Clinical Investigation Centre and the ophthalmobiology laboratory of the Hôpital National des Quinze-Vingts, in order to characterize patients, identify biomarkers and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Our research at the Institute focuses in particular on the development of preclinical models of chronic corneal pain, the study of neuro-immune interactions in the eye and pain pathways, the identification of biomarkers in dry eye disease, and the discovery of new therapeutic targets. This work relies on innovative approaches in multiomics, microfluidics and advanced imaging, including functional ultrasound imaging and iDISCO imaging, to explore the mechanisms of chronic ocular pain in an integrated manner. The team is also interested in neuroinflammation and neuroprotection in glaucoma.

Our work aims to address a largely unmet medical need, by contributing to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in chronic ocular pain. We also maintain close collaborations with industrial partners in order to facilitate the transfer of our discoveries towards concrete applications for the benefit of patients.