The University of Illinois has been awarded a $637,333 Project Grant from the National Eye Institute's (NEI) Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to investigate the role of the OPTN gene in mitigating the severity of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) eye infections. The research project aims to comprehensively assess how OPTN, an autophagy regulator, impacts viral degradation, antigen presentation, and sensory nerve function in the cornea during HSV-1 infection. Through extensive in vitro and in vivo studies using wildtype and OPTN-deficient mouse models, the research will generate new knowledge on how OPTN contributes to reducing ocular infection severity and enhancing antiviral immunity while preventing the loss of corneal sensory neurons. The findings could uncover novel therapeutic strategies for herpetic eye diseases and have broader implications for understanding autophagic control of corneal health and neurodegeneration.