Satyashree Gagan, mentored by Dr Joveeta Joseph and Dr Bhupesh Bagga, was conferred PhD by Manipal Institute of Higher Education (MAHE) for her work titled ‘Immunopathogensis of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 keratitis and Anti-Viral role of KR-12 peptide’
Herpes simplex keratitis causes recurrent vision-threatening corneal inflammation driven by viral replication and immune dysregulation. This study evaluates Heparanase and NETosis as diagnostic biomarkers and investigates the antimicrobial peptide KR-12, as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Observing the findings of her study, Satyashree says, 'We observed a significant upregulation of heparanase levels along with increased extracellular dsDNA release. Targeting these biomarkers with specific inhibitors may offer a promising strategy to reduce disease severity and improve therapeutic outcomes.'
Why the study matters
Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a major cause of corneal ulcers and vision loss worldwide. Although antiviral drugs such as acyclovir are widely used, treatment often fails due to viral recurrence or the development of drug resistance caused by mutations in viral thymidine kinase. In severe cases, surgical procedures like penetrating keratoplasty are required, especially in patients with advanced disease or vision in only one eye. However, graft failure frequently occurs because of immune rejection or viral reactivation. Therefore, there is a strong need for improved treatment strategies. This can be achieved by identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis, and by evaluating novel therapeutic options such as antiviral peptides that may offer more effective management of HSK.
