Ula V. Jurkunas,
MD
Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Department of Ophthalmology Scholar, Associate Scientist
Harvard Medical School
Co-Director, Cornea Center of Excellence
ula_jurkunas@meei.harvard.edu
For investigator inquiries only
About My Research
Center/Research Area Affiliations
Biography
At Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Dr. Jurkunas primarily studies the pathogenesis of Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD)—with emphasis on the role of oxidative stress in endothelial cell death—and the development of cultivated epithelial (stem) cell transplantation for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.
In addition, as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, she teaches residents and fellows about corneal surgical procedures and the diagnosis and clinical management of corneal and refractive conditions. Her main clinical areas of expertise are corneal endothelial dysfunction, femtosecond cataract surgery, refractive surgery, and lamellar keratoplasty, including DMEK and complex DSAEK.
Education
2000: MD, Cum Laude, University of Louisville
Postgraduate Training
2004: Residency, Boston University
2004-2006: Fellowship, Mass. Eye and Ear
2006: Fellowship, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Honors
2017: ARVO Foundation/Pfizer Ophthalmics Carl Camras Translational Research Award
2016: American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award
2013: Young Investigator Award, Alcon Research Institute
2011: Research to Prevent Blindness, Physician Scientist Award
2010: Ophthalmology Scholar, Harvard Ophthalmology
2008: Norman Knight Leadership Development Award, Mass. Eye and Ear
2008: ISER Travel Fellowship, Beijing, China
2008: Ophthalmology Awardee of the Friends of Mass. Eye and Ear Award
2008: ARVO/Alcon Early Career Clinician-Scientist Research Award
2007: Best Scientific Abstract Award, the 25th Biennial Cornea Research Conference, Mass. Eye and Ear
2004: Best Scientific Poster Award, New England Ophthalmological Society, “Novel Role of Keratocytes in Corneal Edema”
Publications powered by Harvard Catalyst Profiles
- Ocular Chemical Injuries and Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD): An Update on Management. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2024 Apr 01; 64(2):31-48.
- Outcomes of Boston Keratoprosthesis Type I Implantation in Poland: A Retrospective Study on 118 Patients. J Clin Med. 2024 Feb 08; 13(4).
- Estrogen genotoxicity causes preferential development of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy in females. Redox Biol. 2024 Feb; 69:102986.
- The Neuropeptide a-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Prevents Persistent Corneal Edema following Injury. Am J Pathol. 2024 Jan; 194(1):150-164.
- Development of Anterior Segment Focused Biologic Therapies to Regenerate Corneal Tissue for the Treatment of Disease: Drug Development Experience. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2023 10; 39(8):551-562.
- Cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell (CALEC) transplantation: Development of manufacturing process and clinical evaluation of feasibility and safety. Sci Adv. 2023 08 18; 9(33):eadg6470.
- DMEK surgical training: An instructional guide on various wet-lab methods. Surv Ophthalmol. 2023 Nov-Dec; 68(6):1129-1152.
- Dysregulation of DNA repair genes in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res. 2023 06; 231:109499.
- Recurrence of Guttae and Endothelial Dysfunction After Successful Descemet Stripping Only in Fuchs Dystrophy. Cornea. 2023 Aug 01; 42(8):1037-1040.
- Incidence and risk factors for glaucoma development and progression after corneal transplantation. Eye (Lond). 2023 07; 37(10):2117-2125.
- Bevacizumab in High-Risk Corneal Transplantation: A Pilot Multicenter Prospective Randomized Control Trial. Ophthalmology. 2022 08; 129(8):865-879.
- Cultivated Autologous Limbal Epithelial Cell Transplantation: New Frontier in the Treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Am J Ophthalmol. 2022 07; 239:244-268.
- Netarsudil-associated reticular corneal epithelial edema. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2022 Mar; 25:101287.
- The Neuropeptide Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Is Critical for Corneal Endothelial Cell Protection and Graft Survival after Transplantation. Am J Pathol. 2022 02; 192(2):270-280.
- Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis following transplantation of contaminated Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty graft. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2021 Dec; 24:101227.
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mitophagy in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cells. 2021 07 26; 10(8).
- Pilot Study of Corneal Clearance With the Use of a Rho-Kinase Inhibitor After Descemetorhexis Without Endothelial Keratoplasty for Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea. 2021 Jul 01; 40(7):899-902.
- Scleral Perforation Secondary to Cyclophotocoagulation. Ophthalmology. 2021 05; 128(5):662.
- Low-Cost, Smartphone-Based Specular Imaging and Automated Analysis of the Corneal Endothelium. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2021 04 01; 10(4):4.
- Increased Corneal Endothelial Cell Migration in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy: A Live Cell Imaging Study. Ophthalmol Sci. 2021 Mar; 1(1):100006.
- One-Year Clinical Outcomes of Preloaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Versus Non-Preloaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty. Cornea. 2021 Mar 01; 40(3):311-319.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis of preloaded versus non-preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty for the treatment of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy in an academic centre. Br J Ophthalmol. 2022 07; 106(7):914-922.
- Cell cycle re-entry and arrest in G2/M phase induces senescence and fibrosis in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Free Radic Biol Med. 2021 02 20; 164:34-43.
- Association of a-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone With Corneal Endothelial Cell Survival During Oxidative Stress and Inflammation-Induced Cell Loss in Donor Tissue. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020 11 01; 138(11):1192-1195.
- Corneal endothelial dysfunction: Evolving understanding and treatment options. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2021 05; 82:100904.
- A Patient With Glaucoma With Corneal Edema. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020 08 01; 138(8):917-918.
- Corneal dystrophies. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020 06 11; 6(1):46.
- Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: The vicious cycle of Fuchs pathogenesis. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2021 01; 80:100863.
- Author Correction: Aberrant DNA methylation of miRNAs in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 06; 10(1):2395.
- Ultraviolet A light induces DNA damage and estrogen-DNA adducts in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy causing females to be more affected. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 01 07; 117(1):573-583.
- Loss of NQO1 generates genotoxic estrogen-DNA adducts in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Free Radic Biol Med. 2020 02 01; 147:69-79.
- Aberrant DNA methylation of miRNAs in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sci Rep. 2019 11 08; 9(1):16385.
- Activation of PINK1-Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy Degrades Mitochondrial Quality Control Proteins in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Am J Pathol. 2019 10; 189(10):2061-2076.
- Imaging the Corneal Endothelium in Fuchs Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy. Semin Ophthalmol. 2019; 34(4):340-346.
- Regional variability in corneal endothelial cell density between guttae and non-guttae areas in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Can J Ophthalmol. 2019 10; 54(5):570-576.
- Exposure, entropion, and bilateral corneal ulceration in a newborn as a manifestation of chromosome 22 q11.2 duplication syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2019 Mar; 13:16-19.
- Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Through the Prism of Oxidative Stress. Cornea. 2018 Nov; 37 Suppl 1:S50-S54.
- In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Shows Alterations in Nerve Density and Dendritiform Cell Density in Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 12; 196:136-144.
- Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Promotes Corneal Allograft Survival. Am J Pathol. 2018 09; 188(9):2016-2024.
- Association of the Gutta-Induced Microenvironment With Corneal Endothelial Cell Behavior and Demise in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2018 08 01; 136(8):886-892.
- Identification of a Novel TCF4 Isoform in the Human Corneal Endothelium. Cornea. 2018 Jul; 37(7):899-903.
- Lens regeneration in children. Nature. 2018 04 04; 556(7699):E2-E3.
- Predictive Factors for Corneal Clearance After Descemetorhexis Without Endothelial Keratoplasty. Cornea. 2018 Feb; 37(2):137-140.
- Limbal Cysts: A Subset Exhibiting Cornea-Specific Cytokeratins. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Jan/Feb; 34(1):e29-e31.
- NQO1 downregulation potentiates menadione-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition during rosette formation in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Free Radic Biol Med. 2018 02 20; 116:19-30.
- Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation and Complications. Semin Ophthalmol. 2018; 33(1):134-141.
- Elimination of Anterior Corneal Steepening With Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in a Patient With Fuchs Dystrophy and Keratoconus: Implications for IOL Calculation. Cornea. 2017 Oct; 36(10):1260-1262.
- Peripheral Endothelial Cell Count Is a Predictor of Disease Severity in Advanced Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Cornea. 2017 Oct; 36(10):1166-1171.
- Activation of mitophagy leads to decline in Mfn2 and loss of mitochondrial mass in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Sci Rep. 2017 07 27; 7(1):6656.
- Evaluating Changes in Ocular Redness Using a Novel Automated Method. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2017 Jul; 6(4):13.
- Guanine glycation repair by DJ-1/Park7 and its bacterial homologs. Science. 2017 Jul 14; 357(6347):208-211.
- Screening and Characterization of Drugs That Protect Corneal Endothelial Cells Against Unfolded Protein Response and Oxidative Stress. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017 02 01; 58(2):892-900.
- The Use of Femtosecond Laser in Refractive and Cataract Surgery. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2017; 57(4):1-10.
- Existence of Neural Crest-Derived Progenitor Cells in Normal and Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy Corneal Endothelium. Am J Pathol. 2016 10; 186(10):2736-50.
- Validity and Reliability of a Novel Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) in Quantifying and Monitoring Corneal and Ocular Surface Pain. Ophthalmology. 2016 07; 123(7):1458-68.
- Menadione-Induced DNA Damage Leads to Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Fragmentation During Rosette Formation in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2016 06 20; 24(18):1072-83.
- UV-A Irradiation Activates Nrf2-Regulated Antioxidant Defense and Induces p53/Caspase3-Dependent Apoptosis in Corneal Endothelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016 Apr 01; 57(4):2319-27.
- Limbal Stromal Tissue Specific Stem Cells and Their Differentiation Potential to Corneal Epithelial Cells. Methods Mol Biol. 2016; 1341:437-44.
- Outcomes of phacoemulsification in patients with chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2015 Jun; 253(6):901-7.
- Quantification of allospecific and nonspecific corneal endothelial cell damage after corneal transplantation. Eye (Lond). 2015 Jan; 29(1):136-44.
- Decreased DJ-1 leads to impaired Nrf2-regulated antioxidant defense and increased UV-A-induced apoptosis in corneal endothelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 Jul 31; 55(9):5551-60.
- Differentiation potential of limbal fibroblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to corneal epithelial cells. Stem Cells. 2014 Mar; 32(3):717-29.
- Sulforaphane decreases endothelial cell apoptosis in fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: a novel treatment. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Oct 15; 54(10):6724-34.
- Fuchs endothelial cornea dystrophy: a review of the genetics behind disease development. Semin Ophthalmol. 2013 Sep-Nov; 28(5-6):281-6.
- Topical interleukin 1 receptor antagonist for treatment of dry eye disease: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013 Jun; 131(6):715-723.
- Safety and efficacy of the multitargeted receptor kinase inhibitor pazopanib in the treatment of corneal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Jan 17; 54(1):537-44.
- Keratoprosthesis surgery as an alternative to keratoplasty. Medicina (Kaunas). 2013; 49(6):291-9.
- Telomerase immortalization of human corneal endothelial cells yields functional hexagonal monolayers. PLoS One. 2012; 7(12):e51427.
- Cellular and subbasal nerve alterations in early stage Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy: an in vivo confocal microscopy study. Eye (Lond). 2013 Jan; 27(1):42-9.
- Comparative analysis of human-derived feeder layers with 3T3 fibroblasts for the ex vivo expansion of human limbal and oral epithelium. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2012 Sep; 8(3):696-705.
- Decline in DJ-1 and decreased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Aug 24; 53(9):5806-13.
- Relationship of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy severity to central corneal thickness. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012 Apr; 130(4):433-9.
- Mutations in LOXHD1, a recessive-deafness locus, cause dominant late-onset Fuchs corneal dystrophy. Am J Hum Genet. 2012 Mar 09; 90(3):533-9.
- p53-regulated increase in oxidative-stress--induced apoptosis in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: a native tissue model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Dec 02; 52(13):9291-7.
- Molecular bases of corneal endothelial dystrophies. Exp Eye Res. 2012 Feb; 95(1):24-34.
- Reversible corneal epitheliopathy caused by vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in a vegan with a genetic mutation: a new disease. Eye (Lond). 2011 Nov; 25(11):1512-4.
- Inflammation and the nervous system: the connection in the cornea in patients with infectious keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Jul 11; 52(8):5136-43.
- [Viral vectors for gene delivery to corneal endothelial cells]. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2011 Jun; 228(6):498-503.
- Anti-apoptotic gene therapy prolongs survival of corneal endothelial cells during storage. Gene Ther. 2011 Aug; 18(8):778-87.
- Corneal endothelial cells are protected from apoptosis by gene therapy. Hum Gene Ther. 2011 May; 22(5):549-58.
- The culture and transplantation of human limbal stem cells. J Cell Physiol. 2010 Oct; 225(1):15-9.
- Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Ocul Surf. 2010 Oct; 8(4):173-84.
- Unusual presentation of presumed posterior polymorphous dystrophy associated with iris heterochromia, band keratopathy, and keratoconus. Cornea. 2010 Oct; 29(10):1180-5.
- Evidence of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Am J Pathol. 2010 Nov; 177(5):2278-89.
- Intraocular lens calculations after corneal refractive surgery. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2010; 50(1):181-9.
- Fungal keratitis: changing pathogens and risk factors. Cornea. 2009 Jul; 28(6):638-43.
- Limbal stem cell deficiency and corneal neovascularization. Semin Ophthalmol. 2009 May-Jun; 24(3):139-48.
- Topical bevacizumab in the treatment of corneal neovascularization: results of a prospective, open-label, noncomparative study. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Apr; 127(4):381-9.
- Colocalization of increased transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) and Clusterin in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009 Mar; 50(3):1129-36.
- Increased clusterin expression in Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Jul; 49(7):2946-55.
- Decreased expression of peroxiredoxins in Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Jul; 49(7):2956-63.
- Keratoglobus in association with posterior polymorphous dystrophy. Cornea. 2007 Dec; 26(10):1288-91.
- Ectatic disorders associated with a claw-shaped pattern on corneal topography. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Jul; 144(1):154-156.
- Use of voriconazole in the treatment of fungal keratitis. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2007; 47(2):47-59.
- Potential complications of ocular surgery in patients with coexistent keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Ophthalmology. 2006 Dec; 113(12):2187-97.
- Obliterative microangiopathy presenting as chronic conjunctivitis in a patient with relapsing polychondritis. Cornea. 2006 Jun; 25(5):621-2.
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