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LETTER TO EDITOR |
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Year : 2003 | Volume
: 51
| Issue : 2 | Page : 201 |
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Growth factors in corneal epithelial wound healing.
N Mukerji, N Sharma, Rasik B Vajpayee
Correspondence Address: N Mukerji
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
PMID: 12831161
How to cite this article: Mukerji N, Sharma N, Vajpayee RB. Growth factors in corneal epithelial wound healing. Indian J Ophthalmol 2003;51:201 |
Dear Editor,
Agrawal and Tsai[1] have adequately addressed the role of cytokines and growth factors in corneal epithelial regeneration. However, the role of a few more growth factors in addition to the ones mentioned viz. EGF, HGF, KGF and TGF-[1] needs to be highlighted.
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)[2]:
Both acidic and basic FGF (aFGF and bFGF) have a mitogenic effect on the corneal epithelium resulting in faster re-epithelisation; the effect being dose- responsive. aFGF is more potent than bFGF, probably due to variation in corneal sensitivity or a difference in the purification process of the two compounds.
Angiogenic growth factor[2]
Corneal epithelium possesses angiogenic properties which are stable despite attempts at heat denaturation. These produce an increase in the vascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependant manner and play an important part in corneal vascularisation.
Epithelial neuronotrophic growth factor and nerve growth factor (ENF and NGF)[2],[3]
This growth factor is secreted specifically by corneal and conjunctival cells in primary culture and in-vivo. Concentrations increase in the cornea during nerve regeneration. It is well established that in neuroparalytic keratitis, the metabolism of the cornea and particularly the epithelium is altered. The extent to which an alteration or a lack of ENF and NGF is responsible for this process is not exactly known.
The authors have rightly pointed out that the available information on the exact role of these factors has not been "successfully translated into clinical therapies". We believe that future work should focus on:
1. Whether these are safe and effective for corneal re-epithelisation.
2. Whether factors can be used to produce endothelial proliferation in donor corneas either before or after transplantation.
3. Investigation of possible sources of these growth factors, like autologous serum[4] and standardisation of their methods of preparation.
4. Development of preservative-free and slow-release drug delivery systems that keep these mitogens in contact with the cornea for a substantial amount of time.
References | | |
1. | Agrawal VB, Tsai RJF. Corneal epithelial wound healing. Indian J Ophthalmol 2003;51:5-15. |
2. | Tripathi BJ, Kwait PS, Tripathi RC. Corneal growth factors: A new generation of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Cornea 1990;9:2-9. [ PUBMED] [ FULLTEXT] |
3. | Bonini S, Lambiase A, Rama P, Caprioglio G, Aloe L. Topical treatment with nerve growth factor for neurotrophic keratitis. Ophthalmology 2000;107:1347-51. [ PUBMED] [ FULLTEXT] |
4. | Tsubota K, Goto E, Shimmura S, Shimazaki J. Treatment of persistent epithelial defect by autologous serum application. Ophthalmology 1999;106:1984-89. [ PUBMED] [ FULLTEXT] |
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