Recovery of corneal sensitivity, calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerves, and increased wound healing induced by pigment epithelial-derived factor plus XXXX after experimental surgery.

@entity4600 @entity16 @entity95 @entity4601 @entity2687 @entity936
OBJECTIVE: To assess function of regenerated corneal nerves in correlation with epithelial wound healing after experimental @entity16 in @entity95 treated with pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) plus @entity4600 ( @entity4601 ). METHODS: An 8-mm stromal dissection was performed in the right eyes of adult @entity95 . Treatment with PEDF+ @entity4601 was for 6 weeks. Corneal sensation was measured weekly by Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. After 8 weeks, immunofluorescence with bIII-tubulin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and substance P antibodies was performed to quantify nerves. Also, @entity95 were treated with PEDF+ @entity4601 for 4 weeks after lamellar keratectomy, followed by 8-mm epithelial debridement and epithelial defect assessment. One week after surgery, corneas were stained with anti-Ki67 antibody to assess cell proliferation. RESULTS: Eight weeks after surgery, calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerve fibers in the PEDF+ @entity4601 group were similar to normal @entity95 corneas but were decreased in the vehicle. Substance P was localized in the subepithelial plexus but appeared in epithelial cells after nerve injury regardless of treatment. Five weeks after surgery, an increase in corneal sensitivity occurred in the PEDF+ @entity4601 group and reached normal values by 8 weeks. Pigment epithelial-derived factor plus @entity4601 increased epithelial wound healing after lamellar keratectomy. One week after epithelial injury, Ki67-positive cells increased in the limbal area. CONCLUSION: Pigment epithelial-derived factor plus @entity4601 promotes regeneration of calcitonin gene-related @entity2687 , accelerating wound healing and return of corneal sensitivity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pigment epithelial-derived factor plus @entity4601 represents a new approach to regenerate nerves and a potential treatment for prevention of severe @entity936 after surgery or diseases of the ocular surface.
