Reversal of Second-hand Cigarette Smoke–Induced Impairment of Corneal Wound Healing by Thymosin β4 Combined with Anti-inflammatory Agents

RESULTS. Cell migration, actin reorganization, and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin were all inhibited by exposure to SSW smoke, and the distribution of phospho-src in the cells was disrupted. Activation of RhoA, an important regulator of the cytoskeleton during cell migration, was also inhibited. T 4 stimulated corneal epithelial cell migration in the presence of SSW smoke in culture and in vivo, and it partially reversed the inhibition of corneal healing by SSW smoke. However, T 4 plus dexamethasone, an inhibitor of inflammation, together, reversed the effects of SSW smoke on corneal healing.