FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) belongs to a family of immunophilins, and is involved in multiple biological processes. However, the function of FK506BP in corneal disease remains unclear. In this study, we examined the protective effects on dry eye disease in a Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) induced mouse model, using a cell-permeable PEP-1-FK506BP protein. PEP-1-FK506BP efficiently transduced i...

Objective- To compare the effects of topical eye-drop and subconjunctival administration of diclofenac on improvement of experimental corneal alkali wound in rabbits eyes. Design- Experimental study. Animal- fifteen rabbits. Procedures- Alkali wounds were inflicted on the central corneas of 15 rabbits which we...

This study shows that the core planar cell polarity (PCP) genes direct the aligned cell migration in the adult corneal epithelium, a stratified squamous epithelium on the outer surface of the vertebrate eye. Expression of multiple core PCP genes was demonstrated in the adult corneal epithelium. PCP components were manipulated genetically and pharmacologically in human and mouse corneal epitheli...

T cell mediated immune responses against the cornea specific protein BCP 54 have been observed in patients with uveitis, Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis, and corneal disease. The pathophysiological role of this anti-BCP 54 response in corneal disease is not known. In order to ascertain whether the presence of such an immune response is related to the corneal disease itself or related to genetic i...

BACKGROUND To study the effect of topical administration of a fusion protein (PF-MC) made up of N-terminal portion of the protease inhibitor Trappin-2 (which is a substrate of transglutaminasa-2) and SLPI (protein with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral ability), in an animal model of corneal inflammation and angiogenesis. METHODS An alkali injury was produced with a filter pape...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of corneal epithelial wounding on lacrimal gland expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the rabbit model. METHODS Rabbits had corneal epithelial scrape injuries, and the lacrimal gland was removed at different times after wounding. HGF, KGF, and EGF mRNA expression was examined by quan...

The corneal endothelium is composed of a monolayer of corneal endothelial cells (CECs), which is essential for maintaining corneal transparency. To better characterize CECs in different developmental stages, we profiled mRNA transcriptomes in human fetal and adult corneal endothelium with the goal to identify novel molecular markers in these cells. By comparing CECs with 12 other tissue types, ...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of topical 0.2% hyaluronic acid in canine corneal ulcers in vivo. PROCEDURES Six purpose-bred beagles were randomly assigned into two groups (three dogs/group): group A received experimental product (Optimend™ , containing 0.2% hyaluronic acid, KineticVet™ ); group B received control product (Optimend™ without 0.2% hyaluronic acid and supplemented with ca...

Corneal buttons were obtained from four young adults with advanced keratoconus following perforating keratoplasty. The corneal buttons were incubated in organ culture media containing 3H-proline. Autoradiographs of corneal sections showed that the incorporation of the radioisotope was significantly higher in all layers of the kerotoconic corneas than that found in the normal controls, indicatin...

The proteoglycans of the Rhesus monkey corneal stroma were characterized by analyzing both radiolabeled proteoglycans synthesized by corneas in organ culture and native corneal proteoglycans obtained by large scale preparations. The analyses indicate that the proteoglycans synthesized in organ culture were similar to, if not identical with, their counterparts in the stroma although they are syn...