PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (HA) eye drops for the treatment of diabetic ocular surface diseases in mice. METHODS Male 6- to 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice underwent induction of type 1 diabetes with intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin, with normal mice as the control. Topical 0.3% HA, 0.1% HA, 0.4% polyethylene glycol eye drops, and normal saline were administere...

PURPOSE Gram-negative bacterial infections of the eye can lead to corneal bacterial keratitis, visual impairment, and blindness. Many of these pathologic changes may be mediated by bacterially derived products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this investigation, it has been established for the first time that human corneal cells are capable of expressing the functional LPS receptor complex ...

Background: To investigate the relationship between high-order aberration (HOA) changes and RCST/CT (residual corneal stroma thickness/corneal thickness) after femtosecond LASIK surgery.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy of the angiogenic inhibitor TNP-470 on inflammatory corneal neovascularization. Topical and systemic delivery of the drug were investigated in a murine model as well as inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The effect of TNP-470 on VEGF- and bFGF-stimulated bovine capillary endothelial (BCE) cell proliferation was evaluate...

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of the corneal endothelium characterized by nonprogressive bilateral corneal edema and opacification present at birth. Here we review the current knowledge on the role of the SLC4A11 gene, protein, and its mutations in the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of CHED. Individuals with CHED have mutati...

SLC4A11, a member of the SLC4 family of bicarbonate transporters, is a widely expressed integral membrane protein, abundant in kidney and cornea. Mutations of SLC4A11 cause some cases of the blinding corneal dystrophies, congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. These diseases are marked by fluid accumulation in the corneal stroma, secondary to defect...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in corneal endothelial cell proliferation. METHODS Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting were used to define the PKC isoforms expressed in primary cultures of rat corneal endothelial cells. For proliferation studies, primary cultures of rat corneal endothelial cells were serum-starved for 48 hours and inc...

Purpose To explore the role and mechanism of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in corneal epithelial wound healing in type 1 diabetic mice. Methods Diabetic mice were treated with subconjunctival injections of BM-MSCs or recombinant tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated gene/protein-6 (TSG-6). The corneal epithelial wound healing rate was examined by fluorescein staining. The ...

PURPOSE Triptolide is a major component of the herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f, extracts of which are used in traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been found to possess immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Viral infection of the cornea can lead to corneal ulceration and perforation as a result of collagen degradation in the corneal stroma. We have now examined the effect o...