PURPOSE The local deposition of fibrinogen and other plasma products from tears within corneal wounds and the expression of plasminogen activator by corneal epithelial cells suggest that the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems play an important role in corneal wound healing. The authors used mouse lines deficient in plasminogen (Plg), fibrinogen (Fib), or both to elucidate the roles of these k...

Purpose To determine whether topical Substance-P (SP) plus insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) can improve corneal healing after photorefractive surface ablation in a rabbit. Methods After a 9.0-mm corneal de-epithelialization using a combination of chemical (18% alcohol) and mechanical debridement, excimer photorefractive surface ablation was performed bilaterally in eight rabbits (16 eyes)...

Vitamin A and its active forms (retinoic acids/RAs) are known to have pro-healing properties, but their mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. This work aimed to identify the cellular and molecular processes by which atRA (all-trans RA) improves wound healing, using an in vivo model of mouse corneal alkali burns and an in vitro cellular human corneal epithelial injury model. Regulati...

PURPOSE A recent clinical report demonstrated that topical nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment in patients affected by corneal neurotrophic ulcers induced epithelial and stromal healing restoring corneal integrity. Mechanisms(s) undergoing these clinical NGF actions are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NGF in human and rat cornea physiopathology. METHODS Exp...

The corneal epithelial cell has a unique sliding capability. The epithelial cell spreads and migrates in an amebic fashion without mitotic activity when the continuity of the epithelium is broken. This movement is demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. Prompt sliding for sealing the wound defect is apparently the first step of the wound healing of the superficial cornea. Cut edges of collagen ...

We aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of topical 1% sodium hyaluronate (Healon) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) for the treatment of alkali-induced epithelial corneal defects. An alkali burn was produced in 30 corneas of 30 New Zealand White rabbits, using a 7.5-mm-diameter trephine. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Four times a day, one group was treated with ...