Purpose:
Mannose-6-phosphate (M6P), a macromolecular sugar derived from aloe vera reduces cutaneous scarring by inhibiting transforming growth factor ß (TGF ß) and it effect on fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblasts. We investigated its action on human corneal keratocytes.
Methods:
Cultured human corneal keratocytes were exposed to TGF ß with or without M6P. Cells were fixed and immunostained for α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) a molecular marker of myofibroblasts. Cells without TGF and M6P were used as controls.
Results:
M6P significantly inhibited the effect of TGF ß on corneal keratocytes, suppressing their differentiation to myofibroblasts (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
M6P is a cheap and non-toxic inhibitor of TGF ß and a potential agent for preventing haze and regression following corneal refractive surgery.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • refractive surgery • wound healing