Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:The ocular surface shares many characteristics in common with other mucosal surfaces. In both, healing is tightly regulated by peptide growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins. However, these factors are not often sufficient to ensure rapid healing. TFF–peptides (formerly P domain peptides, trefoil factors) have been established as secretory products typical of the gastrointestinal tract. Their synthesis has recently been recognized in a number of mucin–producing epithelial cells, for example, of the respiratory tract, the salivary glands, the uterus and also of the conjunctiva. They are abundantly expressed as epithelial cell products, which exert protective effects and function as key regulators of gastrointestinal epithelial restitution, a critical early phase of cell migration after mucosal injury. Recent findings showed an enhancement in corneal epithelial wound healing in vitro in the presence of the TFF–peptide, TFF3. Methods: To assess the role of TFF3 in corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo, the effect of recombinant human TFF3 was evaluated in the acute corneal alkali burn and corneal epithelial laser ablation models in mice. Results: The results revealed a strong, dose–dependent restitution–enhancing effect of TFF3 in both models. Conclusions: The results suggest a potential role of topical TFF3 for the management of slow healing ulcerative corneal lesions and other corneal wounds.
Keywords: wound healing • cornea: epithelium • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye