Abstract
Purpose :
We evaluated the effect of exogenous recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-7 (rhBMP-7) on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced corneal fibrosis. and wound healing.
Methods :
We evaluated epuithelai mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as fibronectin, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and matrix metaloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The level of corneal fibrosis and the reepithelization rate were evaluated using a rabbit keratectomy model. Keratocytes expressing α-SMA were quantified following treatment with different concentrations of rhBMP-7.
Results :
Treatment with rhBMP-7 attenuated TGF-β-induced EMT. It significantly attenuated fibronectin secretion, the α-SMA protein level, and MMP-9 expression in HECEs compared with cells grown in the presence of TGF-β alone. E-cadherin expression was significantly enhanced in the presence of rhBMP-7. Topical application of rhBMP-7 combined with 0.1% HA significantly reduced the amount of α-SMA+ cells by at a concentration of 2.5 µg/ml and at a concentration of 25 µg/ml (P < 0.05 for both)), compared with the control group, without disturbing corneal reepithelization.
Conclusions :
rhBMP-7 attenuates TGF-β-induced EMT in vitro, and topical application of rhBMP-7 reduces keratocyte myodifferentiation during the early wound healing stages in vivo without hindering reepithelization.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.