Abstract
Purpose :
We examined limbal epithelial cell proliferation and corneal sense during the process of epithelial healing in a TRPV4-deficient (KO)mouse. We previously reported trigeminal nerve TRPV4 is critical to limbal stem cell proliferation (Okada et al. Lab Invest 2019) and restoration of an impaired epithelial healing in a TRPV4-deficient mouse with topical Rho kinase inhibitor Y2763. (ICER 2023, Gold Coast).
Methods :
Corneal epithelial defect with a diameter of 2 mm were created in one eye ofKO mice, and PBS or Y27632 (10 micro-M) was instilled at every 6 hours. Epithelial cell proliferation was assayed at 24 hrs by BrdU detection. At 36 hrs post-debridement, the corneal sensation of both eyes was measured and compared by a cochet-bonnet keratometer.
Results :
Y27632 instillation upregulated proliferation of peripheral limbal, but not central, epithelial cells in KO mice with epithelial healing restoration (p<0.05). On the other hand, corneal surface sense Y27632 treatment suppressed corneal sensation decreased significantly after wound closure in KO mice.
Conclusions :
Topical Y27632 treatment restored an impairment of cell proliferation in peripheral, limbal, epithelium in KO mice. This restoration did not corelated with corneal sense.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.