A new treatment for neurotrophic keratopathy

Homeostasis of the corneal epithelium is maintained by the actions of various biological mediators. We have shown that the neurotransmitter substance P [or the substance P-derived peptide phenylalanine-glycine-leucine-methionine amide (FGLM)] and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) synergistically promote corneal epithelial migration in response to epithelial injury both in vitro and in vivo. The combination of substance P (or FGLM) and IGF-1 increases the expression by corneal epithelial cells of integrin α5 and β1 subunits, which together form the receptor for fibronectin and are required for the adherence of epithelial cells to the basement membrane. In clinical trials, we have also shown that the application of eye drops containing FGLM and IGF-1 is effective in the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy, an otherwise intractable disease of the cornea. These observations suggest that neural regulation plays an important role in maintenance of corneal epithelial homeostasis.

神経麻痺性角膜症

創傷治癒

サブスタンスP

インスリン様成長因子ー1

本文データは山口大学医学会の許諾に基づきCiNiiから複製したものである