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Li W, Yang Y, Lin Y, Mu D. In Vitro Study of Thymosin Beta 4 Promoting Transplanted Fat Survival by Regulating Adipose-Derived Stem Cells. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2024; 48:2179-2189. [PMID: 38409346 DOI: 10.1007/s00266-024-03861-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has emerged as a highly sought-after plastic surgery procedure, although its success has been hampered by the uncertain fat survival rate. Current evidence suggests that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) may contribute to fat retention in AFG. In previous studies, it was confirmed that thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) could enhance fat survival in vivo, although the precise mechanism remains unclear. METHODS ADSCs were isolated from patients undergoing liposuction and their proliferation, apoptosis, anti-apoptosis, and migration were analyzed under Tβ4 stimulation using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and real-time quantitative PCR. The mRNA levels of genes relating to angiogenesis and Hippo signaling were also determined. RESULTS Tβ4 at 100 ng/mL (p-value = 0.0171) and 1000 ng/mL (p-value = 0.0054) significantly increased ADSC proliferation from day 1 compared to the control group (0 ng/mL). In addition, the mRNA levels of proliferation-associated genes were elevated in the Tβ4 group. Furthermore, Tβ4 enhanced the anti-apoptotic ability of ADSCs when stimulated with Tβ4 and an apoptotic induction reagent (0 ng/mL vs. 1000 ng/mL, p-value = 0.011). Crucially, the mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes and critical genes in the Hippo pathway were affected by Tβ4 in ADSCs. CONCLUSIONS Tβ4 enhances adipose viability in AFG via facilitating ADSC proliferation and reducing apoptosis, and acts as a crucial positive regulator of ADSC-associated angiogenesis. Additionally, Tβ4 could be accountable for the phenotypic adjustment of ADSCs by regulating the Hippo pathway. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Wandi Li
- Senior Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100048, People's Republic of China
- Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 33 Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100144, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87 Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 33 Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100144, People's Republic of China
| | - Dali Mu
- Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 33 Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100144, People's Republic of China.
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Zhou J, Ding Y, Zhang Y, Zheng D, Yan L, Guo M, Mao Y, Yang L. Exosomes from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells facilitate corneal wound healing via regulating the p44/42 MAPK pathway. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:723-734. [PMID: 36576571 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05956-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was aimed at exploring the function of Exosomes isolated from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC-Exos) in corneal wound healing and at revealing the underlying mechanisms involving the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. METHODS The isolated BMSC-Exos were identified by transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. After coculture with BMSC-Exos, the proliferation and migration of human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs) were evaluated. The protein expression of p-MEK/MEK and p44/42 MAPK was detected by Western blot. A mouse model of alkali-burned cornea was established via NaOH exposure. After injection with BMSC-Exos, the pathological changes and expression of α-SMA (a fibrosis marker) and CD31 (a vascularization marker) in corneal tissues were detected. RESULTS BMSC-Exos enhanced the proliferation and migration of HCEs in a dose-dependent manner. The p44/42 MAPK pathway was activated by the treatment of BMSC-Exos, and its blocking using U0126 partially abrogated the effects of BMSC-Exos on promoting the proliferation and migration of HCEs. In vivo, the injection of BMSC-Exos facilitated the remission of the pathological changes (inflammation) and weakened the upregulation of α-SMA (fibrosis) and CD31 (vascularization) in corneal tissues of mice with alkali-burn injury. CONCLUSION BMSC-Exos promoted the proliferation and migration of HCEs via activating the p44/42 MAPK pathway in vitro and also inhibited alkali burn-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and vascularization in corneal tissues in vivo. BMSC-Exos may be promising resources for promoting corneal wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, No. 9, Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, 510623, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou City, 510515, China
| | - Yongqiang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Children's Hospital East Branch, Beijing City, 100002, China
| | - Dehui Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, No. 9, Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, 510623, China
| | - Lifeng Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, No. 9, Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, 510623, China
| | - Mengxiang Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, No. 9, Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, 510623, China
| | - Yani Mao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, No. 9, Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, 510623, China
| | - Lihong Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, No. 9, Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, 510623, China
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Wang H, Yin YP, Wang ZL, Qian Y, Fan YC, Liu HH, Wang K. Hypermethylation of thymosin β4 predicts a poor prognosis for patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022:S1499-3872(22)00191-6. [PMID: 36041971 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been demonstrated that thymosin β4 (Tβ4) could inflect the severity of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), but the relationship between its methylation status and the prognosis of liver failure is not clear. This study aimed to determine Tβ4 promoter methylation status in patients with ACHBLF and to evaluate its prognostic value. METHODS The study recruited 115 patients with ACHBLF, 80 with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B pre-liver failure (pre-ACHBLF), and 86 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In addition, there were 36 healthy controls (HCs) from the Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. The 115 patients with ACHBLF were divided into three subgroups: 33 with early stage ACHBLF (E-ACHBLF), 42 with mid-stage ACHBLF (M-ACHBLF), and 40 with advanced stage ACHBLF (A-ACHBLF). Tβ4 promoter methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Methylation frequency of Tβ4 was significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than in those with pre-ACHBLF, CHB or HC. However, expression of Tβ4 mRNA showed the opposite trend. In patients with ACHBLF, Tβ4 promoter methylation status correlated negatively with mRNA levels. The 3-month mortality of ACHBLF in the methylated group was significantly higher than that in the unmethylated group. Also, Tβ4 promoter methylation frequency was lower in survivors than in non-survivors. When used to predict the 1-, 2-, and 3-month incidence of ACHBLF, Tβ4 methylation status was better than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The predictive value of Tβ4 methylation was higher than that of MELD score for the mortality of patients with E-ACHBLF and M-ACHBLF, but not for A-ACHBLF. CONCLUSIONS Tβ4 methylation might be an important early marker for predicting disease incidence and prognosis in patients with ACHBLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Department of Hepatology, Qingdao Sixth People's Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yan-Ping Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Zhen-Li Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hui-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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Shannon AH, Adelman SA, Hisey EA, Potnis SS, Rozo V, Yung MW, Li JY, Murphy CJ, Thomasy SM, Leonard BC. Antimicrobial Peptide Expression at the Ocular Surface and Their Therapeutic Use in the Treatment of Microbial Keratitis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:857735. [PMID: 35722307 PMCID: PMC9201425 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.857735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial keratitis is a common cause of ocular pain and visual impairment worldwide. The ocular surface has a relatively paucicellular microbial community, mostly found in the conjunctiva, while the cornea would be considered relatively sterile. However, in patients with microbial keratitis, the cornea can be infected with multiple pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Fusarium sp. Treatment with topical antimicrobials serves as the standard of care for microbial keratitis, however, due to high rates of pathogen resistance to current antimicrobial medications, alternative therapeutic strategies must be developed. Multiple studies have characterized the expression and activity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), endogenous peptides with key antimicrobial and wound healing properties, on the ocular surface. Recent studies and clinical trials provide promise for the use of AMPs as therapeutic agents. This article reviews the repertoire of AMPs expressed at the ocular surface, how expression of these AMPs can be modulated, and the potential for harnessing the AMPs as potential therapeutics for patients with microbial keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison H. Shannon
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sara A. Adelman
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Erin A. Hisey
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sanskruti S. Potnis
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Vanessa Rozo
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Madeline W. Yung
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Y. Li
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Christopher J. Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sara M. Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Brian C. Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Wang Y, Carion TW, Ebrahim AS, Sosne G, Berger EA. Adjunctive Thymosin Beta-4 Treatment Influences MΦ Effector Cell Function to Improve Disease Outcome in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Keratitis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011016. [PMID: 34681676 PMCID: PMC8537948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous work has shown that topical thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) as an adjunct to ciprofloxacin treatment reduces inflammatory mediators and inflammatory cell infiltrates (neutrophils/PMN and macrophages/MΦ) while enhancing bacterial killing and wound healing pathway activation in an experimental model of P. aeruginosa-induced keratitis. This study aimed to mechanistically examine how Tβ4 influences MΦ function in particular, leading to reduced inflammation and enhanced host defense following P. aeruginosa-induced infection of the cornea. Flow cytometry was conducted to profile the phenotype of infiltrating MΦ after infection, while generation of reactive nitrogen species and markers of efferocytosis were detected to assess functional activity. In vitro studies were performed utilizing RAW 264.7 cells to verify and extend the in vivo findings. Tβ4 treatment decreases MΦ infiltration and regulates the activation state in response to infected corneas. MΦ functional data demonstrated that the adjunctive Tβ4 treatment group significantly downregulated reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production and efferocytotic activity. In addition, the in vitro studies showed that both Tβ4 alone and adjunctive Tβ4 treatment influenced MΦ cellular function following LPS stimulation. Collectively, these data provide further evidence that adjunctive Tβ4 + ciprofloxacin treatment offers a more efficacious option for treating bacterial keratitis. Not only does the adjunctive therapy address both the infectious pathogen and corneal wound healing response, but it also influences MΦ infiltration, activation, and function, as revealed by the current study.
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Acupuncture Regulates Serum Differentially Expressed Proteins in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis: A Quantitative iTRAQ Proteomics Study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:9962224. [PMID: 34234838 PMCID: PMC8219412 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9962224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective To identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in sera of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and to explore acupuncture's mechanism in CAG. Methods Peripheral sera from 8 healthy volunteers (HC), 8 chronic nonatrophic gastritis (NAG) patients, 8 CAG patients, and 8 CAG patients who underwent acupuncture treatment (CAG + ACU) were collected followed by labeling with iTRAQ reagent for protein identification and quantification using two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (2D-LC-MS/MS). Representative DEPs were selected through bioinformatics, and proteins were verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results A total of 4,448 unique peptides were identified, corresponding to 816 nonredundant proteins. A 1.4-fold difference was used as the threshold. Compared with the HC group, 75 and 106 DEPs were identified from CAG and NAG groups, respectively. Compared with the CAG group, 110 and 66 DEPs were identified from the NAG and CAG + ACU groups, respectively. The DEPs were mainly involved in protein binding and the Notch signaling pathway-related proteins, and the upregulated proteins included actin-binding proteins (thymosin beta-4, tropomyosin-4, profilin-1, transgelin-2), while the downregulated proteins included Notch2 and Notch3. After acupuncture, the expression of these proteins in CAG patients was less differentiated from that in healthy people. The level of the above 6 proteins were verified by ELISA, and the results were similar to the results of iTRAQ analysis. Conclusions Actin-binding proteins and Notch signaling pathway-related proteins were correlated with the development and progression of CAG and thus are potential diagnostic markers for CAG. Acupuncture may play a role in regulating actin-binding proteins and Notch signaling pathway-related proteins to play a therapeutic role in CAG.
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Utilizing Developmentally Essential Secreted Peptides Such as Thymosin Beta-4 to Remind the Adult Organs of Their Embryonic State-New Directions in Anti-Aging Regenerative Therapies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061343. [PMID: 34071596 PMCID: PMC8228050 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Our dream of defeating the processes of aging has occupied the curious and has challenged scientists globally for hundreds of years. The history is long, and sadly, the solution is still elusive. Our endeavors to reverse the magnitude of damaging cellular and molecular alterations resulted in only a few, yet significant advancements. Furthermore, as our lifespan increases, physicians are facing more mind-bending questions in their routine practice than ever before. Although the ultimate goal is to successfully treat the body as a whole, steps towards regenerating individual organs are even considered significant. As our initial approach to enhance the endogenous restorative capacity by delivering exogenous progenitor cells appears limited, we propose, utilizing small molecules critical during embryonic development may prove to be a powerful tool to increase regeneration and to reverse the processes associated with aging. In this review, we introduce Thymosin beta-4, a 43aa secreted peptide fulfilling our hopes and capable of numerous regenerative achievements via systemic administration in the heart. Observing the broad capacity of this small, secreted peptide, we believe it is not the only molecule which nature conceals to our benefit. Hence, the discovery and postnatal administration of developmentally relevant agents along with other approaches may result in reversing the aging process.
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Lv ZY, Yang YQ, Yin LM. Role of Purinergic Signaling in Acupuncture Therapeutics. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2021; 49:645-659. [PMID: 33641652 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x21500294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is a therapeutic treatment that is well recognized in many countries. However, the initiation mechanisms of acupuncture are not well understood. Purinergic signaling has been considered a key signaling pathway in acupuncture in recent years. Acupuncture-induced ATP is mainly produced by mast cells and fibroblasts, and ATP is gradually hydrolyzed into adenosine. ATP and adenosine further participate in the process of acupuncture information transmission to the nervous and immune systems through specific purine receptors. Acupuncture initiates analgesia via the down-regulation of the expression of P2 receptors or up-regulation of the expression of adenosine A1 receptors on nerve fibers. ATP also promotes the proliferation of immune cells through P2 receptors and A3 receptors, causing inflammation. In contrast, adenosine activates A2 receptors, promotes the production and infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, and causes an anti-inflammatory response. In summary, we described the role of purinergic signaling as a general signaling pathway in the initiation of acupuncture and the influence of purinergic signaling on the neuroimmune network to lay the foundation for future systematic research on the mechanisms of acupuncture therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ying Lv
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Qing Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China
| | - Lei-Miao Yin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China.,Shanghai Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Health Service, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
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Eshac Y, Redfern RL, Aakalu VK. The Role of Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides in Modulating Innate Immunity of the Ocular Surface in Dry Eye Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E721. [PMID: 33450870 PMCID: PMC7828360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ocular surface has the challenging responsibility of maintaining a clear moist refractive surface while protecting the eye from exogenous pathogens and the environment. Homeostasis of the ocular surface, including its innate immune components, is altered in ocular surface disease states. In this review, we focus on antimicrobial peptides and the role they play in the immune response of the ocular surface during healthy states and dry eye diseases. Antimicrobial peptides are of special interest to the study of the ocular surface because of their various roles that include microbial threat neutralization, wound healing, and immune modulation. This review explores current literature on antimicrobial peptides in ocular surface diseases and discusses their therapeutic potential in ocular surface diseases and dry eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssof Eshac
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21131, Egypt;
| | - Rachel L. Redfern
- The Ocular Surface Institute, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
| | - Vinay Kumar Aakalu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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