title: The integrin needle in the stromal haystack: emerging role in corneal physiology and pathology.
abstract: Several studies have established the role of activated corneal keratocytes in the fibrosis of the cornea. However, the role of keratocytes in maintaining the structural integrity of a normal cornea is less appreciated. We focus on the probable functions of integrins in the eye and of the importance of integrin-mediated keratocyte interactions with stromal matrix in the maintenance of corneal integrity. We point out that further understanding of how keratocytes interact with their matrix could establish a novel direction in preventing corneal pathology including loss of structural integrity as in keratoconus or as in fibrosis of the corneal stroma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 4V2, Canada, Sunil.Parapuram@sjhc.london.on.ca.
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Parapuram
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hodge