title: Pigment Epithelial-Derived Factor Peptide Facilitates the Regeneration of a Functional Limbus in Rabbit Partial Limbal Deficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the potential of a pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) peptide 44-mer to promote limbal regeneration in a rabbit partial limbal deficiency model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Limbal excision (180°) was created surgically, and topical application of 44-mer-containing ointment once a day for 2 weeks was started immediately after injury. Limbal barrier function was inspected at 2 and 6 months after treatment. Corneal neovascularization was observed under slit-lamp microscope. The presence of goblet cells on the corneal surface was examined using impression cytology. The resulting repair tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical staining with antibodies for putative limbal stem cell (LSC) markers ΔNp63α and ABCG2. Cells harvested from the regenerated tissue were analyzed for colony-forming capacity and expression of LSC markers by immunostaining assay and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eyes treated with the 44-mer blocked vascularization and goblet cell migration onto the corneal surface. By means of immunohistochemical staining and cell isolation in the repair tissue, we showed that LSCs were widely distributed at the regenerated tissue after 44-mer treatment. The repaired limbus contributed robustly to corneal wound healing as effectively as undamaged limbus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated that 44-mer regenerates a functional limbus-like structure on limbal excision wounds. Our finding suggests that the PEDF peptide derivative may be an innovative strategy for tissue engineering and repair therapy in partial LSC deficiency diseases.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 2Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Shu-I
authors: SI
authors: Yeh
authors: Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Tsung-Chuan
authors: TC
authors: Ho
authors: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Show-Li
authors: SL
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chie-Pein
authors: CP
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 6Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Huey-Chuan
authors: HC
authors: Cheng
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 6Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Yu-Wen
authors: YW
authors: Lan
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Jui-Wen
authors: JW
authors: Hsieh
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chin-Tien
authors: CT
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 3Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Yeou-Ping
authors: YP
authors: Tsao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012038:Regeneration; D015843:Serpins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012313:RNA; D015843:Serpins; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor