title: Novel Therapy to Treat Corneal Epithelial Defects: A Hypothesis with Growth Hormone.
abstract: Impaired corneal wound healing that occurs with ocular surface disease, trauma, systemic disease, or surgical intervention can lead to persistent corneal epithelial defects (PCED), which result in corneal scarring, ulceration, opacification, corneal neovascularization, and, ultimately, visual compromise and vision loss. The current standard of care can include lubricants, ointments, bandage lenses, amniotic membranes, autologous serum eye drops, and corneal transplants. Various inherent problems exist with application and administration of these treatments, which often may not result in a completely healed surface. A topically applicable compound capable of promoting corneal epithelial cell proliferation and/or migration would be ideal to accelerate healing. We hypothesize that human growth hormone (HGH) is such a compound. In a recent study, HGH was shown to activate signal transducer and activators of transcription-5 (STAT5) signaling and promote corneal wound healing by enhancing corneal epithelial migration in a co-culture system of corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts. These effects require an intact communication between corneal epithelia and fibroblasts. Further, HGH promotes corneal wound healing in a rabbit debridement model, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of HGH in vivo as well. In conclusion, HGH may represent an exciting and effective topical therapeutic to promote corneal wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Jade Therapeutics, Inc., University of Utah Research Park, Salt Lake City, UT; Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wirostko
authors.affiliation: Jade Therapeutics, Inc., University of Utah Research Park, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: MaryJane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafii
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Jade Therapeutics, Inc., University of Utah Research Park, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address: Juan_ding@meei.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone
keywords: corneal epithelial defect; growth factors; human growth hormone; insulin-like growth factor-1; persistent corneal epithelial defects (PCED); wound healing