title: The Intriguing Role of Neuropeptides at the Ocular Surface.
abstract: In recent decades, the role of neuropeptides in physiology and pathology has been elucidated. Various neuropeptides are expressed at the ocular surface, where they facilitate the crosstalk between immune and nervous systems. They actively regulate trophic and immune functions and orchestrate neuroinflammation. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the expression of the neuropeptides SP, VIP, CGRP, and NPY at the ocular surface, focusing on their role in tropism and immunity, and to summarize their functions in ocular immune privilege, infection, dry eye, and allergic eye disease.
authors.affiliation: University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sabatino
authors.affiliation: IRCSS - GB Bietti Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Zazzo
authors.affiliation: University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.affiliation: University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: s.bonini@unicampus.it.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonini
mesh_terms: D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes; D005123:Eye; D006801:Humans; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D009479:Neuropeptides
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides
keywords: allergic eye disease; dry eye; neuropeptides