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Role of growth factors in the uveal tract of the eye as targeted to the development of new drugs
Author(s) -
Tripathi Ramesh C.,
Fekrat Sharon,
Tripathi Brenda J.,
Borisuth Navaneet S. C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430230102
Subject(s) - growth factor , ciliary body , trabecular meshwork , epidermal growth factor , cornea , medicine , fibroblast growth factor , glaucoma , vascular endothelial growth factor , iris (biosensor) , wound healing , choroid , diabetic retinopathy , angiogenesis , ophthalmology , cancer research , retina , immunology , biology , endocrinology , neuroscience , receptor , diabetes mellitus , computer security , biometrics , computer science , vegf receptors
The uveal tract of the eye, which consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, is responsible for the primary nutritional supply of the ocular structures, especially the retina and, through the production of aqueous and vitreous humors, for nourishment of avascular intraocular structures such as the lens, cornea, and trebecular meshwork. The growth factors that have been detected in the uveal tract include fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transferrin, transforming growth factor‐β, nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and insulin‐like growth factors. These mitogens in the uveal tract influence the metabolism and proliferative activity of intraocular structures, and have major implications for the health and disease of the eye. We discuss the possible therapeutic role of growth factors, as well as the prospects for, and hurdles in, drug development for their use in various ocular disorders such as degenerative and proliferative diseases, neovascularization, glaucoma, ocular ischemic syndromes, cataract, neoplasms, and wound healing well as in the modulation of HLA‐DR expression.