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Role of nerve growth factor in nerve cells/skin cells physio‐pathology
Author(s) -
Coassin M.,
Costa N.,
Stampachiacchiere B.,
Lambiase A.,
Bonini S.,
Aloe L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/j.0906-6705.2004.0212ca.x
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , medicine , goblet cell , wound healing , cornea , artificial tears , ophthalmology , pathology , surgery , epithelium , receptor
Studies carried out in our laboratory showed that NGF has a primary role in wound healing, induces healing in the skin of farm animals and promotes healing of human pressure ulcers. More recently, it has been demonstrated that NGF has a role in eye physiology and promotes healing of corneal ulcers in humans. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of topical NGF treatment in a dog model of eye chronic disease to promote epithelial healing, reduction of corneal scarring, increase sensory innervation and goblet cells density. English Bulldogs who had undergone the surgical removal of the lachrymal gland developed chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca. One eye of each dog was treated twice daily with 100 ml of NGF ointment for 1 month, while the fellow eye was used as control. Eyes were evaluated at baseline and after 1 month of NGF. NGF treatment significantly recovered epithelial keratopathy, reduced corneal haze, improved corneal sensitivity and strongly increased the tear production as well as the conjunctival goblet cell density. This study shows that topical application of NGF improves ocular surface signs in dogs with dry eye. Overall, our findings suggest a crucial role of NGF in nerve cells/skin cells physiopathology.