Molecular Vision最新文献

{"title":"Molecular genetic analysis of R124H TGFBIp in one family Avellino corneal dystrophy.","authors":"Yuluo Huang, Ming Liu, Huayi Lu, Zheng Ji, Tengchuan Jin, Shi Lei","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The mutation of R124H in TGFBIp causes Avellino corneal dystrophy (ACD, GCD II). However, the molecular mechanisms of ACD caused by the p. R124H mutation are not well understood. In our research, we aimed to explain the molecular mechanisms of ACD caused by the R124H mutation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The whole blood of a three-generation family having ACD was studied with the whole exome sequencing. Sanger sequencing was used to identify the mutation gene. The mutant structure of R124H TGFBIp was visualized in Pymol, using the PISA server, Coot and the HDOCK automated docking program. The TGFBIp was expressed in mammalian expression system. And size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to identify the aggregate state of TGFBIp.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The whole exome sequencing results showed that there was a c.371G>A mutation in the <i>TGFBI</i> gene in one family, including three patients. In biochemical assays, the purified soluble wild-type TGFBIp and R124H TGFBIp formed a homodimer through a novel interface distinct from the previously proposed FAS1-1: FAS1-4 dimer (interface I). R124H TGFBIp is likely to have formed more severe cross-links and aggregation. Therefore, R124H TGFBIp causes homozygous patients to have more serious symptom than heterozygous patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our study, one family having ACD harboring the mutation of R124H TGFBIp was identified. A new homodimerization interface was determined for wild-type TGFBIp and R124H TGFBIp. Besides, we provided a possible molecular explanation for why the symptom of homozygous patients was more severe than those of heterozygous patients. The possible molecular explanation can provide a new insight into the treatment of ACD.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"290-297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11829780/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Increased inflammatory mediators in the ocular surface tissue in keratoconus.","authors":"Albert Santos, José A P M Filho, Marcos A Cenedeze, Meire I Hiyane, Mariane T Amano, Mario C Cruz, Flavio E Hirai, Niels O S Camara, Luciene B de Sousa, Lauro A de Oliveira","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to characterize the inflammatory mediators present in the tear film of patients with keratoconus (KC). It also aimed to investigate the gene expression of these mediators in corneal epithelial cells and their immune activity in conjunctival epithelial cells in patients with KC compared to a control group.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This transversal study included 30 patients with KC and 23 control group participants. Tear samples were collected by washing the ocular surface with 60 μL of sterile buffered saline solution. The levels of interleukin IL-5, IL-13, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-4 were measured using a LEGEND plex HU Th1/Th2 panel kit and analyzed using flow cytometry. Corneal epithelial samples were obtained via manual keratectomy from KC patients scheduled for corneal crosslinking and from individuals scheduled for photorefractive keratectomy (control group). These samples were immediately stored at -70 °C for mRNA extraction and subsequent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis to measure <i>IL-5</i> and <i>IL-6</i> gene expression. Conjunctival epithelium samples were collected using impression cytology and analyzed using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy to detect IL-5 and IL-6 immunoreactions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our study found no statistically significant differences in the tear film cytokine concentrations between the two groups. In addition, the gene expression of <i>IL-5</i> and <i>IL-6</i> in the corneal epithelium was higher in the KC group than in the control group, with <i>IL-5</i> showing a 50% increase and IL-6 showing a 20% increase. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a greater immunostaining of IL-5 and IL-6 in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with KC compared to the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this study, despite higher levels of IL-5 and IL-6 in the tear film of patients with KC, there was no statistically significant difference compared to the control group. However, there was heightened immune activity in the corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells of patients with KC based on IL-5 and IL-6 gene expression and their immunodetection, respectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"279-288"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575844/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retraction: Swati Arora, Nagendra Verma. Exosomal microRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in corneal diseases. Molecular Vision 2024; 30:92-106.","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This retracts the article on p. 92 in vol. 30, PMID: 38601014.].</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"278"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11404708/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142291544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complement C3 is downregulated following ranibizumab intervention in experimental central retinal vein occlusion.","authors":"Lasse Jørgensen Cehofski, Anders Kruse, Mads Odgaard Mæng, Benedict Kjaergaard, Benn Falch Sejergaard, Anders Schlosser, Grith Lykke Sorensen, Bent Honoré, Henrik Vorum","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Ranibizumab is a frequently used inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the treatment of macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Studying proteins that mediate the beneficial effects of ranibizumab in CRVO can potentially lead to the improved management of macular edema.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In 14 Danish Landrace pigs, experimental CRVO was induced in the right eyes and treated with either intravitreal ranibizumab (n = 6) or an intravitreal sodium chloride 9 mg/mL solution as a sham injection (n = 8). Successful CRVO was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. Retinal samples were collected 15 days after induced CRVO and analyzed with label-free, quantification, nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Validation was performed with western blotting and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CRVO was successfully induced and confirmed by fluorescein angiography. A total of 28 proteins were upregulated, and 31 proteins were downregulated following ranibizumab treatment. A high concentration of the ranibizumab component immunoglobulin kappa chain C region was observed in retinas treated with ranibizumab. Complement C3, the Ig lambda chain C region, and nucleobindin-2 were downregulated following ranibizumab intervention. The downregulation of complement C3 was confirmed by western blotting. Modest changes were observed in the remaining significantly regulated proteins.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Retinal complement C3 was downregulated following ranibizumab intervention in CRVO. The decrease in complement C3 may potentially downregulate the inflammatory response in CRVO. A high retinal concentration of ranibizumab was reached 15 days after injection of the compound.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"268-277"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575839/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retinal and metabolic changes in a high-fat diet (HFD)+STZ model of Type II diabetes.","authors":"Stephen Phillips, Andrew Feola, Jessica Solomon, Lidia Cardelle, Amber Douglass, Katie L Bales, Monica Coulter, Lauren Hutson, Cara T Khayat, Ally Grubman, Cody Worthy, Jeffrey H Boatright, Machelle T Pardue, Rachael S Allen","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While the high-dose streptozotocin (STZ; 100 mg/kg) rodent model is the gold standard in modeling Type I diabetes, models for Type II diabetes are needed for this more common form of diabetes. We investigated the retinal, cognitive, and metabolic alterations in a Type II diabetic model induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose STZ (30 mg/kg). Long Evans rats were assigned to naïve control, HFD, or HFD+STZ groups. Diabetic rats were further stratified into Type I and Type II based on metabolic assessments. Optomotor response (OMR, visual function), electroretinograms (retinal function), and Y-maze (cognitive function) were tested. Serum was analyzed for 12 metabolic markers using a multiplex panel. Type I rats showed severe increases in blood glucose accompanied by impairments in insulin and glucose tolerance, reduced bodyweight, and low insulin levels. In contrast, Type II rats showed moderate changes in blood glucose and insulin and glucose tolerance with weights and insulin levels similar to naïve controls. Type I and II rats showed OMR deficits (p<0.05) and electroretinogram changes (p<0.05). No cognitive deficits were observed. Type I rats displayed reduced serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), C-Peptide, and leptin (p<0.05), and alterations in C-Peptide, PYY, and glucagon levels correlated with retinal function changes (p<0.05). Type II rats exhibited a moderate diabetic state while still developing retinal and visual deficits, which recapitulates phenotypes reported in patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"239-259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11829795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A potential novel role of the R36P mutation in CRYGD in congenial cataract.","authors":"Chen Tan, Xueting Yu, Junyi Chen, Xinghuai Sun, Li Wang","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Congenital cataract is an important cause of visual impairment in childhood. Our previous study reported that the c.110G>C (p.R36P) mutation in the γD-crystallin gene (CRYGD) was associated with congenital cataract in a Chinese family. This study aimed to investigate the potential underlying mechanism through which the p.R36P mutation leads to congenital cataract.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Plasmids encoding wide-type human γD-crystallin and the mutant R36P γD-crystallin were transfected into HEK293T and SRA01/04 cells. Protein expression levels, including total, soluble, and insoluble fractions, were quantified by Western blotting. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of other crystallin genes. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The total protein, especially the soluble fraction, was significantly reduced in the R36P mutant, while the insoluble part remained unaffected. The decrease of soluble R36P γD-crystallin could not be rescued by the proteinase inhibitor MG132. The mRNA expression of the R36P mutation was lower, but other crystallin RNAs were unchanged. Cell viability was slightly decreased (11%, p<0.05), and cell apoptosis was not significantly increased (12%, p=0.31).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The significant decrease in soluble R36P γD-crystallin may represent a novel mechanism underlying congenital cataract caused by CRYGD gene mutation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"260-267"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of anterior scleral thickness in myopes and emmetropes using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.","authors":"Zhi-Liang Li, Qi Xiong, Shun-Cheng Cai, Yue Fu, Yu-Ting Li, Xiao-Min Chen, Lin Yang, Min Ke","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate the differences in anterior scleral thickness (AST) among the refractive statuses of Chinese adults aged 18-35.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study recruited 170 Chinese participants (mean age, 24.06 ± 2.78 years), including myopes (spherical equivalent refraction [SER] -1.00 to -12.75 diopters [D]; n = 134), emmetropes (SER ± 0.75 D; n = 36), and AST (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal), which were investigated via swept-source optical coherence tomography. Semiautomated custom-designed software measured the scleral thickness from the scleral spur to 5 mm along four meridians.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean axial length and spherical equivalent refractive error were 25.12 ± 1.44 mm and -3.93 ± 3.09 D, respectively. The anterior sclera was thickest in the inferior region and thinnest in the superior region (753.9 ± 88.7 μm versus 613.6 ± 58.4; p < 0.001). The AST in the temporal meridian was significantly thicker than that in the nasal meridian (727.5 ± 60.8, 690.9 ± 55 μm; p < 0.001). There were no significant variations in AST in the myopes and emmetropes along the five latitude lines. AST along the inferior meridian at the 4-mm (r 2 = 0.0992; p < 0.001) and 5-mm (r 2 = 0.0888; p < 0.001) locations decreased significantly with increasing myopia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>With increased myopia, AST at the 4-mm and 5-mm locations showed significant thinning in the inferior meridian. The results indicate that AST, especially along the inferior meridian, may act as a biologic marker to monitor the progression of myopia.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"229-238"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575840/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toll-like receptor-4 expression and oxidative stress in ocular rosacea.","authors":"Nilufer Yesilirmak, Neslihan Bukan, Busra Kurt, Tugba Fatsa, Sema Yuzbasıoglu, Min Zhao, Tugrul Hosbul, Jean-Louis Bourges, Francine Behar-Cohen","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate systemic and ocular toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression and its association with oxidative stress markers in ocular rosacea (OR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective study included 40 patients with rosacea with ocular involvement and 20 healthy volunteers. Tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, meibomoscore, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores were estimated for all participants. TLR-4 expression in conjunctival epithelium and peripheral blood mononuclear cells was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In the tears and serum samples of all participants, antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and arylesterase (ARE) activation levels were measured using a fully automated spectrophotometric method, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TLR-4 expression levels and oxidative stress status (TOS and OSI values) were significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and antioxidant status (TAS and ARE values) were significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in both ocular and blood samples of patients with OR compared with those in controls. A significant positive correlation was found between the ocular and blood values in all parameters (<i>p</i> < 0.05). According to the clinical associations of these results, we found negative correlations between TLR-4, OSI, and TBUT and between TLR-4 and Schirmer, whereas a positive correlation was observed between TLR-4, OSI, and meiboscore and between TLR-4, OSI, and OSDI (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No correlation was found between the OSI and Schirmer results (<i>p</i> = 0.92).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>TLR-4 and oxidative stress both play important roles in OR pathophysiology and are closely related to clinical findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"211-218"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575841/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sulforaphane inhibits TGF-β-induced fibrogenesis and inflammation in human Tenon's fibroblasts.","authors":"Yang Liu, Yangbin Huang, Zihan Guo, Chengcheng Yang, Yunzepeng Li, Binhui Li, Ye Liu, Hui Zheng","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Subconjunctival fibrosis is the main cause of failure after glaucoma filtration surgery. We explored the effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on the conversion of human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) into myofibroblasts, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced contraction of collagen gel, and inflammation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>After treatment with the combination of TGF-β and SFN or TGF-β alone, primary HTFs were subjected to a three-dimensional collagen contraction experiment to examine their contractility. Levels of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM), and phosphorylation of various signaling molecules were determined by western blot or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Fluorescence microscopy was employed to examine stress fiber formation in HTFs. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were determined using RT-qPCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The contraction of myofibroblasts caused by TGF-β was significantly suppressed by SFN. This suppressive effect was exerted via the differentiation of HTFs into myofibroblasts by inhibiting the production of fibronectin and the expression of α-SMA. Moreover, SFN treatment reduced the expression of TGF-β-promoted integrins β1 and α5, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and stress fiber formation, as well as the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and CTGF. Finally, TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylations were attenuated by SFN.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SFN inhibits HTF contractility, differentiation into myofibroblasts, and inflammation caused by TGF-β. These effects are mediated by both classic and non-classic signaling pathways. Our results indicate that SFN has potent anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in HTFs and is a potential candidate for subconjunctival fibrosis therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"200-210"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575843/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinically correlated dose of the amniotic membrane extract is superior to its transplantation in corneal wound healing.","authors":"Ilayda Korkmaz, Meltem Kocamanoglu, Mehmet Gurdal, Mesut Arici, Banu Yaman, Melis Palamar, Sait Egrilmez, Nuri Yildirim, Ozlem Barut-Selver","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose: &lt;/strong&gt;This study investigates the superiority of sterile lyophilized amniotic membrane extract (AME) prepared at a clinically correlated dose over amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in an experimental corneal wound model.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;AME was prepared from a pool of five amniotic membranes. After homogenizing the membranes, they were lyophilized and sterilized by gamma radiation to obtain sterile, lyophilized AME powder. The total protein amount and growth factor levels were measured in the AME samples. AME eye drops were prepared considering the protein concentration of the standard-size amniotic membrane weight used for transplantation, and this total amount was used as the daily dose. For the experimental animal corneal wound model, a full-thickness mechanical corneal epithelial defect was created in 15 eyes of 15 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were divided into four groups: Group 1: AME eye drop (n = 4 eyes), Group 2: AMT (n = 4 eyes), Group 3: preservation-free artificial tear (n = 4 eyes), and Group 4: control (n = 3 eyes). Daily anterior segment evaluation and photography were performed to determine the clinical efficacy of the AME. The rabbits were euthanized on day 7, and wound healing was examined histopathologically.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The total protein amount in the AME was 0.149 ± 0.01 mg/ml. The growth factor levels were as follows: EGF = 41.19, FGF = 43.11, HGF = 203.67, KGF = 328.03, NGF = 207.92, and TGF-β = 506.93 pg/ml AME. On clinical examination, the mean wound closure times in Groups 1, 3, and 4 were 2.75 ± 0.50 (2-3), 3.5 ± 1.0 (3-5), and 3.33 ± 1.52 (2-5) days, respectively (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed Group 1 corneal epithelium with full thickness, regular healing pattern, and normal anterior stromal keratocytes. In the remaining three groups, there were interruptions in epithelial healing, and loss of anterior stromal keratocytes was evident. Inflammation was more prominent in Group 2.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;AME is a liquid product that contains the essence of the amniotic membrane after homogenization and centrifugation. AME has the potential to overcome the disadvantages of AMT, such as surgery requirement and the limitation of postoperative objective clinical observation due to the semi-opaque nature of the amniotic membrane. Although, there are studies showing the advantages of AME over AMT in the literature, the preparation, preservation and sterilization of AME are still controversial. This study is specifically addressing the shortcomings of acquiring AME in the literature, such as minimizing inter-donor variability in AME by pooling amniotic membranes from different donors, lyophilizing AME to preserve its biochemical composition, and preventing infection transmission by using gamma sterilization. Herein, we observed that the AME prepared with this method contains high concentrations of growth factors. In the p","PeriodicalId":18866,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Vision","volume":"30 ","pages":"188-199"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575842/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}