Abstract
A properly functioning cornea is critical to clear vision and healthy eyes. As the most anterior portion of the eye, it plays an essential role in refracting light onto the retina and as an anatomical barrier to the environment. Proper vision requires that all layers be properly formed and fully intact. In this article, we discuss the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in maintaining and restoring the outermost layer of the cornea, the epithelium. It has been known for some time that the addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes the restoration of the corneal epithelium and patients using EGFR inhibitors as anti-cancer therapies are at increased risk of corneal erosions. However, the use of EGF in the clinic has been limited by downregulation of the receptor. More recent advances in EGFR signaling and trafficking in corneal epithelial cells have provided new insights in how to overcome receptor desensitization. We examine new strategies for overcoming the limitations of high ligand and receptor expression that alter trafficking of the ligand:receptor complex to sustain receptor signaling.
Highlights
Those cells have many of the same epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated responses seen in corneal epithelial cells and are associated with tissue restoration and homeostasis
Figure those cells have manyhTCEpi of the same EGFR-mediated responses seen in corneal epithelial cells and are associated with tissue restoration and200,000 homeostasis
This signals the activation of Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ), which stimulates the appropriate matrix metalloproteinase that converts the pro-HB-epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the soluble form [92,93]
Summary
There are two major physiologic roles for the cornea. The first is to refract light onto the retina. 70% of the refractive power of the eye is from the cornea. In order for this to be done properly, the cornea must remain transparent and pliable. The second role is to serve as a barrier against foreign substances and protect the immune-privileged eye from infectious agents. To mediate these functions, all layers of the cornea must be fully formed. The cornea is comprised of three cell layers—the epithelium, the stroma, and endothelium.
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