Abstract
Corneal sensation, cell proliferation, and wound healing all depend on adequate corneal innervation. Disruption of corneal innervation can lead to dry eye and delayed wound healing. Our studies in rats and rabbits show that the substituted fluorobenzamide drug FK962 accelerates the extension of neuronal processes and recovery of corneal sensitivity. The purpose of the present study was 1) to determine whether FK962 induces sprouting and elongation of neurites in cultured monkey trigeminal ganglion cells, and 2) to investigate the involvement of the neurotrophic peptide GDNF in FK962-induced neurite elongation. Dissociated, cultured trigeminal ganglion cells, containing neuronal and Schwann cells were cultured for 48h with or without FK962. Neuronal elongation was evaluated by immunostaining with a neurofilament-specific antibody. Culture with or without GDNF, or with antibody against GDNF, was used to determine the role of GDNF in FK962-induced neurite elongation. FK962 or GDNF were found to significantly induce neurite elongation. The GDNF antibody significantly inhibited elongation induced by FK962. GDNF was found to be a mediator of FK962-induced neurite elongation in a relevant primate model. FK962 may be a candidate drug for treatment of neurotrophic disorders in the human cornea.
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