Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Protects Corneal Epithelial Cells against UV-B-Induced Apoptosis via ROS/JNK Pathway Inhibition

Abstract

PACAP is widely expressed throughout the body. It exerts a beneficial role in the eye, including the cornea. The corneal epithelium is regularly exposed to diverse types of insults, including ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation. Previously, we showed the protective role played by PACAP in counteracting UV-B ray insults in human corneal endothelial cells; however, its involvement in corneal epithelium protection against ROS induced by UV-B radiation, and the underlying mechanisms, remain to be determined. Here, we demonstrated that the peptide treatment reduced UV-B-induced ROS generation by playing an anti-apoptotic role via JNK-signaling pathway inhibition. Overall, our results can provide guidance in the therapeutic use of PACAP for the treatment of epithelial corneal damage.