Therapeutic potential of CDK5 inhibitors to promote corneal epithelial wound healing

Abstract

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is generally considered to be a neuron-specific enzyme, and CDK5 inhibitors have most often been claimed for pharmacologic use in neurodegenerative diseases. However, recent findings indicate that CDK5 also has important functions in some non-neuronal cells, where it regulates such processes as differentiation, senescence, adhesion and migration. In particular, CDK5 activity has been shown to increase adhesion and decrease migration of corneal epithelial cells, both in vitro and in transgenic mouse models. Conversely, inhibition of CDK5 activity significantly enhances closure of corneal epithelial defects, suggesting a novel therapeutic use for CDK5 inhibitors. This review evaluates the therapeutic potential of currently available CDK5 inhibitors for this application and considers the types of corneal epithelial defects that may benefit from such treatment.