Lozano Jennifer S, Chay Edward Y, Healey Jeffrey, Sullenberger Rebecca, Klarlund Jes K
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Exp Eye Res. 2008 Mar;86(3):500-5. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2007.12.003. Epub 2007 Dec 23.
Most formulations of artificial tears include high-molecular weight hydrophilic polymers (hydrogels) that are usually thought to serve to enhance viscosity and to act as demulcents. A few reports have indicated that application of some of the polymers accelerates healing of wounds in epithelia. Since activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is critical for spontaneous corneal epithelial wound healing, we tested commonly used hydrogels for their ability to activate the EGF receptor and enhance closure of wounds. Five structurally unrelated hydrogels used in artificial tears were found to activate the EGF receptor. Importantly, two of the hydrogels enhanced wound healing in an organ culture model. We propose that the efficacy of hydrogels in treating dry eye may be related to their ability to activate the EGF receptor, and that hydrogels are inexpensive, safe agents to promote healing of wounds in the cornea and possibly in other tissues.
大多数人工泪液配方都包含高分子量亲水性聚合物（水凝胶），通常认为这些聚合物有助于提高粘度并起到缓和剂的作用。一些报告表明，应用某些聚合物可加速上皮伤口的愈合。由于表皮生长因子（EGF）受体的激活对于角膜上皮伤口的自发愈合至关重要，我们测试了常用水凝胶激活EGF受体和促进伤口闭合的能力。结果发现，用于人工泪液的五种结构不相关的水凝胶能够激活EGF受体。重要的是，其中两种水凝胶在器官培养模型中增强了伤口愈合。我们认为，水凝胶治疗干眼症的功效可能与其激活EGF受体的能力有关，并且水凝胶是促进角膜及可能其他组织伤口愈合的廉价、安全的药物。
