Suppression of Cornea Stromal Fibrosis by Vitamin D.

ABSTRACT: Corneal fibrosis, a significant source of visual impairment, can result from keratocyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation during wound healing. This study investigated the antifibrotic role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25 Vit D) and the lesser-known vitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (24,25 Vit D), in human and mouse corneal stromal cells (HSCs and MSCs) and in a Vit D receptor knockout (VDR KO) mouse model. Cells were treated with TGF-β1 ± Vit D metabolites and the expression of fibrotic and antifibrotic genes and proteins was evaluated. Both metabolites significantly reduced α-smooth muscle actin levels in HSCs, MSCs and organ-cultured mouse corneas (p < 0.05). They also upregulated the mRNA expression of BMP2, BMP6, BMPR2, and TGF-β3, as well as the

SUBMITTER: Lu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12562390 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature