Potential role of corneal epithelial cell-derived exosomes in corneal wound healing and neovascularization.

ABSTRACT: Specific factors from the corneal epithelium underlying the stimulation of stromal fibrosis and myofibroblast formation in corneal wound healing have not been fully elucidated. Given that exosomes are known to transfer bioactive molecules among cells and play crucial roles in wound healing, angiogenesis, and cancer, we hypothesized that corneal epithelial cell-derived exosomes may gain access to the underlying stromal fibroblasts upon disruption of the epithelial basement membrane and that they induce signaling events essential for corneal wound healing. In the present study, exosome-like vesicles were observed between corneal epithelial cells and the stroma during wound healing after corneal epithelial debridement. These vesicles were also found in the stroma following anterior stromal ke

SUBMITTER: Han KY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5292698 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature