Corneal epithelium in keratoconus underexpresses active NRF2 and a subset of oxidative stress-related genes.

ABSTRACT: Keratoconus (KC) is a multifactorial progressive ectatic disorder characterized by local thinning of the cornea, leading to decreased visual acuity due to irregular astigmatism and opacities. Despite the evolution of advanced imaging methods, the exact etiology of KC remains unknown. Our aim was to investigate the involvement of corneal epithelium in the pathophysiology of the disease. Corneal epithelial samples were collected from 23 controls and from 2 cohorts of patients with KC: 22 undergoing corneal crosslinking (early KC) and 6 patients before penetrating keratoplasty (advanced KC). The expression of genes involved in the epidermal terminal differentiation program and of the oxidative stress pathway was assessed by real time PCR analysis. Presence of some of the differentially expres

SUBMITTER: Lupasco T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9565379 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature