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Role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in corneal remodelling in diabetes

Saeed Akhtar1, Turki Almubrad, Anthony J Bron

  • 1Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. akhtars@ksu.edu.sa

Acta Ophthalmologica
|May 7, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling influences corneal structure in diabetic rats. Inhibiting EGFR normalized collagen and proteoglycan changes, suggesting EGFR

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Diabetic Complications
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness.
  • Corneal complications in diabetes can impair vision.
  • The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in diabetic corneal remodeling is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of EGFR signaling on collagen fibrils (CFs) and proteoglycans (PGs) organization in the diabetic rat cornea.
  • To determine if inhibiting EGFR signaling can prevent diabetes-induced corneal structural changes.

Main Methods:

  • Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ).
  • Rats were treated with AG1478, a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
  • Corneal tissues were analyzed for collagen fibril diameter, area fraction, and proteoglycan distribution using microscopy and specialized software.

Main Results:

  • Diabetic rat corneas showed decreased collagen fibril diameter and area fraction, and increased proteoglycan area and area fractions compared to normal corneas.
  • AG1478 treatment prevented these alterations in diabetic corneas without affecting normal corneas.
  • AG1478-treated diabetic corneas exhibited normalized collagen fibril dimensions and proteoglycan distribution.

Conclusions:

  • Diabetes significantly alters corneal stroma organization of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans.
  • EGFR signaling inhibition effectively normalized these diabetes-induced corneal abnormalities.
  • EGFR plays a critical role in the development of corneal remodeling associated with diabetes.

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