Effects of growth factors on corneal wound healing

Rabbits received nonpenetrating central corneal knife wounds. Immediately after wounding, a single 2.5 or 5.0 micron dose of mesodermal growth factor (MGF) was applied topically to the wound. Controls were treated with saline. Electron microscopic studies compared the healing responses of the control and treated animals over a 7-day period. MGF was a potent nitrogen for keratocytes in rabbit corneas. The single dose enhanced fibroblast proliferation and metabolic activity. Control wounds were not healed after 7 days, whereas those of treated animals showed complete healing.