Abstract
Alterations in corneal innervations result in impaired corneal sensation, severe dry eye and damage to the epithelium that may in turn lead to corneal ulcers, melting and perforation. These alterations can occur after refractive surgery. We have discovered that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA or the docosanoid bioactive neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1)) induces nerve regeneration after corneal surgery that damages the stromal nerves. We found that PEDF is released from corneal epithelial cells after injury, and when DHA is provided to the cells it stimulates the biosynthesis of NPD1 by an autocrine mechanism. The combination of PEDF plus DHA also decreased the production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a neutrophil chemotactic factor, thereby decreasing the inflammation induced after corneal damage. These studies suggest that PEDF plus DHA and its derivative NPD1 hold promise as a future treatment to restore a healthy cornea after nerve damage.