Vanadium inhalation effects on the corneal ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF): study in a murine model

Air Pollution and the Prevalence of Keratoconus: Is There a Connection?

PURPOSE

Keratoconus is a progressive, asymmetrical corneal ectasia with multifactorial origin. Three identified risk factors for keratoconus include exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, eye rubbing, and atopy. Other factors like pollution would play a role in the physiopathology of keratoconus. In this study we investigate the effects of particles matter (PM) of 2.5 and 10 μm, but also nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the correlation with the prevalence in the scientific literature.

METHOD

A literature review was performed using four databases (PubMed, Research gate, Google scholar and International Journal of Keratoconus and Ectatic Corneal Diseases) according to strict selection criteria. Levels of fine particles and nitrogen dioxide were extracted from available World Health Organization (WHO) databases and correlated with prevalences from epidemiological studies.

RESULTS

The mean pollution rate in the selected studies was 26.88 ± 25.26 μg/m3 for PM2.5 , 58.23 ± 60.98 μg/m3 for PM10 and 24.79 ± 12.58 μg/m3 for NO2. Pearson correlation tests revealed a significant positive correlation between prevalence of keratoconus with particles rate of PM2.5 (R = 0.58; p < 0.001), PM10 (R = 0.67; p < 0.001) and NO2 (R = 0.64; p = 0.00016).

CONCLUSION

Fine particles appear to be a risk factor for keratoconus. These pollutants may act indirectly by exacerbating known risk factors such as atopy and eye rubbing. Atmospheric pollution may also have a direct effect on the cornea, by disturbing the structure of the epithelium and increasing cell apoptosis.

The role of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in acquired corneal diseases

Acquired corneal diseases such as dry eye disease (DED), keratitis and corneal alkali burns are significant contributors to vision impairment worldwide, and more effective and innovative therapies are urgently needed. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway plays an indispensable role in cell metabolism, inflammation and the immune response. Studies have shown that regulators of this pathway are extensively expressed in the cornea, inducing significant activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling in specific acquired corneal diseases. The activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling contributes to various pathophysiological processes in the cornea, including inflammation, neovascularization, fibrosis, and wound healing. In the context of DED, the hypertonic environment activates JAK/STAT3 signaling to stimulate corneal inflammation. Inflammation and injury progression in infectious keratitis can also be modulated by JAK/STAT3 signaling. Furthermore, JAK/STAT3 signaling is involved in every stage of corneal repair after alkali burns, including acute inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Treatments modulating JAK/STAT3 signaling have shown promising results in attenuating corneal damage, indicating its potential as a novel therapeutic target. Thus, this review emphasizes the multiple roles of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in common acquired corneal disorders and summarizes the current achievements of JAK/STAT3-targeting therapy to provide new insights into future applications.