The History of Nerve Growth Factor: From Molecule to Drug.

Nerve growth factor (NGF), the first neurotrophin to be discovered, has a long and eventful research journey with a series of turning points, setbacks, and achievements. Since the groundbreaking investigations led by Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi-Montalcini, advancements in the comprehension of NGF's functions have revolutionized the field of neuroscience, offering new insights and opportunities for therapeutic innovation. However, the clinical application of NGF has historically been hindered by challenges in determining appropriate dosing, administration strategies, and complications related to the production process.

New disposable esthesiometer (KeraSenseⓇ) to improve diagnosis and management of neurotrophic keratitis.

Purpose: To validate the use, repeatability, and reproducibility of a new, cost-effective, disposable, sterile device (KeraSenseⓇ, Dompè farmaceutici SpA, Milan Italy) compared to Cochet-Bonnet (CB) esthesiometer. Secondly, to identify a simple, safe, rapid, and low-cost test to diagnose neurotrophic keratitis (NK).

Methods: 16 patients with diagnosis of NK stage I, 25 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and 26 healthy subjects were included in the study.

Visuospatial Deficits Are Associated with Pisa Syndrome and not Camptocormia in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Pisa syndrome (PS) and camptocormia (CC) are postural abnormalities frequently associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Their pathophysiology remains unclear, but the role of cognitive deficits has been postulated.

Objectives: To identify differences in the neuropsychological functioning of patients with PD with PS or CC compared with matched patients with PD without postural abnormalities.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of BNT162b2 Primary Vaccination and Booster Dose to SARS-CoV-2 in Eliciting Stable Mucosal Immunity.

The waning effectiveness of the primary vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 led to administration of an additional booster dose (BD). The efficacy of the BD in stimulating humoral systemic immune response is well established, but its effectiveness on inducing mucosal immune reaction has not yet been reported. To address this issue, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses in the serum, saliva, and tears after BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech, New York, NY, USA) vaccination and BD, as well as after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The effect of COVID-19 imposed lockdown on Italian children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.

Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, inflammatory-allergic disease of the cornea and conjunctiva. Environmental factors, such as light exposure, have been supposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation and in the worsening of VKC.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of reduced sunlight exposure in patients with VKC during the imposed lockdown period for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic emergency.

Autophagy-lysosome pathway alteration in ocular surface manifestations in Fabry disease patients.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked, lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the alpha-galactosidase gene and characterized by neurological, cutaneous, renal, cardiovascular, cochleo-vestibular and ocular manifestations. The aim of this study is to characterize morphological, functional and autophagy-lysosome pathway alterations of the ocular surface in FD patients.

Methods: Eleven subjects with a diagnosis of FD and fifteen healthy control subjects were examined.

Long-term clinical efficacy of topical treatment with recombinant human nerve growth factor in neurotrophic keratopathy: a novel cure for a rare degenerative corneal disease?

Background: Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a rare, degenerative ocular disease characterized by reduction or loss of corneal sensitivity and development of non-healing corneal epithelial defects and ulcers. Cenegermin, a recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drop solution, is the first drug approved for the treatment of NK. The aim of our study is to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this innovative topical treatment in patients with NK.

Understanding Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: Beyond Allergic Mechanisms.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease of the cornea and conjunctiva mostly affecting boys in prepubertal age. VKC recurrence is characterized by intense symptoms of itching, redness, and photophobia associated with corneal damage, impairment of visual function, and quality of life. The pathogenesis of VKC has not yet been completely understood, and it is still controversial.

Long-term clinical outcome and satisfaction survey in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy after treatment with cenegermin eye drops or amniotic membrane transplantation.

Purpose: Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a degenerative corneal disease caused by damage of trigeminal innervation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction of treatment with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) or cenegermin eye drops in patients with NK.

Methods: Clinical charts of patients with NK treated with AMT (group A) or cenegermin eye drops (group B), with at least 12 months of follow-up, were reviewed for demographics, medical history, corneal healing, and disease recurrence.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis activity induces decrease of ocular surface CD14, TLR-4 and TLR-9 expression.

Purpose: CD14 is involved in the modulation of immune reaction via toll-like receptors (TLR) and may influence the development of allergic diseases. The role of CD14 in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes of tear soluble sCD14 and conjunctival CD14, TLR-4 and 9 expression in patients with VKC in the active and quiescent phases.

Health-related quality of life in children at the diagnosis of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.

Background: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a bilateral, chronic, allergic condition mostly affecting children. Clinical evaluations may not necessarily reflect the impact of the disease on the patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to evaluate HRQoL in children at VKC diagnosis and to analyze correlations between HRQoL and clinical and laboratory variables.

Diabetic retinopathy, oxidative stress, and sirtuins: an in depth look in enzymatic patterns and new therapeutic horizons.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. DR represents the most common microvascular complication of diabetes, and its incidence is constantly rising. The complex interactions between inflammation, oxidative stress, and the production of free oxygen radicals caused by prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia determine the development of DR.

Hyperpigmented spots at fundus examination: a new ocular sign in Neurofibromatosis Type I.

Background: Neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1), also termed von Recklinghausen disease, is a rare genetic disorder that is transmitted by autosomal dominant inheritance, with complete penetrance and variable expressivity. It is caused by mutation in the NF1 gene on chromosome 17 encoding for neurofibromin, a protein with oncosuppressive activity, and it is 50% sporadic or inherited. The disease is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, mainly involving the nervous system, the eye and skin, and a predisposition to develop multiple benign and malignant neoplasms.

Involvement of ocular surface in graft-versus-host disease: An update from immunopathogenesis to treatment.

Graft-versus-host disease is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the ocular surface is a main target of inflammatory reaction.

A Modified Femtosecond Laser Technique for Anterior Capsule Contraction Syndrome.

Anterior capsule contraction syndrome (ACCS) is a rare, late complication of cataract surgery, associated with impairment of visual function. In this paper, we describe a new surgical technique to treat ACCS by femtosecond laser procedure. The femtosecond laser was used to perform an anterior capsulotomy with a customized size, in order to avoid IOL damage.

Molecular Insights and Emerging Strategies for Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular cancer. In recent decades, major advances have been achieved in the diagnosis and prognosis of UM allowing for tailored treatments. However, nearly 50% of patients still develop metastatic disease with survival rates of less than 1 year.

Evidence of Pepsin-Related Ocular Surface Damage and Dry Eye (PROD Syndrome) in Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

Background: patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) showed detectable levels of tear pepsin that explain the nasolacrimal obstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with LPR show ocular surface changes and to investigate the relationship between lacrimal pepsin concentration and ocular alterations.

Methods: Fifty patients with positive endoscopic signs for LPR and an equal or higher score of 13 and 7 for Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score were enrolled.

Evaluation of IL8 pathway on the ocular surface: new insights in patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Purpose: To evaluate the expression of IL8/CXCL8 cytokine and its receptor CXCR1 in tear film and ocular surface of patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP).

Methods: Ten patients with oMMP in the quiescent phase, 20 patients with primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS) and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. All patients undergone complete eye examination including lacrimal function tests and ocular surface staining assessed by ocular staining score.

Neurotrophic factors and nerve growth factor in ocular allergy.

Purpose Of Review: During allergic reaction, nervous and immune systems mutually interact through release of mediators, including neurotrophic factors and nerve growth factor (NGF). These mediators modulate allergic reaction through binding their receptors expressed by immune and structural cells and by stimulating neuropeptide release by nerves. The role of neuropeptides and NGF has been demonstrated in allergic asthma and rhinitis, and, to a lesser extent, in allergic conjunctivitis.

Effect of recombinant human nerve growth factor eye drops in patients with dry eye: a phase IIa, open label, multiple-dose study.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) affects more than 14% of the elderly population causing decrease of quality of life, high costs and vision impairment. Current treatments for DED aim at lubricating and controlling inflammation of the ocular surface. Development of novel therapies targeting different pathogenic mechanisms is sought-after.

Allergy screening in a schoolchildren-based population.

Background: Schoolchildren screening for allergic diseases may improve early identification and management of atopic children. The aim of this study was to perform a schoolchildren screening program for identification of children with allergic diseases.

Methods: All parents of children attending to 13 primary schools in the city of Rome were requested to fill in a demographic data form and the ChAt questionnaire.