Adenylyl Cyclase in Ocular Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) are a group of enzymes that convert adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP), a vital and ubiquitous signalling molecule in cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters. There are nine transmembrane (tmAC) forms, which have been widely studied; however, the tenth, soluble AC (sAC) is less extensively characterised. The eye is one of the most metabolically active sites in the body, where sAC has been found in abundance, making it a target for novel therapeutics and biomarking.

The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) System in the Corneal Epithelium Homeostasis-From Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells to Therapeutic Applications.

The corneal epithelium, comprising three layers of cells, represents the outermost portion of the eye and functions as a vital protective barrier while concurrently serving as a critical refractive structure. Maintaining its homeostasis involves a complex regenerative process facilitated by the functions of the lacrimal gland, tear film, and corneal nerves. Crucially, limbal epithelial stem cells located in the limbus (transitional zone between the cornea and the conjunctiva) are instrumental for the corneal epithelium integrity by replenishing and renewing cells.

The immunology of corneal limbal stem cells: the up-to-date approach to stem cell transplantation.

Limbal epithelial stem cells (LSC, LESC) are multipotent cells used as regenerative treatment of the cornea in patients with limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency (LSCD, LESCD). There are different types of stem cell grafting including cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CET) and simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET). The outcomes of the techniques have been assessed as similar, with differences in the sample size required during the procedures.

Novel therapies for diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels as well as microvascular and macrovascular changes. According to the latest statistics the growth of DM incidence is very fast. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) - one of the common DM complications - is the leading cause of blindness among professionally active people.

The Feasibility of Surface Electromyography in Monitoring Orbicularis Oculi Recovery after Anterior Approach Levator Aponeurosis Advancement.

Introduction: In this article, we propose a new application for eyelid surface electromyography (sEMG). By placing the electrode in the mid-pretarsal area of the upper eyelid, one can easily perform a fast examination and achieve repeatable results. We believe that this technique may increase the feasibility of eyelid sEMG in clinical practice.

Immunological and molecular basics of the primary open angle glaucoma pathomechanism.

Glaucoma is a degenerative process of the optic nerve. Increased intraocular pressure is believed to be the main factor leading to the glaucomatous damage. The in vitro and animal glaucoma research models provide insight into the molecular changes in the retina in response to the injury factor.

New perspectives of immunomodulation and neuroprotection in glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the neurodegenerative disease of retinal ganglion cells. The main risk factor for glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure. The processes leading to cell death due to presence of the injury factor comprise multiple molecular mechanisms, as well as the immunological response.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin in eye diseases.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine in Asian countries to treat liver diseases, rheumatoid diseases, diabetes, atherosclerosis, infectious diseases and cancer. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antimicrobial and anticancer activity.

Antigenic and immunogenic properties of chondrocytes. Implications for chondrocyte therapeutic transplantation and pathogenesis of inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases.

In physiological conditions chondrocytes are protected from contact with immunocompetent cells by the extracellular matrix, and transplanted fragments of allogeneic cartilage are not rejected. Cartilage produced by allogeneic chondrocytes, however, evokes the immune response of the recipient and is gradually destroyed. Immunisation by allogeneic chondrocytes is induced by the contact of their surface molecules with cells of the immune system.

In search of chondrocyte-specific antigen.

The purpose of this work was to establish, whether rat chondrocyte associated antigen, transmembrane Tmp21 protein belonging to the p24 protein family may immunize rats and thus be included into the panel of immunogens potentially involved in cartilage pathology. For immunization of rats extract from cultured chondrocytes containing surface chondrocyte proteins suspended in incomplete Freund's adjuvant was used. Control animals were injected with incomplete Freund's adjuvant without chondrocyte extract.

The impact of age, sex, blepharitis, rosacea and rheumatoid arthritis on mite infection.

Introduction: Two human-specific species have been described: and . A medical condition caused by the presence of is called demodicosis.

Material And Methods: The study material comprised eyelashes collected from 1499 patients.

Angiogenesis modulation by exogenous antioxidants.

Co-operation of the endogenous and exogenous defense system maintains redox homeostasis and is essential for health. The endogenous defense system includes enzymatic (e.g.

Stem cells in regenerative medicine - from laboratory to clinical application - the eye.

Stem cells are currently one of the most researched and explored subject in science. They consstitue a very promising part of regenerative medicine and have many potential clinical applications. Harnessing their ability to replicate and differentiate into many cell types can enable successful treatment of diseases that were incurable until now.

The effect of pentoxifylline on L-1 sarcoma tumor growth and angiogenesis in Balb/c mice.

Methyloxantines are present in many herbs and vegetal foods, among them in tea, coffee and chocolate. Previous studies revealed that theophylline and theobromine have anti-angiogenic properties. Anti-tumor properties of theobromine were also described.

Synergistic Activity for Natural and Synthetic Inhibitors of Angiogenesis Induced by Murine Sarcoma L-1 and Human Kidney Cancer Cells.

Tumor angiogenesis is an important link in the process of tumor growth and metastasis. A number of substances with an anti-angiogenic activity has been described, but their efficiency remains low. Many researchers believe that a better therapeutic effect could be achieved using a cocktail of several anti-angiogenic agents, having different points of action.

Immunomodulation on the ocular surface: a review.

The increasing understanding of immune mechanisms changed our perception of the ocular surface, which is now considered a compartment of the common mucosal immune system. It offered the possibility to alter the physiological immune response on the ocular surface and effectively combat inflammation, which impairs stability of the tear film and causes tear hyperosmolarity, causing symptoms of dry eye disease. The paper provides an overview of ocular surface anatomy and physiology, explains the underlying mechanisms of dry eye disease and discusses novel and promising treatment modalities, such as cyclosporine A, biological therapies using autologous serum and various growth factors as well as experimental treatment methods which are currently being investigated.

The modulatory influence of some Echinacea-based remedies on antibody production and cellular immunity in mice.

Unlabelled: Echinacea purpurea-containing remedies are herbal medicines used in respiratory tract infections and several inflammatory conditions as enhancers of non-specific and modulators of specific cellular immunity. They also exert anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-microbial activity. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vivo influence of orally administered three Echinacea purpurea-based remedies (IMMUNAL drops, ECHINACEA FORTE drops, IMMUNAL FORTE tablets) on some parameters of cellular and humoral immunity in mice.

Reactive oxygen species and synthetic antioxidants as angiogenesis modulators: Clinical implications.

Angiogenesis is important for normal functioning of organism and its disturbances are observed in many diseases, called angiogenesis-related states. Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) play an important role in physiology, but high level of cellular ROSs is cytotoxic and mutagenic for the cells, i.e.

Is it appropriate to perform anterior segment reconstruction in amblyopic eye following penetrating trauma in childhood?

We present a case of diagnostic and surgical management in an amblyopic eye following penetrating trauma in childhood. The 75-year-old female patient experienced the trauma at the age of 4. The eye was amblyopic, but after thorough investigations (ultrasonography, ultrabiomicroscopy, visual evoked potentials) the eye underwent anterior segment reconstruction.

Angiomodulatory properties of Rhodiola spp. and other natural antioxidants.

Disturbances of angiogenesis and oxidative stress can lead to many serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes or ischemic heart disease. Substances neutralizing oxidative stress are known as antioxidants. They can affect angiogenesis process also, and thus, they modulate therapy results.

Multi-procedure management in an eyeglasses-related open globe injury.

We present a case of successful multi-procedure management of a patient with an open globe injury. A 47-year-old man sustained an injury to his left eye caused by glass fragments of his own spectacles shattered while he was protecting an unknown woman from physical assault at a bus stop. Over a span of 65 months the patient underwent multiple procedures including primary wound repair, penetrating keratoplasty combined with extracapsular cataract extraction, neodymium: YAG laser capsulotomy, and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK), and had a successfully treated episode of corneal graft rejection.

The angiogenic activity of ascites in the course of ovarian cancer as a marker of disease progression.

Ovarian cancer cells are able to create invasive implants in the peritoneum and their growth is directly associated with the angiogenetic potential. This effect is probably stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), which are both found in ascites. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of ascites produced by ovarian cancer on the angiogenesis.

Inhibition of proliferation, migration and invasiveness of endothelial murine cells culture induced by resveratrol.

Angiogenesis is a multi-stage process of new vessel development which involves migration, proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells. Pathological angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the pathomechanism of various ischemic, malignant and inflammatory disorders. Among eye diseases, macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are a major public health issue as the most common causes of blindness.