Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0022575 (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
 772 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Aquaporins (AQPs) and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) provide the molecular routes for transport of water and chloride, respectively, through many epithelial tissues. In ocular epithelia, fluid transport generally involves secondary active chloride transport, which creates the osmotic gradient to drive transepithelial water transport. This review is focused on the role of AQPs and CFTR in water and ion transport across corneal/conjunctival epithelia, corneal endothelium, ciliary epithelium, and retinal pigment epithelium. The potential relevance of water and chloride transport to common disorders of ocular fluid balance is also considered. Recent data suggest AQPs and CFTR as attractive targets for drug development for therapy of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, recurrent corneal erosions, corneal edema, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and retinal ischemia.
 ...
PMID:Aquaporins and CFTR in ocular epithelial fluid transport. 1686 75

An 8-year-old mare was presented for investigation of a 1-month history of blepharospasm, eyelid swelling, corneal edema, and ocular discharge of the right eye (OD). Ophthalmic examination confirmed mucopurulent ocular discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and a dry, dull appearance to the cornea OD. Schirmer tear test results confirmed an absence of tear production OD (0 mm/min) consistent with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Treatment with topical 0.2% cyclosporine A resulted in an improvement in clinical signs. An episcleral cyclosporine A implant was placed under standing sedation 5 days after initial presentation. Re-examination 9 days post-operatively confirmed that the mare's tear production in the right eye had improved and no further clinical signs had been observed. Topical medications were gradually discontinued. Re-examinations performed up to 12 months postsurgery showed no recurrence of clinical signs and no adverse effects of the implant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a cyclosporine A implant in the management of KCS in a horse and highlights its potential as an effective, alternative therapy in the management of KCS in horses.
 ...
PMID:Episcleral cyclosporine A implants for the management of unilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca in an 8-year-old mare. 2694 81