Neurotrophic factors in the human cornea.

Abstract

Neurotrophic factors and tyrosine kinase receptors are transcribed in the human cornea. GDNF and NGF stimulate corneal epithelial proliferation, and the effect of the latter might be mediated by activation of ERK 1. Neurotrophic factors have very specific effects on phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in epithelial and stromal cells. The differential expression of NT-4 and GDNF suggests a regulatory function within the cytokine network of the cornea.