6 · Emerging therapies — cellular, gene & innovative
PEDF + DHA — corneal nerve regeneration
Review — modulators of corneal healing › 6 · Emerging therapies — cellular, gene & innovative › PEDF + DHA — corneal nerve regeneration
PEDF + DHA — corneal nerve regeneration
Pigment epithelium-derived factor (± 44-mer peptide) + docosahexaenoic acid · Bazan/Cortina (LSU)
Oxford V (preclinical)
Investigational
Future · early-stage
Mechanism of actionPEDF binds its epithelial receptor (PEDF-R/PNPLA2) → DHA release → conversion to Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) and docosanoids → regeneration of corneal sensory nerves, restoration of sensitivity and CGRP⁺ nerve density, ↓inflammation → accelerated epithelial healing (neuro-regenerative mechanism).
IndicationsNeurotrophic states and impaired healing after nerve injury (post-LASIK/PRK, diabetic keratopathy).
Route & dosageTopical (investigational); no human dosing established.
Level of evidenceOxford V (animal + in vitro) · Scale: Investigational.
| FDA / EU MA | None (preclinical, no IND/product) — research only. |
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Key studies: Cortina, He, Bazan et al., Arch Ophthalmol 2012 — PMID 21911652 ; PEDF–DHA–PEDF-R link (J Biol Chem 2017) — PMID 28972155 ; PEDF peptide & nerve regeneration (IOVS 2021) — PMID 33481984.