Biomedical subjects

Friedrich Kruse

Publications and source records attributed to Friedrich Kruse.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), their receptors, and activins in normal and scarred conjunctiva: role of BMP-6 and activin-A in conjunctival scarring?

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and activins are multifunctional growth factors, which also affect wound healing and tissue fibrosis. To determine their putative role in conjunctival wound healing and scarring, we investigated the expression of various BMPs, BMP receptors, and activins in normal and scarred human conjunctival tissue and in cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts on the mRNA and protein level. Messenger RNA expression of BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, BMP-7, the BMP receptors type I (BMPR-IA, BMPR-IB) and II (BMPR-II), and of activin A and B was investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in normal conjunctival specimens and in scarred filtering blebs as well as in cultured Tenon's capsule fibroblasts obtained from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliation (PEX) glaucoma and cataract. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the protein expression of BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, and activin A in normal and scarred conjunctival tissue as well as in cultured Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, all BMP receptors, and activin A were expressed on the mRNA and protein level in conjunctival biopsies without showing any differences between groups of patients. The mRNA and protein expression of both BMP-6 and activin A was found to be significantly increased in scar tissue compared with normal conjunctiva and could be immunolocalized to epithelial cells, vascular endothelia, stromal fibroblasts, and macrophage-like cells. However, no significant increase in receptor gene expression was observed in scar tissue. With the exception of BMP-7, all growth factors and receptors were also expressed in cultured Tenon's fibroblasts without showing any differences between cultures derived from normal and scarred conjunctival specimens. These findings suggest various BMPs and activin A as components of the conjunctival cytokine meshwork regulating tissue homeostasis and wound healing and provide evidence that alterations in the expression of BMP-6 and activin A, in particular, are associated with conjunctival scarring. Modulation of BMP/activin activities may, therefore, be explored as new approaches for managing postoperative conjunctival scarring responses in glaucoma patients.

Activins↗

PubMed2006

Long-term results of phototherapeutic keratectomy for corneal map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy (Cogan-Guerry).

PURPOSE: Patients with corneal map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy suffer typically from recurrent corneal erosion, disturbed vision, or both. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphologic and functional long-term results of minimal invasive subepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for corneal map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy. METHODS: Of a total of 390 PTKs performed between October 1994 and January 2004, 15 PTKs on 15 eyes of 11 patients were included in this single-center study. All patients had symptoms of recurrent corneal erosion; in 12 eyes, reduced visual acuity was observed. The median duration of complaints was 18 months. Using 193-nm excimer laser (MEL 60/70; Carl Zeiss-Meditec), a manually guided spot profile was applied in 7 cases (pulse energy, 12 mJ; repetition rate, 2/s or 3/s; 189-425 pulses). In 8 cases, a scanning slit mode was chosen (intended ablation, 1 microm/scan; repetition rate, 20/s; 150-483 pulses). In each case, a broad deepithelialization of the Bowman layer was followed by application of defocused overlapping laser pulses. RESULTS: Complete epithelial closure was achieved after an average of 3.5 +/- 0.6 days (median, 3 days). The mean follow-up was 4.8 +/- 3.0 years, with a maximum of 9.3 years. Best corrected visual acuity increased from 0.7 +/- 0.26 preoperatively to 0.9 +/- 0.16 postoperatively. The keratometric central power remained constant (preoperatively, 43.0 +/- 1.6 D; postoperatively, 42.6 +/- 1.0 D). The average keratometric astigmatism remained constant (1.3 +/- 0.9 D, preoperatively; 1.0 +/- 0.5 D, postoperatively). In the early postoperative stage, subtle superficial corneal opacities ("haze") were observed in 6 eyes (40%), being completely reversible during the follow-up in 5 cases. No recurrence of corneal erosion was observed during the follow-up. Asymptomatic dystrophic signs in the midperiphery became visible in 2 eyes 3 and 5 years after PTK. CONCLUSION: For corneal map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, PTK using an excimer laser with low pulse energy and low number of pulses can be considered an effective and minimal invasive treatment modality to achieve a fast and durable epithelial closure, to prevent recurrent corneal erosions, and to increase visual acuity in most patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Corneal nerves: structure, contents and function.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, neurochemical content, and functions of corneal nerves, with special emphasis on human corneal nerves. A revised interpretation of human corneal nerve architecture is presented based on recent observations obtained by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural analyses of serial-sectioned human corneas. Current data on the neurotransmitter and neuropeptide contents of corneal nerves are discussed, as are the mechanisms by which corneal neurochemicals and associated neurotrophins modulate corneal physiology, homeostasis and wound healing. The results of recent clinical studies of topically applied neuropeptides and neurotrophins to treat neurotrophic keratitis are reviewed. Recommendations for using IVCM to evaluate corneal nerves in health and disease are presented.

Animals↗