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Keratoconus at a Molecular Level: A Review

Lookup NU author(s): Thomas Volatier, Professor Francisco FigueiredoORCiD, Professor Che ConnonORCiD

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Abstract

© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Keratoconus is the most common ectatic disease of the cornea. The disease is usually detected between ages 15 and 25. Incidence is estimated at one out of every 2000 individuals, with some specific ethnic groups being more at risk. Keratoconus manifests itself as a progressive stromal thinning and deformation of the corneal tissue into a conical shape. The etiology of keratoconus is uncertain, although several studies have associated the disease to environmental factors, behavioral conditions and certain genetic disorders. In an effort to better understand how the corneal stroma becomes compromised, multiple experiments have been conducted over the last few years looking at the cells themselves and the factors they produce. The secretion pathways and levels of inflammatory molecules, growth factors, digestive enzymes, and apoptotic factors are all relevant to keratoconus. This review describes the current knowledge of keratoconic pathological signaling pathways within the cornea that may help future developments in disease prevention, treatment and modeling. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Volatier TLA, Figueiredo FC, Connon CJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Anatomical Record

Year: 2019

Volume: 303

Issue: 6

Pages: 1680-1688

Print publication date: 25/05/2020

Online publication date: 15/02/2019

Acceptance date: 02/11/2018

ISSN (print): 1932-8486

ISSN (electronic): 1932-8494

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24090

DOI: 10.1002/ar.24090

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