Regulation of UV-B-Induced Inflammatory Mediators by Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP)-Derived Peptide (NAP) in Corneal Epithelium

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 8; p. 6895
• Main Authors: Maugeri, Grazia, D'Amico, Agata Grazia, Magrì, Benedetta, Giunta, Salvatore, Musumeci, Giuseppe, Saccone, Salvatore, Federico, Concetta, Scollo, Davide, Longo, Antonio, Avitabile, Teresio, D'Agata, Velia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI 07.04.2023; MDPI AG
• Subjects: ADNP; Cornea; Epithelium, Corneal; IL-1β; Inflammation Mediators; NAP; NF-κB; Oligopeptides - pharmacology; Peptides; UV-B; NF-κB; UV-B; ADNP; IL-1β; NAP; cornea
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086895

The corneal epithelium, representing the outermost layer of the cornea, acts as a barrier to protect the eye against external insults such as ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiations. The inflammatory response induced by these adverse events can alter the corneal structure, leading to visual impairment. In a previous study, we demonstrated the positive effects of NAP, the active fragment of activity-dependent protein (ADNP), against oxidative stress induced by UV-B radiations. Here, we investigated its role to counteract the inflammatory event triggered by this insult contributing to the disruption of the corneal epithelial barrier. The results indicated that NAP treatment prevents UV-B-induced inflammatory processes by affecting IL-1β cytokine expression and NF-κB activation, as well as maintaining corneal epithelial barrier integrity. These findings may be useful for the future development of an NAP-based therapy for corneal disease.