Role of growth factors in the uveal tract of the eye as targeted to the development of new drugs
The uveal tract of the eye, which consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, is responsible for the primary nutritional supply of the ocular structures, especially the retina and, through the production of aqueous and vitreous humors, for nourishment of avascular intraocular structures such as the lens, cornea, and trebecular meshwork. The growth factors that have been detected in the uveal tract include fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transferrin, transforming growth factor‐β, nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and insulin‐like growth factors. These mitogens in the uveal tract influence the metabolism and proliferative activity of intraocular structures, and have major implications for the health and disease of the eye. We discuss the possible therapeutic role of growth factors, as well as the prospects for, and hurdles in, drug development for their use in various ocular disorders such as degenerative and proliferative diseases, neovascularization, glaucoma, ocular ischemic syndromes, cataract, neoplasms, and wound healing well as in the modulation of HLA‐DR expression. Copyright © 1991 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Duke Scholars
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- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
- 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
- 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences