CORNEAL NEUROBIOLOGY

由于其独特的结构，角膜是最重要的 眼睛中的光学元件，神经支配是一个重要的 维持角膜健康的稳态机制， 透明度 作为最密集的神经支配的上皮表面， 角膜对感官刺激极为敏感。的 神经支配保护角膜和眼睛免受明显的损伤， 代谢整合到角膜的细胞功能中。的 这项研究中提出的研究将继续揭示这一点， 在离子，分子和超微结构水平的相互关系。一 Ca 2+在上皮细胞内信号转导机制中的作用 轴突终末将通过替代其他二和 三价离子和钙阻滞剂。 钠通道调节剂将是 用于确定钠失活对重复放电的作用 受体的反应。 直接的生物物理和分子方法， 这些感觉感受器膜将通过分离 这些膜通过新开发的细胞分离技术。 神经元对上皮功能的稳态控制可能是 通过轴突运输物质发挥作用。 放射性标记前体 和示踪剂将用于确定脂质，蛋白质和 糖蛋白的表达。 角膜的去神经支配改变了 有丝分裂的特性和这种组织的基本能力， 将研究膜脂质前体胆碱。 神经支配 经常对角膜环境的变化做出反应， 疾病和衰老，通过感觉功能障碍。 敏感性的丧失 在接触透镜中，磨损可能是由于氧气供应降低;这将是 在兔子身上进行了神经生理学研究。老化，这将是研究 在Fischer 344大鼠中，诱导 这些受体可能会改变感官信息流向 中枢神经系统 此外，角膜神经支配充当 导管为单纯疱疹病毒1型潜伏期的建立。 神经元信号在单纯疱疹病毒1型再激活中的作用 将检查三叉神经节以及病毒的运输 的神经。 这些研究应该有助于我们了解 角膜及其神经支配的稳态相互作用，以及这些 相互作用用于维持角膜的光学功能 眼睛本身。

As a result of its unique structure, the cornea is the most important optical element in the eye, and the innervation is an important homeostatic mechanism for the maintenance of corneal health and transparency. As the most densely innervated epithelial surface in the body, the cornea is exquisitely sensitive to sensory stimulation. The innervation protects the cornea and eye from overt damage and it is metabolically integrated into the cellular functions of the cornea. The studies proposed in this research will continue to reveal this interrelationship at the ionic, molecular, and ultrastructural levels. A putative role for Ca2+ in transduction mechanisms of the intraepithelial axon terminals will be studied by substitution of other di- and trivalent ions and calcium blockers. Sodium channel modifiers will be used to determine the role of sodium inactivation on repetitive firing of receptor responses. Direct biophysical and molecular approaches to these sensory receptor membranes will be facilitated by isolation of these membranes by newly developed cellular separation techniques. Homeostatic control of epithelial function by the neuron is probably exerted through axonally transported substance. Radiolabled precursors and tracers will be used to determine uptake of lipids, proteins, and glycoproteins by epithelial cells. Denervation of the cornea alters its mitotic properties and the fundamental ability of this tissue to utilize choline, a membrane lipid precursor, will be studied. The innervation often responds to changes in the environment of the cornea, as well as to disease and aging, by sensory dysfunction. The loss of sensitivity in contact lens wear may be due to a lowered O2 supply; this will be studied neurophysiologically in the rabbit. Aging, which will be studied in the Fischer 344 rat, induces morphological alterations of the receptors which may change the flow of sensory information to the central nervous system. Moreover, the corneal innervation serves as a conduit for herpes simplex virus type 1 in the establishment of latency. The role of a neuronal signal in reactivation of HSV-1 from the trigeminal ganglion will be examined as will the transport of the virus by the nerves. These studies should help us to understand the homeostatic interactions of the cornea and its innervation and how these interactions serve to maintain the optical function of the cornea and the eye itself.