NCT03990740

Myofibroblastic Transformation Secondary to Epithelial-stromal Interactions in the Keratoconus

Myofibroblastic Transformation Secondary to Epithelial-stromal Interactions in the Keratoconus (MYKE)

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild · Network
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Keratoconus is characterized by a thinning of the cornea, which causes a decrease in visual acuity due to astigmatism. Publications suggest that keratoconus is linked to chronic inflammation (increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases (MMP). Direct epithelial-stromal interactions (D-ESI) have a role in the induction of metalloproteinases (MMP) and the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts via an EMMPRIN membrane glycoprotein (extracellular matrix membran MMP inducer - CD 147). On a healthy cornea, EMMPRIN's effects are prevented by a lack of contact between epithelial and stromal cells through a basement membrane, which is altered in the keratoconus The hypothesis is that stromal thinning of the keratoconus could be related to increased expression of EMMPRIN by epithelial and stromal cells (resulting in increased MMP synthesis), with a preponderance at the most deformed areas. The main objective is to demonstrate a transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in the corneal stroma of keratoconus patients.

Conditions

• Keratoconus

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Corneal sampling	Corneal samples will be taken during corneal transplants for cases and orbital exenterations for controls. The mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) will be extracted and a retrotranscription will be made to obtain cDNA (complementary DNA). A qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) will be able to quantify the expression of alpha-SMA, MMP 1-2-3 and 9, and EMMPRIN.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-11-01
• Primary completion: 2020-05-12
• Completion: 2020-05-12
• First posted: 2019-06-19
• Last updated: 2020-05-14