Eye drops derived from human blood components (Eye Drops of Human Origin-EDHO) have proven effective in reducing ocular pain associated with severe keratopathies. Among these, Cord Blood Serum (CBS) is particularly promising for its high content of growth and neurotrophic factors. This study evaluated the ability of CBS to modulate inflammatory and nociceptive activation in the human conjunctival epithelial cell (HCEC) line exposed to hyperosmotic stress. CBS batches were characterized for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) content and classified as CBShigh (levels > 18.0 ng/mL) or CBSlow (levels HLA-DR and TRPV-1 expression. Both CBS preparations attenuated these responses, producing comparable reductions in HLA-DR mRNA and decreasing TRPV-1 expression. Partial reversal of CBS effects by the pan-neurotrophin receptor inhibitor K252a supported neurotrophin involvement. CBS reduces hyperosmolarity-driven inflammation and nociception via HLA-DR and TRPV1 downregulation, supporting its role as a bioactive tear substitute in neuroinflammatory ocular surface disease.
Astolfi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.