Lipoxins in the eye and their role in wound healing

The eye must contain highly evolved programs to limit inflammation and promote wound healing as an errant response can lead to blindness. However, pathways that protect the delicate Visual axis and account for its atypical inflammatory responses remain to be clearly defined. Hence, research efforts have been initiated to elucidate the role of the anti-inflammatory LXA(4) circuits in the eye. LXA(4) is formed in healthy and injured corneas and both its receptor and 12/15-lipoxygenase are predominately expressed in epithelial cells. An essential role for LXA(4) in preserving ocular function is supported by 12/15-LOX deficient mice that exhibit a phenotype of impaired wound healing and LXA(4) formation. A novel epithelial bioaction role for LXA(4) has been uncovered in the cornea as topical LXA(4) promotes wound healing and limits the sequelae of injury. These emerging studies indicate that the LXA(4) circuit may hold a fundamental role in maintaining an ocular environment that actively restricts inflammation while promoting wound healing. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.