Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP)-Derived Peptide (NAP) Counteracts UV-B Radiation-Induced ROS Formation in Corneal Epithelium
Grazia Maugeri,
Agata Grazia D’Amico,
Salvatore Giunta,
Cesarina Giallongo,
Daniele Tibullo,
Claudio Bucolo,
Salvatore Saccone,
Concetta Federico,
Davide Scollo,
Antonio Longo,
Teresio Avitabile,
Giuseppe Musumeci,
Velia D’Agata
Affiliations
Grazia Maugeri
Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
Agata Grazia D’Amico
Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Salvatore Giunta
Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
Cesarina Giallongo
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Daniele Tibullo
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Claudio Bucolo
Pharmacology Section, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Salvatore Saccone
Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Concetta Federico
Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Davide Scollo
Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Clinic, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Antonio Longo
Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology (CERFO), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Teresio Avitabile
Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology (CERFO), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Giuseppe Musumeci
Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
Velia D’Agata
Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
The corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, acts as a dynamic barrier preventing access to harmful agents into the intraocular space. It is subjected daily to different insults, and ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation represents one of the main causes of injury. In our previous study, we demonstrated the beneficial effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) against UV-B radiation damage in the human corneal endothelium. Some of its effects are mediated through the activation of the intracellular factor, known as the activity-dependent protein (ADNP). In the present paper, we have investigated the role of ADNP and the small peptide derived from ADNP, known as NAP, in the corneal epithelium. Here, we have demonstrated, for the first time, ADNP expression in human and rabbit corneal epithelium as well as its protective effect by treating the corneal epithelial cells exposed to UV-B radiations with NAP. Our results showed that NAP treatment prevents ROS formation by reducing UV-B-irradiation-induced apoptotic cell death and JNK signalling pathway activation. Further investigations are needed to deeply investigate the possible therapeutic use of NAP to counteract corneal UV-B damage.
