Histatin-5 Improves In Vivo Corneal Wound Healing and Immunohistochemical Neovascular Markers After Acute Alkali Injury. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2026 Feb 02;15(2):20
Date
02/17/2026Pubmed ID
41700792Pubmed Central ID
PMC12922708DOI
10.1167/tvst.15.2.20Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105030414667 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
PURPOSE: Histatin-5 (Hst5), an endogenous antimicrobial peptide, has recently been shown to promote corneal epithelial wound healing and reduce inflammation after injury. This study aimed to investigate whether topical Hst5 treatment can inhibit corneal neovascularization and promote tissue recovery in a murine model of alkali burn injury.
METHODS: Mice were randomly assigned to two groups: balanced salt solution (BSS) and Hst5-treated (5 mL of 20 µM stock) after alkali injury. Alkali burns were induced on the cornea of each mouse and topically treated three times a day for up to two weeks. Wound closure was analyzed through epithelial wound healing, corneal opacity, and neovascularization. Histologic analysis was also conducted.
RESULTS: Topical Hst5 treatment significantly accelerated corneal wound healing, reducing residual epithelial defect area by ∼60% at 18 hours and achieving complete closure by 24 hours, compared with BSS-treated controls. Corneal opacity scores were significantly lower in the Hst5 group from Day 7 with near-clear corneas by Day 14. Neovascularization scores were markedly reduced in Hst5-treated eyes at Day 14, and accompanied by decreased infiltration of CD45⁺ immune cells.
CONCLUSIONS: Hst5 reduces alkali burn-induced corneal epithelial wound healing time, opacification and neovascularization in murine models. Future research is required before clinical implementation; however, the results suggest a potential therapeutic role for Hst5 for alleviating the adverse effects associated with acute corneal alkali injuries.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Topical Histatin-5 promotes epithelial regeneration and suppresses inflammation-driven corneal neovascularization following alkali injury, suggesting Hst5 as a novel, biologically-derived treatment to accelerate corneal healing and prevent vision loss after chemical burns.
Author List
Son KN, Lee SM, Shah D, Chaudhary M, Ong J, Reinhardt C, Shukla D, Han K, Aakalu VKAuthor
Vinay Kumar Aakalu MPH, MD Chair, Professor in the Ophthalmology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AlkaliesAnimals
Biomarkers
Burns, Chemical
Cornea
Corneal Injuries
Corneal Neovascularization
Disease Models, Animal
Eye Burns
Histatins
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Wound Healing
