Genipin increases extracellular matrix synthesis preventing corneal perforation

Purpose: Corneal melting and perforation are feared sight-threatening complications of infections, autoimmune disease, and severe burns. Assess the use of genipin in treating stromal melt.

Methods: A model for corneal wound healing was created through epithelial debridement and mechanical burring to injure the corneal stromal matrix in adult mice. Murine corneas were then treated with varying concentrations of genipin, a natural occurring crosslinking agent, to investigate the effects that matrix crosslinking using genipin has in wound healing and scar formation. Genipin was used in patients with active corneal melting.

Results: Corneas treated with higher concentrations of genipin were found to develop denser stromal scarring in a mouse model. In human corneas, genipin promoted stromal synthesis and prevention of continuous melt. Genipin mechanisms of action create a favorable environment for upregulation of matrix synthesis and corneal scarring.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that genipin increases matrix synthesis and inhibits the activation of latent transforming growth factor-β. These findings are translated to patients with severe corneal melting.