A Novel Combination Therapy Tβ4/VIP Protects against Hyperglycemia-Induced Changes in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Ebrahim AS, Carion TW, Ebrahim T, Win J, Kani H, Wang Y, Stambersky A, Ibrahim AS, Sosne G, Berger EA

Biosensors7 Nov 2023Cited by 9 (Europe PMC)

PMID37998149PMCIDPMC10669755DOI10.3390/bios13110974PepBankPUB-37998149

Summary

Despite the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, the majority of adult diabetic patients develop visually debilitating corneal complications, including impaired wound healing. Unfortunately, there is limited treatment for diabetes-induced corneal damage. The current project investigates a novel, peptide-based combination therapy, thymosin beta-4 and vasoactive intestinal peptide (Tβ4/VIP), against high-glucose-induced damage to the corneal epithelium. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used for real-time monitoring of barrier function and wound healing of human corneal epithelial cells maintained in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± Tβ4 (0.1%) and VIP (5 nM). Barrier integrity was assessed by resistance, impedance, and capacitance measurements. For the wound healing assay, cell migration was also monitored. Corneal epithelial tight junction proteins (ZO-1, ZO-2, occludin, and claudin-1) were assessed to confirm our findings. Barrier integrity and wound healing were significantly impaired under high-glucose conditions. However, barrier function and cell migration significantly improved with Tβ4/VIP treatment. These findings were supported by high-glucose-induced downregulation of tight junction proteins that were effectively maintained similar to normal levels when treated with Tβ4/VIP. These results strongly support the premise that Tβ4 and VIP work synergistically to protect corneal epithelial cells against hyperglycemia-induced damage. In addition, this work highlights the potential for significant translational impact regarding the treatment of diabetic patients and associated complications of the cornea.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).

01LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In human corneal epithelial cells under high glucose, Tβ4/VIP combination treatment significantly improved barrier function.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown corneal cells under high glucose, the Tβ4 and VIP combination improved barrier function. The result is for the combination.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseBarrier function
Study
n: not reported in source
Human corneal epithelial cells, high glucose (25 mM)
Comparator
High glucose without Tβ4/VIP
Outcome group
Wound healing · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
However, barrier function and cell migration significantly improved with Tβ4/VIP treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used for real-time monitoring of barrier function and wound healing of human corneal epithelial cells maintained in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± Tβ4 (0.1%) and VIP (5 nM).
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3799814901
02LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In human corneal epithelial cells under high glucose, Tβ4/VIP combination treatment significantly improved cell migration.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown corneal cells under high glucose, the Tβ4 and VIP combination improved cell movement. The result is for the combination.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseCell migration (wound healing assay)
Study
n: not reported in source
Human corneal epithelial cells, high glucose (25 mM)
Comparator
High glucose without Tβ4/VIP
Outcome group
Wound healing · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
However, barrier function and cell migration significantly improved with Tβ4/VIP treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used for real-time monitoring of barrier function and wound healing of human corneal epithelial cells maintained in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± Tβ4 (0.1%) and VIP (5 nM).
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3799814902
03LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In human corneal epithelial cells, Tβ4/VIP combination treatment maintained tight junction proteins at levels similar to normal despite high-glucose-induced downregulation.
In plain wordsIn lab-grown corneal cells, the Tβ4 and VIP combination kept barrier proteins near normal levels under high glucose.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTight junction proteins (ZO-1, ZO-2, occludin, claudin-1)
Study
n: not reported in source
Human corneal epithelial cells, high glucose (25 mM)
Comparator
High glucose without Tβ4/VIP
Outcome group
Wound healing · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
These findings were supported by high-glucose-induced downregulation of tight junction proteins that were effectively maintained similar to normal levels when treated with Tβ4/VIP.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used for real-time monitoring of barrier function and wound healing of human corneal epithelial cells maintained in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± Tβ4 (0.1%) and VIP (5 nM).
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3799814903

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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