About this Research Topic
Proliferative dysfunctions on the eye surface represent a significant area of concern within ophthalmology, characterized by unregulated tissue growth that can lead to partial or total vision loss. These dysfunctions encompass a range of pathologies, including fibrosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), hyperplasia, and neoplastic growth. Fibrosis, often resulting from chronic wound repair processes, involves the transformation of local epithelial cells or the migration of fibrotic cells, leading to excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Pterygium, a common benign disorder, is associated with UV exposure, yet its genetic underpinnings remain unclear. Additionally, ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and other rare tumors exhibit over-proliferative neoplastic lesions. Despite the diversity of these conditions, they share common mechanisms such as EMT and fibroblast proliferation. However, the distinctive and shared cellular events, environmental and genetic factors, and biochemical mechanisms contributing to these pathologies are not fully understood, highlighting the need for further investigation.
This Research Topic aims to gather articles about proliferative alterations of the eye surface, focusing on new pathological mechanisms from an epidemiological, genetic, biochemical, and molecular perspective. Additionally, we aim to include emerging prevention and treatment strategies. We will consider articles that focus on pterygium, pinguecula, fibrosis, and EMT caused by corneal scarring at the epithelial and stromal levels, as well as corneal endothelium alteration, eye surface squamous neoplasia, and other eye surface cancers. Several questions regarding these ocular diseases remain unresolved, and more studies are needed to gain a better understanding and develop innovative and personalized therapies.
To gather further insights into the proliferative dysfunctions of the eye surface, we welcome Brief Research Report, Clinical Trial, Mini Review, Original Research, Practice Reviews, Review and Systematic Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Novel molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying ocular surface pathologies
• The role of environmental factors, such as UV exposure, in disease progression
• Comparative studies on EMT in fibrosis and cancer
• Advances in diagnostic techniques for early detection of ocular surface neoplasia
• Innovative therapeutic approaches and personalized medicine strategies
• Epidemiological studies on the prevalence and risk factors of these conditions
• The impact of fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition on disease development
This Research Topic aims to gather articles about proliferative alterations of the eye surface, focusing on new pathological mechanisms from an epidemiological, genetic, biochemical, and molecular perspective. Additionally, we aim to include emerging prevention and treatment strategies. We will consider articles that focus on pterygium, pinguecula, fibrosis, and EMT caused by corneal scarring at the epithelial and stromal levels, as well as corneal endothelium alteration, eye surface squamous neoplasia, and other eye surface cancers. Several questions regarding these ocular diseases remain unresolved, and more studies are needed to gain a better understanding and develop innovative and personalized therapies.
To gather further insights into the proliferative dysfunctions of the eye surface, we welcome Brief Research Report, Clinical Trial, Mini Review, Original Research, Practice Reviews, Review and Systematic Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Novel molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying ocular surface pathologies
• The role of environmental factors, such as UV exposure, in disease progression
• Comparative studies on EMT in fibrosis and cancer
• Advances in diagnostic techniques for early detection of ocular surface neoplasia
• Innovative therapeutic approaches and personalized medicine strategies
• Epidemiological studies on the prevalence and risk factors of these conditions
• The impact of fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition on disease development
Keywords: Proliferation, Epithelia, Cancer, Fibrosis, Eye Surface, Cornea, Conjunctiva, Pterygium
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
