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Abstract The protein epidermal growth factor (EGF), which plays a crucial role in promoting cell proliferation and survival, has recently demonstrated potential in reducing inflammation. In this study, we examined the impact of EGF on the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties of pterygium, a prevalent hypervascular proliferative disease affecting the ocular surface. In surgically excised tissues, markers for fibrotic and inflammatory signals, including VIM, ACTA2, FAP, MMP2, VCAM1, ICAM1, CD86, IL6, and IL1B were upregulated in the pterygium body stroma compared to the normal conjunctival stroma. EGF exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-vasculogenic effects on pterygial fibroblasts when co-cultured with M1 macrophages. Moreover, exosomes derived from EGF-preconditioned M1 macrophages suppressed the heightened inflammatory and vasculogenic signals in pterygial fibroblasts induced by exosomes from M1 macrophages. Paradoxically, the proliferation of pterygial fibroblasts was inhibited by EGF in the in vitro microenvironment with M1 macrophages, despite EGF being known as a growth factor. EGF-preconditioning of M1 macrophages rescued the increased proliferation of pterygial fibroblasts induced by exosomes from M1 macrophages. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that EGF effectively mitigates inflammation and proliferation in pterygial fibroblasts within a microenvironment containing M1 macrophages.

A review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using electroacupuncture (EA) to treat patients with foot drop was performed to analyze the effectiveness of EA for this condition. Relevant studies (n = 183) from 7 databases (Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System) were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 12 RCTs met the selection criteria. In all 12 studies, EA showed significantly positive changes. In most indicators, positive changes were observed in the EA group compared with that in the control group. Significant increases were confirmed in muscle strength-related indicators such as the Fugl–Meyer motor scale, surface electromyography, active range of motion, and gait-related indicators such as the Tinetti score, maximum walking speed, and Berg balance scale. No notable adverse events were reported. EA is suggested as an effective treatment for post-stroke foot drop; however, more RCTs are required.

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), a protein pivotal in cell proliferation and survival, has recently shown promise in alleviating inflammation. This study investigates EGF's impact on M1 macrophages, exploring its potential for anti-inflammatory and anti-vasculogenic interactions with corneal endothelial cells (CECs). Polarized M1 macrophages treated with EGF exhibited a suppression of gene expressions related to inflammatory and vasculogenic signals. The anti-inflammatory effects of EGF were observed in co-culture systems with human CECs (HCECs), showcasing its ability to alter macrophage phenotypes. Exosomes derived from EGF-treated M1 macrophages demonstrated enriched proteomic profiles related to immune system regulation and inflammation inhibition. When applied as eye drops in murine corneas, EGF-conditioned M1 macrophage-derived exosomes effectively reduced inflammation and increased M2-related ARG1 expression. This study highlights EGF's potential in mitigating inflammation in M1 macrophages and its delivery through exosomes to cultured HCECs and murine corneas, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue for ocular surface anti-inflammatory treatments.