Solutions

Online Inquiry

* Your Name

* Phone Number

* E-mail Address

* Services Interested

Project Description

Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK)

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe and blinding corneal disease with an insidious onset. It primarily presents with ocular surface irritation, corneal infiltration, and ulceration. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can result in significant vision loss. Our company is well-equipped to address your drug and therapy development requirements in Acanthamoeba Keratitis therapy.

Introduction to Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious parasitic infection of the cornea, primarily affecting contact lens wearers. The incidence rate in the United States is estimated at approximately one to two cases per million contact lens users annually. Globally, the annual incidence is around 2.9 cases per million people, with higher rates observed in regions with warmer climates and lower sanitation standards.

Pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a corneal infection caused by at least eight species of Acanthamoeba. The pathogenesis involves trophozoites binding to mannosylated proteins on the corneal epithelium, leading to the release of cytopathic factors such as MIP-133, which degrades corneal cells and stroma. This results in severe pain due to radial keratoneuritis. Contact lens wear significantly increases the risk of AK by upregulating mannosylated proteins that facilitate trophozoite binding and invasion.

Fig. 1 Acanthamoeba-mediated corneal epithelial cell death. (Lorenzo-Morales, J., et al., 2015)

Molecular Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Biomarkers play a crucial role in the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. For instance, mannose-induced protease 133 (MIP-133) is a key enzyme secreted by Acanthamoeba trophozoites, closely associated with the pathogenicity of the disease.
Molecular diagnostic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, have been widely used in diagnosing Acanthamoeba keratitis. These methods can rapidly and accurately diagnose the disease by detecting Acanthamoeba DNA in individual samples.

Small Molecule Drugs Development of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Drug Name	Mechanism of Action	Target	Development Stage
Chlorhexidine	Increases cell membrane permeability, effective against trophozoite and cyst stages	Bacterial Dihydropteroate synthetase (Bact folP)	Established use
Voriconazole	Inhibits synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes	Candida Cytochrome P450 51 (Candi ERG11)	Investigational use
Miltefosine	Alkylphosphocholine, effective against trophozoite and cyst stages	Phospholipase A2 (PLA2G1B)	Orphan drug status, investigational use

Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research service. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.

Our Services

Our company embraces a partnership-driven approach. We work closely with clients to develop customized, innovative Acanthamoeba Keratitis therapy strategies and provide strong support throughout the process.

Platforms of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Therapy Development

Animal Models of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

We possess established expertise in developing and using animal models that accurately replicate the disease characteristics and therapeutic responses. These models allow us to assess the safety and efficacy of potential therapies.

Non-Genetically Engineering Models
We offer a variety of models tailored to specific research needs related to Acanthamoeba Keratitis. These models enable researchers to simulate and investigate the complex biological processes involved in Acanthamoeba Keratitis.
Optional Models	Acanthamoeba Inoculation-Induced Model	Acanthamoeba Inoculation-Induced Corneal Transplantation Model
Genetically Engineered Models
Our proficiency in genetic engineering techniques enables us to create precise and reliable models that replicate the genetic alterations seen in Acanthamoeba Keratitis.
Optional Models	IL-10 Knockout Mice Model Human TNF-α Transgenic Mice Model	HLA-A2 Transgenic Mice Model IL-1R1 Conditional Knockout Mouse Model in Corneal Epithelial Cells
Optional Species	Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others

Additionally, we can offer other comprehensive Animal models services that focus on specific signaling pathways and molecular targets.

If our services interest you, please contact us at your earliest convenience for more details .

References

Lorenzo-Morales, J., et al., "An update on Acanthamoeba keratitis: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment." Parasite, (2015). 22: p. 10.
Niederkorn, J.Y., "The biology of Acanthamoeba keratitis." Exp Eye Res, (2021). 202: p. 108365.