Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor secreted by corneal epithelial cells regulates dendritic cell maturation in dry eye disease

PurposeIn this study, we quantify Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor (PEDF) secreted by corneal epithelial cells and evaluate its immunomodulatory functions in a murine model of dry eye disease (DED).MethodsWe induced DED in female C57BL/6 mice using a controlled environment chamber for 14 days. We quantified mRNA expression of Serpinf1 gene and PEDF protein synthesis by corneal epithelial cells (CEpCs) using RT-PCR and ELISA. CEpCs from normal or DED mice were cultured with IFNγ-stimulated-dendritic cells (DCs) for 24 h, and expression of MHC-II and CD86 by DCs was determined using flow cytometry. Next, we either added recombinant PEDF (rPEDF) or anti-PEDF antibody to co-culture, and DC expression of the above maturation markers was quantified. Lastly, we treated DED mice with either topical rPEDF, anti-PEDF Ab or murine serum albumin (MSA), and DC maturation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and DED severity were investigated.ResultsSerpinf1 mRNA expression and PEDF protein production levels by CEpCs were upregulated in DED. CEpCs from DED mice exhibited an enhanced suppressive effect on the expression of MHC-II and CD86 by DCs, compared to normal mice. This effect was abolished by blocking endogenous PEDF with anti-PEDF Ab or enhanced by supplementing with rPEDF. Treatment with anti-PEDF antibody blocked the effect of endogenous-PEDF and increased DC maturation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in conjunctivae, and exacerbated disease severity in DED mice. Conversely, topical rPEDF enhanced the suppressive effect of endogenous PEDF on DC maturation, decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in conjunctivae, and reduced disease severity.ConclusionsThe results from our study elucidate the role of PEDF in impeding DC maturation, and suppression of ocular surface inflammation, explicating a promising therapeutic potential of PEDF in limiting the corneal epitheliopathy as a consequence of DED.     

A Mathematical Model of Aqueous Humor Production and Composition

PurposeWe develop a mathematical model that predicts aqueous humor (AH) production rate by the ciliary processes and aqueous composition in the posterior chamber (PC), with the aim of estimating how the aqueous production rate depends on the controlling parameters and how it can be manipulated.MethodsWe propose a compartmental mathematical model that considers the stromal region, ciliary epithelium, and PC. All domains contain an aqueous solution with different chemical species. We impose the concentration of all species on the stromal side and exploit the various ion channels present on the cell membrane to compute the water flux produced by osmosis, the solute concentrations in the AH and the transepithelial potential difference.ResultsWith a feasible set of parameters, the model predictions of water flux from the stroma to the PC and of the solute concentrations in the AH are in good agreement with measurements. Key parameters which impact the aqueous production rate are identified. A relevant role is predicted to be played by cell membrane permeability to K+ and Cl-, by the level of transport due to the Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger and to the co-transporter of Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻; and by carbonic anhydrase.ConclusionsThe mathematical model predicts the formation and composition of AH, based on the structure of the ciliary epithelium. The model provides insight into the physical processes underlying the functioning of drugs that are adopted to regulate the aqueous production. It also suggests ion channels and cell membrane properties that may be targeted to manipulate the aqueous production rate.     

盖玻片辅助人晶状体上皮细胞原代培养法

目的：建立人晶状体上皮细胞原代培养的简便方法并比较不同来源人品状体上皮细胞的生物学特性。方法：取胎龄20周合法引产胚胎眼晶状体囊膜、中山眼科中心眼库眼晶状体囊膜和白内障患者术中撕取的前囊膜，分别在培养皿中铺平，加10乩10％DMEM培养液润湿后加盖盖玻片防止卷曲并促进粘贴．添加培养液浸没盖玻片，37℃培养。同时取相同来源的囊膜按照组织块法培养。观察细胞增殖情况并比较原代人晶状体上皮细胞与人晶状体上皮细胞系SRA01／0413晶体蛋白的表达差异。结果：在盖玻片辅助下，胚胎眼晶状体囊膜第2天即可见明显的增殖细胞由囊膜缘长出，眼库眼囊膜和白内障患者术中撕取的囊膜在3～4d的潜伏期后亦可见增殖细胞长出；组织块法培养出现部分组织块漂浮，且胚胎眼囊膜潜伏期延长至3-4d，眼库眼囊膜和白内障患者晶状体囊膜潜伏期延长至4-5d。结论：盖玻片辅助的改良组织块培养法能尽快获得体外培养的原代晶状体上皮细胞，且操作简便，值得推广应用于品状体病的研究。     

老年性白内障血、房水、晶体中抗氧化酶的研究

目的：探讨老年性白内障患者血、房水、晶体中的抗氧化酶对晶体的保护作用。方法：用黄嘌呤氧化酶法和改进的还原型谷胱甘肽消耗法分别测定４０ 例老年性白内障患者的血、房水和晶体中的抗氧化酶（ＳＯＤ） 和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶ＧＳＨ－ ＰＸ并与２０ 只实验犬作对照。结果：实验组血中ＳＯＤ和ＧＳＨ－ ＰＸ活性明显高于实验组房水和晶体中二者的活性,ＧＳＨ－ ＰＸ在血－ 房水和血－ 晶体中活性差异有显著性意义（ｑ 检验,Ｐ＜ ０．０１）;ＳＯＤ在三者中活性差异无显著性意义（Ｆ检验,Ｐ＞ ０．０５）;对照组房水和晶体ＳＯＤ 明显高于血中,并在对照组的血、房水、晶体中其活性差异有显著性意义（ｑ 检验,Ｐ＜ ０．０１） ,对照组血和房水中ＧＳＨ－ ＰＸ 活性明显高于晶体中,并且ＧＳＨ－ ＰＸ 在三者中其活性差异有显著性意义（ｑ 检验,Ｐ＜０ ．０１）。结论：在房水和晶体中ＳＯＤ和ＧＳＨ－ ＰＸ活性的下降是形成老年性白内障的原因之一。     

Flomoxef Sodium and Levofloxacin Concentrations in Aqueous Humor

Aims: We intravenously administered flomoxef sodium (FMOX) 120 minutes before cataract surgery, topically administered levofloxacin (LVFX) into the eyes four times at 30-minute intervals before surgery, and measured the aqueous humor concentrations of these agents to investigate their penetration into the aqueous humor and their efficacy in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis. Methods: Sixty-eight patients who underwent cataract surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, or its affiliate, Kanazawa Hospital, Yokohama, were enrolled in this study. They received one or both of the following: 1.0 g FMOX via a 20-minute intravenous drip and LVFX ophthalmic solution applied four times at 30-minute intervals, both beginning two hours before the operation. Aqueous humor was aspirated from the anterior chamber and assayed for FMOX and LVFX concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The mean intraoperative FMOX and LVFX concentrations in the patients' aqueous humor were 1.21 ± 0.63 μ g/ml and 0.69 ± 0.47 μ g/ml, respectively. These concentrations sufficiently exceeded the MIC90 values against Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, and Propionibacterium acnes. Conclusions: The FMOX and LVFX concentrations in the aqueous humor sampling were adequate to kill bacteria in vitro. These drugs may have efficacy in the prevention of postoperative endophthalmitis in patients undergoing cataract surgery.     

A Study of Growth Factor Receptors in Human Lens Epithelial Cells and their Relationship to Fiber Differentiation

Recent studies have demonstrated that several growth factors enhance fiber differentiation in cultured human lens epithelial (HLE) cells in early passages. However, these effects gradually decrease in cells of later passages. The purpose of this investigation is to test the hypothesis that the decreasing effect of growth factors on fiber differentiation in later passages may be due to a decrease or the inactivation of growth factor receptors as a function of serial subcultures. Specimens of HLE cells were obtained from infants. First through to fourth passage cells were treated with 10 ng ml⁻¹of epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor or insulin-like growth factor-I. Fiber differentiation was determined from spontaneous lentoid formation by phase-contrast and transmission electron microscopy. Growth factor binding to the receptor on the cell surface was determined by transmission electron microscopy using the conjugates of colloidal gold and growth factors, and the number of receptors on the cell surface were also quantified by immunocytochemistry. Spontaneous lentoid formation was enhanced by all of the growth factors studied in the first passage. However, in the second and third passage only double layering of cells without characteristic fiber differentiation was observed while in the fourth passage, growth factors had no effect on differentiation. The number of growth factor bindings as well as the number of growth factor receptors gradually decreased with the number of passages. The loss of effect of growth factors on fiber differentiation with increasing number of passages correlated with the decrease in receptor number.     

老年性白内障与透明晶状体上皮内蛋白酶体活性的比较

目的:比较老年性白内障晶状体上皮与透明晶状体上皮内蛋白酶体的糜蛋白酶样、胰蛋白酶样酶活性是否存在差异,进而探讨蛋白酶体在老年性白内障发生发展中的作用机制。方法:白内障晶状体囊膜取自在我院行白内障超声乳化及人工晶状体植入的患者,透明晶状体囊膜取自广东省眼库,年龄与白内障病人相匹配。反复冻融囊膜使细胞脱落,将囊膜从溶液中除去。各组样品中分别加入LLVY或VGR,在不同时间测定荧光强度。结果:透明晶状体上皮的蛋白酶体活性明显高于白内障组(P<0.01);皮质型与非皮质型白内障晶状体上皮的糜蛋白酶样酶活性无明显区别(P>0.05);MG-132明显抑制各组蛋白酶体的活性。结论:与透明晶状体相比,白内障晶状体上皮内蛋白酶体的糜蛋白酶样、胰蛋白酶样酶活性明显降低,蛋白酶体活性降低可能在老年性白内障的形成中起重要的调节作用。     

EGCG抗兔晶状体上皮细胞增殖机制中p38激酶作用的研究

目的:研究p38激酶在绿茶提取物中的表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯[(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate,EGCG]抗晶状体上皮细胞增殖机制中的作用。 方法:用噻唑蓝比色法(MTT比色法)研究p38的特异性抑制剂SB203580对EGCG抑制晶状体上皮细胞增殖作用的影响;用Western Blot法研究EGCG对p38激酶的磷酸化和非磷酸化水平的影响。 结果:(1)预先加入25μmol/L,50μmol/L的SB203580孵育1h后,100μmol/L EGCG对晶状体上皮细胞增殖的抑制率低于对照组,但这种差别没有统计学上的意义(P>0.05);200μmol/L EGCG组对晶状体上皮细胞的抑制率低于对照组,有统计学的意义(P<0.05);(2)在晶状体上皮细胞,磷酸化的p38基础水平很低。p38的磷酸化水平随EGCG浓度的增加逐渐增加,而非磷酸化的p38的水平与基础水平一样保持不变。以200μmol/L EGCG作用15min来研究其对p38的磷酸化和非磷酸化影响的时-效规律发现,加药后初期,p38的磷酸化水平很高,随后逐渐下降。同时,非磷酸化p38的水平保持不变。 结论:(1)EGCG对晶状体上皮细胞的增殖抑制作用可能通过p38通路;(2)EGCG对p38影响主要在于调节蛋白激酶的磷酸化与去磷酸化水平,不影响总蛋白含量。眼科学报 2003;19:236-238。     

添加晶体皮质提高晶体上皮细胞原代培养成功率

目的介绍一种提高晶体上皮细胞原代培养成功率的方法。方法基本步骤为将一晶体前囊膜剪碎后加纯胎牛血清０．５ｍｌ和冰冻过的新生牛晶体皮质０．５～１ｍｌ，密封培养２４～４８ｈ后添加约３ｍｌ含１０％胎牛血清的ＤＭＥＭ培养液继续培养。结果用该方法原代培养新生牛、幼年兔和人胚胎及角膜移植后的中青年供体标本，成功率为１００％，老年白内障手术取出标本成功率为８７％。结论添加晶体皮质可提高晶体上皮细胞原代培养成功率。     

兔眼局部应用盐酸川芎嗪滴眼液的前房穿透性研究

目的:探讨兔眼局部应用盐酸川芎嗪滴眼液后前房穿透性。方法:18只白兔随机分为6组,并于各组白兔结膜囊内滴入50μL盐酸川芎嗪滴眼液,分别于5、15、30、60、120、180min取房水,采用高效液相色谱法进行测定。色谱柱为DiamonsilCl8不锈钢柱(250mm×4.6mm,5μm);流动相为甲醇:水=62:38;流速:0.9mL/min;检测波长为280nm。结果:5、15、30、60、120、180min各组的房水浓度分别为(15.785±2.988)μg/mL,(11.900±1.743)μg/mL,(8.286±1.182)μg/mL,(2.745±0.807)μg/mL,(0.379±0.091)μg/mL,(0.049±0.038)μg/mL,其中5min为最高峰,然后逐渐下降,180min后房水浓度已降到很低。结论:盐酸川芎嗪滴眼液滴眼后房水穿透性良好,这一结果为盐酸川芎嗪滴眼液局部应用后治疗眼前部疾病提供了实验依据。     

葛根素经全身用药在兔眼房水和玻璃体中的药代动力学

目的:测定腹腔注射单次剂量的葛根素后不同时间点新西兰白兔眼房水、玻璃体中葛根素的浓度变化,探讨葛根素在兔眼房水和玻璃体中的药动学变化。方法:新西兰白兎随机分组,每只白兔腹腔注射葛根素80mg/kg,在用药前(0h)和用药后0.5、1、2、3、4、6、8、12、16、24h取房水液、玻璃体液,采用反相高效液相色谱法(RP-HPLC)进行测定。3P87软件拟合药动学参数。结果:腹腔注射葛根素后,其浓度在正常新西兰白兔房水、玻璃体呈开放式二房室模型。理论值:高峰浓度(Cmax)分别为1.61、0.09μg/ml,达峰时间(tmax)为1.68、1.81h,半衰期t1/2α为1.36、1.05h,t1/2β为19.72、15.18h,清除率(CL)分别为2.17、12.43L/h。实测值30min分别为(0.78±0.29)μg/ml、(0.06±0.02)μg/ml,2h达高峰,分别为(2.32±0.15)μg/ml、(0.12±0.04)μg/ml,随后逐渐下降,6h后房水中葛根素含量降至0.57μg/ml,玻璃体为0.05μg/ml,16h后,葛根素在房水和玻璃体中的浓度降至0.03μg/ml或以下。结论:本方法灵敏、特异、准确和快速,可用于房水、玻璃体中葛根素浓度的测定;葛根素通过腹腔注射能透过血-眼屏障进入房水、玻璃体,进入房水的葛根素药量较大,进入玻璃体的药量有限。     

Characteristic Profiles of Inflammatory Cytokines in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucomatous Eyes

Purpose: To analyze cytokine profiles of the aqueous humor of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), neovascular glaucoma (NVG), and cataract (as controls).

Methods: A multiplex bead assay was used to measure concentrations of 27 cytokines in aqueous humor samples from 54 eyes.

Results: Detection rates were as follows: IL-7: NVG higher than POAG; IL-10: POAG lower than cataract or NVG; and GM-CSF: cataract higher than POAG or NVG. Concentrations were as follows: IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1β: POAG and NVG higher than cataract; IL-9: POAG lower than NVG; IL-12: POAG lower than cataract or NVG; and VEGF: NVG higher than cataract or POAG and POAG lower than cataract. Further analysis showed that IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1β were correlated with intraocular pressure and age.

Conclusions: The detection rates and levels of various cytokines had different patterns in POAG and NVG patients, suggesting distinctive alterations in the microenvironment in different types of glaucoma.     

Use of Aqueous Humor and Flow Cytometry in Ocular Sarcoidosis Diagnosis

Purpose: To report the use of flow cytometry on aqueous fluid to diagnose sarcoidosis in a patient with recurrent granulomatous anterior uveitis.

Methods: Case report.

Results: Flow cytometry on aqueous fluid demonstrated a CD4/CD8 ratio >9.5, consistent with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Conclusions: Flow cytometry on aqueous fluid may offer an additional pathway for diagnosing sarcoid anterior uveitis.     

Effects of Calcium on Human Lens Epithelial Cells In Vitro

Purpose To analyze the effect of calcium on human lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro.Methods Human LECs were obtained from the anterior lens capsule during a cataract operation, and were cultured in minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 12% fetal bovine serum for a week at 37°C, 5% CO₂. The LECs were then isolated with trypsin and placed in culture dishes. To analyze the effects of calcium, the LECs were incubated in MEM with calcium concentrations of 0, 2, 10, or 20mM. After H&E staining for 72h, the LECs were analyzed with the Scion imaging program.Results The LECs proliferated rapidly and their shapes were uniform in 2-mM-calcium MEM. The LECs proliferated more slowly and had irregular shapes in MEM with lower and higher concentrations of calcium.Conclusions Calcium affects both the proliferation and the shape of human LECs in culture. Abnormal (hyper- or hypo-) calcium concentrations in the lens and aqueous humor may change the homeostasis of LECs, resulting in cataracts and secondary posterior capsular opacification. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2004;48:97–100 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2004     

人晶体上皮细胞的体外培养

目的:提供一种简单可行,易于掌握的体外培养人晶体上皮细胞的方法。方法:用无齿显微镊子将晶体囊膜分离出来,剪碎后直接移至细胞培养瓶中培养,当细胞长出融合后,用胰蛋白酶消化传代。结果:接种培养4天后,可见晶体上皮细胞开始长出,并以贴壁方式生长。结论:用此方法体外培养人晶体上皮细胞,具有简单、快捷、成功率高的优点。眼科学报1997;13:170—172。     

缺氧状态下牛视网膜色素上皮细胞增殖与VEGF分泌的研究

目的:探讨缺氧对牛视网膜色素上皮(retinal pigment epithelium,RPE)细胞分泌血管内皮细胞生长因子(vascular epithelial growth factor,VEGF)的作用及VEGF与RPE细胞增殖的相关性。 方法:以不同环境(正常:5％ CO_2,95％空气,37℃;缺氧:3％ O_2,5％ CO_2,92％ N_2,37℃)下培养的牛RPE细胞为研究对象,抗VEGF单克隆抗体(VEGF M_(Ab))为干预剂,培养24h后收集上清:(1)ELISA VEGF kit测定VEGF含量;(2)用四甲基偶氮唑蓝[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromid,MTT]比色法观察不同培养环境下抗VEGF单克隆抗体干预时细胞的增殖程度。 结果:吸光度A值和VEGF含量:缺氧加VEGF MAb组(A组)分别为(1.812±0.068)、(55.07±19.18)pg/ml;缺氧无VEGF MAb组(B组)分别为(2.292±0.197)、(171.61±16.02)pg/ml;正常加VEGF MAb组(C组)分别为(1.350±0.185)、(43.92±21.39)pg/ml;正常无VEGF MAb组(D组)分别为(1.435±0.157)、(48.51±24.73)pg/ml。其中A组细胞增殖程度和VEGF含量均较B组明显降低,两组之间的差异均具有显著性(P<0.05)。A组与D组在细胞增殖程度上差异有显著性,P<0.05;B组细胞增殖程度和VEGF含量均较C组明显增高,两组之间的差异均具有显著性(P<0.05);通过Pearson Correlation相关分析发     

The Investigation of HCV RNA in Tear Fluid and Aqueous Humor in Patients with Anti-HCV Antibody Positive Who Underwent Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To obtain aqueous humor and tear fluid samples during cataract surgery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-antibody-positive patients in order to analyze them for HCV RNA and compare these measurements with serum HCV RNA levels.

Methods: Twenty-nine anti-HCV-positive patients were included this study. HCV RNA viral load levels were determined by commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction system. Antibodies to HCV were screened with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using anti-HCV test kit.

Results: Log₁₀ HCV RNA levels were found to be 6.00?±?1.06?IU/mL in serum, 2.76?±?0.36?IU/mL in the aqueous humor, and 1.91?±?0.93?IU/mL in tear fluid. No correlation was detected between samples for HCV RNA positivity (p?=?.390, κ?=?.102). We have observed that, viral RNA was detected in the aqueous humor, while not in serum in one case, whereas viral RNA was detected in tear fluid but not in serum in another case.

Conclusions: Although viral load detected in aqueous humor and tear fluid samples was considerably lower compared to the serum samples, it can still be important in terms of infectivity.     

Different Sensitivities to Apoptotic Induction by Camptothecin between Normal and Senescent Lens Epithelial Cells

PURPOSE: To investigate whether normal and senescent lens epithelial cells have different defense abilities to apoptotic induction factor in vitro. METHODS: Rabbit lens epithelial cells were cultured, passed. When reaching confluence, cells from the first and seventh passage were stained by x-gal staining to detect cell senescence. Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL(Roche). 10 micromol/L camptothecin was used to induce cell apoptosis from the lens epithelial cells of the first and seventh passage to distinguish different sensitivities to apoptotic induction factor between normal and senescent cells. RESULTS: The senescent cells (41.17% +/- 5.24%) were detected in the lens epithelial cell culture of the seventh passage, which are higher than those of the first passage (0.98% +/- 0.39%). There was no apoptotic cell detected in the cell cultures undisturbed. Exposure of the first passage cells to camptothecin resulted in death of approximately 23.87% +/- 3.45% of the cells during a 36 hour exposure period. In contrast, significantly more lens epithelial cells died through the apoptosis (38.29% +/- 4.01%) from the seventh passage. CONCLUSION: Senescent cells increased with cell passage. Senescence lens epithelial cells do not undergo apoptosis if they were not disturbed. But the vulnerabilities to apoptotic induction between health and senescence cells were different.     

Effect of Pyruvate on Polyol Pathway and Lens Epithelial Cells Apoptosis in Diabetic Rats

A poptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) is considered as pathogenesis of several types of cataract formation[1]. Some studies have shown that apoptosis of lens epithelial cells plays an important role in the development of diabetic cataract[2]. Recently, it has been re- ported that apoptosis of lens epithelial cells isinduced when lens epithelial cells are cultured in mediumcontaininghigh glucose[3]. In the pre- sent study, rats were used to analyse apoptosis of lens epithelial cells in th…     

Proteomic Analysis of Human Lens Epithelial Cells Exposed to Microwaves

Purpose

To study proteomic changes in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) exposed to 1800-MHz Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)-like microwaves.

Methods

In three separate experiments, HLECs were exposed and sham-exposed (six dishes each) to 1800-MHz GSM-like radiation for 2?h. The specific absorption rates were 1.0, 2.0, or 3.5?W/kg. Immediately after radiation, the proteome was extracted from the HLECs. Immobilized pH gradient two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(2-DE; silver staining) and PDQuest 2-DE analysis software were used to separate and analyze the proteome of exposed and sham-exposed HLECs. Four differentially expressed protein spots were selected and identified by using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS).

Results

When the protein profiles of exposed cells were compared with those of sham-exposed cells, four proteins were detected as upregulated. After analysis by ESI-MS-MS and through a database search, heat-shock protein (HSP) 70 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) were determined to be upregulated in the exposed cells.

Conclusions

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry may be a powerful tool for screening potential electromagnetic-reaction protein markers. HSP70 and hnRNP K are involved in the stress reaction of HLECs exposed to microwaves. These cell responses are nonthermal effects of the electromagnetic field.?Jpn J Ophthalmol 2007;51:412–416 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2007