Abstract
Purpose:
Protease activated receptors (PARs) are G-protein coupled receptors, which initiate inflammatory responses when activated by serine proteinase. We hypothesized that MIP-133 (mannose induced protein) and aPA (Acanthamoeba plasminogen activator) activate PARs on the corneal epithelial cells, resulting in signal transduction and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that modulate corneal inflammation in Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Methods:
Human corneal epithelial cells were incubated with or without purified 15 ug aPA or 7.5 ug MIP-133 for 24 hr. As a positive control the cells were incubated with a 10 uM-human thrombin, PAR1 agonist. Corneal epithelial cells were also stimulated with a PAR2 agonist such as 10nM bovine trypsin, and 100 uM peptide corresponding to the receptor-activating tethered domains of PAR2 (SLIGRL-NH2). The expression of PAR1 and PAR 2 mRNA in human corneal epithelial cells was examined by RT-PCR. IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression was determined by RT-PCR and the levels of secreted IL-8 were determined by ELISA.
Results:
Stimulation of corneal epithelial cells with a PAR1 agonist (thrombin) and aPA or PAR2 agonist (SLIGRL-NH2), trypsin and aPA resulted in upregulation of PAR1 and PAR2 mRNA and a significant IL-8 (P<0.05) protein production (10-13 fold). Thrombin failed to upregulate IL-6 and IL-8 genes expression in HEC cells, however, MIP-133 induced upregulation of IL-8 mRNA expression. Thrombin and MIP-133 were able to induce IL-8 protein production by corneal epithelial cells (2 fold).
Conclusions:
MIP-133 and aPA interact with PAR1 and PAR2 on HCE cells and activate pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines from HCE cells. Disruption of PAR1 and PAR2 activity might have a major impact on preventing inflammatory responses in Acanthamoeba keratitis and bacterial infection.
Keywords: 402 Acanthamoeba •
480 cornea: basic science •
594 microbial pathogenesis: experimental studies