Abstract
Purpose: :
The purpose of this study is to determine whether commercially available new multipurpose contact lens care solutions (MPSs) have any effect on membrane-associated mucins (Muc1 & 16) expressions in the cornea using SV40 transformed Human corneal epithelial Cells (HCET) and Rat cornea. Membrane-associated mucins are one of the major components of the ocular surface that play a vital role in the maintenance of the ocular surface integrity.
Methods: :
Human corneal epithelial cells were treated with different concentrations of MPS-F (1ppm PHMB, no boric acid), MPS-G (1.3ppm PHMB, 1ppm PQ-1, boric acid), MPS-H (1.6 ppm, Alexidine, 3ppm PQ-1, boric acid), MPS-I (1ppm PHMB, boric acid), and MPS-J (5ppm ALDOX, 10ppm PQ-1, boric acid): 100% treatment for 30 minutes and 10% treatment for 24 hours. Membrane-associated mucins (Muc 1 and Muc 16) expressions were subsequently analyzed by Western blot. Winstar Rats were also subjected to MPSs (1 drop in the right eye every 10 minutes for 1 hour). The left Eye was used as control (1 drop of PBS every 10 min for 1 hour). Cornea lysates were subsequently prepared and used for western blot analysis.
Results: :
Western blot results showed that MPSs containing boric acid down-regulate membrane-associated mucins in the cornea while MPSs without boric acid had no effect on membrane-associated mucins.
Conclusions: :
Boric acid used in commercially available multipurpose contact lens care solutions as a buffer concentration should be chosen carefully to avoid MPS-related ocular surface damage. Ocular surface damage simultaneously promotes microbial pathogens and potentially increases clinical rates of infection.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • cornea: surface mucins • cornea: basic science