Abstract
Purpose: :
Ocular surface epithelial cells express and produce a large number of molecules implicated in the initiation/perpetuation of inflammatory processes. TGF-β is a pleiotropic molecule whose expression is increased in inflammatory, proliferative, and degenerative ocular pathologies. The aim of this work was to determine how in vitro TGF-β treatment affected cytokine and metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion by ocular surface epithelial cells.
Methods: :
Human corneal (HCE) and conjunctival (IOBA-NHC) epithelial cells were exposed to TGF-β1 and -β2 for 24h and 48h. Cytokine/chemokine (22-plex) and MMPs (MMP-1, -3, -9 and -13) secretion was analyzed in cell supernatants by inmmunobead based assays in a Luminex IS-100.
Results: :
Cytokine/chemokine and MMPs secretion by ocular surface epithelial cells was modified after TGF-β treatment. Different effects were observed in some molecules depending the cell type (corneal or conjunctival), time of exposure (24h or 48h) and type of TGF-β (β1 or β2). GM-CSF secretion was significantly upregulated in both cell types after 24h (HCE) or 48h (HCE and IOBA-NHC) of TGF-β1 or -β2 exposure. IL-8 secretion upon TGF-β1 (24h) and upon TGF-β2 (24h and 48h) exposure was increased in IOBA-NHC cells. IL-10 secretion upon 24h or 48h of TGF-β1 or β2 exposure was increased in HCE cells. After 48h, TGF-β2 significantly increased IFN-γ and IL-2 secretion by HCE cells. IP-10 secretion was significantly downregulated in IOBA-NHC cells after 24h or 48h of TGF-β1 or -β2 exposure. RANTES secretion was significantly downregulated in IOBA-NHC cells after 24h of TGF-β1 or -β2 exposure. MMP-3 and -9 secretion was significantly increased in HCE cells upon 24 and 48h of TGF-β1 or - β2 treatment, whereas no significant effect in MMPs secretion was detected in IOBA-NHC cells.
Conclusions: :
TGF-β could play an important role in directing local inflammatory responses in ocular surface epithelial cells through modulation of their cytokine/chemokine and/or MMPs production.
Keywords: conjunctiva • cornea: epithelium • cytokines/chemokines