Abstract
Purpose::
To characterize the O-linked oligosaccharides profile from tear fluids of patients with ocular rosacea and distinguish it from tear fluids of normal subjects. To identify specific hexuronic oligomers as potential markers for this disease.
Methods::
Tear fluid was collected from 23 subjects (12 controls and 11 patients with ocular rosacea) after conjunctival stimulation with filter (Schirmer) paper. O-linked oligosaccharides were released from tear fluid by ß-elimination and then purified using solid-phase extraction. Mass spectra were recorded on an external source HiResMALDI with a 7.0 T magnet. Tear samples from 11 subjects (5 controls and 6 patients) were pooled in two different groups, control and rosacea patients respectively, in order to identify hexuronic oligomers. Samples from the remained 12 subjects were analyzed in a masked fashion in order to determine a glycomic profile of the O-linked oligosaccharides found in tear fluid from patients with ocular rosacea.
Results::
Patients with rosacea presented several oligomeric series that were not found in the controls. Higher masses of oligosaccharides, specifically anionic oligosaccharides, were found in the tear fluids of patients with ocular rosacea.
Conclusions::
We showed that high levels of anionic oligosaccharides might characterize the glycomic profile of tear fluids in patients with ocular rosacea. However, a general increase of anionic mucin glycoproteins may not necessarily be specific to rosacea. In addition, it seems reasonable that hexuronic oligomer might potentially work as specific markers for this disease.
Keywords: cornea: surface mucins • cornea: basic science • cornea: clinical science