Effects of contact lens solutions on gene expression using an in vitro eye model

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to use an in vitro model to test the effects of several different contact lens (CL) solutions for their cytokine/chemokine stimulating potential. Methods: Whole mouse eyes were cultured in medium supplemented with various CL solutions (50/50 v/v). Additionally, a 5 µL aliquot of the corresponding solution was topically delivered to each eye, and then eyes were incubated for 6 h at 37°C. Corneas were then removed and subsequently processed for mRNA extraction. Ribonuclease protection assays (RPA) were performed to analyze corneal samples for changes in expression of various pro– and anti–inflammatory mediators. Densitometric analyses of autoradiographs were used to semi–quantitate mRNA expression levels. Results: For RPA analysis, panel mCK–2b (IL–1α, IL–1ß, IL–1RA, IL–6, IL–10, IL–12 p35, IL–12 p40, IL–18, IFN–γ and MIF) was used. Levels of mRNA expression were detected for IL–1α, IL–1ß, IL–1RA, IL–6, IL–18 and MIF in all corneal samples. Cytokine expression levels in the CL treated groups were compared to eyes that were similarly incubated/treated with PBS. Solutions were compared based upon cytokine expression levels and ranked accordingly: OptiFree^R Express^R (Alcon) > ReNu MultiPlus^R (Bausch & Lomb) > SOLO–care^R PLUS (CIBA Vision) > AQuify^TM MPS (CIBA Vision) > PBS. Conclusions: This in vitro eye model allows the assessment and comparison of different CL solutions and their potential for upregulation of host cytokines/chemokines in the cornea through analysis of gene expression levels. AQuify^TM MPS (CIBA Vision) was the most similar to phosphate buffered saline compared to the other solutions tested.

Keywords: contact lens • cytokines/chemokines • inflammation