Abstract
Purpose :
An in vitro model of inflammatory dry eye based on 3D reconstructed human corneal epithelium (HCE) with infiltrating THP-1 cells has been used to evaluate the efficacy of an ocular surface modulator (T-Lysyal) to inhibit immune cells infiltration and to control the inflammatory response.
Methods :
The HCE model was exposed to dryness conditions (T=40°C and Rh<40%) for 48 hours and then co-cultured with monocytes THP-1 at defined density cells for 4 hours. Thirty μl of T-Lysyal were applied on corneal surface for 4 hours and 24 hours. Tissue morphology by H&E staining and immuno-histochemistry of CD14 and CD86 were performed after 4 and the 24 hours in treated and control HCE. As negative controls were used HCE exposed to the same conditions but untreated in presence of THP-1 cells.
Results :
CD14 expression was significantly reduced after 24 hours of treatment, while the 4 hours control did not show any changes. THP-1 cells infiltration and differentiation was reduced in the T-Lysyal treated HCE; CD86 protein expression level as a surface receptor protein expressed on antigen presenting cells was significantly reduced.
Conclusions :
Dry eye syndrome is a common disease characterized by an activation of the immunological response of the ocular surface. By using an in vitro model that closely mimick the immune-activation we demonstrated that the T-Lysyal molecule is able to partially control this mechanisms. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results, but the concept of controlling inflammation over time in dry eye is certainly an important therapeutic target.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.