Abstract
Purpose :
Purpose: UVB irradiation has been associated with pterygium pathogenesis and is linked to alterations in the limbal stem cell compartment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of a UV-blocking contact lens on limbal epithelial cells and fibroblasts under UVB irradiation against DNA damage, oxidative stress and loss of putative stem cell phenotype.
Methods :
Methods: We used a commercially available contact lens (UVBCL, senofilcon A, Class 1 UV blocker) and assessed its ability to protect from the formation of DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, CPDs), the creation of 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), one of the major products of DNA oxidation. The levels of putative stem cell markers (P63α, integrin β1), colony forming efficiency and wound closure rate of limbal epithelial cells and limbal fibroblasts were also assessed. proinflammatory cytokines were assessed by ELISAs.
Results :
Results: UVBCL prevented UVB-induced DNA and oxidative damage (as assessed by CPD and 8-oxo-dG immunostaining) as well as a slow-down of proliferation and scratch wound closure of both limbal epithelial and fibroblast cells. In addition, UVBCL protected limbal epithelial cells from UVB-induced loss of their phenotype in terms of colony forming efficiency and stem cell marker expression compared to controls. Also, with UVBCL expression of cytokines such as TNFα and MCP1 was unaffected.
Conclusions :
Conclusions: These data demonstrate the significance of UV-protection in protecting the limbal niche from UVB-damage. These data support the use of UVBCL in protecting limbal niche cellular components, especially after limbal stem cell transplantation and in patients following pterygium surgery, to prevent recurrence.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.