Peptide DFCPPGFNTK Mitigates Dry Eye Pathophysiology by Suppressing Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Autophagy: Evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo Models.

ABSTRACT: Dry eye is an ophthalmic disease with an intricate pathomechanism, and there are no effective interventions or medications available. We investigated the effects of a peptide, DFCPPGFNTK (DFC), screened from tilapia skin hydrolysate on dry eye and its underlying mechanisms. In vitro, human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) were challenged by 100 mM NaCl in a hyperosmotic environment. DFC restored the cell viability of HCECs induced by NaCl, reduced the transition of mitochondrial membrane potential, delayed the apoptosis of damaged cells, reduced the production of reactive oxygen (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased the expression rate of Bcl-2/Bax. Compared to the model group, the protein expression levels

SUBMITTER: Deng K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12191653 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature