Temporal Analysis of Tear Fluid Proteome Reveals Critical Corneal Repair Events After Photorefractive Surgery.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To map time-resolved tear proteome changes during corneal epithelial wound healing after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and nominate tear-based biomarker panels with translational potential.

Methods

Tears from 10 healthy adults were collected before PRK (Pre), ∼30-60 minutes after PRK (D0), and day 3 (D3) using Schirmer strips. Proteins were extracted (SP3), trypsin-digested, and analyzed by DIA on an Evosep One-timsTOF HT platform. DIA-NN (1% FDR) provided identification/quantification. Paired contrasts (Pre vs. D0; Pre vs. D3) defined differentially abundant proteins (adjusted P < 0.05; |fold change|≥2) for pathway enrichment. A stringent screen (adjusted P < 0.001; FC>2.5) and UniProt-based annotation distinguished secreted versus intracellular candidates.

R

SUBMITTER: Feret N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12577742 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature