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Modeling dry eye with an air-liquid interface in corneal epithelium-on-a-chip

ABSTRACT: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a complex ocular condition characterized by an unstable tear film and inadequate tear production, leading to tissue damage. Despite its common occurrence, there is currently no comprehensive in vitro model that accurately reproduce the cellular characteristics of DES. Here we modified a corneal epithelium-on-a-chip (CEpOC) model to recapitulate DES by subjecting HCE-T human corneal epithelial cells to an air-liquid (AL) interface stimulus. We then assessed the effects of AL stimulation both in the presence and absence of diclofenac (DCF). Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct gene expression changes in response to AL and AL_DCF, affecting pathways related to development, epithelial structure, inflammation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Both treatments upregulated PIEZO2, linked to corneal damage signaling, while downregulating OCLN, involved in cell-cell junctions. They increased the expression of inflammatory genes (e.g., IL6) and reduced mucin production genes (e.g., MUC16), reflecting dry eye characteristics. TGFB1, crucial for corneal wound healing, was slightly downregulated in AL_DCF, potentially affecting wound healing processes rather than reducing inflammation by DCF. Metabolomic analysis showed increased secretion of metabolites associated with cell damage and inflammation (e.g., methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoic acid, lauroyl-carnitine) in response to AL and even more with AL_DCF, indicating a shift in cellular metabolism. This study showcases the utilization of AL stimulus within the CEpOC as a comprehensive approach to faithfully reproduce the cellular characteristics of DES.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE244787 | GEO | 2023/10/11

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Glycosylation of proteins is one of the most common post-translational modification (PTM) and plays important regulatory functions in diverse biological processes such as protein stability or cell signaling. Accordingly, glycoproteins are also a consistent part of the human tear film proteome maintaining the proper function of the ocular surface and forming the first defense barrier of the ocular immune system. Irregularities in the glycoproteomic composition of the tear film might promote development of chronic eye diseases indicating glycoproteins as valuable source for biomarker discovery or drug target identification. The present study aimed to develop a lectin-based affinity method for the enrichment and concentration of tear glycoproteins/glycopeptides and the characterization of their specific N-glycosylation sites by high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS). For method development and evaluation, we accumulated first native glycoproteins from human tear sample pools and assessed the enrichment efficiency of different lectin column systems by 1D gel electrophoresis and specific protein stainings (Coomassie and glycoproteins). The best-performing multi-lectin column system (comprising the four lectins ConA, JAC, WGA and UEA I, termed as 4L) was applied for glycopeptide enrichment from human tear sample digests followed by MS-based detection and localization of their specific N-glycosylation sites. As main result, the present study identified in total 26 N glycosylation sites of 11 N-glycoproteins in tear sample pools of healthy individuals (n=3 biological sample pools). Amongst others, we identified tear film proteins lactotransferrin (N497 and N642, LTF), Ig heavy chain constant α-1 (N144 and 340, IGHA1), prolactin-inducible protein (N105, PIP) as well as extracellular lacritin (N105, LACRT) as highly reliable and significant N glycoproteins, which were already associated with the pathogenesis of various chronic eye diseases such as the dry eye syndrome (DES). In conclusion, the results of the present study will serve as important tear film N-glycoprotein catalogue for future studies focusing the human tear film and ocular surface-related inflammatory diseases.

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Modeling dry eye with an air-liquid interface in corneal epithelium-on-a-chip

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