Abnormal protein profiles in tears with dry eye syndrome.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To verify the hypothesis that protein concentrations, such as lactoferrin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and aquaporin 5 (AQP5), in tears are abnormal in patients with dry eye.

DESIGN:

Prospective case-control study.

METHODS:

One hundred three dry eye patients were divided into three groups: dry eye not associated with the Sjögren syndrome (non-SS; n = 71), Sjögren syndrome (SS; n = 23), and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS; n = 9). Sixteen normal control subjects were also checked. The concentrations of lactoerrin, EGF, and AQP5 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS:

The concentration of lactoferrin was significantly decreased in tears of non-SS (P =.0001), SS (P =.00005), and SJS (P =.0006) patients compared with control subjects. The concentration of EGF was significantly decreased in non-SS (P =.0005), SS (P =.00002), and SJS (P =.0001) patients compared with control subjects. The concentration of AQP5 was significantly increased in tears of only SS patients (P =.01) compared with control subjects and increased in tears of only SS patients compared with non-SS patients (P =.007).

CONCLUSIONS:

The decrease in both lactoferrin and EGF was found not only in SS patients but also in non-SS patients, indicating that tear components in dry eyes differ in their quantity and quality. Quantification of AQP5 increased only in SS patients, suggesting that AQP5 protein leaks into the tears when acinar cells of the lacrimal gland are damaged by lymphocytic infiltration.

• Authors: Yoshiki Ohashi, Reiko Ishida, Takashi Kojima, Eiki Goto, Yukihiro Matsumoto, Katsuhiko Watanabe, Naruhiro Ishida, Katsuhiko Nakata, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Kazuo Tsubota
• Journal: American journal of ophthalmology (Am J Ophthalmol) Vol. 136 Issue 2 Pg. 291-9 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 0002-9394 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12888052 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• AQP5 protein, human
• Aquaporin 5
• Aquaporins
• Eye Proteins
• Membrane Proteins
• tear proteins
• Epidermal Growth Factor
• Lactoferrin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aquaporin 5
• Aquaporins (metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Epidermal Growth Factor (metabolism)
• Eye Proteins (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Lactoferrin (metabolism)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Sjogren's Syndrome (metabolism)
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (metabolism)
• Tears (metabolism)