Transforming growth factor beta-1 and beta-2 in human tear fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate human tear fluid for transforming growth factor beta isoforms 1 and 2 (TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2).


METHODS
To accomplish this, human tears were evaluated for TGF-betas by quantitative antibody sandwich ELISA (sELISA), mink lung epithelial cell (MLEC) growth inhibition bioassay and western blotting. Various physical and chemical treatments were used to activate TGF-beta in these assays.


RESULTS
TGF-betas could not be detected in untreated or heated tears by sELISA; however, mean TGF-beta1 concentrations of 2.32 ng/ml were detected in acid-activated tears by sELISA. Furthermore, 10.54 ng/ml of TGF-beta1 and 2.98 ng/ml of TGF-beta2 were detected in tears treated with the mucolytic agent, acetylcysteine. Total TGF-beta bioactivity in human tears measured by the MLEC assay was found to be 13.04 ng/ml in untreated tears and 24.85 ng/ml in acid-activated tears. Approximately one-half TGF-beta in tear specimens was biologically active (mean = 52%, range 39-71%). Total tear TGF-beta bioactivity could be completely neutralized by recombinant human TGF-beta1 latency associated peptide (rh TGF-beta1 LAP). Mean neutralization of tear TF-beta bioactivity was 83% by TGF-beta1-specific antisera, and was 13% by TBF-beta2-specific antisera. Immunoreactive TBF-beta bands at approximately 12.5 and 95 kD were observed in immunoblots of reduced acidified tears. A high molecular weight (MW) TGF-beta band (>203 dD) was noted in untreated tears; however, this band disappeared following treatment with acetylcysteine.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of these studies indicate that TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 are present in human tear fluid, and TGF-beta1 is the predominant isoform. There appear to be factors in human tears capable of binding TGF-beta.
Gupta
A
A
Ocular Surface and Tear Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Insitute, Department of Ophthalmolgy, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Monroy
D
D
Ji
Z
Z
Yoshino
K
K
Huang
A
A
Pflugfelder
S C
SC
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008907:Mink; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011506:Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D007781:Lactoferrin; D000111:Acetylcysteine