Strain-related cytokine profiles on the murine ocular surface in response to desiccating stress.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of desiccating ocular surface stress on levels of inflammatory cytokines in the corneal epithelium, conjunctiva, and tear fluid of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.


METHODS
Experimental dry eye (EDE) was created in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice by cholinergic blockade and exposure to a desiccating environment. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure levels of cytokine transcripts. A multiplex immunobead assay was used to measure concentrations of these cytokines in tears.


RESULTS
Experimental dryness significantly increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha transcripts in the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva of C57BL/6 mice. Strain-specific changes in tear cytokine profiles were observed. C57BL/6 mice had significantly greater tear concentrations of IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha and the Th-1 cytokines IL-2, IL-12, and interferon-gamma in response to desiccating stress than BALB/c mice. The Th-2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly greater in BALB/c tears.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that desiccating stress increases levels of certain cytokines in the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva in a strain-dependent fashion and that C57BL/6 mice had greater levels of Th-1 cytokines in their tears, whereas BALB/c mice had a greater increase in Th-2 cytokines.
Corrales
Rosa M
RM
Ocular Surface Center, Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Villarreal
Arturo
A
Farley
William
W
Stern
Michael E
ME
Li
De-Quan
DQ
Pflugfelder
Stephen C
SC
D000818:Animals; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003890:Desiccation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines