title: Differential effects of low- and high-dose glucocorticoids on the innate immunity of corneal epithelium in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of glucocorticoids on the innate immunity of corneal epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human corneal epithelial cell lines (HCEC) were co-cultured with LPS and hydrocortisone to determine whether hydrocortisone modulates the expression and function of TLR2, 4. The release of IL-6, 8 from cultured HCEC was measured in the presence and absence of specific blocking antibodies to TLR2, 4. The proteins of TLR2, 4 were also compared by Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incubation of HCEC with LPS upregulated the expression of TLR2, 4 and increased the release of IL-6, 8. This upregulation was enhanced by low-concentration hydrocortisone, but inhibited by high-concentration hydrocortisone. The concentration of IL-6, 8 was also enhanced by low-concentration hydrocortisone and inhibited by high-concentration hydrocortisone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-concentration hydrocortisone enhances the expression and function of TLRs in HCEC and provides evidence for a novel function of glucocorticoids in innate immunity.
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Affiliated Second Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xiaoran
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zhenyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Xiuming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D006854:Hydrocortisone