title: The role of Syk signaling in antifungal innate immunity of human corneal epithelial cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fungal keratitis is a kind of intractable and sight-threatening diseases. Spleen-tyrosine kinase (Syk) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays an important role in the signaling pathway of the receptors. In the current study, we investigate the expression and function of Syk in human corneal epithelial cells with Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cultured telomerase-immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (THCEs) were treated with A. fumigatus hyphae with or without treatment of Syk inhibitors. Activation of Syk and the role of Syk in regulating inflammatory cytokines and chemokines expression were evaluated. The mRNA expression was determined by real time PCR, and protein activation was measured by western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Syk protein was detected in THCEs, and its activation was enhanced after treatment of A. fumigatus hyphae. Expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) and chemokines (IL-8 and CXCL1) mRNA were significantly increased after stimulation of A. fumigatus hyphae in THCEs. Activation of Syk and expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and CXCL1 by A. fumigatus hyphae were blocked by Syk inhibitors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that normal human corneal epithelial cells produce Syk, and Syk activation plays an important role in regulating A. fumigatus hyphae-induced inflammatory responses in THCEs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. yankeliuying@126.com.|Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China. yankeliuying@126.com.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. zhaoguiqiu_good@126.com.
authors.forename: Guiqiu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. yankelinjing@126.com.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. yankelicui@126.com.
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. yankeliqing@126.com.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. yankeche@126.com.
authors.forename: Chengye
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Che
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. yankewangqian@126.com.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong Province, China. doctorhu@126.com.
authors.forename: Liting
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000502:physiology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D000072377:Syk Kinase
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C000606896:SYK protein, human; D000072377:Syk Kinase