title: The Role of LOX-1 in Innate Immunity to Aspergillus fumigatus in Corneal Epithelial Cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) in corneal epithelial cells exposed to fungus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen corneas with fungal keratitis composed the experimental group. Ten healthy donor corneas were the control group. Corneal epithelium was scraped and LOX-1 mRNA tested. Immunostaining was used to detect LOX-1 protein. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) were treated with 75% ethanol-killed Aspergillus fumigatus. LOX-1 was detected, and CXCL1, TNF-α, IL-6, and dectin-1 levels were detected with or without neutralization of LOX-1. Rat fungal keratitis was established and LOX-1 was detected by PCR, immunostaining, and Western blot. Phosphorylated-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) protein; CXCL1, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA levels; and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were tested before and after LOX-1 neutralization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LOX-1 was expressed in corneal epithelium. In vitro cellular experiment showed that LOX-1 was detected in normal HCECs, and LOX-1 mRNA increased after stimulation of A. fumigatus and peaked at 8 hours; LOX-1 protein expression increased after stimulation at 24 and 48 hours. Neutralization of LOX-1 decreased expression of CXCL1, TNF-α, but did not change IL-6 or dectin-1 expression. Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis developed in rats activated p38MAPK and elevated the expression of CXCL1, TNF-α, and IL-6 through LOX-1. LOX-1 neutralization reduced MPO levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LOX-1 expressed in normal corneal epithelium and HCECs and A. fumigatus elevated the expression of CXCL1 and TNF-α through LOX-1. Rat A. fumigatus keratitis activated p38MAPK and elevated the expression of CXCL1, TNF-α, and IL-6 through LOX-1.
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guiqiu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chengye
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Che
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Liting
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000494:pharmacology; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; C495137:OLR1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E