Increased Expression of Hepcidin and Toll-Like Receptors 8 and 10 in Viral Keratitis

Mohammed, Imran; Abedin, Asiya; Tsintzas, Kostas; Abedin, Syed A; Otri, Ahmad M; Hopkinson, Andrew; Mathew, Manu; Dua, Harminder S

Abstract

Purpose:

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) form part of the “chemical barrier” of the ocular surface to microbes. Evidence suggests that pathogen recognition by TLR releases AMPs, altering AMP-TLR profiles in pathological states. This study investigated ocular surface expression of AMP-TLRs in health and disease.

Methods:

Complementary DNA from conjunctival and corneal impression cytology samples was used for semiquantitative and quantitative polymerase chain reactions, to determine gene expression of 6 AMPs and TLRs-1-10, in healthy subjects and patients with bacterial (n = 6), viral (n = 6), Acanthamoeba (n = 3), or dry eye (n = 7) diseases.

Results:

Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction showed variable AMP expression within groups and some expression patterns between groups, increased levels of LEAP (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide)-1/hepcidin in viral disease, LEAP-2 in dry eye, and human beta defensin 3 in bacterial disease. There was no significant variability in TLR expression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed significantly higher expression of LEAP-1 (P = 0.002) and TLR-8 (P = 0.023) and TLR-10 (P = 0.014) in viral keratitis and LEAP-2 (P = 0.034) in dry eye, versus controls.

Conclusions:

Increased expression of LEAP-1 and TLRs 8 and 10 in viral keratitis is novel; TLR-10 has not previously had a documented ligand. LEAP-2 may have a role in dry eye. Further studies will help to improve the understanding of these diseases and yield novel therapeutic interventions.

Citation

Mohammed, I., Abedin, A., Tsintzas, K., Abedin, S. A., Otri, A. M., Hopkinson, A., Mathew, M., & Dua, H. S. (2011). Increased Expression of Hepcidin and Toll-Like Receptors 8 and 10 in Viral Keratitis. Cornea, 30(8), 899-904. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e31820126e5

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2011-08
• Deposit Date: Jul 21, 2020
• Journal: Cornea
• Print ISSN: 0277-3740
• Electronic ISSN: 1536-4798
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 899-904
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e31820126e5
• Keywords: Ophthalmology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4781071
• Publisher URL: https://journals.lww.com/corneajrnl/Abstract/2011/08000/Increased_Expression_of_Hepcidin_and_Toll_Like.10.aspx