Modulation of tight junction properties relevant to fluid transport across rabbit corneal endothelium

Exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) weakens corneal defense by downregulating thrombospondin-1 and tight junction proteins

BACKGROUND

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) induces ocular surface toxicity through pyroptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, and inflammatory responses. However, the precise molecular pathways through which PM2.5 causes corneal damage remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms by exposing human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) to PM2.5.

METHODS

After the morphology and chemical composition analysis of the PM samples, we conducted both in vivo and in vitro experiments to investigate PM2.5-induced corneal epithelial damage. We assessed corneal barrier function in HCECs using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays. To explore the molecular mechanisms of PM2.5-induced corneal epithelial damage, we performed whole-transcriptome resequencing, quantitative RT-PCR, and western blotting in vitro. In addition, we analyzed mouse corneas exposed to concentrated ambient PM2.5 through immunofluorescence staining to observe the resulting changes in corneal epithelial protein expression in vivo.

RESULTS

Our results showed significant impairment of corneal epithelial barrier function in PM2.5-treated HCECs, as indicated by decreased TEER values. The expression of thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and claudin-1, both key factors for maintaining corneal epithelial barrier integrity, was markedly reduced at the gene and protein levels in both in vitro and in vivo PM2.5 exposure models. Moreover, the levels of tight junction-associated proteins, including occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and ZO-2, essential components of the corneal epithelial barrier, were significantly diminished in PM2.5-treated HCECs.

CONCLUSION

PM2.5 exposure leads to corneal epithelium damage by disrupting tight junction proteins and THBS1 expression. These findings provide insight into potential pathways for PM2.5-induced ocular toxicity and underscore the need for protective strategies against such environmental pollutants.

Design and validation of a custom-made system to measure transepithelial electrical impedance in human corneas preserved in active storage machine

Corneal epithelial barrier represents one of the major limitations to ocular drug delivery and can be explored non-invasively through the evaluation of its electrical properties. Human corneas stored in active storage machine (ASM) could represent an interesting physiological model to explore transcorneal drug penetration. We designed a new system adapted to human corneas preserved in ASM to explore corneal epithelial barrier function ex-vivo. A bipolar set-up including Ag/AgCl electrodes adaptors to fit the corneal ASM and a dedicated software was designed and tested on freshly excised porcine corneas (n = 59) and human corneas stored 14 days in ASM (n = 6). Porcine corneas presented significant and proportional decrease in corneal impedance in response to increasing-size epithelial ulcerations and acute exposure to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) 0.01 and 0.05%. Human corneas stored 14 days in ASM presented a significant increase in corneal impedance associated with the restoration of a multi-layer epithelium and an enhanced expression of tight junctions markers zonula occludens 1, claudin 1 and occludin. These results support the relevance of the developed approach to pursue the exploration and development of human corneas stored in ASM as a physiological pharmacological model.

Cationic self-assembled peptide-based molecular hydrogels for extended ocular drug delivery

The physiological barriers and clearance mechanism of the eye challenge the therapeutic delivery for treating various ocular disorders effectively. Here, we show the use of a cationic peptide (i.e., Nap-FFKK) as the molecular hydrogelator for generating supramolecular hydrogels spontaneously in a pH value of 5-7 which allows it to function as a promising ocular drug vehicle. The cationic peptide-based hydrogel hardly exhibited the cytotoxicity against human corneal epithelial cell (i.e., HCEC) from the in vitro cytotoxicity assay. Moreover, the single topical instillation of the hydrogel resulted in high ocular tolerance and biocompatibility. In vivo corneal distribution of the cationic peptide-based hydrogel showed that it dramatically increased the retention and the adhesion on the surface of cornea, compared to the anionic peptide-based analogue, owing to the ionic interactions with mucin on the ocular surface. In addition, we also synthesized environment-sensitive fluorophore-conjugated analogues (i.e., NBD-FFKK and NBD-FFD) to visualize the uptake of hydrogels in HCEC cells, revealing that the cationic peptide-based hydrogel displayed the better in vitro cellular uptake than the anionic peptide-based hydrogel. More importantly, the resulting cationic Nap-FFKK supramolecular hydrogel displayed a superior ocular bioavailability over that of anionic Nap-FFD supramolecular hydrogel, as indicated by in vivo pharmacokinetics study. This work, as a systematic investigation of ionic peptide-based molecular hydrogels in the ocular application, illustrates a new and powerful supramolecular approach for antagonizing clinically difficult ocular drug delivery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Here we show the use of a cationic peptide as the molecular hydrogelator for generating supramolecular hydrogels, which allows it to function as a promising ocular drug vehicle for antagonizing the therapeutic delivery difficulties associated with the physiological barriers and clearance mechanism of the eye. The in vitro and in vivo studies of the hydrogel both show high ocular tolerance and biocompatibility. Moreover, the in vivo corneal distribution of the hydrogel exhibits the increased retention and adhesion on the surface of cornea. This work, as an investigation of cationic peptide-based molecular hydrogels in the ocular application, illustrates a powerful supramolecular approach for overcoming clinically difficult ocular drug delivery.

Effects of a novel peptide Ac-SDKP in radiation-induced coronary endothelial damage and resting myocardial blood flow

Background

Cancer survivors treated with thoracic ionizing radiation are at higher risk of premature death due to myocardial ischemia. No therapy is currently available to prevent or mitigate these effects. We tested the hypothesis that an endogenous tetrapeptide N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (Ac-SDKP) counteracts radiation-induced coronary vascular fibrosis and endothelial cell loss and preserves myocardial blood flow.

Methods

We examined a rat model with external-beam-radiation exposure to the cardiac silhouette. We treated a subgroup of irradiated rats with subcutaneous Ac-SDKP for 18-weeks. We performed cardiac MRI with Gadolinium contrast to examine resting myocardial blood flow content. Upon sacrifice, we examined coronary endothelial-cell-density, fibrosis, apoptosis and endothelial tight-junction proteins (TJP). In vitro, we examined Ac-SDKP uptake by the endothelial cells and tested its effects on radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vivo, we injected labeled Ac-SDKP intravenously and examined its endothelial localization after 4-h.

Results

We found that radiation exposure led to reduced resting myocardial blood flow content. There was concomitant endothelial cell loss and coronary fibrosis. Smaller vessels and capillaries showed more severe changes than larger vessels. Real-time PCR and confocal microscopy showed radiation-induced loss of TJ proteins including- claudin-1 and junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2). Ac-SDKP normalized myocardial blood flow content, inhibited endothelial cell loss, reduced coronary fibrosis and restored TJ-assembly. In vitro, Ac-SDKP localized to endothelial cells and inhibited radiation-induced endothelial ROS generation. In vivo, labeled Ac-SDKP was visualized into the endothelium 4-h after the intravenous injection.

Conclusions

We concluded that Ac-SDKP has protective effects against radiation-induced reduction of myocardial blood flow. Such protective effects are likely mediated by neutralization of ROS-mediated injury, preservation of endothelial integrity and inhibition of fibrosis. This demonstrates a strong therapeutic potential of Ac-SDKP to counteract radiotherapy-induced coronary disease.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40959-018-0034-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Function-Related Protein Expression in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Cells and Tissue Models

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a corneal pathology that affects the endothelial cell's ability to maintain deturgescence, resulting in a progressive loss of corneal transparency. In this study, we investigated the expression of function-related proteins in corneal endothelial cells using FECD or healthy corneal endothelial cells, either in a cell culture two-dimensional model or in an engineered corneal endothelium three-dimensional tissue model. No statistically significant difference in gene regulation was observed for the function-related families ATP1, SLC4, SLC16, AQP, TJP, and CDH between the FECD and the healthy cell models. Similarly, no difference in barrier integrity (transendothelial electrical resistance measurements and permeability assays) was observed in vitro between FECD and healthy cultured cells. Protein expression of the key function-related families was decreased for Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1 subunit, monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 in native ex vivo end-stage FECD specimens, whereas it returned to levels comparable to that of healthy tissues in the engineered FECD model. These results indicate that cell expansion and tissue engineering culture conditions can generate a corneal endothelium from pathologic FECD cells, with levels of function-related proteins similar to that of healthy tissues. Overall, these results explain why it is possible to reform a functional endothelium using corneal endothelial cells isolated from nonfunctional FECD pathologic specimens.

TGF-β1 promotes cell barrier function upon maturation of corneal endothelial cells

Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) easily become fibroblastic-like when cultured, rendering them unsuitable for tissue engineering of the cornea. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) could be a key factor in this phenomenon; however, TGF-β is also known to maintain the endothelium in a quiescent state in vivo. This work aimed to compare the effects of TGF-β1 on the phenotype of HCECs during the proliferation and maturation phases. Our results show that addition of TGF-β1 during the active proliferation phase produced fibroblastic HCECs and loss of the cell junction markers ZO-1 and n-cadherin, independent from the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). By contrast, addition of TGF-β1 in maturation media containing few mitogens led to an endothelial phenotype and functional cell junctions as HCECs developed a high trans-endothelial resistance. Furthermore, addition of AG-1478, an epithelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, enhanced the gain of the endothelial phenotype and cell barrier function. Overall, these results show that TGF-β1 can be used to promote the formation of a typical leaky endothelial barrier during the maturation phase of cultured HCECs. A two-phase culture of HCECs using distinct proliferation and maturation media could also be key for developing ideal HCEC culture conditions.

New trends in quantitative assessment of the corneal barrier function

The cornea is a very particular tissue due to its transparency and its barrier function as it has to resist against the daily insults of the external environment. In addition, maintenance of this barrier function is of crucial importance to ensure a correct corneal homeostasis. Here, the corneal epithelial permeability has been assessed in vivo by means of non-invasive tetrapolar impedance measurements, taking advantage of the huge impact of the ion fluxes in the passive electrical properties of living tissues. This has been possible by using a flexible sensor based in SU-8 photoresist. In this work, a further analysis focused on the validation of the presented sensor is performed by monitoring the healing process of corneas that were previously wounded. The obtained impedance measurements have been compared with the damaged area observed in corneal fluorescein staining images. The successful results confirm the feasibility of this novel method, as it represents a more sensitive in vivo and non-invasive test to assess low alterations of the epithelial permeability. Then, it could be used as an excellent complement to the fluorescein staining image evaluation.

Characteristics of the low density corneal endothelial monolayer

Corneal endothelial cells form a leaky barrier on the posterior surface of the cornea, allowing influx of nutrient-carrying aqueous humor through the paracellular space and efflux of excess fluid. Corneal edema arises when the density of these non-proliferative endothelial cells declines from endothelial disease or intraocular surgery. The cellular changes occurring at low densities are ill-defined. We therefore investigated the paracellular pathway of corneal endothelial cell monolayers of varying density to determine alterations occurring in paracellular permeability and monolayer morphology. Primary cultures of bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCECs) were passaged onto permeable supports under varying culture conditions to obtain confluent monolayers of <1000, 1000-1999 and >2000 cells/mm(2). Culture growth was monitored by transendothelial electrical resistance measurements. Diffusional permeability to sodium fluorescein, FITC-dextran MW 4000 or FITC-dextran MW 20,000 was measured. Confluent cultures were also analyzed by immunofluorescence localization of the tight junction protein ZO-1 and by transmission electron microscopy. For comparison, we evaluated ZO-1 for low and high density human corneal endothelium. Our results showed that all BCEC cultures grew to the same final transendothelial electrical resistance regardless of final density. In the diffusional permeability assay, permeability increased significantly only for the smallest tracer molecule (sodium fluorescein) in the lowest density monolayers (<1000 cells/mm(2)). ZO-1 immunofluorescence distinctly localized to intercellular junctions in high density BCEC cultures but had more diffuse localization at lower densities. Transmission electron microscopy imaging revealed cells with thinner cross-sectional profiles and longer overlapping intercellular processes at low density relative to high density cultures. Low density human corneal endothelium lacked the diffuse ZO-1 distribution seen in BCECs. Our data supports the hypothesis that barrier integrity is the primary function disrupted in low density corneal endothelial monolayers and contradicts the idea of a linear decline in barrier function with decreasing cell density.

In vitro evaluation of enhancing effect of borneol on transcorneal permeation of compounds with different hydrophilicities and molecular sizes

To investigate the enhancing effect of borneol on transcorneal permeation of compounds with different hydrophilicities and molecular sizes. Six compounds, namely rhodamine B, sodium-fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextrans of 4, 10, 20 and 40 kDa were selected as model drugs. Permeation studies were performed using excised cornea of rabbits by a Franz-type diffusion apparatus. The safety of borneol was assessed on the basis of corneal hydration level and Draize eye test. The application of 0.2% borneol to the cornea increased the apparent permeability coefficient by 1.82-(P<0.05), 2.49-(P<0.05), 4.18-(P<0.05) and 1.11-fold (not significant) for rhodamine B, sodium-fluorescein, FITC-dextrans of 4 and 10 kDa, respectively. No significant permeability enhancement of FITC dextrans of 10, 20 and 40 kDa with borneol was found compared to control. The permeability coefficient enhanced by 0.2% borneol was linear correlated to the molecular weight of model drugs (R(2)=0.9976). With the 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% borneol application, the corneal hydration values were <83% and Draize scores were <4. Borneol may improve the transcorneal penetration of both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds without causing toxic reactions, especially hydrophilic ones. Furthermore, 0.2% borneol can enhance the permeation of hydrophilic compounds with molecular weight ≤4 kDa. Hence, borneol can be considered as a safe and effective penetration enhancer for ocular drug administration.

Implications of the alpha dispersion for studies on interaction of tobacco smoke--corneal tissue

In this work, we have carried out a dielectric study to determine the effect of tobacco smoke on the rat corneal function. Measurements were performed over the frequency range of 500 Hz-100 kHz in air and at the temperature of 35°C. The frequency dependencies of the loss tangent for both healthy and smoky cornea exhibit two peaks with different width occurring as a narrow at 2 kHz and a broad at around 16 kHz. The distribution parameter α at 2 kHz has a value of about 0.3, which increases to 0.6 at 16 kHz. The magnitude of the permittivity decrement at 2 and 16 kHz is about two and four times higher, respectively, for the smoky cornea than that for the healthy one. These dielectric studies indicate that the present method is useful in detection of the effect of tobacco smoke exposure on the corneal behavior.

Enhancement of drug absorption through the blood-brain barrier and inhibition of intercellular tight junction resealing by E-cadherin peptides

E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell interactions in the zonula adherens play an important role in the formation of the intercellular tight junctions found in the blood-brain barrier. However, it is also responsible for the low permeation of drugs into the brain. In this study, HAV6 peptide derived from the EC1 domain of E-cadherin was found to enhance the permeation of ¹⁴C-mannitol and [³H(G)]-daunomycin through the blood-brain barrier of the in situ rat brain perfusion model. In addition, HAV6 peptide and verapamil have a synergistic effect in enhancing the BBB permeation of daunomycin. A new intercellular-junction resealing assay was also developed using Caco-2 monolayers to evaluate new peptides (BLG2, BLG3, and BLG4) derived from the bulge regions of the EC2, EC3, and EC4 domains of E-cadherin. BLG2 and BLG4 peptides but not BLG3 peptides were found to be effective in blocking the resealing of the intercellular junctions. The positive control peptides (ADT10, ADT6, and HAV10) block the resealing of the intercellular junctions in a concentration-dependent manner. All these findings suggest that E-cadherin-derived peptides can block E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell interactions. These findings demonstrate that cadherin peptides may offer a useful targeted permeation enhancement of therapeutic agents such as anticancer drugs into the brain.

Fluid Transport Across Leaky Epithelia: Central Role of the Tight Junction and Supporting Role of Aquaporins

The mechanism of epithelial fluid transport remains unsolved, which is partly due to inherent experimental difficulties. However, a preparation with which our laboratory works, the corneal endothelium, is a simple leaky secretory epithelium in which we have made some experimental and theoretical headway. As we have reported, transendothelial fluid movements can be generated by electrical currents as long as there is tight junction integrity. The direction of the fluid movement can be reversed by current reversal or by changing junctional electrical charges by polylysine. Residual endothelial fluid transport persists even when no anions (hence no salt) are being transported by the tissue and is only eliminated when all local recirculating electrical currents are. Aquaporin (AQP) 1 is the only AQP present in these cells, and its deletion in AQP1 null mice significantly affects cell osmotic permeability (by ∼40%) but fluid transport much less (∼20%), which militates against the presence of sizable water movements across the cell. In contrast, AQP1 null mice cells have reduced regulatory volume decrease (only 60% of control), which suggests a possible involvement of AQP1 in either the function or the expression of volume-sensitive membrane channels/transporters. A mathematical model of corneal endothelium we have developed correctly predicts experimental results only when paracellular electro-osmosis is assumed rather than transcellular local osmosis. Our evidence therefore suggests that the fluid is transported across this layer via the paracellular route by a mechanism that we attribute to electro-osmotic coupling at the junctions. From our findings we have developed a novel paradigm for this preparation that includes 1) paracellular fluid flow; 2) a crucial role for the junctions; 3) hypotonicity of the primary secretion; and 4) an AQP role in regulation rather than as a significant water pathway. These elements are remarkably similar to those proposed by the laboratory of Adrian Hill for fluid transport across other leaky epithelia.

Non-invasive assessment of corneal endothelial permeability by means of electrical impedance measurements

The permeability of the corneal endothelial layer has an important role in the correct function of the cornea. Since ionic permeability has a fundamental impact on the passive electrical properties of living tissues, here it is hypothesized that impedance methods can be employed for assessing the permeability of the endothelial layer in a minimally invasive fashion. Precisely, the main objective of the present study is to develop and to analyze a minimally invasive method for assessing the electrical properties of the corneal endothelium, as a possible diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with endothelial dysfunction. A bidimensional model consisting of the main corneal layers and a four-electrode impedance measurement setup placed on the epithelium has been implemented and analyzed by means of the finite elements method (FEM). In order to obtain a robust indicator of the permeability of the endothelium layer, the effect of the endothelium electrical properties on the measured impedance has been studied together with reasonable variations of the other model layers. Simulation results show that the impedance measurements by means of external electrodes are indeed sufficiently sensitive to the changes in the electrical properties of the endothelial layer. It is concluded that the method presented here can be employed as non-invasive method for assessing endothelial layer function.

TAT is not capable of transcellular delivery across an intact endothelial monolayer in vitro

Developing delivery vehicles capable of penetrating cell barriers is critical for drug delivery to the brain due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are one potential solution since they can enter cells; however, it is unclear whether CPPs can pass through cell barriers. In this study, the ability of the TAT CPP to cross an endothelial barrier without disrupting the integrity of its tight junctions was investigated. Endothelial cell monolayers (bEnd.3) were exposed to the TAT peptide, and cell integrity was quantified by zona occludens-1 immunofluorescence, trans-endothelial electrical resistance, and hydraulic conductivity. None of these parameters were significantly altered following exposure to TAT. To evaluate the passage of TAT through the monolayer, the permeability of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-TAT fusion protein was not significantly different from the permeability of GFP or fluorescent dextrans of similar sizes. Furthermore, GFP-TAT was unable to significantly transduce astrocytes on the opposite side of the bEnd.3 monolayer. We conclude, therefore, that although TAT may not be an efficient delivery vehicle for trans-BBB delivery, our TAT construct may have utility in delivering therapeutic cargos to endothelial cells or to the brain parenchyma after BBB disruption.

Claudin-2, a component of the tight junction, forms a paracellular water channel

Whether or not significant amounts of water pass the tight junction (TJ) of leaky epithelia is still unresolved, because it is difficult to separate transcellular water flux from TJ-controlled paracellular water flux. Using an approach without differentiating technically between the transcellular and paracellular route, we measured transepithelial water flux with and without selective molecular perturbation of the TJ to unequivocally attribute changes to the paracellular pathway. To this end, MDCK C7 cells were stably transfected with either claudin-2 or claudin-10b, two paracellular cation-channel-forming TJ proteins that are not endogenously expressed in this cell line. Claudin-2 is typical of leaky, water-transporting epithelia, such as the kidney proximal tubule, whereas claudin-10b is present in numerous epithelia, including water-impermeable segments of the loop of Henle. Neither transfection altered the expression of endogenous claudins or aquaporins. Water flux was induced by an osmotic gradient, a Na+ gradient or both. Under all conditions, water flux in claudin-2-transfected cells was elevated compared with vector controls, indicating claudin-2-mediated paracellular water permeability. Na+-driven water transport in the absence of an osmotic gradient indicates a single-file mechanism. By contrast, claudin-10b transfection did not alter water flux. We conclude that claudin-2, but not claudin-10b, forms a paracellular water channel and thus mediates paracellular water transport in leaky epithelia.

Dynamic regulation of barrier integrity of the corneal endothelium

The corneal endothelium maintains stromal deturgescence, which is a prerequisite for corneal transparency. The principal challenge to stromal deturgescence is the swelling pressure associated with the hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans in the stroma. This negative pressure induces fluid leak into the stroma from the anterior chamber, but the rate of leak is restrained by the tight junctions of the endothelium. This role of the endothelium represents its barrier function. In healthy cornea, the fluid leak is counterbalanced by an active fluid pump mechanism associated with the endothelium itself. Although this pump-leak hypothesis was postulated several decades ago, the mechanisms underlying regulation of the balance between the pump and leak functions remain largely unknown. In the last couple of decades, the ion transport systems that support the fluid pump activity have been discovered. In contrast, despite significant evidence for corneal edema secondary to endothelial barrier dysfunction, the molecular aspects underlying its regulation are relatively unknown. Recent findings in our laboratory, however, indicate that barrier integrity (i.e., structural and functional integrity of the tight junctions) of the endothelium is sensitive to remodeling of its peri-junctional actomyosin ring, which is located at the apical junctional complex. This review provides a focused perspective on dynamic regulation of the barrier integrity of endothelium vis-à-vis plasticity of the peri-junctional actomyosin ring and its association with cell signaling downstream of small GTPases of the Rho family. Based on findings to date, it appears that development of specific pharmacological strategies to treat corneal edema in response to inflammatory stress would be possible in the near future.

Frequency spectrum of transepithelial potential difference reveals transport-related oscillations

How epithelia transport fluid is a fundamental issue that is unresolved. Explanations offered include molecular engines, local transcellular osmosis, local paracellular osmosis, and paracellular fluid transport. On the basis of experimental and theoretical work done on corneal endothelium, a fluid transporting epithelium, we suggest electroosmotic coupling at the level of the intercellular junctions driven by the transendothelial electrical potential difference as an explanation of paracellular fluid transport. We collect frequency spectra of that potential difference in real-time. For what we believe is the first time for any epithelium, we report that, unexpectedly, the potential difference displays oscillations at many characteristic frequencies. We also show that on both stimulating cell activity and inhibiting ion transport mechanisms, there are corresponding changes in the oscillations amplitudes that mirror changes known previously in rates of fluid transport. We believe these findings provide a novel tool to study the kinetics of electrogenic elements such as channels and transporters, which from this evidence would give rise to current oscillations with characteristic periods going from 150 ms to 8 s.

HPMCs Induce Greater Intercellular Delocalization of Tight Junction-Associated Proteins Due to a Higher Susceptibility to H2O2 Compared with HUVECs

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been speculated as possible inducers of structural or functional changes that lead to a hyperpermeable state in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis. This study aimed to compare localization of tight junction-associated proteins (TJPs), which relate to solute permeability characteristics, between human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) monolayers and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers under oxidative stress.

Methods

HPMCs and HUVECs were cultured on a polymer mesh until transepithelial electrical resistance reached a plateau. Solute permeation tests were conducted using FITC-labeled dextrans. Localization of TJPs was observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. These experiments were carried out with/without 0.1 mmol/L H2O2. In addition, ROS production as well as the amounts of intracellular reductive glutathione (GSH) and oxidative glutathione were measured.

Results

When the monolayers were exposed to 0.1 mmol/L H2O2/medium for 2 hours, the HPMC monolayer revealed a significant reduction in transepithelial electrical resistance (from 32.5 ± 3.4 to 17.4 ± 4.9 Ω cm ) with delocalization of TJPs, particularly occludins. The HUVEC monolayer remained stable and exhibited an unremarkable change in TJP organization. Compared to the HUVEC monolayer, the HPMC monolayer exhibited two- to threefold higher 2′,7′–dichlorofluorescein intensities that increased in a dose-dependent manner. HUVECs contained approximately 2.5-times more GSH than HPMCs. This supported the lesser production of ROS when exposed to 0.1 mmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours. HUVECs used 8.03 nmol/mg GSH protein to maintain TJP localization, while only 3.75 nmol/mg GSH protein was available for the HPMCs.

Conclusion

The HUVEC monolayer, which was less permeable to middle-to-high molecular weight solutes, was more tolerant against ROS stress than the HPMC monolayer. Availability of intracellular GSH is an important issue in maintaining the integrity of the mesothelium.

Ocular novel drug delivery: impacts of membranes and barriers

BACKGROUND

Ocular drug delivery is an extremely challenging area due to its restrictive barrier functionalities.

OBJECTIVE

Drug transport via corneal/non-corneal routes involves several intricate biological processes such as drug penetration across the ocular barriers and transfer to the anterior or posterior chambers, thus the influence of these processes on the pharmacotherapy of the eye should be fully addressed.

METHODS

To pursue the impacts of such impediments in novel drug therapy, recent publications were reviewed regarding advanced strategies such as nanomedicines.

CONCLUSION

The ocular barriers are highly specialized and selectively control the inward/outward traverse of compounds, hence a better understanding of these biological obstacles would provide a platform to advance ophthalmic drug therapy towards specified delivery/targeting with minimal adverse consequences.