Therapeutic Effect of Topical Adiponectin-Derived Short Peptides Compared with Globular Adiponectin in Experimental Dry Eye and Alkali Burn

The role of adiponectin and its receptor signaling in ocular inflammation-associated diseases

Ocular inflammation-associated diseases are leading causes of global visual impairment, with limited treatment options. Adiponectin, a hormone primarily secreted by adipose tissue, binds to its receptors, which are widely distributed throughout the body, exerting powerful physiological regulatory effects. The protective role of adiponectin in various inflammatory diseases has gained increasing attention in recent years. Previous studies have confirmed the presence of adiponectin and its receptors in the eyes. Furthermore, adiponectin and its analogs have shown potential as novel drugs for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. This article summarizes the evidence for the interplay between adiponectin and inflammatory eye diseases and provides new perspectives on the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of adiponectin.

The Effects of Adiponectin on the Behavior of B-Cell Leukemia Cells: Insights from an In Vitro Study

Background: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), the most frequent hematological neoplasm worldwide, represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies. The etiology of NHL remains to be fully elucidated, but the role of adipose tissue (AT) in immune function via the secretion of adipokines was recently recognized. Among adipokines, adiponectin has garnered attention for its beneficial properties. This study aimed to explore the in vitro effects of AdipoRon, an adiponectin agonist, on JVM-2, a lymphoblast cell line used as a representative disease model. Methods: JVM-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of AdipoRon to evaluate its effects on viability (via an MTT test), cell cycle distribution (via an FACS analysis), invasiveness (via a Matrigel assay) and colony-forming ability; protein expression was assessed via a real-time PCR (qPCR) and/or Western blotting (WB). Results: We found that the prolonged exposure of JVM-2 cells to AdipoRon led to a reduction in their viability due to a cytostatic effect. Additionally, AdipoRon stimulated both the formation of cell colonies and the expression of E-cadherin. Interestingly, the administration of AdipoRon increased the invasive potential of JVM-2 cells. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that adiponectin is involved in the regulation of different cellular processes of JVM-2 cells, supporting its potential association with a pro-tumorigenic phenotype and indicating that it might contribute to the increased aggressiveness and metastatic potential of B lymphoma cells. However, additional studies are required to fully understand the molecular mechanisms of adiponectin's actions on lymphoblasts and whether it may represent a marker of disease.

Adiponectin as a therapeutic target for diabetic foot ulcer

The global burden of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is a significant public health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. These wounds cause considerable suffering and have a high economic cost. Therefore, there is a need for effective strategies to prevent and treat DFUs. One promising therapeutic approach is the use of adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced and secreted by adipose tissue. Adiponectin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, and researchers have suggested its potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of DFUs. Studies have indicated that adiponectin can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a key mediator of angiogenesis, and inhibit the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Additionally, adiponectin has been found to possess antioxidant properties and impact glucose metabolism, the immune system, extracellular matrix remodeling, and nerve function. The objective of this review is to summarize the current state of research on the potential role of adiponectin in the treatment of DFUs and to identify areas where further research is needed in order to fully understand the effects of adiponectin on DFUs and to establish its safety and efficacy as a treatment for DFUs in the clinical setting. This will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of DFUs that can aid in the development of new and more effective treatment strategies.

Relationship between dry eye and expressions of CXCR3 and CCR5 after ocular acid burn

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the manifestation of dry eye and its relationship with CXCR3 and CCR5 expression in patients with ocular acid burns.

METHODS

This is a case-control study. A total of 27 eyes of 22 cases ocular with acid burns of I-V degrees from Jan.2020 to Feb.2021 in Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University were selected as observation group, and 8 eyes of 8 cases of normal people were selected as control group. The follow-up period was 3 months. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal fluorescein staining scores (CFS), breakup time of tear film (BUT), Schirmer I test, corneal thickness and tear meniscus height (TMH) were observed at 1 day, 1 and 3 months after injury. The protein expressions of CXCR3 and CCR5 were examined by ELISA and compared among groups at each time point.

RESULTS

BUT and Schirmer I tests value in the observation group were lower than those in the control group 3 months after injury (BUT: Group I ~ IV p = 0.0266, p = 0.0222, p = 0.0003, p = 0.0059, respectively; Schirmer I test: Group I ~ IV p = 0.0027, p = 0.0033, p = 0.0016, p = 0.0032, respectively). CFS scores were higher than those in the control group at 1 day after injury (all p < 0.0001), but decreased gradually at 1 and 3 months after injury (Group I ~ IV p = 0.0042, p = 0.0096, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). The corneal thickness and TMH 1 day after injury were higher than those in the control group (corneal thickness: Group II ~ IV p = 0.0010, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively; TMH: Group II ~ IV p = 0.0002, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively), and also higher than those at 1 month and 3 months after injury (corneal thickness: Group II ~ IV p = 0.0010, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively; TMH: Group II ~ IV p = 0.0345 and p = 0.0045, p = 0.0005 and p < 0.0001, p = 0.0114 and p = 0.0019, respectively). The expression levels of CXCR3 and CCR5 protein were significantly negatively correlated with BUT (all p < 0.0001), and CXCR3 and CCR5 were also significantly negatively correlated with Schirmer I test value (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0004, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Ocular acid burns can cause dry eye, and the expression of CXCR3 and CCR5 protein in tears may be related to the occurrence of dry eye after ocular acid burn.

Impact of Exosomes Released by Different Corneal Cell Types on the Wound Healing Properties of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Corneal wound healing involves communication between the different cell types that constitute the three cellular layers of the cornea (epithelium, stroma and endothelium), a process ensured in part by a category of extracellular vesicles called exosomes. In the present study, we isolated exosomes released by primary cultured human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs), corneal fibroblasts (hCFs) and corneal endothelial cells (hCEnCs) and determined whether they have wound healing characteristics of their own and to which point they modify the genetic and proteomic pattern of these cell types. Exosomes released by all three cell types significantly accelerated wound closure of scratch-wounded hCECs in vitro compared to controls (without exosomes). Profiling of activated kinases revealed that exosomes from human corneal cells caused the activation of signal transduction mediators that belong to the HSP27, STAT, β-catenin, GSK-3β and p38 pathways. Most of all, data from gene profiling analyses indicated that exosomes, irrespective of their cellular origin, alter a restricted subset of genes that are completely different between each targeted cell type (hCECs, hCFS, hCEnCs). Analysis of the genes specifically differentially regulated for a given cell-type in the microarray data using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software revealed that the mean gene expression profile of hCECs cultured in the presence of exosomes would likely promote cell proliferation and migration whereas it would reduce differentiation when compared to control cells. Collectively, our findings represent a conceptual advance in understanding the mechanisms of corneal wound repair that may ultimately open new avenues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to improve closure of corneal wounds.

Anti-inflammatory effects of glycine thymosin β4 eye drops in experimental dry eye

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of glycine thymosin β4 (Gly-Tβ4) eye drops, and to compare the efficacy of topical Gly-Tβ4 with Cyclosporine A (CsA) in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE). Eye drops consisting of balanced salt solution (BSS), 0.1% Gly-Tβ4 or 0.05% CsA were used for treatment of EDE. Tear volume, tear film break-up time and corneal staining scores were measured after 7 and 14 days. Periodic acid-Schiff staining for conjunctival gobleT cells, TUNEL assay for corneal apoptotic positive cells, multiplex immunobead assay for interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ levels, and flow cytometry for CD4⁺/CCR5⁺ T cells were performed after 14 days. All clinical parameters showed improvement in the Gly-Tβ4 and CsA groups (all P<0.05). Significantly increased conjunctival gobleT cells and decreased corneal TUNEL positive cells were observed in the Gly-Tβ4 and CsA groups. The Gly-Tβ4 and CsA treated groups showed significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and T cells in the conjunctiva compared with the EDE and BSS groups (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences observed in the inflammatory and clinical parameters between the Gly-Tβ4 and CsA treatment groups. Topical application of 0.1% Gly-Tβ4 significantly reduced inflammation on the ocular surface, as well as clinical parameters of EDE, with a similar efficacy to that of 0.05% CsA emulsions, suggesting that Gly-Tβ4 eye drops may be used as a therapeutic agent for treatment of dry eye disease.