Wang JS, Peng X, Zhao Z, Wang C, Xie HT, Zhang MC. Differential expression of antimicrobial peptides in human fungal keratitis.
Int J Ophthalmol 2023;
16:1630-1635. [PMID:
37854369 PMCID:
PMC10559020 DOI:
10.18240/ijo.2023.10.11]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM
To analyze a series of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in corneal tissue from individuals with fungal keratitis (FK) during the active phase of the fungus infection and after healing.
METHODS
Patients undergone lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of severe FK or corneal scar had their corneal buttons sampled. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to ascertain the gene expression of human beta-defensin (HBD)-1, -2, -3, -9, S100A7, 8, 9, and LL-37.
RESULTS
All AMPs' messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was considerably elevated in all samples (n=12). In contrast to controls, where HBD-2, -3, and S100A7 mRNAs were expressed at very low levels, it was discovered that HBD-1, -9, S100A8, S100A9, and LL-37 were constitutively expressed in all healed samples (n=4). HBD-1, -2 -3, S100A7, and LL-37 mRNAs were significantly increased in all active FK samples (n=8). The levels of HBD-9, S100A8, and S100A9 mRNAs were moderately upregulated in all active FK samples. Subgroup comparison showed that HBD-2 was significantly increased in Fusarium keratitis samples (n=5), and LL-37 mRNAs were significantly enhanced in Aspergillus keratitis samples (n=3). Whereas there was not significantly increased of HBD-1, -3, -9, S100A7, 8, 9 mRNA in Aspergillus keratitis samples compared with Fusarium keratitis samples.
CONCLUSION
AMPs expression is increased in active FK, but not all AMPs are equally expressed. HBD-2 and LL-37 expression levels are the highest, showing some specificity of AMP expression related to FK. Human AMPs, particularly HBD-2 may play a significant role in Fusarium keratitis and LL-37 might be the key player in Aspergillus keratitis.
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