1
|
Zhou Y, Ma B, Liu Q, Duan H, Huo Y, Zhao L, Chen J, Han W, Qi H. Transmembrane Protein CMTM6 Alleviates Ocular Inflammatory Response and Improves Corneal Epithelial Barrier Function in Experimental Dry Eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:4. [PMID: 38165704 PMCID: PMC10768713 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the impact of transmembrane protein CMTM6 on the pathogenesis of dry eye disease (DED) and elucidate its potential mechanisms. Methods CMTM6 expression was confirmed by database analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Tear secretion was measured using the phenol red thread test. Immune cell infiltration was assessed through flow cytometry. Barrier function was evaluated by fluorescein sodium staining, immunofluorescence staining of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), and electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) assessment. For silencing CMTM6 expression, siRNA and shRNA were employed, along with lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of CMTM6. Proinflammatory cytokine levels were analyzed by RT-PCR and cytometric bead array (CBA) analysis. Results CMTM6 showed high expression in healthy human and mouse corneal and conjunctival epithelium but was notably reduced in DED. Notably, this downregulation was correlated with disease severity. Cmtm6-/- dry eye (DE) mice displayed reduced tear secretion, severe corneal epithelial defects, decreased conjunctival goblet cell density, and upregulated inflammatory response. Additionally, Cmtm6-/- DE mice and CMTM6 knockdown human corneal epithelial cell-transformed (HCE-T) cells showed more severe barrier disruption and reduced expression of ZO-1. Knockdown of CMTM6 in HCE-T cells increased inflammatory responses induced by hyperosmotic stress, which was significantly mitigated by CMTM6 overexpression. Moreover, the level of phospho-p65 in hyperosmolarity-stimulated HCE-T cells increased after silencing CMTM6. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 inhibition (JSH-23) reversed the excessive inflammatory responses caused by hyperosmolarity in CMTM6 knockdown HCE-T cells. Conclusions The reduction in CMTM6 expression on the ocular surface contributes to the pathogenesis of DED. The CMTM6-NF-κB p65 signaling pathway may serve as a promising therapeutic target for DED.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Baikai Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyao Liu
- Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Duan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yangbo Huo
- Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wenling Han
- Department of Immunology, Peking University Health Science Center, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China
- Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|