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Ebrahim AS, Carion TW, Ebrahim T, Win J, Kani H, Wang Y, Stambersky A, Ibrahim AS, Sosne G, Berger EA. A Novel Combination Therapy Tβ4/VIP Protects against Hyperglycemia-Induced Changes in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:974. [PMID: 37998149 PMCID: PMC10669755 DOI: 10.3390/bios13110974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, the majority of adult diabetic patients develop visually debilitating corneal complications, including impaired wound healing. Unfortunately, there is limited treatment for diabetes-induced corneal damage. The current project investigates a novel, peptide-based combination therapy, thymosin beta-4 and vasoactive intestinal peptide (Tβ4/VIP), against high-glucose-induced damage to the corneal epithelium. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used for real-time monitoring of barrier function and wound healing of human corneal epithelial cells maintained in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± Tβ4 (0.1%) and VIP (5 nM). Barrier integrity was assessed by resistance, impedance, and capacitance measurements. For the wound healing assay, cell migration was also monitored. Corneal epithelial tight junction proteins (ZO-1, ZO-2, occludin, and claudin-1) were assessed to confirm our findings. Barrier integrity and wound healing were significantly impaired under high-glucose conditions. However, barrier function and cell migration significantly improved with Tβ4/VIP treatment. These findings were supported by high-glucose-induced downregulation of tight junction proteins that were effectively maintained similar to normal levels when treated with Tβ4/VIP. These results strongly support the premise that Tβ4 and VIP work synergistically to protect corneal epithelial cells against hyperglycemia-induced damage. In addition, this work highlights the potential for significant translational impact regarding the treatment of diabetic patients and associated complications of the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Shukkur Ebrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Thomas W. Carion
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Thanzeela Ebrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Jeff Win
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Hussein Kani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Health Professions and Sciences, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Ashten Stambersky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Ahmed S. Ibrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Gabriel Sosne
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
| | - Elizabeth A. Berger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual & Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (A.S.E.); (T.W.C.); (T.E.); (J.W.); (Y.W.); (A.S.); (A.S.I.); (G.S.)
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Zhao X, Li N, Yang N, Mi B, Dang W, Sun D, Ma S, Nian H, Wei R. Thymosin β4 Alleviates Autoimmune Dacryoadenitis via Suppressing Th17 Cell Response. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:3. [PMID: 37531112 PMCID: PMC10405860 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.11.3] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We investigated the therapeutic effect of recombinant thymosin β4 (rTβ4) on rabbit autoimmune dacryoadenitis, an animal model of SS dry eye, and explore its mechanisms. Methods Rabbits were treated topically with rTβ4 or PBS solution after disease onset for 28 days, and clinical scores were determined by assessing tear secretion, break-up time, fluorescein, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and periodic acid-Schiff. The expression of inflammatory mediators in the lacrimal glands were measured by real-time PCR. The expression of T helper 17 (Th17) cell-related transcription factors and cytokines were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The molecular mechanism underlying the effects of rTβ4 on Th17 cell responses was investigated by Western blotting. Results Topical administration of rTβ4 after disease onset efficiently ameliorated the ocular surface inflammation and relieved the clinical symptoms. Further analysis revealed that rTβ4 treatment significantly inhibited the expression of Th17-related genes (RORC, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-1R1, IL-23R, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) and IL-17 protein in lacrimal glands, and meanwhile decreased the inflammatory mediators expression. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that rTβ4 repressed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) both in vivo and in vitro. Activation of the STAT3 signal pathway by Colivelin partly reversed the suppressive effects of rTβ4 on IL-17 expression in vitro. Conclusions rTβ4 could alleviate ongoing autoimmune dacryoadenitis in rabbits, probably by suppressing Th17 response via partly affecting the STAT3 pathway. These data may provide a new insight into the therapeutic effect and mechanism of rTβ4 in dry eye associated with Sjögren's syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ning Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Baoyue Mi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiyu Dang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Deming Sun
- Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Shanshan Ma
- Beijing Northland Biotech. Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Hong Nian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruihua Wei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Wang Y, Carion TW, Ebrahim AS, Sosne G, Berger EA. Adjunctive Thymosin Beta-4 Treatment Influences PMN Effector Cell Function during Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Corneal Infection. Cells 2021; 10:3579. [PMID: 34944086 PMCID: PMC8700181 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous work examining the therapeutic efficacy of adjunct thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) to ciprofloxacin for ocular infectious disease has revealed markedly reduced inflammation (inflammatory mediators and innate immune cells) with increased activation of wound healing pathways. Understanding the therapeutic mechanisms of action have further revealed a synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin to enhance bacterial killing along with a regulatory influence over macrophage effector cell function. As a natural extension of the aforementioned work, the current study uses an experimental model of P. aeruginosa-induced keratitis to examine the influence of Tβ4 regarding polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN/neutrophil) cellular function, contributing to improved disease response. Flow cytometry was utilized to phenotypically profile infiltrating PMNs after infection. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and PMN apoptosis were investigated to assess the functional activities of PMNs in response to Tβ4 therapy. In vitro work using peritoneal-derived PMNs was similarly carried out to verify and extend our in vivo findings. The results indicate that the numbers of infiltrated PMNs into infected corneas were significantly reduced with adjunctive Tβ4 treatment. This was paired with the downregulated expression of proinflammatory markers on these cells, as well. Data generated from PMN functional studies suggested that the corneas of adjunctive Tβ4 treated B6 mice exhibit a well-regulated production of ROS, NETs, and limited PMN apoptosis. In addition to confirming the in vivo results, the in vitro findings also demonstrated that neutrophil elastase (NE) was unnecessary for NETosis. Collectively, these data provide additional evidence that adjunctive Tβ4 + ciprofloxacin treatment is a promising option for bacterial keratitis that addresses both the infectious pathogen and cellular-mediated immune response, as revealed by the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Thomas W Carion
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Abdul Shukkur Ebrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Gabriel Sosne
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Berger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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