J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2023 Dec;64(12):1191-1197. 10.3341/jkos.2023.64.12.1191.

Inflammatory Factors Predicting Dry Eye Syndrome in a Model Using Osmotic Pressure

• Park KW
• Koh JW

• KMID: 2549024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2023.64.12.1191

Abstract

Purpose
To identify inflammatory factors that may serve as biomarkers for dry eye syndrome using a hyperosmotic dry eye syndrome model.
Methods
Cultured human conjunctival epithelial cells were subjected to 400, 450, 500, and 550 mOsm/L NaCl, and cell viability was assessed in response to osmolarity. The relative expression of inflammatory factors was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 according to the NaCl concentration.
Results
An increase in the concentration of NaCl led to a notable decrease in cell viability (p < 0.05). IL-8, TNF-α, and MMP-9 expression levels increased significantly in proportion to NaCl concentration (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
IL-8, TNF-α, and MMP-9 may serve as effective biomarkers in dry eye studies.

Keyword

Dry eye syndromes, Hyperosmolarity, Inflammatory factors