J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1997 Jun;38(6):907-912.

The Analysis of Human Tear Proteins Using Protein Electrophoresis

• Jung KS
• Yoo YS
• Rhim CH

Abstract

The proportion of tear proteins is different markedly in various ocular diseases, so its measurement may be of considerable diagnostic value in certain ocular conditions. We studied prospectively proportion of tear proteins in 50 normal adult Koreans. 25 male and 25 female, by using protein electrophoresis. Four fractions were demonstrated by protein electrophoresis using cellulose acetate membrane: Fraction 1 represents as tear-specific prealbumin(TSP1) and albumin, fraction 2 as other tear-specific prealbumin(TSP2), fraction 3 as lactotransferrin and immunoglobulin, and fraction 4 as lysozyme. In this study, the proportion of tear proteins in fraction 1 to 4 were 33.4%, 1.1%, 44.2%, and 21.2% respectively. With age, the proportion of fraction 4 decreased, and its decrease was not statistically significant difference. There was no statistically significant difference between age groups in fractions 1,2 or 3. Difference of proportion of tear proteins between the sex was not statistically significant in any of the fractions. Further studies on the tear proteins may be helpful in diagnosing some ocular conditions.

Keyword

protein electrophoresis; tear protein

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cellulose
Electrophoresis*
Female
Humans*
Immunoglobulins
Lactoferrin
Male
Membranes
Muramidase
Prospective Studies
Tears*
Cellulose
Immunoglobulins
Lactoferrin
Muramidase