Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-mediated corneal epithelial cell ingestion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a key component in the pathogenesis of experimental murine keratitis.
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Previous findings indicate that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a ligand for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ingestion into respiratory epithelial cells. In experimental murine keratitis, P. aeruginosa enters corneal epithelial cells. We determined the importance of CFTR-mediated uptake of P. aeruginosa by corneal cells in experimental eye infections. Entry of noncytotoxic (exoU) P. aeruginosa into human and rabbit corneal cell cultures was inhibited with monoclonal antibodies and peptides specific to CFTR amino acids 108 to 117. Immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated CFTR in the intact murine corneal epithelium, and electron microscopy showed that CFTR binds to P. aeruginosa following corneal cell ingestion. In experimental murine eye infections, multiple additions of 5 nM CFTR peptide 103-117 to inocula of either cytotoxic (exoU+) or noncytotoxic P. aeruginosa resulted in large reductions in bacteria in the eye and markedly lessened eye pathology. Compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice, heterozygous DeltaF508 Cftr mice infected with P. aeruginosa had an approximately 10-fold reduction in bacterial levels in the eye and consequent reductions in eye pathology. Homozygous DeltaF508 Cftr mice were nearly completely resistant to P. aeruginosa corneal infection. CFTR-mediated internalization of P. aeruginosa by buried corneal epithelial cells is critical to the pathogenesis of experimental eye infection, while in the lung, P. aeruginosa uptake by surface epithelial cells enhances P. aeruginosa clearance from this tissue. (+info)
First report of Thelazia sp. from a captive Oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) in Japan.
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Nematodes of the genus Thelazia were recovered from the cornea and inferior conjunctival sac of an immature Oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana). The bird hatched and reared at the Toyooka Oriental White Stork Breeding Center, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, but died of chlamydiosis. There were neither gross nor histopathologic ophthalmic lesions. The eye worm from a bird is believed to be first reported in Japan. As regarding reintroduction plan for the Oriental white stork, control measures for prevent further infection with the eye worm will be needed. (+info)
Pharmacological studies on root bark of mulberry tree (Morus alba L.)
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Pharmacological studies were done on the root bark of mulberry tree and pharmacological effects were compared with the clinical effects of "Sohakuhi" in Chinese medicine. n-Butanol- and water-soluble fractions of mulberry root had similar effects except for those on the cadiovascular system. Both fractions showed cathartic, analgesic, diuretic, antitussive, antiedema, sedative, anticonvulsant, and hypotensive actions in mice, rats, guinea pigs and dogs. There appears to be a correlation between the experimental pharmacological results and the clinical applications of mulberry root found in the literature on Chinese medicine. (+info)
Pathogenesis of experimental Pseudomonas keratitis in the guinea pig: bacteriologic, clinical, and microscopic observations.
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Uniformly severe corneal infections were produced in guinea pigs by intracorneal injection of about 10 viable Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After a brief lag period, multiplication of bacteria was rapid, reaching geometric means of 280,000 after 24 hr and of 5 million after 48 hr. Within 8 hr after inoculation, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) began to infiltrate the anterior two thirds of the stroma. Stromal cells adjacent to the injection site became necrotic and appeared to be engulfed by PMNs. By 14 to 16 hr, an abscess containing a dense aggregate of PMNs and multiplying bacteria developed in the central stroma. By 16 to 24 hr, collagen breakdown was apparent within and around the abscess. Ultrastructural evidence of collagen breakdown included loss of intact collagen fibrils, tactoid formation, and accumulation of amorphous electron-dense material. The area of liquefactive necrosis gradually enlarged, and many corneas perforated after 3 to 4 days. Because the course of infection is highly reproducible, this model should prove useful for many studies of experimental Pseudomonas keratitis. (+info)
Freeze-fracture studies of the developing cell surface. II. Particle-free membrane blisters on glutaraldehyde-fixed corneal fibroblasts are artefacts.
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We describe, in sections and by freeze-fracture, four classes of intramembrane particle (IMP)-free membrane blebs or "blisters" associated with glutaraldehyde-fixed embryonic corneal fibroblasts: (a) Single blisters attached to the cell membrane; (b) free (detached) vesicles; (c) myelin figures; (d) multivesicular protrusions which resemble the "mounds" described by others on nerve growth cones. The IMP-free, membrane-bounded blisters contain no ground cytoplasm or organelles, in contrast to blebs on trypsin-isolated fibroblasts, which we show here do contain cytoplasm and IMP-rich membranes. That the IMP-free membrane blisters in embryonic corneas are artefacts of fixation is demonstrated by (a) their absence in replicas of fibroblasts frozen and fractured without prior aldehyde fixation and (b) their absence in sections of fibroblasts fixed in a combination of glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide. We suggest that the addition of osmium prevents postfixation movement of membrane lipids, especially the negatively charged "fluid" lipids which others have shown are capable of considerable mobility after aldehyde fixation alone. Recent literature has implicated membrane blistering in secretory processes and in growth of nerves, but before the functional significance of such IMP-free blisters is assessed, membrane mobility of the type shown here should be taken into consideration. (+info)
cDNA cloning of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 12-lipoxygenases of bovine corneal epithelium.
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Bovine corneal epithelium contains arachidonate 12- and 15-lipoxygenase activity, while human corneal epithelium contains only 15-lipoxygenase activity. Our purpose was to identify the corneal 12- and 15-lipoxygenase isozymes. We used cDNA cloning to isolate the amino acid coding nucleotide sequences of two bovine lipoxygenases. The translated sequence of one lipoxygenase was 82% identical with human 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and 75% identical with mouse 8-lipoxygenase, whereas the other translated nucleotide sequence was 87% identical with human 12-lipoxygenase of the platelet type. Expression of 15-lipoxygenase type 2 and platelet type 12-lipoxygenase mRNAs were detected by Northern analysis. In addition to these two lipoxygenases, 12-lipoxygenase of leukocyte (tracheal) type was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and Northern analysis. Finally, PCR and sequencing suggested that human corneal epithelium contains 15-lipoxygenase types 1 and 2. (+info)
Characterization of proteoglycans synthesized by cultured corneal fibroblasts in response to transforming growth factor beta and fetal calf serum.
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A culture system was developed to analyze the relationship between proteoglycans and growth factors during corneal injury. Specifically, the effects of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) and fetal calf serum on proteoglycan synthesis in corneal fibroblasts were examined. Glycosaminoglycan synthesis and sulfation were determined using selective polysaccharidases. Proteoglycan core proteins were analyzed using gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Cells cultured in 10% dialyzed fetal calf serum exhibited decreased synthesis of more highly sulfated chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate compared with cells cultured in 1% dialyzed fetal calf serum. The amount and sulfation of the glycosaminoglycans was not significantly influenced by TGF-beta1. The major proteoglycan species secreted into the media were decorin and perlecan. Decorin was glycanated with chondroitin sulfate. Perlecan was linked to either chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate, or both chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate. Decorin synthesis was reduced by either TGF-beta1 or serum. At early time points, both TGF-beta1 and serum induced substantial increases in perlecan bearing chondroitin sulfate and/or heparan sulfate chains. In contrast, after extended periods in culture, the amount of perlecan bearing heparan sulfate chains was unaffected by TGF-beta1 and decreased by serum. The levels of perlecan bearing chondroitin sulfate chains were elevated with TGF-beta1 treatment and were decreased with serum. Because both decorin and perlecan bind growth factors and are proposed to modulate their activity, changes in the expression of either of these proteoglycans could substantially affect the cellular response to injury. (+info)
Effect of leukocytes on corneal cellular proliferation and wound healing.
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PURPOSE: To establish whether fucoidin, by blocking the adhesion of leukocytes on the limbal vascular endothelium, prevents extravasation of the cells from the blood stream into the limbal stroma and the wounded area after corneal injury. Successful leukocyte blocking enabled investigation of the influence of leukocytes on corneal cellular proliferation after corneal wounding. METHODS: Thirty-two New Zealand White rabbits were used. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and a standardized alkali corneal wound were used as models in two sets of experiments. In half of the injured rabbits fucoidin was used to prevent leukocytes from leaving the local vessels. The efficiency of the blocking technique was evaluated by counting the number of leukocytes in the limbal and wounded corneal areas. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used as a marker for proliferative activity. RESULTS: The infiltration of leukocytes into the limbus and the cornea after PRK and alkali injuries can be blocked by fucoidin. The healing rate of corneal epithelium after alkali burn was retarded in the absence of leukocytes. PCNA expression was enhanced in the presence of leukocytes. Fucoidin per se had no influence on corneal cell proliferation and wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) can be prevented from entering the cornea in vivo by fucoidin after PRK and after alkali burn. The corneal epithelial healing rate is delayed in the absence of PMNs in vivo, and PCNA expression increases in the presence of leukocytes. (+info)