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Corneal wound, associated with pain, impaired vision, and even blindness, is the most common ocular injury. In this study, we investigated the effect of a novel ferroptosis inhibitor, UAMC-3203 (10 nM–50 µM), in corneal epithelial wound healing in vitro in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and ex vivo using alkali-induced corneal wounded mice eye model. We evaluated in vivo acute tolerability of the compound by visual inspection, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and stereomicroscope imaging in rats after its application (100 µM drug solution in phosphate buffer pH 7.4) twice a day for 5 days. In addition, we studied the partitioning of UAMC-3203 in corneal epithelium and corneal stroma using excised porcine cornea. Our study demonstrated that UAMC-3203 had a positive corneal epithelial wound healing effect at the optimal concentration of 10 nM (IC50 value for ferroptosis) in vitro and at 10 µM in the ex vivo study. UAMC-3203 solution (100 µM) was well tolerated after topical administration with no signs of toxicity and inflammation in rats. Ex-vivo distribution study revealed significantly higher concentration (~12–38-fold) and partition coefficient (Kp) (~52 times) in corneal epithelium than corneal stroma. The UAMC-3203 solution (100 µM) was stable for up to 30 days at 4 °C, 37 °C, and room temperature. Overall, UAMC-3203 provides a new prospect for safe and effective therapy for corneal wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry eye (DED) is a prevalent disease with immune-mediated inflammation as the principal pathophysiological etiology. Olive pomace, the major by-product of the olive oil industry, is rich in high-value polyphenols. Their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities were determined on human CD4+ T cells (hTCD4+) and in a DED animal model. The viability of hTCD4+ cells isolated from peripheral blood and activated with phytohemagglutinin-M was evaluated after treatment for 48 h with an olive pomace extract (OPT3, 0.10–0.40 mg/mL) and its major compound, hydroxytyrosol (25–100 μM). Regarding the DED animal model, 100 μM hydroxytyrosol, 0.20 mg/mL OPT3, or vehicle (borate buffer) were topically administered to 14 days-desiccating stress-exposed (constant airflow/scopolamine administration) C57BL/6 mice. Tear volume, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), CD4+, and CD8+ T cell count in lymph nodes (flow cytometry), and IP-10 and TNF-α gene expression (qRT-PCR) in the cornea, conjunctiva, and lacrimal glands were evaluated. OPT3 (0.2–0.4 mg/mL) and hydroxytyrosol (100 μM) significantly reduced hTCD4+ proliferation. In mice, both treatments reduced lacrimal gland IP-10 gene expression. OPT3 also decreased CFS, and conjunctival IP-10 and corneal TNF-α gene expression. In lymph nodes, hydroxytyrosol reduced CD3+, OPT3, and CD8+ count. Thus, a high-value application as a promising DED protection was proposed for olive pomace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anti-inflammatory, topical therapy of severe keratitis in dry eye disease (DED) and ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGvHD) includes steroids, cyclosporine (Cs), and others. In Germany, a commercial product containing 0.1% Cs in a cationic formulation is available since 2015. Objective: The aim of this study was to present real-life data using cationic 0.1% Cs in oGvHD patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 26 oGvHD and 41 DED patients with corneal staining of at least Oxford grade III. Parameters analyzed were Ocular Surface Disease Index, corneal staining, intraocular pressure, tear film break-up time, Schirmer, and visual acuity. In addition, it was evaluated how different Cs formulations were tolerated. Results: Corneal staining improved significantly in 1 eye in DED but not in oGvHD. In DED, cationic 0.1% Cs was not tolerated by 32% of the patients, in contrast to 0.05% Cs in castor oil not tolerated by 47% and liposomal 0.05% Cs by 63%. In oGvHD patients, cationic 0.1% Cs was not tolerated by 62%, 0.05% Cs in castor oil by 33%, and liposomal 0.05% Cs by 39% of the patients. Conclusions: This study demonstrates differences between the tolerance of different Cs formulations depending on the underlying cause of severe keratitis. Cationic 0.1% Cs is considerably less tolerated in oGvHD, and its use should be considered with care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare differences in clinical dry eye features and meibomian gland health status between dry eye patients from rural and urban populations in Ghana. Methods: We examined 211 (rural=109, urban=102) participants with subjective dry eye symptoms. Tear film break -up time (TBUT), Schirmer's test and ocular surface staining (OSS) were assessed. Symptoms were evaluated using the SPEED II questionnaire. Meibomian glands (MG) in the right eye upper (UL) and lower lids (LL) were imaged using a custom meibographer. MG area was determined by intensity threshold segmentation using Image J software. MG loss (MGL) was also graded based on Pult's grading scheme. Mann–Whitney, Spearman correlation, chi-square and odds analyses were performed; p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Rural participants showed greater SPEED scores, reduced TBUT, and lower Schirmer scores, p < 0.05. The proportion of rural participants with MGL were significantly more (82.3%) than urban participants (63.3%), p < 0.05. They also showed greater MGL than urban participants, p < 0.05. Chi-square test revealed significantly different meiboscale distributions (UL: χ2=13.58, LL: χ2=15.29) between the groups, p < 0.05. Overall significant relationships were observed between MGL and age [rs= 0.61], OSS [rs= 0.35], TBUT [rs= − 0.52], and Schirmer scores [rs= − 0.40], p < 0.05. Conclusion: The data suggest that the participants from the rural population have worse dry eye and meibomian gland health status than those from the urban population. The significant relationships between the various clinical variables suggest important links between MGD and DED. Subtle differences in the everyday working and living environment could likely account for the differences in the severity of DED and MGD between the two groups. And considering the increased pattern of urbanization, industrialization and modernization and the related environmental effects in Africa, future longitudinal studies on specific environmental risk factors or mediators of DED and MGD are necessary to ascertain the MGD and DED situation in Ghana and Africa at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGvHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation develops as severe dry eye disease (DED) and is initially treated with lubricants, although no clinical trials are available using artificial tears in oGvHD. This trial was set up to test perfluorohexyloctane (NovaTears®) as nonpreserved layer-forming agent for the treatment of DED in oGvHD. Methods: 25 patients with severe DED due to oGvHD received 1 drop perfluorohexyloctane 4 times daily during a prospective, multicenter, observational 12-week study on top of established topical therapy. Clinical parameters included Schirmer test, tear film breakup time, corneal staining, meibum secretion and ocular surface disease index. Adverse events, visual acuity and intraocular pressure were key safety parameters. Results: From 25 patients recruited, 23 presented for the second visit. Perfluorohexyloctane treatment did not lead to any changes in clinical or safety parameters but led to fast relief in symptoms in 57% of the patients. One adverse reaction occurred. Conclusions: This study showed no change in clinical signs in severe DED due to oGvHD, which was not unexpected due to the underlying pathomechanisms. However, the study showed improvement of symptoms in individual patients allowing application of perfluorohexyloctane as an additional symptomatic therapy in oGvHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Meibomian gland disease is generally accepted as the leading cause for evaporative dry eye disease (DED). In a previous study, perfluorohexyloctane, a semifluorinated alkane, has been demonstrated to significantly increase tear film breakup time and to reduce corneal fluorescein staining in patients with evaporative DED, thereby vastly reducing dry eye-related symptoms. This study was set up to evaluate perfluorohexyloctane in a larger population of patients with Meibomian gland dysfunction.Methods: Seventy-two patients with Meibomian gland disease and associated dry eye received 1 drop of perfluorohexyloctane 4 times daily during an observational, prospective, multicenter, 6-8-week study. Clinical assessment included best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, Schirmer test I, tear film breakup time, anterior and posterior blepharitis assessment, number of expressible Meibomian glands, meibum quality and quantity, ocular surface fluorescein staining, lid margin and symptom assessment, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI©).Results: From the 72 patients recruited, 61 completed the trial per protocol. Nine patients did not apply the medication as recommended and 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Tear film breakup time, corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, number of expressible Meibomian glands, and severity of anterior and posterior blepharitis significantly improved after 6-8 weeks of perfluorohexyloctane application. In addition, symptoms improved as demonstrated by a significant decrease of OSDI-values from 37 (±13) to 26 (±16).Conclusions: In concordance with previous findings, 6-8 weeks of topical application of perfluorohexyloctane significantly improves clinical signs of Meibomian gland disease and associated mild to moderate DED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) type I is a technique to treat patients with corneal diseases that are not amenable to conventional keratoplasty. Correct assembly and central implantation of the prosthesis are crucial for postoperative visual recovery. This study investigates the potential benefit of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor KPro surgery. Retrospective case series are presented for two patients who underwent Boston KPro type I implantation. The surgery in both patients was monitored intraoperatively using a commercially available intraoperative OCT (iOCT) device mounted on a surgical microscope. Microscope-integrated intraoperative OCT was able to evaluate the correct assembly and implantation of the KPro. All parts of the prosthesis were visible, and interfaces between the corneal graft and titanium backplate or anterior optics were clearly depictable. Moreover, iOCT visualized a gap between the backplate and graft in one case, and in the other case, a gap between the anterior optic and graft. Neither gap was visible with a conventional surgical microscope. The gap between the anterior optic and the graft could easily be corrected. Microscope-integrated iOCT delivers enhanced information, adding to the normal surgical microscope view during KPro surgery. Correct assembly can be controlled as well as the correct placement of the Boston KPro into the anterior chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:Ab internoglaucoma surgery, such as trabecular aspiration orab internotrabeculotomy, has been introduced as an alternative, non-filtering procedure to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility of intraoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography (iOCT) for improvingab internoglaucoma surgery. Materials and Methods: Intraoperative optical coherence tomography was performed to visualize the anterior chamber angle, the aspiration canula during trabecular aspiration, and the trabectome device duringab internotrabeculotomy. A commercially available 840-nm iOCT was used in a clinical setting, a 1310-nm spectral-domain OCT in an experimental setting. Results: In the clinical setting using the 840-nm iOCT, visualization of the aspiration canula and the trabectome device was possible, however, with rather limited visibility of the chamber angle and the trabecular meshwork. In the experimental setting, the 1310-nm OCT enabled excellent visualization of the chamber angle and detailed evaluation of the instrument–trabecular meshwork relation. Conclusions: Intraoperative use of optical coherence tomography may be helpful forab internoglaucoma surgery. Adjustments of the commercially available iOCT, including longer wavelengths and oblique scanning options, are necessary for the clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Evaporation of the tear film is heavily discussed as one core reason for dry eye disease (DED). Subsequently, new artificial tear products are developed that specifically target this pathomechanism. Perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8, NovaTears(®)) from the family of semifluorinated alkanes is a novel substance that has been approved as a medical device, as a nonblurring wetting agent for the ocular surface.Methods: Thirty patients with hyperevaporative dry eye received F6H8 during a prospective, multicenter, observational 6-week study. Patients were advised to apply 1 drop 4 times daily in both eyes. Parameters assessed included best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, Schirmer I test, tear fluid, tear film breakup time (TFBUT), corneal staining, meibum secretion, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI(©)).Results: From the 30 patients recruited, 25 completed the trial per protocol. Four patients discontinued F6H8 and 1 patient did not present for follow-up. F6H8 treatment led to significant reduction of corneal staining and significant increase of Schirmer I and TFBUT. In addition, OSDI score dropped significantly from a mean of 55 (± 23.0) to 34 (± 22.4). Visual acuity and ocular pressure did not change.Conclusions: This prospective observational study shows significant beneficial effects in patients suffering from evaporative DED, using F6H8 in all the relevant parameters tested. The decrease of the OSDI by a mean of 21 points was particularly remarkable and clearly exceeds minimal, clinical important differences for mild or moderate and severe disease. Overall, F6H8 (NovaTears) seems to be safe and effective in treating mild to moderate hyperevaporative DED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucosal surfaces are constantly exposed to pathogens and show high immunological activity. In a broad variety of ocular surface disorders inflammation is common, but underlying mechanisms are often not fully understood. However, the main clinical problem is that inflammatory processes are difficult to characterize and quantify due to the impossibility of repeated tissue probing of the delicate ocular surface. Therefore non-invasive optical methods are thought to have the potential for intravital investigation of ocular surface inflammation. This study demonstrates the general potential of two-photon microscopy to non-invasively detect and discriminate key players of inflammation in the ocular surface by using intrinsic fluorescence-based features without the necessity of tissue probing or the use of dyes. The use of wavelength dependent measurements of fluorescence lifetime, in addition to autofluorescence intensity enables a functional differentiation of isolated immune cells in vitro at excitation wavelengths between 710 to 830 nm. Mixed cell cultures and first in vivo results indicate the use of excitation wavelength of 710 to 750 nm for further experiments and future use in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD4+ T (helper) cells migrate in huge numbers through lymphoid organs. However, little is known about traffic routes and kinetics of CD4+ T-cell subsets within different organ compartments. Such information is important because there are indications that CD4+ T cells may influence the function of microenvironments depending on their developmental stage. Therefore, we investigated the migration of resting (naïve), activated, and recently activated (memory) CD4+ T cells through the different compartments of the spleen. Resting and recently activated CD4+ T cells were separated from thoracic duct lymph and activated CD4+ T cells were generated in vitro by cross-linking the T-cell receptor and CD28. The present study shows that all three CD4+ T-cell subsets selectively accumulate in the T-cell zone of the spleen. However, only activated T cells induce the formation of germinal centers (GCs) and autoantibodies in rats and mice. Our results suggest that in a two-step process they first activate B cells independent of the T-cell receptor repertoire and CD40 ligand (CD154) expression. The activated B cells then form GCs whereby CD154-dependend T-cell help is needed. Thus, activated T cells may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases by activating autoreactive B cells in an Ag-independent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]