Search

Background We examined the effect of all-trans retinoic acid on collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts. Methods Rabbit corneal fibroblasts were cultured with or without all-trans retinoic acid in a three-dimensional collagen gel, and the extent of collagen degradation was determined by measurement of hydroxyproline in acid hydrolysates of culture supernatants. Matrix metalloproteinase expression was examined by immunoblot analysis and gelatin zymography. The abundance and phosphorylation state of the endogenous nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor IκB-α were examined by immunoblot analysis. Corneal ulceration was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide into the central corneal stroma of rabbits and was assessed by observation with a slitlamp microscope. Results All-trans retinoic acid inhibited interleukin-1β-induced collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. It also attenuated the release and activation of matrix metalloproteinases as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α induced by interleukin-1β in these cells. Topical application of all-trans retinoic acid suppressed corneal ulceration induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide into the corneal stroma. Conclusions All-trans retinoic acid inhibited collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts exposed to interleukin-1β, with this effect being accompanied by suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB signalling as well as of matrix metalloproteinase release and activation in these cells. All-trans retinoic acid also attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced corneal ulceration in vivo. Our results therefore suggest that all-trans retinoic acid might prove effective for the treatment of patients with corneal ulceration.

Infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) has been detected in the tear fluid of rabbits with herpetic keratitis. Here, we investigated whether ICP0 of herpes simplex virus 1 is detectable in the tear fluid of patients with herpetic epithelial keratitis.Seven patients with herpetic epithelial keratitis (age range, 51-76 years) and 11 healthy volunteers (age range, 48-85 years) were enrolled in the study. Tear fluid was collected with the use of Schirmer test strips and subjected to immunoblot analysis with antibodies to ICP0.ICP0 was not detected in the tear fluid of the healthy controls, whereas it was detected in 4 of the 7 patients with herpetic keratitis. The tear fluid of the 4 ICP0-positive patients was collected within 3 days of the onset of keratitis, whereas that of the ICP0-negative patients was obtained at least 7 days after disease onset.ICP0 was detected in the tear fluid of patients in the early phase of herpetic epithelial keratitis, but not in that of patients in the later stages of the disease nor in that of the healthy controls. ICP0 expression may thus be dependent on the disease phase.

We examined the effect of all-trans retinoic acid on collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts.Rabbit corneal fibroblasts were cultured with or without all-trans retinoic acid in a three-dimensional collagen gel, and the extent of collagen degradation was determined by measurement of hydroxyproline in acid hydrolysates of culture supernatants. Matrix metalloproteinase expression was examined by immunoblot analysis and gelatin zymography. The abundance and phosphorylation state of the endogenous nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor IκB-α were examined by immunoblot analysis. Corneal ulceration was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide into the central corneal stroma of rabbits and was assessed by observation with a slitlamp microscope.All-trans retinoic acid inhibited interleukin-1β-induced collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. It also attenuated the release and activation of matrix metalloproteinases as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α induced by interleukin-1β in these cells. Topical application of all-trans retinoic acid suppressed corneal ulceration induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide into the corneal stroma.All-trans retinoic acid inhibited collagen degradation mediated by corneal fibroblasts exposed to interleukin-1β, with this effect being accompanied by suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB signalling as well as of matrix metalloproteinase release and activation in these cells. All-trans retinoic acid also attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced corneal ulceration in vivo. Our results therefore suggest that all-trans retinoic acid might prove effective for the treatment of patients with corneal ulceration.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the susceptibility of crystallins proteolyzed by ubiquitous calpain 2 and by lens-specific calpain Lp82 to insolubilization. To test this, transgenic (TG) mice expressing a calpain 2, in which the active site cysteine 105 was mutated to alanine, were produced. Expression of mutated calpain 2 was driven in lens by coupling the mutated gene to the betaB1-crystallin promoter. Light scattering was measured in solutions of lens proteins after activation of endogenous calpain 2 and/or Lp82. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed to determine the cleavage sites and the calpain responsible for insolubilization of crystallins. Lens proteins from TG mice incubated in vitro with calcium showed higher light scattering compared to proteins from wild type (WT) mice. alphaA-crystallin from TG mice was proteolyzed by Lp82. In contrast, alphaA-crystallin in lenses from WT mice were proteolyzed by both calpain 2 and Lp82. These results suggested that Lp82-induced proteolysis of crystallins caused increased susceptibility of truncated crystallins to in vitro precipitation. Since Lp82 is highest in young animals, Lp82-induced proteolysis and precipitation may be one of the factors responsible for the cataract formation in young rodents.

The purposes of this experiment were (1) to determine if apoptosis was accelerated during formation of selenite cataract, and (2) to determine the role of calpains and caspases in lens apoptosis. Evidence for apoptosis in selenite-injected rats included: approximately 7–8% of epithelial cells in germinative zone were positive, disappearance of the nuclear membrane, condensation of the chromatin, and breakdown of PARP. Activation of calpains was indicated by characteristic limited proteolysis of crystallins, breakdown of α-spectrin to 150/145 kDa fragments, hydrolysis of vimentin, and autolytic breakdown of m-calpain. Selenite cataract did not have an appreciable effect on the mRNA levels for caspase-3, calpains, and calpastatin. This indicated the increased enzyme activity of m-calpain and caspase-3 in selenite cataract occurred at the enzyme level rather than by upregulation of mRNAs. Increased calpain and caspase activity may be linked to the selenite-induced apoptosis. Such data are important because they indicate that apoptosis may be a fairly early event in selenite cataract.

The purpose of this study was to characterize Lp82 calpain in normal mouse. Lp82 is a lens-specific, calcium-activated isozyme from the calpain super family of cysteine proteases (EC 34.22.17). RT-PCR and molecular cloning were performed on total RNA from 12 day-old mice. Lp82 and m-calpain protein levels and proteolytic activities in lenses were measured by casein zymography, immunoblotting, and ELISA after partial purification by DEAE-HPLC. The 2334-bp cDNA encoding for mouse Lp82 contained a single large open reading frame encoding a protein of 709 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 82.2 kDa and a predicted pI of 5.8. The amino acid sequence of mouse lens Lp82 was 99% homologous to rat lens Lp82. As in rat, mouse lens Lp82 showed a unique N -terminus and deletion of the IS1 and IS2 regions. In contrast to rat, Lp82 was the dominant calpain in young mouse lens. Lp82 was lens-specific, and the lens nucleus contained the highest specific activity of Lp82 and very little m-calpain. Endogenous Lp82 in lens soluble proteins was activated by addition of calcium and caused limited proteolysis of crystallins even in the presence of large amounts of recombinant domain I from the natural calpain inhibitor calpastatin. Loss of Lp82 protein accompanied aging of mouse lens. Lp82 may be responsible for a major portion of crystallin proteolysis occurring during normal lens development and maturation, or during cataract formation in young mice.

To determine if oxidation enhances turbidity after proteolysis of rat lens crystallins by the calcium-activated protease calpain (EC 3.4.22.17).Total soluble proteins from young rat lens were hydrolyzed for 24 hr by endogenous lens calpain, and the proteins were further incubated with the oxidant diamide for up to 7 days. Turbidity was measured daily at 405 nm. To measure proteolysis and turbidity in cultured lenses, rat lenses were cultured for 6 days in low calcium medium and diamide. The lenses were then photographed to assess transmission of light. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting assessed proteolysis of crystallins, alpha-spectrin, and activation of calpain.Appreciable in vitro turbidity occurred in soluble proteins from young rat lenses after proteolysis of crystallins by endogenous calpain. Calpain inhibitor E64, or anti-oxidants DTE and GSH, inhibited this turbidity. On the other hand, the oxidant diamide markedly enhanced calpain-induced turbidity. Cultured rat lenses showed elevated intralenticular calcium and proteolysis of crystallins by calpain, but no nuclear cataract. Addition of diamide to the culture medium caused development of nuclear cataract.Diamide enhanced turbidity only when crystallins were proteolyzed. Oxidation may be one of the factors promoting light scatter and insolubilization after proteolysis. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that proteolysis of crystallins from young rat lens may expose cysteine residues, which are then oxidized, become insoluble and scatter light.

Purpose To investigate the role of palladin in the cornea, we examined expression of this actin assembly-related protein in normal, diseased, or injured corneal tissue as well as in cultured corneal fibroblasts. Methods Expression of palladin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the rat cornea with an incision wound, in the normal and diseased human cornea, and in cultured human corneal fibroblasts was examined by immunofluorescence or immunoblot analysis. Results The expression of both palladin and α-SMA was detected at the lesion site during wound healing in the rat cornea. Whereas neither palladin nor α-SMA was detected in the normal human cornea, the colocalization of both proteins was detected in diseased human corneas with underlying conditions characterized by the presence of fibrosis. The expression of both palladin and α-SMA in cultured human corneal fibroblasts was increased by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in a manner sensitive to inhibition by blockers of Smad or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Finally, RNA interference-mediated depletion of palladin attenuated the TGF-β-induced upregulation of α-SMA expression in human corneal fibroblasts as well as TGF-β-induced collagen gel contraction mediated by these cells. Conclusions Palladin is expressed in the rat and human cornea in association with scar formation. Expression of palladin in human corneal fibroblasts is increased by TGF-β in a manner dependent on Smad and MAPK signaling and is required for the TGF-β-induced upregulation of α-SMA.

Phenylalanines regiospecifically labelled with deuterium in the aromatic ring can be prepared through the hydrogenolysis of tyrosine tetrazolyl ethers using D2 gas and a medium pressure catalytic hydrogenator.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ is involved in tissue repair. In this study, we investigated the functional role of PPARδ in corneal epithelial wound healing. In an in vivo corneal wound-healing model, the changes of PPARδ expression in corneal epithelia were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy, and the effect of topical administrations of a PPARδ agonist on corneal wound healing was also evaluated. The inhibitory effect of a PPARδ agonist on the cytokine-induced death of human corneal epithelial cells was evaluated using a DNA fragmentation assay kit. The changes of PPARδ expression and epithelial cell death were also investigated using human corneoscleral tissues ex vivo . Our findings showed that PPARδ expression was temporally up-regulated in corneal epithelial cells during experimental wound healing and that topical administration of a PPARδ agonist significantly promoted the healing of experimental corneal epithelial wounds. In human corneal epithelial cells, up-regulation of PPARδ and DNA fragmentation was demonstrated by stimulation with cytokines, and the DNA fragmentation was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with a PPARδ agonist. By using human corneoscleral tissues ex vivo , PPARδ was up-regulated in both healthy corneal epithelia (during re-epithelialization) and diseased corneal epithelia. Inflammatory stimulation–induced corneal epithelial cell death was inhibited by pretreatment with a PPARδ agonist. These results strongly suggest that PPARδ is involved in the corneal epithelial wound healing.

Collagen type I inhibits the secretion of IL-8 by human neutrophils interacting with integrin α2β1. The function of neutrophils in the inflammatory response is modulated by contact with ECM proteins. We have now investigated the effect of collagen type I on secretion of the cytokine IL-8 by human neutrophils in vitro. Collagen type I inhibited the secretion of IL-8 from neutrophils maintained under basal conditions or stimulated with fMLF. This effect was accompanied by down-regulation of IL-8 mRNA, and it appeared to be specific to collagen type I among ECM proteins, in that it was not observed with fibronectin or laminin. The inhibitory effect of collagen type I on IL-8 secretion was dependent on collagen concentration and cell density. It was also abolished in the presence of antibodies to integrin α2β1 but was not affected by antibodies to integrin α5β1 or β4. Our results thus suggest that collagen type I inhibits the secretion of IL-8 by human neutrophils in a selective manner and that this effect is mediated by the interaction of collagen with integrin α2β1.

A novel series of 6-hydroxy-3-morpholinones, in which the functional aldehyde and the hydroxy group of P(2) site form a cyclic hemiacetal, was identified as calpain inhibitors. The placement of isobutyl group at the 2-position of the 3-morpholinone was the most effective modification for inhibiting micro- and m-calpains. Substitutions of benzyl at the 5-position in the S-configuration had virtually no effect on inhibitory activity. Several compounds showed appreciable selectivity for calpains over cathepsin B. NMR experiments demonstrated that the representative 6-hydroxy-3-morpholinone 10a (SNJ-1757) was more stable to nucleophilic attack than the corresponding aldehyde inhibitor 24. Furthermore, 6-hydroxy-3-morpholinone 10a proved to have better corneal permeability than aldehyde inhibitor 24 in an in vitro experiment.

To characterize the intracellular signaling mechanism that underlies the contraction of trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue.The contraction of collagen mediated by bovine TM cells was evaluated by measuring changes in the diameter of collagen gels in which the cells were embedded. Changes in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton were examined by laser-scanning confocal microscopy of cells stained with fluorescent phalloidin. Cell motility was monitored by time-lapse video microscopy.Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 induced marked TM-cell-mediated contraction of collagen gels in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) blocked this effect of TGF-beta1, whereas an inhibitor of PKA and -G did not. An inhibitor of the small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rho also inhibited TGF-beta1-induced collagen contraction, whereas an activator of Rho promoted this effect of TGF-beta1. Furthermore, inhibition either of the release of Ca(2+) from internal stores or of the activation of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) prevented gel contraction in response to TGF-beta1. The effects of these various agents on TGF-beta1-induced contraction of collagen gels mediated by TM cells were mirrored by their effects on TGF-beta1-induced formation of actin stress fibers, cell spreading (the extension of cellular processes), and cell motility under conditions in which cell contraction was not possible.TGF-beta1 induces TM-cell-mediated collagen gel contraction through activation of Rho and the Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes PKC and MLCK. These same signaling molecules contribute to TGF-beta1-induced rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, cell spreading, and cell motility.

The purpose of this study is to determine if UV-B enhances light scattering after proteolysis of crystallins by calpains, and to determine if lens-specific calpain Lp82 is involved, along with m-calpain, in the mechanism of in vitro precipitation. Lens soluble proteins from young rats were hydrolyzed for 24 hr by endogenous lens calpains, and the proteins were further incubated for up to 7 days with periodic irradiation by UV-B. Light scattering was measured daily at 405 nm. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting assessed proteolysis of crystallins, activation of calpains, and formation of high molecular weight aggregations. Appreciable light scattering occurred in lens soluble proteins after proteolysis of crystallins by m-calpain and Lp82. UV-B markedly enhanced this light scattering and the formation of higher molecular weight aggregates consisting of proteolyzed alpha- and beta- and intact gamma-crystallins. Calpain inhibitor E64 and antioxidants DTE or GSH prevented the light scattering. These results show that calpain-induced light scattering is enhanced by the natural oxidant UV-B. Activation of Lp82, along with m-calpain, contributed to the light scattering. The linkage between proteolysis and oxidation is important because both oxidation and truncation of crystallins are found in aged human lenses, which are constantly exposed to UV irradiation.

A novel series of 14 N -nitromethylsulfonanilide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit recombinant aldose reductase. Computational docking simulations provided a good explanation for the observed structure–activity relationships. Kinetic analysis of (2-fluoro-5-methyl- N -methyl)- N -nitromethylsulfonanilide, 11 , one of the most potent compounds in this series with an IC 50 =0.35 μM, showed uncompetitive inhibition. Subsequent in vitro culture studies of rat lenses with 11 indicated that this series of aldose reductase inhibitors are effective in either preventing or retarding sugar cataract formation associated with diabetes.

To compare calcium ionophore-induced cataract formation and in vitro light scattering in cultured lenses from guinea pig and rabbit.Lenses from guinea pig and rabbit were cultured for 5 or 6 days with calcium ionophore A23187. To assess the involvement of calpain in cataract formation; SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting and calcium determinations were performed. For in vitro light scattering, lens soluble proteins from rabbit were hydrolyzed for 24 h by either endogenous lens calpain, or by addition of purified m-calpain and then further incubated for up to 10 days. Light scattering was measured daily at 405 nm.Lenses from younger guinea pigs cultured in A23187 first developed outer cortical opacities followed by nuclear cataract. Total calcium was markedly increased by A23187 in lenses of all ages. Proteolysis of crystallins and alpha-spectrin were observed in nuclear cataract in younger guinea pigs. This was attenuated with age, in association with the attenuation of cataract formation with age. Calpain 80 kDa subunit in the lenses cultured with A23187 was also decreased. Co-culture with SJA6017 or E64d (reversible and irreversible inhibitors of calpain, respectively) reduced A23187-induced nuclear opacities, proteolysis of crystallins and alpha-spectrin, and loss of calpain without affecting increased total calcium. In contrast, rabbit lenses cultured in A23187 did not develop nuclear cataract, although biochemical changes in cultured rabbit lenses were similar to those in cultured guinea pig lenses. Furthermore, no appreciable in vitro light scattering occurred in soluble proteins from rabbit lenses after activation of endogenous m-calpain, or after addition of exogenous purified m-calpain, although crystallins were partially hydrolyzed by calpain.Both rabbit and guinea pig lenses undergo calpain-induced proteolysis upon elevation of lenticular calcium. However, factors in intact guinea pig lenses may promote light scattering and insolubilization after proteolysis by calpain, but these factors were not functional in rabbit lenses. Discovery of the factors promoting light scatter and insolubilization after proteolysis will help to explain the role of certain crystallin polypeptides in cataract formation.

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare in vitro light scattering in the soluble proteins from rodent lenses after hydrolysis by the calcium-activated protease, m-calpain (EC 3.4.22.17). Light scattering was measured in solutions of lens proteins from mice, rats, and guinea pigs after activation of endogenous m-calpain or after addition of purified m-calpain. We found for the first time that, in addition to rat, crystallins from another rodent lens, young mouse, were susceptible to calpain-induced light scattering. As in rats, aging of mouse lens prevented calpain-induced light scattering. Although crystallins from guinea pig lens were also partially hydrolysed by calpain, appreciable light scattering did not occur. Limited proteolysis may cause common changes in the biophysical properties of mouse and rat crystallins to decrease their solubility. Discovery of the nature of these biophysical changes may help our understanding as to why crystallins precipitate under cataractous conditions.

The purposes of this experiment were to: (1), characterize the peptide aldehyde SJA6017, N-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-l-valyl-l-leucinal, a newly synthesized inhibitor of calpain, and (2) test the effect of SJA6017 in preventing calcium ionophore-induced cataract in cultured rat lenses. In vitro, SJA6017 strongly inhibited purified m-calpain from porcine kidney. Casein zymography confirmed that SJA6017 reversibly bound to the active site of m-calpain. SJA6017 was also confirmed to be a cell-permeable inhibitor in Molt-4 cells. In cultured lenses, SJA6017 reduced nuclear opacity and proteolysis of crystallins and α-spectrin caused by calcium ionophore A23187. These results suggested that SJA6017 is a reversible and cell-permeable calpain inhibitor which may possess great efficacy against calcium-induced models of cataract.

In the course of our screening for microbial compounds which possessed inhibitory activities against biosynthesis of cholesterol from mevalonate, we isolated four new compounds from the cultural broth of Streptomyces sp. A7361. They are structurally related to, but distinct from chlorothricin.

PURPOSE. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as the surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 by corneal fibroblasts contribute to corneal inflammation. The effects of triptolide on the expression of these proteins induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human corneal fibroblasts were examined in comparison with those of dexamethasone. METHODS. The release of interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, IL-6, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (GCSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GMCSF), monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1, and IL-8 from cultured corneal fibroblasts was measured with assay kits. Surface expression of ICAM-1 on the cultured cells was measured with a whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced the release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and that of the chemokines G-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1, and IL-8 as well as surface expression of ICAM-1 by corneal fibroblasts, whereas IL-1, TNF-, and GMCSF were not detected in the culture supernatants of cells incubated with or without LPS. Triptolide and dexamethasone each inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the LPSinduced release of IL-6, G-CSF, MCP-1, and IL-8 by corneal fibroblasts. Whereas the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on LPS-induced IL-6 release was greater than that of triptolide, the inhibitory effect of triptolide on LPS-induced G-CSF release was more pronounced than was that of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone also inhibited LPS-induced MIP-1 release, whereas triptolide did not. Both compounds inhibited the LPS-induced surface expression of ICAM-1. CONCLUSIONS. Triptolide inhibits the LPS-induced expression of IL-6, chemokines (G-CSF, MCP-1, IL-8), and ICAM-1 in cultured human corneal fibroblasts. This compound might thus be expected to limit the infiltration of immune cells into the cornea. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47: 3796‐3800) DOI:10.1167/iovs.06-0319

PURPOSE Synthesis of various chemokines, including interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, as well as the surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in corneal fibroblasts contribute to corneal inflammation. The effects of triptolide, the major constituent of extracts of the herb Tripterygium wilfordii hook f, on the expression of these proteins in human corneal fibroblasts were examined in comparison with those of dexamethasone. METHODS The release of IL-8 and MCP-1 from and the surface expression of ICAM-1 on cultured corneal fibroblasts were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The cellular abundance of the mRNAs for these proteins was determined by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The activities of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 were assessed by cell transfection with secretory alkaline phosphatase reporter genes. RESULTS Both triptolide and dexamethasone inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 in corneal fibroblasts induced by the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. These inhibitory effects were apparent at both the mRNA and protein levels. Both compounds also had a lesser inhibitory effect on cytokine-induced ICAM-1 expression. The activation of NF-kappaB by IL-1beta was markedly inhibited by both triptolide and dexamethasone, whereas the activity of AP-1 was not affected by either agent. CONCLUSIONS Like dexamethasone, triptolide inhibited IL-8 and MCP-1 expression in cultured human corneal fibroblasts exposed to proinflammatory cytokines, an action most likely mediated by inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Similar effects of triptolide in vivo may be expected to limit the infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes into the cornea.

PURPOSE. Extracts of the herb Tripterygium wilfordii hook f, the major component of which is triptolide, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Triptolide also exerts many other biological actions both in vitro and in vivo. The effect of this agent on collagen degradation by cultured corneal fibroblasts was examined. METHODS. Rabbit corneal fibroblasts were cultured in threedimensional gels of type I collagen and in the absence or presence of interleukin (IL)-1 or triptolide. The extent of collagen degradation was determined by measurement of the amount of hydroxyproline generated by acid‐ heat hydrolysis of the culture supernatants. The activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and plasmin were measured with the specific substrates thiopeptolide and S-2251, respectively. The release of MMPs into the culture supernatant was assessed by immunoblot analysis and gelatin zymography, and the abundance of MMP mRNAs in the cells was determined by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS. Triptolide inhibited the IL-1‐induced degradation of collagen by corneal fibroblasts in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Neither the activity of purified recombinant MMP-1 nor that of plasmin in culture supernatants was affected by triptolide. The IL-1‐induced expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9 by corneal fibroblasts was inhibited by triptolide at the protein or mRNA level. CONCLUSIONS. Triptolide inhibits collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts by inducing downregulation of the production of MMPs, without directly affecting the collagenolytic activity of these enzymes. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44: 5082‐5088) DOI:10.1167/iovs.03-0476

PURPOSE The effect of fibronectin on the contractility of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells was investigated. METHODS The contractility of bovine TM cells was evaluated by culture of the cells in a collagen gel and measurement of the change in the diameter of the gel under various conditions. The formation of stress fibers and the localization of integrin alpha5 and beta1 chains (which together form a fibronectin receptor) in bovine TM cells were investigated by laser confocal microscopy of cells stained with phalloidin and antibodies to the integrin subunits. RESULTS The addition of fibronectin to collagen gels containing bovine TM cells induced marked gel contraction in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Cytochalasin D (an inhibitor of microfilament formation) and the peptide GRGDSP (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro), a fibronectin receptor antagonist, each inhibited this effect of fibronectin, whereas nocodazole (an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization) and the control peptide GRGESP (Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro) did not. Furthermore, fibronectin induced the spreading of cells, the formation of actin stress fibers, and the expression of integrin alpha5 in the collagen gel-embedded TM cells. CONCLUSIONS Fibronectin promotes collagen gel contraction mediated by bovine TM cells. Moreover, the formation of actin stress fibers and upregulation of integrin alpha5 appear to contribute to this permissive effect of fibronectin. The interaction of fibronectin with TM cells may thus be a determinant of the contractility of TM tissue.

Activated corneal fbroblasts and infiltrated leukocytes are thought to contribute to corneal ulceration. The potential roles of neutrophil-fibroblast and cell-matrix interactions in the degradation of stromal collagen associated with corneal ulceration have now been investigated with the use of three-dimensional cultures of rabbit cells in collagen gels. Degradation of collagen fibrils during culture was measured by spectrophotometric determination of released hydroxyproline. Whereas corneal fibroblasts alone degraded collagen fibrils to a small extent, neutrophils did not. However, the addition of neutrophils or neutrophil–conditioned medium (CM) to cultures of corneal fibroblasts resulted in a marked increase in the amount of collagen degraded by the fibroblasts. The effect of CM from neutrophils cultured in collagen gels on collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts was greater than that of medium conditioned by neutrophils in monolayer culture. Immunoblot as well as reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that neutrophil–CM stimulated the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 by corneal fibroblasts. The stimulatory effect of neutrophils on collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts was inhibited by the synthetic MMP inhibitor ilomastat and by interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist. These results suggest that factors secreted by collagen-stimulated neutrophils augment collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts through a stimulatory effect on MMP synthesis and that IL-1 released by neutrophils may contribute to this effect.