The effect of rye grass pollen allergens on cultured human corneal cells
thesis
posted on 2021-01-01, 00:00 authored by Rebekah LockGlobally, ocular allergies affect a significant proportion of the population, ranging between 10-30%. Major causes of these allergic eye diseases are aeroallergens, specifically explored in this study are rye grass pollen allergens. Itchy eyes is the most common symptom experienced in more than 90% of individuals suffering from ocular allergies of any form and the frequency of itchy eyes is currently much higher than the reported prevalence of ocular allergies, likely indicating a large percentage of the general population may be suffering from undiagnosed ocular allergies. This symptomatic itch
leads to the mechanical action of rubbing the eyes, which has a profound effect on the structural composition of the cornea that can detrimentally lead to blindness. The pathophysiological process of the corneas response to pollen allergens is unknown, and for that reason this study examined the effects of various rye grass pollen protein concentrations on human corneal epithelial cells over a 24-hour period, with intervals at 6 and 12-hours. These concentrations include 0ug/mL, 5ug/mL, 10ug/mL, 25ug/mL, 50ug/mL and 100ug/mL. Cell viability, cytokine production and proteomic studies were carried out in order to observe an upregulation in specific biomarkers produced by corneal allergic response to rye grass pollen protein extract. IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 resulted in higher observed concentrations in the human corneal epithelial cells after exposure to rye grass pollen proteins with very strong correlations (R2 ≥ 0.8) in trends within the data, and for the first time, confirmed the cornea’s involvement in ocular allergy in vitro. This novel pilot study has pathed an exciting way as a baseline for future research to be conducted in this field.
leads to the mechanical action of rubbing the eyes, which has a profound effect on the structural composition of the cornea that can detrimentally lead to blindness. The pathophysiological process of the corneas response to pollen allergens is unknown, and for that reason this study examined the effects of various rye grass pollen protein concentrations on human corneal epithelial cells over a 24-hour period, with intervals at 6 and 12-hours. These concentrations include 0ug/mL, 5ug/mL, 10ug/mL, 25ug/mL, 50ug/mL and 100ug/mL. Cell viability, cytokine production and proteomic studies were carried out in order to observe an upregulation in specific biomarkers produced by corneal allergic response to rye grass pollen protein extract. IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 resulted in higher observed concentrations in the human corneal epithelial cells after exposure to rye grass pollen proteins with very strong correlations (R2 ≥ 0.8) in trends within the data, and for the first time, confirmed the cornea’s involvement in ocular allergy in vitro. This novel pilot study has pathed an exciting way as a baseline for future research to be conducted in this field.
