Lacrimal androgen-binding proteins protect against Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in mice.

Lacrimal androgen-binding proteins protect against Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in mice.

Int Immunopharmacol. 2020 Sep 08;88:106940

Authors: Lyu L, Hu L, Han L, Zhang J, Sun J, Wan X, Wang L, Yan H, Che C

Abstract
AIM: To clarify the regulatory mechanisms of lacrimal androgen-binding proteins (ABPs) in mice with keratitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus).
METHODS: Mouse models of A. fumigatus keratitis were established. Lacrimal glands were removed after 24 h for general and histological comparison. Lacrimal ABPs were detected by qRT-PCR and quantitative proteomic analysis, or were detected by qRT-PCR after subconjunctival or lacrimal gland injection with dexamethasone. Unique inflammatory factors were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot and/or immunofluorescence. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was injected into the lacrimal gland to explore the relationship between IL-1β and lacrimal ABPs.
RESULTS: The lacrimal glands of mice with fungal keratitis were larger than normal mice and these structures became disorganized. Moreover, the expression of ABP ε and ABP δ were increased. Subconjunctival injection with dexamethasone could reduce the size of the lacrimal gland and increase the expression of ABP ε and ABP δ, while lacrimal gland injection with dexamethasone had no obvious effects. The expression of IL-1β in the lacrimal gland of mice with A. fumigatus keratitis was increased. When IL-1β was injected into the lacrimal gland, the lacrimal gland enlarged and the expression of ABP ε and ABP δ decreased.
CONCLUSION: Lacrimal glands contributed to protection in fungal keratitis, which was not due to the involvement of inflammatory cells in mice. ABP δ and ABP ε of mice were involved in reducing the severity of corneal damage in mice with A. fumigatus keratitis. Moreover, the expression of IL-1β and ABP δ and ABP ε were intrinsically linked.

PMID: 32916626 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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