Dry Eyes – Researchers
find Protein plays a role in Dry and Infected Eyes
May 17th, 2006
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Mina Massaro-Giordano,
M.D., (left) with Marcella Macaluso, Ph.D
Photo by Joseph Labolito/Temple University |
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Researchers from the University of
Pennsylvania and Temple University discovered the Plasminogen Activator
Inhibitor Type 2 (PAI-2) protein in a variety of cell types. The PAI-2
was found in skin and in tissue covering the eye. The discovery of the
PAI-2 may lead to new treatments for outside eye surfaces including dry
eyes and eye infections.
The lead researchers are Mina
Massaro-Giordano, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania’s Scheie Eye
Institute, and Marcella Macaluso, Ph.D., of the Sbarro Institute for
Cancer Research at Temple University. They first published the results
of this study in the Nature’s journal called Cell Death and
Differentiation. They have also shared the findings at the annual
meeting of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
in Florida.
PAI-2 can come in an extracellular
or a secreted form. This protein helps to regulate cell proliferation
and prevent programmed cell death. The PAI-2 also helps to silence the
microbial proteinases and help defend against stromal degradation.
It is believed that the health
benefits of having high levels of PAI-2 protein will improve the outcome
for some cancers by slowing down metastasis. PAI-2 also is believed to
participate when there is inflammation on the surface of the eye.
Penn and Temple showed how the PAI-2
interacts with the tumor suppressing gene Rb2/p130 within the nucleus of
the epithelial cells in the cornea and conjunctiva. The researchers
believe that the interaction with Rb2/p130 along with chromatin modeling
enzymes may influence how well the PAI-2 is expressed.
“There is a different expression of
the protein between the epithelium of the cornea and conjunctiva cells,”
said Massaro-Giordano, an assistant professor of ophthalmology, cataract
and refractive surgery at Scheie. “This may help us understand the
molecular mechanisms that dictate the different expression profiles of
PAI-2 in human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells.”
Possibly Hereditary conditions such
as Sjogren's syndrome which often suffer from dry eyes may benefit in
the future. By understanding how genetics can cause dry eyes there will
be new treatments that could help improve the condition.
Dry Eye Syndrome often affects
people that are over 65 years of age. One survey suggested that there
are an estimated 59 million people in the United States that suffer from
dry eyes.
Nicole Wilson
Best Syndication
Eye Care Products
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