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Commensal ocular bacteria degrade mucins
1Division of Ophthalmology, University of Bristol, Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, UK. mon.berry@bristol.ac.uk
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|November 26, 2002
Summary
Commensal bacteria on the ocular surface degrade mucins, affecting their structure and function. Ocular mucins also inhibit bacterial growth, indicating a role in controlling the eye
Area of Science:
- Ocular microbiology
- Biochemistry of mucins
Background:
- Tear antimicrobial activity maintains a healthy ocular surface microbiome.
- The interaction between ocular mucins and commensal bacteria is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mucinolytic activity of commensal ocular bacteria.
- To determine how mucin integrity affects bacterial degradation.
- To assess the impact of mucins on bacterial replication.
Main Methods:
- Bacteria were isolated from healthy eyes and contact lenses.
- Intracellular and surface mucins were purified.
- Mucin degradation was analyzed using chromatography after bacterial exposure.
- Bacterial growth was monitored in the presence of purified mucins.
Main Results:
- Ocular bacteria reduced mucin hydrodynamic volume and sialylation.
- Bacterial exposure led to changes in mucin subunit charge.
- Specific cleavage sites in mucins were identified.
- Purified ocular mucins inhibited bacterial growth.
Conclusions:
- Commensal ocular bacteria possess mucinolytic activity against intact and processed mucins.
- Mucin degradation targets specific sites within the mucin molecule.
- Ocular mucins contribute to the mucosal control of the ocular microbiota.