Analysis of human tear proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis

Human tear proteins in the conjunctival sac were separated on the basis of the differences in their isoelectric points and molecular weights using micro two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with immunoblotting. The two-dimensional electrophoretic patterns of tear proteins from patients with conjunctivitis were compared with those from normal individuals. We also measured integrated intensities of seven protein spots, lactoferrin (LF), albumin and five specific tear proteins (STP), to examine differences in the amounts of these proteins in tears from normal individuals of different sexes. In the tears from patients with conjunctivitis, secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), LF and STP spots were stained more weakly, whereas the albumin spot was stained more strongly as compared with those from normal individuals. Furthermore, haptoglobin and IgG spots appeared in the tears from patients with conjunctivitis. These were more prominent in the tears from patients with severe conjunctivitis. There were significant differences in the amounts of LF and two kinds of STPs in the different sexes. The amounts of these proteins were larger in females.