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Mast cell chymase decreases the barrier function and inhibits the migration of corneal epithelial cells
Nobuyuki Ebihara1, Toshinari Funaki, Akira Murakami
1Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. ebihara@med.jutendo.ac.jp
Purpose:
We investigated the in vitro effects of human mast cell chymase on corneal epithelial cells.
Methods:
Human corneal epithelial cells were incubated with human chymase at activity levels that were likely to exist in the tears of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
Results:
Incubation of chymase resulted in a decrease of barrier function of corneal epithelium. Occludin protein was cleaved by chymase. In the wound assay, incubation with chymase resulted in an inhibition of cell migration.
Conclusion:
Human chymase causes the proteolysis of occludin and fibronectin, resulting in a decrease of barrier function and inhibition of the migration of corneal epithelial cells.
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