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Updated: May 12, 2026
In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study Corneal Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 20, 2016
Rebamipide increases barrier function and attenuates TNFα-induced barrier disruption and cytokine expression in human
Hiroshi Tanaka1, Ken Fukuda, Waka Ishida
1Machida Hospital, Kochi City, Kochi, Japan.
Background:
Disruption of corneal epithelial barrier function by inflammation may contribute to the development of dry eye. The effects of rebamipide, a drug used for the treatment of dry eye, on barrier function and cytokine expression in a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line were examined.
Methods:
Barrier function of HCE cells was evaluated by measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The subcellular localisation of the tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO)-1 was examined by immunofluorescence analysis. The release of cytokines was determined with ELISAs, and the intracellular abundance of cytokine mRNAs was quantitated by reverse transcription and real-time PCR analysis. Degradation of the nuclear factor-κB inhibitor IκBα was detected by immunoblot analysis.
Results:
Rebamipide increased TER of HCE cells in a concentration-dependent manner as well as attenuating the loss of TER and the disappearance of ZO-1 from the cell surface induced by tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). Rebamipide also suppressed TNFα-induced expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 at the mRNA and protein levels and inhibited the TNFα-induced degradation of IκBα.
Conclusions:
The upregulation of barrier function and the anti-inflammatory effects of rebamipide, together with its mucin secretagogue activity, may contribute to the effectiveness of this drug for the treatment of dry eye.