Lipid-modifying enzymes in human tear fluid and corneal epithelial stress response

Since homeostasis at the ocular surface requires a delicate balance between numerous factors, and the external environment contributes as an unpredictable component, we aimed to understand the role that various lipids and their regulators have in the complex process that maintains a healthy corneal surface.

Through basic proteomics, we tested the presence of sphingolipid metabolism enzymes in normal human tears, and then used a cell culture model to study how the proteins are secreted and for what purpose.

When studying healthy tears, we found that sphingolipid-specific enzymes, acid and neutral sphingomyelinases, and ceramidases can be detected. The role played by sphingolipid metabolism in stress provided the motivation for further studies concerning their secretion/leakage in the extracellular environment in a cell culture model of human corneal epithelial cells (HCE). Among the stress agents investigated (i.e., ultraviolet B [UV-B] radiation, hyperosmolarity [HO], and lipopolysaccharide [LPS]), UV-B and HO induced dose-dependent release/secretion of sphingomyelinases from the cells. In an attempt to identify the route of secretion or release of the enzyme, we discovered that the tested stress stimuli induced shedding of extracellular vesicles in the HCE-conditioned medium.

Extracellular stress affects tear fluid composition more profoundly than just secretion of proinflammatory mediators. Lipids at the ocular surface, either in tear fluid or within the corneal epithelial cells, can be modified by a relatively large array of lipases to modulate their functions. Moreover, extracellular vesicles in the tear fluid could represent a valuable noninvasive diagnosis tool for anterior segment diseases.