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TREM-1 expression in rat corneal epithelium with Aspergillus fumigatus infection
Li-Ting Hu1, Zhao-Dong Du1, Gui-Qiu Zhao1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
Aim:
To investigate the expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in the aberrant inflammation within the corneal epithelium at early period of fungal infection.
Methods:
A total of 65 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, sham group and fungal keratitis (FK) group, in which the cornea was infected by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus). After executed randomly at 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72h after experimental model being established, the severity of keratomycosis in rats was scored visually with the aid of a dissecting microscope and slit lamp. Then corneas in three groups were collected to assess the expression of TREM-1 through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence technique and Western blot analysis. The correlation between FK inflammation and expression of TREM-1 was also analyzed.
Results:
Corneal inflammation scores increased with time after fungal infection (F=49.74, P=0.000). The inflammation scores in FK group were obviously higher than those in sham group on the whole (F=137.78, P=0.000). Levels of TREM-1 in the infected rat corneal epithelium had elevated at 8h and peaked at 48h (P<0.001, compared with control group). Western blot analysis also showed an obviously elevated TREM-1 level in rat corneal epithelium at 24h and 48h after fungal infection. Immunofluorescence technique showed that TREM-1 mainly existed in corneal epithelium and infected corneal stoma of rat. TREM-1 protein expression was enhanced after fungal infection. Moreover, severity of FK inflammation was significantly related to TREM-1 expression in FK (r=0.942, P=0.000).
Conclusion:
TREM-1 may contribute to amplify the inflammation in the cornea infected with A. fumigatus and play critical roles in the battle against A. fumigatus in the innate immune responses.
Insights
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) expression increases in fungal keratitis, peaking at 48 hours. This heightened TREM-1 correlates with fungal infection severity, suggesting its role in innate immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Mycology
Background:
- Fungal keratitis (FK) is a significant cause of vision loss.
- Aberrant inflammation in the cornea is a hallmark of FK.
- The role of TREM-1 in early-stage fungal eye infections requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of TREM-1 in the corneal epithelium during early fungal infection.
- To determine the correlation between TREM-1 expression and the severity of fungal keratitis.
- To understand TREM-1's role in the innate immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus.
Main Methods:
- Experimental fungal keratitis model established in Wistar rats using Aspergillus fumigatus.
- Corneal inflammation scoring via slit lamp microscopy at various time points (8-72h).
- TREM-1 expression analysis using RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot.
Main Results:
- Fungal infection significantly increased corneal inflammation scores over time.
- TREM-1 expression in the corneal epithelium elevated early (8h) and peaked at 48h post-infection.
- TREM-1 expression strongly correlated with the severity of fungal keratitis.
Conclusions:
- TREM-1 is upregulated in the cornea during fungal infection.
- TREM-1 likely amplifies inflammatory responses in fungal keratitis.
- TREM-1 plays a critical role in the innate immune defense against Aspergillus fumigatus.
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