Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 8, 2026
06:28
In Vitro Method to Study Sex-Based Differences in Conjunctival Goblet Cells
Published on: July 28, 2023
923
Interaction of IFN-γ with cholinergic agonists to modulate rat and human goblet cell function
L García-Posadas1,2, R R Hodges3,4, D Li3,4
1Ocular Surface Group, Institute for Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
Mucosal Immunology
|July 2, 2015
Summary
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), elevated in dry eye, impairs goblet cell function. This cytokine reduces mucin secretion and proliferation, potentially explaining goblet cell loss in dry eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Goblet cells in mucosal tissues secrete mucins, crucial for innate immunity against environmental factors.
- Dry eye disease is associated with increased levels of the Th1 cytokine, interferon gamma (IFN-γ).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of IFN-γ on goblet cell function, including intracellular calcium levels, mucin secretion, and proliferation.
- To explore the interaction between IFN-γ and cholinergic signaling in goblet cells.
Main Methods:
- Cultured rat and human conjunctival goblet cells.
- Stimulated cells with IFN-γ and carbachol, measuring intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)), high molecular weight glycoconjugate secretion, and proliferation.
Main Results:
- IFN-γ increased [Ca(2+)](i) in goblet cells and interfered with carbachol-induced calcium responses.
- IFN-γ inhibited carbachol-stimulated mucin secretion and reduced goblet cell proliferation.
- Signaling pathway crosstalk between IFN-γ and muscarinic receptors was observed.
Conclusions:
- Elevated IFN-γ in dry eye may cause goblet cell loss and mucin deficiency.
- IFN-γ's inhibitory effects on goblet cells could be relevant in other mucosal tissues like the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
1.8K
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, also known as anticholinesterases, exert their pharmacological effects by enhancing cholinergic transmission in various body parts, including the neuromuscular junction, autonomic cholinergic synapses, and the brain.
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
1.8K
00:59Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
2.6K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists exert their pharmacological actions by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine on postsynaptic muscarinic receptors to generate parasympathetic responses. These agents elicit a range of physiological responses, including cardiovascular effects. For example, activation of muscarinic receptors induces bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, reduced peripheral resistance, and consequent hypotension. In the eye, stimulation of M3 receptors leads to smooth muscle...
2.6K
01:18Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
3.0K
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists work by interacting with an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the synaptic cleft. They can be reversible or irreversible inhibitors and have different effects on the enzyme.
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex,...
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex,...
3.0K
01:29Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
1.2K
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are agents that interact with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the synaptic cleft, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Consequently, the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft increases. These agonists can be classified into reversible and irreversible inhibitors based on their duration of action.
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
1.2K
01:11Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
2.0K
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists have many therapeutic uses in various medical fields. Choline esters, including acetylcholine, have limited clinical utility due to their non-selectivity and short duration of action. Still, acetylcholine and carbachol are applied topically during ophthalmologic surgery to induce miosis. Pilocarpine, a muscarinic and ganglionic stimulator, effectively treats open-angle glaucoma and alleviates xerostomia and dry mouth caused by radiotherapy or Sjögren...
2.0K
01:22Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
2.5K
Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...
The direct-acting...
2.5K