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Lactoferrin Expression in Human and Murine Ocular Tissue.
Abrar A Rageh1, Deborah A Ferrington1, Heidi Roehrich2
1a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences.
Current Eye Research
|October 3, 2015
Summary
Lactoferrin (LF) is found in multiple human and mouse eye tissues, including the cornea, iris, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This widespread presence suggests LF plays a key role in protecting ocular tissues from inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ocular immunology
- Protein biochemistry
Background:
- Lactoferrin (LF) is a key innate defense protein with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions.
- LF is present in ocular fluids like tears and vitreous humor, but its distribution in ocular tissues is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence and localization of Lactoferrin (LF) in human and mouse ocular tissues, specifically the cornea, iris, retina, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gene expression analysis.
- Immunohistochemistry for tissue localization studies.
- Western blotting to confirm protein presence and antibody specificity using purified LF and transferrin (TF).
Main Results:
- LF gene expression confirmed in human cornea and RPE cell cultures.
- LF detected in human cornea, iris, and RPE tissues via immunohistochemistry and western blotting.
- LF expression observed in mouse cornea, iris, and RPE, but not reliably in the retina due to antibody cross-reactivity.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin (LF) is expressed in various human and mouse ocular tissues.
- Widespread LF expression indicates a significant role in protecting ocular tissues against inflammation-associated diseases.
