RelB regulates basal and proinflammatory induction of conjunctival CCL2

Purpose: This study investigated the involvement of NF-kB in regulating postoperative conjunctival inflammation.Methods: Experimental surgery was performed as described for the mouse model of conjunctival scarring. Expression of NF-κB in postoperative conjunctival tissues or conjunctival fibroblasts were assessed by real-time PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses. Downregulation of RelB was achieved using small interfering RNA. Cellular cytokine secretion was determined using multiplex cytokine assay.Results: RelB was the most highly induced member of the NF-kB family on day 2 post-surgery. Elevated RelB may be found associated with vimentin-positive cells and fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. In conjunctival fibroblasts, RelB may be induced by TNF-α but not TGF-β2 while its silencing caused selective induction of CCL2 secretion by both basal and TNF-α-stimulated fibroblasts.Conclusions: High RelB induction in the inflammatory phase and the selective modulation of CCL2 suggest a specific anti-inflammatory role for RelB in the postoperative conjunctiva.