Analysis of human tear fluid components, inhibiting protein adhesion to plastic surfaces

In a previous paper we reported the presence of components in human tear fluid that block the interaction of proteins with plastic surfaces, interfering with tear protein ELISA and proposed the term coating inhibiting activity. The purpose of the study presented here was to further analyse these components. Coating inhibitory activity in human reflex tears was analysed by lectin affinity chromatography, using the agarose bound lectin Artocarpus integrifolia agglutinin (Jacalin), gel filtration, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), blotting and Jacalin staining. For coating inhibitory activity assay in experimental tear samples, the binding of the protein Avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase to the polystyrene surface of ELISA micro-titer plate wells, preincubated with the experimental tear samples was measured. In addition, tears were incubated with scrapings of the ELISA plates used in the assay and with six different types of contact lenses (two rigid gas permeable and four hydrogel soft contact lenses) for analysis of adsorbed components. Lectin affinity chromatography of tears yielded a Jacalin-binding and a non-Jacalin-binding preparation, both exhibiting coating inhibitory activity but representing chemically different preparations as observed by SDS-PAGE. After performing gel filtration, coating inhibitory activity eluted with similar retention in both preparations. In fractions exhibiting activity, tear proteins of low molecular weight (< 40 kDa) were detected. Among these, two Jacalin-binding glycoproteins were detected; a major component of approximately 28 kDa and a somewhat smaller minor component. All low molecular weight components were also detected on the scrapings, incubated with tears. The possibility that coating inhibitory activity in tears might reside in a component of larger molecular size can however not be excluded. The human tear proteins secretory Immunoglobulin A, lactoferrin and lysozyme are not involved in coating inhibition. On one of the two rigid gas permeable contact lenses incubated with the tears, the 28 kDa glycoprotein was detected. From the data obtained in our study we conclude that coating inhibitory activity in tears seems to be associated with multiple components of low molecular weight.