Cytotoxic activity and degradation patterns of structural proteins by corneal isolates of Acanthamoeba spp.

Background: Proteolytic enzymes secreted by trophozoites (amoebic secretome) are suggested as the main virulence factor involved in the severity of Acanthamoeba keratitis. The degradation profile of the main glycoprotein components of anterior and posterior portions of the cornea and the cytopathic effect of secretomes on endothelial cells by contact-independent mechanism were evaluated.

Methods: Trophozoites were isolated primarily from corneal tissue samples (n = 11) and extracellular proteins were collected from axenic cell culture supernatants.