NK cells promote Th-17 mediated corneal barrier disruption in dry eye.

Background: The conjunctiva contains a specialized population of lymphocytes that reside in the epithelium, named intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL).

Methodology/principal Findings: Here we characterized the IEL population prior to and after experimental desiccating stress (DS) for 5 or 10 days (DS5, DS10) and evaluated the effect of NK depletion on DS. The frequency of IELs in normal murine conjunctiva was CD3(+)CD103(+) (~22%), CD3(+)γδ(+) (~9.

Pharmacological cholinergic blockade stimulates inflammatory cytokine production and lymphocytic infiltration in the mouse lacrimal gland.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of cholinergic blockade on inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine production in the mouse lacrimal gland (LG).

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were untreated (UT) or received subcutaneous injections of either scopolamine hydrobromide (SCOP; 0.5 mg/0.

Spontaneous autoimmune dacryoadenitis in aged CD25KO mice.

To investigate time-related immunopathological changes in the lacrimal glands (LGs) of CD25KO mice, we examined LGs of C57BL/6 (wild-type) and CD25KO mice at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. T cell infiltration was quantified by flow cytometry, and gland function by tear peroxidase activity and epidermal growth factor mRNA expression. T helper (Th)-1, -2 and -17-associated cytokine expression was evaluated by real-time PCR.

Essential role for c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 in corneal epithelial response to desiccating stress.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-1 and -2 gene knockout (KO) on the corneal epithelial response to desiccating stress.

Methods: The C57BL/6, JNK1KO, and JNK2KO mice were subjected to desiccating stress (DS) for 5 days. The effects of DS on the corneal epithelium were evaluated by measuring corneal smoothness and permeability.

Age-related T-cell cytokine profile parallels corneal disease severity in Sjogren's syndrome-like keratoconjunctivitis sicca in CD25KO mice.

Objectives: IL-2ralpha (CD25)(-/-) mice develop autoimmunity and lymphoproliferative disorders, including SS-like disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the severity of corneal epithelial disease and T-cell cytokine profile in the ocular surface tissues of CD25KO mice.

Methods: CD25KO mice were evaluated at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age.

Cleavage of functional IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) from murine corneal and conjunctival epithelia by MMP-9.

Background: IL-2 has classically been considered a cytokine that regulates T cell proliferation and differentiation, signaling through its heterotrimeric receptor (IL-2R) consisting of alpha (CD25), beta (CD122), gamma chains (CD132). Expression of IL-2R has also been detected in mucosal epithelial cells. Soluble IL-2Ralpha (CD25) has been reported as an inflammatory marker.