Effect of preservative-free artificial tears on the antimicrobial activity of human beta-defensin-2 and cathelicidin LL-37 in vitro

Huang, Ling C., Jean, Daniele and McDermott, Alison (2005) Effect of preservative-free artificial tears on the antimicrobial activity of human beta-defensin-2 and cathelicidin LL-37 in vitro. Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice, 31 (1). pp. 34-38. ISSN 1542-2321

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Purpose - Human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) and cathelicidin LL-37 are salt-sensitive cationic antimicrobial peptides expressed by ocular surface epithelia. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of preservative-free artificial tears on hBD-2 and LL-37 antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods - P. aeruginosa was incubated with hBD-2 or LL-37 in the absence or presence (70% vol/vol) of different preservative-free artificial tears--Visine Tears (300 mOsm/kg), Tears Naturale Free (261 mOsm/kg), TheraTears (185 mOsm/kg), and Refresh Plus (325 mOsm/kg)--for 2 hours at 37 degrees C. In some experiments, P. aeruginosa was incubated with hBD-2 or LL-37 and Visine Tears or Tears Naturale Free with or without carboxymethylcellulose (0.5% vol/vol final concentration). Plates were inoculated with samples of each reaction mixture and then incubated for 24 hours at 37 degrees C.

Results - Visine Tears and Tears Naturale Free had little or no effect on the antimicrobial activity of 100 microg/mL hBD-2 or LL-37. In the presence of Refresh Plus and TheraTears, the activity of 100 microg/mL hBD-2 or LL-37 was reduced by 90% to 100%. Carboxymethylcellulose, at a concentration comparable to that present in Refresh Plus, reduced the effectiveness of hBD-2 or LL-37 by 40% to 90% in the presence of Tears Naturale Free and Visine Tears.

Conclusion - Human beta-defensin-2 and cathelicidin LL-37 inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa in vitro, but this activity is markedly reduced in the presence of Refresh Plus and TheraTears. These results suggest that carboxymethylcellulose-containing artificial tears may reduce the activity of the endogenously produced antimicrobial peptides.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	B500 Ophthalmics
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Applied Sciences
Depositing User:	Becky Skoyles
Date Deposited:	24 May 2017 12:36
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 17:30
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/30832

Downloads