RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Rebamipide increases barrier function and attenuates TNFα-induced barrier disruption and cytokine expression in human corneal epithelial cells
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 912
OP 916
DO 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-302868
VO 97
IS 7
A1 Hiroshi Tanaka
A1 Ken Fukuda
A1 Waka Ishida
A1 Yosuke Harada
A1 Tamaki Sumi
A1 Atsuki Fukushima
YR 2013
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/97/7/912.abstract
AB Background Disruption of corneal epithelial barrier function by inflammation may contribute to the development of dry eye. The effects of rebamipide, a drug used for the treatment of dry eye, on barrier function and cytokine expression in a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line were examined. Methods Barrier function of HCE cells was evaluated by measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). The subcellular localisation of the tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO)-1 was examined by immunofluorescence analysis. The release of cytokines was determined with ELISAs, and the intracellular abundance of cytokine mRNAs was quantitated by reverse transcription and real-time PCR analysis. Degradation of the nuclear factor-κB inhibitor IκBα was detected by immunoblot analysis. Results Rebamipide increased TER of HCE cells in a concentration-dependent manner as well as attenuating the loss of TER and the disappearance of ZO-1 from the cell surface induced by tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). Rebamipide also suppressed TNFα-induced expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 at the mRNA and protein levels and inhibited the TNFα-induced degradation of IκBα. Conclusions The upregulation of barrier function and the anti-inflammatory effects of rebamipide, together with its mucin secretagogue activity, may contribute to the effectiveness of this drug for the treatment of dry eye.