PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S Rodriguez-Martinez
AU  - M E Cancino-Diaz
AU  - J C Cancino-Diaz
TI  - Expression of CRAMP via PGN-TLR-2 and of α-defensin-3 via CpG-ODN-TLR-9 in corneal fibroblasts
AID  - 10.1136/bjo.2005.082289
DP  - 2006 Mar 01
TA  - British Journal of Ophthalmology
PG  - 378--382
VI  - 90
IP  - 3
4099  - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/90/3/378.short
4100  - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/90/3/378.full
SO  - Br J Ophthalmol2006 Mar 01; 90
AB  - Aims: To search for the induction of the expression of antimicrobial peptides in corneal fibroblasts treated with bacterial components. Methods: RT-PCR was performed to search for mRNAs expression of antimicrobial peptides and toll-like receptors (TLRs) in murine primary cultures of corneal fibroblast (PCCF) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus, and cytosine-phosphorous-guanine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN). Cellular activation was blocked with anti-TRL antibodies. Results: LPS did not induce expression of antimicrobial peptide in corneal fibroblasts. Cathelin related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) and α-defensin 3 were overexpressed in a time and dose dependent manner in corneal fibroblasts treated with peptidoglycan and with CpG-ODN, respectively. CRAMP expression was blocked when PCCF were treated with anti-TLR-2 antibodies. α-Defensin 3 was not expressed in NIH murine corneal fibroblasts (which do not express the TLR-9 molecule) treated with CpG-ODN. Conclusion: Results suggest that corneal fibroblasts, which are the second cellular barrier of the cornea, can play an important part in the innate immunity of the eye via TLR stimulation.