Tear proteomics in dry eye disease

Abstract

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multi-factorial ocular surface condition driven by compromised ocular lubrication and inflammation which leads to itching, dryness, and vision impairment. The available treatment modalities primarily target the acquired symptoms of DED including tear film supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs, mucin secretagogues, etc., However, the underlying etiology is still an area of active research, especially in regard to the diverse etiology and symptoms. Proteomics is a robust approach that has been playing major role in understanding the causative mechanism and biochemical changes in DED by identifying the changes in protein expression profile in tears. Tears are a complex fluid composed of several biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, lipids, mucins, and metabolites secreted from lacrimal gland, meibomian gland, cornea, and vascular sources. Over the past two decades, tears have emerged as a bona-fide source for biomarker identification in many ocular conditions because of the minimally invasive and simple sample collection procedure. However, the tear proteome can be altered by several factors, which increases the complexity of the approach. The recent advancements in untargeted mass spectrometry-based proteomics could overcome such shortcomings. Also, these technological advancements help to distinguish the DED profiles based on its association with other complications such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and meibomian gland dysfunction. This review summarizes the important molecular profiles found in proteomics studies to be altered in DED which have added to the understanding of its pathogenesis.

Inflammation mechanism and anti-inflammatory therapy of dry eye

“…The commonly used tear collection methods include Schirmer test paper collection and glass microcapillary collection. The difference is that the latter is suitable for the detection of a wider range of proteins in tears, while the former is more suitable for the detection of inflammatory factors ( 145 , 146 ). With the wide application of new examination techniques in clinical practice, the number of inflammatory cells and dendritic cells in the corneal stroma of dry eye patients has increased by confocal microscopy.…”

Liquid Biopsy Proteomics in Ophthalmology

“…Tear fluid represents a promising sample type for proteomics analyses. Several studies using tear fluid have provided new insights into common ocular surface and corneal diseases, such as dry eye disease, , Sjogren’s syndrome, keratoconus, and inflammatory orbital disorders . Due to the high accessibility of tear fluid, tear proteomics represents a promising tool for molecular characterization of ocular surface disease that could lead to personalized therapies and the monitoring of therapeutic response.…”

Potential New Target for Dry Eye Disease—Oxidative Stress

“…The untargeted proteomic technique facilitates the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of DED [112]. Techniques can be used together to distinguish DED features based on their association with other complications such as SS, diabetes, and MGD [113]. The proteomic patterns have been studied in two groups, a DED group and an SS with DED group using 2D LC-nano-MS/MS-based proteomics, where those proteins particularly involved in stress responses exhibited increased levels in both groups.…”