Selenium-binding lactoferrin is taken into corneal epithelial cells by a receptor and prevents corneal damage in dry eye model animals

Sci Rep. 2016 Nov 11:6:36903. doi: 10.1038/srep36903.

Abstract

The ocular surface is strongly affected by oxidative stress, which causes many ocular diseases including dry eye. Previously, we showed that selenium compounds, e.g., selenoprotein P and Se-lactoferrin, were candidates for treatment of dry eye. This paper shows the efficacy of Se-lactoferrin for the treatment of dry eye compared with Diquas as a control drug using two dry eye models and incorporation of lactoferrin into corneal epithelial cells via lactoferrin receptors. We show the efficacy of Se-lactoferrin eye drops in the tobacco smoke exposure rat dry eye model and short-term rabbit dry eye model, although Diquas eye drops were only effective in the short-term rabbit dry eye model. These results indicate that Se-lactoferrin was useful in the oxidative stress-causing dry eye model. Se-lactoferrin was taken into corneal epithelium cells via lactoferrin receptors. We identified LRP1 as the lactoferrin receptor in the corneal epithelium involved in lactoferrin uptake. Se-lactoferrin eye drops did not irritate the ocular surface of rabbits. Se-lactoferrin was an excellent candidate for treatment of dry eye, reducing oxidative stress by a novel mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Corneal Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / complications
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelium, Corneal / cytology
  • Epithelium, Corneal / metabolism
  • Lactoferrin / administration & dosage*
  • Lactoferrin / chemistry
  • Lactoferrin / pharmacology
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / administration & dosage*
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / pharmacology
  • Organoselenium Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Organoselenium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism

Substances

  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • lactoferrin receptors
  • Lactoferrin