Investigation into the Protective Effects of Peroxiredoxin 6 on Corneal Epithelial Damage and Dry Eye

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16886
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa Medical University
• Principal Investigator: SHIBATA Teppei 金沢医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (70746700)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 抗酸化作用 / ドライアイ / 創傷治癒 / 角膜

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In an experiment investigating the effect of Prdx6 eye drops on corneal wound healing, corneal epithelial defects were induced in rabbits, followed by administration of Prdx6 eye drops and control eye drops. The results showed that Prdx6 eye drops had a more pronounced effect on promoting corneal wound healing compared to the control eye drops. Next, to analyze the protective effect of Prdx6 administration against oxidative stress on corneal epithelial cells, cells subjected to high osmolarity-induced stress were treated with Prdx6. This treatment significantly suppressed the production of oxidative stress and the decrease in cell survival rate. Furthermore, to compare Prdx6 levels in human tear fluid between healthy individuals and dry eye patients, tear fluid was collected using the Schirmer I test and micropipettes. The comparison of Prdx6 RNA levels in these samples revealed no significant differences.

Free Research Field

ドライアイ

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

角膜上皮欠損に対してPrdx6点眼は角膜創傷治癒の促進効果があり、外傷やドライアイによる角膜びらんの治療におけるPrdx6点眼が有用な可能性がある。ヒトの角膜上皮細胞における酸化ストレスに対してPrdx6投与すると酸化ストレスの産生と細胞生存率の減少が有意に抑制されており、Prdx6がドライアイやUV,外傷における角膜上皮での酸化ストレス形成を阻害し、角膜上皮を保護する作用が確認されたため、Prdx6点眼は上記の酸化ストレスが原因の角膜上皮障害に対して効果的な可能性がある。