Transduced PEP-1-FK506BP ameliorates corneal injury in Botulinum toxin A-induced dry eye mouse model

Abstract

FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) belongs to a family ofimmunophilins, and is involved in multiple biologicalprocesses. However, the function of FK506BP in cornealdisease remains unclear. In this study, we examined theprotective effects on dry eye disease in a Botulinum toxin A(BTX-A) induced mouse model, using a cell-permeablePEP-1-FK506BP protein. PEP-1-FK506BP efficiently transducedinto human corneal epithelial cells in a time- anddose-dependent manner, and remained stable in the cells for48 h. In addition, we demonstrated that topical application ofPEP-1-FK506BP was transduced into mouse cornea andconjunctiva by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, topicalapplication of PEP-1-FK506BP to BTX-A-induced mouse modelmarkedly inhibited expression levels of pro-inflammatorycytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosisfactor-α (TNF-α) and macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) incorneal and conjunctival epithelium. These results suggestPEP-1-FK506BP as a potential therapeutic agent for dry eyediseases. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(2): 124-129]

Keywords

• Cytokines
• Dry eye disease
• Inflammation
• PEP-1-FK506BP
• Protein therapy