The aims of the proposed research are to obtain basic information about the cell biology of corneal epithelial adhesion to the stroma and epithelial wound healing that would lead to improved treatment for persistent epithelial defects and recurrent corneal erosions in humans. Another aim is to determine characteristics of the ocular surface epithelial cell glycocalyx, or mucin layer, and ascertain if and how this composition is affected in human ocular surface pathologies such as the dry eye disorders. Corneal epithelial adhesion. The cell-substrate junctions (hemidesmosomes) responsible for adhesion of the basal cells of the corneal epithelium to its basement membrane form over specific sites or components on the basement membrane where anchoring fibrils insert from the stromal surface; epithelial cells recognize these components to reform hemidesmosomes. To identify the basement membrane component that induces hemidesmosome formation, two approaches will be used. By low-voltage scanning electron microscopy, we will determine if any of a group of monoclonal antibodies specific to the epithelial basement membrane bind the epithelial surface of the basement membrane. Such antibodies will be characterized and used to determine if they block hemidesmosome formation. A second approach will recombine extracellular matrix components that will induce hemidesmosome formation in an in vitro assay. Cell motility during corneal epithelial wound healing. An early event within basal cells of the corneal epithelium at a wound margin is loss of hemidesmosomes. Recent data indicate that as cells begin to migrate they synthesize vinculin, a protein known to be in a different type of adhesion junction, the focal contact. Immunolocalization procedures will be used to determine if the vinculin in migrating epithelia is in focal contacts (that contain talin and/or alpha-actinin). Using confocal epifluorescence microscopy, the switch from hemidesmosome to focal contacts at wound margin will be studied to determine if a cell can express both or only one type of junction. Specific extracellular matrix components will be tested to see if they can affect this switch of expression of the individual junctions. Ocular surface glycoproteins. Monoclonal antibodies have been produced that bind exclusively apical cells and/or goblet cells of the entire ocular surface epithelium of the rat. Preliminary data suggest that the antigen(s) is/are either cell surface glycoproteins or surface mucins. Characterization of these antibodies with Western blot analyses and immunoprecipitation methodology will determine that nature and cell of origin of the antigen(s). Hybridomas have been produced from human corneal epithelium that have characteristics in common with the rat antibodies. These will be cloned, characterized, and used to compare, by impression cytology methods, binding of the antibodies to the ocular surface of normal and dry eye patients. Changes in ocular surface glycocalyx, or mucins, may account for tear """"""""dry spots"""""""" and mucous filaments found in dry eye disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37EY003306-21
Application #
2888105
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Project Start
1979-08-01
Project End
2000-07-31
Budget Start
1999-08-01
Budget End
2000-07-31
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02114
Gipson, Ilene K (2016) Goblet cells of the conjunctiva: A review of recent findings. Prog Retin Eye Res 54:49-63
Gipson, Ilene K; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Tisdale, Ann (2016) Human conjunctival goblet cells express the membrane associated mucin MUC16: Localization to mucin granules. Exp Eye Res 145:230-234
Robert, Marie-Claude; Arafat, Samer N; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra et al. (2016) Tear Matrix Metalloproteinases and Myeloperoxidase Levels in Patients With Boston Keratoprosthesis Type I. Cornea 35:1008-14
Gipson, Ilene K; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Tisdale, Ann et al. (2014) Comparison of the transmembrane mucins MUC1 and MUC16 in epithelial barrier function. PLoS One 9:e100393
Ubels, John L; Gipson, Ilene K; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra J et al. (2012) Gene expression in human accessory lacrimal glands of Wolfring. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 53:6738-47
Hori, Yuichi; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Russo, Cindy Leigh et al. (2004) Differential regulation of membrane-associated mucins in the human ocular surface epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 45:114-22
Rabinovitz, I; Gipson, I K; Mercurio, A M (2001) Traction forces mediated by alpha6beta4 integrin: implications for basement membrane organization and tumor invasion. Mol Biol Cell 12:4030-43
Kunert, K S; Keane-Myers, A M; Spurr-Michaud, S et al. (2001) Alteration in goblet cell numbers and mucin gene expression in a mouse model of allergic conjunctivitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 42:2483-9
Tei, M; Spurr-Michaud, S J; Tisdale, A S et al. (2000) Vitamin A deficiency alters the expression of mucin genes by the rat ocular surface epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 41:82-8
Danjo, Y; Hazlett, L D; Gipson, I K (2000) C57BL/6 mice lacking Muc1 show no ocular surface phenotype. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 41:4080-4

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