• The Korean Journal of Vision Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.531-541
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• 2018

Purpose : To evaluate the acute cytotoxic effect of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and PHMB/EGCG mixture on the cultured human corneal epithelial cell (HCEpiC). Methods : HCEpiCs were cultured in the media of HCEpiC containing 0.00001~0.005% PHMB, 0.001~5% EGCG and 0.00005% PHMB/0.05% EGCG mixture respectively for 30, 60, 120 and 240 min. Cultured HCEpiCs were fixed and stained with Draq5 and cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using confocal microscope and ImageXpress $Ultra^{TM}$. Results : Cultured HCEpiC did not show cytotoxic effect at below 0.00005% PHMB and below 0.05% EGCG concentration. In the media containing 0.00005% PHMB/0.05% EGCG, acute cytototoxic effect was not found, whereas damaged HCEpiCS were increased and survival cells were decreased in the media incubated for 240 min. Conclusion : The mixture of 0.00005% PHMB/0.05% EGCG showed non acute cytotoxic effect on the cultured HCEpiCs, however it is needed to investigate its chronic cytotoxic effect.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2019

Acanthamoeba castellanii has ubiquitous distribution and causes primary acanthamoebic keratitis (AK). AK is a common disease in contact lens wearers and results in permanent visual impairment or blindness. In this study, we observed the cytopathic effect, in vitro cytotoxicity, and secretion pattern of cytokines in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) induced by A. castellanii trophozoites and/or cysts. Morphological observation revealed that panked dendritic HCECs co-cultured with amoeba cysts had changed into round shape and gradually died. Such changes were more severe in co-culture with cyst than those of co-cultivation with trophozoites. In vitro cytotoxicity assay revealed the highest cytotoxicity to HCECs in the co-culture system with amoeba cysts. A. castellanii induced the expression of $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL1 in HCECs. Secreted levels of $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-8 in HCECs co-cultured with both trophozoites and cysts were increased at an early incubation time (3 and 6 hr). These results suggested that cytopathic changes and pro-inflammatory cytokines release of HCECs in response to A. castellanii, especially amoebic cysts, are an important mechanism for AK development.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2007

The aim of the present study was to determine mechanisms of corneal epithelial cell apoptosis in vitro following exposure to anti-FAS and anti-FAS ligand antibody and during infection with mycoplasma sp.. A cultured human corneal epithelial(HCE) cell line was treated with anti-FAS antibody or anti-FAS ligand antibody for 2 and 4 days. The original cell line was found to be contaminated by mycoplasma removal agent(MRA) was used to eliminate the bacterium from the cell line. MRA($0.5{\mu}{\ell}$ tissue culture medium) was added to the cell line and incubated for 1 week. The cell line underwent multiple passages in media not contaminating MRA and cells were grown to 50-80% confluency on coverslips and stained using the Hoechst stain provided in the kit to ensure mycoplasma removal. Apoptosis experiments were performed before and after mycoplasma removal. The apoptotic index of anti-FAS and anti-FAS ligand antibody on mycoplasma contaminated cell line was studied using Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC and Propidium Iodide Staining. In conclusion, anti-FAS antibody induces apoptosis in HCE cells in a time and concentration-dependent mechanism. Cell lines contaminated with mycoplasma have an incresed susceptibility to FAS induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2003

The corneal epithelium is constantly being shed. The mechanism of corneal desquamation is not fully understood. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, may play a role. Apoptosis can be induced by a number of factors and different mechanisms. The study was performed to examine the apoptotic index induced in human corneal epithelial cells maintained in tissue culture by various apoptotic inducers. Various inducers, recombinant human cytokines($INF{\gamma}$, $TNF{\alpha}$, FASAb), actinomycin D. camptothecin, cycloheximide, dexamethasone and etoposide, were purchased from commercial suppliers. Inducers at manufacturer-recommended concentration were added to the corneal epithelial cells for 48 hours. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. The cells were then assessed for the level of apoptosis. Morphologic changes and quantification of apoptotic cells were determined and counted under fluorescence microscope after inducers-treated human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells for 48 hours with Hoechst 33342 staining. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and DePsipher assay. The expression of Fas protein was studied by immunocytochemistry. All inducers induced apoptosis in HCE cells in a dose dependent manner. Actinomycin D. camptothecin and etoposide induced apoptosis at lower than manufacturer-recommended concentration, while cytokines, cycloheximide and dexamethasone induced apoptosis at higher concentrations at the end of 48 hours. All inducers elicited typical apoptotic morphologic changes (chromatin condensation, nucleus fragmentations non-orange-red colored mitochondria) and expresses Fas protein highly. Apoptotic index of HCE cells by these inducers was different from the other cell lines. RNA synthesis inhibitor and topoisomerase inhibitors induced apoptosis at lower concentration than manufacturer-recommended concentration. Cytokines, cycloheximide and dexamethasone were able to produce apoptosis at 10 times higher concentrations. RNA synthesis inhibitor and topoisomerase inhibitors are more sensitive than intracellular receptor-activators in apoptotic induction of HCE cells.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate the action of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) used as a preservative in most ophthalmic topical solutions, on human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells in vitro. HCE cell line was exposed to BAC solutions at various concentrations (0.01%~0.0001%) for 15 minutes followed by 24 hours of cell recovery. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay and chromatin condensation with a Hoechst 33342 test. The expression of membrane protein Fas and Fas ligand was examined by western blot and immunocytochemistry, and DNA fragmentation was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. A significant decrease of membrane integrity with chromatin condensation was observed with BAC tested at concentrations of 0.005% and higher. BAC was cytotoxic preservatives in this study. An apoptotic mechanism appeared to be present at low concentrations of BAC, whereas a necrotic process appeared at higher concentrations. A functional Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway is present in cultured HCE cells and can be activated by upregulation of Fas expression with BAC.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2015

Purpose: To determine the effect of marketed multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs) on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiCs) toxicity by using image analysis. Methods: HCEpiCs were exposed six MPSs (product A-F) at 0.05~50% for 2h, 12h, 24h, and 48h respectively. HCEpiCs were fixed and stained with Draq5 after exposure with MPSs, and the cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by using confocal microscope and ImageXpress UltraTM. Results: Viabilities of HCEpiCs exposed to MPS A-F for a 2h were not affected, while reductions (52~75%) in cell viability over a 12h exposure of MPS B, MPS C, MPS D and MPS F, and significant more reductions (29~73%) over a 24h and 48h-exposure. Apoptosis of HCEpiC was not affect over a 12h MPS exposure, however was significantly increased (199~526%) over 24h and 48h MPS exposure. Among the products MPS D, E and F reduced viability of HCEpiCs and apoptosis increased more than MPS A (p<0.05). Conclusions: Lower concentration of MPSs have not an cytotoxic effect on HCEpiCs, however higher concentration of MPSs induce apoptosis and reduce viability of HCEpiCs. Therefore, it need to develop MPS having antimicrobial effectiveness with low cytotoxicity.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 1999

Human corneal epithelial cells and mouse fibroblast L929 cells were grown to 60-70% confluency in 96 well plates. 24 hours after the well plates are inoculated, the medium on the test plates is aspirated and replaced with an extract supplemented medium prepared from the materials to be tested. The contact lenses manufactured by 7 companies were collected from optical shops and used for this study. The exactracts having been prepared by autoclaving 8 lenses in 2.5ml saline. The cell monolayer is then cultured for a further 48 hour period. MTT and SRB assys were performed for cytotoxic effect on cultured cells An inhibition of 30% is considered clear indication of cytotoxic potential in the test material. All the materials were not cytotoxic, but 3 storage solutions of them inhibited growing L929 cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2022

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare ocular disease, but it is a painful and sight-threatening infectious disease. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are necessary to prevent serious complications. While AK is frequently diagnosis via several PCR assays or Acanthamoeba-specific antibodies, a more specific and effective diagnostic method is required. This study described the production of a polyclonal peptide antibody against the periplasmic binding protein (PBP) of A. castellanii and investigated its diagnostic potential. Western blot analysis showed that the PBP antibody specifically reacted with the cell lysates of A. castellanii. However, the PBP antibody did not interact with human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and the other 3 major causative agents of keratitis. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) results revealed the specific detection of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts by PBP antibodies when A. castellanii were co-cultured with HCE cells. PBP antibody specificity was further confirmed by co-culture of A. castellanii trophozoites with F. solani, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa via ICC. The PBP antibody specifically reacted with the trophozoites and cysts of A. polyphaga, A. hatchetti, A. culbertsoni, A. royreba, and A. healyi, thus demonstrated its genus-specific nature. These results showed that the PBP polyclonal peptide antibody of A. castellanii could specifically detect several species of Acanthamoeba, contributing to the development of an effective antibody-based AK diagnostics.