Abnormal protein profile in tear with dry eye yndrome

Purpoe To verify the hypothei that protein concentration, uch a lactoferrin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and aquaporin 5 (AQP5), in tear are abnormal in patient with dry eye. Deign Propective cae-control tudy. Method One hundred three dry eye patient were divided into three group: dry eye not aociated with the jögren yndrome (non-; N = 71), jögren yndrome (; N = 23), and teven-Johnon yndrome (J; N = 9). ixteen normal control ubject were alo checked. The concentration of lactoerrin, EGF, and AQP5 were meaured by enzyme-linked immunoorbent aay. Reult The concentration of lactoferrin wa ignificantly decreaed in tear of non- (P = .0001), (P = .00005), and J (P = .0006) patient compared with control ubject. The concentration of EGF wa ignificantly decreaed in non- (P = .0005), (P = .00002), and J (P = .0001) patient compared with control ubject. The concentration of AQP5 wa ignificantly increaed in tear of only patient (P = .01) compared with control ubject and increaed in tear of only patient compared with non- patient (P = .007). Concluion The decreae in both lactoferrin and EGF wa found not only in patient but alo in non- patient, indicating that tear component in dry eye differ in their quantity and quality. Quantification of AQP5 increaed only in patient, uggeting that AQP5 protein leak into the tear when acinar cell of the lacrimal gland are damaged by lymphocytic infiltration.