Recombinant Human Thymosin beta 4 (rhT beta 4) Modulates the Anti-Inflammatory Responses to Alleviate Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC)-Induced Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular disorder that interferes with daily living and reduces quality of life. However, there is no most ideal therapeutic treatment to address all the deleterious defects of DED. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of recombinant human thymosin beta 4 (rhT beta 4) to promote healing in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced mice DED model and the anti-inflammatory effects involved in that process. Eye drops consisting of 0.05% and 0.1% rhT beta 4 were used for treatment of DED. Tear volume and corneal staining scores were measured after 7 days. Periodic acid-Schiff staining for gobleT cells in conjunctiva, immunohistochemical staining for CD4(+) T cells, TUNEL assay for apoptotic positive cells in cornea and conjunctiva, qRT-PCR and ELISA assays for multiple cytokines were performed. All clinical parameters showed improvement in both the 0.05% and 0.1% rhT beta 4 groups. Specifically, topical application of rhT beta 4 significantly increased conjunctival gobleT cells and reduced apoptotic cells in conjunctiva. Mechanically, the rhT beta 4 groups showed significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and CD4(+) T cells in conjunctiva by blocking NF-KB (nuclear factor kappa B) activation, suggesting that 0.05-0.1% rhT beta 4 eye drops may be used as a potential therapeutic treatment for DED.

Automated summary

The results of the study demonstrate that 0.05%-0.1% rhTβ4 eye drops can significantly improve clinical parameters in DED patients, increase conjunctival goblet cells, and reduce apoptotic cells in the conjunctiva. Additionally, by inhibiting NF-KB activation, rhTβ4 can significantly reduce inflammatory cytokine levels and CD4(+) T cells in the conjunctiva, suggesting that 0.05-0.1% rhTβ4 eye drops may be a potential therapeutic treatment for DED.