Entrapment of Conjunctival Goblet Cells by Desiccation-Induced Cornification

Mar 23, 2011Investigative ophthalmology & visual science

Drying causes surface eye cells that produce mucus to become trapped by skin-like changes

AI simplified

Abstract

Levels of involucrin and several cornified envelope precursor proteins increased in ocular surface tissues in response to desiccating stress.

  • Desiccating stress led to an increase in mRNA transcripts for involucrin and various cornified envelope precursor proteins.
  • The expression and activity of the enzyme transglutaminase 1 in the conjunctiva significantly increased after exposure to desiccating stress.
  • Desiccating stress caused a progressive loss of mucin-filled goblet cells in the conjunctiva.
  • Remaining goblet cells became trapped by adjacent epithelial cells, which increased their levels of cornified envelope precursors.
  • This process may be linked to the conjunctival mucin deficiency observed in dry eye conditions.

AI simplified

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free