Use of secretory products of human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia for tear replacement therapy

Abstract

The present invention relates to medicinal compositions and more particularly refers to such compositions for tear replacement therapy having products of human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia, and more specifically, growth factors or cytokines, in particular, the transforming growth factor beta (TGF.beta.).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to medicinal compositions and more particularly refers to such compositions for tear replacement therapy having products of human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia, and more specifically, growth factors or cytokines, in particular, the transforming growth factor beta (TGF.beta.).

2. Background Information

Aqueous tear deficiency is a common condition that in its most severe form may be associated with disabling ocular irritation, and visual morbidity due to corneal epitheliopathy and/or ulceration. The conjunctival pathology of Sjogren's Syndrome (SS), the most severe type of aqueous tear deficiency, consists of abnormal terminal differentiation with significantly reduced bulbar goblet cell densities (Pflugfelder, S. C. et al. Ophthalmology 1990;97:985-991), decreased expression of mucins by the superficial epithelium (Table I)(Pflugfelder, S. C. et al. 1994 ARVO abstracts. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1994; 34: 1692)), and aberrant expression of immune activation markers (HLA Class II antigens and ICAM I) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) (Jones, D. T. et al. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. (in press)).

TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________Results of Immunohistochemical Staining of Bulbar Conjunctival EpithelialCells on ImpressionCytology Specimens using Mucin-Specific Antibody L6Group Temporal Conjuctiva (% +) Inferior Conjuctiva (% +)__________________________________________________________________________Sjogren Syndrome (SS) ATD 18.2 18.2Non Sjogren Syndrome ATD 66.7 88.9inflammatory MGD 77.8 88.9Atrophic MGD 77.8 100Control 100 100 SS vs Inflam. MGD p = 0.022 SS vs non SS ATD p = 0.005 SS vs Atrophic MGD p = 0.022 SS vs Inflam. MGD p = 0.005 SS vs control p = 0.001 SS vs Atrophic MGD p = 0.001 SS vs control p = 0.001__________________________________________________________________________ ATD = aqueous tear deficiency, MGD = meibomian gland disease

At the present time, biological activity of tears on the health and differentiation of the ocular surface epithelia has not been evaluated. Clinical signs and ocular surface pathologic changes in patients with aqueous tear deficiency suggest that the tears may have more than a lubricating role for the ocular surface. One of the most specific clinical signs of severe aqueous tear deficiency is staining of the conjunctival and/or cornea with the diagnostic dye rose-bengal. Recently reported experimental evidence suggests that rose-bengal staining of the ocular surface epithelia may result from lack of cell coating by normal tear constituents, predominantly tear mucins (Feenstra, R. P. and Tseng, S. C. G. Arch. Ophthalmol. 1992;110:984-993). Mucin-producing goblet cells and production of cell-membrane associated mucins by the superficial stratified epithelia are markers of terminal differentiation in the normal human conjunctiva. A marked reduction in expression of both types of conjunctival mucin has been detected in the conjunctival epithelia of Sjogren's Syndrome patients (Pflugfelder, S. C. et al. Ophthalmology 1990;97:985-991. Pflugfelder, S. C. et al., 1994 ARVO abstracts Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1994; 34: 1692).

Although this may be due in part to mechanical trauma related to the reduced preocular tear film, it may also represent abnormal terminal differentiation due to lack of biologically active tear constituents. At the present time, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is the only cytokine that has been detected in human tears (van Seten, G. B. et al. Graeffe's Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol. 1989;227: 184-187). Reduced tear EGF concentrations have been reported in one patient with aqueous tear deficiency (van Seten, G. B. et al. Curr. Eye Res. 1991; 10:523-527; however, the biologic activity of tear EGF has not been evaluated.

Tear secretion by the human lacrimal gland is influenced by neurotransmitters and hormones (Dartt, D. Curr. Eye Res. 1989;8:619-636; Sullivan, D. A. The Neuro Endocrine-immune Network S. Freier, Editor. Boca Raton, Fla. 1990 CRC Press, pp 199-238). Jordan and Baum have reported that the majority of tear secretion is reflexive, resulting from sensory stimulation of the lids and ocular surface (Jordan, A. and Baum, J. Ophthalmology 1980;87:920-930). A marked reduction in neural-stimulated tear secretion is an early clinical sign in Sjogren's Syndrome (Tsubota, K. Am. J. Ophthalmol. 1991; 111: 106-108), but the clinical consequences of reduced neural-stimulated tears have not been established.

We recently discovered that the pathologic changes associated with Sjogren's Syndrome may be due in part to reduced concentrations of cytokines produced by the lacrimal gland and secreted into the tears that are essential for normal health and differentiation of the ocular surface epithelia. Based on its ability to induce differentiation of intestinal mucosa (Kurokowa, M. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Comm. 1987; 142:775-782), and corneal epithelia (Kruse, F. E. and Tseng. S. C. G. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1993;34: 1963-1976), and its ability to down regulate HLA Class II antigen and IL-6 expression (Lucas, C. et al. Ciba Foundation 1991; 157:98-114), we hypothesized that transforming growth factor beta (TGF.beta.) may be one of the biologically essential tear cytokines. Recently, TGF has been reported to be produced by mammary gland acini (Maier, R. et al. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 1991;82: 192-198) and secreted into milk.

TGF.beta. is a multi-functional biologically essential cytokine. TGF.beta. has a spectrum of biologic activity and has been reported to induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation of mucosal epithelia, including rabbit corneal epithelia (Kurokowa, M. et al. Biochem. Biophys. Comm. 1987; 142:775-782; Kruse, F. E. and Tseng, S. C. G. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1993;34: 1963-1976). TGF.beta. has also been reported to stimulate synthesis of extra cellular matrix components and has been shown to induce these effects on corneal stromal fibroblasts (Ohji, M. et al. Curr. Eye. Res. 1993;12:703-709). Finally, TGF.beta. has immunosuppressive activity that includes inhibition of T-cell proliferation, down regulation of expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and immune activation markers such as HLA class II antigens (Lucas, C. et al. Ciba Foundation 1991; 157:98-114).

At the present time, commercially available artificial tear replacements are composed of synthetic polymers, buffers, and electrolytes in an aqueous solution. Examples of such solutions include "BION" (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Tex.) and "REFRESH PLUS" (Allersan, Irvine, Calif.). Major components of commercially available artificial tear replacement solutions, Ophthalmic lubricants which protect the eye from drying, and ocular decongestants, are listed in TABLES II, III, and IV, respectively. These solutions contain no biologically active components to modulate the health and differentiation of ocular surface epithelia. Tear replacement therapies containing biologically active components could potentially reverse pathologic ocular surface epithelial changes, and would present a great advance in treatment of severe aqueous tear deficiency states.

TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________ARTIFICIAL TEAR PREPARATIONSMAJOR COMPONENT CONCENTRATION TRADENAME PRESERVATIVE/EDTA__________________________________________________________________________Carboxy methycellulose 0.5% Cellufresh None 1% Celluvisc NoneHydroxyethyl cellulose Lyteers Benzalkonium Cl + EDTA TearGard Sorbic Acid + EDTAHydroxyethyl cellulose + Neo-Tears Thimerosal + EDTAPolyvinyl AlcoholPydroxyethyl cellulose + Adsorbotear Thimerosal + EDTAPovidoneHydroxypropyl Cellulose Lacrisert (Biode- None gradable insert)Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 0.5% Isopto Plain Benzalkonium Cl Isopto Tears Benzalkonium Cl Tearisol Benzalkonium Cl + EDTA 1% Isopto Alkaline Benzalkonium Cl Ultra Tears Benzalkonium ClHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose + Tears Naturale Benzalkonium Cl + EDTADextran 70 Tears Naturale II Polyquad Tears Naturale Free NoneHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose + Lacril Chlorobutanol +Gelatin A Polysorbate 80Methylcellulos 1% Murocel Methyl- + PropylparabensPolyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Akwa Tears Benzalkonium Cl + EDTA Just Tears Benzalkonium Cl + EDTA Liquifilm Tears Chlorobutanol 3% Liquifilm Forte Thimerosal + EDTAPolyvinyl Alcohol + 1% Hypotears Benzalkonium Cl + EDTAPEG-400 + Dextose Hypotears PF EDTAPolyvinyl Alcohol + 1.4% Murine Benzalkonium Cl + EDTAPovidone 0.6% Refresh None Tears Plus Chlorobutanol__________________________________________________________________________ TABLE III______________________________________OPHTHALMIC LUBRICANTSTRADE NAME COMPOSITION______________________________________AKWA Tears Ointment (Akorn) Sterile ointment containing white petrolatum, liquid lanolin, and mineral oil.Duolube (Bausch & Lomb) Sterile ointment containing white petrolatum and mineral oil.Duratears Naturale (Alcon) Sterile ointment containing white petrolatum, liquid lanolin, and mineral oil.HypoTears (Iolab) Sterile ointment containing white petrolatum and light mineral oil.Lacri-Lube S.O.P. (Allergan) Sterile ointment containing 42.5% mineral oil, 55% white petrolatum, lanolin alcohol, and chlorobutanol.Refresh P.M. (Allergan) Sterile ointment containing 41.5% mineral oil, 55% white petrolatum, petrolatum, and lanolin alcohol.______________________________________ TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________DRUG TRADE NAME ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS__________________________________________________________________________OCULAR DECONGESTANTSNaphazoline AK-Con* Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodiumHydrochloride Albalon* Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Clear Eyes Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Degest 2 Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Naphcon* Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Opcon* Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Vasoclear Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Vasocon Regular* Phenylmercuric acetatePhenylephrine AK-Nefrin Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodiumHydrochloride Efricel Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Eye Cool Thimerosal + edetate disodium Isopto Frin Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Prefin Liquifilm Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Relief -- Tear-Efrin Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Velva-Kleen Thimerosal + edetate disodiumTetrahydrozoline Collyrium Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodiumHydrochloride Murine Plus Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Soothe* Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Tetracon Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodium Visine Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodiumDECONGESTANT/ASTRINGENT COMBINATIONSNaphazoline Clear Eyes ACR Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodiumHydrochloride (Allergy/Coldplus Zinc Sulfate Relief)Phenylephrine Prefrin-Z ThimerosalHydrochloride Zincfrin Benzalkonium Clplus Zinc SulfateTetrahydrozoline Visine A.C. Benzalkonium Cl + edetate disodiumplus Zinc Sulfate__________________________________________________________________________ *Prescription medication

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have recently been able to culture human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia which secrete proteins typically produced by lacrimal gland secretory acini in vivo (Yoshino, K. et al., Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Sjorgren's Syndrome (1993), p. 804). In addition, we have evaluated human tears for TGF.beta. using the CCL-64 mink lung epithelial cell (MLEC) growth inhibition assay and sELISA. Results indicate that human lacrimal gland acini produce and secrete TGF.beta. into the tears, and that there are factors in human tears capable of binding TGF.beta..

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide cultured human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia as a model of in vivo secretory acinar function. These cultures can be used for testing of agents which stimulate or inhibit tear secretion and the analysis of biologically active tear constituents that are secreted by the lacrimal gland which can be used for the treatment of diseases affecting the ocular epithelia. Specifically, diseases of the ocular surface associated with aqueous tear deficiency.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a medicinal formulation suitable for the treatment of various conditions which result in tear deficiency or ocular irritation. Conditions benefiting from physiologic tear replacement include patients with lacrimal gland dysfunction, destruction or surgical removal (Sjogren's Syndrome, post radiation, altered innervation, surgical removal for treatment of tumor).

It is yet another object of the invention to provide tear replacement compositions containing TGF.beta. which are more effective than the composition presently in use which do not contain biologically active components. According to the present invention, tear replacement compositions are provided by adding TGF.beta. to a pharmaceutical composition for application to the eye in order to lubricate the eye or to supplement tears.

According to the present invention, tear replacement compositions as stated above may also contain any or other components produced by lacrimal gland epithelia, naturally present in human tears such as antimicrobial proteins (for example lactoferrin and lysozyme), retinol binding protein (for example tear specific pre-albumin), biologically active components or cytokines such as epidermal growth factor, or retinol.

Compositions according to the present invention can be used to treat aqueous tear deficiency and conditions associated with alterations of the ocular suface epithelia including hyperproliferation, squamous metaplasia, loss of goblet cells, and abnormal terminal differentiation among other ocular surface pathologic changes that lead to ocular irritation.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of this invention will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A. Expression of TGF.beta.1 mRNA in normal human lacrimal gland biopsies and cultured human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia. PCR products of the appropriate size (161 bp) from amplification of cDNA prepared from human lacrimal gland epithelial cultures (lane 1) and human lacrimal gland biopsies (lane 2-4) with TGF-.beta.1 specific primers were noted on an ethidium bromide stained agarose gel (upper figure) and Southern hybridization (bottom figure). Lane 5 contains TGF-.beta.1 cDNA. Lane 6--blank, Lane 7--molecular weight standards.

FIG. 1B. Expression of TGF.beta.2 mRNA in normal human lacrimal gland biopsies and cultured human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia. A PCR product of approximately 450 bp was noted on an ethidium bromide stained agarose gel of amplification of cDNA prepared from human lacrimal gland epithelial cultures (lane 1) and human lacrimal gland biopsies (lanes 2-4) with TGF-.beta.2 specific primers. On Southern hybridization, three hybridizations signals with approximate sized of 350-, 450-, and 500-bp were obtained from cDNA prepared from cultured lacrimal gland epithelia (lane 1) and one lacrimal gland biopsy (lane 2), while only two hybridization bands (350 and 450 bps) were obtained from cDNA prepared from the other two lacrimal gland biopsies (lanes 3 and 4). Multiple sized PCR products are most likely due to alternate splicing of the region of the TGF-.beta.2 gene amplified with these primers. Lane 5 contains TGF-.beta.2 cDNA. Lane 6--blank, Lane 7--molecular weight standards.

FIG. 2A. Expression of TGF.beta.1 and TGF2 protein in normal human lacrimal gland biopsies. (a) majority of tubuloacinar structures in all five human lacrimal gland biopsies showed immunoreactivity to a polyclonal antibody to all isotypes of TGF-.beta. (pan TGF-.beta. Ab, 40.times. original magnification). (b) Absence of immunoreactivity to TGF-.beta.2-specific antisera was noted in all lacrimal gland biopsies (400.times. original magnification). (c) and (d). TGF-.beta.1-specific antibodies produced strong immunoreactivity with epithelial cells in four or five lacrimal gland biopsies. The strongest staining with TGF-.beta.1 antibodies was noted in the apical secretory portion and lumens of acinar epithelial complexes ((c)--100.times., (d)--100.times. original magnification). (e) and (f). In sections where entire Tubuloacinar structures were visualized (asterisk), TGF-.beta.1 staining appeared stronger in acinar than ductal epithelia ((e) imunofluorescent staining, (f)--phase, 100.times. original magnification).

FIG. 2B. Expression of TGF.beta.1 and TGF.beta.2 protein in cultured human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia. The cytoplasm of cultured human lacrimal gland epithelia stained with both TGF-.beta.1 (top figure) and TGF-.beta.2 (bottom figure) antisera (100.times. original magnification).

FIG. 3. Results of ELISA for TGF-.beta.1 and TGF-.beta.2 in supernatants (spnt) from human lacrimal gland acinar epithelial cultures and control media. TGF-.beta.1 [] in culture supernatants were significantly greater than media or TGF-.beta.2 (*0.169 ng/ml.+-.0.021)in culture supernatants (P<0.05)

FIG. 4. Growth inhibitory effects of native human tears in mink lung epithelial cell bioassay.

FIG. 5. Concentration of TGF.beta. in native tears treated with various physicochemical techniques.

FIG. 6. Growth inhibitory effects of human tears following acidification or treatment with n-acetylcysteine ("MUCOSIL.TM.", DEY Laboratories, Napa, Calif.) and heating.

FIG. 7. Effect of TGF.beta. isotype specific neutralizing antisera on antiproliferative effects of human tears.

FIG. 8. Results of ELISA for TGF-.beta.1 and TGF-.beta.2 for human tears. TGF-.beta. concentration in tears is 0.521 ng/ml+0.321. Tear TGF-.beta.1 concentrations were significantly greater than TGF-.beta.2 (P<0.05).

FIG. 9. Western blot of native tears treated with n-acetylcysteine and heating, showing pro-TGF-.beta. binding to high MW complexes (about 1000 kD, probably mucins), and monomeric TGF-.beta.. Lane 1 purified TGF-.beta.1. (R&D), monomer band is present at approximately 12.5 kD (arrowhead); Lane 2. blank; Lane 3. native tears--a high molecular weight band (approximately 100 kD asterisk) is noted; lanes 4-6: tears treated with n-acetylcysteine and heating (lane 4), acidification with HCl (lane 5), and acidification followed by reduction with DTT (lane 6). Two bands of immunoreactivity were noted with these specimens, a stronger band at approximately 110 kD, the size of the pro-TGF-.beta. complex (LAP plus cytokine, star) and a weaker band of the same size as monomeric TGF-.beta. (approximately 12.5 kD. arrowhead)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, tear replacement compositions containing TGF.beta., where TGF.beta. is either TGF-.beta.1 or TGF-.beta.2 or a combination thereof, by way of non limiting illustration, be applied to the eye in animals and humans as a drop or within ointments, gels, liposomes, or biocompatible polymer discs or pellet. They can be attached to, carried by and/or contained within contact lenses that are placed on the eye. In general, it is desired that the mode of application be such that the composition enters the tear film or otherwise makes contact with the surface of the eye.

Further in accordance with the invention, a replacement tear composition is made by combining TGF.beta. with a physiologically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the preparation will be unit dose, refrigerated, with or without preservative. The composition may also contain a physiologically compatible ophthalmic vehicle as those skilled in the art can select using conventional criteria. The vehicles may be selected from the known ophthalmic vehicles which include but are not limited to water, polyethers such as polyethylene glycol 400, polyvinyls such as polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, cellulose derivatives such as carboxy methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, petroleum derivatives such as mineral oil and white petrolatum, animal fats such as lanolin, vegetable fats such as peanut oil, polymers of acrylic acid such as carboxylpolymethylene gel, polysaccharides such as dextrans and glycosaminoglycans such as sodium hyaluronate and salts such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, and buffer such as sodium bicarbonate or sodium lactate. High molecular weight molecules can also be used, such as mucins.

Preferred preservatives are physiologically compatible and do not inactivate TGF.beta. or other peptides or cytokines present in the composition. Preservatives include but are not limited to alcohols such as chlorobutanol, and benzalknonium Cl and EDTA, though other appropriate preservatives known to those skilled in the art may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of TGF.beta. in the tear solution is from 250 pg/ml to 12.5 ng/ml, preferably 200 pg/ml to 12.0 ng/ml. Active TGF.beta. concentrations in human tears range from 250 pg/ml to 12.5 ng/ml (mean 3.83 ng/ml). There appears to be a total latent TGF.beta. concentration of approximately 30 ng/ml in tears. Ideally, therapeutic TGF.beta. should be administered bound to its natural carrier or binding protein(s) in tears. At the present time, these appear to be mucins because immunoreactivity of TGF.beta. in native tears is at a high molecular weight (approximately 1000 kD), the molecular weight of tear mucins. Data suggests that most TGF.beta. in tears is in the proform (approximately 110 kD). Typically, this proform is converted to the active from by proteolytic enzymes such as plasmin. Plasminogen activator is normally found in human tears. It is likely that concentrations of this protein are reduced in patients with aqueous tear deficiency. Therefore, it may be necessary to use purified (lyophilized) active TGF.beta.. The source of this cytokine is not essential. It could be purified from platelets (a rich source of TGF.beta.1) or recombinant TGF.beta. could be used. Alternatively, cultured lacrimal gland acini could serve as the source of TGF.beta.. Other lacrimal gland produced tear constituents which may be desirable to add to physiologic tear replacements include, lactoferrin, 1-3 g/L (Kijlstra, A. et al. (1983), Br. J. Ophthalmol. 67:199-202), lysozyme, 0.5-4.5 g/L, and Tear specific pre-albumin, 0.5-1.5 g/L (Berman, E. R. Biochemistry of the Eye, Ed. C. Blakemore, Plenum Press, New York, 1991), mucins, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) 0.75-9.7 ng/ml (van Setten, G. B. et al. (1989) Graeffe's Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol. 22:184-187; Ohashi, Y. et al. (1989) Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 30:1879-1882), and Vitamin A, 16 ng/ml of retinol (Vitamin A is present in tears as retinol but would need to be added to tear replacement as trans retinoic acid) (Ubels, J. L. and Mac Rae, S. M. (1984) Current Eye Res. 3:815-822).

The following examples are presented to illustrate further various aspects of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any respect.

EXAMPLE 1

Production of TGF.beta. by Human Lacrimal Gland Epithella

We have recently evaluated normal human lacrimal gland biopsies and cultured human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia (Yoshino, K. et al. Sjorgren's Syndrome--Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium, 1993. Ed. M. Homma, S. Sugai, T. Tojo, N. Miyasajka and M. Akizuki, Kugler Publications, 1994, Amsterdam/New York) for expression of TGF.beta.1 and TGF.beta.2 mRNA and protein using RT-PCR, sELISA and immunohistochemisty, techniques known in the art (Ji, Z. et al. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. (1994 ARVO abstracts) 1994; 34: 1792). TGF.beta.1 and .beta.2 mRNA expression was found in both lacrimal gland biopsies and acinar cultures (FIGS. 1A and 1B). In lacrimal gland biopsies, immunoreactivity to TGF.beta.1 but not TGF-.beta.2 was detected in the secretory portion of the lacrimal gland acinar epithelia adjacent to the lumen by immunohistochemistry (FIG. 2A). The cytoplasm of cultured acinar epithelia showed immunoreactivity to both TGF.beta.1 and .beta.2 specific antisera (FIG. 2B). TGF.beta.1 was detected in supernatants of lacrimal gland acinar cultures in significantly greater concentrations (0.5-2 ng/ml) than the control (culture media on substrate) by sandwich ELISA (sELISA, FIG. 3). Furthermore, stimulation of cultured human lacrimal gland acini with 0.01 mM carbachol (a cholinergic agonist) resulted in at least a 30% increase in TGF.beta.1 concentrations in the supernatants. These experiments indicate that TGF.beta. is produced and secreted by human lacrimal gland acinar epithelia, and that this secretion may be enhanced by cholinergic stimulation.

EXAMPLE 2

TGF.beta. in Human Tears

We recently evaluated human tears for TGF.beta. using the CCL-64 mink lung epithelial cell (MLEC) growth inhibition assay, a conventional assay for the detection of TGF.beta., and sELISA (Danielpour D. et al. (1989) Cell Physiol. 138:79-86). Native human tears produced an anti-proliferative effect in the MLEC assay; however, a flat growth inhibition curve with rapid loss of anti proliferative activity after 3 to 7 serial dilutions was noted with native tears (FIG. 4). Heating and acidification, two physicochemical techniques previously reported to activate latent TGF.beta. increased the concentration of TGF.beta. in human tears calculated at the midpoint of the growth inhibition curves (FIG. 5). Furthermore, incubation of human tears with n-acetylcysteine ("MUCOCIL".TM., DEY Laboratories, Napa, Calif.), a mucolytic and reducing agent, followed by heating at 80.degree. C. for 8 minutes appeared to release latent TGF.beta. in tear samples, compared to tears treated by heating alone (FIG. 6). Following this treatment, a growth inhibition curve with a slow decay of the growth inhibition activity as tear specimens were serially diluted was obtained that resembled the curve obtained with serially diluted purified human platelet TGF.beta.1 (FIG. 6). The anti-proliferative effect of human tears in the MLEC assay could be inhibited by pre-incubation with TGF.beta.1 neutralizing anti-sera but not by TGF.beta.2-specific antisera (FIG. 7).

The presence of TGF.beta. in human tears was confirmed by TGF.beta.1 sELISA. TGF.beta.1 was not detected in native tear samples by sELISA; however, pre-treatment of human tears with n-acetylcysteine followed by heating resulted in an average detectable tear TGF.beta.1 concentrations of 45 ng/ml (range 19.99-67.7 ng/ml). TGF.beta.2 was detected in human tears by sELISA at very low concentrations (521 pg/ml with a range of 316-891 pg/ml) compared to TGF.beta.1 (p<0.05).

SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting experiments were performed to confirm the molecular weights (MW) of TFG.beta. complexes in human tears.

EXAMPLE 3

Western Blot Analysis

Western blots were preformed as follows. Kaleidoscope pre-stained molecular weight standard was purchased from Bio-Rad (Richmond, Calif.). Human platelet TGF.beta.1, rabbit anti-pan isotype TGF.beta. was purchased from R&D Systems, Inc. Anti-rabbit and anti-goat IgG-POD were purchased from Boehringer Mannheim (Indianapolis, Ind.).

Fresh human tear specimens were activated by the following methods: (1) heating at 80.degree. C. for 7 minutes and immediately placed on ice; (2) diluted 1:1 with 10% N-acetylcysteine "MUCOCIL".TM., DEY Laboratories, Napa, Calif.) then heated at 80.degree. C. for 7 minutes and immediately placed on ice, (3) acidification by adjusting pH to 2 with 1N HCl and incubating at room temperature for 1 hour. The pH was then neutralized with one NaOH, (4) acidification, then reduction by addition of 5 ul of 1M dithiothreitol (DTT). All activated specimens were then added to 2.times. sample buffer and boiled at 100.degree. C. for 3 minutes.

Mini-protein II 4-20% Ready gels were used for SDSpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-page) and were purchased from Bio-Rad. Running buffer contained Tris/glycine with SDS. Electrophoresis was performed at constant voltage (125 V) in a Bio-Rad mini-protein II electrophoresis cell until the dye marker had reached the bottom of the gel. Electrophoretic transfer on to PVDF membrane (Millipore, Beford, Mass.) was performed with a Bio-Rad Trans-Blot cell. Transfer buffer consisted of glycine/ethanolamine and 20% methanol. Prior to transfer, the PVDF membrane was pre-wet in 100% methanol, rinsed with distilled water and immersed for 15 minutes in buffer. Transfer was performed at 20 V overnight. After electroblotting, membranes were stained with Pouceu S (Sigma) for 2 minutes, then rinsed with water and air dried.

Immunodetection was performed using a Bio-Rad chemiluminescent detection kit. The PVDF membrane was wet with 100% methanol, then rinsed with distilled water. The membrane was then incubated for 1 hour in blocking solution (1% blocking reagent in TBS) on a shaking incubator. The membrane was then incubated for one hour with primary antibody diluted in 0.5% blocking solution. Dilution of Pan-TGFI3 antibody was 1:2000 (1 .mu.g/.mu.l). The membrane was then washed twice in TBST for 10 minutes each, then washed twice with 0.5% blocking solution. The membrane was then incubated for 1 hour with POD-conjugated secondary antibody diluted 1:1000 in 0.5% blocking solution. The membrane was then washed four times with TBST for 15 minutes each. Excess buffer was then drained from the washed membrane, and it was placed in a staining dish and incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature with a mixture of solutions A and B (diluted 1:100 and incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature prior to addition). Approximately 125 .mu.l/cm sq. was added to the membrane container and incubated for 1 minute. The wet membrane was immediately placed into a plastic hybridization bag and the bubbles were removed. The membrane (protein side up) was placed into a film cassette against a sheet of X-ray film (X-Omat, Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.) and was exposed for 1 minute, then developed. Either no immunoreactive bands or high MW bands. (>50,000 kD) were observed in native or heat treated tears. Treatment of tears with n-acetylcysteine and heating, HCl, or HCl plus DTT resulted in immunoreactive bands at 110 kD, and 12.5 kD using TGF.beta. specific antisera (FIG. 9). These bands correspond to the published MWs of pro-TGF.beta. complexes and monomeric TGF.beta..

Taken together, these results indicate than native human tears contain a small amount of biologically active TGF.beta. (approximately 3.8 ng/ml), and a greater amount of latent TGF.beta. that can be released by a variety of physiochemical techniques. TGF.beta.1 is the predominant isoform in tears. Our finding of TGF.beta.1 production by human lacrimal gland secretory acini coupled with the previously reported relative lack of immunoreactivity of human ocular surface epithelia for TGF.beta. (Pasquale, L. R. et al. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1993;94:23-30) (only superficial limbal epithelia were positive) suggests that some, if not the majority, of TGF.beta. in human tears may be produced by the lacrimal gland.

Claims

1. A method of ameliorating a tear deficiency condition comprising the steps of administering to the ocular surface a pharmaceutically effective amount of an ophthalmological composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of TGF.beta. in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

2. The method according to claim 1 for the tear deficiency condition is dry eye.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said dry eye disease is Sjogren's Syndrome.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the dry eye condition results from a condition selected from the group consisting of hyperproliferation, squamous metaplasia, loss of goblet cells, and abnormal terminal differentiation.