Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film
Recent clinical findings suggest that mucomimetic polymers (MMP) can alter not only the texture of the aqueous tear but also the spreading and structure of the tear film (TF) lipid layer, thereby allowing for their synchronized performance in vivo. Thus, we aimed to evaluate in vitro (i) the capabil...
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2747 |
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| author | Petar Eftimov Norihiko Yokoi Ana M. Melo Philippe Daull Georgi As. Georgiev |
| author_facet | Petar Eftimov Norihiko Yokoi Ana M. Melo Philippe Daull Georgi As. Georgiev |
| author_sort | Petar Eftimov |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent clinical findings suggest that mucomimetic polymers (MMP) can alter not only the texture of the aqueous tear but also the spreading and structure of the tear film (TF) lipid layer, thereby allowing for their synchronized performance in vivo. Thus, we aimed to evaluate in vitro (i) the capability of pharmaceutically applicable MMP to ensure the formation of post-evaporative ferning patterns (a characteristic feature of the “healthy” tear colloid) and (ii) the MMP interactions with human meibum films accessed in the course of blink-like deformations via Langmuir surface balance and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Four MMP were used- hyaluronic acid (HA), cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CHA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gellan gum (GG)- at the concentrations of 0.0001%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1%. Significant differences were observed in the MMP fern formation capability: CHA (≥0.001%) > HA (≥0.01%) = CMC (≥0.01%) > GG (≥0.05%). All MMP affected the spreading of meibum, with BAM micrographs revealing thickening of the films. CHA was particularly efficient, showing concentration-dependent enhancement of tear ferning and of meibomian layer structure, surfactant properties and viscoelasticity. Thus, endogenous and exogenous MMP may play key roles for the concerted action of the TF layers at the ocular surface, revealing novel routes for TF-oriented therapeutic applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:26:34Z |
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| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:26:34Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-dc54cc5644264091b4a95f291d50d1cf2023-11-21T09:40:36ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-03-01225274710.3390/ijms22052747Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear FilmPetar Eftimov0Norihiko Yokoi1Ana M. Melo2Philippe Daull3Georgi As. Georgiev4Department of Cytology, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanInstitute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisbon, PortugalNovagali Innovation Center, Santen SAS, 91058 Evry, FranceInstitute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisbon, PortugalRecent clinical findings suggest that mucomimetic polymers (MMP) can alter not only the texture of the aqueous tear but also the spreading and structure of the tear film (TF) lipid layer, thereby allowing for their synchronized performance in vivo. Thus, we aimed to evaluate in vitro (i) the capability of pharmaceutically applicable MMP to ensure the formation of post-evaporative ferning patterns (a characteristic feature of the “healthy” tear colloid) and (ii) the MMP interactions with human meibum films accessed in the course of blink-like deformations via Langmuir surface balance and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Four MMP were used- hyaluronic acid (HA), cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CHA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gellan gum (GG)- at the concentrations of 0.0001%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1%. Significant differences were observed in the MMP fern formation capability: CHA (≥0.001%) > HA (≥0.01%) = CMC (≥0.01%) > GG (≥0.05%). All MMP affected the spreading of meibum, with BAM micrographs revealing thickening of the films. CHA was particularly efficient, showing concentration-dependent enhancement of tear ferning and of meibomian layer structure, surfactant properties and viscoelasticity. Thus, endogenous and exogenous MMP may play key roles for the concerted action of the TF layers at the ocular surface, revealing novel routes for TF-oriented therapeutic applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2747mucomimetic polymerscross-linked hyaluronic acidtear filmferning patternshuman meibumsurface properties |
| spellingShingle | Petar Eftimov Norihiko Yokoi Ana M. Melo Philippe Daull Georgi As. Georgiev Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film International Journal of Molecular Sciences mucomimetic polymers cross-linked hyaluronic acid tear film ferning patterns human meibum surface properties |
| title | Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film |
| title_full | Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film |
| title_fullStr | Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film |
| title_short | Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film |
| title_sort | interactions of meibum and tears with mucomimetic polymers a hint towards the interplay between the layers of the tear film |
| topic | mucomimetic polymers cross-linked hyaluronic acid tear film ferning patterns human meibum surface properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2747 |
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