Interleukin 11 expression in the normal canine eye
Authors
Tara R. Richards, Jessica H. H. Mortlock, Chantale L. Pinard, Nick C. Whelan, Tamas Revay and Jonathan LaMarre
Institution
Uni Guelph
Country
Canada
Year
2013
Journal
Vet Ophthalmology
Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of interleukin-11
(IL-11), a cytokine with anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and immune-modulating
characteristics, in the canine eye.
Procedures Normal canine eyes were collected from clinically healthy dogs that had
been euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study. The distribution of IL-11 expression
in the different ocular layers was evaluated by immunofluorescence (eight eyes).
Expression levels were quantified (based on fluorescence intensity) using pixel density
analysis. Primary cell cultures were derived from all three corneal cell layers. IL-11
mRNA expression was assessed in these cultures using quantitative RT-PCR before
and after treatment with TGF-b1, a known inducer of IL-11 expression. IL-11 protein
expression was also assessed in the media of these cells by Western blot analysis.
Results IL-11 protein was detected in the corneal epithelium, keratocytes, and the
corneal endothelium of the normal canine eyes examined using immunofluorescence.
Baseline IL-11 mRNA expression was noted in the corneal epithelium, fibroblasts, and
endothelium using quantitative RT-PCR. Treatment of canine corneal cell lines with
TGF-b1 resulted in statistically significant increases in IL-11 expression in the corneal
epithelium, endothelial and fibroblast cell lines with strongest induction noted in the
fibroblasts and endothelium.
Conclusion This is the first description of IL-11 expression in the canine eye. The
protein and mRNA appear to be constitutively present throughout all layers of the
cornea and are increased by TGF-b1, a cytokine important in ocular inflammation
and disease.
Key Words: canine, cornea, epithelium, interleukin-11, normal eye, transforming
growth factor beta