Purpose
Conjunctival goblets cells play an important role in the homeostasis of the ocular surface and are known to be affected by inflammatory cytokines in diseases of the ocular surface. An understanding of the role of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)γ in conjunctival goblet cell survival and function is necessary to explore the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases. Previous studies have shown that IFNγ reduces the survival of the goblet cells, whereas IL-13, IL-4 and IL-17A induce proliferation in mouse and rat models (1). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A and IFNγ on human goblet cell survival assessed by LDH analysis.

Methods
Human goblet cell cultures were grown from cultured donor conjunctiva. The goblet cells were seeded into wells and stimulated with IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A and IFNγ with 100 ng/mL for 48 hours, respectively. Cell viability was evaluated by LDH assays.

Results
Stimulation with IFNγ showed significant decrease in goblet cell viability with LDH assay (p<0.01). Stimulation with IL-4, IL-13 and IL-17A showed no significant decrease in cell survival compared to control. Significant differences in cell survival were observed between stimulation with IFNγ and IL-4 (p<0.001) and IL-13 (p<0.05), respectively.

Conclusions
Our study indicates that IFNγ reduces human conjunctival goblet cell survival in contrast to the Th2-associated cytokines IL-4 and IL-13.

Reference
García-Posadas L, Contreras-Ruiz L, Soriano-Romaní L, Dartt DA, Diebold Y. Conjunctival Goblet Cell Function: Effect of Contact Lens Wear and Cytokines. Eye Contact Lens 2016;42(2): 83–90.

Conflict of Interest
This work was supported by a research grant from LEO Pharma.