Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39869570›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

The cellular response of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in keratoconus human corneal fibroblasts to RB-PDT: Insights into cytokines, chemokines and related signaling pathways.

Ning Chai, Tanja Stachon, Sabrina Häcker, Tim Berger, Zhen Li, Maryam Amini, Shweta Suiwal, Berthold Seitz, Achim Langenbucher, Nóra Szentmáry

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ning ChaiDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-9689-8887
Tanja StachonDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Sabrina HäckerDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Tim BergerDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Zhen LiDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Maryam AminiDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Shweta SuiwalDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Berthold SeitzDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-9701-8204
Achim LangenbucherExperimental Ophthalmology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Nóra SzentmáryDr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Aniridia Research, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeRose Bengal Photodynamic Therapy (RB-PDT) offers dual therapeutic benefits by enhancing corneal stiffness and providing antibacterial activity, presenting significant potential for patients with keratoconus complicated by keratitis. Our purpose was to assess the effect of rose bengal photodynamic therapy (RB-PDT) on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as on extracellular matrix (ECM)-related molecules, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation of keratoconus human corneal fibroblasts (KC-HCFs). Additionally, the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways which are downstream of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway were examined.

methodsKC-HCFs were stimulated with varying concentrations of LPS (0-10 μg/ml), which was followed by RB-PDT. The expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, interferon alpha 2 (IFNA2), IFNB1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL-4), collagen I, collagen V, lysyl oxidase (LOX), transforming growth factor β 1(TGF-β1) were measured using qPCR, ELISA, or western blot. The activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways was assessed using qPCR and western blot.

resultsIn LPS-induced inflammation of KC-HCFs, the expression of IL-6 was further amplified by the treatment with RB-PDT (p = 0.001). However, the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways did not increase following RB-PDT. Additionally, RB-PDT reduced the transcription of collagen I and collagen V (p≤0.03), while the transcription of LOX and TGF-β1 secretion remained unchanged in KC-HCFs exposed to LPS.

conclusionIn LPS-induced inflammation of KC-HCFs treated with RB-PDT, despite the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathways is lacking. RB-PDT may have no adverse effects on corneal scar formation of keratoconus corneas in the short term.

Indexed as

ChemokinesCorneaCytokinesFibroblastsKeratoconusLipopolysaccharidesPhotochemotherapySignal TransductionCells, CulturedHumansInflammationNF-kappa BToll-Like Receptor 4ChemokinesCytokinesLipopolysaccharidesNF-kappa BToll-Like Receptor 4

Identifiers

PMID39869570
PMCPMC11771863

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.