In vitro biocompatibility assessment of multipurpose contact lens solutions: Effects on human corneal epithelial viability and barrier function

• Published in: Contact lens & anterior eye 2012-08, Vol.35 (4), p.163-170
• Main Authors: Cavet, M.E, Harrington, K.L, VanDerMeid, K.R, Ward, K.W, Zhang, J.-Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Cell Membrane Permeability - drug effects; Cell metabolic activity; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Contact Lens Solutions - pharmacology; Corneal epithelium; Electric Impedance; Epithelium, Corneal - cytology; Epithelium, Corneal - drug effects; Epithelium, Corneal - metabolism; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Materials Testing; Monolayer; Ophthalmology; Protease release; Stratified; Tight junction; Transepithelial resistance; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein - metabolism
• ISSN: 1367-0484; 1476-5411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2012.02.003

Abstract Purpose To explore the in vitro effects of multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs) on corneal epithelial barrier function and viability. Methods Human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpiC) were exposed to 50% MPSs A–G. Viability was determined using metabolic activity, protease release and caspase assays. Barrier function was evaluated using immunostaining for the tight junction protein zonnula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and resistance measurements. Results MPS A and G did not affect HCEpiC monolayer viability after 2 h, while MPSs B–F significantly decreased viability. There was a significant decrease in stratified HCEpiC viability after exposure to MPSs B–E for 2 h, while there was no effect of MPS A. After exposure of HCEpiC monolayers to MPS A, F or G for 30 min, ZO-1 staining appeared similar to control. HCEpiC exposed to MPSs B and C demonstrated tight junction breakdown. There was no significant change in HCEpiC monolayer resistance after exposure to MPS A or F for 2 h, while MPSs B–E and G reduced resistance. After exposure to MPS A–E, stratified HCEpiC resistance was significantly decreased after 2 or 4 h. The decrease in resistance was significantly less with MPS A as compared to the other MPSs. Conclusions MPSs caused varying modifications to cell viability and barrier function in monolayer and stratified HCEpiC. MPS A did not alter monolayer HCEpiC viability or barrier function, while MPSs B–G caused significant decreases of at least one parameter. Furthermore, MPS A had significantly less effect than MPSs B–E on viability and barrier function of stratified HCEpiC.