RelB regulates basal and proinflammatory induction of conjunctival CCL2.

Purpose: This study investigated the involvement of NF-kB in regulating postoperative conjunctival inflammation.

Methods

Experimental surgery was performed as described for the mouse model of conjunctival scarring. Expression of NF-κB in postoperative conjunctival tissues or conjunctival fibroblasts were assessed by real-time PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses. Downregulation of RelB was achieved using small interfering RNA. Cellular cytokine secretion was determined using multiplex cytokine assay.

Results

RelB was the most highly induced member of the NF-kB family on day 2 post-surgery. Elevated RelB may be found associated with vimentin-positive cells and fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. In conjunctival fibroblasts, RelB may be induced by TNF-α but not TGF-β2 while its silencing caused selective induction of CCL2 secretion by both basal and TNF-α-stimulated fibroblasts.

Conclusions

High RelB induction in the inflammatory phase and the selective modulation of CCL2 suggest a specific anti-inflammatory role for RelB in the postoperative conjunctiva.