No differences were found in the levels of IL-17A, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the diabetes with DE and diabetes without DE groups compared to the normal group (P > .05).
On the contrary, the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, -6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ were increased in the DE corneas of the control mice and were reduced by all treatments; in particular, IL-6 was significantly suppressed.
The cytokine antibody array system identified increased B7‑2 (also known as cluster of differentiation 86), interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑4, IL‑6, IL‑10, matrix metalloproteinase‑8, Fas ligand, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α and metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 levels in the lacrimal gland of the dry eye model.
Our results suggest a crucial role of inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-17 and TNF-α, in the development of severe dry eye disease in patients with depression.
These results demonstrate that SS-associated aqueous-deficient dry eye is associated with a significant upregulation of conjunctival epithelial TNF-α mRNA relative to both non-SS DE and control groups.