Abstract
The glycocalyx is the main component of the transcellular barrier located at the interface between the ocular surface epithelia and the external environment. This barrier extends up to 500 nm from the plasma membrane and projects into the tear fluid bathing the surface of the eye. Under homeostatic conditions, defense molecules in the glycocalyx, such as transmembrane mucins, resist infection. However, many pathogenic microorganisms have evolved to exploit components of the glycocalyx in order to gain access to epithelial cells and consequently exert deleterious effects. This manuscript reviews the implications of the ocular surface epithelial glycocalyx to bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection. Moreover, it presents some ongoing controversies surrounding the functional relevance of the epithelial glycocalyx to ocular infectious disease.
Highlights
The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich coating present on the external surface of plasma membranes
This is the case with epidemic disease-causing S. pneumoniae species, which secrete a metalloproteinase, ZmpC, that selectively induces ectodomain shedding of MUC16, leading to loss of glycocalyx barrier function and enhanced bacterial internalization [11, 12]
The data suggest that, for successful infection, human adenoviruses (HAdV) need to degrade components of the mucin barrier. This is exemplified by HAdVD37, which in contrast to HAdV-D19p, a virus that does not cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, releases the MUC16 ectodomain from corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells, causing a decrease in glycocalyx barrier function [32]
Summary
The glycocalyx is the main component of the transcellular barrier located at the interface between the ocular surface epithelia and the external environment. Many pathogenic microorganisms have evolved to exploit components of the glycocalyx in order to gain access to epithelial cells and exert deleterious effects. This manuscript reviews the implications of the ocular surface epithelial glycocalyx to bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection. It presents some ongoing controversies surrounding the functional relevance of the epithelial glycocalyx to ocular infectious disease
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
