PURPOSE: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) form part of the "chemical barrier" of the ocular surface to microbes. Evidence suggests that pathogen recognition by TLR releases AMPs, altering @entity860 -TLR profiles in pathological states. This study investigated ocular surface expression of @entity860 -TLRs in health and disease. METHODS: Complementary DNA from conjunctival and corneal impression cytology samples was used for semiquantitative and quantitative polymerase chain reactions, to determine gene expression of 6 AMPs and TLRs-1-10, in healthy subjects and @entity1 with bacterial (n = 6), viral (n = 6), Acanthamoeba (n = 3), or @entity936 (n = 7) diseases. RESULTS: Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction showed variable @entity860 expression within groups and some expression patterns between groups, increased levels of LEAP ( @entity31392 /hepcidin in @entity1800 , @entity70175 in @entity936 , and @entity1 @entity6390 in @entity4577 . There was no significant variability in TLR expression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed significantly higher expression of @entity31392 (P = 0.002) and @entity22879 (P = 0.023) and @entity34617 (P = 0.014) in @entity1800 and @entity70175 (P = 0.034) in @entity936 , versus controls. CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of @entity31392 and TLRs 8 and 10 in @entity1800 is novel; @entity34617 has not previously had a documented ligand. @entity70175 may have a role in @entity936 . Further studies will help to improve the understanding of these diseases and yield novel therapeutic interventions.

Increased expression of hepcidin and toll-like receptors 8 and 10 in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human', 'patients'] @entity70175 :: ('116842', 'Gene') :: ['LEAP-2'] @entity31392 :: ('57817', 'Gene') :: ['LEAP-1', 'liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide)-1'] @entity6390 :: ('55894', 'Gene') :: ['beta defensin 3'] @entity1800 :: ('MESH:D014777', 'Disease') :: ['viral keratitis', 'viral disease'] @entity936 :: ('MESH:D015352', 'Disease') :: ['dry eye'] @entity860 :: ('MESH:D000249', 'Chemical') :: ['AMP'] @entity4577 :: ('MESH:D017192', 'Disease') :: ['bacterial disease'] @entity22879 :: ('51311', 'Gene') :: ['TLR-8'] @entity34617 :: ('81793', 'Gene') :: ['TLR-10']
@entity1800 :: (MESH:D014777,Disease) :: ['viral keratitis']
