Autoimmune disease-related dry eye diseases (AEDD) describe those ocular disorders that have a multifactorial impact on quality of life. Protheragen provides a complete range of services for diagnosis and therapy development for autoimmune disease-related dry eye disorders.
Overview of Autoimmune Disease-Related Dry Eye Diseases (AEDD)
Autoimmune disease-related dry eye diseases (AEDD) occur due to an Ongoing autoimmune disease affecting the eye, resulting in perpetual inflammation and malfunction of the ocular surface and tear film. The main types of dry eye disease (DED) are Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) and evaporative dry eye (EDE), both of which can be aggravated by underlying autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). These diseases disrupt the delicate balance of the ocular surface, leading to symptoms such as ocular discomfort, visual disturbances, and chronic inflammation.
Fig.1 Comparisons of the alpha diversity and beta diversity between dry eye and dry eye cases. (Qi Y.,
et al., 2021)
Diagnostics Development for Autoimmune Disease-Related Dry Eye Diseases
- Advanced Imaging Techniques
The ability to examine corneal nerve density and sensitivity using confocal microscopy provides more information regarding the neurosensory abnormalities of these conditions. In comparison, meibomian gland imaging enables diagnosis of MGD as atrophy of the gland and ductal occlusion can be visualized.
- Genetic and Immunological Biomarkers
Some polymorphisms that are relevant to T cell activation and receptor signaling are associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren syndrome. Furthermore, particular autoantibodies and inflammatory markers found in the tear film can aid in diagnosis.
Therapeutics Development for Autoimmune Disease-Related Dry Eye Diseases
- Applications of artificial tears are commonly used to relieve symptoms for those suffering from both ADDE and EDE, along with supplementing tear volume.
- These conditions are known to have chronic inflammation and has shown effectiveness with these topical cyclosporine, along with its strong anti-inflammatory capabilities.
- Another emerging therapeutic agent, Lifitegrast, works by preventing the binding of inflammatory cells which in turn reduces the inflammation on the ocular surface.
- Significant relief from severe inflammatory episodes can also be obtained from topical corticosteroids, when used judiciously for shorter durations.
- Immunosuppressive agents such as methotrexate, azathioprine, and cyclophosphamide are commonly prescribed to modulate the overactive immune response.
- Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug with immunomodulatory properties, is also used in the management of SLE-related ocular manifestations, including dry eye.
Our Services
Protheragen is pioneering the development of advanced diagnostics and therapeutics for autoimmune disease-related dry eye diseases. We offer a full spectrum of services including the design of novel diagnostic devices and the formulation of powerful therapeutic approaches.
Diagnostics Development
- Karyotype Analysis Service
- Omics Analysis Service
- Biomarker Development Service
- Artificial Intelligence Service
Therapeutic Development
- Small Molecule Drug
- Cell Therapy
- Gene Therapy
- Therapeutic Antibody
- Therapeutic Peptide
- Therapeutic Protein
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mouse Models
- NOD.B10.H2b Mouse Models
- MRL/lpr Mouse Models
- Id3-Deficient Mouse Models
- NFS/sld Mouse Models
- CD25KO Mouse Models
- TGF-b1 Knockout Mouse Models
Protheragen's preclinical research services play a crucial role in the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for autoimmune disease-related dry eye diseases. Our comprehensive preclinical studies encompass the evaluation of new imaging techniques, the identification of potential biomarkers, and the assessment of therapeutic efficacy. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Qi, Yun, et al. "Comparison of the ocular microbiomes of dry eye patients with and without autoimmune disease." Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology 11 (2021): 716867.
- Kılıççıoğlu, Alara, et al. "Autoimmune disease-related dry eye diseases and their placement under the revised classification systems: an update." Cureus 15.12 (2023).
