Zinc Finger Protein in Severe Dry Eye Syndrome

Purpose: Zinc finger protein known to induce squamous metaplasia and regulate vitamin A expression has been few investigated as tear protein. We investigated tear protein variations in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). Materials and methods: Tears from healthy subjects as control and patients with DES were collected. Tear proteins were separated by one-dimensional electrophoresis. The protein bands were analyzed by nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Compared to the controls, significant down-regulation of lactoferrin and lysozyme was detected, while significant up-regulation was observed for serum albumin in patients with DES. DES grade 4 patients showed different protein patterns. Zinc-finger motif-enhancer binding-protein-1 gamma and bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger domain 2B were detected in DES grade 4 patients. Conclusions: Tear protein changes are valuable to diagnosis DES. Zinc finger proteins may be associated with pathophysiology of severe DES. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship of zinc finger proteins in tear of patients with DES.