The role of lactoperoxidase and glutathione peroxidase as biomarkers of lacrimal gland acinar cells function in normal and stimulated conditions

• Grant number: 09/05253-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - New Frontiers
• Start date: July 01, 2010
• End date: June 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Melani Rocha
• Grantee: Eduardo Melani Rocha
• Host Investigator: John A. Chiorini
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda (NIH), United States

Abstract

Dry eye and dry mouth are consequences of exocrine glands dysfunction. Those conditions may respond with modulation of peroxidase superfamily enzymes expression and action, however the specific role of different peroxidases was never explored. The aim of this study is to identify and distinguish the members of peroxidase superfamily in LG in rats and to evaluate the capacity to interfere in the tissue health and function modulating their expression with techniques of RNA interference and gene therapy. The main outcomes will be LG histological and functional responses. The contributions of this work will be the improvement of the understanding of these biomarkers in the physiopathological mechanisms of those exocrine diseases and the potential utility of these molecular tools and peroxidase as a target in future therapeutic strategies. (AU)