Longitudinal analysis of taurine induced effects on the tear proteome of contact lens wearers and dry eye patients using a RP-RP-Capillary-HPLC–MALDI TOF/TOF MS approach

Tear proteomic studies revealed distinct similarities between contact lens wearers and dry eye patients. AMO Complete® multipurpose contact lens cleaning solutions containing taurine seem to have a beneficial effect regarding contact lens induced dry eye. To illuminate the effect of taurine on the tear proteome of contact lens wearers and sicca patients we developed a gel-based RP-RP capillary HPLC–MALDI TOF/TOF MS strategy. Two contact lens wearer groups, one using eye drops containing 0.05% taurine; the other for control physiological NaCl solution were monitored. Also, a third group of sicca patients using taurine solution was studied (N = 4 individuals/group). Tear pools of each group at six time points over 5 weeks were analyzed. In summary 267 tear proteins were identified. We found a protein subset showing a linear taurine response with R2 values ≥ 0.5. Taurine effects were detected predominantly in the contact lens group demonstrated by distinct level decreases. Most protein candidates were related to inflammation. Since levels of these proteins differentiate from those of a healthy non-contact lens wearer reference they are supposed to be involved in contact lens induced dry eye and should be focused on in further studies.

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► A RP-RP capillary HPLC-MALDI TOF/TOF MS approach was developed.
► Tear proteins of contact-lens wearers and sicca patients were examined.
► Longitudinal taurine effects were analyzed.
► 267 proteins could be identified.
► Predominantly inflammatory proteins responded to taurine application.