Fig. 3
From: Identification of glutamine as a potential therapeutic target in dry eye disease
Inhibition of glutamine attenuated the protective effects of combined therapy on inflammation, apoptosis inhibition, and homeostasis maintenance. a–c High-throughput analysis and RT-qPCR showed an attenuation of inflammatory response by MSC-CM + Tβ4 combination therapy, while the reversal of the beneficial effects was observed upon the glutamine inhibitor DON. d TUNEL staining showed the anti-apoptotic effect following the treatment of MSC-CM + Tβ4, whereas DON negated the contributory role of glutamine. Scale bar = 50 μm. e Immunofluorescence staining indicated MSC-CM + Tβ4 combination reinstated MUC1 expression in corneal epithelial cells, which is the pivotal factor in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis. Scale bar = 50 μm. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM, n = 3. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001
