Industrial Particulate Matter and Hyperosmolar Stress Induce Oxidative Damage in Ocular Surface and Immune Cells: Protective Effects of Human Amniotic Membrane Extract
Authors:
- Rocío Antonella ComitoRocío Antonella Comito
- Matías Fabián RotelaMRMatías Fabián Rotela
- María Ximena GuerbiMaría Ximena Guerbi
- Natalia Santa CruzNCNatalia Santa Cruz
- Vanesa TorbidoniVTVanesa Torbidoni
- Griselda Noemí MorenoGMGriselda Noemí Moreno
- Alejandro BerraABAlejandro Berra
- Flavia Mariana MicheliniFMFlavia Mariana Michelini
Preprint
- 11 August 2026
- preprint
- Published by MDPI AG in Preprints.org
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (PM₂.₅) contributes to oxidative damage of the ocular surface, particularly under dry eye-related hyperosmolar conditions. We evaluated the protective effects of a soluble extract derived from lyophilized human amniotic membrane patches (hAM-Te) in human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells and THP-1 macrophages exposed to hyperosmolarity, industrial PM₂.₅, or both. Cell viability, migration, reactive oxygen species, nitrite production, total antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed. Combined hyperosmolarity and PM₂.₅ markedly impaired cell viability and migration while increasing oxidative and nitrosative stress. hAM-Te significantly improved cell viability and wound closure, reduced reactive oxygen species and nitrite levels, restored antioxidant capacity, and modulated endogenous antioxidant defenses. These findings demonstrate that hAM-Te attenuates redox imbalance and cellular injury induced by combined environmental and hyperosmolar stress, supporting its potential as a protective strategy against pollution-associated ocular surface damage.Keywords
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