We previously reported that human conjunctival epithelial cells expressed functioning interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα). In this study, we investigated whether human corneal epithelial cells also express functioning IL-4Rα.

The presence of IL-4Rα mRNA and protein in human corneal epithelium was examined by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistology, respectively. The cell surface expression of IL-4Rα and the transcripts upregulated upon IL-4Rα ligand (IL-4 or IL-13) stimulation were examined by flow cytometry and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively, using immortalized human corneal-limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells.

The mRNA and protein of IL-4Rα were detected in human corneal epithelium. Flow cytometry analysis showed the cell surface expression of IL-4Rα protein. Quantitative RT-PCR assay of HCLE cells showed the upregulation of the transcripts tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 6 (TNFAIP6), RAS guanyl-releasing protein 1 (RASGRP1), carbonic anhydrase II (CA2), cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH), hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3), calpain 14 (CAPN14), endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA), cathepsin C (CTSC), and lecithin retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) as well as human conjunctival epithelial cells.

Human corneal epithelial cells expressed functioning IL-4Rα, and stimulation of its ligands, IL-4 and IL-13, could induce the expression of various genes, e.g., antiinflammatory molecule genes such as TNFAIP6 and CISH and cellular differentiation and proliferation-related molecule genes such as RASGRP1, HAS3, EDNRA, and LRAT.